10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,190 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford Windstar brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 8 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #156

Mar 142014

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 141,457 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The ABS light, advanced trac control indicator light, and dash lights are flashing on and off intermittently for several seconds. Alarms beep and the engine loses power. This has occurred multiple times over the past several weeks. Then coming onto the freeway this morning it occurred again and the engine shut off. It would not restart. After almost getting hit by another vehicle as a result of the engine shutting off, I was able to pull over and turned off the key. Tried to start the van several times and after a few tries it started and I was able to get off highway without getting hit. This is a recurring problem many 03 Windstar van owners are experiencing. Called Ford and they said it is not a documented problem with them. I have read hundreds of comments from other owners experiencing these same problems. Ford dealerships have repaired/replaced various components to correct this problem but it keeps recurring. Something needs to be done. It is a design thing.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #155

Apr 012008

Windstar

  • 87,000 miles
ABS and brake lights are on. Premature ABS failure no fix but to replace pump and control unit.

- Superior, WI, USA

problem #154

Oct 012012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
ABS brake light goes on after driving a few minutes and ABS brakes don't work. Light is not on upon next start.

- Dunmore, PA, USA

problem #153

Jul 022012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving my 2003 Ford Windstar model sel, I'm encountering a problem with the braking system/ABS, as well as, my cluster gauge going haywire doing what it wants on and off on its own. The braking system is starting to become more frequent. I've gone to Ford for this particular problem and a few others. Ford looked at my car and told me the rear axel had cracked and they repaired the axel on recall. I informed them about the ABS breaking system. I've been to two separate dealers in staten island, NY. One dealer told me it looks like I have an electrical problem not sure if it's related to cluster gauge/braking system. They told me I had a problem with the right rear window motor as well, which Ford fixed supposedly. As far as the braking system goes they told me they took it for a ride and did not see anything wrong with my vehicle. I told them about the cluster gauge doing what it wants, the ABS working/not working. Having a hard time stopping car, as well as, telling both Ford dealers about my wife having no choice but to pull off the highway because she was having this particular brake problem. I told them the only way she was to stop the vehicle was to crash into these big green metal commercial garbage containers at approximately 10 miles per hour. I showed them the damage to the front of my vehicle as well as telling them my wife had hurt her neck, I was told from both Ford dealers that we don't see a problem we can't fix a problem and I am now reading on the web that there seems to be a problem with these cars up to 2003 with everything I have explained up til now. If anybody has any input or contact info for me to call to help me, I would deeply appreciate any help you can provide before one or all of my family members become injured or god forbid fatalities.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #152

Feb 012012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 132,000 miles
Ran thru stop signs replaced all brakes and the brake peddle just pulsed and would not stop my van.

- Lucerne Valley, CA, USA

problem #151

Nov 092013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
Braking distance suddenly increased. ABS light on, on dashboard. Brake light on, on dashboard. Recall work was done.

- Twentynine Palms, CA, USA

problem #150

Jan 202014

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 180,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS light and code C1185 came on. A relay failure for ABS brakes.

- Belleville, MI, USA

problem #149

Jun 032013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
ABS light came on, mechanic said the ECU was shorted and Ford was looking into a recall. Ford has nothing on their website, but have found many external sites offering the same problem.

- Benton Harbor, MI, USA

problem #148

Jan 012011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS light remained illuminated and failed to engage in a timely manner. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test and they were unable to locate a failure code. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The current mileage was 113,000. Updated 03/31/14 updated 04/01/2014

- Somersworth , NH, USA

problem #147

Dec 222013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
ABS system warning light on continuously.

- Traverse City, MI, USA

problem #146

Jun 212010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 89,028 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The speedometer, odometer & cruise control did not work & ABS pump ran continuously. ABS & brake light stayed on. This only happened when the outside temp. Was around 80-85 deg.F & lights shut off once the engine cooled. Diagnosis was defective brake control mod. Pulled fuse 101 to keep pump from running. In 2012 the lights remained on with fuse in and the speedo & odo would go out intermittently. Nov. 2013, lost speedo & odo all together.

- Brunswick, OH, USA

problem #145

Aug 152013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
ABS module frequently sends warning with multiple trouble codes. My understanding is that the ABS system is not functional when this occurs.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #144

Nov 112012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Anti-lock brake system became inoperable according to code C1185 ABS light and brake light illuminated on instrument panel.

- Palm City, FL, USA

problem #143

Sep 032013

Windstar

  • 168,000 miles
The ABS and brake lights have been on for quite sometime, it would not pass emissions. A few weeks ago I almost got in an accident, due to the fact, I could not stop the van!! I have a young child and this is unacceptable Ford!! never again will I purchase a Ford.

- West Bend, WI, USA

problem #142

Nov 012011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
ABS light on and off.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #141

Aug 152013

Windstar

  • 133,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.

- Amherst, OH, USA

problem #140

May 162013

Windstar

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.

- 327 Hawthorne Street, OH, USA

problem #139

Sep 122012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The brake light and the ABS light came on as I was driving down the highway. I tested the brakes and they still worked. Pulled over and checked them out on the side of the highway. Worked ok continued on my trip. Have since had numerous times this his occurred. Have found out this happens when the car has been driven and has reached normal operating temps. Have been told by mechanics that the ABS module is bad! I have not had it repaired yet. Lights are annoying though.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #138

Jun 032013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 118,000 miles
I'm driving down the road and the ABS light and brake light comes on. It doesn't go off until I turn off ignition. When I start the engine again the lights are off but usually within 10 miles down the road the ABS light and brake light come on again. Every once in a while the lights won't come on but the next time I drive the vehicle they will come on again.

- Little Falls, MN, USA

problem #137

Oct 102007

Windstar

  • 116,234 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the ABS light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that front rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,234.

- Eldorado Hill , CA, USA

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