10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,549 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Oct 222010

Windstar

  • 100,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated was driving 5 ph when the ABS and the emergency brake warning lights illuminated. The failure occurred on an intermittent basis. The contact also stated that the cruise control had failed and had become inoperable. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #34

Sep 022010

Windstar

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the when he turned off the cruise control; several warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle started to lose power, but the contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence. The contact was not able to restart the vehicle. The contact found a recall campaign number 09V399000, vehicle speed control. The vehicle had not been inspected when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage and current mileages were 97000.

- Marion, NC, USA

problem #33

Oct 222010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
System failure, speed control, speedometer, odometer, heater/airconditioner after looking up online what caused my systems to fail, I went to sinclair to purchase the part. I was told by parts mngr that it was on re-call for that and I would have to have it fixed by their service dept. They confirmed this was on re-call and had me return later that afternoon. After four and a half hours I was asked to come back that they were having difficulty fixing the problem. I attempted to make an appt later the next day and was told it was too late that I did not bring my vehicle in in a timely manner and they will no longer fix my vehicle. Their are no expiration dates on this re-call. I have received a customer service receipt explaining what they did and stating that they strive to give the best customer service. What a joke, they left me with a vehicle that is not safe to drive in this condition, after taking up my whole afternoon. I responded with a very disheartened lack of satisfaction and was referred to Ford headquarter. I was told that this was never a re-call item by Ford. If this was handled acurately the first time, my car would already be fixed. Dave would never have let this happen, he built this dealership on the concept of good customer service. If his team made an error, he would fix it on principal even if it meant he ate the cost. I guess his reputation was buried with him. I will be looking to purchase a vehicle in January and I will purchase from someplace else. [xxx] please help us get our van fixed. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #32

Aug 152010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,252 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that he coasted to the side of the road. When he waited a few minutes after the vehicle stalled and turned it back on, it would perform correctly. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. The local mechanic advised him to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was eventually taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the intake manifold casket needed replaced. The dealer replaced the intake manifold casket, installed a throttle body spacer and throttle air valve assembly and re-flashed the PCM to the computer and the iac valve. The contact stated the failure occurred again while driving from the dealership. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle stayed for two weeks. The dealer then installed a crank shaft sensor and a wire assembly. The vehicle had not been repaired fully as the contact picked the vehicle up before final repairs were performed. The failure mileage was 90,252 and the current mileage was approximately 91,000. Updated 12/29/10 updated 01/03/11

- Sonora, CA, USA

problem #31

Aug 032009

Windstar

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the ABS light illuminates intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer advised they will not repair the failure because the vehicle does not have cruise control. The manufacturer was contacted and a report was taken. They will not assist with the repair, because the contact's VIN was not included in recall 09V399000; vehicle speed control. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 13,000.

- Fairfax Station , VA, USA

problem #30

Jun 182009

Windstar

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact received recall notice 09V399000, vehicle speed control. When the vehicle was being repaired the contact was informed that the scds leaked onto the ABS system. The dealer will not assume responsibility for the ABS repair cost. The current mileage was 81,000.

- Laton, UT, USA

problem #29

Jun 212010

Windstar

  • 149,900 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 30-40 mph, the gauges on the dashboard began to fluctuate sporadically. The ABS and brake warning lights would also illuminate intermittently. On one occasion, the contact stated she observed smoke coming from under the hood. The dealer advised an unknown fluid had leaked onto the ABS modular and burned. The contact secured an appointment with the dealer for repairs. The failure mileage was 149,900 and the current mileage was 149,950.

- West Chicago, IL, USA

problem #28

Jun 152010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
55000 miles. Original owner 09S09 recall. Brake switch leaking-repaired before recall.paid $250 ABS/brake lights intermittent, occasional burning smell, rear tail light remain on. Battery dies (on#3) flashing interior lights, radio go out upon braking. Dealer performed recall (wire thing) said need new ECU and hcu at cost of $1800. Have had car in and out of service many times for strange electrical occurrences and warning light problems. Always said can not duplicate. Have seen hundreds of complaints on message boards www.fordwindstarrecall.info, www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2003/Ford/Windstar/ABS+warning+light, www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2003/Ford/Windstar/electrical+system. From consumers with similar complaints. Feel car is not safe. Low miles, always had scheduled maintenance.

- Mason, OH, USA

problem #27

Jun 012010

Windstar

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that there was brake fluid leaking from the module under the vehicle. The ABS light illuminated everyday due to a slow leak which had to be refilled with brake fluid. The contact was informed by the dealer that his vehicle was not included in recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The contact was informed that he would be responsible for the repair costs. The current and failure mileages were approximately 93,000.

- Pomona, CA, USA

problem #26

May 102010

Windstar

  • 80,000 miles
Engine revs and car accelerates while driving. Engine light stays on. ABS light goes on and off. Door locks click open and close while driving. Interior lights go on and off while driving.

- Cutchogue, NY, USA

problem #25

Apr 142010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 77,055 miles

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

This incident has happened several times with our 2003 Ford Windstar which we bought used approximately 3 months ago. It has happened both to me and my wife. You can stop for traffic and when you start to go again, you can barely touch the accelerator and the car lurches forward and the engine races really fast and when you try to step on the brake it doesn't stop right away. It kind of flies through the air and although my wife and I keep a big space behind the car in front of us, we've both narrowly missed striking the vehicles ahead of us. It kind of sounds like the Toyota thing. I've called several Ford dealers to ask them about this problem we're having and they just brush me off. We're afraid to drive the van. Have there been any recalls on this make and model. What should we do?

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #24

Jan 012010

Windstar

  • 188,687 miles
2003 Windstar cruise control shuts off abslight and brake come on together at random recall has been fixed no wiped delay.

- Rapid City, MI, USA

problem #23

Apr 082010

Windstar

  • miles
Cruise control automatically engages and slowly accelerates the vehicle. When not using cruise control and I remove my foot from the gas pedal (not yet applying the brakes), the vehicle does not slow down, but actually accelerates at a slow rate and continues to do so until I apply the brakes.

- Grand Rapids , MI, USA

problem #22

Sep 102009

Windstar

  • 108,000 miles
The ABS brake light came on. Since then it seems the braking distance suddenly increased. Also, after driving a considerable distance, we also noticed when parking the car it smells like smoke.

- Asbury, NJ, USA

problem #21

Mar 192010

Windstar

  • 80,450 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact was pulling into a parking spot when suddenly, smoke began emitting from the hood. The contact opened the hood and saw that the engine compartment was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and the police took a report shortly after. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealershi.P, where the contact was informed that the fire was caused by the speed control deactivation switch (recall 09V399000). The dealer told the contact to call the insurance company so the repair costs would be covered but the insurance company refused as the failure was caused by vehicle malfunction and not an accident. The dealer contacted the manufacturer who requested pictures of the damage to determine whether they would assume responsibility for the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were approximately 80,450.

- Queensbury, NY, USA

problem #20

Feb 222010

Windstar

  • 60,500 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The driver stated that he was at a red light. The driver stated that his foot was on the brake pedal. When the light changed he put his foot on the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would not move forward. The driver had to put the vehicle in neutral and coast to the side of the road. The contact stated that the police where notified. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was there when the complaint was filed. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 60,500.

- Rockaway, NJ, USA

problem #19

Oct 032008

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
ABS brakes light problem Ford Windstar 20003 air brakes problem, cruise control problem suspension problem.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #18

Oct 022009

Windstar

  • 103,000 miles
My father was driving my car and while in the road the vehicle start to burn. The vehicle was total lost because the fire extended so rapidly that when the firefighters arrive was too late.. I made a complaint to Ford Motor Company after the incident but they said that my car was not included in the safety recall 09S09.

- Bayamon, PR, USA

problem #17

Jul 232009

Windstar

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The vehicle accelerated without warning immediately after he approached a traffic light. The front coil springs on the drivers side also broke which caused the coil springs to pierce the tire and the front end of the vehicle fell on the ground. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility and the mechanic replaced the tires and the coil springs for over $800. The contact suspects that the failure was caused by the cruise control. The dealer didn't agree that the cruise control caused the failure. The manufacturer was notified; however, they have not responded. The failure mileage was 74,000.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #16

Mar 102009

Windstar

  • 141,285 miles
Loss of brake fluid (problem # 1) melted brake deactivation switch (problem # 1) brake light on after brake service. (we think this back pressure brakes the deac switch) (problem # 1) brake light (red) (problem # 1 or problem # 2) 15 amp fuse #10 blowing out (problem # 1) fire or smoke coming from under the van ABS ECM area while off. (problem # 1) melted ABS ECM wiring connector. (problem # 1) speedometer and odometer stop working. (problem # 1) cruise control will not activate or deactivates without warning. (problem # 1) ABS brake light (yellow) (problem # 2 or problem # 1) Ford trouble code C1185. (problem # 2 or problem # 1) brakes turn on squeel without warning. (problem

- Riorancho, NM, USA

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