10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
99,447 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2003 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #16

Jun 122013

Windstar

  • 130,000 miles

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

I have a 2003 Ford Windstar that has been owned by my family since it left the line. I was notified of a recall to the control arms in 2011 and took my vehicle to the dealer. In June 2012 I was driving home from work and had just turned on my street when I heard a loud bang and my car would barely more. When it happened I thought that my engine had hit the ground. I luckily was one house away from home( I had just gotten off the expressway traveling 70 miles an hour.) as I limped my way into the drive way I thought that maybe I had a flat the way that my car was driving. However when I got out of the car my entire drivers side of the car was less than an inch from the ground. After having it towed to a shop I was told that my strut (spring) had jumped off the mount. I was told there was nothing wrong with the strut (spring) but that it had jumped the mount. Needless to say when Ford was contacted I was told that they were not responsible. This is very wrong given there was extentsive damage done to the control arm and it pulled the tie-rod end out of the passenger side. There were no issues with the front end and I feel that the brackets that were installed due to the recall may have shifted the strut and caused the damage. But Ford would not have anything to do with the matter.

- Roseville, MI, USA

problem #15

Sep 092011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
My instrument panel keeps going crazy. The RPM needle is now pointing down into the dash. The speedometer usually is not working correctly, it will say that I am doing 20 mph, when I am doing more like 45-50. The gas gauge sometimes says that it is on empty, when I have a full tank of gas. Sometimes the needles work, sometimes they don't (with the exception of the RPM needle...it hasn't moved from that buried in the dash spot for a couple of months now), sometimes the speedometer needle goes all the way to the right and then gets buried in the dash also, so far though, each time, it has came back...even though it rarely registers even close to the correct speed. The repair for this is going to be about $700 is what I was told. I do not have that kind of money, and I am constantly praying that my 17 year old daughter who has to drive it sometimes, does not get into an accident because she is going too fast, and has no clue how fast she is actually going, or one of us may get a speeding ticket. I have looked at websites and seen that a lot of people are having these problems, so Ford should do the right thing and make a recall, before someone is seriously injured or even killed!!! also, not sure if it is related or not, but the ABS light stays on.

- Crestline, OH, USA

problem #14

Mar 142011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 136,500 miles
Car stopped running, after stopping would not restart with switch on, turned off ign switch and turned back on and it restarted. I inquired at the Ford dealer and they said they never heard of this problem. Since that this has happened 100's of times including a number of times on a roundabout where the loss of pwer steering is especially scaring. I have adjusted to this problem by putting the car in neutral, turning off the ignition and then on and starting the engine again, normally this is an inconvenience but on a 2 lane roundabout it is a danger.

- Sheboygan, WI, USA

problem #13

Nov 042011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles

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

Vehicle violently buckles forward and back when stopped at light. This continues for a few minutes then the ABS light, brake light, and check engine light turn on at the same time and the car stops buckling. This happens at least once each time I use the vehicle. So approximately 5-9 times a day. The buckling is so bad I'm afraid my foot will slide off the brake pedal and I will roll into an intersection. I took my vehicle to theodore robins Ford in costa mesa (949) 642-3017 today and they say there is nothing they can do. I also found this website talking about this exact problem www.fordwindstarrecall.info/. please help [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #12

Sep 212011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Ford Windstar 71,000 miles - bought new for $35,000 in December 2003, I purchased a new 2003 Ford Windstar. I am the only driver of this van, to and from work and a few road trips. In the beginning a few things went wrong but I wasn't too concerned at the time. Since then, here is a list of things that has gone wrong with this van: 1.no heat - blender actuator 2.driver's side window wouldn't roll up or down (fixed) 3.passenger side window and back windows do not work 4.interior lights go on and off 5.gasket replaced on engine because car was dying when I came to a stop. ($450) 6.rear window defroster doesn't work 7.rusting out by back tires 8.transmission failure $2,800. Fluid from the radiator got into the transmission fluid! (now how did that happen other than being defective) 9.2 safety recalls I am lucky I haven't been killed in this vehicle! the transmission failed with no warning! you would think when I had my car serviced they would have noticed that my transmission fluid did not look right. I am so frustrated with this van that I have worked hard and struggled to pay for, but I did it. My entire family has always stuck by Ford and I have always defended them. I can't afford another vehicle right now so I had to dig deep to pay for these repairs. I have done quite a bit of research on this vehicle and I cannot believe there hasn't been a recall on the transmission. Now I am stuck with driving a $35,000 van that I don't feel safe driving! [xxx] copy to: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Missouri attorney general (consumer protection) information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #11

Jun 032011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
I recently bought a 2003 Ford Windstar mini van in flordia from someone on craigslist in that use to live in Virginia. No longer than 2 weeks after I bought the van the engine light, ABS, and brake light came on and the van was jerking very hard when the gears were changing. I took the van to a Ford dealership and paid $90 for a diagnosis test. The dealership informed me I had to replace the full body throttle which I paid $230 for. 2 weeks after I replaced the full body throttle the engine, ABS, and brake light came back on and the jerking continued. I was not informed by the dealership that there was a recall on the Ford Windstar mini van 99-03.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #10

Jun 012011

Windstar

  • miles

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

I am unable to get the recalls dated February and March 2011 complied with. I keep getting the run-A-round. The parts are on order and etc.

- Chillicothe, OH, USA

problem #9

Oct 282010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Power steeling pump fluid all over hood over engine belt.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #8

Feb 072011

Windstar

  • 107,000 miles
On highway (md route 4) off ramp, van suddenly shifted itself into neutral and wouldn't move. Coasted onto very narrow shoulder on blind uphill curve to barely allow other cars to get by. Towed to repair shop. Had to replace transmission with a remanufactured one for $3,300.

- Dunkirk, MD, USA

problem #7

Dec 282010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
I understand there is a recall on certain Ford Windstar models in the northern states due to a defective rear axle. I have a 2003 Ford Windstar van VIN: [xxx] which we purchased used in July 2004. From what we were told when we bought it, the vehicle came from Ohio. On 12/28/10, I called a local Ford dealer who ran my VIN through their database and I was told my vehicle is not part of the recall. I was told it would cost $95 for their service dept. To check my rear axle for the defect since it isn't under the recall. I want to make sure my vehicle is or is not part of the recall. I saw a abc news report on Dec. 20th which makes it sound like the recall may be extended to certain vehicles. If my vehicle originated in Ohio, it should be part of the recall. Please help me with this situation. Thanks! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Austell, GA, USA

problem #6

Jul 202010

Windstar

  • 42,000 miles

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

Wife was driving home.turning on our street,15 to 20 mph.heard a loud noise and couldnt steer the van.tow truck driver told us the brackets rusted off the subframe.went to Ford garage they said they had one in 2weeks prior and it was my prolbem.the van only has 42,000 on it.wow..to think I have 3 Ford products in my drive.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #5

Jun 192010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
My Ford Windstar LX 2003 doesn't crank over, it is just silent, but all the lights, radio and windows work.

- Montreal Quebec Canada H4c1s8, 00, USA

problem #4

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 #3

Oct 142009

Windstar

  • 112,979 miles
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.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #2

Nov 242008

Windstar

  • 48,000 miles
It started with the interior lighting coming on while driving, then the dash windows nd radio, battery dying and the outside lighting staying on while keys were out and not working once started. They are all happening constantly even with all the new parts that the Ford garage replaced{battery, switches, alternator, light sockets, etc}.

- Connellsville, PA, USA

problem #1

Jun 062008

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
The ABS light keeps coming on in my Ford van and the brakes get hard to push. It seems to happen more often when the van warms up or the whether gets warm. Ford does not recognize a problem and will not fix it.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

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