10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,643 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 1 of 11)

problem #209

Aug 252014

Windstar

  • 150,000 miles

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

The ABS light is on all the time, the brake light is on most of the time. Also the instrument cluster jumps erratically and the right brake light does not work.

- Port Reading , NJ, USA

problem #208

May 012010

Windstar

  • miles
ABS and brake lights began coming on my dash. They will go off periodically, and then come back on. The first date this happened was in 2010. I drive a 2003 Ford Windstar. I took it to the auto shop right away and was quoted over $1,000 to fix it. I asked what the part does and was told that it mostly controls the ABS system. I asked him what I could do if I did not fix it, because there was no way I could afford that. He suggested to pump my brakes when braking. The system is dangerous when trying to make a fast stop. I have been hearing that it has happened to other vehicles of this same model vehicle.

- Coatesville, IN, USA

problem #207

Jul 162013

Windstar

  • 76,000 miles
ABS and brake warning light come on instrument panel intermittently. ABS diagnostic trouble codes are as follows: C1234; C1235; C1236; C1185; U1260; C1446 auto mechanic states that is common problem with Ford ABS control module (brake ECU). Ford bulletin on C1185 code states faulty solder connections cause printed circuit board failure. Dealer wants approximately $2000 to complete repair.

- Freeport, NY, USA

problem #206

Mar 072013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles

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

ABS light stays on. Car idles high all the time, speedometer and all other dashboard control go haywire for no reason. I have to pound on the dashboard to make it stop. This had been going on for a long time. Carmd device states ABS sensor need and various other thing. I have spend a lot of money to no avail. Seat belt attached to sliding door on the right side which is to cross over to the passenger on the second row never worked. I purchased this as a used vehicle six years ago I do like this mini van but with all of the major problems I really don't think I will be able to afford this vehicle much longer. Please help me it you can. I live in an area where a vehicle is mandatory and I am on a fixed income. I just want to be safe on the road. Please help.

- Lawndale, NC, USA

problem #205

Jun 012010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
Warning lights in dash come on and go off, ABS and brake light stay on, cruise control don't work every time.

- Las Animas, CO, USA

problem #204

Jul 152011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
Brake lights came on suddenly when driving, cruise control stop working, svc engine light sometimes flash, was repaired in the past by dealer on 12/09/03 ( recall 09S09) for the same reason, right now I don't have a code but seems to be the same problem.

- Brawley, CA, USA

problem #203

May 172006

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles

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

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 code most commonly scanned is code C1185. There is a yellow ABS brake light lite on the dash. When this light is on, the system has failed and the ABS does not work.

- Red Lion, PA, USA

problem #202

Feb 292012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
My ABS and brake light comes on and when I cut the car off and then on. It may come back or not until later while driving. My emergency brake seem loose. I see a possible recall on the internet for ABS and brake. Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Windstar ABS and brake light coming on?

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #201

May 012006

Windstar

  • 50,000 miles
ABS module does not work, and shows a constant alarm light. Cost to repair is $2K door locks failed and have to be opened manually. Cost to repair is $500/lock power steering unit constantly noisy, hard to steer vehicle. No repair cost known. Door open light constantly on. No repair cost known. Interior lights do not come on when doors are opened. No repair cost known.

- Glen Ridge, NJ, USA

problem #200

Apr 092012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
My Ford winstar has had ABS problems off and on for a year now, no 1 can fix it. I have spent around $1000 trying to fix this issue. Now my odometer & speedometer isn't working. I have been told that this is a problem with Windstar and it is a combo of the 3 not working together.

- Olmsted Falls, OH, USA

problem #199

Jan 052010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles

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

Braking distance suddenly increased. ABS does not operate as designed. ABS and brake lights come on simultaneously and stay on for extended periods. Obd codes include C1185, C1198, C1194, C1254, C1246, C1250, C1242, C1214, C1210.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

problem #198

Oct 042008

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
Service brakes, hydraulic braking distance suddenly increased the ABS and brake light have been on in my car steady for as long as I have owned the car. The Ford dealer was unable to resolve this issue.

- Fishkill, NY, USA

problem #197

Mar 262012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
ABS and emergency brake light on and off when I turn car on and off did not know what it was. Took to mechanic lights when off before he could check. Scds was replaced in Feb 2010. Going to new Ford dealer to check. Haldeman Ford in hamilton NJ installed scds and they were the worst dealership ever. Read info from prior complaints. Possible fire, ect. Was nervous so now taking it back and having subframe recall inspection.

- Yardley, PA, USA

problem #196

Aug 092011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
After having the 2011 rear axle and subframe recall done my transmission failed with no warning signs what's so ever.... shortly after spending two thousand on having the transmission rebuilt in August my brake light came on and my ABS starting kicking in when I apply my breaks and when my ABS light comes on my brakes are fine and my van doesn't come up on the ABS recall...... Ford needs to get their act together and fix these vans.

- Connellsville, PA, USA

problem #195

Jan 312012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 126,800 miles
ABS and brake light came on. Upon restarting the car lights would not come back on for a couple of minutes. Took it to Ford dealer, turned out was ABS module.

- Mount Holly, NC, USA

problem #194

Jul 012011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 71,072 miles
The ABS and brake lights come on at the same time yet the ABS is working and so are the brakes. When I turn off the engine and restart the car, the lights go off. They occasionally came back on throughout the summer, but has not happened so far this fall/winter.I only put 7,500 miles a year on the van, so the problem might occur more frequently if I drove it more. I had it in to the dealer for other reasons and since the lights were not on, they didn't have a problem to investigate.

- East Greenville, PA, USA

problem #193

Dec 012010

Windstar

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS lamp, traction control and brake warning lamps were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 103,000.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #192

Nov 112011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 66,310 miles
ABS and brake light are lit on my dash, Ford has this recall in their website. When I brought it to the thereattention they said that my cars VIN number was not included, nowhere does it state that it is designated by VIN numbers, it stated all 2003 Ford Windstar. Ford wants $1500 to do this repair, please help me with this problem, for I have no idea how to pay for this. Thanking you in advance for your time in checking this out for me.

- Rotonda West, FL, USA

problem #191

Nov 112011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 66,310 miles
ABS & brake light are lit on my dash, Ford has this recall in their web site, when I brought it to there attention, they said I had the wrong VIN. # and that it would cost me $1500 for this repair, I thought that when there is a recall, the cost would be on Ford. Please help me with the problem for I do not have the money for this repair, I'm hoping they are wrong.

- Rotonda West, FL, USA

problem #190

Nov 082010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
I have a 2003 Windstar and my ABS and brake lights have been on for about a year years now.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

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