There are 44 owner-reported speed control & cruise complaints for the 2003 Ford Windstarin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and Brake warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, there was smoke, and a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the ABS fluid had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that fluid had leaked from the Speed Control Deactivations Switch causing damage to the ABS Control Module connector. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 250,000.
I WAS BACKING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN MY FORD WINDSTAR 2003 ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND I HAD TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BREAKS TO STOP THE CAR FROM RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES TO RELEASE THE ENGINE FROM REVVING DID IT STOP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE SAME DAY AND IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO STOP THE FORD WINDSTAR 2003 MODEL. IT COULD HAVE DONE A LOT OF DAMAGE EITHER TO ANOTHER CAR OR A PERSON. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE CORRECTED OR PUT ON A RECALL BASIS BEFORE OTHER PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE THE PROBLEM, CAN EITHER GET IT FIXED OR TAKEN OFF THE ROAD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT IDLED AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TP SENSOR AND MULTIPLE OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT DONE COMPLETELY. THE DEALER FUSED THE WIRING HARNESS, BUT ONLY INSPECTED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND DID NOT REPLACE IT AS LISTED IN THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE MODULE WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PART UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.
ABS INDICATOR KEEPS TURNING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY AT INCREASING INTERVALS AND IS NOW STAYING ON MORE OFTEN. THE SPEEDOMETER'S NEEDLE IN THE DASHBOARD ALSO FAILS TO REGISTER THE SPEED THAT THE CAR IS GOING AND MOVES WILDLY BACK AND FORTH.
ABS LIGHT ALONG WITH BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. MULTIPLE DEFECT CODES FOR ABS MODULE SHOWN ON SCANNER. BRAKES NOT FULLY STOPPING VEHICLE WHEN DEPRESSED. BOUGHT VEHICLE IN MAY 2014. CRUISE CONTROL ACTING FUNNY. *TR
ABS LIGHT AND RED E. BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT SAME TIME. INDICATING BRAKE MODULE HAS FAULTED. SEEMS MANY OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE AT EARLY STAGES OF OWNERSHIP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC STOP, HE ACCIDENTLY ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL RESUME MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY INCREASED ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS DISABLED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
WHILE DRIVING ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON 5 MINUTES AFTER DRIVING SOMETIME NOT AT ALL AND NOW LIGHTS NEVER GO OFF HAVE NEW BRAKE PADS AND SHOES TOOK TO DEALER FOR SCDS RECALL THEY DID NOT CHECK OR DISCUSS ABS LIGHT OR BRAKE LIGHT I ASKED BUT THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE LIGHTS OR CLEAR CODES. *TR
I PURCHASED MY CAR ON JUNE 1, 2012. SHORTLY AFTER, THE BRAKE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT, AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON JULY 9, 2012 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MAROONE FORD IN FORT LAUDERDALE TO PERFORM NECESSARY REPAIRS PER THE RECALL. MAROONE FORD DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS AND INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHTS AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS WERE ISSUES NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. DURING THE PERIOD FROM JULY 9, 2012 TO JULY 12, 2012 THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT TURN ON. ON JULY 13, 2012 THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT TURNED ON. I CALLED MAROONE FORD AND I WAS TOLD TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON JULY 14, 2012 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE PERSISTED UNTIL IT HAD BECOME A PERMANENT OCCURRENCE AND WOULD PRESENT ITSELF EVEN WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WAS NOT BEING USED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY ACTIVE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR SOME TIME, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LEAKING WHAT APPEARS TO BE BRAKE FLUID. *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 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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN HE TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL; SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V399000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 97000.
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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE MODULE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVERYDAY DUE TO A SLOW LEAK WHICH HAD TO BE REFILLED WITH BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 93,000.
THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH WE BOUGHT USED APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO. IT HAS HAPPENED BOTH TO ME AND MY WIFE. YOU CAN STOP FOR TRAFFIC AND WHEN YOU START TO GO AGAIN, YOU CAN BARELY TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND THE ENGINE RACES REALLY FAST AND WHEN YOU TRY TO STEP ON THE BRAKE IT DOESN'T STOP RIGHT AWAY. IT KIND OF FLIES THROUGH THE AIR AND ALTHOUGH MY WIFE AND I KEEP A BIG SPACE BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF US, WE'VE BOTH NARROWLY MISSED STRIKING THE VEHICLES AHEAD OF US. IT KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE THE TOYOTA THING. I'VE CALLED SEVERAL FORD DEALERS TO ASK THEM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WE'RE HAVING AND THEY JUST BRUSH ME OFF. WE'RE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VAN. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. WHAT SHOULD WE DO? *TR
Showing 1–20 of 44 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026