2003 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 64750 MILES. A FEW DAYS AGO MY WIFE WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND WHEN SHE PUT IT INTO GEAR IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR SELECTED. HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SUSPECTED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AAMCO FOR REPAIR AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN UP. I HAD NO PRIOR WARNING TO THIS IMPENDING PROBLEM AND NOW IT IS GOING TO COST ME $2100.00 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD BY THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTARS AND IRONICALLY ANOTHER WINDSTAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME THING. HE SAID THAT IT IS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. I CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND ANY RECALL ON FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT AND BASICALLY GOT THE RUN AROUND AND TOLD THAT THERE WOULD PROBABLY BE NO HELP IN REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION. I DID FURTHER RESEARCH AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN THE WINDSTAR. WHY IS THERE NO PRESSURE PUT ON FORD TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES WITH OVER 120,000 MILES AND HAVE NOT HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 64750 MILES. I WANT TO SEE FORD MADE TO RECALL AND REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE SAME RESULTS WITH FORD. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY UNSAFE INCIDENT IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE ROAD. *TR

2003 WINDSTAR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.LIGHTS FLASH ANY TIME AT ALL. HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DIFFERENT WARNING LIGHTSWILL COME ON RANDOMLY. THIS HAS BEEN APROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE VAN USED. BURNS OUT ALTERNATOR AND BATTERIES.MANY EXACT COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. TRANSMISSIONS JUST QUIT. MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. NOT ONLY COSTLY BUT DANGEROUS. THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION TOO THE PROBLEM.PUT IN A NEW ALTERNATOR,BATTERY,DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. STILL THE SAME.

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR SE WITH 72,000. THE PAST MONTH AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MILES, THE REAR BRAKES SCREECH VERY VERY LOUD AND WHEN THE CAR STOPS, THE RED BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. IT DOES NOT DO THIS UNTIL THE CAR HAS WARMED UP. I HAVE HAD NEW BRAKES, CALIPERS, PADS ETC REPLACED ON THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES . THIS DID NOT HELP. THE LIGHT STILL GOES ON AFTER WARMING UP. WE TOOK IT TO SAYVILLE FORD IN SAYVILLE, NY TO INVESTIGATE BRAKE LIGHT. THEY GOT NO CODES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. TODAY, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH SCREECHING SOUND. WILL TAKE IT BACK TO FORD TO CHECK OUT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE MANY MANY MANY MORE WINDSTARS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH NO SOLUTION. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL GET FORD TO RECALL THE WINDSTARS AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CAR CAN ALSO GO ON FIRE UNLESS YOU DISCONNECT 2 FUSES. I WILL DISCUSS WITH FORD WHAT TO DO. I WOULD HOPE YOU INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THESE VANS ARE MOMMY VANS AND WHO DO YOU THINK WILL GET HURT WHEN VAN GOES ON FIRE OR THE BRAKES MALFUNCTION- MOMS AND CHILDREN. PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND ACT NOW! *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON WHEN CAR IS RUNNING FOR A WHILE OR HEATED UP. CAR SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING. *TR

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE IN 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN; LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON VEHICLE; REPLACED BY FORD DEALERSHIP ON 9-5-2008 FOR A COST OF OVER $1,400; PREVENTABLE ACTION TAKEN BEFORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH HAS ONLY 63,000 MILES HAD BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN I CARRIED THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT IF I HAD ARRIVED ONE DAY EARLIER ON 8/19/08 I COULD HAVE RECEIVED AN OUT OF WARRANTY SERVICE ADJUSTMENT BUT WHEN I ARRIVED ON 8/20/08 I WAS ONE DAY TOO LATE. THE ECM IS CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT TO TURN ON ACCORDING TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE WAS $757.00 BUT WHEN I MENTIONED THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA.GOV WEBSITE THEY AUTOMATICALLY DROPPED TO $672.00. I WILL NOW BE REQUIRED TO PAY THIS AMOUNT FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR VEHICLE. FORD IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AT THE LOCAL SERVICE CENTER. *TR

PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING IN THE ABS SYSTEM OF MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE SYSTEM FLUID HAS ERODED THE WIRING TO THE POINT WHERE IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. IT'S A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR I COULD HAVE THE ABS SYSTEM BYPASSED BUT THEN THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T BE SAFE. MY WINDSTAR HAS 58,000, "EXTREMELY LOW MILES FOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM" TO QUOTE MY MECHANIC. *TR

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS GO ON PERIODICALLY FOR NO REASON. BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND FLUID LEVEL IS OK. SAME PROBLEM WITH MANY WINDSTAR OWNERS. *TR

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 WINDSTAR SEL TO INCLUDE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE VACUUM SYSTEM WHERE BRAKES, POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK HAD TO HAVE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIX AND DID NOT HAVE A RECALL. HOSES IN THIS SYSTEM KEPT COMING OFF. INTERIOR LIGHTS KEPT FLASHING ON WITHOUT ANY BEING TURNED ON. ALSO THE "PASSENGER DOOR IS OPEN" LIGHT STAYS ON. ALONG WITH ABS/BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. I HAVE TAKEN MY VAN IN TO HAVE BRAKES CHECKED. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. I HAVE MAINTENANCE DONE ON REGULAR BASIS. PROBLEMS STARTED WITH 50,000 MILES. I AM A SINGLE WOMAN AND NEED RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION WHICH THIS VAN IS NOT. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO RECALL FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS? DEALERSHIP IS OF NO HELP, ONLY WANT TO CHARGE FOR SOMETHING THEY CAN'T FIX. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHEN FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW DIDN'T OPEN. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. I KNEW BETTER AS THIS HAD HAPPEN BEFORE. TOOK HOME AND AFTER A LITTLE BUMP IN THE ROAD WINDOW STARTED WORKING AGAIN. PART OF THE CRAPPY WORKMANSHIP FORD USED TO PUT TOGETHER. ALSO DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM WITH VACUUM SYSTEM WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS ALL THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MODEL. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM? *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ON, DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT OF THE ABC TRANSDUCER AND MODULE. BASED ON WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DISCOVER, THIS DOESN'T APPEARS TO BE A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR SORT OF THING BUT A DESIGN PROBLEM. *TR

ABS, BRAKE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON. *TR

ABS/BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AND GO OFF INTERMITTLY. *TR

THE FRONT SUSPENSION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE COLLAPSED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. THE WHEEL WELL ENDED UP RIGHT ON TOP OF THE TIRE AND WE GROUND TO A HALT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION YET TWO YEARS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

WAS ON THE STREET DRIVING, LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON DASHBOARD VAN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, BLEW OUT, WAS DRIVING AGAIN VAN WAS ILDE UP REALLY BAD AND WHILE MY FEET WAS ON THE BRAKES IT STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND RAN INTO SOMEONE ELSE VEHICLE, AND ALSO VAN WAS ON THE ROAD STARTED RUNNING BAD BROKE DOWN ON A BUSY STREET ONCE I WAS PUSHED TO A SAFE LOCATION ALL MY FLUIDS WERE ON THE GROUND AND THE VAN WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD AND LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD WERE FLASHING.

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY.*TR

WHEN STARTING CAR AIRBAG LIGHT CONT' ON. CONT' PROBLEM PRETENTION RETRACTOR REPLACED-WORKING. NO OLD PARTS RETURNED TO ME. *TR

I WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE FOR NO BRAKE LIGHTS. HOWEVER, THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT WORKS. AFTER ALL THE BULBS, RELAY BOX, ETC WERE CHECKED, ALL WERE OK. I WAS ADVISED TO CHECK TO SEE IF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. *TR

I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR 2003 AND THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS TURNING ON SO I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE ECM MODULE AND TO REPLACE IT COSTS ABOUT 250$ AND THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON WHEN DRIVING IN BUMPS AND SOMETIMES FOR NO REASON AND SOMETIMES IT TURNS ON JUST WHEN YOU GET YOUR CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. *TR

MY FORD 2003 WINDSTAR, PURCHASED 05/01/08 W/35000 MI, BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS ON INCLINES WHILE STOPPED IN DRIVE. FIRST TIME WAS 08/01/08 COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO TRAFFIC -- SITTING ON INCLINE, WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR, TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE TO REST IT ON GAS, AND BACK I ROLLED -- TWICE. NOTIFIED DEALER (UNDER 12/12000 DEALER USED CAR WARRANTY), LEFT VAN THAT EVENING (FRI), PICKED UP ON WED, THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO ROLL OR FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE WERE NO CODES SHOWING UP. BROUGHT IT BACK, AND WED EVENING HAD 3 SEPARATE INSTANCES OF ROLLBACK, ONE ON A CITY STREET (HILL) AND 2 ON DRIVEWAYS WHERE I ROLLED BACK UNTIL REACHING LEVEL SURFACE AND THE VAN STOPPED ITSELF. NEXT DAY, ROLLED BACKWARDS AGAIN OUT OF DRIVE AT OFFICE, THEN STOPPED ON LEVEL SURFACE, THEN BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD ON ITS OWN -- MY FOOT WAS NOWHERE NEAR ANY PEDALS. TOOK BACK THAT AFTERNOON. SERVICE MGR DROVE W/ME AND WE ROLLED BACK AT AN INTERSECTION. SERVICE MGR CALLED FORD TECH LINE WHILE I STOOD NEXT TO HIM. SAID THAT THE TECH AT FORD TOLD HIM THAT BECAUSE OF GOVT REQUIREMENTS TO IMPROVE MPH, FORD HAS LOWERED THEIR IDLE SPEED AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT AT A STOP, THE SLOWER IDLE CAUSES THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY START GOING BACKWARDS WHICH WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK WHILE IN DRIVE, ESPECIALLY ON INCLINES. THE TECH SAID THAT THEY (FORD) ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE CALLS ABOUT THIS, PARTICULARLY ON NEWER VEHICLES. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE TEMPERATURE OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MAKES IT WORSE. COULD ACCOUNT FOR WHY MY WINDSTAR ROLLED BACK MUCH QUICKER AND FURTHER THAN THE ONE WE TRIED THAT WAS SITTING ON THE DEALERS LOT. NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ACCORDING TO FORD. FROM WHAT I'M SEEING IN THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I'VE BEEN SOLD A LEMON THAT I NEED TO TRADE ASAP. WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON THE FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION. *TR

WINDSTAR VAN DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING. RIGHT PASSENGER SLIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK/ UNLOCK HAVE TO DO IT BY HAND. LEFT REAR PASSENGERS DOOR SLIDE OPEN IT SELF AFTER I SHUT IT. WILL LOCK IT SELF. I CAN PULL THE LOCK UP AND IT WILL LOCK IT SELF AGAIN. THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK HAVE TO USE KEY.. KEYLESS REMOTESTOP WORKING. PLUS BATTERY . STILL NOTHING. *TR

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. TESTED ABS ON WET AND SNOWY ROADS, AND THE ABS ENGAGED APPROPRIATELY. WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUE TO COME ON ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. TOLD BY DEALER THAT ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACING. I HAVE NOT REPLACED DUE TO HIGH COST, $800+. *TR

SINCE THE SUMMER BEGAN, I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. CHANGED THE PADS, WOULD STILL GET THE LIGHT AT TIMES. TODAY WAS EXTREMELY HOT AND HUMID. BOTH THE RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I CAN SEE THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

EVER SINCE SPRING 2006, OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HAS HAD AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM WHERE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL ILLUMINATE. THE SERVICE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL ALSO ILLUMINATE EVEN THOUGH IT IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. AT FIRST THIS WAS VERY ALARMING BUT NO LEAK OR PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AS THE FLUID LEVEL WAS CORRECT AND THE PEDAL IS FIRM. ALL THE ABS WHEEL SENSORS HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR CONTINUITY, THEIR DC RESISTANCE FALLS IN THE ACCEPTABLE RANGE, AND THE CONNECTORS APPEAR TO BE SOUND. I CURRENTLY HAVE LIVED WITH THE PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE YEARS AND DISCOVERED THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS ARE REPORTING EXACTLY SIMILAR FAILURE SYMPTOMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES. A COMMONLY REPORTED CAUSE IS THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WHICH I CURRENTLY CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE AT A COST OF $700 OR MORE. A WINDSTAR OWNER WHO HAS HAD THE TIME TO INVESTIGATE THIS OUTLINES A CONDITION HE HAS OBSERVED, WHERE THERE IS A THERMAL COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION MISMATCH BETWEEN AN ALUMINUM PLATE AND AN FR4 (FIBERGLASS/COPPER) CIRCUIT BOARD INSIDE THE MODULE. IT CAN BE SEEN AT HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/#PROBLEM2. THIS PERSON'S SYMPTOMS MIRROR MINE EXACTLY. I AM AN ELECTRICAL DESIGN ENGINEER IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY AND CAN TELL YOU FROM FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE THAT IF YOU LAMINATE FR4 TO ALUMINUM AND THEN REPEATABLE TEMP CYCLE IT, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE FUTURE STRESS FAILURES. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF POOR ENGINEERING. IN THE CASE OF THE WINDSTAR, THE PART WILL OPERATE FOR APPROXIMATELY THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEN BEGIN TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. I HOPE THAT MY ENTRY INTO THIS FORM WILL HELP MAKE THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM KNOWN. *TR

INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF ABS WARNING LIGHT AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT SIMULTANEOUSLY. *TR

DRIVING IN 39TH DAY OF 100 OR MORE DEGREES THIS YEAR, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS LIT. BRAKES WORK OK. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL OK. FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED IT FOR A $70 FEE AND SUGGESTED REPLACING ABS MODULE AND RELAY FOR $450 PARTS AND $250 LABOR. I DECLINED REPLACEMENT, STARTED TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND MANY OWNERS DESCRIBING SAME PROBLEM AND SUGGESTION OF POOR BOARD DESIGN. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR (I CAN PURCHASE A HOME COMPUTER FOR MUCH LESS) AND THERE IS NO GUARANTY THAT I WON'T SEE SAME PROBLEM IN NEXT HEAT SPELL. *TR

NOTHING LEADING UP TO EVENT. CHRISTMAS DAY THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT OF MY 2003 WINDSTAR NO WARNING $900. 2 MONTHS LATER SEALS $300, AND NOW OVERDRIVE IS COMPLETELY. I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION $2000. THIS IS MY 3RD WINDSTAR AND AT 90,000 TO 100,000 MILE THE TRANSMISSION STARTS GIVING TROUBLE. WHAT IS THE DEAL? YOU PAY BIG DOLLARS FOR A AMERICAN CAR AND IT DOESN'T LAST. HONDA'S IN WHICH I DON'T WANT WILL LAST FOR 200,000 OR MORE. IF YOU COULD HELP PLEASE DO SO. I AM NOT A DEAD BEAT ASKING FOR HELP, I AM A FULLTIME BAPTIST PASTOR WITH A WIFE AND 3 KIDS JUST TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU CAN DO.... *TR

THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME AT THE SAME TIME AND BOTH WILL GO OFF AT THE SAME TIME. WHILE THESE LIGHTS ARE ON I WILL HAVE ISSUES WHILE TRYING TO BREAK. I HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE FRONT WHEEL IN WET WEATHER WANTING TO SKID WHEN STOPPING AND IT WILL SPIN WHEN TAKING OFF. I HAVE HAD $500 OF WORK ON THE FRONT BRAKES AND $450 OF WORK ON THE BACK BRAKES AND THE MECHANICS DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I STILL HAVE ISSUES WHEN STOPPING. I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HAVE MULTIPLE ONGOING PROBLEMS. NO MATTER HOW OFTEN I GET THE PADS, AND ROTORS CHANGED, THEY SQUEAL AND SOUND LIKE THEY NEED REPLACING. OCCASIONALLY, DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE ABS SEEMS TO ACTIVATE, CAUSING A PULSING IN THE PEDAL, AND A FEELING AS THOUGH THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. ON THESE OCCASIONS, THE VAN WILL ROLL FARTHER THAN EXPECTED INTO AN INTERSECTION. THE RED ABS/PARKING BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR 3 OR MORE YEARS, AND I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS ON REPAIR AFTER REPAIR, WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. *TR

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDE THE WIRES CORRODING FOR THE BRAKE/ABS LINES, THE IGNITION WIRES FAILING AND THE MORE MINOR CODES PRODUCED FOR FAULTY SENSORS IN THE DOOR AJAR SYSTEM. I AM CURRENTLY DETERMINING IF IT PAYS FOR ME TO REPLACE THE WIRING, OR JUNK THE VEHICLE. *TR

MY AUTOMOBILE KEEPS GETTING MULTIPLE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ABS ERRORS. THE LIGHTS COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES DAILY. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH FORD WINDSTARS 2001-2003. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM INCLUDING THE ABS SYSTEM. BRAKE FLUID LEAKS FROM A FAULTY SENSOR INTO ELECTRONIC CONNECTORS CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRES. THERE ARE DOCUMENTED CASES WHERE THIS FAILURE HAS CAUSED FIRES. *NOTE PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/8-VT49767.HTML?POSTDAYS=0&POSTORDER=ASC&START=140 PLEASE REVIEW THIS SAFETY DEFECT SOON! *TR

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES. DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, WHEN ENGINE REVVED AND WE LOST ALL DRIVE. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION THE BRAKE AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN UPDATED 02/23/11

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS REPEATEDLY COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT EXTINGUISH. SEEMS SEMI-DEPENDENT ON OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE - THE HOTTER IT IS OUTSIDE THE SOONER THE LIGHTS SEEM TO COME ON. HAVE HAD BRAKES SERVICED AND NO MECHANICAL ISSUES TO NOTE. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO ABS MODULE. NOTHING REPAIRED AS OF THIS TIME AS PART IS TO EXPENSIVE $1000+ PLUS LABOR. AM TOLD BY FORD THAT ABS ( A SAFETY FEATURE) IS NOT FUNCTIONING WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON. HOPEFULLY THIS ISSUE WILL NOT BE PRESENT WHEN A EMERGENCY BRAKING PROCEDURE IS REQUIRED. *TR

ABS & BRAKE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. DIAGNOSTICS SAY IT IS THE MODULATOR. A WEEK AGO THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID LEAKING BUT, NOW THERE IS NO LEAKAGE SO THEY CAN'T FIND THE SOURCE. THEY WANT $650 TO FIX IT!!!! THIS VEHICLE MY DAUGHTER DRIVES W/ HER 5 CHILDREN. WE CANT AFFORD TO FIX IT!!!! WE CANT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE!!! THIS NOT SAFE AND FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY 4 IT!!!! *TR

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS JUST CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY (3 TIMES THIS MONTH). THE REPAIR SHOP/DEALER ADVISED THAT THE COST TO REPAIR THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WOULD BE BETWEEN $300 & $400 AND IT WOULD BE BETTER (LESS COSTLY) TO WAIT UNTIL A RECALL WAS ISSUED. CONSIDERING THAT THIS COLD CAUSE A FIRE, IT IS A BIT ALARMING THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN MADE YET. I CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE THE REPAIR AND WILL WAIT FOR THE RECALL AND HOPE NOTHING SERIOUS HAPPENS IN THE MEANTIME. *TR

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE 90 DEGREES. *TR

ABS AND E BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

THE MIDDLE SEAT DOOR LOCKS FAIL RANDOMLY. WHEN THEY FAIL, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOORS. MUST CLICK LOCKS OPEN AND CLOSE APPROX TEN TIMES TO MAKE THE DOOR OPEN OPERATE. WE HAD IT REPAIRED IN APR 2010. THEY WORKED FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. THE ADDITIONAL LIGHTING PACKAGE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. THAT WAS REPAIRED AT SAME TIME AND WORKED FOR ABOUT A MONTH ALSO. WE HAD THE SYSTEM CHECKED AND PAID ABOUT $800 FOR SERVICE FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP, GURNEE FORD, 18834 WEST GRAND AVENUE IN GURNEE ILLINOIS 60031, RECEIPT DATED APRIL 15, 2010. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE DOORS NEED TO OPEN AND THE FLICKERING LIGHTS COME ON AND ARE A GREAT DISTRACTION ESP AT NIGHT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT OPERATE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS SHUT ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE, AND THE POWER DOORS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL INSTANCES WHEN CHILDREN BECAME LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INOPERABLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HOWEVER, DID NOT EVALUATE THE VEHICLE FOR THE OTHER FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT HAD FAILED. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED BY THE MECHANIC AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 5/27/14*CN *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND WITH OUT ANY PARTICULAR REASON,ALTHOUGH BUMPY ROAD SEAMS TO EFFECT THIS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. I HAVE HAD THE ABS MODULE PULLED AND CLEANED AND RE INSTALLED TO NO AVAIL. THE MODULE WILL NOW BE REPLACED AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF 750.00. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,396. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. I DID A SEARCH FOR PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE THE ISSUE REFERENCED HERE: HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/41-VT49767.HTML?POSTDAYS=0&POSTORDER=ASC&START=400 I AM CONCERNED THERE WILL BE A FIRE. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, 59396 MI. DRIVING DOWN LOCKPORT RD ON 6/20/08, HEARD LOUD SNAP, CLUNK, THEN TIRE BLOW OUT. CALLED FOR AAA ASSISTANCE, TOW TRUCK OPERATOR TOLD ME IT WAS BROKEN RIGHT SPRING, SAYING IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAD TOWED SEVERAL MINIVANS OF THIS MODEL, WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I MADE IT 2 MILES TO INTERSTATE 190 WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 MPH? THIS HAPPENED AT APPROX. 20 MPH. IS THIS A COMMON THING LIKE THE TOW OPERATOR SAYS? IN ALL, RESULTED IN 555.25 IN DAMAGE BECAUSE OF THE SPRING FAILURE. *TR

THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS AND THE ABS LIGHT KEEP COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. I ASSUME WHEN THE ABS LIGHTS ARE ON THAT SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AFTER READING INTERNET REPORTS. *TR

ABS YELLOW LIGHT AND RED BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON MOST OF THE TIME, IT WILL RESET WITH RESTART OF THE CAR AND SOMETIMES STAY OFF FOR SEVERAL MILES AND APPLYING THE BREAK HAS NO EFFECT, IT WILL COME ON WITH NO BREAK ACTION AT ALL. WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW IS IF THE ABS BREAK ACTION IS FUNCTIONING DURING THIS TIME OR IF WE ARE AT RISK, OTHERWISE THE BREAKS SEAM TO BE WORKING. I ALSO KNOW OF SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OR SYMPTOMS SO IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL TO AT LEAST CHECK THIS OUT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL, ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD ONLY BE DEACTIVATED BY TAPPING THE BRAKES AND NOT BY ENGAGING THE SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,874.

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMEDIATELY. WHILE ON ABS SYSTEM FAILS TO FUNCTION. RESTARTING CAR CLEARS OUT ISSUE BUT WILL RETURN INDISCRIMINATE. LIGHTS COMING ON HAS NO TIES TO ACTUAL ACT OF BRAKING OR SPEED OF CAR. SERVICE SHOP REPORTS PROBLEM IN ABS MODULE, WHICH ESTIMATED COST OF $1000. *TR

ABS LIGHT & BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOT WEATHER. WHEN VEHICLE IS COOLED OFF, IT DOES NOT COME ON. THIS IS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MY MODEL YEAR. *TR