2003 Ford Windstar complaints

2003 WINDSTAR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.LIGHTS FLASH ANY TIME AT ALL. HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DIFFERENT WARNING LIGHTSWILL COME ON RANDOMLY. THIS HAS BEEN APROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE VAN USED. BURNS OUT ALTERNATOR AND BATTERIES.MANY EXACT COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. TRANSMISSIONS JUST QUIT. MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. NOT ONLY COSTLY BUT DANGEROUS. THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION TOO THE PROBLEM.PUT IN A NEW ALTERNATOR,BATTERY,DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. STILL THE SAME.

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE PARKS WIPERS IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTS VISION SIMILAR ISSUE AS THE RECALL FOR PREVIOUS YEAR FORD WINDSTAR MINI-VANS HAS BEEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND DEALER CLAIMS ITS A FAULTY FRONT END (G.E.M.) MULTI-FUNCTION MODULE FAILURE AND FORD SUPPLIES NO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE THIS MODULE ALSO CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO FLASH ON AND OFF RANDOMLY AND CAN CAUSE STALLING OF THE VAN DUE TO MODULE MALFUNCTION AND REGULATION OF THE CHARGING SYSTEM. *TR

MY FATHER WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WHILE IN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE START TO BURN . THE VEHICLE WAS TOTAL LOST BECAUSE THE FIRE EXTENDED SO RAPIDLY THAT WHEN THE FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVE WAS TOO LATE.. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AFTER THE INCIDENT BUT THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 09S09. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY BUT FREQUENTLY COME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE LIGHTS USUALLY RESET THEMSELVES WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. *TR

ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY, AND WILL NOT GO OFF UNTIL I TURN THE ENGINE OFF; DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS SOME SORT OF PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE SHORTING OUT AND SENDING A SIGNAL TO THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT, BUT SINCE IT COMES ON EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR ALMOST, I NOW NEVER KNOW WHETHER THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES, OR IT IS JUST THE WARNING LIGHT ACTING UP. *TR

SUDDEN LOSE OF TRANSMISSION FUNCTION, DRIVING AND SUDDENLY THERE IS NO GEARS JUST NEUTRAL, NO WARNING, 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

ON-GOING INTERMITTENT ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE COMPUTER CODE INDICATES FAULT CODE C1185. THE FORD DEALER SUGGESTS REPLACING THE ECU AT A COST OF $800 BUT FORD IS NOT SURE IF PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ON LONGER DRIVES ESPECIALLY IN HOT, OR WET, OR SUB-ZERO WEATHER. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, I HAVE TRIED AND SPEND WELL MUCH MONEY IN A SOLUTION BUT IT COMES REALLY EXPENSIVE PAYING FOR SOME ONE ELSE ERRORS, MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS( ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ) COMES ON EVERY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ANYWHERE, THIS IS BEEN HAPPENING EVEN ON REAL SHORT TRIPS, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME I GOT CODE C1185, MEANS THAT THE ECM ON MY CAR IS MESSED UP, HAD TO REPLACE, IM NOT THE ONLY ONE AND FORD IS MAKING A LOT OF MONEY SELLING THIS PARTS TO OWNERS TO HAVE NO PROBLEMS, I DROVE THIS VEHICLE WITH MY FAMILY, AND I DON'T WANT TO JEOPARDIZE MY FAMILY AND MY OWN INTEGRITY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND SUDDENLY, SMOKE EXPELLED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT EXHIBITED HEAVY SMOKE AND SMALL FLAMES. THE HOOD WAS CLOSED WHICH SMOTHERED THE SMALL FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

WITHOUT ANY PRIOR PROBLEMS OR WARNINGS MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WITH ONLY 66,600. MILES THE TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT. I PARKED IT CHRISTMAS EVE AND IT WAS FINE THREE DAYS LATER I WENT TO LEAVE AND IT WON'T GO INTO GEAR. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BACK HATCH SENSOR. IT SAYS DOOR IS AJAR AND EITHER MINUTES LATER , HOURS , DAYS WHILE I'M DRIVING IT WILL START BEEPING , LOCK THE DOORS AND LIGHT GOES OFF. *TR

MY YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND MY RED BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR COME ON WHENEVER MY BRAKE LINES BEGIN TO HEAT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE ALSO HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF, AND THE ODOMETER AND THE SPEEDOMETER FAILING. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE WINDSTAR VAN WAS NEW. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TRIED TO HAVE THE SENSORS REPLACED BUT IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN, AND STILL HAPPENS NOW WITH ME. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE BRAKES DO FAIL OR NEED REPAIR, I WON'T KNOW AS THE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON, ANYWAY. I AM ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE DUE TO A SHORT, OR BEING TICKETED AS I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER WILL BEGIN TO FAIL. I WAS TOLD BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS AN UNSPECIFIED ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSING THESE ISSUES, AND THAT IT WOULD DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO TRACE. I AM EXPERIENCING BOTH PROBLEMS 1 & 2 AS DESCRIBED ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE. **** HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/ **** THE ISSUE OF THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT IS CRITICAL IN THAT 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 C

THE ABS LIGHT IS ON, DIFFICULTY GETTING VAN OUT OF PARK. SMELLED SMOKE AFTER LAST USE OF VEHICLE. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 2003 LX. ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH SHE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99300.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING IMMEDIATELY AFTER HE APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ALSO BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE COIL SPRINGS TO PIERCE THE TIRE AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FELL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIRES AND THE COIL SPRINGS FOR OVER $800. THE CONTACT SUSPECTS THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER DIDN'T AGREE THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

ABS & BRAKE LIGHT ON AFTER SPEED CONTROL RECALL PERFORMED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE "ABS" BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM COMPUTER MODULE. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE DEFECTIVE AUTOMATED POWER LOCKS ON ALL FOUR DOORS. AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE DOOR LOCK FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED FOR THE ABS COMPUTER MODULE. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 12/30/09 *BF UPDATED 12/30/09*JB

2003 FORD WINDSTAR ABS FAILURE IN WARM WEATHER ONLY. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR (VIN NOT INCLUDED IN FORD'S RECENT RECALL). ABS CONTROL MODULE IS INTERMITTENTLY BAD AND HAS BEEN SINCE AROUND 50000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM (AS INDICATED BY THE INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL). FORD HAD SAID THAT IT WAS JUST BRAKE FLUID LEVEL A LITTLE LOW. DASH. IT WAS VERIFIED BY A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE CONTROL MODULE IS BAD. RESULTS IN A LOSS OF ABS. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THIS UNIT UNDER RECALL AND WILL NOT SELL THE UNIT TO MY MECHANIC OR TO ME. *TR

PRENDE LA LUZ DE FRENO JUNTO CON LA LUZ DE ABS EN TABLERO. SE ESCANEA Y MARCA EL CODIGO C1185. *TR

ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON. TENDS TO HAPPEN IN WARM-HOT WEATHER OR WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR OVER 1 HOUR. ABS BRAKES DON'T WORK. EMERGENCY BRAKES WORK. *TR

ABS AND RED INTERNAL BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY LIGHT UP DUE TO FAULTY SWITCH. THERE IS AN UNRELATED RECALL ISSUED FOR 1998-2003 WINDSTARS BUT IT DOES NOT COVER THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. SINCE THE RECALLS WAS ISSUED HAVE SEEN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPANT AMONG WINDSTAR OWNERS. THIS CAUSES A SAFETY ISSUE AS WE ARE TOLD IT IS JUST A SWITCH AND NOT TO WORRY BUT THEN IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WE ARE UNAWARE. *TR

I AM EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH MY ANTILOCK BRAKE AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNINGS ON MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2006. MY PARTICULAR FORD WINDSTAR HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE MOST RECENT RECALL FOR SUCH PROBLEMS. *TR

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

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD COME ON FOR NO REASON. WHEN THESE ARE ON MY ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. BRAKES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND ARE FINE. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR AFFECTED BY THE LATEST RECALL CONCERNING A FAULTY SWITCH THAT LEAKS AND CAN CAUSE FIRES. I TOOK MY VAN INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH BUT THAT FAULTY SWITCH HAS RUINED THE ABS MODULE. THE COST TO REPLACE THAT IS OVER $1200. THAT SHOULD BE COVERED IN THE RECALL TOO. AN AP REPORT YESTERDAY BY TOM KRISHER AND STEPHEN MANNING STATES THAT "NHTSA ALSO IDENTIFIED FOUR REPORTS OF LEAKING FLUID DAMAGING THE ANTILOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, RESULTING IN A FIRE." WHILE I AM NOT AWARE OF A FIRE I DO KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHEN I PARK MY VAN THAT THE FRONT END SEEMS EXTREMELY HOT. I PLAN TO HAVE MY GARAGE CHECK FOR SIGNS OF FIRE OR OVERHEATING DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AS OF LAST WEEK MY SPEEDOMETER HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OF NOT WORKING, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ARE BOTH ON ALL THE TIME. *TR

FAVOR MANDARME INFORMACION A SERCA DE LOS AUTOMIVILES MARCA FORD WINSTAR 2003 SEGUN EL PERIODICO DE HOY VAN A SER RETIRADOS DE CIRCULACION POR LA FORD POR DEFECTOS DE FABRICA , LES AGRADECERIA MAS INFORMACION. *TR

SUDDENLY MY SPEEDOMETER,ODOMETER,AIRCOND COMPRESSOR DID NOT FUNCTION. SEVERAL DISPLAYS DID NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE DISPLAY WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF. I FOUND THE SAFERCAR.GOV SITE AND IT GUIDED ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH. FUSE #10 WOULD BLOW. I CAUGHT THE PROBLEM BEFORE ANY THING CAUGHT ON FIRE. FORD NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR WITH INTERMITTENT ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TURNING ON. MECHANICS GET SEVERAL ERROR CODES AND ARE UNABLE TO PINPOINT DECISIVELY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WIND STAR. THE ABS AND EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER BRAKE APPLICATION. ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHES ON AND THEN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION; SINCE THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000.

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. ABS BRAKES DO NOT WORK. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT COMES ON. IT CAME ON A LOT DURING THE HOT WEATHER. DRIPPING AND SIZZLING SOUND WHEN VAN IS TURNED OFF. HAVE NOT REPLACE ANYTHING YET. READING BOARDS TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE/CARRIER CRACKED 120,000 MILES VIN NOT AVAILABLE - CAR IN SHOP BEING REPAIRED. *TR

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. COMPLETELY BURNED AND BURNED NEARBY FIELD CONTAINING MAGNESIUM. *TR

BRAKE & ABS LIGHT COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON SOME TIME WHEN YOU START VEHICLE ,SOME TIME WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING NOT USING THE BRAKE SOME TIME WHEN YOU START TO ACCELERATE..ONCE IT COMES ON IT STAYS ON UNTIL YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF MOST TIMES IT WILL BE OFF WHEN YOU RESTART THE CAR. *TR

LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE, MELTED ABS ECM WIRING CONNECTOR, BRAKE LIGHT ON AFTER BRAKE SERVICE, ABS BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON, FUSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR SEL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HAVING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON AFTER START UP AND ALSO WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THE ABS MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER RECEIVING A QUOTE FOR $800+ , I DECIDED TO SEARCH THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS MAY BE A COMMON PROBLEM. COME TO FIND OUT, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND NO ONE HAS HAD LUCK WITH FIXING THE ISSUE (NOT EVEN THE DEALERS). I DO NOT FEEL THAT A KNOWN PROBLEM LIKE THIS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSUMER. FORD SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND AT LEAST OFFER INFO ON HOW TO GET IT REPAIRED CORRECTLY OR FIXING IT THEMSELVES. THIS IS ONE OF MANY FORD VEHICLES IN WHICH WE HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS AND IS BY FAR THE MOST PROBLEMATIC. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED DUE TO A LACK IN TRUST IN DEALERS AND PART NOT BEING COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY. JUDGING BY THE INFO ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS MAINLY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLES FROM THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. HE STATED THAT DURING THE MONTHS OF SUMMER, THE ABS AND SERVICE BREAKS WARNING LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. FAILURE OF THE BREAK SYSTEM CAN LEAD TO INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK FOR VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN DEACTIVATED THE ABS SWITCH NUMBERS 15 AND 10. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. BL

2003 FORD WINDSTAR SE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE FOLLOWING CODES ARE PRESENT: C1226;C1235;C1185;C1198;C1194;C1254;C1246;C1250; AND C1242. THE MECHANIC SAID IT APPEARS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS GOING BAD OR IS BAD AT A COST OF $700. I REPLACED BOTH ROTORS, DRUMS , RIGHT WHEEL BEARING, LEFT INNER TIE ROD AND MY BRAKES WORK JUST FINE. THE LIGHTS COMING ON ARE AN ANNOYANCE AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE?? *TR

OD LIGHT FLASHING, ABS LIGHT ON, SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING, ODOMETER NOT WORKING, AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING, SMOKE UNDERHOOD, ENGINE LIGHT ON THIS ALL HAPPENED TO MY WIFE WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 90 MILES FORM HOME. *TR

OUR 2003 WINDSTAR STARTED MISFIRING BADLY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I BOUGHT A CODE READER AND FOUND THE CODES 171 AND 174 AND MISFIRE IN CYLINDER #5. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THIS IS USUALLY DUE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING AND IS VERY COMMON. I'VE HAD IT WITH THIS VAN AND I'M AFRAID TO PARK IT IN THE DRIVEWAY NEAR THE KID'S ROOM IN CASE IT CATCHES ON FIRE. IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS I'VE REPLACED A BROKEN (NOT RUSTED) FRONT SPRING, BRAKE DEACTIVATION SWITCH, TRANSMISSION (152,000KM) AND NOW THIS. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME NOW MEANING THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE ANTI-LOCK ANYMORE. I'M A LICENSED AUTOBODY TECHNICIAN AND REALIZE THAT CARS REQUIRE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND PARTS REPLACED FROM TIME TO TIME AND I DO MOST OF THE WORK MYSELF, BUT WHEN THEY ARE WIDESPREAD SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ISSUES IT MAKES ME EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE. I WANT TO JUST PARK THE VAN, BUT WE STILL HAVE A YEAR LEFT ON THE FINANCING. *TR

ECM MODULE DEFECTED ACCORDING TO THE BRAKE SHOP. THE BRAKE SHOP PULLED THE CODES AND ALL THE CODES SAID TO REPLACE THE ECM MODULE. THE REASON I TOOK MY 2003 WINDSTAR TO THE BRAKE SHOP BECAUSE MY BRAKE LIGHT, ON BY DASH, COMES ON AND MY BRAKES MAKES NOISE LIKE THE BRAKES ARE ON BUT THEY ARE NOT. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT RESETS WHEN THE MINIVAN IS TURNED OFF. THE BRAKE SHOP SAID I HAD EXCELLENT BRAKES AND THE ECM MODULE IS DEFECTED. IT WILL COST 600-800.00 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS AT MY FORD GARAGE. BUT I UNDERSTAND AS OF NOW, THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE ECM MODULE, HOWEVER THERE MAYBE A RECALL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. A RECALL WILL BE GREAT FOR ME SAVING ME 600-800.00 DOLLARS. THANKS*TR

I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR 2003 AND THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS TURNING ON SO I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE ECM MODULE AND TO REPLACE IT COSTS ABOUT 250$ AND THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON WHEN DRIVING IN BUMPS AND SOMETIMES FOR NO REASON AND SOMETIMES IT TURNS ON JUST WHEN YOU GET YOUR CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STAY ON ,2003 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL WHICH CAUSED HER TO INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS BRAKING ADJUSTMENT INCREASED THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND STATED THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE THE BRAKE MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO COMPLETELY REMEDY THE FAILURE. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,694 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,326.

THE AMBER ABS WARNING LAMP AND THE RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP ON THE DASHBOARD HAVE BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE ABOUT NOVEMBER 2008. IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AS OF LATE. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL-MOUNTED 'OFF' CONTROL FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS ONLY EVER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY IN THE THREE YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. AS THE VEHICLE SAT PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVER NIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 2-3, 2009, THE BATTERY DRAINED (2-MONTH OLD BATTERY; ALL CONNECTIONS ARE FINE, AND IT SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK A CHARGE FROM A CHARGER). I READ ON FORD'S RECALL SITE THAT THESE ARE ALL SYMPTOMS OF THE VOLUNTARY RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED BY FORD IN JUNE 2008 ''INVOLVING SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SYSTEM.' BASED ON ALL THE RELATED COMPLAINTS ON THIS PRODUCTION MODEL--1999-2003--I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT FORD'S DESIGN IS FAILING DUE TO IMPROPER ENGINEERING, NOT NORMAL WEAR-AND-TEAR OR OWNER NEGLECT, ABUSE, OR MISUSE. IF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW OF THE CONTROL MODULE WHILST THERE IS NOT ACTUALLY A PROBLEM WITH THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM ITSELF, THERE WILL NOT BE ANY ADDITIONAL WARNING WHEN THERE ACTUALLY IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS OR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED SO THAT THE WARNING SYSTEM WILL FUNCTION AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. *TR

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID (PROBLEM # 1) MELTED BRAKE DEACTIVATION SWITCH (PROBLEM # 1) BRAKE LIGHT ON AFTER BRAKE SERVICE. (WE THINK THIS BACK PRESSURE BRAKES THE DEAC SWITCH) (PROBLEM # 1) BRAKE LIGHT (RED) (PROBLEM # 1 OR PROBLEM # 2) 15 AMP FUSE #10 BLOWING OUT (PROBLEM # 1) FIRE OR SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE VAN ABS ECM AREA WHILE OFF. (PROBLEM # 1) MELTED ABS ECM WIRING CONNECTOR. (PROBLEM # 1) SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STOP WORKING. (PROBLEM # 1) CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ACTIVATE OR DEACTIVATES WITHOUT WARNING. (PROBLEM # 1) ABS BRAKE LIGHT (YELLOW) (PROBLEM # 2 OR PROBLEM # 1) FORD TROUBLE CODE C1185. (PROBLEM # 2 OR PROBLEM # 1) BRAKES TURN ON SQUEEL WITHOUT WARNING. (PROBLEM *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. AT LEAST A YEAR AGO MY BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS STARTED ILLUMINATING. THEY CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. I HAD THE ABS SYSTEM SCANNED ONCE AND WAS TOLD THE ABS RELAY WAS BAD. I HAVEN'T REPLACED THE RELAY BECAUSE THE BRAKES WORK FINE. I THINK THE ABS WORKS FINE TOO. MY RESEARCH ON-LINE INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. *TR

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR CONTINUES TO SMOKE AND THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON. IT ALSO HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CONTINUE ON FLASHING AND THE DOOR LOCKS SOMETIMES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A WIDELY EXPERIENCED ISSUE BECAUSE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS WEBSITES DESCRIBING THESE ISSUES. *TR