Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FRACTURED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 10/03/11 *BF UPDATED 3/28/12 *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND OF THE INSRUMENT PANEL GAUGES BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ERRATICALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT REMAINED CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
OUR 2003 FORD MINIVAN PASSED FRONT SUBFRAME INSPECTION AND "CLEANING" ON 3/14/2011 WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REAR AXLE RECALL REPAIRS. IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FRONT SUBFRAME RECALL ON 7/11/2011 AND RECALL REPAIRS WERE MADE. IN ADDITION, OTHER REPAIRS WERE SOLD TO US AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION BY MECHANIC. NINE DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A CLUNK NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ON 8/1/11, THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC FOUND A BROKEN RIGHT SWAY BAR DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AT THE SUBFRAME ATTACHMENT. SERVICE MANAGER WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THIS FAILURE IS UNRELATED TO THE RECALL ISSUE AND THAT SUBFRAME REPLACEMENT WOULD NOT BE PROVIDED BY FORD. WE THEN HAD THE MINI VAN PUT UP ON A LIFT AT AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE WHERE REPAIR OF SUBFRAME WAS OBSERVED AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE SUBFRAME WHICH WAS LITERALLY SEPARATED INTO SHEETS OF RUST UNDER THE REPAIR BRACKETS. ANY FORCE TO PUT BOLTS INTO THE REPAIR BRACKETS COULD EASILY HAVE HASTENED THE CORRODED SWAY BAR FAILURE. WE WERE TOLD THE MINI VAN IS SAFE TO DRIVE EVEN WITHOUT REPAIR, HOWEVER, WE HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THAT AND LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE THERE ARE LOTS OF SMALL CHILDREN, JOGGERS AND PEDESTRIANS. WE GREATLY FEAR THAT ANY FURTHER FAILURE IN THE FRONT END COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO SOMEONE. VEHICLE HAS 84,000 MILES. FORD DENIES ANY ASSISTANCE OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ISSUE.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DRIVING IN REVERSE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY..NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NOISE...TRANSMISSION STOPPED. CAR WILL NOW NOT MOVE. CANNOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE...HUGE EXPENSE THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR..VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS FORD MINI-VAN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAY INACCURATE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT KNOCK OR SLIP PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,337.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TACOMETER BEGAN TO DISPLAY A HIGH READING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,988. UPDATED 10/27/11*BF UPDATED 3/27/12 *CN
TRAVELING 65 MILES AN HOUR ON I-96 EASTBOUND , OUTSIDE OF THE DETROIT AREA. SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL POWERTRAIN FUNCTION. ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER. ENGINE RUNS FINE, AND WILL GO INTO PARK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WERE SHUTTING ON AND OFF ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. IT OCCURS 75% OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ABS, BRAKES AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. ITS INTERMITTENT WHEN THIS OCCURS, BUT OCCURS OFTEN. OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE HOT. RECALL 09S09 WAS COMPLETED AND PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AROUND TIME OF REPAIR. *TR
ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON CONSTANTLY....LOSING POWER....FRONT/PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK, LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF..... *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE AND THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
I HAVE TAKEN MY VAN INTO THE FORD DEALER MORE THAN TWICE FOR THE BRAKES MAKING REAL BAD NOISES WHEN I FIRST DRIVE IT FOR THE DAY. FORD DEALER SAYS IT IS BRAKE DUST AND IS NORMAL FOR THAT YEAR OF VAN .THE NOISE IS REAL BAD AND I'M WORRIED THAT IT MAY CAUSE A PROBLEM DOWN THE ROAD.
FORD RECALL NO. 09S09 - 49 CFR PART 573-DEFECT WE WERE NOT INFORMED OF RECALL. -- PER DOWN-LOADED PDF LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY TODAY, THIS RECALL OBLIGATION EXPIRED ON 12/8/2009. QUESTION: IS FORD OBLIGATED AND REQUIRED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS IN NEAR FUTURE (JULY 19, 2011) TO CORRECT DEFECT?
THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND MY SPEEDOMETER IS JUMPING AROUND ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO SURGES WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON. THIS ONLY STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR OF THE REAR AXLE AND FRONT SUB-FRAME RECALLS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE ABS WOULD ACTIVATE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WHEN BRAKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 10V385000( SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BRACKETS THAT WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FROM THE RECALL WERE NOT STEADY AND UNSAFE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN DELAWARE WITH MY FAMILY THE VAN I SUDDENLY LOSS ACCELERATION. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT THIS HAS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. WITHOUT NOTICE LOSE ACCELERATION AND NOW NO GEARS WORK. 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER SEARCHING ON LINE THERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM. THIS VAN HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE BREAKING WHILE DRIVING AND THAT WAS RECALLED. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE RECALLED AS IT ALMOST THE SAME RESULT. ACCIDENT. *TR
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AND OFF. *TR
2003 FORD WINDSTAR YELLOW ABS LIGHT AND RED BRAKE LIGHTS IN DASH STAY ON . TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT AND WAS TOLD I NEED A ABS CONTROLLER AND NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE SUSPENSION HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SUSPENSION DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDER BODY SHIELDS). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIANS REPAIRED BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BODY MOUNTS. THE SUSPENSION BAR WHICH DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE SUB FRAME WAS NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 08/17/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLACING THE EXHAUST HANGER, SHE NOTICED THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACES DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000.
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.
BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. IT OCCURS 75% OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ABS, BRAKES AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. ITS INTERMITTENT WHEN THIS OCCURS, BUT OCCURS OFTEN. OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE HOT. *TR
VAN SHUDDERED WHILE ACCELERATING, LOUD ROAR ON DRIVER SIDE OF VAN, PROBLEM PERSISTED EVEN AFTER I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, THE SHOP CLAIMED THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY CODES FOR THE PROBLEM. DROVE ALL DAY JUNE 15 WITH ONLY ABOVE LISTED PROBLEMS, GOT IN THE VAN THE SAME NIGHT ONLY TO FIND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. NO WARNINGS, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VAN WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH NO MOVEMENT, ONLY RISING RPMS. I HAVE CHECKED NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS ONLY TO DISCOVER HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND FORD HAS NOT REIMBURSED ANYONE OR DONE A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME YEAR MODEL ON ALMOST EVERY FORUM COMPLAINT. MY VAN IS NOW IN THE SHOP, THERE IS NO TELLING HOW MUCH I AM GOING TO BE CHARGED TO GET MY VAN BACK, I HAVE 5 CHILDREN AND HAVE TO HAVE MY VAN. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GO OUT AND PUT A DOWN PAYMENT ON A NEW VAN OF A DIFFERENT MAKE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? *TR
BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ABS WARNING LIGHT BOTH COME ON AND STAY ON, BEGINNING AT VARYING TIMES AFTER BEGINNING DRIVING. AFTER TESTING AT FORD DEALERSHIP, MIKE FITZPATRICK FORD IN NEWNAN, GA, DIAGNOSIS WAS ABS CONTROLLER FAILURE. CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TO REPLACE ABS CONTROL UNIT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH OPERATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONTINUED TO OPERATE VEHICLE UNTIL JUNE 20, 2011 BECAUSE BRAKES AND BRAKE LIGHT WORKED AND THE COST WAS PROHIBITIVE. PART NUMBERS REPLACED WERE 2F2Z-2C219-BA CONTROL AND SW-6218 SWITCH. THE ABS CONTROL FAILURE AT 84,500 MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE INDICATES AN INADEQUATE RELIABILITY OF DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING QUALITY. *TR
I AM UNABLE TO GET THE RECALLS DATED FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2011 COMPLIED WITH. I KEEP GETTING THE RUN-A-ROUND. THE PARTS ARE ON ORDER AND ETC.
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACTS CHILD ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED THE CLOSE BUTTON FOR THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR WHILE STANDING IN BETWEEN THE DOOR. THE SLIDING DOOR DID NOT DETECT THE CHILD AND CLOSED. THE CHILD SUSTAINED BRUISES AND SCRAPES TO HER LEFT SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REMOVED THE FUSE TO DEACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC FEATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR PROCEED WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NO WARNING LEADING TO FAILURE, VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO POWER THE TIRES. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WITH NO WARNING, ENGINE REVS, BUT NO POWER TO THE TIRES TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ON A VERY WELL TRAVELED ROAD RT 4 IN AUBURN ME HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET IT TO SAFETY THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR, CONSIDERABLY MORE PREVALENT THAN THE CURRENT REAR AXLE RECALL. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST FORD AND NHTSA FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING FAILURE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE AND I DO THINK IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP. *TR
FORD WINDSTAR. DEALER STATED THE LEFT REAR AXLE CRACKED AND THE FRONT SUB FRAME BRACKETS WERE DEFECTIVE. DEALER KEPT VAN ON THEIR PREMISES. NO DATE GIVEN FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR. THE VAN HAD EXTENSIVE REPAIRS ON 12/08/10 BUT NO MENTION OF RECALL AND POSSIBLE DANGEROUS CONDITION ADVISED BY DEALER TO OWNER. UPDATED 06/08/11 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD, ABNORMAL CREAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A SECOND REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
AS I WAS DRIVING FROM PORTSMOUTH NH TO SOMERSWORTH NH I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING,THE ODOMETER HAD NOTHING BUT LINES, NO NUMBERS, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. I ALSO NOTED THAT SMOKE HAS BEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THESE SYMPTOMS MATCH WHAT HAS BEEN RECORDED ON LINE AS FOLLOWS, THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) (2B264) LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER (BEHIND THE AIR FILTER) OVER TIME DEVELOPS A LEAK. THIS CAUSES A SHORT AND A FUSE TRIP, FUSE #10 IF THE ENGINE IS ON. THIS LEAK ALSO CAUSES BRAKE FLUID TO WICK DOWN TWO WIRES TO THE ABS BRAKE MODULE (2C219). THE FLUID ACCUMULATES ON THE (ALWAYS ON) POWER CONNECTORS FOR THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH ARE POWERED BY FUSES 101 AND 102 AND ARE BOTH 40 AMP. THE FLUID ATTACTS MOISTURE, ROAD SALT AND LEADS TO A FIRE WHEN THE FLUID AND MOISTURE ACT AS CONDUCTOR BETWEEN THE HOT LEADS AND GROUND. THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF OTHER FORD RECALLS, JUST NOT THE WINDSTAR VAN YET. BELOW IS A PICTURE OF THE SWITCH IN QUESTION. NOTICE THE FLUID THAT LEAKED ON THE PART BELOW IT. THIS SWITCH WILL CAUSE CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS, SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS. I WILL NOT ALLOW OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE AND IT APPEARS THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT FIX THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE, RECALL #09S09 BECAUSE THEY INDICATE THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT
NO EVENT LEADING TO FAILURE, VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO POWER THE TIRES. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WITH NO WARNING, ENGINE REVS, BUT NO POWER TO THE TIRES TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ON THE HIGHWAY IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR, CONSIDERABLY MORE PREVALENT THAN THE CURRENT REAR AXLE RECALL. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST FORD AND NHTSA FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING FAILURE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE REMOTE OR KEY, BUT THEN IT WOULD ALSO OPEN ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104,000.
ABS LIGHT ON AND BRAKE LIGHT ON MY MECHANIC TELL MY NEED A ECM UNIT COST 500. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING UP A HILL. LUCKILY WE WERE FAR ENOUGH UP THAT IT COASTED TO THE TOP. ALL GEARS FAILED ON THE TRANS, D/2/1/R. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION OR WORSE.. I HAVE FOUND THAT GREAT AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, IT IS ALMOST A GIVEN NOW THAT THE TRANS ON THIS VAN WILL FAIL. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. COST TO ME FOR REPLACEMENT IS $3000.00.
2003 WINDSTAR ABS MODULE HAS FAILED, CAUSING BOTH ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON AFTER DRIVING ABOUT FIVE MINUTES ONCE MODULE WARMS UP. WHEN SYSTEM FAILS, THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RE-STARTING WILL SOMETIMES CLEAR THE PROBLEM, BUT THEN IT WILL REAPPEAR IN A FEW MINUTES, ESPECIALLY IN WARM WEATHER. THE PROBLEM IS LESS FREQUENT IN COLD WEATHER (TAKES LONGER TO COME ON) BUT STILL OCCURS. REPLACED SENSORS IN PREVIOUS REPAIRS. REVIEWED SYMPTOM ON LINE AND FOUND THEY ARE CONSISTENT WITH DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROLLER PROBLEM CAUSED BY EXPANSION OF THE CONTROLLER HEAT SINK AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING, CAUSING A BREAK IN THE ATTACHED CIRCUIT BOARD. MUST REPLACE ABS CONTROLLER TO FIX PROBLEM WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECT. *TR
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.
2003 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS OFFERED A SETTLEMENT AMOUNT OF $6,675. HE STATEMENT THE SETTLEMENT OFFER WAS NOT ADEQUATE. *JB
2003 WINDSTAR SPORT TRAVELING APPROX 80 MPH IN PASSING LANE OF I-93 EXPRESSWAY WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL. TURNED OFF CRUISE CONTROL AND PRESSED ON GAS WITH NO RESPONSE. NO WARNING LIGHTS, SOUNDS, ETC TO INDICATE ANYTHING WAS WRONG. RPM'S INCREASED DUE TO PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT NO RESPONSE FROM TRANSMISSION. COASTED TO SIDE OF EXPRESSWAY. TRIED USING DRIVE, 2ND OR 1ST GEARS TO GET OFF HIGHWAY BUT THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION RESPONSE AT ALL. NO BREAKDOWN LANE AVAILABLE SO WE WERE STUCK IN RIGHT-HAND TRAVEL LANE WITH FLASHERS ON. WE WERE IN A PLACE WERE THERE WAS NOWHERE TO GET OUT AND BE SAFE AWAY FROM VEHICLE EITHER. EXTREMELY SCARY AND UNSAFE EXPERIENCE WITH TWO CHILDREN AND DOG IN VAN WITH ME AT 10PM IN BOSTON TRAFFIC!!! WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN HIT AND KILLED!!! HAD VAN TOWED BACK TO NH AND HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY THE MECHANIC THAT TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WILL BE HAVING A REBUILD DONE FOR $1000. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A GROWING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES BUT IS NOT A RECALL. ONE TRANSMISSION PLACE HE CALLED IN MANCHESTER NH STATED THEY ARE REBUILDING APPROX 3 PER WEEK RIGHT NOW. I HAD JUST PURCHASED AS OUR OTHER CAR DIED THE DAY AFTER MY FIANCE DEPLOYED OVERSEAS WITH THE ARMY. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED KNOWING ALL THE RECALLS HAD BEEN DONE AND IT GOT A CLEAN CHECK FROM MY MECHANIC. AS I HAVE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION I AM NOW OUT OF WORK UNTIL THE VAN IS FIXED. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SITUATION IN ANY
THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED ON IN THE DASHBOARD, AND I NOTICED THAT THE STOPPING DISTANCE HAS INCREASED EVERY TIME THE LIGHTS COME ON (THEY TURN ON ON THE WARMER DAYS). THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 1 YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE NEW VEHICLE TILL NOW. ALSO THE BRAKE SOMETIMES SLIPS. WHAT I MEAN IS THE EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE IS PRESSED AND I AM STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND THE BRAKES DISENGAGE AND REENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS 4 YEARS AGO BUT NOW I AM USED TO IT AND KEEP PLENTY OF SPACE BETWEEN MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. IT IS A FORD WINDSTAR 2003. *TR
2003 WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION LITE DASH "OVER DRIVE IS OFF". I CHECKED THE FUSES NO.14 10 AMP WAS BLOWED THIS ALSO GOES TO THE SIDE ELECTROCHROMATIC MIRRORS THAT STOPPED WORKING. PUT NEW FUSE IN. I DRIVE 14 MILES AT 45MPH FUSE BLOWS AGAIN., *TR
2003 WINDSTAR ELECTRONIC CONCERN -FUSE NO.3 TO POWER REAR VIEW MIRROR SHORTS OUT. CAN NOT KEEP A FUSE IN IT. THE LITE ON MIRROR IS GREAT IDEAL. BUT DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN THEY WANT 89.00 TO 100 CHECK TO RUN A ECTRIC CHECK TO SEE WHY? I AM STILL PAYING A BANK FEE AND THIS VAN HAS RUN ME IN DEBT TRYING TO FIX IT. *TR
OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR CONTINUES TO HAVE INTERMITTENT ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATED ON THE DASHBOARD. UPON AN INTERNET SEARCH, IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO FORWARD SUCH PROBLEMS TO NHTSA FOR DOCUMENTATION. THE FOLLOWING CODES WERE RETRIEVED FROM THE WINDSTAR: C1185 AND U1262. IT APPEARS THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2003 Ford Windstar → · Every Windstar year → · How the figures are calculated →