Total Complaints
33 filings
FORD WINDSTAR · model year
33 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004FORDWINDSTAR carries 33 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 WINDSTAR is suspension with 6 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (3) and power train:axle assembly (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 7 investigation files overlapping the 2004 WINDSTAR. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
33 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| ENGINE | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
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
Mileage: 153,000
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.
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.
Mileage: 118,000
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
Mileage: 169,784
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.
Mileage: 90,000
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.
Mileage: 138,000
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.
Mileage: 138,000
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.
Mileage: 75,000
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
Mileage: 138,869
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
Mileage: 138,869
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
Mileage: 138,869
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
Mileage: 160,000
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 W
Mileage: 152,000
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 W
Mileage: 152,000
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 W
Mileage: 152,000
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.
Mileage: 141,000
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.
Mileage: 122,414
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.
Mileage: 97,000
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.
Mileage: 124,000
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.
Mileage: 129,000
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Rear Axle Fracture Recall Scope
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Rear Axle Cracking
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.