Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Service Brakes (19.6% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that closed with a recall campaign (09V399000).
Service Brakes complaints here are 5.1× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 296 · 19.6% | Investigation closed | EA08021 → recall 09V399000 |
| Electrical System | 262 · 17.4% | Investigation closed | EA08021 → recall 09V399000 · PE08035 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 209 · 13.9% | Investigation closed | EA08021 → recall 09V399000 |
| Suspension | 184 · 12.2% | Recalled | Recall 15V608000 · Recall 12V195000 · Recall 12V194000 · Recall 10V385000 |
| Power Train | 112 · 7.4% | Recalled | Recall 12V193000 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 94 · 6.2% | Recalled | Recall 12V193000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 1,509 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 15V608000 · 2015 · reported 09/29/2015
If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V195000 · 2012 · reported 05/03/2012
A FRACTURED AXLE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V193000 · 2012 · reported 05/03/2012
A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V194000 · 2012 · reported 05/03/2012
A SEPARATION OF A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKET MAY RESULT IN A LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION. A SEPARATION OF BOTH FRONT SUBFRAME REAR BODY MOUNTS MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11V030000 · 2011 · reported 01/26/2011
THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V385000 · 2010 · reported 08/26/2010
A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06E056000 · 2006 · reported 06/13/2006
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 2009 · reported 10/13/2009
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V459000 · 2003 · reported 11/06/2003
IF THE LATCHES ON TH4E SECOND OR THIRD ROW SEATS OF THE VEHICLE RELEASE IN A CRASH, THE POTENTIAL FOR OCCUPANT INJURY IS INCREASED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROL…”NHTSA complaint 10202399 — filed 09/10/2007 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
“HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX WITH 36,900 MILES ON. ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ON CONTINUOUSLY FOR A FEW MONTHS AFTER INTERMITTENTLY A COUPLE MONTHS…”NHTSA complaint 10202143 — filed 09/07/2007 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN 1 TO 10 MILES, THE BRAKE AND ABS…”NHTSA complaint 10201840 — filed 09/04/2007 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Service brakes issues are the most-reported category, cited in 296 of 1,509 NHTSA complaints (19.6%), followed by electrical system (262), service brakes, hydraulic (209), suspension (184). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
1,509 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 33 involved a crash, 27 involved a fire, and 35 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V608000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
