2003 Ford Windstar complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO CRUISE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,727 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,200. UPDATED 02/22/12*LJ UPDATED 05/03/12

ON OUR WAY TO PITTSBURGH MONDAY DECEMBER 16, 2012 FOR A LITTLE OUTING WITH OUR 18 MONTH OLD SON FOR THE DAY JUST TO GET AWAY FROM ALLEGANY COUNTY AND WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON ROUTE 40 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VAN IS TRAVELING IN NEUTRAL AND WILL NOT GO IN ANY GEAR. WE DRIFTED THE VEHICLE TO A SIDE ROAD AND CALLED UPON MY AUNT THAT HAS AAA. SURE THAT WAS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO BUT HEY WE JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED ON 11-4-11 AND JUST RECEIVED OUR ACTUAL TAGS ON 1-3-12. WERE PRETTY LOW ON EXTRA CASH RIGHT NOW TO BE FORKING OUT 250.00+ FOR A TOW BACK TO OUR HOME TOWN. CONSIDERING GETTIN THE VAN BACK ON THE ROADS GONNA BE HALF THE PRICE OF WHAT WE PAID FOR THE HEAP TO BEGIN WITH. ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE VAN WHEN I FIRST SAW IT AT THE USED AUTO DEALERS. CLEAN INSIDE AND OUT AND HAD LOW MILES FOR THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER WASN'T THE BEST AT TAKING CARE OF THE TITLE AND TAG INFORMATION AS FAR AS FORWARDING IT TO THE MVA SO WE COULD GET OUR REAL TAGS AND TITLE TO THE VEHICLE. HAD TO CALL HIM A FEW DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS TO GET HIM ON THE BALL AND SEND THE REQUIRED INFO SO WE COULD GET OUR TAGS SINCE THE TEMPORARY WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE. HE ACTED QUICKLY AND HAD THEM FOR US AT HIS SHOP ON THE 3RD OF JANUARY. NOW WHEN I DO A LITTLE RESEARCH ON 2003 WINDSTARS FROM PREVIOUS OWNERS AT LEAST 80% OF THEM WRITE THE SAME MESSAGE AS WHAT IM EXPLAINING. ( TRAVELING ALONG THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING BOOM NO GEARS AT ALL.) I REALLY WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE SOME MORE

RECENTLY ISSUED RECALL OF 2004 FORD CO. MINIVANS FOR INPUT SHAFT FAILURE, ALL FORD WINDSTARS INCLUDING 2003 MODELS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. FREESTAR VAN IS NOTHING BUT A NAME CHANGE FOR THE SAME POOR UNSAFE VEHICLE. ALONG WITH THE MANY SAFETY ISSUES, OWNERS SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THE REPAIRS MADE ON SUBSTANDARD VEHICLE. INCLUDING THE FRAME ISSUES, BRAKES ISSUE, ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE QUALITY. *TR

DRIVING ON A BUSY TWO LANE ROAD, JUST CAME AROUND A SHARP CORNER WHEN THE RPMS SHOT UP AND VAN STARTED TO COAST. WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO GET COMPLETELY OFF THE ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VAN FORWARD OR BACKWARD AFTER STOPPING. THERE WAS NO WARNING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND IT WAS VERY SCARY BEING DISABLED ALONG A BUSY ROAD WAITING FOR HELP TO ARRIVE. CARS APPROACHING ME FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS HAD TO ALTERNATE TURNS TO GET AROUND MY VEHICLE. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA WHILE ON VACATION AND MY VAN LOST THE DRIVING POWER, THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING AND THE TACHOMETER WENT HIGHER AS WE TRIED TO GO, BUT WERE UNABLE TO MOVE. WE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY GLIDE OFF OF THE ROAD AND BE TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE MAIN SHAFT AND TORQUE CONVERTER WERE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT THE COST OF $1200 FOR REPAIR, A RENTAL CAR OF $350 AND A RETURN FLIGHT TO RETRIEVE VAN AFTER REPAIRS, IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SHAFT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE MOTOR BRACKETS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN SHIFTING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT TWO MOTOR MOUNTS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 186,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ UPDATED 04/18/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE THE CONTACT DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ARE LIT ON MY DASH,FORD HAS THIS RECALL IN THEIR WEBSITE. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE THEREATTENTION THEY SAID THAT MY CARS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED, NOWHERE DOES IT STATE THAT IT IS DESIGNATED BY VIN NUMBERS, IT STATED ALL 2003 FORD WINDSTARS. FORD WANTS $1500.00 TO DO THIS REPAIR, PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM, FOR I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO PAY FOR THIS. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME IN CHECKING THIS OUT FOR ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LAMP, TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION AUTO CENTER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

ABS & BRAKE LIGHT ARE LIT ON MY DASH, FORD HAS THIS RECALL IN THEIR WEB SITE, WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THERE ATTENTION, THEY SAID I HAD THE WRONG VIN. # AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $1500.00 FOR THIS REPAIR, I THOUGHT THAT WHEN THERE IS A RECALL, THE COST WOULD BE ON FORD. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THE PROBLEM FOR I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THIS REPAIR, I'M HOPING THEY ARE WRONG. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDER BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SAT FOR THREE HOURS BEFORE IT COULD BE MOVED. A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A LIST OF DEALERS IN WHICH HE COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY AND BLINK WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES THEY STAY ON AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE DOOR AJAR STAYS ON WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. ALL CONTACTS CLEANED AND IT STILL DOES THIS. DRIVING WITH A FLASHING LIGHT IN THE VEHICLE IS DISTRACTING AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM IN ALL FORD WINDSTARS AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

I HAVE HAD NO TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. I DROVE HOME FROM WORK EARLY THIS MORNING (3:30AM.) I WENT TO LEAVE FOR AN APPOINTMENT AT NOON ON THE SAME DAY, AND NOTHING. I STARTED MY VAN, ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT IN GEAR AND NOTHING!! NO WARNING, NO NOTHING!! I HAVE NEVER TOWED WITH THIS VEHICLE (IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A HITCH,) THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF PEOPLE RIDING IN IT HAS BEEN 350 POUNDS. THERE HAS BEEN NO STRESS ON THIS ENGINE AS I DON'T LIVE IN MOUNTAINESS AREAS. I AM A SINGLE MOM OF 4 LITTLE KIDS, RECEIVING NO CHILD SUPPORT, WORKING PT, JUST ABLE TO PAY THE BILLS, AND FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE!! I HAVE ALSO HAD NUMEROUS OTHER 'PROBLEMS' BUT NOTHING SO MAJOR THE VEHICLE COULDN'T BE DRIVEN (INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHING, BLENDER DOOR ACTUATOR GOING OUT 3X IN A YEAR, ROUGH IDEAL ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD, BACK DOOR HANDLES NOT WORKING FROM INSIDE, BACK DOORS SO HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE, I CAN HARDLY DO IT, BACK WIPER WORKED ONE DAY THEN JUST STOPPED AND HASN'T WORKED SINCE, ONE BACK WINDOW OPENS AND CLOSES ONLY WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. I ALSO JUST PUT $70 IN GAS IN THIS VEHICLE! UGH!! *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT IT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM IN THE FACTORY WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

YELLOW ABS LIGHT AND RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT STAY ON. THIS BEGAN AFTER HAVING RECALL # 09S09 (SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION) PERFORMED AT BONDY'S FORD IN DOTHAN AL. LIGHTS WERE NOT ON WHEN LEFT DEALERSHIP...CAME ON LATER AND HAVE STAYED ON. BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO WORK AS WELL NOW AS BEFORE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN FLAMES EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AFTER THE START OF THE IGNITION. THE FIRE CAUSED NO INJURIES AND BOTH THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.

ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011, MY WIFE WAS HEADING TO WORK. SHE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL TURNED GREEN, SHE HIT THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE RPM'S WOULD GO UP AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THIS WAS THE CASE IN ALL GEARS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SINCE TRAFFIC APPROACHING THE SIGNAL ARE DRIVING AT 50+ MPH. LUCKILY, A FEW PASSERS BY HELPED MY WIFE PUSH THE VAN INTO A LOCAL PARKING LOT. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY ARE NOW REBUILDING IT FOR ABOUT $2,000. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE VANS, I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED BY FORD. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE SOME REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE COSTS I AM PAYING FOR REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION (I.E.: KNOCKING SOUNDS, SLIPPING, ETC.) PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 WINDSTAR AND MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR YEARS NOW. *TR

DROVE THE VAN TO WORK WITHOUT INCIDENT OR ANY IMMINENT WARNING OF VEHICLE PROBLEMS. AS SOON AS I STOPPED AND PUT THE VAN IN PARK, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND DIFFERENT SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHEN GETTING READY TO LEAVE WORK FOR HOME, I STARTED THE VAN AND PROCEEDED TO PLACE IT IN REVERSE AND THE VAN DIDN'T WOULDN'T MOVE REGARDLESS OF THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR POSITION. THERE WAS A LOUD WHINE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

VEHICLE VIOLENTLY BUCKLES FORWARD AND BACK WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT. THIS CONTINUES FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON AT THE SAME TIME AND THE CAR STOPS BUCKLING. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE EACH TIME I USE THE VEHICLE. SO APPROXIMATELY 5-9 TIMES A DAY. THE BUCKLING IS SO BAD I'M AFRAID MY FOOT WILL SLIDE OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND I WILL ROLL INTO AN INTERSECTION. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THEODORE ROBINS FORD IN COSTA MESA (949) 642-3017 TODAY AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I ALSO FOUND THIS WEBSITE TALKING ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/. PLEASE HELP [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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.

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 VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH THE ABS, BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATION, SLOW GEAR SHIFTING AND POWER WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCK FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

THE DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK RIGHT, AND THE GAUGES SUDDENLY WENT SPORATIC. THE RPM GAUGE NEEDLE WENT SO HARD, IT IS STUCK TO THE DASH. NOT USABLE. IT DOES THIS REGULARLY NOW. (THE GAUGES AND LOCKS).

2003 FORD WINDSTAR 71,000 MILES - BOUGHT NEW FOR $35,000 IN DECEMBER 2003, I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VAN, TO AND FROM WORK AND A FEW ROAD TRIPS. IN THE BEGINNING A FEW THINGS WENT WRONG BUT I WASN'T TOO CONCERNED AT THE TIME. SINCE THEN, HERE IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT HAS GONE WRONG WITH THIS VAN: 1.NO HEAT - BLENDER ACTUATOR 2.DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULDN'T ROLL UP OR DOWN (FIXED) 3.PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND BACK WINDOWS DO NOT WORK 4.INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF 5.GASKET REPLACED ON ENGINE BECAUSE CAR WAS DYING WHEN I CAME TO A STOP. ($450) 6.REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER DOESN'T WORK 7.RUSTING OUT BY BACK TIRES 8.TRANSMISSION FAILURE $2,800. FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID! (NOW HOW DID THAT HAPPEN OTHER THAN BEING DEFECTIVE) 9.2 SAFETY RECALLS I AM LUCKY I HAVEN'T BEEN KILLED IN THIS VEHICLE! THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING! YOU WOULD THINK WHEN I HAD MY CAR SERVICED THEY WOULD HAVE NOTICED THAT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID DID NOT LOOK RIGHT. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VAN THAT I HAVE WORKED HARD AND STRUGGLED TO PAY FOR, BUT I DID IT. MY ENTIRE FAMILY HAS ALWAYS STUCK BY FORD AND I HAVE ALWAYS DEFENDED THEM. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE RIGHT NOW SO I HAD TO DIG DEEP TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH ON THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. NOW I AM STUCK WITH DRIVING A $35,000 VAN THAT I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING! [XXX] COPY TO: NHTSA (NATI

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DOOR LOCKS WOULD LICKER ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,083.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TRIED PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE PARKED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED FLUID LEAKING NEAR THE FRONT DRIVE SIDE TIRE AND STATED IT WAS COMING FROM A FRACTURE IN THE FRONT AXLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT AN AXLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES. SUSPECT ECM FAILURE DUE TO BAD DESIGN. SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN IN FLORDIA FROM SOMEONE ON CRAIGSLIST IN THAT USE TO LIVE IN VIRGINIA. NO LONGER THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE VAN THE ENGINE LIGHT, ABS, AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VAN WAS JERKING VERY HARD WHEN THE GEARS WERE CHANGING. I TOOK THE VAN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND PAID $90 FOR A DIAGNOSIS TEST. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME I HAD TO REPLACE THE FULL BODY THROTTLE WHICH I PAID $230 FOR. 2 WEEKS AFTER I REPLACED THE FULL BODY THROTTLE THE ENGINE, ABS, AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE JERKING CONTINUED. I WAS NOT INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN 99-03. *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

WHILE DRIVING, I FELT THE VAN WAS NOT SHIFTING, SO I WENT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER-AGAIN, NOTHING WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION BUT THEY DID DO A TRANSMISSION TUNE UP. WHEN I PICKED IT UP, I DROVE INTO TOWN. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO STOP ON A RED LIGHT. ON GREEN, I PRESSED MY GAS PEDAL BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. IN A DESPERATE EFFORT, I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE AGAIN, BUT FOR ONLY ABOUT A QUARTER MILE TO HAVE TO DO THE SAME REPEATEDLY UNTIL I GOT TO A SAFER SPOT. FINALLY, I ENDED UP LEAVING MY VAN PARKED AT A SHOPPING CENTER AND CALLED A CAB HOME. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH WITH MY FORD WINDSTAR VAN. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING, AND MY AIR CONDITIONING DOESN'T WORK, EVEN WHEN I HAD FREE ON PUT IN IT. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR ANOTHER CAR, NOR DO I HAVE THE MONEY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION, ALONG WITH HAVING IT PUT IN. I LIVE IN A TOWN WHERE THERE ARE NO BUSES AND CAN ONLY GET A RIDE FROM A TAXI. I DON'T HAVE $10 ONE WAY FOR THIS! I NEED TO GET TO WORK, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE MY JOB. ALL BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTIONING VEHICLE THAT IS CAUSING SAME PROBLEMS FOR MANY OTHERS OUT THERE. FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES! *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC DOORS WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE WITHOUT ANYONE OPERATING THE CONTROL BUTTONS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF ABS MODULE CAUSING RED BRAKE LIGHT AND ORANGE ABS LIGHT TO COME ON AND LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION. THIS SEAMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN HOT WEATHER. SOMETIMES THE ABS CAN BE "TURNED BACK ON" BY SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING. ALSO REAR POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM TO WHERE THEY WILL NOT FULLY UNLOCK. DOOR WILL PARTIALLY OPEN, THEN GET STUCK, SO THAT YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH THE REAR OF THE DOOR SHUT IN ORDER TO ATTEMPT TO GET THE DOOR TO PROPERLY OPEN. WORRIED THAT DOORS WILL NOT OPEN IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE WINDOWS OR DOORS OPENED WITH THE KEY REMOTE. THE WINDOWS DO NOT OPEN BUT THE DOORS CAN BE OPENED MANUALLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I WAS PARKED OUTSIDE MY HOME.I WENT OUT TO MY VAN TO GO PICK UP DINNER AND TO MY DISTRESS, THE VAN WOULDN'T REVERSE OR GO FORWARD. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION FROM ONLINE SOURCE AND AUTO MECHANICS, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FORD'S TRANSMISSIONS. NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM.IN THE PAST WEEKS,MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WHILE IM DRIVING. THIS VAN IS A HAZARD. YOU REALLY NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS PLEASE. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WATER WOULD GET INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION AT TIMES AND THE REVERSE GEAR IS FAILING. *JB

THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, THE VAN STARTED BUCKING AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE ABS ELECTRONIC ECU MODULE AND BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT, AT A TOTAL COST OF $881.69, INCLUDING PARTS, TAX AND LABOR. *TR

ABS LIGHT IS ON AS WELL AS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.CAR IS IDLING ROUGH. CHECKED WITH NUMEROUS CAR REPAIR PLACES WITH NO SUCCESS. ALSO, VAN IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT EVEN AFTER I CHANGED TIRES AND DID ALIGNMENT CHECK ! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS. THE REMEDY REPAIR CONSISTED OF ATTACHING A BRACKET TO THE REAR SUBFRAME. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AND THE BRACKET PROTRUDED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED A HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE PERTAINING TO THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

WOW, MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR ONLY HAS 119,OOO MILES AND I CANT BELIEVE ALL THE ISSUES! THE ABS SYSTEM AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS COSTANTLY STAY ON, MECHANIC SAID HIGH DOLLAR PART. ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. CAR HOPS AND JUMPS, REPLACED COILS AND ALL OXYGEN SENSORS AND STILL THROWING MANY CODES. DONT EVEN FEEL SAFE IN THIS FAMILY VECHILE. I BEG FORD TO RECALL THESE ISSUES!! *TR

THERE IS SOME KIND OF MALFUNCTION IN THE 2003 FORD WINDSTARS. THE WINDOWS WILL STOP WORKING ALL AT ONCE OR AT RANDOM TIMES. THE LIGHTS WILL STOP WORKING AND THEN START AGAIN. THE RADIO WILL STOP WORKING AND START AGAIN. THESE ARE ALL ON RANDOM FUSES. FORD SAYS THEY CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IF THEY DO NOT EXPERIENCE IT. THE PROBLEMS WILL LAST FOR A FEW MINUTES OR UP TO DAYS AT A TIME. THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO WILL NOT ENGAGE AT TIMES. THESE ARE ALL GETTING POWER AS THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL TELL YOU IT IS READY TO ENGAGE AND WHEN YOU TRY TO ENGAGE IT , IT SAYS ITS BEEN DEACTIVATED. THE RADIO WILL EJECT OR LOAD CD BUT WILL NOT COME ON. WE HAVE NOT FOUND A SOLUTION YET BUT FEEL THIS CAN BE A PROBLEM IF THE LIGHTS GO OUT AT THE WRONG TIME. EVEN THE WINDOWS NOT OPENING CAN BE A PROBLEM. IF A BEE OR SOMETHING ELSE GETS STUCK IN THE VAN YOU CAN NOT ALWAYS STOP TO GET IT OUT. AS MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER ARE VERY ALLERGIC TO THEM IT IS A DANGER NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THEM. IN LOOKING UP SOLUTIONS I HAVE NOTICED A GREAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAD SIMULTANEOUSLY BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE SOMETIME IN 2008 (A 5-YEAR-OLD VEHICLE), OCCURRING WITH GREATER FREQUENCY AS TIME WENT ON. HOWEVER, SINCE ABOUT MARCH 2011 THEY NOW COME ON EVERY DAY, USUALLY WITHIN 2 MINUTES OF STARTING THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE--THE PROBLEM IS INHERENT IN THE MODULE. AFTER ABOUT THE FIRST YEAR OF INTERMITTENT FAILURE I HAD A FORD DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM; HE TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO A BAD ECM FOR THE ABS (WHICH I ALREADY SUSPECTED, HAVING DONE SOME PRIOR RESEARCH); WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT CONCERNING THE ALUMINUM HEAT SINK PLATE; HE TOLD ME IT WAS A BAD DESIGN, IT SHOULD'VE NEVER BEEN DESIGNED THAT WAY. IN MAY 2011, AFTER THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON DAILY, I HAD SOME OTHER SERVICE WORK DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP; IN SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE I ASKED ABOUT THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS, HE TOLD ME THE ABS ECM WAS BAD, THAT MANY OF THEM GO BAD LIKE THAT BECAUSE IT'S A BAD DESIGN AND HE HAD IN FACT JUST REPLACED ONE THE WEEK BEFORE FOR A CUSTOMER--IT WAS $1,400. THESE SAME MODULES WERE USED ON EARLIER MODEL YEARS OF THE WINDSTAR, AND ALL MODEL YEARS USING THIS MODULE HAVE HAD FAILURES. WHEN THE MODULE IS NOT FUNCTIONING, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM- DOES NOT ENGAGE. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILS, THIS CAN LEAD TO UNEXPECTED WHEEL LOCK-UP AND UNCONTROLLED SLIDING, INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCES, AND GREATER RISK OF INJURY ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE

MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ARE ALWAYS ON WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR: FORD WINDSTAR 2003 *TT

FAULTY ABS SENSOR IN 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. BOTH THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD STARTING COMING ON THIS PAST SUMMER. I HAD IT CHECKED AT FIRESTONE, AUTOMASTERS AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE ALL GETTING A C1185 ERROR CODE AND THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THEY COULD FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE COST AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS $495 FOR THE SENSOR AND ANOTHER $500 TO INSTALL. WHILE CHECKING ANOTHER RECALL FROM FORD, I STUMBLED UPON A WEBSITE [HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/#PROBLEM2] THAT MENTIONED THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THE PROBLEM COULD START A VEHICLE FIRE. IT SUGGESTED TWO SOLUTIONS: 1) REPLACE THE ECM UNIT AND WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN AT YOUR EXPENSE, SO SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS. ALWAYS BUY FORD PARTS IF THERE IS A CHANCE YOU WILL BE REIMBURSED. ALSO A FORD DEALERSHIP MAY BE THE WAY TO GO HERE. 2) DEACTIVATE THE ECM HIGH POWER BY REMOVING FUSES 101 AND 102 SO THAT THE ABS IS ALWAYS OFF AND NOT INTERMITTENT. AND WAIT FOR FORD TO LISTEN TO US THROUGH YOUR REPORT TO THE NHTSA.GOV. I AM SENDING THIS TO ADD TO ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BROUGHT THIS ISSUE TO YOUR ATTENTION IN THE HOPES IT CAN BE REPAIRED PROPERLY AND THAT FORD COVERS SOME, IF NOT ALL THE COSTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND AS THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED THE SPEED CONTINUED TO DECREASE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, INSPECTED FOR REAR AXLE CORROSION RECALL, PASSED AND PARTS ADDED IN MAR 2011. AT THE SAME TIME THE REAR AXLE WAS FIXED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR FRONT SUBFRAME RECALL AND PASSED. AUG 18-2011 THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 20MPH. NO LETTER WAS EVER RECEIVED FROM FORD TO ADD PARTS TO FRONT SUBFRAME (CONFIRMED BY A PHONECALL TO FORD CANADA) HOW DID THEY PASS THIS AS IT FAILED 1500 KMS LATER. NOT FEELING SAFE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN (FORD IS GOING TO FIX IT!) *TR