Recall 15V608 covers 283,413 1998-2003 Ford Windstar vehicles for misinstalled rear-axle repair brackets. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 283,413 1998-2003 Windstar vans because brackets from earlier rear-axle corrosion recall repairs were installed incorrectly on some vehicles. When those brackets are wrong, the rear axle can fracture, affect handling, and increase crash risk; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear axle on 1998-2003 Ford Windstar vans is the solid beam that carries the rear wheels and keeps them aligned under the vehicle. It also carries suspension loads, so it has to stay strong while the van turns, brakes, and rides over uneven pavement.
These Windstars were part of earlier rear axle corrosion recalls, and the repair used reinforcement brackets to help protect an axle that was at risk of cracking from rust damage. In this recall, the concern is the way those brackets were installed. If a bracket sits in the wrong position, it gives the axle less support than the repair was designed to provide. That leaves the earlier corrosion repair less effective.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not rely on noise, vibration, or a visible change in ride height to confirm this problem before a dealer inspection.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 model years of the Windstar, all tied to the same rear suspension component.
| 2000 Ford Windstar | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2003 Ford Windstar | rear suspension |
| 1998 Ford Windstar | rear suspension |
| 1999 Ford Windstar | rear suspension |
| 2001 Ford Windstar | rear suspension |
| 2002 Ford Windstar | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 283,413 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific minivan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A rear axle fracture can change how the Windstar handles and increase the risk of a crash. Use extra caution with steering, cornering, and highway driving until the brackets are inspected. If handling changes, stop in a safe place and call a Ford dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 1998-2003 Ford Windstar is included in this recall.
- Use the owner notice Ford mailed on October 21, 2015, if you have it, and watch for Ford guidance if you never received one.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 15V608 when you call.
- Schedule the free bracket inspection that checks whether the prior rear-axle corrosion repair was installed correctly.
- Bring the van in for axle replacement if the dealer finds a misinstalled bracket; the repair is free.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician will inspect the rear axle reinforcement brackets to confirm they were installed correctly. If a bracket was installed incorrectly, Ford's remedy is to replace the rear axle. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under recall 15V608. The service desk can confirm whether your Windstar needs inspection before any axle work is performed.
Timeline
| September 29, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 21, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V608?
Recall 15V608 covers 283,413 1998-2003 Ford Windstar vehicles whose prior rear-axle corrosion repair brackets were installed incorrectly. The incorrect bracket installation leaves the earlier repair less effective. Ford dealers will inspect the brackets and replace the rear axle for free if needed.
What should I do if my 1998-2003 Ford Windstar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Windstar is included in recall 15V608. If it is, call a franchised Ford dealer and ask for the rear-axle bracket inspection. Reference Ford recall number 15S27 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will inspect the brackets and replace the rear axle free of charge if a bracket was installed incorrectly.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is rear axle fracture. If the repair brackets were installed incorrectly, the prior corrosion repair is less effective, and the rear axle can fracture. A fractured rear axle affects vehicle handling and increases crash risk.
What if I bought my Ford Windstar used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Windstar is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 15V608 or Ford recall number 15S27.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V608000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V608 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V608000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →