2003 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR PROCEED WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACTS CHILD ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED THE CLOSE BUTTON FOR THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR WHILE STANDING IN BETWEEN THE DOOR. THE SLIDING DOOR DID NOT DETECT THE CHILD AND CLOSED. THE CHILD SUSTAINED BRUISES AND SCRAPES TO HER LEFT SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REMOVED THE FUSE TO DEACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC FEATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

2003 FORD WINDSTAR YELLOW ABS LIGHT AND RED BRAKE LIGHTS IN DASH STAY ON . TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT AND WAS TOLD I NEED A ABS CONTROLLER AND NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. *KB

ABS AND BRAKE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WARNING THAT ABS SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE, SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM ALSO INOPERATIVE. BREAK PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING OIL. THIS LEAKING OIL HAS TRAVELED DOWN ABS WIRING HARNESS ALL THE WAY TO THE ABS CONTROLLER. UNSAFE CONDITION. FORD DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION AS A MANUFACTURING/DESIGN DEFECT AND STATED THERE CURRENTLY IS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM!! *TT

THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND MY SPEEDOMETER IS JUMPING AROUND ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO SURGES WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON. THIS ONLY STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR OF THE REAR AXLE AND FRONT SUB-FRAME RECALLS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT KNOCK OR SLIP PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,337.

ABS BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT BUT WENT FROM SOMETIMES TO NOW BEING ON MOST TIMES. ABS MODULES ARE NOT CHEAP AND THE FEEDBACK I HAVE RECEIVED INDICATES THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTARS. *TR

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN IN FLORDIA FROM SOMEONE ON CRAIGSLIST IN THAT USE TO LIVE IN VIRGINIA. NO LONGER THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE VAN THE ENGINE LIGHT, ABS, AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VAN WAS JERKING VERY HARD WHEN THE GEARS WERE CHANGING. I TOOK THE VAN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND PAID $90 FOR A DIAGNOSIS TEST. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME I HAD TO REPLACE THE FULL BODY THROTTLE WHICH I PAID $230 FOR. 2 WEEKS AFTER I REPLACED THE FULL BODY THROTTLE THE ENGINE, ABS, AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE JERKING CONTINUED. I WAS NOT INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN 99-03. *TR

I AM UNABLE TO GET THE RECALLS DATED FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2011 COMPLIED WITH. I KEEP GETTING THE RUN-A-ROUND. THE PARTS ARE ON ORDER AND ETC.

DASHBOARD INDICATED FAILURE OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. CODE READER REPORTS C1185 AND CANNOT BE CLEARED. ABS SYSTEM COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. REPAIRS WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROLLER/COMPUTER. *TR

NO EVENT LEADING TO FAILURE, VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO POWER THE TIRES. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WITH NO WARNING, ENGINE REVS, BUT NO POWER TO THE TIRES TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ON THE HIGHWAY IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR, CONSIDERABLY MORE PREVALENT THAN THE CURRENT REAR AXLE RECALL. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST FORD AND NHTSA FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING FAILURE. *TR

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ABS WARNING LIGHT BOTH COME ON AND STAY ON, BEGINNING AT VARYING TIMES AFTER BEGINNING DRIVING. AFTER TESTING AT FORD DEALERSHIP, MIKE FITZPATRICK FORD IN NEWNAN, GA, DIAGNOSIS WAS ABS CONTROLLER FAILURE. CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TO REPLACE ABS CONTROL UNIT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH OPERATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONTINUED TO OPERATE VEHICLE UNTIL JUNE 20, 2011 BECAUSE BRAKES AND BRAKE LIGHT WORKED AND THE COST WAS PROHIBITIVE. PART NUMBERS REPLACED WERE 2F2Z-2C219-BA CONTROL AND SW-6218 SWITCH. THE ABS CONTROL FAILURE AT 84,500 MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE INDICATES AN INADEQUATE RELIABILITY OF DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING QUALITY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, WHO RETRIEVED ERROR CODE CLL85, INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, OVERHEATING), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 07/23/13*LJ

ABS LIGHT ON AND BRAKE LIGHT ON MY MECHANIC TELL MY NEED A ECM UNIT COST 500. *TR

ABS SYSTEM FAILURE RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE REMOTE OR KEY, BUT THEN IT WOULD ALSO OPEN ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC DOORS WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE WITHOUT ANYONE OPERATING THE CONTROL BUTTONS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND CONTINUES TO COME ON AFTER 2 TO 3 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE BRAKE HARDWARE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING FROM PORTSMOUTH NH TO SOMERSWORTH NH I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING,THE ODOMETER HAD NOTHING BUT LINES, NO NUMBERS, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. I ALSO NOTED THAT SMOKE HAS BEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THESE SYMPTOMS MATCH WHAT HAS BEEN RECORDED ON LINE AS FOLLOWS, THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) (2B264) LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER (BEHIND THE AIR FILTER) OVER TIME DEVELOPS A LEAK. THIS CAUSES A SHORT AND A FUSE TRIP, FUSE #10 IF THE ENGINE IS ON. THIS LEAK ALSO CAUSES BRAKE FLUID TO WICK DOWN TWO WIRES TO THE ABS BRAKE MODULE (2C219). THE FLUID ACCUMULATES ON THE (ALWAYS ON) POWER CONNECTORS FOR THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH ARE POWERED BY FUSES 101 AND 102 AND ARE BOTH 40 AMP. THE FLUID ATTACTS MOISTURE, ROAD SALT AND LEADS TO A FIRE WHEN THE FLUID AND MOISTURE ACT AS CONDUCTOR BETWEEN THE HOT LEADS AND GROUND. THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF OTHER FORD RECALLS, JUST NOT THE WINDSTAR VAN YET. BELOW IS A PICTURE OF THE SWITCH IN QUESTION. NOTICE THE FLUID THAT LEAKED ON THE PART BELOW IT. THIS SWITCH WILL CAUSE CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS, SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS. I WILL NOT ALLOW OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE AND IT APPEARS THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT FIX THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE, RECALL #09S09 BECAUSE THEY INDICATE THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. THE RECALL STATES CLEARLY THAT THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE WITH OR WITHOUT THE VEHICLE RUNNING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND OF THE INSRUMENT PANEL GAUGES BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ERRATICALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT REMAINED CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

2003 WINDSTAR SPORT TRAVELING APPROX 80 MPH IN PASSING LANE OF I-93 EXPRESSWAY WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL. TURNED OFF CRUISE CONTROL AND PRESSED ON GAS WITH NO RESPONSE. NO WARNING LIGHTS, SOUNDS, ETC TO INDICATE ANYTHING WAS WRONG. RPM'S INCREASED DUE TO PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT NO RESPONSE FROM TRANSMISSION. COASTED TO SIDE OF EXPRESSWAY. TRIED USING DRIVE, 2ND OR 1ST GEARS TO GET OFF HIGHWAY BUT THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION RESPONSE AT ALL. NO BREAKDOWN LANE AVAILABLE SO WE WERE STUCK IN RIGHT-HAND TRAVEL LANE WITH FLASHERS ON. WE WERE IN A PLACE WERE THERE WAS NOWHERE TO GET OUT AND BE SAFE AWAY FROM VEHICLE EITHER. EXTREMELY SCARY AND UNSAFE EXPERIENCE WITH TWO CHILDREN AND DOG IN VAN WITH ME AT 10PM IN BOSTON TRAFFIC!!! WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN HIT AND KILLED!!! HAD VAN TOWED BACK TO NH AND HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY THE MECHANIC THAT TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WILL BE HAVING A REBUILD DONE FOR $1000. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A GROWING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES BUT IS NOT A RECALL. ONE TRANSMISSION PLACE HE CALLED IN MANCHESTER NH STATED THEY ARE REBUILDING APPROX 3 PER WEEK RIGHT NOW. I HAD JUST PURCHASED AS OUR OTHER CAR DIED THE DAY AFTER MY FIANCE DEPLOYED OVERSEAS WITH THE ARMY. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED KNOWING ALL THE RECALLS HAD BEEN DONE AND IT GOT A CLEAN CHECK FROM MY MECHANIC. AS I HAVE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION I AM NOW OUT OF WORK UNTIL THE VAN IS FIXED. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SITUATION IN ANY REGARD AND FORD SHOULD BEGIN TAKING CARE OF THIS FOR THEIR CONSUMERS. WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE BUT ARE NOW IN A HUGE FINANCIAL SITUATION WITH LOSS OF WORK AND A TRANSMISSION REBUILD BEING DONE. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS OFFERED A SETTLEMENT AMOUNT OF $6,675. HE STATEMENT THE SETTLEMENT OFFER WAS NOT ADEQUATE. *JB

FORD WINDSTAR. DEALER STATED THE LEFT REAR AXLE CRACKED AND THE FRONT SUB FRAME BRACKETS WERE DEFECTIVE. DEALER KEPT VAN ON THEIR PREMISES. NO DATE GIVEN FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR. THE VAN HAD EXTENSIVE REPAIRS ON 12/08/10 BUT NO MENTION OF RECALL AND POSSIBLE DANGEROUS CONDITION ADVISED BY DEALER TO OWNER. UPDATED 06/08/11 *BF

THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY, MAINLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS HOT OR THE TEMP IS HOTTER OUTSIDE. IF YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHTS GO OUT FOR A WHILE. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER 5 MINUTES, WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF IT RESETS BUT THE COMES ON AGAIN 5 MINUTES OR SO AFTER DRIVING. CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING UP A HILL. LUCKILY WE WERE FAR ENOUGH UP THAT IT COASTED TO THE TOP. ALL GEARS FAILED ON THE TRANS, D/2/1/R. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION OR WORSE.. I HAVE FOUND THAT GREAT AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, IT IS ALMOST A GIVEN NOW THAT THE TRANS ON THIS VAN WILL FAIL. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. COST TO ME FOR REPLACEMENT IS $3000.00.

THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR, ALTHOUGH THE INCIDENT DATE I HAVE SUBMITTED IS THIS PAST WEEK. THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, BUT CONTINUALLY. THE BRAKES PADS HAVE NEEDED TO BE CHANGED EVERY 9-12 MONTHS. OFTEN IT ENDS UP BEING THE DISC THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTS, THE MECHANIC LOOKS AT THE PADS AND THEY ARE FINE; THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE DISCS ARE RUINED. NOW IT HAS BEEN ONLY 6 MONTHS SINCE THE PADS WERE REPLACED AND THEY NEED REPLACING AGAIN. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. THE PROBLEM BEGINS BY THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COMING ON MORE REGULARLY. THEN THE BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASES. AS A RESULT, THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE GOOD CONTROL AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE. WE ARE CONSTANTLY DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE HAD ENOUGH. IT IS NOT SAFE. *TR

THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AT SPEEDS 35MPH-40MPH FOR NO REASON AND STAYS ON UNTIL VEHICLE STOPS AND COMPUTER REBOOTS. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND AND BRAKE CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. EVERYTHING POSSIBLE HAS BEEN DONE ACCORDING TO WHAT THE TESTER SAYS MAY BE WRONG. IT DID NOT PASS A STATE INSPECTION FOR THIS AND NOTHING CAN BE FOUND WRONG WITH THE VAN TO CAUSE THE LIGHT TO COME ON LIKE THIS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A NON-FIXABLE, BUT COSTLY PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN TRIED THAT MIGHT BE CAUSING IT. IN THE END A REPAIR SHOP CHARGES A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT TO RESET THE COMPUTER AND SEND YOU ON YOUR WAY. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE COMPANY NEEDS TO DO A RECALL, IF THEY KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT, AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL.

INTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, DRIVERS SIDE AUTO LOCK STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY, CONSTANT DRAINING OF THE BATTERY, MUST CARRY JUMPER CABLES.. THIRD BATTERY IN THREE YEARS, NOW PROBLEM IS WEEKLY. THINKING THIS ISSUE MAY HAVE TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AT RANDOM UNEXPLAINED TIMES. SOMETIMES REMAINING ON ONCE THE VEHICLE IS OFF AND ALL DOORS ARE COMPLETELY CLOSED. PROBLEM WITH ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON AT RANDOM TIMES IN ADDITION TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER STAYING RESET. CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON.. SOMETIMES THEY COME ON AND OFF BUT IF THEY REMAIN ON CAUSE THE CAR TO HESITATE OR JUST QUIT ON YOU. CAR IS A EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AT INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE OF HESITATION AND STALLING. MY WIFE (HER PRIMARY VEHICLE) HAS BEEN STRANDED IN TWO INTERSECTIONS WHERE THE CAR DIED COMPLETELY. MY WIFE IS TERRIFIED FOR HER SAFETY EVERYTIME WE ARE IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE FINALLY HAD ENOUGH AND AM FILING A COMPLAINT SINCE I HAVE READ FROM NUMEROUS SOURCES THAT I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. PLEASE CONSIDER THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES AND SUBSEQUENTLY ANY INNOCENT MOTORIST OR PEDESTRIAN WHO MAY BECOME INJURED FROM THESE SAFETY ISSUES. THANK YOU. FORD IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS AND REPORTS AND IT APPEARS IS UNWILLING TO RESEARCH A FIX, OR INITIATE A RECALL UNTIL ENOUGH BODIES PILE UP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, HAVING A VEHICLE FAIL COMPLETELY TWICE IN 3 MONTHS IN THE MIDDLE OF OMAHA NEBRASKA INTERSECTIONS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND SHOULD BE EVALUATED OR RECALLED. I HAVE REPLACED BATTERIES, AND ALTERNATOR, FUSES, AND MANY DOLLARS IN DIAGNOSTIC FEES TO FAMILY ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO IS SHAKING HIS HEAD. DOES FORD KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND JUST DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT IT AND COMPLETE ANOTHER FACTORY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE YEAR AGO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR CONTINUES TO HAVE INTERMITTENT ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATED ON THE DASHBOARD. UPON AN INTERNET SEARCH, IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO FORWARD SUCH PROBLEMS TO NHTSA FOR DOCUMENTATION. THE FOLLOWING CODES WERE RETRIEVED FROM THE WINDSTAR: C1185 AND U1262. IT APPEARS THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA WHILE ON VACATION AND MY VAN LOST THE DRIVING POWER, THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING AND THE TACHOMETER WENT HIGHER AS WE TRIED TO GO, BUT WERE UNABLE TO MOVE. WE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY GLIDE OFF OF THE ROAD AND BE TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE MAIN SHAFT AND TORQUE CONVERTER WERE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT THE COST OF $1200 FOR REPAIR, A RENTAL CAR OF $350 AND A RETURN FLIGHT TO RETRIEVE VAN AFTER REPAIRS, IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SHAFT. *TR

FOR THE PAST YEAR MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED, HE TOLD ME IT LOOKED LIKE A FUSE, WE REPLACED THE FUSE BUT WITHIN A WEEK THE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AGAIN. I TOOK MY WINDSTAR INTO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL ON THE SPEED CONTROL AND THE REAR AXLE. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND A WHOLE BUNCH OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP WHERE HE WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A HIGH WATER SPOT AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR THE FAILURE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION AND CONTRIBUTED THE TIRE AND WHEEL FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR: AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER SO THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED SOME UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, BUT IT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

THERE IS SOME KIND OF MALFUNCTION IN THE 2003 FORD WINDSTARS. THE WINDOWS WILL STOP WORKING ALL AT ONCE OR AT RANDOM TIMES. THE LIGHTS WILL STOP WORKING AND THEN START AGAIN. THE RADIO WILL STOP WORKING AND START AGAIN. THESE ARE ALL ON RANDOM FUSES. FORD SAYS THEY CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IF THEY DO NOT EXPERIENCE IT. THE PROBLEMS WILL LAST FOR A FEW MINUTES OR UP TO DAYS AT A TIME. THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO WILL NOT ENGAGE AT TIMES. THESE ARE ALL GETTING POWER AS THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL TELL YOU IT IS READY TO ENGAGE AND WHEN YOU TRY TO ENGAGE IT , IT SAYS ITS BEEN DEACTIVATED. THE RADIO WILL EJECT OR LOAD CD BUT WILL NOT COME ON. WE HAVE NOT FOUND A SOLUTION YET BUT FEEL THIS CAN BE A PROBLEM IF THE LIGHTS GO OUT AT THE WRONG TIME. EVEN THE WINDOWS NOT OPENING CAN BE A PROBLEM. IF A BEE OR SOMETHING ELSE GETS STUCK IN THE VAN YOU CAN NOT ALWAYS STOP TO GET IT OUT. AS MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER ARE VERY ALLERGIC TO THEM IT IS A DANGER NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THEM. IN LOOKING UP SOLUTIONS I HAVE NOTICED A GREAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AND OFF. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 2003 BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT ON CONSISTENTLY FOR THE LAST 3 TO 4 YEARS. BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, LOW KIM, TRAVELING HWY WITHOUT ANY WARNING LOST ACCELERATION, RPM'S ALL OVER THE PLACE, ALMOST CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COAST TO ROAD SIDE. NUMEROUS IDENTICAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FORD IGNORES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. FORD MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. CANT IMAGINE THEM PUTTING THEIR OWN FAMILY AT RISK BY PUTTING THEM ON THE HWY OR A DIRT ROAD WITH THIS WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 WINDSTAR. ONLY AFTER MY SONS SHAKEN PHONE CALL FROM THE 401 WITH THE SOUND OF TRAFFIC IN THE BACKGROUND DID I START MY OWN RESEARCH AND DISCOVER THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OF SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH OTHER PERSONS VOICING CONCERN FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY AND SAFETY OF THEIR FAMILIES. FIX IT FORD. *TR

VEHICLE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WOULD COME ON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT BY ITSELF AND NOW PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WOULD NOT WORK ON DIM. THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. SO I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM TO TAKE THE SAME MATERIALS AGAIN. I'M DECIDING IF I SHOULD CUT MY LOSSES AND SELL. MY HUSBAND SAID WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BOUGHT A FORD. I'M DISABLED AND CAN'T AFFORD TO BE STICKING THIS KIND OF MONEY MONTHLY INTO IT. *TR

MY SENSOR LIGHTS ARE FLASHING, ABS LIGHT, O/D LIGHT TRAC LIGHT, CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS ON. ALSO MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, AND MY BACKING WARNING SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING. *TR

NO WARNING LEADING TO FAILURE, VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO POWER THE TIRES. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WITH NO WARNING, ENGINE REVS, BUT NO POWER TO THE TIRES TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ON A VERY WELL TRAVELED ROAD RT 4 IN AUBURN ME HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET IT TO SAFETY THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR, CONSIDERABLY MORE PREVALENT THAN THE CURRENT REAR AXLE RECALL. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST FORD AND NHTSA FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING FAILURE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE AND I DO THINK IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND AS THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED THE SPEED CONTINUED TO DECREASE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

CAR QUITS RUNNING WHILE IN MOTION. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR DIES. I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THEY SAY THE BATTERY IS OK, BUT IT WILL NOT RUN FOR MORE THAN A FEW MILES AT A TIME. I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY GET A JUMP START. I JUST REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES ON THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE EXTENSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND PROVIDED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD POP FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPRING HAD FRACTURED YET THE PLATE IN WHICH THE SPRING WAS ATTACHED WAS STILL IN PLACE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED BEFORE DETERMINING IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL AND IF THE REPAIRS WOULD BE COVERED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED EDITION HAS MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE HAZZARD LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF THEREFORE DRAINING MY BATTERY. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT IT WHENEVER I SHUT IT OFF. IT IS CURRENTLY AT BAY RIDGE FORD FOR THE RECALL INVOLVING THE REAR AXLE. HOWEVER IT HAS FAILED EMISSIONS FOR CODE 171 AND 174. I BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSTAR VAN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO CRUISE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,727 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,200. UPDATED 02/22/12*LJ UPDATED 05/03/12