2003 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

RAINY WEATHER . POWER STEERING FAILED. LET THE POWER STEERING BELT DRY OUT. TOOK FORD CAR TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX AND THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTINUALLY COME ON. I HAVE HAD THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES SERVICED AND THEN AFTER THIS PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY I PUT A 2ND SET OF PADS ON THE FRONT. FORD WANT OVER $2000.00 TO FIX WHAT THEY SAY IS THE ABS MODULE. THE BRAKE GAUGE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO COME ON AND OFF AT ALL TIMES AND FORD SAID IT WAS DUE TO THIS SWITCH BUT IT WOULD NOT AFFECT THE BRAKES ALTHOUGH AT TIMES THE BRAKES WILL START SKIDDING LIKE THE ABS IS WORKING ON DRY ROADS AND SOME TIMES THE BRAKES SEEM TO WORK HARD. CHECKING THE INTERNET OUT FOR PARTS I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND EVEN SOME VANS CATCHING FIRE DUE TO THIS ABS MODULE SWITCH CATCHING FIRE. FORD HAS RECALLED SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM WITH THE 03 VANS. I SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT FORD KNOWS IS THERE FAULT. THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS ABS MODULE MADE THEM DEFECTIVE BUT FORD STILL USES THEM. CHECK THIS WEBSIGHT FOR PROOF: HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/1-VT49767.HTML?POSTDAYS=0&POSTORDER=ASC&START=0. I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM. FORD STATES THEY FOUND ABOUT 8 ERROR CODES BUT DID NOT TELL ME WHAT THEY WERE, ALTHOUGH I REMEMBER SEEING ONE THEY WROTE DONE AS I BELIEVE TO BE C1185. I FEEL FORD SHOULD ADMIT THERE AT FAULT AND RECALL THESE VANS. AS OF KNOW I DRIVE MY BACK P TRUCK AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BUT THE WHOLE FAMILY DOES NOT FIT IN THE TRUCK SO WE ARE FORCED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VAN WHEN THE WHOLE FAMILY IS IN IT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT AND THAT IS WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED. I HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL AFTER THE 1ST BRAKE JOB ON THE VAN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OCCASIONALLY. WHEN HE WOULD FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD FUNCTION CORRECTLY. IN OTHER INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE HIM FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 7/3/08 *CN THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN USING THE REMOTE. UPDATED 07/03/08

I AND MY WIFE WERE RETURNING HOME FROM A LONG TRIP TO SETTLE MY SON AT A REHABILITATION CENTER FOR KIDS WITH RETARDATION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY WARNING AT ALL. IT WAS RAINING AND A TORNADO WARNING WAS ISSUED FOR WHERE WE WERE. I HAD TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT MUCH AVAILABLE SPACE TO CLEAR TRAFFIC. I THEN PROCEEDED TO WALK TO THE NEAREST HOUSE WHICH WAS ABOUT 1000 YRDS AWAY DUE TO THE FACT THIS HAPPENED IN A RURAL AREA AND WITH CONSIDERABLE RISK TO MYSELF APPROACH A HOME OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT KNOW ME, DURING A PERIOD OF DARKNESS AND RAIN, AND ASK FOR HELP GETTING A TOW TRUCK. MEANWHILE MY WIFE AND BROTHER WERE BACK AT THE VAN WITH 18 WHEELERS WHIRRING BY DURING A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. THE CHANCE OF A COLLISION DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY WAS MOST DEFINITELY A POSSIBILITY. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED HE HAD TO HOOKUP MY VAN IN POURING DOWN RAIN AND TOW THE VAN TO A SAFE PLACE UNTIL MORNING SO I COULD THEN HAVE IT TOWED HOME. AT THIS TIME I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT DONE. UPON RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD WINSTAR. *TR

ABS LAMP AND BRAKE WARNING LAMP STAY ON. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF DRIVING THESE LAMPS COME ON AND STAY ON. EVEN AFTER ALL BRAKES HAVE BEEN SERVICED BY FORD DEALER. *TR

THERE IS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND THE VAN RUNS ROUGH AND ALMOST STOPS RUNNING. THERE IS AN ERROR CODE P0171 AND P0174. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE AXEL RECALL, IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TOO. IT SEEMS LIKE THESE ARE ALL DEFECTS THAT FORD IS AWARE OF, BUT DOES NOTHING TO FIX FOR THE CONSUMERS OF THEIR CARS. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ABS WARNING LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, I.E, DOORS NOT UNLOCKING, LOCKING FOR NO REASON. BLEND DOOR STICKING, NOT ALLOWING FOR HEAT OR DEFROSTING. *TR

GAS GAUGE DOESN'T READ CORRECTLY. ALL GAUGES STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING. ABS AND TCS STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY IN 2008. LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON WARNING OF THEM NOT WORKING. DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY. CHECK ADVANCE TRACK WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS HAS BEEN CHECKED, BUT LIGHT STAYS ON. RPM GAUGE STAYS AT MAXIMUM. OFTEN WHILE DRIVING, IT FEELS AS IF WE HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. WE HAVE TO CHANGE TIRES OFTEN. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL EITHER NOT STOP, OR MAKES A GRINDING SOUND BEFORE IT DOES. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED AND THE BRAKE PADS ARE FINE. *TR

ABS LIGHT STAYS ON REPLACED SENSORS AT MY COST STILL STAYS ON AUTO DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON HEATER DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL WORKS THEN STOPS WORKING AT DEALER SHIP NOW FOR REAR AXLE TO BE REPLACED ALSO FOR ANOTHER RECALL FOR FUEL BYPASS HEARD OF NEW RECALL FRAME SUPPORTS MINE LOOKED ROTTED SO THEY WILL ALSO NEED REPLACING THEY HAVE HAD CAR 1 MONTH NOW KNOW IDEA IF WHEN I WILL SEE AGAIN WAS TOLD IT COULD BE 2- 3 MONTHS JUST FOR AXLE NOW NEW RECALL HOPE THEY JUST BUY IT BACK SO IT STOPS BLEEDING ME! *TR

ABS CONTROL MODULE IS BAD. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOOSE FORWARD SPEED. THEN TRANSMISSION FLUID BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM THE TRANSAXLE, APPARENTLY CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR ENGINE MANIFOLD. THE LATEST CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE, RESULTING IN TOTAL A LOSS AND DAMAGE TO THIRD-PARTY PROPERTY. AT THE TIME OF EVENT THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND PLACED INTO GEAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,824.

ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM, OR IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. NO PROBLEMS ON COLD DAYS. BRAKES APPEAR TO WORK FINE. THERE ALSO APPEARS TO BE SOME LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH CONTINUES TO CAUSE A SHORT WITH THE #10 FUSE INSIDE THE CABIN, CAUSING THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TRANSMISSION CONTROL, ETC TO STOP FUNCTIONING. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ARE LIT ON DASH. DEALER SAYS THAT THE ABS ECU HAS FAILED AND THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WILL NOT WORK UNTIL THIS IS REPLACED. AT THE SAME SERVICE VISIT THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FIRE HAZARD CAUSED BY LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CABLE FROM THE SWITCH CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO THE ABS ECU, WHEN THEY SHOWED ME THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH BEFORE REPLACING IT I OBSERVED BRAKE FLUID RUNNING DOWN THE SWITCH CABLE TO THE ABS ECU. I FEEL THERE IS A DIRECT RELATION TO BRAKE FLUID DRAINING ON TO THE ABS ECU AND ITS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE. THIS IS A SEALED ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DOES NOT SEE IT THAT WAY OF COURSE. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET. DRIVER SMELLED SOMETHING, HEARD SOUND, AND FELT HEAT AT FEET. DRIVER IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF IGNITION AND REMOVED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER FROM VEHICLE TO A SAFE AREA. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WITHIN SECONDS AND WAS TOTALLY CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS OF NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED BRUISES TO HER SHOULDER AND CHEST. THE REAR SEAT PASSENGERS SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THEIR CHESTS AND SHOULDERS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000. *UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

IN MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN FOR THE LAST 20 30 THOUSAND MILES THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOMLY. HAD IT CHECKED AT REPAIR SHOP. THEY COULD NOT DETECT OR SIMULATE PROBLEM. QUOTED $800.00 - $1200.00 TO REPLACE SWITCHES/WIRES AS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. IN CHECKING WITH COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT, THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, LEADING TO ENGINE FIRES. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE ISSUE BEFORE MORE VEHICLES CATCH FIRE, AND SECONDLY BEFORE THE OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE PAY OVER $1000 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS A DEFECTIVE SYSTEM IN THE CAR. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR SE. I HAVE HAD MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. AFTER SEARCHING THIS VAN ON THE WEB I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2003 WINDSTAR. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS YEARS MODELS AND FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VANS! *TR

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR IS A NIGHTMARE. IT STARTED WITH THE DOME LIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF OR JUST STAYING ON. I TURNED THE SWITCH OFF BUT THE LIGHTS STILL COME ON. THEN WHEN I WOULD OPEN THE REAR WINDOWS A FUSE WOULD BLOW CAUSING ALL WINDOWS, RADIO, ETC.. TO STOP WORKING. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIME TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT THAT THEY WERE TIRED OF ME COMING IN AND TOOK A BLACK MARKER TO SHOW ME WHICH FUSE TO CHANGE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS A FIREFIGHTER WHO SAID THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE--FOR THE FUSE TO KEEP BLOWING COULD CAUSE A FIRE. AFTER THIS, I WOKE UP ONE MORNING AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START OUT OF NO WHERE. AFTER TOWING IT IN AND A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS LATER I ENDED UP REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY. AS FAR AS THE DOME LIGHTS & THE FUSE---STILL FLICKERING AND THE FUSE STILL BLOWS OUT--THEY SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT. AFTER THIS, WHILE DRIVING WITH MY GIRLS, THE CAR JUST DIED OUT ON US. STARTED WITH THE BATTERY LIGHT GOING ON THEN THE DASH SAID LOW BATTERY AND THEN IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING. BROUGHT THE CAR IN AGAIN AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER REPLACING THE FIRST ONE. SO ONCE AGAIN A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS LATER---THEY STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO KEEP HAPPENING. THE LIGHTS STILL KEEP FLASHING, THE FUSE STILL KEEPS BLOWING AND STILL NO ANSWERS. THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IT IS. I ALSO FOUND THAT THERE ARE OTHER 2003 WINDSTARS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS--LIGHTS FLICKERING, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, REPLACING ALTERNATORS & BATTERIES, ETC...I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUT THEY DID NOTHING--THEY SAID ALL I CAN SAY IS HOLD ON TO ALL YOUR RECEIPTS AND IF A RECALL IS MADE YOU WILL GET REIMBURSED. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE FORD RECALL THESE VANS?? *TR

I PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN 2006. IT WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THE BRAKES HAD WORN OUT AND THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER REPLACING THE BRAKES, THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF RANDOMLY ON DIFFERENT DAYS. THE MECHANICS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE LIGHTS COME ON STEADY AFTER I DRIVE AWHILE AND STAY ON UNTIL I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. I HAVE HAD 4 BRAKE JOBS SINCE, BUT THAT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY THE ABS MODULE AS THAT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH WINDSTAR'S. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR MORE THAN A HALF MILE AS THE ABS BRAKES DO NOT WORK WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, 50,000 MILES, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. EVEN THOUGH PROPER MAINTENANCE DONE. VEHICLE SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR, AND REVERSE IS NOT HIT OR MISS. SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THIS VEHICLE IS WORTHLESS AND A REBUILD IS RECOMMENDED OVER A USED ONE SINCE YOUR ONLY GOING TO GET OTHER PEOPLES PROBLEMS. A NEW TRANSMISSION FROM FORD IS 3000$ THE REBUILD WILL COST $2000. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX. THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE CONTACT PERFORMED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, BUT HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT FRONT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,234.

ABS BRAKES DASHBOARD LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. DEALER HAS RESET MANY TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. *TR

THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON VERY OFTEN. (FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW) THE ELECTRICAL LIGHTS BLINK ON & OFF ALOT. (STARTED AROUND 2005). WORRIED IF THERE WILL BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE GOES BACK YEARS, SO I JUST PUT IN TODAY'S DATE. *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. MY ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT RANDOMLY COME ON, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CAN SIT AND LET MY CAR IDLE, AND THE LIGHT WILL COME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT IT, AND SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED, THE DEALERSHIP (FORD DEALERSHIP) WON'T REPAIR IT FOR ME. CAN YOU LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME, AND SEE IF THEY WILL DO A RECALL OF THE PROBLEM. THANKS! THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IF THE LIGHT IS ON, THEN I WILL NOT HAVE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THIS WAS A FEATURE THAT MADE ME BUY THE VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE RED BRAKE AND YELLOW ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH. A MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND NOTICED THAT THE "CRUISE CONTROL KNOCK OFF SWITCH" WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THERE WAS ALSO A SERVICE BULLETIN AND RECALLS CONCERNING THIS PARTICULAR SWITCH ON MULTIPLE FORD VEHICLES EXCEPT ON MY 2003 WINDSTAR. APPARENTLY, FIRES HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS FAULTY SWITCH. I PAID FOR FORD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH WHICH COST $145.00 (PARTS AND LABOR) BUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT. THEY INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT HAS FAILED DUE TO THE FAULTY SWITCH. *JB

FAILURE OF THE HEATER BLEND DOOR. VAN HAS NO DEFROSTER AND IS UNDRIVABLE IN WINTER. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ON ALMOST ALL THE TIME. IN COLD WEATHER THE LIGHTS DON'T COME ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP. I HAD A FORD DEALER RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAID THE ABS BRAKE MODULE AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT MUST BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR PARTS ONLY IS $1645. *TR

HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX WITH 36,900 MILES ON. ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ON CONTINUOUSLY FOR A FEW MONTHS AFTER INTERMITTENTLY A COUPLE MONTHS. THIS STARTED IN THE SPRING OF '07. THE NUMBER OF FAILURES INDICATED IS AN ESTIMATE AS IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL THE FAILURES. FOR EXAMPLE, RAN THE VAN 6 TIMES ALONE COUNTING FOR 6 FAILURES. THERE IS NO ABS WORKING. TOTAL FAILURE. CONFIRMED ON DATE INDICATED BY NEAR MISS OF DEER AND LOCKING UP THE BRAKES. TOLD BY FORD DEALER ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS REPLACED. *TR. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

MY WIFE WAS PARKED AND STARTED OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR ON 6 AUG 2007 WHEN SHE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, SHE HAD ALREADY DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES THAT MORNING. THINKING THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE SHE OPENED THE HOOD, SHE SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION LEADING TO THE SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY OFF AND SHE NOTICE THE SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WIRE WAS BADLY CHARRED. SHE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULT, LARGE AMOUNTS OF WHITE SMOKE AND STRONG ODOR OF BURNING WIRE. WE WHERE LUCKY THAT IT DID NOT IGNITE INTO A FIRE. WE ARE PASSING THIS INFORMATION ALONG SO THAT EVERYONE WHO NEEDS TO KNOW WILL GET THE MESSAGE. I CHECKED AND DID NOT FIND A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE AND YEAR. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY FOUR OR FIVE TIMES. ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY DISCOVERED NINE CODES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING WHEN THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. THE CONTACT WAS BECOMING FRUSTRATED DUE TO MISINFORMATION. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,290 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,500.

INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF, SOMETIMES STAY ON. SOMETIMES IT STOPS FOR A WEEK, AND SOMETIMES IT FLICKERS NONSTOP! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY OR EITHER REMAINS LIT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN JULY OF 2007 AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO BE INSPECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

ABS/BRAKE LIGHT STAY ON CONSTANTLY. STARTED INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. NOW IT IS ALWAYS ON. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE PULLED SO MANY CODES I CAN'T LIST THEM ALL. HOWEVER, SOME OF THE CODES: C1185; C1446; B1318; C1235 JUST TO NAME A FEW. *TR

WE BOUGHT A USED WINDSTAR IN JULY OF 2007 HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COMING ON AT TIMES. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR THAT ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME DISPLAYS THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED (FOR $100) AT A LOCAL FORD DEALER AS A DEFECTIVE ABS ECU, WHICH COSTS APPROXIMATELY $750.00. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECURRING SINCE THE VEHICLE PASSED THE 50,000-MILE MARK, AND EVEN THOUGH I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, IT HAD A FORD EXP WARRANTY TO 60,000 MILES. THE DEALER AND THE FORD REP I CONTACTED BOTH SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY A LEAKING PRESSURE SWITCH AT THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR WHICH WICKS BRAKE FLUID DOWN TO THE ECU, CREATING A POSSIBLE SHORT CIRCUIT AND CHANCE FOR A FIRE. OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THE ECUS FAIL BECAUSE OF DELAMINATION OF THE MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD DUE TO INCOMPATIBLE EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION RATES OF THE MATERIALS USED. THE FAILURE OF THE ECU APPEARS TO STEM, IN EITHER CASE, FROM DESIGN FLAWS. THE ABS IS RENDERED INOPERATIVE IN BOTH CASES, CREATING AN UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY HAZARD IN THESE 4200-LB. FAMILY VEHICLES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO CHILD PROOF LOCKS; HOWEVER, THE DOOR WOULD ONLY OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW ALSO FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. ONCE THE WINDOW WAS OPENED, IT WAS UNABLE TO BE CLOSED. THE VIN WAS VERIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO BE ENTERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 03/23/09.

THE ABS LIGHT LUMINATES AND STAYS LIT AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. *TR

ABS LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE BRAKE LIGHT. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND HAS PROGRESSED TO A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. CAR CURRENTLY HAS OVER 170000 MILES. THE DEALER HAS GIVEN MULTIPLE OPINIONS ON THE ISSUE TO INCLUDE: ABS MODULE DEFECT, ABS SENSOR DEFECT. *TR

ABS ERROR CODE C1185, C1194,C1198,C1210 ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO CURRENT ISSUE NO CRASH AT THIS TIME. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PERSONALLY I THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WIND STAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK INTO GEAR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THE MOTOR IN THE DOORS CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,303 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,736. UPDATED 4/16/08 *CN THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER, FRONT HUB SEAL, PUMP SHAFT AND BEARING. THE FRONT DOORS NEEDED ACTUATORS. UPDATED

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ALWAYS COME ON IN MY FORD WINDSTAR. FIRE HAZARD. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. *TR

INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS GO ON INTERMITTENTLY ON 2003 FORD WINSDTAR. THE LIGHTS GO OFF AFTER SHUTTING CAR OFF. BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO BECAUSE IT HAD NOT BEEN WORKING AT ALL. THE REAR WING WINDOWS WORK SPORADICALLY. HE ALSO STATED THAT ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE FOR NO REASON. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,515. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB

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 WEBSITEHTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/8-VT49767.HTML?POSTDAYS=0&POSTORDER=ASC&START=140 PLEASE REVIEW THIS SAFETY DEFECT SOON! 8TR

AFTER I HAVE DRIVEN MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LONG ENOUGH FOR THE ENGINE TO HEAT UP, THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT AND THE RED EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. ALSO, ON LONG TRIPS, THE O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKS INCESSANTLY ALONG WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED LIGHTS. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT EXTENDS TO MANY, MANY WINDSTARS AND BEFORE I SPEND AN ARM AND A LEG TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IT IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. *TR