electrical problem
5.7
fairly significantTypical Repair Cost:
no data
Average Mileage:
54,271 miles
Number of complaints:
15 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (14 reports)
- lube the latch switch (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2003 Ford Windstar interior lights flashing
2007Jun 30
Windstar SEL 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
I am another original owner of a 2003 Ford Windstar with the interior lights going off and on mysteriously. This has happened randomly probably over the past year. I have found this same problem reported on different Internet sites, but have never seen a definitive solution to the problem. If the lights were on continuously of course I would have a mechanic check it out, but I was hoping the problem would disappear as mysteriously as it began. Guess it won't. Ford needs to inform owners of the problem and solution and do a recall so we can all have the repairs done without trying to randomly guess anymore and waste time and money on useless repairs.
2008Jul 07
Windstar SE V6
- Automatic transmission
- 20,000 miles
The interior lights in my Windstar flash on and off at random. We never know when its going to occur. My children always yell up to me that the ghost is flashing the lights on & off again Mom. I am forced to turn all the lights off in the car using the control knob on the dash.
2008Apr 09
Windstar LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 88,500 miles
I don't know why they can't get the electrical wiring right!
2005Apr 01
Windstar SE V6
- Automatic transmission
- 38,000 miles
If Ford can't fix it how can they expect us to get it fixed!!! If they had any nads they step up to the plate and fix it for free!!! The power steering problem is also annoying. The first one was replaced in the first 90 days and the replacement still whines like me!!!
2006Aug 01
Windstar LX 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
The interior lights started flashing around 32K miles, after 5 trips over the next year the dealer the problem continues. The dealership replaced: the interior light switch twice; the rear gate and both sliding door sensors and fuses. (None have stopped the flashing).
2005Dec 01
Windstar Limited V6
- Automatic transmission
- 54,000 miles
We also see the interior lights randomly flash from time to time. Mechanics are unable to observe or fix. Only solution is to turn off the interior lights and turn them back on periodically to see if the problem has gone back into hibernation. Weather does not seem to be a factor hot or cold, dry or wet, it can happen at any time.
2007Feb 04
Windstar Sport 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 77,671 miles
I have recently bought a 2003 for Windstar it has a strobe light for interior lights and you have to shut it off right at the headlight switch and go with out dome lights there is also a starting problem that when you start it RPM'S go up to about 1300 and they drop off to the point that the motor just dies and then you will go though this process about 3,4,5,and some times ongoing past that also the electric sliding doors work even when the power to them is shut of on the overhead console to me the van is garbage and no one should own one if I could afford to go out and get rid of it I would and I will never buy a ford again they are crap the dealer can't find the source of any of these problems because they are all intermittent.
2007Nov 05
(reported on)Windstar SE
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
Interior dome lights keep flashing on and off while driving. I have turned the switch OFF and the light still come on and flash on and off. I have taken it in to get it fixed and have gotten no solution. They say they don't know what the problem is.
2007Oct 23
(reported on)Windstar Sport
- Automatic transmission
- 23,000 miles
Replaced the fuse multiple times. It didn't help. Mechanics aren't sure why they flash. Thanks for the lubing tip.
2007Oct 03
(reported on)Windstar LX
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
well, the dealers solution did no good. still like a disco in my van. sometimes I think there is a cop pulling me over.
2007Aug 20
(reported on)Windstar Limited V6
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
1. The problem started with the Interior lights staying on.
2. Progressed to Dead Alternator (This it is common to another complaint)
3. I have seen erroneous 'right rear break light out' messages.
4. The passenger window doesn't work most of the time (unrelated?)
5. Now the right rear door has a mind of its own. Unless it is locked. It opens and closes at will. We find it open in the morning. Sometimes it closes by itself.
My workaround for the time being is to lock the door.
Any Ideas?
2007Jun 05
(reported on)Windstar SEL 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 44,900 miles
I am the original owner of the 2003 Windstar, which currently has about 44,900 miles. For some time now, I have been experiencing intermittent flashing of the interior cabin lights; because it is random and intermittent I have been unsuccessful in getting the problem fixed because when I take it for diagnostic testing the mechanics can never duplicate the problem. I am told that it would be akin to finding a needle in the haystack to determine what is causing the problem. In September of last year with 37,000 miles I had to replace the battery. Today, I had to replace the alternator. I suspect that there is some kind of electrical malfunction that is causing the lights to flash and is drawing excess power from the battery/alternator. Lastly, as of late I have been getting the message in my message center that the "Liftgate is Ajar", when in reality is closed securely. All this has been reported to the dealer's service department and I have been very dissatisfied with their lack of effort in finding the problem.
2007Jun 07
(reported on)Windstar LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
this is really spooky and no one can fix it, they want to replace the whole brain for the van and maybe the electrical wiring. That is crazy.
2007May 02
(reported on)Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 30,000 miles
I purchased my 2003 Ford Windstar new and have had a continual problem with the interior lights flashing on and off. I never know when it is going to happen and I have driven as far as 2 miles with the interior lights remaining on or flashing off and on. I have had the vehicle in 4 times to try to find the problem and nothing can be done to fix it since it is never acting up when I take it into the shop. I ran across and individual who has the same problem with her 2002 Ford Wondstar that she purchased n California (I purchased mine in Arizona). Does anyone else have this problem?
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jul 09
Windstar
Our problem started over a year ago with the battery draining and going dead despite driving plenty to recharge it. We got a new battery. Then, strange incidents of lights going on in the cabin when they were not suppose to...even when the van was not in operation. We went away for a week, came back to find the battery was dead (I'm assuming the lights went on and drained it while we were away). Now, the ABS and parking light are coming on, and I notice that the rear lights blink on and off randomly while this is happening (saw the reflection in the car behind me). The lock on the driver's side doesn't pop up or lock all the time when the others are working fine. After doing a google on the issue, it appears to be happening to a rather large group of Windstar owners 2002, and 2003 in particular. We also have had a loud whining sound since the car was in the 50,000's mile--under extended warranty--thinking it was an alternator on the fritze, we took it in, they said it was fine...and it has continued to drive. It's a nice vehicle, but after all of the battery issues and electrical issues, and seeing all the problems others have reported, I don't know if I would feel comfortable purchasing a van from Ford unless I had the guarantee on the electrical way beyond 30,000 miles.
janetwi
Oconomowoc, WI, USA
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