Model year record
2004 Ford Windstar recalls & problems
The 2004 Ford Windstar has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 24 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is suspension (9 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2004 Ford Windstar.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| SuspensionRear; Front › Control arm | 9 | 124,000 mi |
| Power trainAxle assembly; Automatic transmission | 7 | 122,414 mi |
| Vehicle speed controlCruise control | 4 | 145,500 mi |
| Electrical system | 3 | — |
| Engine | 3 | 138,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | — |
| Service brakes | 1 | — |
| StructureBody | 1 | — |
| Wheels | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner 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.
- EngineFire
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 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 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
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
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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.