2004 Ford Windstar
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Windstar › 2004
These records cover every 2004 Ford Windstar. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
24 complaints2 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
Intermitten the speedometor does not work at all or does not show the correct speed, over drive light blink constantly, cruise does not work at ll. Happen in city and highway. Hitting a bump sometime correct speedometer or driving on highway this contnues to happen on a daily bases
- Electrical system
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that the warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Engine
TL* the contact owned a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that the engine caught on fire. The contact stated that the failure occurred after the vehicle received routine maintenance where the battery, the water pump, and the engine belt were replaced. The fire department was present. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 118,000.
- Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that the front axle fractured. The vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that the front axle fractured. The vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 169,784. The vin was not available. the consumer stated there was a loud noise coming from the front side by the tire. the vehicle was inspected and it was determined the sway bar in the front was broken and the subframe was rusted. Ford stated they met the recall requirements in 2011 and there was nothing they could do for the consumer. Updated 12/23/15.*jb
- Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30-35 mph, there was a loud abnormal noise coming from rear driver side of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the rear driver side axle detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30-35 mph, there was a loud abnormal noise coming from rear driver side of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the rear driver side axle detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall in 2007 related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
- Engine · Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the engine stalled as the electronic throttle control warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle restarted on the first attempt and resumed normally. The failure recurred on seven separate occasions.…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the engine stalled as the electronic throttle control warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle restarted on the first attempt and resumed normally. The failure recurred on seven separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 138,000.
- Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, a crunching sound was heard from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
- Structure › Body · Suspension · Wheels
Returned van to dealership, rear end making noise. previous recall (august 2012) fix to reinforce rear axle now shows axle IS cracked. ford says they will not enact a repair, after numerous calls to customer service, the rep stated the recall department stated the fix IS performing and the…
Returned van to dealership, rear end making noise. previous recall (august 2012) fix to reinforce rear axle now shows axle IS cracked. ford says they will not enact a repair, after numerous calls to customer service, the rep stated the recall department stated the fix IS performing and the vehicle IS safe to drive regarding the rear axle. I asked that they state that in writing to me. looking at your website and the fatality that caused this recall, I suspect the car IS not safe. The dealership agrees. what IS your take? [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that her vehicle was included and repaired under an unknown manufacturer's recall for the axle. After the repair, the axle fractured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. *tr
- Electrical system · Engine · Service brakes
Purchased the car used on 5/26/12, drove away from the dealership and the ABS warning light and the break warning lights both came on, indicating issues with ABS. Took it to the repair shop and was told that the ABS module (??) was causing the issues. Car dealership and warranty company refused to…
Purchased the car used on 5/26/12, drove away from the dealership and the ABS warning light and the break warning lights both came on, indicating issues with ABS. Took it to the repair shop and was told that the ABS module (??) was causing the issues. Car dealership and warranty company refused to cover it because it's an optional system. There appears to have been a recall for this but for some reason my car wasn't included - it was originally purchased in canada, so I'm not sure if that effects recall information. on 6/12/12 driving in to work the car suddenly lost speed while trying to accelerate on the highway. I was attempting to make it across 4 lanes and the car suddenly wouldn't go over 30mph - thankful there wasn't a lot of traffic but this could have caused an accident. Issues continue - car bucks and hesitates when trying to accelerate, there's often a loud pop (backfire?) from the engine when applying the gas pedal. Mechanic replaced seals and spark plugs in engine but we were told that the pcm (ecm?) was causing an electrical issue. Additional symptoms include reduced gas mileage, feeling like it's going to stall or move while at a stop (bucking like it's going to move forward even though brakes are applied) and reduced functioning in the a/c unit. *Tr
- Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, grey smoke emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic, who stated that the rear axle broke. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 141,000.
- Power train
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph , the overdrive warning lamp illuminated. The contact mentioned that she took her foot off the accelerator and the vehicle speed did not decrease. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 122,414.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 to 40 mph the vehicle suddenly stalled. There were no warning lights prior or after the failure. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle; therefore, it was towed to an independent mechanic. The…
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 to 40 mph the vehicle suddenly stalled. There were no warning lights prior or after the failure. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle; therefore, it was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic advised her that she needed to replace the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 97,000.
- Suspension › Rear
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact was driving approximately 55 mph when the rear of the vehicle began to wobble excessively. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop for an alignment where the technicians advised that the rear axle was twisted and causing the failure. The…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact was driving approximately 55 mph when the rear of the vehicle began to wobble excessively. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop for an alignment where the technicians advised that the rear axle was twisted and causing the failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the technician confirmed the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the failure (nhtsa campaign ID number: 10v385000 -suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) because there were no signs of corrosion or fractures on the axle. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the repair did not fall under the recall for the rear axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
- Electrical system · Latches/locks/linkages
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that the interior lights and instrument panel lights would fail intermittently. The sliding doors would also open and shut independently while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that there was an…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that the interior lights and instrument panel lights would fail intermittently. The sliding doors would also open and shut independently while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that there was an electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. There were no recalls on the failure for the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.
- Suspension › Front › Control arm
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that someone else was driving the vehicle 60 mph when it began to feel unstable and then she lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test that located the failure on the front…
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. The contact stated that someone else was driving the vehicle 60 mph when it began to feel unstable and then she lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test that located the failure on the front control arm wire. The manufacturer advised that there was not a recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 79,000.
- Power train › Axle assembly
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. While driving in reverse 3 mph the rear axle broke in half. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who stated that the rear axle beam needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The approximate failure and current mileages were 153,000.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Failure with the transmission. Slight noise from vehicle which was not identified. Driving down road total loss of motion within seconds with no sign of defect or sound which put my whole family in danger. The transmission IS broke and will have to be replaced but has not yet been done. *Tr
- Power train › Axle assembly
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar while driving at 20mph she smelled something burning and saw white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle and she also heard an explosion. She was able to get out of the vehicle and she saw that the left rear tire blew. The vehicle was towed to her home.…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar while driving at 20mph she smelled something burning and saw white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle and she also heard an explosion. She was able to get out of the vehicle and she saw that the left rear tire blew. The vehicle was towed to her home. The person who towed the vehicle found that rear axle broke in half which punctured the left rear tire causing it to blow. she contacted the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated there was not a recall for the failure and the vehicle IS over one hundred thousand miles; therefore they will not assist with the repair. The vehicle will be repaired. The current and the failure mileage was 123,005.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Driving on highway & suddenly lost power, although engine was still on. Towed to dealer & transmission needed to be replaced. *Tr
- Power train › Axle assembly · Suspension › Rear
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. while driving approximately 35 mph she heard a peculiar noise outside of the vehicle. she applied pressure to the brake pedal, and then the vehicle began to shimmy. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. the technician…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. while driving approximately 35 mph she heard a peculiar noise outside of the vehicle. she applied pressure to the brake pedal, and then the vehicle began to shimmy. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. the technician stated the failure was contributed to the rear axle. the vehicle was currently being repaired for the malfunction. the failure and current mileages were 123,500 updated 01/1410 *bf the rear axle was rusted from inside out and cracked 3/4 of the way through which caused the tires to tilt inward at the top and outward at the bottom. Updated 01/10/10.*jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford windstar. while driving 40 mph, the contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking brake fluid. the failure caused fuses to blow out in the cruise control and ABS modules. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired; however, the ABS module still needs to be replaced. the current mileage was 209,000 and failure mileage was 159,000.
- Engine and engine cooling · Vehicle speed control
Tl*the contacts owns a 2004 ford windstar. while driving 30 mph, the check engine light illuminated. the vehicle would not accelerate when the contact depressed the accelerator pedal. the mechanic stated that the oxygen sensor caused the failure and they made the replacement, however, the…
Tl*the contacts owns a 2004 ford windstar. while driving 30 mph, the check engine light illuminated. the vehicle would not accelerate when the contact depressed the accelerator pedal. the mechanic stated that the oxygen sensor caused the failure and they made the replacement, however, the failure continued to occur. the mechanic stated that the gasket was the cause of failure. as of august 31, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure mileage was 86,000 and current mileage was 90,000.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
TL* - the contact stated that while driving heard a noise from the brakes the contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who repaired the brakes by sanding down the rotors. The dealer told the contact that ford has changed the materials that were used to make the rotors. Also, the dealer told the contact that this failure occurred because he didn't drive the vehicle often. *ak updated 1/30/2007 - *nm
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