2003 Ford Windstar complaints

MY WIFE PULLED UP TO STOP AND WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED SHE HAD NO GEARS FROM THE TRANSMISSION. NO WARNING SIGNS OR SOUNDS. WE HAD THE VAN TOED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP( CHAMPION FORD) IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD BE 3,319.94 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM. IF WE WANTED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION TAKEN APART TO FIND THE FAILURE WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TEAR DOWN AND IF IT STILL HAD TO BE REPLACED THEN THE REPLACEMENT COST WOULD BE ADDED. WHAT DO YOU DO? THE VAN ONLY HAS ABOUT 75K MILES ON IT. I AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT. UPON TALKING WITH A PRIOR FORD MECHANIC (RETIRED NOW) I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE WEB I SEE THAT IT IS STILL A PROBLEM IN VANS NEWER AND WITH LOWER MILEAGE THAN MY OWN. THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE FORD. FIX IT! *TR

RAINY WEATHER . POWER STEERING FAILED. LET THE POWER STEERING BELT DRY OUT. TOOK FORD CAR TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOOSE FORWARD SPEED. THEN TRANSMISSION FLUID BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM THE TRANSAXLE, APPARENTLY CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR ENGINE MANIFOLD. THE LATEST CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE, RESULTING IN TOTAL A LOSS AND DAMAGE TO THIRD-PARTY PROPERTY. AT THE TIME OF EVENT THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT. *TR

INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF, SOMETIMES STAY ON. SOMETIMES IT STOPS FOR A WEEK, AND SOMETIMES IT FLICKERS NONSTOP! *TR

MY ABS, EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON WHILE DRIVING. THEY STAY ILLUMINATED UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY RHYME OR REASON AS TO WHEN THEY COME ON. THE ONE TIME I HAD IT LOOKED AT, THEY COULD FIND NO ERROR AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO BRING IT IN WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHILE THE LIGHTS ARE ON, THAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT ACTIVATED. *TR

I AND MY WIFE WERE RETURNING HOME FROM A LONG TRIP TO SETTLE MY SON AT A REHABILITATION CENTER FOR KIDS WITH RETARDATION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY WARNING AT ALL. IT WAS RAINING AND A TORNADO WARNING WAS ISSUED FOR WHERE WE WERE. I HAD TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT MUCH AVAILABLE SPACE TO CLEAR TRAFFIC. I THEN PROCEEDED TO WALK TO THE NEAREST HOUSE WHICH WAS ABOUT 1000 YRDS AWAY DUE TO THE FACT THIS HAPPENED IN A RURAL AREA AND WITH CONSIDERABLE RISK TO MYSELF APPROACH A HOME OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT KNOW ME, DURING A PERIOD OF DARKNESS AND RAIN, AND ASK FOR HELP GETTING A TOW TRUCK. MEANWHILE MY WIFE AND BROTHER WERE BACK AT THE VAN WITH 18 WHEELERS WHIRRING BY DURING A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. THE CHANCE OF A COLLISION DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY WAS MOST DEFINITELY A POSSIBILITY. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED HE HAD TO HOOKUP MY VAN IN POURING DOWN RAIN AND TOW THE VAN TO A SAFE PLACE UNTIL MORNING SO I COULD THEN HAVE IT TOWED HOME. AT THIS TIME I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT DONE. UPON RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD WINSTAR. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSAXLE JERKS VEHICLE FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR SHIFT UNDER LIGHT OR MODERATE THROTTLE. WAS SERVICED 4 TIMES IN 2006 BY DEALER. DEALER REBUILT TRANSAXLE YET PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR 2ND TIME AND PROBLEM WAS EVEN MORE PRONOUNCED. NOW VEHICLE WOULD POP OUT OF 2ND GEAR WITH ENGINE RACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER 1ST TO 2ND GEAR SHIFT BECAUSE IT HAMMERED THE SHIFT SO BAD. DEALER REPLACED STATOR SUPPORT ON 3RD TIME IN YET STILL POPS DURING SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND. CALLED FORD CONSUMER LINE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD TO COMPLAIN. VEHICLE WAS COMING OUT OF WARRANTY IN 8K MILES AND I WANTED TO VOICE MY CONCERNS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AFTER BEING SERVICE 3 TIMES. FORD CALLED DEALER. DEALER CALLED ME TO EXPLAIN THAT THE FORD SERVICE REP TOLD THEM THAT THE WINDSTARS WILL SHIFT LIKE THAT AND THAT IS THE WAY IT IS. 14 MONTHS LATER TRANSMISSION IS FAILING WHEN UNDER ANY STRESS (HILLS, MODERATE ACCELERATION, ETC..) WITH A RATCHETING OR GRINDING NOISE. HAVE TO DISENGAGE OD ON HIGHWAY HILLS TO MAINTAIN SPEED WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. HAVE CALLED FORD AGAIN. THEY WANT TO HAVE DEALER PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR. IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW EVEN THOUGH I COMPLAINED TO FORD A YEAR AGO WHEN IT WAS IN. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM, OR IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. NO PROBLEMS ON COLD DAYS. BRAKES APPEAR TO WORK FINE. THERE ALSO APPEARS TO BE SOME LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH CONTINUES TO CAUSE A SHORT WITH THE #10 FUSE INSIDE THE CABIN, CAUSING THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TRANSMISSION CONTROL, ETC TO STOP FUNCTIONING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. HE HAS SPENT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 03-11-08 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND PLACED INTO GEAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,824.

ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ARE LIT ON DASH. DEALER SAYS THAT THE ABS ECU HAS FAILED AND THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WILL NOT WORK UNTIL THIS IS REPLACED. AT THE SAME SERVICE VISIT THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FIRE HAZARD CAUSED BY LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CABLE FROM THE SWITCH CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO THE ABS ECU, WHEN THEY SHOWED ME THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH BEFORE REPLACING IT I OBSERVED BRAKE FLUID RUNNING DOWN THE SWITCH CABLE TO THE ABS ECU. I FEEL THERE IS A DIRECT RELATION TO BRAKE FLUID DRAINING ON TO THE ABS ECU AND ITS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE. THIS IS A SEALED ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DOES NOT SEE IT THAT WAY OF COURSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS OF NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED BRUISES TO HER SHOULDER AND CHEST. THE REAR SEAT PASSENGERS SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THEIR CHESTS AND SHOULDERS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000. *UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET. DRIVER SMELLED SOMETHING, HEARD SOUND, AND FELT HEAT AT FEET. DRIVER IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF IGNITION AND REMOVED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER FROM VEHICLE TO A SAFE AREA. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WITHIN SECONDS AND WAS TOTALLY CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY FOUR OR FIVE TIMES. ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY DISCOVERED NINE CODES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING WHEN THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. THE CONTACT WAS BECOMING FRUSTRATED DUE TO MISINFORMATION. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,290 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,500.

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. SOMETIMES THEY GO OFF FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN COME BACK ON DURING DRIVING. SOMETIMES THEY COME ON AND STAY ON DURING DRIVING. DEALER SAID I HAVE NO ABS BRAKES WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON BUT SINCE I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND DON'T DRIVE IN THE SNOW IT DOESN'T MATTER. THEY CHARGED ME $85.65 TO TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNEW AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $300 TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO WHICH THEY SAID THEY MAY NOT FIND THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM ANYWAY. DOESN'T SEEM SAFE TO ME. I DO DRIVE UP NORTH TO SEE FAMILY HOPEFULLY THE ABS BRAKES DON'T GO OUT ON ME THEN. *TR

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR IS A NIGHTMARE. IT STARTED WITH THE DOME LIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF OR JUST STAYING ON. I TURNED THE SWITCH OFF BUT THE LIGHTS STILL COME ON. THEN WHEN I WOULD OPEN THE REAR WINDOWS A FUSE WOULD BLOW CAUSING ALL WINDOWS, RADIO, ETC.. TO STOP WORKING. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIME TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT THAT THEY WERE TIRED OF ME COMING IN AND TOOK A BLACK MARKER TO SHOW ME WHICH FUSE TO CHANGE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS A FIREFIGHTER WHO SAID THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE--FOR THE FUSE TO KEEP BLOWING COULD CAUSE A FIRE. AFTER THIS, I WOKE UP ONE MORNING AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START OUT OF NO WHERE. AFTER TOWING IT IN AND A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS LATER I ENDED UP REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY. AS FAR AS THE DOME LIGHTS & THE FUSE---STILL FLICKERING AND THE FUSE STILL BLOWS OUT--THEY SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT. AFTER THIS, WHILE DRIVING WITH MY GIRLS, THE CAR JUST DIED OUT ON US. STARTED WITH THE BATTERY LIGHT GOING ON THEN THE DASH SAID LOW BATTERY AND THEN IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING. BROUGHT THE CAR IN AGAIN AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER REPLACING THE FIRST ONE. SO ONCE AGAIN A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS LATER---THEY STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO KEEP HAPPENING. THE LIGHTS STILL KEEP FLASHING, THE FUSE STILL KEEPS BLOWING AND STILL NO ANSWERS. THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IT IS. I ALSO FOUND THAT THERE ARE OTHER 200

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR SE. I HAVE HAD MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. AFTER SEARCHING THIS VAN ON THE WEB I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2003 WINDSTAR. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS YEARS MODELS AND FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VANS! *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, 50,000 MILES, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. EVEN THOUGH PROPER MAINTENANCE DONE. VEHICLE SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR, AND REVERSE IS NOT HIT OR MISS. SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THIS VEHICLE IS WORTHLESS AND A REBUILD IS RECOMMENDED OVER A USED ONE SINCE YOUR ONLY GOING TO GET OTHER PEOPLES PROBLEMS. A NEW TRANSMISSION FROM FORD IS 3000$ THE REBUILD WILL COST $2000. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY OR EITHER REMAINS LIT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN JULY OF 2007 AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO BE INSPECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

FAILURE OF THE HEATER BLEND DOOR. VAN HAS NO DEFROSTER AND IS UNDRIVABLE IN WINTER. *TR

MY AUTOMOBILE KEEPS GETTING MULTIPLE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ABS ERRORS. THE LIGHTS COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES DAILY. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH FORD WINDSTARS 2001-2003. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM INCLUDING THE ABS SYSTEM. BRAKE FLUID LEAKS FROM A FAULTY SENSOR INTO ELECTRONIC CONNECTORS CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRES. THERE ARE DOCUMENTED CASES WHERE THIS FAILURE HAS CAUSED FIRES. *NOTE PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING WEBSITEHTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/8-VT49767.HTML?POSTDAYS=0&POSTORDER=ASC&START=140 PLEASE REVIEW THIS SAFETY DEFECT SOON! 8TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO BECAUSE IT HAD NOT BEEN WORKING AT ALL. THE REAR WING WINDOWS WORK SPORADICALLY. HE ALSO STATED THAT ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE FOR NO REASON. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,515. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB

I OWN A FORD WINDSTAR '03. STARTING IN MAY 2007, AT ABOUT 45,600 MILES, MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT ARE ILLUMINATED. THE CODE READ BY THE MECHANIC FROM THE COMPUTER IS C1185. NEARLY EVERY TIME I USE THE CAR SINCE, THE LIGHTS COME ON WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF TURNING ON THE IGNITION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND WOULD REMAIN LIT. AS OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,300.

WHILE DRIVING THE RED BRAKE AND YELLOW ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH. A MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND NOTICED THAT THE "CRUISE CONTROL KNOCK OFF SWITCH" WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THERE WAS ALSO A SERVICE BULLETIN AND RECALLS CONCERNING THIS PARTICULAR SWITCH ON MULTIPLE FORD VEHICLES EXCEPT ON MY 2003 WINDSTAR. APPARENTLY, FIRES HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS FAULTY SWITCH. I PAID FOR FORD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH WHICH COST $145.00 (PARTS AND LABOR) BUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT. THEY INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT HAS FAILED DUE TO THE FAULTY SWITCH. *JB

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. MY ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT RANDOMLY COME ON, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CAN SIT AND LET MY CAR IDLE, AND THE LIGHT WILL COME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT IT, AND SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED, THE DEALERSHIP (FORD DEALERSHIP) WON'T REPAIR IT FOR ME. CAN YOU LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME, AND SEE IF THEY WILL DO A RECALL OF THE PROBLEM. THANKS! THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IF THE LIGHT IS ON, THEN I WILL NOT HAVE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THIS WAS A FEATURE THAT MADE ME BUY THE VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB

HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX WITH 36,900 MILES ON. ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ON CONTINUOUSLY FOR A FEW MONTHS AFTER INTERMITTENTLY A COUPLE MONTHS. THIS STARTED IN THE SPRING OF '07. THE NUMBER OF FAILURES INDICATED IS AN ESTIMATE AS IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL THE FAILURES. FOR EXAMPLE, RAN THE VAN 6 TIMES ALONE COUNTING FOR 6 FAILURES. THERE IS NO ABS WORKING. TOTAL FAILURE. CONFIRMED ON DATE INDICATED BY NEAR MISS OF DEER AND LOCKING UP THE BRAKES. TOLD BY FORD DEALER ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS REPLACED. *TR. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN 1 TO 10 MILES, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND REMAIN LIT UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

MY WIFE WAS PARKED AND STARTED OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR ON 6 AUG 2007 WHEN SHE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, SHE HAD ALREADY DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES THAT MORNING. THINKING THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE SHE OPENED THE HOOD, SHE SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION LEADING TO THE SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY OFF AND SHE NOTICE THE SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WIRE WAS BADLY CHARRED. SHE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULT, LARGE AMOUNTS OF WHITE SMOKE AND STRONG ODOR OF BURNING WIRE. WE WHERE LUCKY THAT IT DID NOT IGNITE INTO A FIRE. WE ARE PASSING THIS INFORMATION ALONG SO THAT EVERYONE WHO NEEDS TO KNOW WILL GET THE MESSAGE. I CHECKED AND DID NOT FIND A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE AND YEAR. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPAIRED THE POWER STEERING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,780 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE CONSUMER STATED WANTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS, HOWEVER FORD STATED WILL NOT REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER DUE TO THE FACT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE BY A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

WITH NO WARNING, THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR SNAPPED AS WE WERE DRIVING. THE BROKEN SPRING SHOT INTO MY TIRE CAUSING A BLOWOUT AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ALMOST HITTING A GUARD RAIL AND THEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND STOP IT BUT WERE LUCKY THAT WE WERE ONLY GOING 35 MPH AT THE TIME. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES AND POSSIBLY FATALITIES. THIS CAUSED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH MYSELF, MY WIFE, AND MY FOUR CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE WITH WINDSTARS SINCE 1996. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND WE NEEDED OUR VEHICLE AND, IN ADDITION, DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WHEN I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED. I PHONED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED AND WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AND CAUSED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. NOW I AM WONDERING WHEN THE OTHER COIL SPRING WILL SNAP. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I HAVE RETAINED THE BROKEN COIL SPRING. *TR

INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I65 IN LEBABNON, IN ON WAY TO WORK AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH. SUDDENLY THE VANS TARTED TO SLOW EVEN THOUGH I WAS MAINTAIING PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL. VAN CONTINUED TO SLOW WITH TRACTOR TRAILERS RACING UP BEHIND ME, SWERVING SORUND ME AND HRONS BLARING. I WAS BALE TO GET OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AN MADE IT TO THE END OF THE RAMP WHERE THE VHEICLE JUST STOPPED MOVING.

A VEHICLE TURNED LEFT INFRONT OF ME. HAVING NO TIME TO APPLY MY BRAKES, MY VEHICLE FRONT END STRUCK THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50MPH. IT WAS A DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT TO MY VEHICLE OF SUCH FORCE IT KILLED THE OTHER DRIVER. NEITHER OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

ITEM # 1 ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. VEHICLE BEGAN TO IDLE SLUGGISHLY WHEN COLD. REPAIR SHOP INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THE LOWER ENGINE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD FAILED. REPLACED LOWER MANIFOLD AND GASKET AND PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. ITEM # 2 BATTERY LIGHT FLICKERING. GROUNDING STRAP BETWEEN ALTERNATOR AND BODY FRAME FAILED. READS OPEN WITH MULTIMETER. CREATED BY OWN GROUNDING STRAP USING 10 GA. WIRE AND WEATHER RESISTANT RING-TYPE CONNECTORS. NO MORE BATTERY LIGHT. ITEM # 3 INTERNAL LIGHTS FLICKER RANDOMLY AND INTERMITTENTLY. SLAMMING ALL DOORS DOES NOT SEEM TO AFFECT THE CONDITION. PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. I TURNED OF THE DOME LIGHT SWITCH TO KEEP FROM RUNNING DOWN MY BATTERY AND ELIMINATE THE MOBILE "DISCO" EFFECT. *TR

EXTERIOR BRAKES LIGHTS STAY ON AS THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, AND EVEN COME ON BY THEMSELVES WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE CAR. WHEN YOU GET IN THE CAR, THERE IS A HOT, OVERHEATED SMELL IN THE CAR. SEVERAL MORNINGS I HAVE GOTTEN IN THE CAR TO FIND THAT THE BATTERY IS DEAD, AND I HAVE TO JUMP THE CAR TO START. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR - PROBLEM BEGAN IN OCTOBER, 2006. VEHICLE WOULDN'T START; THEREFORE, WE PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED - WOULDN'T START ON IT'S OWN, HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED EACH TIME TO DRIVE. HAS HAD THREE SEPARATE REPAIR APPOINTMENTS TO WHICH THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THE SAME TO THEM - HAD TO JUMP START. HAVE HAD ALL DIAGNOSTICS, ETC. COMPLETED WITH NO RESULTS. HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CONSUMER AFFAIRS ALSO. FILED COMPLAINT WITH FORD MANUFACTURER, DEARBORN, MI, AS OF TODAY. *JB

I HAVE A HORRIBLE WHINING NOISE WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL, I HEARD ITS PROBABLY THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE IT. *NM

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINSTAR. THE CONTACT'S FAMILY MEMBER AND PASSENGER WERE IN TEHE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING FORWARD, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS FAILURES OR WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,087. *AK

CHECK EMISSIONS LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS REPLACEMENT. SERVICE REP SAID THAT THIS MODEL YEAR HAS EXPERIENCED FREQUENT FAILURE WITH THIS PART. *NM

I STARTED THE VAN AND LEFT THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN TO RUN INSIDE THE HOUSE TO GET SOMETHING. WHEN I CAME BACK THE VAN WAS ROLLING BACKWARD ACROSS THE NEIGHBOR'S YARD. BECAUSE THE DOOR WAS OPEN IT WAS RIPPED BACKWARD AS IT LEFT THE GARAGE AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE DOOR. IT HAD ROLLED OFF A RETAINING WALL WHICH PULLED THE FRONT BUMPER OFF. IT WAS STILL ROLLING ACROSS THE NEIGHBOR'S YARD WHEN WE FINALLY CAUGHT IT. WHEN I GOT IN THE VAN IT WAS STILL IN PARK. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT. *JB

TL* - ON JANUARY 17, 2007 THE CONTACT'S 2003 FORD WINDSTAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS WHEN SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE EARLIER IN THAT DAY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE , AND THAT SPARKS WERE SEEN UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE OR LOCATION OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND A VIDEOTAPE. *AK

OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND NOW A POSSIBLE BAD INTAKE GASKET CAUSING A ROUGH IDLE/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/LEAN RUNNING CODE. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AS THEY COULDN'T REPAIR EITHER THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COMING ON WHILE DRIVING OR INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF THE REAR PASSENGER VENT WINDOW. THEIR ANSWERS ARE ALWAYS WELL IF IT'S NOT ACTING UP WHEN WE TEST IT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WE CAN DO. BUT I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE OTHER VEHICLES IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS SO THEY DO KNOW. WE HAVE REPLACED 2 TAILLIGHT BULBS AND 1 HEADLIGHT BULB IN A VEHICLE 3 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH 34,000 MILES. I WON'T TAKE THE ROUGH IDLE PROBLEM IN TILL IT'S DOING IT 100% OF THE TIME SO THEY CAN'T SQUIRM OUT OF IT. THEY SAY SINCE WE HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IT WOULD BE COVERED IF IT'S THE INTAKE GASKETS BUT I DON'T TRUST THEM. THIS IS OUR 3RD AND LAST NEW FORD VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE ALL HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND INTAKE/HEAD GASKET ISSUES. FORD=POOR QUALITY AND SERVICE.*JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE TO A FORD DEALER TO BE SERVICED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THIS FAULT IS DUE TO A FAULTY CRANCASE ( PVC) VALVE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC HE FOUND THAT THE PVC VALVE WAS FAULTY AS WELL. *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSIS TO SEE IF THE MANUFACTURER WOULD COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *AK UPDATED 2/9/2007 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT INCIDENT. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND RESET THE CODES. THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ABS MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED, BUT WAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.

WHILE DRIVING ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY AT 35 MPH MAX, THE RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR POST THAT OPERATES THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR SHOT OUT. THE VEHICLE HAD COLLIDED WITH NOTHING; NOBODY IN THE VEHICLE FELT A BUMP. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF COLLISION FOUND BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER, THE FORD REPAIR FACILITY, OR BY AN EXPERT THIRD PARTY. ONLY THE SHOP'S COMPUTER SHOWED THE REASON FOR DEPLOYMENT AS "COLLISION." SO THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER LISTED "COLLISION'' AS THE CAUSE IN HIS REPORT. RESULT: WE PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE, OUR INSURANCE RATE INCREASES, AND OUR DRIVING PROFILE NOW INCLUDES AN ACCIDENT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR ACCIDENT. TWO PASSENGERS WERE VISIBLY BRUISED, ONE REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION AS SHE WAS HIT BY THE ABOVE MENTIONED BUTTON. REPAIR, WHICH WILL COST APPROX $800, HAS NOT BEEN DONE PENDING OUR TRYING TO SETTLE THE CAUSE AND INSURANCE ISSUES. THE REPAIR FACILITY HAS THE PARTS ON HAND AND A CHECK FROM THE INSURER. *NM

I OWN 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, SERVICED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP. AT 70,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE OVERDRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WITHIN AN HOUR THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ALTOGETHER, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. THE TEARDOWN REVEALED A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER, INPUT SHAFT SUPPORT BEARINGS, AND BURNT OUT INTERMEDIATE CLUTCH PACK. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAVING ITS TRANSAXLES REPLACED COMPLETELY AS IT IS BEYOND REPAIR. THE INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR TRANSAXLES IS A MINIMUM OF 120,000 MILES BETWEEN REBUILDS. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THIS TRANSAXLES MODEL, THE FORD AXOD AND ITS VARIANTS, HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A HUGE NUMBER OF FAILURES, WHICH ARE REPORTED TO OCCUR AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES. THE FAILURES ARE ALTERNATELY ATTRIBUTED TO VARIOUS COMPONENTS, WHICH LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT INTERNAL COMPONENTS WHICH ARE UNRELIABLE HAVE BEEN USED IN ITS MANUFACTURING. *NM

MY VAN IS SPUTTERING AND I WAS TOLD IT IS DUE TO THE VALVE COVER LEAKING AND MY UPPER INTAKE IS FULL OF OIL. IN ADDITION, THAT THE ENGINE IS TAKING IN AIR AND BASICALLY MY ENGINE IS COVERED IN OIL. FORD SERVICE THEN PROCEEDS TO TELL ME THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS BECAUSE IT IS A FAULT IN DESIGN BY FORD AND ON NEWER MODELS THIS DESIGN HAS BEEN FIXED. FORD WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS EITHER BECAUSE I AM JUST OVER 3 YEARS AND OVER 36K MILES. IF IT IS A FAULT IN DESIGN BY FORD AS INDICATED BY THEIR DEALERSHIP SERVICE, THEN I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COVER REPAIR CHARGES. *JB