Recall 11V030 covers 425,288 1999-2003 Ford Windstar vehicles for control-arm bracket or subframe mount separation. Free repair at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford issued recall 11V030 for 425,288 1999-2003 Windstar minivans sold in or registered in listed states because front lower control arm brackets or front subframe rear body mounts can separate. That separation can reduce steering control and increase crash risk; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front lower control arm helps hold the front wheel in position while the 1999-2003 Ford Windstar steers, brakes, and carries road loads. Its rear attaching bracket is part of the underbody structure that keeps that arm tied to the vehicle. The front subframe rear body mounts also support the front structure and help keep the steering intermediate shaft aligned between the steering wheel and steering gear.
In recall 11V030, Ford identified a failure path where the front lower control arm rear attaching bracket separates, which lets the lower control arm separate from its mounting point. Ford also identified a second path where both front subframe rear body mounts separate. When that happens, the steering intermediate shaft separates, so steering control is no longer transferred normally.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not rely on noise, steering feel, or a dashboard light to confirm this problem before a Ford dealer checks the vehicle.
Who's affected?
Spans the 1999-2003 Windstar model years, all tied to the same body structure component.
| 1999 Ford Windstar | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2003 Ford Windstar | body structure |
| 2002 Ford Windstar | body structure |
| 2001 Ford Windstar | body structure |
| 2000 Ford Windstar | body structure |
| Units affected | 425,288 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific minivan is included.
What's the safety risk?
The safety concern is reduced steering control, which increases the risk of a crash. Schedule the dealer inspection and repair soon, and use caution until the work is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 1999-2003 Ford Windstar is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to ask about the free inspection of the front lower control arm brackets and front subframe rear body mounts.
- Reference recall number 11V030 when you call Ford or the dealer.
- Bring the Ford owner notice if you have it.
- Avoid driving if the van has loose steering, clunks from the front underbody, or visible corrosion near the front subframe.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and the body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe. The technician makes the needed bracket, mount, or subframe repairs when the vehicle can be repaired. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. If the needed repairs cannot be made to the vehicle, Ford will offer to repurchase it.
Timeline
| January 26, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 21, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V030?
Recall 11V030 covers 425,288 1999-2003 Ford Windstar vehicles with front subframe and lower-control-arm mounting defects. A bracket or body-mount separation can reduce steering control and raise crash risk. Ford dealers inspect the mounting points and make needed repairs for free.
What should I do if my 1999-2003 Ford Windstar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Windstar is included in recall 11V030. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the inspection and repair. Reference recall number 11V030 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Ford to repair the defect at no cost. Ford dealers inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both rear front-subframe body mount attachments, then make the needed repairs free of charge.
What is the safety risk for my Ford Windstar?
The safety risk is reduced steering control. In recall 11V030, Ford reported that lower control arm separation or steering intermediate shaft separation can raise crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer inspection and repair before continued use.
What if my Ford Windstar cannot be repaired?
Ford says it will offer to repurchase the vehicle if the required recall repairs cannot be made. Start with a franchised Ford dealer inspection, then ask the service desk to document the repair decision and next step under recall 11V030.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V030000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V030 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V030000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →