2003 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON! *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR SOMETHING WHICH FORD CLAIMS THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS- ALL THEY KEPT SAYING IS YOU NEED TO PAY $ FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WHICH WILL PROBABLY NOT EVEN TELL THEM THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEMS BECAUSE IN ORDER TO CATCH THE PROBLEM THEY NEED TO CATCH IT JUST AS IT HAPPENS WHICH IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. LONG STORY SHORT-I HAVE PUT NOTHING BUT $ INTO THIS VAN WHICH I FEEL SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON ALL THE PROBLEMS THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUES FOR THE EXACT SAME YEAR AND MODEL VAN. AS OF NOW I AM STUCK WITH NO CAR TO GET TO WORK AND TO GET MY KIDS TO SCHOOL BECAUSE THE VAN WON'T START AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE SHOP ONCE AGAIN. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE- DOMES LIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING EVEN WITH THE SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION, FUSES GETTING BLOWN FROM OPENING WINDOWS, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ONLY WORKING WHEN IT WANTS TO, ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY FAILURE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, AND NOW THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHY IT IS NOT STARTING. FAILURES HAPPEN EVERY YEAR SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VAN. I HAVE HAD THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED EVERY YEAR AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AS WELL. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AC AND HEAT AND THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN AND JUST CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THIS ANYMORE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE REAR TIRES BEGAN ABNORMALLY TILTING INWARD. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,306. UPDATED 10/13/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HEARD UNUSUAL NOISES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND SOON DISCOVERED THE REAR TIRES WERE TILTED IN AT THE TOP. HE DISCOVERED THE AXLE WAS 3/4 CRACKED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. UPDATED 10/14/10*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE FOR FURTHER TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

2003 FORD WINDSTAR - REAR AXLE BEAM BROKE IN HALF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND TURN OFF WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE BRAKE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FREQUENTLY AND STOPPING DISTANCE WA INCREASED WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO LOCK UP. THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE MODULE WAS BAD. UPDATED 02/28/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

ABS HAS INTERMITTENT FAILURE, THE WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN SNOW AND ICE CONDITIONS AS THE VEHICLE BRAKING BECOMES UNPREDICTABLE. *TR

DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT ONTO THE ROAD, MY REAR AXLE BROKE IN TWO. HAD JUST HAD IT AT FORD FOR FRONT TIRE RODS, ROTATION OF TIRES AND ALIGNMENT. I ASKED THEM TO LOOK IT OVER BECAUSE I WAS GOING ON VACATION. UPDATED IVOQ 11/03/10 *TR THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BECAUSE HER VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER THE RECALL CUT-OFF DATE. UPDATED IVOQ 02/01/11. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO LEAKED BRAKE FLUID FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE MASTER CYLINDER. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE DOME LIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. OCCASIONALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT OPEN. THE TWO BENCH REAR WINDOWS WOULD ALSO OPEN INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,289. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,279.

ANTI SKID FAILURE, THE ABS AND ASSOCIATED BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON WHEN WARM. DEALER CODE SAYS C1185. LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. *TR

WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME .TURNING ON OUR STREET,15 TO 20 MPH.HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND COULDNT STEER THE VAN.TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD US THE BRACKETS RUSTED OFF THE SUBFRAME.WENT TO FORD GARAGE THEY SAID THEY HAD ONE IN 2WEEKS PRIOR AND IT WAS MY PROLBEM.THE VAN ONLY HAS 42,000 ON IT.WOW..TO THINK I HAVE 3 FORD PRODUCTS IN MY DRIVE.

IN 2009 OUR BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. WE RECEIVED THE FORD WINDSTAR RECALL FOR THE LEAKING CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. WE HAD THIS DONE IN FEB. 2010. WE WENT BACK TO FORD ON JULY 7 2010 BECAUSE OF SMOKE AND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THEY DID NOTHING. I DID NOT REPLACE THE SWITCH RIGHT AWAY AND ON AUGUST 1ST WE TOOK A TRIP OVER A MOUNTAIN PASS. IT STARTED LEAKING VERY BAD ON THIS TRIP. SO BAD THAT THE LOW BRAKE FLUID LIGHT CAME ON. WE GOT HOME I REPLACED THE SWITCH AND REMOVED THERE JUMPER DUE TO THE JUMPER WAS SOAKED IN BRAKE FLUID. ALSO TOPPED OFF FLUID. STILL BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, AND HAVING A FAMILY IN A VAN OVER MOUNTAIN PASSES, THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY FORD. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR & THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN TWO WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. JUST 3 WEEKS BEFORE I HAD IT AT THAT SAME DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE & THEY CHARGED ME TO "SHIM" THE REAR WHEELS AS THEY SAID IT WOULDN'T ALIGN PROPERLY. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, MORE OFTEN IN HOT WEATHER. THIS TELLS ME THE ABS WOULD NOT WORK IN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *TR

2003 WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION LITE DASH "OVER DRIVE IS OFF". I CHECKED THE FUSES NO.14 10 AMP WAS BLOWED THIS ALSO GOES TO THE SIDE ELECTROCHROMATIC MIRRORS THAT STOPPED WORKING. PUT NEW FUSE IN. I DRIVE 14 MILES AT 45MPH FUSE BLOWS AGAIN., *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN, FOR A COUPLE WEEKS I OCCASIONALLY HEARD A CREAKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED A SHARP CORNER. THEN ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING, THANKFULLY NOT AT A VERY HIGH SPEED MY VAN STARTED TO GO ALL OVER THE ROAD EVERY TIME IT WENT OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP IN THE ROAD. IT FELT AS IF THE TIRES WERE GOING TO FALL OFF THE VAN. WHEN MY HUSBAND LOOKED UNDER THE VAN YOU COULD SEE THE BACK AXEL COMPLETELY BROKE IN HALF. WE TRAVEL A LONG DISTANCE EVERY FEW MONTHS TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, GOD WAS REALLY WATCHING OUT FOR MY FAMILY AND I, THAT THE AXEL DIDN'T GO WHILE WE WERE ON THOSE LONG STRETCHES OF HIGHWAY. *TR

ABS/BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. (RED LIGHT) *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 2003 RECALL WAS COMPLETED FOR ABS ALONG WITH REPLACEMENT OF ABS MODULE. NOW CAR IS WORSE THAN BEFORE. THE BRAKES SQUEAL AND ACTIVATE THE ABS ON JUST A NORMAL STOP. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. RETURNED TO DEALER AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED HE ALSO OWNED A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND EXPERIENCED REAR AXLE FAILURE. HE EXAMINED THE 2003 VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, FORD WINDSTAR 2003, SECOND TRANSMISSION. UNDER 90,000 MILES. JUST REVIEW SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS @ THIS SITE FOR A START HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/WINDSTAR/2003/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML WITH A SMALL INTERNET SEARCH - YOU CAN FIND THESE THE FAILURE @ HIGHSPEED RAMANT WITH 2003 FORD WINDSTAR - THIS IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 60-65 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE REAR AXLE WHICH CAUSED OTHER ADDITIONAL DAMAGES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER REGARDING THE SPECIFIC COMPONENTS THAT WERE AFFECTED AS A RESULT OF THE REAR AXLE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

2003 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE HAS A LARGE CRACK ABOUT A FOOT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX SPORT WITH APPROX 102000 MILES - REAR AXLE SNAPPED WHILE ON I-95. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD BECAUSE I NOTICED AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. NOTICED CRACKED REAR AXLE WHILE ON FLATBED OF TOW TRUCK. IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RUSTED THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE, AS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF RUSTING ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE REAR AXLE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT 65 MPH AND I HIT A SMALL BUMP AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND SINCE THEN IT WON'T SHUT OFF. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR SEL JUST NOTICED I HAVE A NEAR COMPLETE CRACKED REAR AXLE, ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL IS ANGLED IN. *TR

2003 WINDSTAR BRAKES TURN ON SQUEAL WITHOUT WARNING. ABS SYSTEM REPORTS A PROBLEM. SO FAR ONLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND ALSO APPEARS TO HAPPEN IN THE WARMER WEATHER. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER WHO HAD NO CLUE AS TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. VAN IS STILL DRIVABLE, BUT IT HAS A VERY NOTICEABLE JERK WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. *TR

OWNER OF 03 FORD WINDSTAR. PROBLEM NOTICE ON THE 2ND DAY OF OWNING THE CAR BACK IN JULY 2010. AFTER PARKED THE CAR ON DRIVEWAY, NOTICED THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON. SOON AFTER, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A TOTAL SERVICE OF OIL, COOLANT, BRAKE, TRANNY FLUID CHANGE. AND HAD THE ABS LIGHT CHECKED UP. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME ABOUT THE ABS ECM BOARD COULD BE BAD. WITHOUT ANY OTHER VEHICLE, I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO AIRPORT RIGHT AFTER THE AUTO SHOP. ON THE WAY TO AIRPORT, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. CAUSING ME TAKING MY EYES OFF THE ROAD, TRYING TO RELEASE THE HAND BRAKE, WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY SWERVE FROM LANE TO LANE. IT WAS VERY SCARY! I HAD TO FOCUS ON WHETHER THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD TO DO WITH ACTUAL BRAKE, RELEASE ACCEL PEDAL, NO NOTICEABLE DECELERATION. CHECKED THE 101 AND 102 FUSE, BOTH GOOD. SO I'M PRETTY SURE THE ABS ECM CIRCUIT BOARD HAD TO DO WITH IT. TODAY THE ABS AND PARKING BRAKE CONTINUES TO COME ON AND STAY ON. EVERY NOW AND THEN IT DOESN'T LIGHT ON. PLEASE HELP ME AND MANY OTHERS WHO ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEMS!! *TR

MY 2003 WINDSTAR HAS BEEN SHOWING ITS ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT DASH INDICATORS GO ON AFTER ANYWHERE FROM 5 MILES TO 30 MILES AFTER YOU TURN ON THE VAN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF. I HAD THE BRAKES SUDDENLY GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORWHEN I WAS BRAKING AND THEN COME UP. I HAD A AUTOMOTIVE SHOP LOOK AT IT AND THE INFORMED ME THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGING AT ALL AND ALL THE BRAKING WAS BEING DONE BY THE FRONT DISCS. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING TURNED DOWN FOR SERVICE BY TWO AUTO SHOPS DUE TO LIABILITY . THEY INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE ABS BRAKES. THEY INFORMED ME THAT WAS WHY THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOING INTERMITTENTLY SOFT AND THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE INTERMITTENT ENGAGING WITHOUT MY TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS ON WINDSTARS AND THAT THE COST OF REPLACING THE UNIT IS $1200.00 INCLUDING THE $100.00 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. I AM DISTURBED THAT THERE ARE 50 COMPLAINTS FOR 2003 WINDSTARS YOU HAVE LISTED ON YOUR SITE REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM EVEN MORE CONCERNED THAT WE ARE DOWN TO (1) CAR AND THAT THE SAFETY OF MY 4YR. OLD GRANDSON (WHO LIVES WITH US), MY WIFE, MYSELF AND OTHER FREQUENT PASSENGERS ARE AT RISK. THIS IS A HEFTY REPAIR BILL THAT I AM SURE I CAN'T AFFORD AND DON'T KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO PAY FOR. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE WARNING, 2003 FORD WINDSTAR INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF INDICATING AN ABS & BRAKE (SEPARATE LIGHTS FOR EACH) ISSUE. IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND WITH LOCAL MECHANIC, I'VE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE WHICH HAS YET TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM AND/OR THE STANDARD BRAKING SYSTEM ITSELF IF NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE "CODE" IS 1185 ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, WHICH IS APPARENTLY A CONTROL OR POWER MODULE? I'VE ALREADY REPLACED ALL THE BRAKE PADS, RESURFACED THE ROTORS AND HAVE HAD ALL FLUIDS AND LINES INSPECTED FOR LEAKS, ETC. - IT APPEARS THAT FORD IS NOW GOING TO MAKE ME PAY ANOTHER $700 - $1,000 TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH THE ABS (WHICH, IN MY OPINION, THEY SHOULD BE DOING FOR FREE AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAY CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF CRASH OR INJURY STEMMING FROM THEIR POOR DESIGN AND/OR PARTS. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO FORD'S SLOGAN "QUALITY IS JOB 1"? *TR

I TOOK MY CAR IN TO FORD DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. MY SPEEDOMETER WAS SPINNING AND "STUCK" IN AN APPROXIMATE 5:00 O'CLOCK POSITION...IN ADDITION, MY PRNDL NEEDLE "STUCK" IN THE PARK POSITION AND WOULD NOT MOVE. ON TOP OF THIS, MY ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY AND OCCASIONALLY SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING BURNING. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM. THE "FIX" DIDN'T LAST MORE THAN TWO WEEKS...THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT IS BACK TO GOING ON AND OFF. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION THAT THEY GAVE ME, THE PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT REPAIR...THEY ASSURED ME THAT MY SERVICE BRAKES STILL WORKED. IN THE PROCESS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT RECALLS TO THE 2003 FORD WINDSTAR FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN OTHER VEHICLES, HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT THESE RECALLS DIDN'T PERTAIN TO ME. IF I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING AND THEY ARE GETTING THEIR REPAIRS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THEMSELVES, WHY AM I PAYING FOR REPAIRS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ITEMS??????? THE SWAY BAR LINKS ON MY WINDSTAR WERE ALSO REPAIRED ALONG WITH THE BUSHINGS...AGAIN...ANOTHER RECALL THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN ISSUED BUT I WAS TOLD THAT "IT DIDN'T APPLY TO ME". NOW I HAVE MY WINDSTAR IN THE SHOP, AGAIN, BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION PUMP EXPLODED AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. NO WARNING, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NOTHING. HOW MUCH OF AN ADDITIONAL EXPENSE IS THIS GOING TO BE???? OH, I DID RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE REAR AXLE...THAT WILL BE CHECKED RIGHT AFTER I GET MY CAR BACK FROM HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED. WHY ARE SOME VEHICLES COVERED AND OTHERS AREN'T??? IF IT AFFECTS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, IT SHOULD BE ALL OF THEM, NOT JUST SOME OF THEM. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED DUE TO A FAULTY ABS COMPUTER MODULE. THE ALUMINUM PLATE ON THE MODULE EXPANDS DURING HEAT CAUSING THE ABS BRAKES TO WORK ONLY PART OF THE TIME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL TO FIX THE SITUATION. MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON ALONG WITH MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT. *TR

I SAW THERE'S A RECALL ON THE FORD WINDSTAR ABS SYSTEM? (I HAVE 2003) IN 2010, I COMPLAINED TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WERE FLASHING ON AND OFF, THAT IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. ON THAT TICKET THEY WROTE, "NO ACTION", MEANING THEY DID NOTHING AND SAID NOTHING ABOUT HOW TO FIX IT. I JUST GOT BACK FROM FORD DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY WHERE I'D COMPLAINED AGAIN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE BECAUSE NOW IT'S BEEN 3 YEARS OF FLASHING LIGHTS... AND THEY SAID "OH, YOU NEED A WHOLE NEW ABS SYSTEM, THAT PART IS $2800.00 AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR!!! REALLY? TOO BAD MY WARRANTY IS NOW EXPIRED. WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO GET THAT DONE WHEN I COMPLAINED THE FIRST TIME AND HAD THAT EXPENSIVE WARRANTY IN PLACE. IS THIS IN FACT A RECALL OR DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW ABS SYSTEM? *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR - WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE "BRAKE" AND "ABS" LIGHTS REMAIN ON. THIS IS A FAILURE OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE TO HAVE A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TODAY WE HAD TO PAY OVER $1,200.00 TO HAVE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FIXED. WHEN YOU PURCHASE A VEHICLE, YOU EXPECT THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO BE SAFE. WE HAVE SEEN MANY OTHERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM OF 2003 FORD WINDSTARS AND THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR RECALL ON CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND SERVICE WRITER WAS TOLD THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS HAD COME ON JUST 2 DAYS BEFORE APPOINTMENT. NOW ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND STAY ON UNTIL KEY IS TURNED OFF AND VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT. *TR

SUDDEN FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, TAKING LEFT TURN UP A SMALL INCLINE IN THE ROAD. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WITH ENGINE POWER EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. FELT LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL IN ALL SHIFTER DRIVE AND REVERSE POSITIONS. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, VEHICLE REQUIRED COMPLETE REBUILT TRANSMISSION COSTING OVER $3000. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH, THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE SPORADICALLY. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED SHE OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DEALER ADVISED AN UNKNOWN FLUID HAD LEAKED ONTO THE ABS MODULAR AND BURNED. THE CONTACT SECURED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,950.

THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER & CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK & ABS PUMP RAN CONTINUOUSLY. ABS & BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON. THIS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP. WAS AROUND 80-85 DEG.F & LIGHTS SHUT OFF ONCE THE ENGINE COOLED. DIAGNOSIS WAS DEFECTIVE BRAKE CONTROL MOD. PULLED FUSE 101 TO KEEP PUMP FROM RUNNING. IN 2012 THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON WITH FUSE IN AND THE SPEEDO & ODO WOULD GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. NOV. 2013, LOST SPEEDO & ODO ALL TOGETHER. *TR

MY FORD WINDSTAR LX 2003 DOESN'T CRANK OVER, IT IS JUST SILENT, BUT ALL THE LIGHTS, RADIO AND WINDOWS WORK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION ROTTED UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THEN HE COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT AND THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE WAS TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS TOLD THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS TORN FROM THE FRAME AND ROTTED FROM THE BODY. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE FRAME AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THERE WAS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT KEP COMING ON EACH DAY AS I DRIVE. WHEN I TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND TURN THE VAN BACK ON THE ABS AND BRAKE LITE IS OUT. I CAN BE DRIVING AND NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE ABS AND BRAKE LITE COME ON FOR NO REASON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY ADVISE ME TO KEEP DRIVING IT. THERE IS NOT BRAKE PROBLEM. THEN WHY DOES IT COME ON?I HAD BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED. IT STILL COMES ON???????WHY???SOME DAYS IT DOES NOT COME ON AND OTHER IT DOES COME ON AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED!~!~!!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 5-10 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE REAR TIRES WERE POSITIONED OUTWARDLY WITH A DETACHMENT OF THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

FORD WINDSTAR 2003 HAS INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF ABS SYSTEM INDICATED BY ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. *TR

DRIVING MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR PERIODICALLY THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON THEN GO OFF , AFTER APPROX 25 TO 30 MILES OF DRIVING I WILL LOSE MY PRESSURE IN MY BRAKE PEDAL AND THERE IS VERY LITTLE BRAKES. IF YOU SHUT VAN OFF LET IT SIT IT WILL BE FINE UNTIL U DRIVE AGAIN ANOTHER 20 TO 30 MILES , ALSO IT WILL COME ON AFTER 5 TO 10 MILES OF DRIVING AND WILL NOT GO OFF UNTIL VAN IS SHUTOFF , THEN AT TIMES THE ABS LIGHT WONT COME ON UNTIL MORE MILES ARE DRIVEN , I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND A CODE C1185 CAME UP , I TOOK TO FORD DUE TO THE FACT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY SAID ITS NOT WARRANTIED , IN A POST ON COMPUTER IT STATES THAT CODE C1185 SHOULD BE WARRANTIED UNDER FORD , THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING AS A FORD OWNER AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY , DUE TO THE FACT THE VAN IS EXCELLENT COND AND THE ONLY PROB IS THIS , IM SCARED TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT DUE TO THE FACT I PROB COULDN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND CAME UPON A RED LIGHT. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND I HEARD IT REV UP BUT DID NOT MOVE. WAS ABLE TO LET IT COAST TO THE SIDE. I CALLED AAA AND HAD IT TOWED. THE MECHANIC LOOKED IT OVER AND SAID I WOULD NEED NEW TRANSMISSION. BEFORE THE INCIDENT, IT NEVER SHOWED ANY SIGNS OF SLIPPAGE. STILL AWAITING TO COME UP WITH $1,300.00 TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *TR

55000 MILES. ORIGINAL OWNER 09S09 RECALL. BRAKE SWITCH LEAKING-REPAIRED BEFORE RECALL.PAID 250.00 ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENT, OCCASIONAL BURNING SMELL, REAR TAIL LIGHT REMAIN ON. BATTERY DIES (ON#3) FLASHING INTERIOR LIGHTS, RADIO GO OUT UPON BRAKING. DEALER PERFORMED RECALL (WIRE THING) SAID NEED NEW ECU AND HCU AT COST OF 1800.00. HAVE HAD CAR IN AND OUT OF SERVICE MANY TIMES FOR STRANGE ELECTRICAL OCCURRENCES AND WARNING LIGHT PROBLEMS. ALWAYS SAID CAN NOT DUPLICATE. HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON MESSAGE BOARDS WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO, WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/FORD/WINDSTAR/ABS+WARNING+LIGHT, WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/FORD/WINDSTAR/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM. FROM CONSUMERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. FEEL CAR IS NOT SAFE. LOW MILES, ALWAYS HAD SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. *TR

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR KEEP SHOWING SYSTEM INFORMATION ERROR AND ABS, BRAKE LIGHT,OD OFFLIGHTS STAYS ON. THIS NORMALLY STARTS AFTER ABOUT TWO TO THREE MINUTES INTO DRIVING. *TR

WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS LIGHT OR BRAKE LIGHT FOR OUR FORD 2003 WINDSTAR. THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON, THEN OFF, THEN ON AGAIN. *TR