Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SEATS - MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
03V459000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 03/07/2001 to 11/05/2002V (Vehicle)25711911/21/2003MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY11/06/200311/06/2003571225
Defect SummaryCertain minivans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, child restraint anchorage system. during testing, a third row bench floor-to-seat latch released before the strength requirement was met. identical latches are used in the second row of seats.
Consequence SummaryIf the latches on th4e second or third row seats of the vehicle release in a crash, the potential for occupant injury is increased.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the seat-to-floor latches on the second and third row of seats. owner notification began on november 21, 2003. owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
NotesFord recall no. 03c05.also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SEATS
03C0511/01/200310008198Replacement of lower seat-to-floor latches on vehicles equipped with 2nd and 3rd row seats. demonstration / delivery hold. compliance recall 03c05. *tt07/22/2004
1609708/01/2002636112Some vehicles may exhibit a front seat back frame(s) bending. *tt11/05/2002
1485504/01/2001619332Some vehicles equipped with the highback front seats (without side air bags) may exhibit a twisted seat back frame. *tt05/23/2001
SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - POWER ADJUST
1661102/01/200310002496Power seat that moves in a arc rather than straight forward or back. *tt09/03/2003

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SEATS
05/21/2011125655
 There have been numerous issues with this vehicle lately. car would not start, power steering went out, oil light stays on, i have to put oil in every week, seat motor stop working and now the brakes do not work. we were driving out of town with our 3 kids and i went to press the brakes just to find that it was not there - it was all the way up under the dash board!!!
05/31/2009131000105/01/2009
 Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the abs and service brake lights would illuminate intermittently on the instrument control panel. he installed new brakes shoes, which did not remedy the failure. he took the vehicle to the dealer, and a technician concluded that the control module failed. the repairs cost $1200.00. also the latch on the second row bucket seats have fractured. no repairs were made. the manufacturer was notified but no assistance was provided. the failure mileage was approximately 131,000. the current mileage was approximately 133,000. updated 11/10/09 *cn updated 11/13/09
09/26/2008120000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving 30 mph, the contact crashed the front bumper of the vehicle into another vehicle. the middle seats detached from the base while being occupied by two passengers. one of the passengers was a baby sitting in his car seat. the baby received injuries to the nose and face. the other passenger received injuries to the legs. the washington state police report number was 080297419. the failure and current mileages were 120,000.
04/13/2003750001011/11/2002
 Nov 9, 2002, is when we purchased the red windstar van we were told that the dealership had used it as a promotional car for the owners and their wives. february a complaint officer at ford told me they were just putting the car in our name it was listed under enterprise still. i called to asked why we were just getting the recall notice for the seat when i had called them 5 times with the call i made 2-7-07 and why had they not sent a notice for the sliding doors. *nm
01/31/2004337001
 While driving vehicle was involved in a side impact. upon impact second row passenger seat unlatched from the floor. *ak
05/08/20031
 While driving, the seat became detached from the floor. *jb
02/15/20031
 The vehicle was involved in an accident which caused the middle row seat to come off track and threw the seat into the air. dealer notified. *nlm
12/06/2001111/01/2001
 I purchased the vehicle on november 10, 2001. the vehicle had been brought from another dealer, and when i picked it up, it was purported to have been examined and everything working. when i got a few miles down the road, i noticed that the air bag light was flashing. i called the dealership and was told to take it to a dealer as soon as possible and have it checked. since it was saturday, i had to wait until the next week to have it checked. i was told at prestige ford that the air bag sensor module was not the right one for my car. the car was manufactured 3 days after the modules changed for the new cars. they ordered the part, i came back a week later to have it repaired. the computer still showed a problem, and mechanic said that he had replaced the part but would have to contact ford to see what to do about the other problem. a week later he called and said he had not reached ford yet. i said that my air bag worked, though, and he said no. the next day i was struck by another vehicle in a front end crash. we struck at approx. same angle and both air bags deployed. mine did not. i stopped when i saw her come over on wrong side of the road. she hit me at approx. 35 mph. middle seat in the car came out of the anchors. i hit the steering wheel and was thrown against the door. i was injured, neck, chest, arm, side. i believe the vehicle was defective, i was allowed to drive it without the offer of a loaner, and i feel that the air bag could have diminished my injuries. i am also very concerned about back seat coming loose.*ak
SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - POWER ADJUST
07/08/20041
 Numerous things have gone wrong since we bought the vehicle. items covered under warranty: electric seat stopped working twice, and transmission wouldn't shift when it was supposed to. items not covered under warranty: brakes replaced at 30,000+ miles-told was normal for them to wear out so quickly; rack and pinion replaced at around 55,000 miles; months after brakes replaced, brakes grind loudly when coming to a stop (brakes checked numerous times, but was told they were ok); abs brake light comes on and stays on after driving (not illuminated on start up, but comes on later); back dome light not secure-falls out; dome lights sometimes come on when braking; check engine light on for months, didn't have it checked, but turned off by itself; sliding door drags-rusted on vechicle frame.*ak
11/01/2001511/24/2001
 While traveling on the highway, the door will unexpectedly open without prior warning, dealership is aware of problem. *ak. *jb. also the driver seat will not move, dealer replaced the fuse, the cruise control was inoperative. and the door ajar light was on.*jb
03/14/20010
 Electrical slidding door is inoperable , door will slide intermittently. dealership is aware of problem.*ak
SEATS - MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
06/01/20042
 Consumer feels that the anchors in the rear middle seat for the latch system is causing the css harness strap plate to bend when removing the css because the plate only bends in this vehicle. *ak
12/05/200346640110/26/2002
 I purchased a 2001 ford windstar in october 2001. i have had to have the transmission rebuilt in december 2003. i only have 46,640 miles on this vehicle. it has cost me $2158 to have this repaired. the transmission should not have been giving me problems with this few of miles on it. the transmission starting changing really hard and starting making loud clunking noises when shifting. it began to start slipping into neutral while driving down the road. the dealership has not helped me at all and ford motor company has been informed of my problem. the state attorney general has also been notified. i think ford motor should have a recall and pay for the repairs for these vehicles that have failed for those of us who trusted these to be reliable family vehicles. go to www.carsurvey.org and see all the consumer complaints for the ford windstars. the windshield wiper motor had to be replaced just shortly after i purchased this vehicle. floor to seat safety latches have been replaced due to recall in december 2003. windshield has constant crackling noise as i am driving. *la
09/26/2003350001
 Middle passenger side seat back reclined forward with so much force that the seat hinge connector almost severed consumer hands. the consumer received stitches.*ak the consumer was cleaning the vehicle and pressed the seat latch. when the latch released the seat it came forward with such force that the seat hinge connector almost severed her finger. the consumer had to get 5 stitches in her left index finger. the consumer currently has no feeling in that finger. *nlm