2003 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

2003 FORD WINDSTAR 71,000 MILES - BOUGHT NEW FOR $35,000 IN DECEMBER 2003, I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VAN, TO AND FROM WORK AND A FEW ROAD TRIPS. IN THE BEGINNING A FEW THINGS WENT WRONG BUT I WASN'T TOO CONCERNED AT THE TIME. SINCE THEN, HERE IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT HAS GONE WRONG WITH THIS VAN: 1.NO HEAT - BLENDER ACTUATOR 2.DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULDN'T ROLL UP OR DOWN (FIXED) 3.PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND BACK WINDOWS DO NOT WORK 4.INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF 5.GASKET REPLACED ON ENGINE BECAUSE CAR WAS DYING WHEN I CAME TO A STOP. ($450) 6.REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER DOESN'T WORK 7.RUSTING OUT BY BACK TIRES 8.TRANSMISSION FAILURE $2,800. FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID! (NOW HOW DID THAT HAPPEN OTHER THAN BEING DEFECTIVE) 9.2 SAFETY RECALLS I AM LUCKY I HAVEN'T BEEN KILLED IN THIS VEHICLE! THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING! YOU WOULD THINK WHEN I HAD MY CAR SERVICED THEY WOULD HAVE NOTICED THAT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID DID NOT LOOK RIGHT. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VAN THAT I HAVE WORKED HARD AND STRUGGLED TO PAY FOR, BUT I DID IT. MY ENTIRE FAMILY HAS ALWAYS STUCK BY FORD AND I HAVE ALWAYS DEFENDED THEM. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE RIGHT NOW SO I HAD TO DIG DEEP TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH ON THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. NOW I AM STUCK WITH DRIVING A $35,000 VAN THAT I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING! [XXX] COPY TO: NHTSA (NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION) MISSOURI ATTORNEY GENERAL (CONSUMER PROTECTION) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TRIED PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

THE DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK RIGHT, AND THE GAUGES SUDDENLY WENT SPORATIC. THE RPM GAUGE NEEDLE WENT SO HARD, IT IS STUCK TO THE DASH. NOT USABLE. IT DOES THIS REGULARLY NOW. (THE GAUGES AND LOCKS).

MY INSTRUMENT PANEL KEEPS GOING CRAZY. THE RPM NEEDLE IS NOW POINTING DOWN INTO THE DASH. THE SPEEDOMETER USUALLY IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, IT WILL SAY THAT I AM DOING 20 MPH, WHEN I AM DOING MORE LIKE 45-50. THE GAS GAUGE SOMETIMES SAYS THAT IT IS ON EMPTY, WHEN I HAVE A FULL TANK OF GAS. SOMETIMES THE NEEDLES WORK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE RPM NEEDLE...IT HASN'T MOVED FROM THAT BURIED IN THE DASH SPOT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW), SOMETIMES THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT AND THEN GETS BURIED IN THE DASH ALSO, SO FAR THOUGH, EACH TIME, IT HAS CAME BACK...EVEN THOUGH IT RARELY REGISTERS EVEN CLOSE TO THE CORRECT SPEED. THE REPAIR FOR THIS IS GOING TO BE ABOUT $700 IS WHAT I WAS TOLD. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY, AND I AM CONSTANTLY PRAYING THAT MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO HAS TO DRIVE IT SOMETIMES, DOES NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE SHE IS GOING TOO FAST, AND HAS NO CLUE HOW FAST SHE IS ACTUALLY GOING, OR ONE OF US MAY GET A SPEEDING TICKET. I HAVE LOOKED AT WEBSITES AND SEEN THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS, SO FORD SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE A RECALL, BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED!!! ALSO, NOT SURE IF IT IS RELATED OR NOT, BUT THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH STAYS ON MAJORITY OF THE TIME, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH NO POWER, AND THERE IS A NOTICEABLE CHANGE AT TIMES IN THE CRUISE SPEED CONTROL WHILE DRIVING REVVING UP THE ENGINE. HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AS A RESULT. THERE APPEARS TO BE RUST AND CRACK IN THE AXLE. *TR

I WAS PARKED OUTSIDE MY HOME.I WENT OUT TO MY VAN TO GO PICK UP DINNER AND TO MY DISTRESS, THE VAN WOULDN'T REVERSE OR GO FORWARD. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION FROM ONLINE SOURCE AND AUTO MECHANICS, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FORD'S TRANSMISSIONS. NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM.IN THE PAST WEEKS,MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WHILE IM DRIVING. THIS VAN IS A HAZARD. YOU REALLY NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS PLEASE. *TR

THE "ABS" AND "BRAKE" LIGHTS COME ON, AND SOMETIMES GO OFF AND MOSTLY COME BACK ON AGAIN AND I LOOSE THE FOUR WHEEL BRAKING PROTECTION AND THE CAR SKIDS. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WATER WOULD GET INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION AT TIMES AND THE REVERSE GEAR IS FAILING. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT IT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM IN THE FACTORY WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

SPEEDOMETER LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND DON'T GO AWAY. NOW THE CAR WONT START FROM WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. REAR DRIVER LIGHT DOESN'T WORK BUT CAN SIGNAL,LEFT REAR PASSENGER LIGHTS WONT SIGNAL. *TR

THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, THE VAN STARTED BUCKING AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE ABS ELECTRONIC ECU MODULE AND BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT, AT A TOTAL COST OF $881.69, INCLUDING PARTS, TAX AND LABOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS. THE REMEDY REPAIR CONSISTED OF ATTACHING A BRACKET TO THE REAR SUBFRAME. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AND THE BRACKET PROTRUDED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED A HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE PERTAINING TO THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN, WE USE THIS VEHICLE EVERYDAY BRINGING KIDS TO SCHOOL AND FOR WIFE TO DRIVE TO WORK, WE HAD TAKEN THE VAN TO A WEDDING ON THE 20TH OF AUGUST ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY. MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE LIKE ALWAYS. THE NEXT DAY SHE WENT TO TAKE THE KIDS OUT FOR AN ICE CREAM AND FOR WHATEVER REASON THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING, NO REVERSE ,FORWARD COMPLETELY NOT WORKING. THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF A PROBLEM ,I HAVE NEVER HAD A MISS SHIFT OR A SLIPPAGE. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE WEB AND IT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED I HOPE THERE CAN BE A RESOLVE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FRACTURED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 10/03/11 *BF UPDATED 3/28/12 *CN

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, INSPECTED FOR REAR AXLE CORROSION RECALL, PASSED AND PARTS ADDED IN MAR 2011. AT THE SAME TIME THE REAR AXLE WAS FIXED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR FRONT SUBFRAME RECALL AND PASSED. AUG 18-2011 THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 20MPH. NO LETTER WAS EVER RECEIVED FROM FORD TO ADD PARTS TO FRONT SUBFRAME (CONFIRMED BY A PHONECALL TO FORD CANADA) HOW DID THEY PASS THIS AS IT FAILED 1500 KMS LATER. NOT FEELING SAFE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN (FORD IS GOING TO FIX IT!) *TR

AFTER HAVING THE 2011 REAR AXLE AND SUBFRAME RECALL DONE MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING SIGNS WHAT'S SO EVER . . . . SHORTLY AFTER SPENDING TWO THOUSAND ON HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT IN AUGUST MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY ABS STARTING KICKING IN WHEN I APPLY MY BREAKS AND WHEN MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON MY BRAKES ARE FINE AND MY VAN DOESN'T COME UP ON THE ABS RECALL . . . . . . FORD NEEDS TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND FIX THESE VANS. *TR

ABS LIGHT IS ON AS WELL AS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.CAR IS IDLING ROUGH. CHECKED WITH NUMEROUS CAR REPAIR PLACES WITH NO SUCCESS. ALSO, VAN IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT EVEN AFTER I CHANGED TIRES AND DID ALIGNMENT CHECK ! *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DRIVING IN REVERSE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY..NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NOISE...TRANSMISSION STOPPED. CAR WILL NOW NOT MOVE. CANNOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE...HUGE EXPENSE THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR..VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS FORD MINI-VAN.

TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES. SUSPECT ECM FAILURE DUE TO BAD DESIGN. SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE MOTOR BRACKETS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN SHIFTING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT TWO MOTOR MOUNTS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 186,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ UPDATED 04/18/12

ABS MALFUNCTIONED - CAUSED DAMAGE. *TR

MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. THE CARS ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF THE PAST YEAR. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I AM ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I STARTED MY VEHICLE, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT DID NOT GO ANYWHERE. I HEARD THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A RECALL ON IT. *TR

TRAVELING 65 MILES AN HOUR ON I-96 EASTBOUND , OUTSIDE OF THE DETROIT AREA. SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL POWERTRAIN FUNCTION. ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER. ENGINE RUNS FINE, AND WILL GO INTO PARK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TACOMETER BEGAN TO DISPLAY A HIGH READING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,988. UPDATED 10/27/11*BF UPDATED 3/27/12 *CN

ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON CONSTANTLY....LOSING POWER....FRONT/PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK, LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF..... *TT

OUR 2003 FORD MINIVAN PASSED FRONT SUBFRAME INSPECTION AND "CLEANING" ON 3/14/2011 WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REAR AXLE RECALL REPAIRS. IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FRONT SUBFRAME RECALL ON 7/11/2011 AND RECALL REPAIRS WERE MADE. IN ADDITION, OTHER REPAIRS WERE SOLD TO US AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION BY MECHANIC. NINE DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A CLUNK NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ON 8/1/11, THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC FOUND A BROKEN RIGHT SWAY BAR DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AT THE SUBFRAME ATTACHMENT. SERVICE MANAGER WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THIS FAILURE IS UNRELATED TO THE RECALL ISSUE AND THAT SUBFRAME REPLACEMENT WOULD NOT BE PROVIDED BY FORD. WE THEN HAD THE MINI VAN PUT UP ON A LIFT AT AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE WHERE REPAIR OF SUBFRAME WAS OBSERVED AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE SUBFRAME WHICH WAS LITERALLY SEPARATED INTO SHEETS OF RUST UNDER THE REPAIR BRACKETS. ANY FORCE TO PUT BOLTS INTO THE REPAIR BRACKETS COULD EASILY HAVE HASTENED THE CORRODED SWAY BAR FAILURE. WE WERE TOLD THE MINI VAN IS SAFE TO DRIVE EVEN WITHOUT REPAIR, HOWEVER, WE HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THAT AND LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE THERE ARE LOTS OF SMALL CHILDREN, JOGGERS AND PEDESTRIANS. WE GREATLY FEAR THAT ANY FURTHER FAILURE IN THE FRONT END COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO SOMEONE. VEHICLE HAS 84,000 MILES. FORD DENIES ANY ASSISTANCE OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE AND THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAY INACCURATE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

WHEN LEAVING MY HOUSE ON A TRIP OUT OF TOWN, I DROVE MY WINDSTAR DOWN THE STREET TO THE INTERSECTION LEAVING MY STREET. AS I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSION BROKE, DISENGAGED AND WOULD NO LONGER PROPEL THE WINDSTAR FORWARD. THE MECHANIC WHO TOWED THE VEHICLE SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND HE HAD SEEN COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF WINDSTARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON SUDDENLY WHEN DRIVING, CRUISE CONTROL STOP WORKING, SVC ENGINE LIGHT SOMETIMES FLASH, WAS REPAIRED IN THE PAST BY DEALER ON 12/09/03 ( RECALL 09S09) FOR THE SAME REASON, RIGHT NOW I DON'T HAVE A CODE BUT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

AFTER REACHING SPEEDS OF 30 MPH THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. WILL RESET AFTER CAR TURNS OFF ONLY TO APEAR AGAIN. BRAKING DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AFFECTED. *TR

THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COME ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS AN INDICATION THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. I TOOK TO THE FORD DEALER AND THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. THERE HAVE BEEN SAFETY WARNINGS ISSUED, BUT NO RECALL AS OF YET. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN DELAWARE WITH MY FAMILY THE VAN I SUDDENLY LOSS ACCELERATION. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT THIS HAS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. WITHOUT NOTICE LOSE ACCELERATION AND NOW NO GEARS WORK. 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER SEARCHING ON LINE THERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM. THIS VAN HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE BREAKING WHILE DRIVING AND THAT WAS RECALLED. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE RECALLED AS IT ALMOST THE SAME RESULT. ACCIDENT. *TR

ABS LIGHT IS ON DURING HOT DAY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 10V385000( SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BRACKETS THAT WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FROM THE RECALL WERE NOT STEADY AND UNSAFE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

I HAVE TAKEN MY VAN INTO THE FORD DEALER MORE THAN TWICE FOR THE BRAKES MAKING REAL BAD NOISES WHEN I FIRST DRIVE IT FOR THE DAY. FORD DEALER SAYS IT IS BRAKE DUST AND IS NORMAL FOR THAT YEAR OF VAN .THE NOISE IS REAL BAD AND I'M WORRIED THAT IT MAY CAUSE A PROBLEM DOWN THE ROAD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DOOR LOCKS WOULD LICKER ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,083.

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT THE SAME TIME YET THE ABS IS WORKING AND SO ARE THE BRAKES. WHEN I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART THE CAR, THE LIGHTS GO OFF. THEY OCCASIONALLY CAME BACK ON THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, BUT HAS NOT HAPPENED SO FAR THIS FALL/WINTER.I ONLY PUT 7,500 MILES A YEAR ON THE VAN, SO THE PROBLEM MIGHT OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY IF I DROVE IT MORE. I HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR OTHER REASONS AND SINCE THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON, THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM TO INVESTIGATE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLACING THE EXHAUST HANGER, SHE NOTICED THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACES DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000.

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. IT OCCURS 75% OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ABS, BRAKES AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. ITS INTERMITTENT WHEN THIS OCCURS, BUT OCCURS OFTEN. OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE HOT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE SUSPENSION HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SUSPENSION DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDER BODY SHIELDS). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIANS REPAIRED BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BODY MOUNTS. THE SUSPENSION BAR WHICH DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE SUB FRAME WAS NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 08/17/11

WHILE DRIVING, I FELT THE VAN WAS NOT SHIFTING, SO I WENT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER-AGAIN, NOTHING WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION BUT THEY DID DO A TRANSMISSION TUNE UP. WHEN I PICKED IT UP, I DROVE INTO TOWN. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO STOP ON A RED LIGHT. ON GREEN, I PRESSED MY GAS PEDAL BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. IN A DESPERATE EFFORT, I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE AGAIN, BUT FOR ONLY ABOUT A QUARTER MILE TO HAVE TO DO THE SAME REPEATEDLY UNTIL I GOT TO A SAFER SPOT. FINALLY, I ENDED UP LEAVING MY VAN PARKED AT A SHOPPING CENTER AND CALLED A CAB HOME. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH WITH MY FORD WINDSTAR VAN. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING, AND MY AIR CONDITIONING DOESN'T WORK, EVEN WHEN I HAD FREE ON PUT IN IT. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR ANOTHER CAR, NOR DO I HAVE THE MONEY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION, ALONG WITH HAVING IT PUT IN. I LIVE IN A TOWN WHERE THERE ARE NO BUSES AND CAN ONLY GET A RIDE FROM A TAXI. I DON'T HAVE $10 ONE WAY FOR THIS! I NEED TO GET TO WORK, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE MY JOB. ALL BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTIONING VEHICLE THAT IS CAUSING SAME PROBLEMS FOR MANY OTHERS OUT THERE. FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES! *KB

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON - VEHICLE WAS IN FOR ANOTHER RECALL AND FORD NOTED THAT LIGHT WAS ON - WANTED TO CHARGE FOR INSPECTION OF REASON LIGHT STAYS ON - THEY ALSO VERIFIED THAT BRAKES WERE GOOD.. *TR

VAN SHUDDERED WHILE ACCELERATING, LOUD ROAR ON DRIVER SIDE OF VAN, PROBLEM PERSISTED EVEN AFTER I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, THE SHOP CLAIMED THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY CODES FOR THE PROBLEM. DROVE ALL DAY JUNE 15 WITH ONLY ABOVE LISTED PROBLEMS, GOT IN THE VAN THE SAME NIGHT ONLY TO FIND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. NO WARNINGS, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VAN WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH NO MOVEMENT, ONLY RISING RPMS. I HAVE CHECKED NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS ONLY TO DISCOVER HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND FORD HAS NOT REIMBURSED ANYONE OR DONE A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME YEAR MODEL ON ALMOST EVERY FORUM COMPLAINT. MY VAN IS NOW IN THE SHOP, THERE IS NO TELLING HOW MUCH I AM GOING TO BE CHARGED TO GET MY VAN BACK, I HAVE 5 CHILDREN AND HAVE TO HAVE MY VAN. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GO OUT AND PUT A DOWN PAYMENT ON A NEW VAN OF A DIFFERENT MAKE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? *TR

FAULTY ABS SENSOR IN 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. BOTH THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD STARTING COMING ON THIS PAST SUMMER. I HAD IT CHECKED AT FIRESTONE, AUTOMASTERS AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE ALL GETTING A C1185 ERROR CODE AND THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THEY COULD FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE COST AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS $495 FOR THE SENSOR AND ANOTHER $500 TO INSTALL. WHILE CHECKING ANOTHER RECALL FROM FORD, I STUMBLED UPON A WEBSITE [HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/#PROBLEM2] THAT MENTIONED THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THE PROBLEM COULD START A VEHICLE FIRE. IT SUGGESTED TWO SOLUTIONS: 1) REPLACE THE ECM UNIT AND WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN AT YOUR EXPENSE, SO SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS. ALWAYS BUY FORD PARTS IF THERE IS A CHANCE YOU WILL BE REIMBURSED. ALSO A FORD DEALERSHIP MAY BE THE WAY TO GO HERE. 2) DEACTIVATE THE ECM HIGH POWER BY REMOVING FUSES 101 AND 102 SO THAT THE ABS IS ALWAYS OFF AND NOT INTERMITTENT. AND WAIT FOR FORD TO LISTEN TO US THROUGH YOUR REPORT TO THE NHTSA.GOV. I AM SENDING THIS TO ADD TO ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BROUGHT THIS ISSUE TO YOUR ATTENTION IN THE HOPES IT CAN BE REPAIRED PROPERLY AND THAT FORD COVERS SOME, IF NOT ALL THE COSTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUB FRAME AND THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE SUB FRAME FAILED A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT WENT TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND WAS ADVISED THAT SHE NEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SUB FRAME AND THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.