2003 Ford Windstar complaints

ABS, BRAKE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR SE WITH 72,000. THE PAST MONTH AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MILES, THE REAR BRAKES SCREECH VERY VERY LOUD AND WHEN THE CAR STOPS, THE RED BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. IT DOES NOT DO THIS UNTIL THE CAR HAS WARMED UP. I HAVE HAD NEW BRAKES, CALIPERS, PADS ETC REPLACED ON THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES . THIS DID NOT HELP. THE LIGHT STILL GOES ON AFTER WARMING UP. WE TOOK IT TO SAYVILLE FORD IN SAYVILLE, NY TO INVESTIGATE BRAKE LIGHT. THEY GOT NO CODES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. TODAY, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH SCREECHING SOUND. WILL TAKE IT BACK TO FORD TO CHECK OUT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE MANY MANY MANY MORE WINDSTARS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH NO SOLUTION. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL GET FORD TO RECALL THE WINDSTARS AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CAR CAN ALSO GO ON FIRE UNLESS YOU DISCONNECT 2 FUSES. I WILL DISCUSS WITH FORD WHAT TO DO. I WOULD HOPE YOU INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THESE VANS ARE MOMMY VANS AND WHO DO YOU THINK WILL GET HURT WHEN VAN GOES ON FIRE OR THE BRAKES MALFUNCTION- MOMS AND CHILDREN. PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND ACT NOW! *TR

MY ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP. *TR

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDE THE WIRES CORRODING FOR THE BRAKE/ABS LINES, THE IGNITION WIRES FAILING AND THE MORE MINOR CODES PRODUCED FOR FAULTY SENSORS IN THE DOOR AJAR SYSTEM. I AM CURRENTLY DETERMINING IF IT PAYS FOR ME TO REPLACE THE WIRING, OR JUNK THE VEHICLE. *TR

LEFT REAR AUTOMATIC CLOSING DOOR WILL BEGIN TO CLOSE, JUST BEFORE LATCHING THE DOOR WILL RE-OPEN ITSELF. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 2003 ABS LIGHT, TRAC ACTIVE LIGHT, AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF AND STAY ON FOR VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF TIME AND THEN JUST TURN OFF ON THEIR OWN WITH NO APPARENT REASON FOUND. CAR OPERATES FINE WHEN THESE LIGHTS COME ON. I AM WORRIED ABOUT A VEHICLE FIRE. THIS IS STILL AN ONGOING PROBLEM IN MY CAR. SEARCHED THE WEB AND MANY OTHER FORD MINIVANS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD ASH TO DO SOMETHING!! *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. I TURNED THE CORNER AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. I BARELY MISSED BEING HIT WHILE THE VAN COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE OWNED TWO PREVIOUS WINDSTARS THAT WERE A 1995 AND A 1998 THAT I HAD THE TRANSMISSIONS GO OUT ON BUT THERE WAS SLIPPING AND IT WAS OBVIOUS THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING. I BOUGHT ANOTHER FOUND BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST ABOUT THE ONLY THING I CAN AFFORD. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHATSOEVER THIS TIME. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND THE SPLINE HAD BEEN STRIPPED OFF THE TORQUE CONVERTER. HE SAID HE SEES THIS KIND OF THING ALL THE TIME WITH FORDS. THEY ARE REBUILDING IT FOR ME FOR $1800.00. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE I READ ON HERE ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME VAN HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. FORD NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE WHEN THEY PUT OUT CRAPPY TRANSMISSIONS THAT GO OUT WITH NO WARNING. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS ON A HIGHWAY? NOW I KNOW WHY PEOPLE REFER TO FORDS AS FOUND ON ROAD DEAD..BECAUSE THEY WILL BREAK WITH NO WARNING! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE SIDE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND THE SEAT WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

WHEN STARTING CAR AIRBAG LIGHT CONT' ON. CONT' PROBLEM PRETENTION RETRACTOR REPLACED-WORKING. NO OLD PARTS RETURNED TO ME. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. CAUSED BY BRAKE FLUID LEAK WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE. *TR

BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN. LOOKED UNDER HOOD AND NOTICED A LEAK IN A SWITCH ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. NOTICED EXACT SAME PROBLEM DISCUSSED ON SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS, I GOT MOST OF MY INFORMATION FROM HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/ *TR

PURCHASED A USED VAN FROM LOCAL DEALER. IT HAS A DVD PLAYER ALREADY INSTALLED (NOT FACTORY INSTALLED). APPROX. 6 MONTHS LATER, I COMPLAINED TO SERVICE ASSOC. WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE, THAT MY RADIO DOES NOT GET STATIONS CLEARLY. MAYBE THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTENNAE. HE SAID, "IT'S A FORD THING" IN 2005 I TOLD SAME SERVICE ASSOC. THAT THE 'DOOR IS AJAR' LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THE TRUNK. HATCH LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON EVEN WHEN BACK IS CLOSED. AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. AND THE DVD PLAYER NO LONGER WORKED. HE SAID IT COULD BE THE CONTACTS, AND HE WOULD CLEAN THEM BUT THERE'S 'NO GUARANTEE". THE NEXT SERVICE CHECK, I TOLD HIM THAT THE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER THE DOORS ARE CLOSED AND I 'M AFRAID MY BATTERY WILL GO DEAD. ALSO THAT THE POWER LOCKS NOW GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING AROUND. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY AND IT WOULD BE VERY COSTLY,IT COULD TAKE HOURS AND HOURS OF LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM AND IT MAY NEVER BE FOUND. I WENT HOME AND MY HUSBAND PURCHASED AND CHANGED THE CONTACT THING FOR THE BACK DOOR. THE LIGHT FOR THAT BACK HATCH THEN STOPPED STAYING ON WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOCKS GOING UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING MY THREE SMALL CHILDREN AROUND. HOW COULD I KNOW IF THE LOCKS WERE ENGAGED OR NOT??? IF THERE IS A 'SHORT; COULD A FIRE START?? I CALLED THE FORD CO. CONSUMER NUMBER, EXPLAINED MY PROBLEMS AND THE REP. JUST TOLD ME THAT "THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THOS

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 64750 MILES. A FEW DAYS AGO MY WIFE WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND WHEN SHE PUT IT INTO GEAR IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR SELECTED. HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SUSPECTED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AAMCO FOR REPAIR AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN UP. I HAD NO PRIOR WARNING TO THIS IMPENDING PROBLEM AND NOW IT IS GOING TO COST ME $2100.00 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD BY THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTARS AND IRONICALLY ANOTHER WINDSTAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME THING. HE SAID THAT IT IS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. I CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND ANY RECALL ON FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT AND BASICALLY GOT THE RUN AROUND AND TOLD THAT THERE WOULD PROBABLY BE NO HELP IN REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION. I DID FURTHER RESEARCH AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN THE WINDSTAR. WHY IS THERE NO PRESSURE PUT ON FORD TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES WITH OVER 120,000 MILES AND HAVE NOT HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 64750 MILES. I WANT TO SEE FORD MADE TO RECALL AND REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE SAME RESULTS WITH FORD. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A V

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE FRONT PANEL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. WE HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO HAVE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER TO NO EFFECT. IN COMMUNICATING WITH OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS, I HAVE LEARNED THAT A LIKELY CAUSE IS LEAKAGE FROM A SWITCH ONTO A CABLE HARNESS, WHICH HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE FIRES IN VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT THE ABS SYSTEM MUST BE DISABLED TO PRECLUDE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PERSONALLY I THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TR

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS STAYS ON, CRUISE CONTROL NEVER HAS WORKED, HAVE FIXED THE BRAKES AND THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. NOW I THINK THE 02 SENSOR I GUESS IT MAY BE THE OXYGEN SENSOR IS OUT ALSO I THINK IT KEEP ON BURNING UP MY ALTERNATORS, I PUT A NEW LAST YEAR AND JUST HAD TO PUT ANOTHER ONE AND I THINK IT IS ABOUT GONE ALSO. *TR

THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WITH A WARNING TO CHECK THE SYSTEM. WHEN CHECKED, NOTHING PHYSICAL CAN BE FOUND WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN THE VEHECLE IS RESTARTED THE LIGHT IS OUT. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON WHEN CAR IS RUNNING FOR A WHILE OR HEATED UP. CAR SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING. *TR

THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME. IT IS RANDOM WHEN IT HAPPENS, BUT IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE AUTOMOBILE IS DRIVEN. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND TO DATE NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO FIX IT. ALSO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGES ITSELF WHEN BACKING UP. AGAIN I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION TO FIX IT. *TR

I DRIVE A 2003 WINDSTAR, AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES REPLACED. IN SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS I CAME ACROSS A RECALL FOR 1999-2003 MODELS, HOWEVER, MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS UPSET ME BECAUSE MY CAR WAS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEM. I CALLED 2 FORD DEALERS FOR ASSISTANCE, ONE GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO THE CUSTOMER CARE LINE. THEY DID NOT CARE TOO MUCH, BECAUSE THEY WERE UNWILLING TO ADD MY CAR ON THE LIST TO RECEIVE REPAIRS. I THINK IT IS MORE THAN COINCIDENCE THAT THE RECALL AND MY PROBLEM ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AND NO ONE WILL FIX IT. PLEASE HELP BEFORE WE WIND UP WITH INJURY OR WORSE!!! *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR THAT ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME DISPLAYS THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED (FOR $100) AT A LOCAL FORD DEALER AS A DEFECTIVE ABS ECU, WHICH COSTS APPROXIMATELY $750.00. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECURRING SINCE THE VEHICLE PASSED THE 50,000-MILE MARK, AND EVEN THOUGH I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, IT HAD A FORD EXP WARRANTY TO 60,000 MILES. THE DEALER AND THE FORD REP I CONTACTED BOTH SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY A LEAKING PRESSURE SWITCH AT THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR WHICH WICKS BRAKE FLUID DOWN TO THE ECU, CREATING A POSSIBLE SHORT CIRCUIT AND CHANCE FOR A FIRE. OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THE ECUS FAIL BECAUSE OF DELAMINATION OF THE MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD DUE TO INCOMPATIBLE EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION RATES OF THE MATERIALS USED. THE FAILURE OF THE ECU APPEARS TO STEM, IN EITHER CASE, FROM DESIGN FLAWS. THE ABS IS RENDERED INOPERATIVE IN BOTH CASES, CREATING AN UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY HAZARD IN THESE 4200-LB. FAMILY VEHICLES. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ON, DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT OF THE ABC TRANSDUCER AND MODULE. BASED ON WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DISCOVER, THIS DOESN'T APPEARS TO BE A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR SORT OF THING BUT A DESIGN PROBLEM. *TR

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE IN 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN; LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON VEHICLE; REPLACED BY FORD DEALERSHIP ON 9-5-2008 FOR A COST OF OVER $1,400; PREVENTABLE ACTION TAKEN BEFORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE ABS LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, FOLLOWED BY THE BRAKE LIGHT. THERE IS ALSO FLUID LEAKING AND MELTED WIRES UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

REPLACING BRAKE PADS FRONT/REAR. *TR

ABS YELLOW LIGHT AND RED BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON MOST OF THE TIME, IT WILL RESET WITH RESTART OF THE CAR AND SOMETIMES STAY OFF FOR SEVERAL MILES AND APPLYING THE BREAK HAS NO EFFECT, IT WILL COME ON WITH NO BREAK ACTION AT ALL. WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW IS IF THE ABS BREAK ACTION IS FUNCTIONING DURING THIS TIME OR IF WE ARE AT RISK, OTHERWISE THE BREAKS SEAM TO BE WORKING. I ALSO KNOW OF SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OR SYMPTOMS SO IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL TO AT LEAST CHECK THIS OUT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR IS EXHIBITING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS AS NUMEROUS OTHER 2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES. THEY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: 1) ABS BRAKE SYSTEM - BRAKE MODULE MELTS AND FAILS DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. 2) ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS - INTERIOR LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY REMAIN ON WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND DOORS CLOSED. 3) EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT - REMAINS ON WHEN VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. 4 BURNING SMELL - OCCASIONAL ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL WHEN VEHICLE IS IN USE. LOCAL DEALER - SHEEHY FORD OF GAITHERSBURG, MD - IS INDICATING THE ABS MODULE HAS 'BURNED OUT' (ABS ECM WIRING CONNECTOR), ALTHOUGH ADMITTEDLY, ARE SURPRISED WITH SO FEW MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE 90 DEGREES. *TR

MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH HAS ONLY 63,000 MILES HAD BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN I CARRIED THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT IF I HAD ARRIVED ONE DAY EARLIER ON 8/19/08 I COULD HAVE RECEIVED AN OUT OF WARRANTY SERVICE ADJUSTMENT BUT WHEN I ARRIVED ON 8/20/08 I WAS ONE DAY TOO LATE. THE ECM IS CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT TO TURN ON ACCORDING TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE WAS $757.00 BUT WHEN I MENTIONED THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA.GOV WEBSITE THEY AUTOMATICALLY DROPPED TO $672.00. I WILL NOW BE REQUIRED TO PAY THIS AMOUNT FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR VEHICLE. FORD IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AT THE LOCAL SERVICE CENTER. *TR

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS GO ON PERIODICALLY FOR NO REASON. BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND FLUID LEVEL IS OK. SAME PROBLEM WITH MANY WINDSTAR OWNERS. *TR

PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING IN THE ABS SYSTEM OF MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE SYSTEM FLUID HAS ERODED THE WIRING TO THE POINT WHERE IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. IT'S A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR I COULD HAVE THE ABS SYSTEM BYPASSED BUT THEN THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T BE SAFE. MY WINDSTAR HAS 58,000, "EXTREMELY LOW MILES FOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM" TO QUOTE MY MECHANIC. *TR

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS REPEATEDLY COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT EXTINGUISH. SEEMS SEMI-DEPENDENT ON OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE - THE HOTTER IT IS OUTSIDE THE SOONER THE LIGHTS SEEM TO COME ON. HAVE HAD BRAKES SERVICED AND NO MECHANICAL ISSUES TO NOTE. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO ABS MODULE. NOTHING REPAIRED AS OF THIS TIME AS PART IS TO EXPENSIVE $1000+ PLUS LABOR. AM TOLD BY FORD THAT ABS ( A SAFETY FEATURE) IS NOT FUNCTIONING WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON. HOPEFULLY THIS ISSUE WILL NOT BE PRESENT WHEN A EMERGENCY BRAKING PROCEDURE IS REQUIRED. *TR

ABS/BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AND GO OFF INTERMITTLY. *TR

ABS LIGHT ALWAYS ON AS WELL AS BRAKE LIGHT. HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS CHECKING BRAKES, ETC. AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. HAD TO PAY TO FIX ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS AUTOMATIC LOCKS DID NOT WORK ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. NOW THE ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCK ON PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER SIDE 2ND SEAT DOOR DOES NOT WORK. TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT - ELECTRICAL CAME ON DURING LONG TRIP. HAD TO STOP AND CHECK AND EVERYTHING WAS OK, IT WAS JUST THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING. HAVE CALLED FORD BUT THEY WANT US TO TAKE INTO DEALER AND PAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED. WE CAN'T SELL THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE CONCERNS OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN WELL-DOCUMENT BY MANY FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS. *TR

I WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE FOR NO BRAKE LIGHTS. HOWEVER, THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT WORKS. AFTER ALL THE BULBS, RELAY BOX, ETC WERE CHECKED, ALL WERE OK. I WAS ADVISED TO CHECK TO SEE IF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY.*TR

MY FORD 2003 WINDSTAR, PURCHASED 05/01/08 W/35000 MI, BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS ON INCLINES WHILE STOPPED IN DRIVE. FIRST TIME WAS 08/01/08 COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO TRAFFIC -- SITTING ON INCLINE, WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR, TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE TO REST IT ON GAS, AND BACK I ROLLED -- TWICE. NOTIFIED DEALER (UNDER 12/12000 DEALER USED CAR WARRANTY), LEFT VAN THAT EVENING (FRI), PICKED UP ON WED, THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO ROLL OR FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE WERE NO CODES SHOWING UP. BROUGHT IT BACK, AND WED EVENING HAD 3 SEPARATE INSTANCES OF ROLLBACK, ONE ON A CITY STREET (HILL) AND 2 ON DRIVEWAYS WHERE I ROLLED BACK UNTIL REACHING LEVEL SURFACE AND THE VAN STOPPED ITSELF. NEXT DAY, ROLLED BACKWARDS AGAIN OUT OF DRIVE AT OFFICE, THEN STOPPED ON LEVEL SURFACE, THEN BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD ON ITS OWN -- MY FOOT WAS NOWHERE NEAR ANY PEDALS. TOOK BACK THAT AFTERNOON. SERVICE MGR DROVE W/ME AND WE ROLLED BACK AT AN INTERSECTION. SERVICE MGR CALLED FORD TECH LINE WHILE I STOOD NEXT TO HIM. SAID THAT THE TECH AT FORD TOLD HIM THAT BECAUSE OF GOVT REQUIREMENTS TO IMPROVE MPH, FORD HAS LOWERED THEIR IDLE SPEED AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT AT A STOP, THE SLOWER IDLE CAUSES THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY START GOING BACKWARDS WHICH WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK WHILE IN DRIVE, ESPECIALLY ON INCLINES. THE TECH SAID THAT THEY (FORD) ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE CALLS ABOUT THIS, PARTICULARLY ON NEWER VEHICLES. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE TEMPERATURE OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID

THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS AND THE ABS LIGHT KEEP COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. I ASSUME WHEN THE ABS LIGHTS ARE ON THAT SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AFTER READING INTERNET REPORTS. *TR

DRIVING IN 39TH DAY OF 100 OR MORE DEGREES THIS YEAR, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS LIT. BRAKES WORK OK. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL OK. FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED IT FOR A $70 FEE AND SUGGESTED REPLACING ABS MODULE AND RELAY FOR $450 PARTS AND $250 LABOR. I DECLINED REPLACEMENT, STARTED TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND MANY OWNERS DESCRIBING SAME PROBLEM AND SUGGESTION OF POOR BOARD DESIGN. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR (I CAN PURCHASE A HOME COMPUTER FOR MUCH LESS) AND THERE IS NO GUARANTY THAT I WON'T SEE SAME PROBLEM IN NEXT HEAT SPELL. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ARE COMING ON IN MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. WHEN YOU SHUT CAR OFF THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE THEY COME BACK ON (EVEN WHILE HAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON)AND STAY ON TILL CAR IS SHUT OFF AGAIN. *TR

EVER SINCE SPRING 2006, OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HAS HAD AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM WHERE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL ILLUMINATE. THE SERVICE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL ALSO ILLUMINATE EVEN THOUGH IT IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. AT FIRST THIS WAS VERY ALARMING BUT NO LEAK OR PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AS THE FLUID LEVEL WAS CORRECT AND THE PEDAL IS FIRM. ALL THE ABS WHEEL SENSORS HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR CONTINUITY, THEIR DC RESISTANCE FALLS IN THE ACCEPTABLE RANGE, AND THE CONNECTORS APPEAR TO BE SOUND. I CURRENTLY HAVE LIVED WITH THE PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE YEARS AND DISCOVERED THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS ARE REPORTING EXACTLY SIMILAR FAILURE SYMPTOMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES. A COMMONLY REPORTED CAUSE IS THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WHICH I CURRENTLY CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE AT A COST OF $700 OR MORE. A WINDSTAR OWNER WHO HAS HAD THE TIME TO INVESTIGATE THIS OUTLINES A CONDITION HE HAS OBSERVED, WHERE THERE IS A THERMAL COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION MISMATCH BETWEEN AN ALUMINUM PLATE AND AN FR4 (FIBERGLASS/COPPER) CIRCUIT BOARD INSIDE THE MODULE. IT CAN BE SEEN AT HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/#PROBLEM2. THIS PERSON'S SYMPTOMS MIRROR MINE EXACTLY. I AM AN ELECTRICAL DESIGN ENGINEER IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY AND CAN TELL YOU FROM FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE THAT IF YOU LAMINATE FR4 TO ALUMINUM AND THEN REPEATABLE TEMP CYCLE IT, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE FUTURE STRESS FAILURES. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF POOR ENGINEERING. IN THE CASE OF THE WINDSTAR, THE PART W

THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT COME DURING DRIVING INTERMITTENTLY. CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO TURN OF WARNING LIGHTS. BRAKES SQUEAL. *TR

SINCE THE SUMMER BEGAN, I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. CHANGED THE PADS, WOULD STILL GET THE LIGHT AT TIMES. TODAY WAS EXTREMELY HOT AND HUMID. BOTH THE RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I CAN SEE THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF ABS WARNING LIGHT AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT SIMULTANEOUSLY. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY MOSTLY DURING HOT WEATHER. *TR

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ALWAYS COME ON IN MY FORD WINDSTAR. FIRE HAZARD. *TR

ABS WARNING LAMP AND BRAKE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES. MECHANIC ADVISES ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE MODELS. EVIDENTLY FORD WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE AND HELP US TO RESOLVE IT. HERE IS THE WEBSITE THAT TALKS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND OFFERED ME THE INFO TO HELP ME WITH MY PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/ *TR

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS JUST CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY (3 TIMES THIS MONTH). THE REPAIR SHOP/DEALER ADVISED THAT THE COST TO REPAIR THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WOULD BE BETWEEN $300 & $400 AND IT WOULD BE BETTER (LESS COSTLY) TO WAIT UNTIL A RECALL WAS ISSUED. CONSIDERING THAT THIS COLD CAUSE A FIRE, IT IS A BIT ALARMING THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN MADE YET. I CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE THE REPAIR AND WILL WAIT FOR THE RECALL AND HOPE NOTHING SERIOUS HAPPENS IN THE MEANTIME. *TR

ABS (YELLOW) AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS (RED) TURN ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS HOT OR THE VEHICLE (2003 FORD WINDSTAR) IS HOT. I HAVE REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AND I HAVE HAD THE REAR BRAKES DONE AS WELL. HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUE TO TURN ON. BASED ON INFORMATION FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING WEBPAGE (HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/), I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ABS WARNING LIGHT COME IN INTERMITTENTLY. GO OFF WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, BUT THEY USUALLY COME BACK ON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ABOUT 1/2 MILE THE NEXT TRIP. ADDING BRAKE FLUID DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR