2003 Ford Windstar complaints

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003. I HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS VAN SINCE PURCHASING IT, IT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY. IT STARTED OUT WITH THE DOOR LOCKS AND THE BACK HATCH DOOR NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY....THERE WERE ALSO SOME COSMETIC ITEMS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MOST ANNOYING PROBLEM OCCURRED IN AUGUST OF 2005 AND HAS CONTINUED SPORADICALLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR. THE VAN STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD!!! YOU LOSE THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENS..IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP PROBABLY FOUR TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES THEY WOULD RETURN THE VAN WITH THE EXPLANATION "NO PROBLEM FOUND". I HAVE HAD PEOPLE RIDING WITH ME THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAND. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING IT WAS ONLY WHEN IT RAINED..AND IT WAS VERY SPORADIC...THEN IT STARTED HAPPENING EVEN IN DRY WEATHER. I JUST GOT IT BACK AFTER HAVING LEFT IT AT THE DEALER FOR ALMOST A MONTH!!! THE REPAIR ORDER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE REPLACED... THAT WAS JULY 25TH 2006. DURING ANOTHER VISIT THEY REPLACED A CAM SHAFT POSITION/CYLINDER??? SO NOW THEY TELL ME THAT BECAUSE THEY REPLACED ANOTHER PART, THAT THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS VAN IS A LEMON!!!! AND FORD NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE ISSUES....AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE CONSUMER. I.E. REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THESE VEHICLES!!! *JB

WE OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. EVER SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE VAN AFTER RUNNING AT CRUISING SPEED THE ENGINE WILL NOT IDLE DOWN. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. BEING A FORMER FORD TECH. I TRIED TO FIX IT MY SELF AND REPLACED THE TPS SENSOR WITH NO LUCK. NO MATTER WHERE YOU SET THE IDLE SPEED THE PROBLEM WILL COME BACK. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH PROBLEM FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND ARE GROWING VERY TIRED. NOT ONLY IS THIS DANGEROUS IT IS WEARING OUT BRAKES FASTER. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM WHERE THE COMPUTER WILL NOT LOWER THE IDLE. I HAVE CHECKED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND THROTTLE VALVE AND NOTHING IS BINDING. I CAN'T BLAME THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP, I BLAME FORD. I HOPE THIS CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I BOUGHT THIS VAN SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY WIFE AND KIDS. *JB

TWICE MY VEHICLE WENT IN FOR REPAIR FOR ENGINE RUNNING LEAN. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY MASS FLOW SENSOR, $ 400.00 TO REPAIR. A FEW MONTHS LATTER THE SAME CODE COMES UP I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THIS TIME THEY SAID FORD HAD ISSUED A REPAIR FOR THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS THE VALVE COVER WAS FAULTY AND ALLOWING OIL TO DRIP DOWN AND CAUSED THE GASKET ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO LEAK CAUSING AIR TO LEAK IN THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE RUNNING LEAN COPDE TO COME ON. THEY HAVE HAD QUITE A FEW WINDSTARS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THAT IS WHY THEY CAME OUT WITH THE SERVICE BULLETIN TO MAKE THE REPAIR. WHICH INCLUDED A NEW VALVE COVER AND OTHER PARTS. WHICH COST ANOTHER $ 700.00 TO REPAIR. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR AS THERE WAS A FAULTY VALVE COVER THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE RUNNING LEAN CODE TO APPEAR. *JB

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE VAN MADE A NOISE LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR, THEN THE CAR STOPPED. I HAD NO PROBLEMS GETTING THE GEARS TO SHIFT BEFORE OR AFTER. AFTER THE VAN STOPPED, WOULD NOT MOVE INTO ANY GEAR. I TRIED REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, D2 AND D1 AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. *JB

THIS IS A COPY OF THE LETTER I SENT TO FORD RECENTLY. I THOUGHT I WOULD TRY BOTH PATHS TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY OTHER INFORMATION OUT THERE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER P.O. BOX 6248 DEARBORN, MI 48126 HELLO, I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VIN XXXXXXXXX THAT HAS A PROBLEM. {DEALER NAME} HAS LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM TWICE AND FOUND NOTHING. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES OF OPERATING THE VAN. IF THE VAN IS IN DRIVE AND YOU ARE HOLDING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME (EXTRA LONG STOP LIGHTS), THE FOLLOWING WILL HAPPEN. THE ENGINE WILL INCREASE IN RPMS AND JOLT FORWARD UNTIL YOU GET ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES TO HOLD IT AT A STOP. IF YOU PUT IT IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, IT WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IF YOU LET UP ON THE BRAKES. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE VAN OUT OF THE SITUATION IS TO SHUT IT OFF. ONCE YOU RESTART IT, EVERYTHING IS FINE. BY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES, I MEAN YOU BETTER PUSH THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR OR YOU WILL BE MOVING! I AM NOT SURE IF MY WIFE COULD HOLD IT LONG ENOUGH TO GET IT TURNED OFF. THE FIRST EVENT HAPPENED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT A CONGESTED INTERSECTION. I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE SECOND EVENT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS THE FIRST VEHICLE AT A STOP LIGHT. WHEN IT JOLTED FORWARD I WAS IN THE INTERSECTION. LUCKILY I WAS NOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. MY QUESTION IS, WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? MY WIFE WILL NO LONGER DRI

MY WIFE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING HER 2003 FORD WINDSTAR IN A PARKING LOT. AS SHE WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE LEVEL OF THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING HER FOOT TO ENGAGE BOTH THE BRAKE AND THE ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND SHE HIT A POST (THANKFULLY NOT A PERSON). PROBABLY DID ABOUT A $1000 IN DAMAGE. THE REASON I AM WRITING IS THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE SAME TYPE OF SITUATION IN A PARKING LOT. AT THAT TIME I CALLED THE FORD DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND INQUIRED IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY BULLETINS ABOUT SUCH A PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD NO. NOW MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN AT FAULT BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM AS I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION MYSELF. WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS PEDAL AT LOW SPEED AND THEN TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE FEELS LIKE A LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE MOMENTARILY. WHAT THEN HAPPENS IS THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES TO THE LEVEL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE DRIVER THEN ENGAGES BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD BECAUSE THE ACCELERATION OVERRIDES THE SOFT (TEMPORARY) BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE. I'M THINKING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE AT IDLE WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. HENCE THE PEDAL DEPRESSES FURTHER THAN USUAL AND THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S FOOT THEN ALSO PUSHES THE ACCELERATOR DOWN IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FACT THAT

WE OWN A 2003 WINDSTAR AND THE TRANSMISSION AND POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT OF IT. TO ME THEY SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 60,000 MILES. *NM

BRAKE LIGHTS (ALL THREE) ARE LIGHTED WHEN NO ONE IS IN CAR. IT LIKE THE BREAK LIGHTS STAY LIT AFTER PARKING VEHICLE. YOU GO TO GET IN CAR AND FIND THE BREAK LIGHTS ARE ON AS IF BREAK PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. INTERIOR OF VAN SMELLS LIKE ELECTRIC OVERHEAT. *NM

ADVANCE TRAC SYSTEM ACTIVATES FOR NO REASON, THIS CAUSES THE BRAKES TO APPLY BRINGING THE VAN TO A HALT. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES. ONCE THEY REPLACED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE. ALTHOUGH THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES, THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM ABLE TO SHUT THE SYSTEM OFF AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THIS WILL HAPPEN SHORTLY AFTER I MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN AND IT IS INTERMITTENT. *JB

MESSAGE: I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR THAT IS GETTING WATER INTO THE LEFT HEADLIGHT. THE WATER IS CAUSING THE HEADLIGHT TO DETERIORATE AND EFFECTIVENESS. I CAN FIND NO CRACKS OR BREAKAGE OF THE PRODUCT AND FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN FORD MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP. FORD REFUSES TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT AS A WARRANTY OR SAFETY ITEM. SO I AM ASKING YOU TO CHECK INTO THIS PROBLEM WITH 2003 FORD WINDSTARS. THANKS. *JB

CONSUMER 2003 WINDSTAR INTERIOR LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WILL STAY. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A PART CALLED A GEM MODULE COULD REPLACED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON DRY ROADS AT 20 MPH. IF THE VEHICLE SITS FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT RESTARTS WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SEPARATED ON 2003 WINDSTAR. ALL FIVE WHEEL STUDS SHEARED OFF. WHEEL CAME OUT AND FENDER FELL ON WHEEL. FORD TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY. SUGGESTED I USE INSURANCE. NATIONWIDE PAID OVER SIXTEEN HUNDRED. *NM

PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW INPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE. POLICE REPORT INDICATED NO SIGN OF VEHICLE BEING HIT BY OBJECT.THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT WINDOW WAS CHIPPED OR CRACKED. AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT FRONT POWER WINDOW CONTROL WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL WAS REPLACED, BUT FAILED THE NEXT DAY. DEALER REPLACED MASTER SWITCH TO WINDOWS. *AK

CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH POWER REAR SLIDING DOORS. NON-OPERATIONAL ON DRIVERS SIDE AND OPENING BY ITSELF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO, DOES NOT RETRACT WHEN CLOSING IF THERE IS AN OBJECT IN THE WAY AS STATED IN OWNERS MANUAL. HAPPENED AFTER 1 YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. FEEL QUALITY SHOULD BE BETTER THAN 1 YEAR ESPECIALLY SINCE THE POWER DOORS WERE A BIG SELLING POINT WITH THE VEHICLE. ONE DOOR WAS FIXED WITHIN THE 1ST YEAR, BUT 3 OR 4 MONTHS AFTER THAT WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE OTHER DOOR AND NOW WE HAVE IT WITH BOTH DOORS. WE WILL LEAVE THE MINIVAN IN THE MALL PARKING LOT AND RETURN WITH ONE OF THE DOORS OPEN. IT ALSO OPENS AUTOMATICALLY, AT TIMES, WHEN WE CLOSE ONE OF THE FRONT DOORS. *JB

NOISE IN POWER STEERING. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WORKED TOGETHER. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKES TO BE APPLIED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WAS NO WARNING ,AND IT HAPPENED TO DIFFERENT WHEELS AT DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY MADE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE SYSTEM, BUT THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS BEING TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. *AK

RE:RECALL #03C05 I HAVE TWICE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS ATTEMPTED TO HAVE FMC ADDRESS THIS RECALL, BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN IT CAME IN ---NO CALL - DEALER #2 TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN TODAY AND WHEN I ARRIVED TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART. AFTER TWO YEARS AND TWO TRIES FMC CAN'T OR WON'T FIX MY CAR. *NM

EXHIBITING INTERMITTENT ANTI-SKID BRAKE SYSTEM AND RED BRAKE LAMP ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. *JB

I PURCHASED FOUR NEW MICHELIN HYDROEDGE TIRES FOR MY WIFE'S CAR IN FEBRUARY 2005. BGOD HAEX 2004 215/65/R1698T. TWO HAVE BLOWN, LITERALLY, APART ON HER FORD WINDSTAR 2004 MINIVAN - SEL MODEL. I HAVE RETURNED THEM TO COSTCO AND THEY HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR WITH A LESSER MICHELIN TIRE. TIRES WERE FILLED W/ NITROGEN. BOTH BLOWOUTS WERE IN THE "HEAT OF THE DAY." NO DEATHS OR ACCIDENT, BUT SECOND BLOW UP OCCURRED AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. *NM

ABS AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL COME ON SPORADICALLY HAD A FORD SHOP DIAGNOSE IT AS A BAD ABS MODULE. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE OF THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE PART. THIS PART MONITORS THE PRESSURE TO EACH BRAKE UNIT TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM SLIDING IN AN EMERGENCY. LUCKILY THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, OR DEATH AT THIS TIME. *JB

WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH BRAKES ACTIVATED, ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, STARTING CAR MOVING FORWARD. RELEASING THE OVER DRIVE OPTION ON THE GEAR SHIFT STOPPED THE UNCONTROLLED ENGINE REVVING. THIS WAS THE THIRD OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP SCHEDULED TO INVESTIGATE. *JB

DT: 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES IF HE PULLS UP TO A STOP SIGN AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL THE VEHICLE WILL IDLE AT 2,000 RPMS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED FOUR TIMES AT THE DEALERSHIP. IT IS GOING BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS WEEK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPROGRAMMED ONCE, AND THE IDLE AIR CONTROL SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED. ALSO, FOUND THERE WAS A GASKET BULGING OUT, HOLDING THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER, THEY REPLACED THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR ON JULY 5, 2005. *AK

FAILURE(PREMATURE TREAD SEPERATION) ON 07/24/2005 AT 10:30 PM MY HUSBAND AND I WERE IN OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR( ON HWY 65) WHEN WE EPERIANCED A BLOW OUT, WE WERE TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED AND THERE WERE NO OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE ROAD. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE TIRE ( AMERI GS60 P215/70/R15) WE DISCOVERED COMPLETE SEPERATION OF TREAD RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE(CAUSING DAMAGE TO GAS SPICIT, A REAR WATER LINE, BUMPER DAMAGE, COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE D-SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL SHIELD) WE FOUND THIS ODD BECAUSE TIRE HAD MUCH TREAD LEFT ALSO TIRES WERE ROTATED AT LOCAL WAL MART ONLY LESS THAN 6-MONTHS

TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE MOST STATES HAVE PASSED A LAW REQUIRING MOTORISTS TO TURN ON THEIR HEADLAMPS DURING RAIN STORMS. I AM ASSUMING THIS PRACTICE IS TO ENSURE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES. THIS COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED BY ONE OF TWO WAYS: 1ST-WHEN THE MOTORISTS ACTIVATES HIS WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HE ALSO ACTIVATES HIS HEADLAMPS TO ILLUMINATE. OR 2ND REQUIRE DRL ON ALL VEHICLES, THUS HIS VISIBILITY IS ALWAYS PRESENT. I AM ALSO OF THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT REQUIRES ALL VEHICLES SOLD IN CANADA BE EQUIPPED WITH DRL. THE COST OF MAKING IT A REQUIREMENT SHOULD NOT BE THAT EXPENSIVE THAT SALE OF VEHICLES IN THE USA WOULD BE EFFECTED.

DT: CONTACT STATES THE AUTOMATIC DOORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DOOR IS TAKING MORE RESISTANCE BEFORE THE DOOR BACKS UP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, AND DEALERSHIP STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE SERVICE DEALER. *AK

OUR VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL ONGOING PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT OCCAISIONALLY COMES ON AND LOUD GRINDING NOISES ARE HEARD AND VIBRATIONS FELT THROUGH THE FLOOR. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AROUND 9/2004. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER COMPLETELY REMOVED THE OVERHEAD CONSOLES AND HEADLINER TO REPAIR A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS; BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. AND BOTH POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN WITH ANY OF THE INTERIOR SWITCHES OR REMOTE, AND THE POWER LOCKS ON THEM WILL HANG UP. THE DOORS HAVE, ON OCCAISION, OPENED BY THEMSELVES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. WE FOUND THE INTERIOR FLOODED ONE MORNING AFTER IT RAINED HEAVILY THE NIGHT BEFORE. WE CAN ONLY ASSUME THE DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. AND YESTERDAY, THE DOOR RIGHT SIDE DOOR OPENED ON IT OWN WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45MPH. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING ON AND OFF AND THE POWER LOCK SWITH ON THE DOOR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS CYCLING ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN STRAGHT TO THE DEALER AND THEY VERIFIED THAT IT WASN'T WORKING - IT WOULDN'T OPERATE WITH ANY OF THE SWITCHES. WE HAVE NOTIFIED FORD UNDER THE RULES OF OUR STATE'S LEMON LAW AND ARE AWAITING THEIR RESPONSE.

OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR BEGAN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURES. ON MAY 27, AFTER DRIVING NORMALLY, WE STOPPED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. THEN THE VAN STALLED SEVERAL TIMES ON A SHORT TRIP. AFTER ANOTHER 10 MINUTE STOP, IT OPERATED NORMALLY AGAIN. SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE NEXT WEEK, ALTHOUGH THE CAR DID NOT STALL, THE POWER TO THE STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT. WE HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SERVICE THE VAN ON JUNE 7. HOWEVER, ON JUNE 6 THE POWER SYSTEMS FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO CRASH INTO A ROAD SIDE MAILBOX. NO PERSONAL INJURIES OCCURED. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. AT OUR EXPENSE, FORD WOULD HAVE HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THEY COULD DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. WE CHOOSE TO DEAL WITH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY INSTEAD. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND REPOSSESSED BY STATE FARM INSURANCE.

MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING HER 2003 SEL WINDSTAR, A CAR HIT HER BY A CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSTAR, THIS CAUSED THE WINDSTAR TO CHANGE DIRECTION AND CRASH AGAIN WITH SOME TREES, SO, THERE WERE 2 CRASHES, A TREE FINISHED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT SIDE OF THE WINDSTAR, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS DAMAGED AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS OPENED, I REALLY DO NOT THINK THIS IS O.K., MY MOTHER WAS OK, WITH A LITTLE PAIN IN THE NECK BUT OK, BUT ANYWAY WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS NORMAL, WE THINK THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE OPENED, IF ANYONE KNOWS THE SPEED, THE SEVERITY OR OTHER THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN WITH EXACT DATA FOR THE AIRBAG TO OPEN, PLEASE LET US KNOW AT: [email protected] THANKS

THE POWER SLIDING DOORS ON MY 2003 WINDSTAR OPEN SPONTANEOUSLY AFTER CLOSING. THIS IS A CONCERN WHEN THERE ARE CHILDREN OR PETS IN THE CAR. TWO DIFFERENT CAR DEALERS HAVE ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE BEEN UNSUCESSFUL SO FAR. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE CAR ALARM GOES OFF FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. THEY HAVE ALSO ATTEMPED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, WITH NO SUCCESS.

THE DRIVERSIDE SEAT REPLACED WAS REPLACED ONCE. THE SEAT BACK HAD WARPED AND WAS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR DRIVING. WHILE I AM A LARGE MAN, THIS IS THE FIRST SEAT BACK THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IN ANY VEHICLE. THE SECOND SEAT BACK HAS BEEN HOLDING UP SO FAR. THE FIRST FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR WITHIN 60,000 KM AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL BE PAYING FOR THE REPAIR WHEN THE SECOND ONE FAILS.

WE OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. OUR INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS GONE HAYWIRE. THE TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING, IT IS COMPLETELY OFF THE SCAL. THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. SOMETIMES IT REGISTERS THAT YOU ARE DOING 50MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING, AND THEN WILL NOT REGISTER ANY SPEED WHEN YOU ARE MOVING. YOU CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT YOUR SPEED IS AT ANY GIVEN TIME. MY VEHICLE IS BEGINNING IT'S THIRD WEEK IN THE AT THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE BEING HELD AT THE BORDER IN MEXICO. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THE PART IS ON A "NATIONAL BACKORDER". AT THIS POINT THE DEALERSHIP HAS DETERMINED THAT I NEED A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WHICH AGAIN, IS AT THE MEXICAN BORDER, IN CUSTOMS, OR SO SAYS THE DEALERSHIP.

03 WINDSTAR WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, A/C WAS ON. MY WIFE AND I UNLOADED THE CHILDREN FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE VAN (MANUAL SLIDING DOORS) AND I UNLOADED A STROLLER FROM THE BACK OF THE VAN CLOSING THE TAILGATE. WE PLACED ITEMS IN OUR GARAGE AND I MOVED THE KIDS TOYS OUT OF THE WAY SO I COULD PULL THE VAN IN THE GARAGE. MY WIFE NEEDED HELP TAKING ITEMS IN THE HOUSE AND I FOLLOWED THE CHILDREN INTO THE HOUSE. WE HEARD A LOUD CRASH. I OPENED UP THE DOOR TO OUR GARAGE TO FIND OUR WINDSTAR HAD ENGAGED AND DROVE UP THE DRIVE, THROUGH THE GARAGE AND INTO A DEEP FREEZER AND REFRIGERATOR, PUSHING THEM BOTH THROUGH THE BACK WALL OF OUR HOME. THE BACK WALL OF OUR HOUSE WAS MOVED 8 INCHES OFF THE FOUNDATION AND THE APPLIANCES WERE CRUSHED. THE BUMPER AND HOOD OF THE VAN WAS DAMAGED. THE VAN WAS IDLE AND STILL RUNNING AS IT PUSHED AGAINST THE APPLIANCES. I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR, TOOK THE VAN OUT OF PARK AND BACKED IT OUT INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF THE VAN. WE ARE THANKFUL THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DEATHS. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE FORD DEALER WAS CONCERNED AND HAD THREE TECHS LOOK FOR ISSUES. THE TECH REPS COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE VAN AND STATED THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE IN PARK. IN A PROFESSIONAL MANOR THEY ADVISED ME TO ALWAYS TURN A VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY AS WELL AS SET THE PARKING BRAKE PRIOR TO EXITING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING HOW THE VAN WA

POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN JANUARY 2005. FROM JAN 05 - MAY 05 RACK AND PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES.

WAS DRIVING DOWN STREET, STEADY SPEED APPROX 40 MPH, NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL. ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE FOR INTERSECTION, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. VISUALLY LOOKED TO CONFIRM FOOT WAS ON BRAKE AND NOT ON ACCELERATOR, IT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO AVOID A CRASH, THE ENGINE REVVED WAY UP THEN SLOWED DOWN. THIS WAS A ONE-TIME INCIDENT SO FAR, BUT IT ONLY HAPPENED YESTERDAY AND I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT MUCH SINCE THEN. *NM

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 43,00 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I SPOKE TO A LOCAL AAMCO TRANSMISSION STORE AND THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS THE FOURTH SUCH PROBLEM WITH 2003 WINDSTAR'S THEY HAD SEEN IN A MONTH. *JB

2003 FORD WINDSTAR WITH AUTOMATIC POWER SLIDING DOORS. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT WHERE THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY OPENED WHEN THEY WERE CLOSED AND LOCKED. THE FIRST 2X I RETURNED TO FIND THE DOORS OPENED AND RETRACTED. THE THIRD MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS SEATED IN HER CAR SEAT WHEN THE DOOR OPENED WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A HAZARD AND MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. FORD HAS IGNORED MY PHONE CALLS AND FORD SERVICE THEY CAN FIND NO PROBLEM AND CLEANED THE CONTACTS. I WILL FILE SUIT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO ADDRESS THIS HORRIBLE DEFECT. *JB

MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL TO AROUND 45-50MPH. STEPPED ON BREAK PEDAL AND CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE PEDAL TWICE AND CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT TOUCHING GAS PEDAL. HAD TO KEEP APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL, SLOWED DOWN SOMEWHAT, PULLED OFF HIGHWAY INTO PARKING LOT. TRYING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO FROZEN SNOW BANK AND BUILDING, PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL. CAR WENT INTO REVERSE BACK ONTO HIGHWAY IN THE SLOW LANE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WAS ABLE TO AVOID ACCIDENT DUE TO ONCOMING CAR SWITCHING LANES. PUT CAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE SAME PARKING LOT. WAS AFRAID TO PUT INTO ANOTHER GEAR, SO SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE IN DRIVE TO STOP CAR. THIS WAS THE MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE MY FAMILY AND I EVER EXPERIENCED. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM FOR 2 DAYS WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. WILL BE TRADING CAR IN WITH ANOTHER CAR MAKER. *AK

SLIDING SIDE DOORS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. TOLD NOTHING WRONG. ONE STOPPED WORKING. COST CLOSE TO $400 DOLLARS AND TOOK ALL DAY. SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICIANS NIGHTMARE. THE VERY NEXT DAY THE OTHER DOOR QUITE WORKING. WE HAVE NO CHILDREN, SO DO NOT USE DOOR IN EXCESS. THIS IS MORE THAN COINCIDENCE. THE FIRST ONE NEEDED A NEW PLATE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $1000 IF THE MOTOR GOES. *JB

WE PURCHASED THE 2003 FORD WINDSTAR IN OCTOBER OF 2003. SINCE THAT TIME, THE VAN HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP 5 TIMES BECAUSE OF A LOUD SCREECHING IN THE POWER STEERING, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF (WHICH THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND A REASON FOR THAT AND THAT I SHOULD JUST TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS OFF SO THAT IT DOSEN'T HAPPEN), AND A THUMPING IN THE FRONT END WHEN THE WHEELS ARE TURNED SHARPLY. THEY TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD BRING THE VAN TO THE SHOP WHENEVER ANY OF THESE THINGS HAPPEN SINCE THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS AND I HAVE DONE THAT. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A LOANER CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE VAN IS BACK IN THE SHOP. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX THIS VAN.

MY CIGGARETTE LIGHTER POPS OUT ONTO THE FLOOR EVERY TIME IT IS PUSHED IN. THE DISTRACTION OF A POSSIBLE FIRE CAN CAUSE A WRECK.*AK

ON 5-10-04 I WAS DRIVING HOME IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT ABOUT 55 MPH,THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR SURGED ON IT'S OWN TO 80 MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR, AND THE BRAKES LOCKED AND WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. I SHIFTED THE CAR DOWN TO LOW GEAR AND SLOWED THE CAR DOWN TO 60MPH, . I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY SHIFTING IT INTO PARK. THE DEALERSHIP (CHARILE HILLIARD STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT SEE WHAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THAT PROBLEM. THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS LEAKAGE IN MY BRAKE LINE THAT THEY REPAIRED. THIS INCIDENT WAS REPEATED AGAIN ON 9-23-04. I T WAS TOLD THIS THIS TIME IT WAS A SPRING IN MY ACCELERATOR THAT WAS BROKEN, AND THAT THERE WAS A FLOOR MAT PUSHED UNDER MY GAS. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. I WAS DRIVING MYCAR ALL DAY, I KONW FOR A FACT THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING UNDER MY FOOT, AND THAT IF IT WAS IT WAS FROM MY HAVING TO SHIFT MY CAR INTO PARK WHILE TRAVELING SO FAST! I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE THIS SECOND INCIDENT. I AM A MOTHER OF 3 AND I CAN NO LONGER PUT MY HUSBAND AND CHILDREN AT RISK . *AK

THE SPEED GAUGE NEEDLE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MOVED BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AN D PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC CLAIMED PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE WINDSTAR ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH BY ITSELF. BY APPLYING THE BRAKES, SHE GOT IT TO A LOW ENOUGH SPEED TO SLAM THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK.*AK THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, BUT ABOUT 3 OR 4 MONTHS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THEY FIXED IT AGAIN. BUT WE REFUSE TO RIDE IN THIS DEATH TRAP, AND DEMAND THAT THEY GIVE US A NEW CAR AMONG OTHER THINGS.

SIMPLY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND ATTEMPTED TO SET THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE, AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED. REQUIRED NEW TRANSMISSION TO REPAIR. THIS AFTER ONLY 49,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID CHANGED AT 37,000 MILES WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAD THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AT 17,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT USED FOR TOWING, PRIMARILY HIGHWAY MILES.*AK

WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD TRY TO ACCELERATE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH THE CONSUMERS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

RE; RECALL NOTIFICATION #03C05-CERTAIN 2001-2003 FORD WINDSTAR SEAT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS. *BF *TC

THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COME OUT PARK WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND REAR AXLE DOG TRACKS. UNABLE TO DRIVE IN LEFT LANE OF ANY MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH OUT VEHICLE WANTING TO DRIVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFIC OR CENTER MEDIAN OR RETAIN WALL. *AK