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.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while traveling 45 mph, an abnormal grinding noise emitted from the vehicle and the vehicle decreased acceleration independently. The check engine warning light illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who confirmed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 98,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar SE. The contact stated that while traveling 60 mph, the vehicle became resistant to acceleration attempts. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 118,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle exhibited a sudden loss of power without warning. The vehicle would accelerate in either reverse or drive. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who recommended that the entire transmission be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed of a recall similar to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V006000 (power train:automatic transmission:torque converter) however, the contact was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 140,000.
I am the owner of a 2003 Ford Windstar and as of now there is not a recall out on this vehicle. But there is indeed a recall on the 2004 Ford freestar which has the exact same components and drivetrain. Ford has recalled 205,896 2004-2005 freestars due to the torque converter output shaft fail. The same issue is with my vehicle... I have had the worst service threw Ford in the follow up with this issue. I have been inspected and many transmission mechanics verify this issue and states the following model of my van has been recalled. If this is so why hasn't my vehicle been recalled.. this is a huge issue, if my wife was driving my 3 children is this vehicle when this part failed it would have been much worse!
- Travelers Rest, SC, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id numbers: 12V193000 (power train:axle assembly) and NHTSA campaign id number: 11V030000 (structure: Frame and members:underbody shields ). the vehicle was taken to the dealer and was repaired under both recalls. Later while the contact was driving 50 mph, the vehicle began shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they advised that they needed to replace the front axle. The contact had not experienced the failure prior to the recall repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would further investigate the failure. The failure mileage was 143,000 and the current mileage was 148,000.
ABS light and brake light on dash stays on majority of the time, transmission went out without warning in the driveway with no power, and there is a noticeable change at times in the cruise speed control while driving revving up the engine. Had the transmission replaced as a result. There appears to be rust and crack in the axle.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving downhill at approximately 25 mph, there was a complete loss of the transmission power with a rapid increase in engine rpms. The contact was able to maneuver safely to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence and diagnosed by a certified mechanic who advised the contact that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The dealer advised there was not a recall related to the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The contact was driving 55 mph when the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the transmission had not been inspected. The failure and current mileages were 61,000.
I was driving on the mass turnpike with my daughter and two of her friends, when the car started to race and the speed started to decrease, not knowing what to do because the break down lane had dropped I slowed into the lane furthest to the right, for slow moving trucks and had the vehicle come to a complete stop and put it into park and shut it off, (my hazard lights were on), tried to start it back up and put it into drive, but when I did it wouldn't move and slowly started to move backwards, tried to put it in 1st, 2nd and neutral and samething happened, so had to call 911 and have a wrecker tow it back to West springfield, had to pay $207 dollars for tow back there and $80 to tow it to the garage that it is currently at now and new transmission is going to cost about $2000. This was a very unsafe and stressful situation for me and three children, ages 9,7, and 6. thank god we didn't get in an accident and get killed.
The car was driving down the road. No warning, the car would not engage. The engine would rev but the transmission was not working. Once on the side of the road, there was no forward or reverse. Nothing happened prior, the car was working fine. There are many complaints on this car on the internet. Ford needs to do something to remedy the problem. We are so thankful nothing worse happened, there were children in the car.
Driving on highway, my 2003 Ford Windstar had a 100% transmission failure. The car was running, but would not go forward or reverse. I did previously report transmission issues (slipping) to Ford on more than one occation. Ford was unable to locate or identify an issue with my transmission. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Pulled out of parking space at work and drove to the garage entrance, stopped at the stop sign. Pressed the accelerator and engine RPM just revved up, no fwd or reverse, van rolled backwards into the garage. Towed it home, was told I need a new transmission. Had no warning lights or codes. Good thing no one was behind me!. dealership said they have no info on this, but can rebuild it for around $1,000.
Transmission went out in our 2003 Ford Windstar. Looks like many others have had this issue. People at auto store and auto repair shop said Ford Windstar is known in the industry to have transmission problems. If so, there should be a recall.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the gear shifter could not be moved into reverse or drive. The transmission was replaced twice because the failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but the contact was advised that there were no failures found within the vehicle. Several days later, the vehicle stalled without warning while the contact was attempting a turn at 5 mph. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the dealer advised that the failure could have been caused by the torque converter but the transmission would need to be removed in order to identify the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 144,000.
My transmission failed today in heavy traffic no warning, very scary. I googled for know problems only to find out I am not alone, it appears there are more than few hundred owners of 2003 wind stars with the same dangerous failures. How come this is not a recall, when you are traveling 60 mph center lane and your transmission quits no warning. It was just the blessing of god I got out of that situation without being seriously injured and I found out about it tonight for the first time. Ford knows about it and has not even tried to make the public aware that this has and could happen without warning placing owners in what could be a life threatening situation.
While driving on the highway my transmission failed without warning. I have researched the year and found multiple complaints regarding this particular year and transmission problems. Cannot believe Ford has not issued a recall - $3,400 later I am getting my van fixed.
2003 Ford Windstar minivan vehicle had been driven to a workplace and parked for the day. Upon entering the vehicle to travel home, driver started vehicle normal and attempted to shift automatic transmission into gear to move from the parking space. The transmission would not engage into either drive (forward) or reverse (backward). Vehicle was towed to a garage and then to a transmission shop. Estimate to repair the transmission exceeds $2500. The transmission had shown no signs of slippage or other visible, audible and/or shifting issues. Since the incident, I have done online researched and found literally hundreds of similar complaints and incidents on this vehicle model. We have also have repeated electrical problems with this van. Interior lights come on and go off for no reason. Interior lights blink while driving in daytime or nighttime. Sometimes the rear power wing windows open...sometimes they do not. Service lights come on and off including brake and ABS system lights, service engine lights, and others. We are thoroughly disappointed with this vehicle.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact started the ignition and shifted the gear selector into drive however, there was no response. The transmission was also nonresponsive when shifting into any selected gear. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Center Line, VA, USA