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.
Electrical issues. I just bought the 2003 Ford Windstar ex, and we've experienced the brake light, engine light, interior lights flickering off and on. This is dangerous !! how do we know if there really is a brake problem if the brake light resets and turns back on while driving ? it is very distracting when the interior lights flicker off and on while driving. We are finding out the extent of electrical problems associated with this model. The electrical problem is draining our vehicle battery every night ! I've filed several of the issues with your department, and have seen the complaints on line. What a shame that we have to wait for a serious incident to happen before Ford is held accountable for their bad product !!! I hope you can help. Thank you.
I am an owner of a Ford Windstar sport which I purchased new in 2003. I've recently had the scds replaced under recall number 09S09 ( October 2009) and am now experiencing another possible error which might be linked to this recall. For no reason at all, during the cars movement the ABS and warning lights illuminate. This worries me that there is still a serious fault with the braking system on this vehicle. To date I have not replaced any parts as I've discovered through many internet chat rooms that this may be a faulty ECM main circuit board, which I am informed is a very expensive part to replace. Money is very tight right now so I will have to continue driving this vehicle until I can afford the repair or Ford decide to replace this defect as a safety issue. Updated IVOQ 11/24/10
This van keeps draining our battery. We have tried to figure out why the van's electrical system keeps draining the battery. It has drained our battery several times.
My 2003 Ford Windstar is experiencing problems with the brake light and ABS light continuing to turn on intermittently. I have had an issue with my van battery being drained over night. I called sunset Ford in peoria Arizona and the service advisor told me it was recently repaired in Nov of 2009. I hope that you can help since I believe there is still a problem.
My 2003 Ford Windstar has sever electrical problems. The interior lights randomly come on and will flash until I turn them off with the dash control. It will go for few days with no problem and then start flashing again. This started at about 40,000 miles and still happening at 115,000 miles. Dealer has check several times and says they can find no problem. Of course won't do it when at dealer.
Electrical problem doors lock sometimes, next time no lock, ABS lite will not go off replace fuse, drive 5 miles, ABS lite comes back on, has for 2 years, wasted money and time on trying to find solution. Fuses blow out faster then I can replace them.
My 2003 Ford Windstar has been continuously giving my electrical problems. First the rear parking sensors disengage when in reverse. While driving the ABS, brake and traction control lights come on the dashboard. I'm not sure what it does, but the vehicle does then not function properly. The traction control and brakes don't seem to be working properly.
2003 Windstar electrical problems.lights flash any time at all. Headlight will flicker when driving at night. Different warning lightswill come on randomly. This has been aproblem since I bought the van used. Burns out alternator and batteries.many exact complaints on the internet. Transmissions just quit. Many electrical problems. Not only costly but dangerous. They have no solution too the problem.put in a new alternator, battery, diagnostic testing. Still the same.
I own a 2003 Ford Windstar, I have tried and spend well much money in a solution but it comes really expensive paying for some one else errors, my dashboard lights( ABS and brake lights ) comes on every time while driving the vehicle anywhere, this is been happening even on real short trips, my mechanic told me I got code C1185, means that the ECM on my car is messed up, had to replace, im not the only one and Ford is making a lot of money selling this parts to owners to have no problems, I drove this vehicle with my family, and I don't want to jeopardize my family and my own integrity.
My yellow ABS brake light and my red brake light indicator come on whenever my brake lines begin to heat while driving. I have also had intermittent problems with the over drive light coming on and off, and the odometer and the speedometer failing. This has occurred since the Windstar van was new. The previous owner had tried to have the sensors replaced but it continued to happen, and still happens now with me. I am concerned that if the brakes do fail or need repair, I won't know as the lights are always on, anyway. I am also concerned with the possibility of fire due to a short, or being ticketed as I never know when the speedometer will begin to fail. I was told by an independent mechanic that there was an unspecified electrical short causing these issues, and that it would difficult or impossible to trace. I am experiencing both problems 1 & 2 as described on the following website. **** www.fordwindstarrecall.info/ **** the issue of the ABS brake light is critical in that the ABS brake system does not function as designed by Ford. The issue is caused by heat in the ABS (anti-lock brake system) ECM (electronic control module) (2C219) module causing expansion of a large aluminum plate (heat sink) in the ECM which is attached to the ECM main circuit board at all points. The expansion occurs when the unit gets warm especially in the summer months and causes intermittent electrical connection in the unit because the fragile board is being stretched and malformed. The code most commonly scanned by professional mechanics is code C1185. Seen by us owners as a yellow ABS brake light.
I have a 2003 Ford Windstar affected by the latest recall concerning a faulty switch that leaks and can cause fires. I took my van into a Ford dealership yesterday for this problem. They replaced the switch but that faulty switch has ruined the ABS module. The cost to replace that is over $1200. That should be covered in the recall too. An ap report yesterday by tom krisher and stephen manning states that "NHTSA also identified four reports of leaking fluid damaging the antilock brake control module, resulting in a fire." While I am not aware of a fire I do know there have been instances when I park my van that the front end seems extremely hot. I plan to have my garage check for signs of fire or overheating due to this problem. As of last week my speedometer has intermittent problems of not working, particularly when the engine is hot. The ABS and brake light are both on all the time.
Favor mandarme informacion a serca de los automiviles marca Ford winstar 2003 segun el periodico de hoy van a ser retirados de circulacion por la Ford por defectos de fabrica, les agradeceria mas informacion.
Suddenly my speedometer, odometer, aircond compressor did not function. Several displays did not register correctly the ABS and brake lights on the display would come on and go off. I found the safercar.gov site and it guided me in the right direction to find the problem with the brake pressure deactivation switch. Fuse #10 would blow. I caught the problem before any thing caught on fire. Ford needs to be responsible for this.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford wind star. The ABS and exterior brake lights remain illuminated after brake application. Also the interior lights flashes on and then off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection; since the technicians could not duplicate the failure they could not provide a remedy. The failure and current mileages were 41,000.
Leaking brake fluid, cruise control switch caught fire, melted ABS ECM wiring connector, brake light on after brake service, ABS brake light stays on, fuse had to be replaced.
2003 Ford Windstar SE brake and ABS lights on intermittently. The following codes are present: C1226;C1235;C1185;C1198;C1194;C1254;C1246;C1250; and C1242. The mechanic said it appears the ABS control module is going bad or is bad at a cost of $700. I replaced both rotors, drums, right wheel bearing, left inner tie rod and my brakes work just fine. The lights coming on are an annoyance and could possibly cause a fire??
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
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- Waddell, AZ, USA