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.
After looking up all of the service reports on this vehicle, I am beginning to recognize that Ford has some explaining to do. We have a large amount of service reports on our vehicle alone that our dealership is not reporting. We have paid more for service repairs than we did paying for the vehicle. Our ac/heat just clicks w/O working, power windows front and rear do not work, power door locks, leaking roofs, leaking doors, ABS lights on, engine lights on, traction control light on, engine sputters even after two complete old fashioned tune-ups, cowl broken, front and rear axles severely cracked, sub-frame cracked, rear wiper does not work properly, brakes need constant repairs, electrical shorts everywhere, head lights, fog lights, brake lights all need constant replacements, alternator was replaced 6 times in one day because they were all faulty, brake switch under brake pedal needs constant replacement, constant wheel alignments, wheel sensors missing or broken, power seat broke and the dealership told us that it was petty to have it fixed even with a height difference between drivers, control modules replaced, multiple expensive sensor failures, spark plugs with wires replaced at least twice, starter replaced, parking brake needs to be watched for slippage because it can't hold on hills, interior lights blink in a pattern while driving, can't haul it's own tailgate, battery replaced multiple times by dealership, power mirror switch broke, many more expensive repairs have been done at our cost, P0302, P0305, P0316, C1235, C1185, C1198, C1194, C1254, C1246, C1250, C1242, C1214, C1210, C1103, C1410, C1404, B1318. We were told by many service departments a while back that these codes were not important. They cleared the codes every time. Their response to these codes were to clear them every single time. We only have one vehicle and this is it. I am a mom w/children.
Rear axle recall was inspected in 2/17/2011 by the dealer and was noted no cracks and just put some brackets. Today 3/23/2015 went for a state inspection to the same dealer and failed due to crack in the rear axle(that was once recalled). Now dealer/Ford states that the recall was once managed, and no longer responsible for further issues... if an item was recalled, it should be fixed without cost. Please address this with Ford. Thank you
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, there was a pothole on the road, which was driven over. The contact noticed that the rear drivers side wheel fractured and was detached from the axle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V193000 (power train) however, the recall remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000. Updated 4/15/15
My spouse was driving our 2003 Ford Windstar home from church and while turning right onto our street the transmission failed, no longer powering the vehicle. She coasted to a stop in front of our home. I had the vehicle towed to a local transmission repair shop and was told by the mechanic that this is a very common problem in Ford Windstar and that he has had to prematurely replace many of these transmissions. We were very lucky during this incident. It could have easily happened on the interstate highway and caused a severe crash, injuries or death. Ford customer relations informed me they had no recall actions underway for this problem on my vehicle, but to save any receipts in case there was a future reimbursement/recall effort.
I was on a 65 mph highway and had to stop for a stoplight. When the light turned green, I put my foot on the gas and nothing happened. I put in 2 then 1 and then reverse and nothing happened. I had put my hazard lights on as I was afraid of being at a green light and getting rear ended with the other car going at least 65 mph. I proceeded to shut the van off, turn it back on and put it in drive and it jerked forward, but I could tell the transmission was slipping and the O/D light started flashing on and off and the check transmission light came on. I had to continue to shut the vehicle off and turn it back on to get it to a safe place where I finally had to be towed home. I had my 14 year old daughter with me and had we been hit from behind, we both could have died.
- Otsego, MN, USA
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I have a 2003 Windstar Ford mini van. About 2 1/2 years ago they put a patch fix on the rear axle that was so when the axle breaks instead of the wheels separating it holds it together. Well recently I was on my way to a major highway I thought my brakes locked up, but in actuality the patch fix broke and so did my axle. So a big thankyou for almost killing my 2 children in the back seat, does Ford motors care? no they don't! because when I called the dealership they said Ford is aware of this ongoing problem with numerous complaints and will not fix it again. But I can buy another part for $800. If they are aware of the problem and the patch was not a safe fix then why bother at all! I feel this company should put their children in the back seat and then maybe they would actually care to find a safe fix.
A few days after buying the van the ABS light started coming on, it goes on and off. My interior lights have flashed on and off, my passenger window no longer works! and the gear shifter is loose and sometimes hard to get into park.
April, noticed that cruise control not working 100% of time - not engaging and not disengaging!! opted not to use it anymore. July, ABS and brake light on and didn't shut off while in home garage. Shut van off, restarted it, lights off. August, lights seem to be coming on with more frequency. Doesn't seem to be speed related. September, ABS and brake light coming on more frequently. Seems to reset (for short time) after shut van off. October, had brake system checked. Disc rotor - R&R; control arm w/ ball joint - lower - front suspension; rear brakes serviced; brake fluid flush. Thought that would have "fixed" everything however less than 10 days later, the ABS and brake lights are coming on again while driving. Turn van off, turn back on - lights reset - until next time I drive it!! after reading through, realize that the two might be related. Safety is a must!!
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that water was entering into the transmission. While at a stop light, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the rpms increased. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who rebuilt the transmission. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Brake light and ABS lights are on, brakes are fine, fluid level is fine, but light is on. ABS now not working. Speedometer does not go above 40 mph until driven at least 3 miles, this is also causing the cruise control to not work smoothly. Transmission is not shifting into overdrive, transmission is clean and working. All of these issues began within a few weeks of each other.
While driving lost all power to transmission. Car would start but not move in any gear. Code scanner shows no codes, engine light does not stay lit. Mechanic's guess in torque converter. Seems to be a too common problem.
When driving up hills the "od off" transmission light will begin to flash and though I depress the button on the shifter the light will not stop flashing. Only way to make it stop is when I turn he car off and then turn the vehicle back on.
My transmission had to be replaced; I do not drive the vehicle a great deal, tho the car is aged, the upkeep is great on the car. I have tried to keep up with the recalls on this car, is there a recall on the car's trans.?
While in 75mph speed limit upon entering into a 70mph limit I pushed cst on cruise panel steering wheel. I not only slowed but my van continued to slow while heavier traffic was skirting and trying not to run me over. It was at less than 40mph I was able to get on the emergency lane. Would not respond to drive, 1st, 2nd, reverse gears. Engine sounded like in neutral, going nowhere, when foot applied to accelerator. No warning given; no transmission problems or noise beforehand. Stranded 400 mi from home, towed to sterling Ford dealership in opelousas, la with van left there and no notion of when firm diagnosis, torque converter was the first suggestion, pulling transmission pump and much more costly was second. Was told by preus Ford they "thought" there had been recall regarding this problem. Don't know.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and would not accelerate when the contact depressed the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the torque converter output shaft had failed. The torque converter was replaced by the mechanic and the defect was remedied. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 5/27/14
Failed Ford sub frame recall noise in front end going over bumps took in for service. I was told front sub frame was rusting apart. Ford Windstar had sub frame recall 3 years ago large brackets placed around sub frame(in Michigan). Called Ford dealer(in Florida wear vehicle resides) and they agreed to inspect and said they thought the other dealer may have place bracket around a rotten sub frame. Dealer also said Ford would not replace the sub frame and I would have to pay $3000 for that repair. My Windstar has been in Florida since the recall was performed in Michigan so it has not been in T.he "salt belt" how is it possible that the sub frame went from being safe to its current unsafe condition if the recall was done properly?
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the front axle fractured and resulted in the detachment of the front driver's side wheel. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There was a recall related to the defect under NHTSA campaign id number 12V194000 (suspension). The dealer was contacted but refused to repair the vehicle for an unknown reason. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 04/22/14
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle exhibited an abnormal noise. The contact noticed that the rear drivers side wheel was abnormally tilted inward. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V193000 (power train). The approximate failure and current mileage was unknown. Updated 03/26/14 the consumer stated cracks in the rear axle, were not visible and re-enforcement repairs were done, to the rear axle and front subframe lower control arm. However, the repair failed, while the consumers husband was driving. Ford wouldn't pay for the repairs. They stated they had already full-filled their obligations, when they made the re-enforcement. Also, the anti-lock brakes did not work. Updated 03/27/14
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact reversing from a driveway, the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but the diagnosis was unclear. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Reston, VA, USA