9.0
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$500.00
Average Mileage:
61,750 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (4 reports)
electrical problem
Helpful Websites About 2003 Ford Windstar battery keeps going dead
2007Nov 15
Windstar LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
Wow! I actually logged on to see if anyone has had the problem of the rear door ajar light staying on (I've isolated my 2003 Windstar, 65,000.0 miles) to being the rear door. Then I find 2 complaints about the dead battery syndrome! Since November of 07, I have replaced the battery twice after thinking the 2 year old battery that was in there was n/g. I've had it to my (very reliable and experienced) mechanic who went through everything he could thing of, sensors and whatever else. Similar to you, both rear lights were out. He was dumbfounded and recommended a fellow mechanic, 30 years as a Ford dealer certified mechanic. He kept the van for over two weeks finally replacing the battery with a heavy duty long life as well as the oil pressure switch saying that it appeared to be drawing current when the vehicle was off. I was very excited to think the problem was solved only to have a dead battery two weeks later! The problem of being dead happened one other time in since March 08. Today is 17 May 08 but the door ajar light is on which happens quite regularly. I don't know if this problem could be related to the dead battery thing but I do know that it's driving me nuts. I have always been a Ford vehicle owner, this being my 6th, but if I had any money whatsoever to afford a new vehicle at this time I would definitely move on to another brand. No wonder Toyota is taking over as number 1. If anyone can tell me how to access the switch on the rear door or has any idea of what the dead battery syndrome might be I would really appreciate the info. Much Thanks. Lou R. Weymouth, MA
2007Jul 16
Windstar Limited 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 26,000 miles
We have had all of the above problems (except a burned out alternator) with my 2003 Limited and are thinking of dumping it while it still has some value. Flickering lights, dead batteries. Problems kicked in this summer when I found the battery dead, it hadn't been driven in approx 4 days. I put in a new battery and two weeks later its dead. They replaced a board, said it was drawing power with the Van tuned off. Two weeks after that rear wiper isn't working dash lights are strobing, I take it back in. They said the battery was leaking acid and burned out relays. That battery had been in the van less than 30 days. Last week again completely dead battery, so drained the car could not be jump started. Rear break light burned out, flashing interior lights. Again the dealer could find no apparent problems or duplicate any of these things. Replaced the rear brake light and the new one burned out in forty days. Face it folks Ford stopped making the Windstar in 2003 they are not motivated to solve these electrical problems, simply waiting for warranties to run out so they can start charging us for repairs. If you still have some warranty left it might be worth keeping, but we are definitely dumping ours before the warranty expires early next year.
2007Nov 05
(reported on)Windstar SE
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
After bringing in the van several times for electrical problems--none of which were ever resolved--they keep saying they can't find the problem--I woke up to a dead car. Had the car towed and ended up getting a new alternator and battery. About 1 year later out of no where while driving the battery dies again! When I call ford they say the alternator is no longer under warranty--that only lasts 12 month/12,000 miles. After questioning them I find out they replaced the alternator with a refurbished part instead of a new one and now they have the nerve to tell me if it is the alternator again they would have to replace it again at my expense. Seems like this years model has major electrical issues and the company should do the right thing and recall these vans but of course they are a bunch of ???? and don't care if I keep getting stuck on the side of the road with my kids!
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jul 14
Windstar Limited V6
me and my husband bought a 2003 ford windstar in march of 2008 since then we have replace the transmission, battery, alternator, and had a four hour diagnostic done on it and we still cannot figure out what is wrong all we get is " check charging system light" on the dash this is crap i don't understand what is going on this is our family vehicle and we cant even use it. i warned by husband about fords they are a piece of SH*T. what does ford stand for "Found On Road Dead" or better yet "F*ck Over Rebuilt Dodge".
panda20014
Chesapeake, VA, USA
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