2003 Ford Windstar complaints

ABS SYSTEM FAILURE RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE MASS TURNPIKE WITH MY DAUGHTER AND TWO OF HER FRIENDS, WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO RACE AND THE SPEED STARTED TO DECREASE, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO BECAUSE THE BREAK DOWN LANE HAD DROPPED I SLOWED INTO THE LANE FURTHEST TO THE RIGHT, FOR SLOW MOVING TRUCKS AND HAD THE VEHICLE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PUT IT INTO PARK AND SHUT IT OFF, (MY HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ON), TRIED TO START IT BACK UP AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE, BUT WHEN I DID IT WOULDN'T MOVE AND SLOWLY STARTED TO MOVE BACKWARDS, TRIED TO PUT IT IN 1ST, 2ND AND NEUTRAL AND SAMETHING HAPPENED, SO HAD TO CALL 911 AND HAVE A WRECKER TOW IT BACK TO WEST SPRINGFIELD, HAD TO PAY $207 DOLLARS FOR TOW BACK THERE AND $80 TO TOW IT TO THE GARAGE THAT IT IS CURRENTLY AT NOW AND NEW TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO COST ABOUT $2000. THIS WAS A VERY UNSAFE AND STRESSFUL SITUATION FOR ME AND THREE CHILDREN, AGES 9,7, AND 6. THANK GOD WE DIDN'T GET IN AN ACCIDENT AND GET KILLED. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY FUNCTIONAL. DEFECTIVE ABS ECM. WELL KNOWN ISSUE PER THE FORD DEALER. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE ABS BECOMES NON-FUNCTIONING. THIS HAPPENS 90+% OF THE TIMES THAT THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STARTED HER VEHICLE AND WHILE IT HAD POWER IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. ...UPDATED 04/25/13 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INTERIOR. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE DOORS FROM THE EXTERIOR SO THE PASSENGERS COULD EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED TO THE REAR LIFT GATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

BROUGHT THE CAR TO A REPAIR FACILITY TODAY TO DIAGNOSE A RECURRING FRONT END NOISE TODAY AND WAS SHOWN BY MECHANIC THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND WERE SHEARED/BROKEN AND HAVE BEEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME, POSSIBLY AS LONG AS A YEAR. HE SAID THAT WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE SPRINGS HADN'T SLIPPED AND PIERCED A TIRE; ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. ANOTHER SERIOUS CONCERN IS THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO WHICH WE NORMALLY BRING THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE HAD AND HAD FAILED TO NOTICE THE BROKEN SPRINGS IN WHEN MOST RECENTLY THEY REPLACED MORE FRONT-END PARTS, SOME LINKS, 3.5 MONTHS AGO THAT WAS PART OF A SERIES OF RELATED REPAIR WORK IN THE EFFORT TO STOP THE ONGOING FRONT-END CLUNKING NOISE. AFTER THE NOISE FAILED TO GO AWAY AND AFTER THIS LATEST REPAIR BY FORD SERVICE, WE DECIDED TO GET A SECOND OPINION FROM DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR FACILITY. THIS LATEST MECHANIC, NOT A FORD FACILITY, SAID THAT BROKEN COIL SPRINGS APPEAR TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE FORD TAURUS AND MINI-VANS. *TR

THE CAR WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. NO WARNING, THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING. ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THERE WAS NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. NOTHING HAPPENED PRIOR, THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR ON THE INTERNET. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. WE ARE SO THANKFUL NOTHING WORSE HAPPENED, THERE WERE CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR

MY DEALERSHIP JUST CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT (PASSENGER) SIDE ENGINE MOUNT THAT IS PART OF THE SUBFRAME HAS CORROSION TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE ARE TWO PERFORATIONS COMPLETELY THROUGH THE ENGINE MOUNT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL FOR THE SUBFRAME HAS CLOSED AND THAT THERE IS NO RECOURSE FOR GETTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THIS. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER ([XXX]) ALSO ADMITTED THAT THE EXTENT OF CORROSION AND PERFORATION DID NOT OCCUR IN ONE YEAR ( I HAD THE ORIGINAL RECALL SERVICE DONE IN MAY OF 2011). THEREFORE, I QUESTION WHY THEY DID NOT BRING THIS TO ATTENTION OF THE RECALL AND INCLUDE THE REPAIR ACCORDINGLY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD THE SERVICE PERFORMED IS ROY O'BRIEN FORD IN ST. CLAIRE SHORES MI AND THEIR PHONE NUMBER IS 586-776-7600. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V195000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE REAR AXLE LATER BECAME CRACKED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE (WHICH WAS REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL) DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,081 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

PULLED OUT OF PARKING SPACE AT WORK AND DROVE TO THE GARAGE ENTRANCE, STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN. PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND ENGINE RPM JUST REVVED UP, NO FWD OR REVERSE, VAN ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO THE GARAGE. TOWED IT HOME, WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. HAD NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES. GOOD THING NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME!. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE NO INFO ON THIS, BUT CAN REBUILD IT FOR AROUND $1,000.00. *TT

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HAD A 100% TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING, BUT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. I DID PREVIOUSLY REPORT TRANSMISSION ISSUES (SLIPPING) TO FORD ON MORE THAN ONE OCCATION. FORD WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE OR IDENTIFY AN ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FRONT SUBFRAME DEVELOPED A NEW CRACK DUE TO CORROSION, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED WITHIN THE SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT WHICH DEVELOPED A CRACK AND A HOLE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS STATED INSPECTION AND WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,694 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,399.

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. LOOKS LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. PEOPLE AT AUTO STORE AND AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAID FORD WINDSTAR IS KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IF SO, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JS

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

TRANSMISSION DOESN'T TURN, IT'S SEIZED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER COULD NOT BE MOVED INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES FOUND WITHIN THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN AT 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TORQUE CONVERTER BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON SUDDENLY WHEN DRIVING, CRUISE CONTROL STOP WORKING, SVC ENGINE LIGHT SOMETIMES FLASH, WAS REPAIRED IN THE PAST BY DEALER ON 12/09/03 ( RECALL 09S09) FOR THE SAME REASON, RIGHT NOW I DON'T HAVE A CODE BUT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED BY FORD. THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY HEAT IN THE ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) (2C219) MODULE CAUSING EXPANSION OF A LARGE ALUMINUM PLATE (HEAT SINK) IN THE ECM WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE ECM MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD AT ALL POINTS. THE EXPANSION OCCURS WHEN THE UNIT GETS WARM ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND CAUSES INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE UNIT BECAUSE THE FRAGILE BOARD IS BEING STRETCHED AND MALFORMED. THE CODE MOST COMMONLY SCANNED IS CODE C1185. THERE IS A YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT LITE ON THE DASH. WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON, THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND THE ABS DOES NOT WORK. *TR

ABS MODULE DOES NOT WORK, AND SHOWS A CONSTANT ALARM LIGHT. COST TO REPAIR IS $2K DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND HAVE TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. COST TO REPAIR IS $500/LOCK POWER STEERING UNIT CONSTANTLY NOISY, HARD TO STEER VEHICLE. NO REPAIR COST KNOWN. DOOR OPEN LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON. NO REPAIR COST KNOWN. INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN DOORS ARE OPENED. NO REPAIR COST KNOWN. *JS

MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN I CUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON. IT MAY COME BACK OR NOT UNTIL LATER WHILE DRIVING. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE SEEM LOOSE. I SEE A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THE INTERNET FOR ABS AND BRAKE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON? *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE DOORS FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE 02 OXYGEN SENSOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED TODAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC NO WARNING, VERY SCARY. I GOOGLED FOR KNOW PROBLEMS ONLY TO FIND OUT I AM NOT ALONE, IT APPEARS THERE ARE MORE THAN FEW HUNDRED OWNERS OF 2003 WIND STARS WITH THE SAME DANGEROUS FAILURES. HOW COME THIS IS NOT A RECALL, WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING 60 MPH CENTER LANE AND YOUR TRANSMISSION QUITS NO WARNING. IT WAS JUST THE BLESSING OF GOD I GOT OUT OF THAT SITUATION WITHOUT BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED AND I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT TONIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME. FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT AND HAS NOT EVEN TRIED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE THAT THIS HAS AND COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT WARNING PLACING OWNERS IN WHAT COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. *TR

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS. THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ON IS LIT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS INOPERABLE AND THE POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK EXCEPT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I TAKE MY 3 KIDS TO SCHOOL AND BACK EVERYDAY. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE SUB FRAME FRACTURED AND THE AXLE DISCONNECTED, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME AND THEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SUB FRAME AND REAR AXLE, BUT NOT THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE SAME THING. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

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.

MY FORD WINSTAR HAS HAD ABS PROBLEMS OFF AND ON FOR A YEAR NOW, NO 1 CAN FIX IT. I HAVE SPENT AROUND $1000.00 TRYING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. NOW MY ODOMETER & SPEEDOMETER ISN'T WORKING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH WINDSTARS AND IT IS A COMBO OF THE 3 NOT WORKING TOGETHER. *JS

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. ABS DOES NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY AND STAY ON FOR EXTENDED PERIODS. OBD CODES INCLUDE C1185, C1198, C1194, C1254, C1246, C1250, C1242, C1214, C1210. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE CONTACT HEARD NOISES BEING EMITTED FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDER-BODY SHIELDS) HOWEVER, THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUB-FRAME ALSO BE REPLACED, DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEALER 'S RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE THE SUB-FRAME, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

SERVICE BRAKES,HYDRAULIC BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT HAVE BEEN ON IN MY CAR STEADY FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THE FORD DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

SPEEDOMETER LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND DON'T GO AWAY. NOW THE CAR WONT START FROM WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. REAR DRIVER LIGHT DOESN'T WORK BUT CAN SIGNAL,LEFT REAR PASSENGER LIGHTS WONT SIGNAL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE YEAR AND FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CANNOT BELIEVE FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL - $3,400 LATER I AM GETTING MY VAN FIXED.

ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON AND OFF WHEN I TURN CAR ON AND OFF DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. TOOK TO MECHANIC LIGHTS WHEN OFF BEFORE HE COULD CHECK. SCDS WAS REPLACED IN FEB 2010. GOING TO NEW FORD DEALER TO CHECK. HALDEMAN FORD IN HAMILTON NJ INSTALLED SCDS AND THEY WERE THE WORST DEALERSHIP EVER. READ INFO FROM PRIOR COMPLAINTS. POSSIBLE FIRE,ECT. WAS NERVOUS SO NOW TAKING IT BACK AND HAVING SUBFRAME RECALL INSPECTION. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN TO A WORKPLACE AND PARKED FOR THE DAY. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL HOME, DRIVER STARTED VEHICLE NORMAL AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR TO MOVE FROM THE PARKING SPACE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO EITHER DRIVE (FORWARD) OR REVERSE (BACKWARD). VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND THEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION EXCEEDS $2500. THE TRANSMISSION HAD SHOWN NO SIGNS OF SLIPPAGE OR OTHER VISIBLE, AUDIBLE AND/OR SHIFTING ISSUES. SINCE THE INCIDENT, I HAVE DONE ONLINE RESEARCHED AND FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND INCIDENTS ON THIS VEHICLE MODEL. WE HAVE ALSO HAVE REPEATED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN. INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF FOR NO REASON. INTERIOR LIGHTS BLINK WHILE DRIVING IN DAYTIME OR NIGHTTIME. SOMETIMES THE REAR POWER WING WINDOWS OPEN...SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT. SERVICE LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INCLUDING BRAKE AND ABS SYSTEM LIGHTS, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS, AND OTHERS. WE ARE THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO DRIVE HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO NONRESPONSIVE WHEN SHIFTING INTO ANY SELECTED GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON I94, WITHOUT WARNING, POWERTRAIN COMPLETELY FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. THANKFULLY I HAD THE ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. *JS

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT HAVE BEEN ON IN MY CAR INTERMITTENTLY FOR ALMOST AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THE FORD DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 SETS OF WHEEL BEARINGS IN THE CAR AND NOW THE POWER STEERING UNIT IS ABOUT TO GO OUT AND THE RACK IS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 78,000 MILES ON IT. I WORK AT HOME SO I DO NOT DRIVE TO WORK SO THE MILEAGE IS LOW FOR A VEHICLE THIS AGE. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO RUSTING AND I KEEP IT PARKED IN MY GARAGE UNLESS IT IS BEING DRIVEN. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ONLY ROLLS DOWN OCCASIONALLY. IN CONCLUSION: I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 41 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER REPLACED WHEEL BEARINGS OR POWER STEERING IN ANY VEHICLE, LET ALONE 3 SETS OF WHEEL BEARINGS AND A POWER STEERING UNIT. THE COSTS OF THESE REPAIRS WILL TOTAL OVER 2000 DOLLARS WITH NO RESOLVE OF THE BRAKE ISSUE OR WINDOW PROBLEM. *JS

SLOWED DOWN TO TURN LEFT ONTO SIDE ROAD, STARTED UP-HILL WENT TO SHIFT AND THEN THERE WAS NOTHING, COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. SEEMED AS THOUGH I HAD PUT VAN INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS OVER 300 MILES FROM HOME, JUST ME AND MY 2 YR OLD. TOWED BACK HOME TO TRANSMISSION GARAGE, HAD TO HAVE REBUILT FOR APPROXIMATELY $2900. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS, WHY IS FORD NOT RECALLING??? THIS VAN SEEMS TO BE MORE TROUBLE THAN IT IS WORTH. I ALSO HAD THE REPAIR TO THE BACK AXEL DONE AFTER I DISCOVERED THAT I HAD A COMPLETE CRACK THRU IT. *TR

DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN SOMETHING SNAPPED UNDER FRONT OF THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING COMPLETELY HIT THE CURB GOT PUSHED BACK TO THE MIDDLE OF THE 4-LINE ROAD AND CAME TO A STOP VERY LUCKY. LATER FOUND OUT THAT LOWER SUBFRAME CONTROL ARM BROKE OF THE FRAME DUE TO RUST AND PULLED OUT AXLE SNAPPED SWAY BAR AND DAMAGED BALL JOINTS, TOWED IT TO A DEALER AND THEY ARE WILLING TO FIX FRAME BUT WANT ME TO PAY FOR ALL THE OTHER EXPENSE SWAY BAR, BALL JOINTS, TIRES, STEERING ARM TOTALING OVER A 1000 $. CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT FORD WOULD NOT AT LEAST REPLACE ALL NEEDED PART CONSIDERING THAT I MADE IT OUT ALIVE AND WITH OUT A CRUSH. AND ALL THIS AFTER THEY HAVE PERFORMED REAR AXLE REPAIR AND CHECKED THE FRONT AND WAS INFORMED THAT FRONT WAS SAFE A YEAR AGO .ABOUT 10,000 MILES AND A YEAR LATER I HAD THIS HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE HAS 74,000 MILES ONLY. *TR

AFTER HAVING THE 2011 REAR AXLE AND SUBFRAME RECALL DONE MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING SIGNS WHAT'S SO EVER . . . . SHORTLY AFTER SPENDING TWO THOUSAND ON HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT IN AUGUST MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY ABS STARTING KICKING IN WHEN I APPLY MY BREAKS AND WHEN MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON MY BRAKES ARE FINE AND MY VAN DOESN'T COME UP ON THE ABS RECALL . . . . . . FORD NEEDS TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND FIX THESE VANS. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN, WE USE THIS VEHICLE EVERYDAY BRINGING KIDS TO SCHOOL AND FOR WIFE TO DRIVE TO WORK, WE HAD TAKEN THE VAN TO A WEDDING ON THE 20TH OF AUGUST ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY. MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE LIKE ALWAYS. THE NEXT DAY SHE WENT TO TAKE THE KIDS OUT FOR AN ICE CREAM AND FOR WHATEVER REASON THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING, NO REVERSE ,FORWARD COMPLETELY NOT WORKING. THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF A PROBLEM ,I HAVE NEVER HAD A MISS SHIFT OR A SLIPPAGE. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE WEB AND IT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED I HOPE THERE CAN BE A RESOLVE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME BACK ON FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER, TURNED OUT WAS ABS MODULE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON A TRIP FROM CHICAGO TO NORTH CAROLINE, MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. IT WAS AS IF I JUST PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL; I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV WHEN I APPLIED THE GAS BUT NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED. LUCKILY, I WAS NEAR AN EXIT RAMP AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. I TRIED PUTTING THE CAR INTO ANOTHER GEAR, BUT THERE WAS NO CHANGE. WE ENDED UP GETTING THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE, WHERE THEY DETERMINED IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. LATER, AFTER PULLING THE TRANSMISSION APART, THEY DETERMINED IT WAS SPECIFICALLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH HAD FAILED. MY FAMILY AND I (INCLUDING 4 CHILDREN AND 4 DOGS) HAD TO STAY IN A HOTEL FOR 3 DAYS UNTIL THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. DURING THAT TIME, I INVESTIGATED THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE PROBLEM (VIA THE INTERNET) AND FOUND THAT IT IS COMMON IN WINDSTARS AND FREESTARS. THERE IS A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THE FREESTAR BUT NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THE WINDSTAR YET. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED ASAP!!!! I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS DRIVING IN CONDITIONS THAT ALLOWED ME TO SAFELY MANEUVER MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING OR BEING INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. THE SAFETY OF MYSELF, MY CHILDREN AND THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WITH ME, A WINDSTAR OWNER, SHOULD NOT BE PUT AT RISK BECAUSE OF A KNOWN TORQUE CONVERTER DEFECT. THE WINDSTAR NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE FORD RECALL FOR TORQUED CONVERTERS IMMEDIATELY. *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

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT THE SAME TIME YET THE ABS IS WORKING AND SO ARE THE BRAKES. WHEN I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART THE CAR, THE LIGHTS GO OFF. THEY OCCASIONALLY CAME BACK ON THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, BUT HAS NOT HAPPENED SO FAR THIS FALL/WINTER.I ONLY PUT 7,500 MILES A YEAR ON THE VAN, SO THE PROBLEM MIGHT OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY IF I DROVE IT MORE. I HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR OTHER REASONS AND SINCE THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON, THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM TO INVESTIGATE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY FORD WINDSTAR 2003 MINIVAN THE REAR AXLE BEAM CRACKED. THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN, AND I HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED. I WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS OF 20 MPH. A CRACKING OF THE REAR AXLE BEAM POSED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY THREAT TO MYSELF, AND FAMILY. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE POWER FAILED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE ANY FURTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

CAR STOPPED RUNNING,AFTER STOPPING WOULD NOT RESTART WITH SWITCH ON,TURNED OFF IGN SWITCH AND TURNED BACK ON AND IT RESTARTED. I INQUIRED AT THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED 100'S OF TIMES INCLUDING A NUMBER OF TIMES ON A ROUNDABOUT WHERE THE LOSS OF PWER STEERING IS ESPECIALLY SCARING. I HAVE ADJUSTED TO THIS PROBLEM BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL,TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND THEN ON AND STARTING THE ENGINE AGAIN, NORMALLY THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE BUT ON A 2 LANE ROUNDABOUT IT IS A DANGER. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,764. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED HIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, WITH THE OTHER FORD MODELS. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS STATED IN THE RECALL. RECALL# 12V006000. UPDATED 03/02/12 UPDATED 06/12/12