2003 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

I OWN 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, SERVICED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP. AT 70,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE OVERDRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WITHIN AN HOUR THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ALTOGETHER, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. THE TEARDOWN REVEALED A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER, INPUT SHAFT SUPPORT BEARINGS, AND BURNT OUT INTERMEDIATE CLUTCH PACK. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAVING ITS TRANSAXLES REPLACED COMPLETELY AS IT IS BEYOND REPAIR. THE INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR TRANSAXLES IS A MINIMUM OF 120,000 MILES BETWEEN REBUILDS. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THIS TRANSAXLES MODEL, THE FORD AXOD AND ITS VARIANTS, HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A HUGE NUMBER OF FAILURES, WHICH ARE REPORTED TO OCCUR AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES. THE FAILURES ARE ALTERNATELY ATTRIBUTED TO VARIOUS COMPONENTS, WHICH LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT INTERNAL COMPONENTS WHICH ARE UNRELIABLE HAVE BEEN USED IN ITS MANUFACTURING. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND WOULD REMAIN LIT. AS OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,300.

MY VAN IS SPUTTERING AND I WAS TOLD IT IS DUE TO THE VALVE COVER LEAKING AND MY UPPER INTAKE IS FULL OF OIL. IN ADDITION, THAT THE ENGINE IS TAKING IN AIR AND BASICALLY MY ENGINE IS COVERED IN OIL. FORD SERVICE THEN PROCEEDS TO TELL ME THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS BECAUSE IT IS A FAULT IN DESIGN BY FORD AND ON NEWER MODELS THIS DESIGN HAS BEEN FIXED. FORD WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS EITHER BECAUSE I AM JUST OVER 3 YEARS AND OVER 36K MILES. IF IT IS A FAULT IN DESIGN BY FORD AS INDICATED BY THEIR DEALERSHIP SERVICE, THEN I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COVER REPAIR CHARGES. *JB

2003 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSAXLE JERKS VEHICLE FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR SHIFT UNDER LIGHT OR MODERATE THROTTLE. WAS SERVICED 4 TIMES IN 2006 BY DEALER. DEALER REBUILT TRANSAXLE YET PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR 2ND TIME AND PROBLEM WAS EVEN MORE PRONOUNCED. NOW VEHICLE WOULD POP OUT OF 2ND GEAR WITH ENGINE RACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER 1ST TO 2ND GEAR SHIFT BECAUSE IT HAMMERED THE SHIFT SO BAD. DEALER REPLACED STATOR SUPPORT ON 3RD TIME IN YET STILL POPS DURING SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND. CALLED FORD CONSUMER LINE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD TO COMPLAIN. VEHICLE WAS COMING OUT OF WARRANTY IN 8K MILES AND I WANTED TO VOICE MY CONCERNS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AFTER BEING SERVICE 3 TIMES. FORD CALLED DEALER. DEALER CALLED ME TO EXPLAIN THAT THE FORD SERVICE REP TOLD THEM THAT THE WINDSTARS WILL SHIFT LIKE THAT AND THAT IS THE WAY IT IS. 14 MONTHS LATER TRANSMISSION IS FAILING WHEN UNDER ANY STRESS (HILLS, MODERATE ACCELERATION, ETC..) WITH A RATCHETING OR GRINDING NOISE. HAVE TO DISENGAGE OD ON HIGHWAY HILLS TO MAINTAIN SPEED WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. HAVE CALLED FORD AGAIN. THEY WANT TO HAVE DEALER PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR. IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW EVEN THOUGH I COMPLAINED TO FORD A YEAR AGO WHEN IT WAS IN. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY AT 35 MPH MAX, THE RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR POST THAT OPERATES THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR SHOT OUT. THE VEHICLE HAD COLLIDED WITH NOTHING; NOBODY IN THE VEHICLE FELT A BUMP. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF COLLISION FOUND BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER, THE FORD REPAIR FACILITY, OR BY AN EXPERT THIRD PARTY. ONLY THE SHOP'S COMPUTER SHOWED THE REASON FOR DEPLOYMENT AS "COLLISION." SO THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER LISTED "COLLISION'' AS THE CAUSE IN HIS REPORT. RESULT: WE PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE, OUR INSURANCE RATE INCREASES, AND OUR DRIVING PROFILE NOW INCLUDES AN ACCIDENT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR ACCIDENT. TWO PASSENGERS WERE VISIBLY BRUISED, ONE REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION AS SHE WAS HIT BY THE ABOVE MENTIONED BUTTON. REPAIR, WHICH WILL COST APPROX $800, HAS NOT BEEN DONE PENDING OUR TRYING TO SETTLE THE CAUSE AND INSURANCE ISSUES. THE REPAIR FACILITY HAS THE PARTS ON HAND AND A CHECK FROM THE INSURER. *NM

BOUGHT THE 2003 WINDSTAR IN 04/26/ 2004 IT WAS A CERTIFIED PROGRAM CAR FROM A DEALER AND HAD MILEAGE OF 013335 WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH IT. FIRST THE REAR DOORS WILL CLOSE AND THEN REOPEN THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSORS IN THE DOORS STILL HAVE THAT PROBLEM, SECOND THE BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACED, THIRD THE PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN INTERMITTENTLY, FOURTH LIFT GATE DOOR AJAR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON YOU GET OUT AND SHUT IT AND IT STILL IS ON NEXT TIME YOU OPEN AND CLOSE MAYBE A DAY OR TWO LATER IT WILL GO OFF, FIFTH THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON DASH COME ON AND SIXTH THE PASSENGER DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AND WON'T GO OFF. THE SIDE DOORS AND THE WINDOW WAS NOTICED BEFORE THE WARRANTY WENT OUT SO WE BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR THE ABS SYSTEM LIGHT IS ALMOST ALWAYS ON ALSO MY BRAKE LIGHT IS THE SAME I HAVE HAD MY BRAKES CHECKED MANY TIMES I WENT TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $500 DOLLARS SO I WENT TO A DIFFERENT CONTRACTOR AND THEY SAID MY BRAKES ARE FINE PLEASE HELP. *TR

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE VAN MADE A NOISE LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR, THEN THE CAR STOPPED. I HAD NO PROBLEMS GETTING THE GEARS TO SHIFT BEFORE OR AFTER. AFTER THE VAN STOPPED, WOULD NOT MOVE INTO ANY GEAR. I TRIED REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, D2 AND D1 AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FEW YEARS AGO, SHE NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. THE CRACK HAD PROGRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 256,000.

MY WIFE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING HER 2003 FORD WINDSTAR IN A PARKING LOT. AS SHE WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE LEVEL OF THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING HER FOOT TO ENGAGE BOTH THE BRAKE AND THE ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND SHE HIT A POST (THANKFULLY NOT A PERSON). PROBABLY DID ABOUT A $1000 IN DAMAGE. THE REASON I AM WRITING IS THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE SAME TYPE OF SITUATION IN A PARKING LOT. AT THAT TIME I CALLED THE FORD DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND INQUIRED IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY BULLETINS ABOUT SUCH A PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD NO. NOW MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN AT FAULT BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM AS I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION MYSELF. WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS PEDAL AT LOW SPEED AND THEN TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE FEELS LIKE A LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE MOMENTARILY. WHAT THEN HAPPENS IS THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES TO THE LEVEL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE DRIVER THEN ENGAGES BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD BECAUSE THE ACCELERATION OVERRIDES THE SOFT (TEMPORARY) BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE. I'M THINKING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE AT IDLE WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. HENCE THE PEDAL DEPRESSES FURTHER THAN USUAL AND THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S FOOT THEN ALSO PUSHES THE ACCELERATOR DOWN IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FACT THAT THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW AND STILL HAPPENS TODAY MAKES ME THINK IT IS A ENGINEERING PROBLEM COUPLED WITH A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE PEDALS MAY ALSO BE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER WHICH INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING. NOTE: THE CAR'S BRAKES WORK FINE OTHERWISE AND WE DO NORMAL SERVICE ON THE VEHICLE. *JB

THIS IS A COPY OF THE LETTER I SENT TO FORD RECENTLY. I THOUGHT I WOULD TRY BOTH PATHS TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY OTHER INFORMATION OUT THERE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER P.O. BOX 6248 DEARBORN, MI 48126 HELLO, I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VIN XXXXXXXXX THAT HAS A PROBLEM. {DEALER NAME} HAS LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM TWICE AND FOUND NOTHING. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES OF OPERATING THE VAN. IF THE VAN IS IN DRIVE AND YOU ARE HOLDING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME (EXTRA LONG STOP LIGHTS), THE FOLLOWING WILL HAPPEN. THE ENGINE WILL INCREASE IN RPMS AND JOLT FORWARD UNTIL YOU GET ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES TO HOLD IT AT A STOP. IF YOU PUT IT IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, IT WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IF YOU LET UP ON THE BRAKES. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE VAN OUT OF THE SITUATION IS TO SHUT IT OFF. ONCE YOU RESTART IT, EVERYTHING IS FINE. BY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES, I MEAN YOU BETTER PUSH THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR OR YOU WILL BE MOVING! I AM NOT SURE IF MY WIFE COULD HOLD IT LONG ENOUGH TO GET IT TURNED OFF. THE FIRST EVENT HAPPENED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT A CONGESTED INTERSECTION. I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE SECOND EVENT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS THE FIRST VEHICLE AT A STOP LIGHT. WHEN IT JOLTED FORWARD I WAS IN THE INTERSECTION. LUCKILY I WAS NOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. MY QUESTION IS, WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? MY WIFE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE THE VAN BECAUSE SHE IS SCARED OF IT. THE PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. HOPEFULLY IT WILL NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BUT EVENTUALLY WILL. SO I WOULD LIKE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BEFORE IT BECOMES A BIGGER PROBLEM. THE VAN HAS ALSO HAD OTHER ELECTRICAL ABNORMALITIES. *NM

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. SOMETIMES THEY GO OFF FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN COME BACK ON DURING DRIVING. SOMETIMES THEY COME ON AND STAY ON DURING DRIVING. DEALER SAID I HAVE NO ABS BRAKES WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON BUT SINCE I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND DON'T DRIVE IN THE SNOW IT DOESN'T MATTER. THEY CHARGED ME $85.65 TO TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNEW AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $300 TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO WHICH THEY SAID THEY MAY NOT FIND THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM ANYWAY. DOESN'T SEEM SAFE TO ME. I DO DRIVE UP NORTH TO SEE FAMILY HOPEFULLY THE ABS BRAKES DON'T GO OUT ON ME THEN. *TR

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 IS CODE C1185. THERE IS A YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT LITE ON THE DASH. WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON, THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND THE ABS DOES NOT WORK. *TR

ABS PROBLEM. IT OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AS SOON AS WARM WEATHER STARTS. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKOUT BY SEVERAL LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY SAY IT IS A EXISTING PROBLEM WITH THE ABS UNIT. I HAVE HAD THE SWITCH ON THE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. II HAVE CONTACTED FORD WITH POOR RESULTS. THEY SAY THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY MOSTLY DURING HOT WEATHER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE ABS WOULD ACTIVATE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WHEN BRAKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

ABS MODULE DOES NOT WORK, AND SHOWS A CONSTANT ALARM LIGHT. COST TO REPAIR IS $2K DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND HAVE TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. COST TO REPAIR IS $500/LOCK POWER STEERING UNIT CONSTANTLY NOISY, HARD TO STEER VEHICLE. NO REPAIR COST KNOWN. DOOR OPEN LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON. NO REPAIR COST KNOWN. INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN DOORS ARE OPENED. NO REPAIR COST KNOWN. *JS

BRAKE LIGHTS (ALL THREE) ARE LIGHTED WHEN NO ONE IS IN CAR. IT LIKE THE BREAK LIGHTS STAY LIT AFTER PARKING VEHICLE. YOU GO TO GET IN CAR AND FIND THE BREAK LIGHTS ARE ON AS IF BREAK PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. INTERIOR OF VAN SMELLS LIKE ELECTRIC OVERHEAT. *NM

WE OWN A 2003 WINDSTAR AND THE TRANSMISSION AND POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT OF IT. TO ME THEY SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 60,000 MILES. *NM

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ABS CONTROL UNIT PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS THREE YEARS OLD IN 2006. THE CONDITION BEING DESCRIBED IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH A PREVIOUS WINDSTAR RECALL INVOLVING A LEAKING BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE SWITCH (NHTSA ACTION #EA08021). THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN THE SPRING OF 2006 (ONE MONTH OR A FEW THOUSAND MILES AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION) WHEN I WAS ABOUT 200 MILES FROM HOME ON A TRIP DRIVING UP INTERSTATE 91 IN MA IN THE RAIN. GLANCED DOWN AT DASH DISPLAY AND SAW BOTH THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING AND ABS SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ON. I STOPPED TO CHECK THE BRAKE FLUID. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE WARNING LIGHTS TURNED OFF. THAT WAS 6 YEARS AGO AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PROGRESS TO AN EXTREMELY PREDICTABLE PATTERN. IN WARM WEATHER, (OVER 40 DEGREES F), THE ABS SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. WHEN WINTER COMES, THE WARNING LIGHTS GO AWAY AND THE ABS WORKS NORMALLY. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT WOULD BE A $700 REPAIR. SINCE THE SYSTEM WORKED IN THE WINTER (WHEN I NEED THE ABS THE MOST) AND HAD SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON SEVERAL OTHER ENGINEERING DEFECTS OF THIS CAR, I HAVE LIVED WITH THE PROBLEM. IT WAS MOSTLY AN ANNOYANCE. HAVING DONE SOME RESEARCH THOUGH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER WINDSTARS WITH IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS AND THEY CENTER ON A DEFECT OF THE ABS MODULE DESIGN. AFTER THE MODULE HAS BEEN CYCLED THERMALLY FOR HUNDREDS OF TIMES IN SERVICE (HEATING, COOLING, HEATING, COOLING, ETC.) THERE ARE SOLDER CONNECTIONS ON THE PCB THAT ARE NO LONGER RELIABLE AND BECOME INTERMITTENTLY CONNECTED. IT BASICALLY IS AN ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 101 TOPIC KNOWN AS TCE (THERMAL COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION) MISMATCH. MY CONCERN NOW IS THAT THE FAILURE IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE AND EXTENDING FURTHER IN TO THE COLD WEATHER PERIOD. ANY DESIGN ISSUE WITH A BRAKE SYSTEM OR COMPONENT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

ADVANCE TRAC SYSTEM ACTIVATES FOR NO REASON, THIS CAUSES THE BRAKES TO APPLY BRINGING THE VAN TO A HALT. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES. ONCE THEY REPLACED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE. ALTHOUGH THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES, THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM ABLE TO SHUT THE SYSTEM OFF AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THIS WILL HAPPEN SHORTLY AFTER I MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN AND IT IS INTERMITTENT. *JB

MESSAGE: I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR THAT IS GETTING WATER INTO THE LEFT HEADLIGHT. THE WATER IS CAUSING THE HEADLIGHT TO DETERIORATE AND EFFECTIVENESS. I CAN FIND NO CRACKS OR BREAKAGE OF THE PRODUCT AND FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN FORD MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP. FORD REFUSES TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT AS A WARRANTY OR SAFETY ITEM. SO I AM ASKING YOU TO CHECK INTO THIS PROBLEM WITH 2003 FORD WINDSTARS. THANKS. *JB

THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME. IT IS RANDOM WHEN IT HAPPENS, BUT IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE AUTOMOBILE IS DRIVEN. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND TO DATE NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO FIX IT. ALSO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGES ITSELF WHEN BACKING UP. AGAIN I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION TO FIX IT. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT FRONT POWER WINDOW CONTROL WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL WAS REPLACED, BUT FAILED THE NEXT DAY. DEALER REPLACED MASTER SWITCH TO WINDOWS. *AK

PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW INPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE. POLICE REPORT INDICATED NO SIGN OF VEHICLE BEING HIT BY OBJECT.THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT WINDOW WAS CHIPPED OR CRACKED. AK

ABS LIGHT ALWAYS ON AS WELL AS BRAKE LIGHT. HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS CHECKING BRAKES, ETC. AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. HAD TO PAY TO FIX ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS AUTOMATIC LOCKS DID NOT WORK ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. NOW THE ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCK ON PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER SIDE 2ND SEAT DOOR DOES NOT WORK. TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT - ELECTRICAL CAME ON DURING LONG TRIP. HAD TO STOP AND CHECK AND EVERYTHING WAS OK, IT WAS JUST THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING. HAVE CALLED FORD BUT THEY WANT US TO TAKE INTO DEALER AND PAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED. WE CAN'T SELL THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE CONCERNS OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN WELL-DOCUMENT BY MANY FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS. *TR

I AM EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH MY ANTILOCK BRAKE AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNINGS ON MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2006. MY PARTICULAR FORD WINDSTAR HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE MOST RECENT RECALL FOR SUCH PROBLEMS. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR ECM FAILURE CAUSING ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. RECALL OF A RELATED SYMPTOM IN OCTOBER 2009 DID NOT FIX THIS CURRENT ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAS SINCE RECURRED 5 TIMES. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED EITHER TO HER HOME OR TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SEPARATED ON 2003 WINDSTAR. ALL FIVE WHEEL STUDS SHEARED OFF. WHEEL CAME OUT AND FENDER FELL ON WHEEL. FORD TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY. SUGGESTED I USE INSURANCE. NATIONWIDE PAID OVER SIXTEEN HUNDRED. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 3 YEARS AND THE ABS LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF ON MY DASH. I RAN A SYSTEM CHECK AND IT IS NOT READING THE ERROR I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE REALLY IS A DEFECT AND IF FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS . *TR

NOISE IN POWER STEERING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON DRY ROADS AT 20 MPH. IF THE VEHICLE SITS FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT RESTARTS WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

RE:RECALL #03C05 I HAVE TWICE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS ATTEMPTED TO HAVE FMC ADDRESS THIS RECALL, BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN IT CAME IN ---NO CALL - DEALER #2 TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN TODAY AND WHEN I ARRIVED TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART. AFTER TWO YEARS AND TWO TRIES FMC CAN'T OR WON'T FIX MY CAR. *NM

I PURCHASED FOUR NEW MICHELIN HYDROEDGE TIRES FOR MY WIFE'S CAR IN FEBRUARY 2005. BGOD HAEX 2004 215/65/R1698T. TWO HAVE BLOWN, LITERALLY, APART ON HER FORD WINDSTAR 2004 MINIVAN - SEL MODEL. I HAVE RETURNED THEM TO COSTCO AND THEY HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR WITH A LESSER MICHELIN TIRE. TIRES WERE FILLED W/ NITROGEN. BOTH BLOWOUTS WERE IN THE "HEAT OF THE DAY." NO DEATHS OR ACCIDENT, BUT SECOND BLOW UP OCCURRED AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. *NM

EXHIBITING INTERMITTENT ANTI-SKID BRAKE SYSTEM AND RED BRAKE LAMP ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. *JB

ABS AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL COME ON SPORADICALLY HAD A FORD SHOP DIAGNOSE IT AS A BAD ABS MODULE. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE OF THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE PART. THIS PART MONITORS THE PRESSURE TO EACH BRAKE UNIT TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM SLIDING IN AN EMERGENCY. LUCKILY THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, OR DEATH AT THIS TIME. *JB

WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH BRAKES ACTIVATED, ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, STARTING CAR MOVING FORWARD. RELEASING THE OVER DRIVE OPTION ON THE GEAR SHIFT STOPPED THE UNCONTROLLED ENGINE REVVING. THIS WAS THE THIRD OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP SCHEDULED TO INVESTIGATE. *JB

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003. I HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS VAN SINCE PURCHASING IT, IT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY. IT STARTED OUT WITH THE DOOR LOCKS AND THE BACK HATCH DOOR NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY....THERE WERE ALSO SOME COSMETIC ITEMS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MOST ANNOYING PROBLEM OCCURRED IN AUGUST OF 2005 AND HAS CONTINUED SPORADICALLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR. THE VAN STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD!!! YOU LOSE THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENS..IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP PROBABLY FOUR TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES THEY WOULD RETURN THE VAN WITH THE EXPLANATION "NO PROBLEM FOUND". I HAVE HAD PEOPLE RIDING WITH ME THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAND. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING IT WAS ONLY WHEN IT RAINED..AND IT WAS VERY SPORADIC...THEN IT STARTED HAPPENING EVEN IN DRY WEATHER. I JUST GOT IT BACK AFTER HAVING LEFT IT AT THE DEALER FOR ALMOST A MONTH!!! THE REPAIR ORDER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE REPLACED... THAT WAS JULY 25TH 2006. DURING ANOTHER VISIT THEY REPLACED A CAM SHAFT POSITION/CYLINDER??? SO NOW THEY TELL ME THAT BECAUSE THEY REPLACED ANOTHER PART, THAT THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS VAN IS A LEMON!!!! AND FORD NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE ISSUES....AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE CONSUMER. I.E. REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THESE VEHICLES!!! *JB

TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE MOST STATES HAVE PASSED A LAW REQUIRING MOTORISTS TO TURN ON THEIR HEADLAMPS DURING RAIN STORMS. I AM ASSUMING THIS PRACTICE IS TO ENSURE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES. THIS COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED BY ONE OF TWO WAYS: 1ST-WHEN THE MOTORISTS ACTIVATES HIS WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HE ALSO ACTIVATES HIS HEADLAMPS TO ILLUMINATE. OR 2ND REQUIRE DRL ON ALL VEHICLES, THUS HIS VISIBILITY IS ALWAYS PRESENT. I AM ALSO OF THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT REQUIRES ALL VEHICLES SOLD IN CANADA BE EQUIPPED WITH DRL. THE COST OF MAKING IT A REQUIREMENT SHOULD NOT BE THAT EXPENSIVE THAT SALE OF VEHICLES IN THE USA WOULD BE EFFECTED.

FAILURE(PREMATURE TREAD SEPERATION) ON 07/24/2005 AT 10:30 PM MY HUSBAND AND I WERE IN OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR( ON HWY 65) WHEN WE EPERIANCED A BLOW OUT, WE WERE TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED AND THERE WERE NO OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE ROAD. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE TIRE ( AMERI GS60 P215/70/R15) WE DISCOVERED COMPLETE SEPERATION OF TREAD RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE(CAUSING DAMAGE TO GAS SPICIT, A REAR WATER LINE, BUMPER DAMAGE, COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE D-SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL SHIELD) WE FOUND THIS ODD BECAUSE TIRE HAD MUCH TREAD LEFT ALSO TIRES WERE ROTATED AT LOCAL WAL MART ONLY LESS THAN 6-MONTHS

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. *TR

THE ABS SYSTEM, THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED WITH THE SWITCH RECALL, STILL DOESN'T WORK. INTERMITTENTLY I HAVE THE ABS/BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON THIS VAN. IT HAS HAPPENED UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS. I HAVE REPLACED MASTER AND REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, BRAKE DRUMS AND STILL HAVE INTERMITTENT ABS. *TR

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WORKED TOGETHER. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKES TO BE APPLIED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WAS NO WARNING ,AND IT HAPPENED TO DIFFERENT WHEELS AT DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY MADE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE SYSTEM, BUT THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS BEING TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. *AK

OUR VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL ONGOING PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT OCCAISIONALLY COMES ON AND LOUD GRINDING NOISES ARE HEARD AND VIBRATIONS FELT THROUGH THE FLOOR. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AROUND 9/2004. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER COMPLETELY REMOVED THE OVERHEAD CONSOLES AND HEADLINER TO REPAIR A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS; BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. AND BOTH POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN WITH ANY OF THE INTERIOR SWITCHES OR REMOTE, AND THE POWER LOCKS ON THEM WILL HANG UP. THE DOORS HAVE, ON OCCAISION, OPENED BY THEMSELVES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. WE FOUND THE INTERIOR FLOODED ONE MORNING AFTER IT RAINED HEAVILY THE NIGHT BEFORE. WE CAN ONLY ASSUME THE DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. AND YESTERDAY, THE DOOR RIGHT SIDE DOOR OPENED ON IT OWN WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45MPH. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING ON AND OFF AND THE POWER LOCK SWITH ON THE DOOR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS CYCLING ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN STRAGHT TO THE DEALER AND THEY VERIFIED THAT IT WASN'T WORKING - IT WOULDN'T OPERATE WITH ANY OF THE SWITCHES. WE HAVE NOTIFIED FORD UNDER THE RULES OF OUR STATE'S LEMON LAW AND ARE AWAITING THEIR RESPONSE.

OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR BEGAN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURES. ON MAY 27, AFTER DRIVING NORMALLY, WE STOPPED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. THEN THE VAN STALLED SEVERAL TIMES ON A SHORT TRIP. AFTER ANOTHER 10 MINUTE STOP, IT OPERATED NORMALLY AGAIN. SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE NEXT WEEK, ALTHOUGH THE CAR DID NOT STALL, THE POWER TO THE STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT. WE HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SERVICE THE VAN ON JUNE 7. HOWEVER, ON JUNE 6 THE POWER SYSTEMS FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO CRASH INTO A ROAD SIDE MAILBOX. NO PERSONAL INJURIES OCCURED. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. AT OUR EXPENSE, FORD WOULD HAVE HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THEY COULD DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. WE CHOOSE TO DEAL WITH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY INSTEAD. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND REPOSSESSED BY STATE FARM INSURANCE.

INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AS DRIVING. THE LIGHTS INCLUDE THOSE ON THE DASH, WHICH MAKES IT DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. PLEASE DO A SEARCH FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND NOTE THE EXCEPTIONAL NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS POSTED BY OTHER OWNERS. *TR

CONSTANT ILLUMINATION OF ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH, EVEN AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO LOCAL MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. *TR

MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING HER 2003 SEL WINDSTAR, A CAR HIT HER BY A CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSTAR, THIS CAUSED THE WINDSTAR TO CHANGE DIRECTION AND CRASH AGAIN WITH SOME TREES, SO, THERE WERE 2 CRASHES, A TREE FINISHED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT SIDE OF THE WINDSTAR, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS DAMAGED AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS OPENED, I REALLY DO NOT THINK THIS IS O.K., MY MOTHER WAS OK, WITH A LITTLE PAIN IN THE NECK BUT OK, BUT ANYWAY WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS NORMAL, WE THINK THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE OPENED, IF ANYONE KNOWS THE SPEED, THE SEVERITY OR OTHER THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN WITH EXACT DATA FOR THE AIRBAG TO OPEN, PLEASE LET US KNOW AT: SASHALASKA@HOTMAIL.COM THANKS

03 WINDSTAR WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, A/C WAS ON. MY WIFE AND I UNLOADED THE CHILDREN FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE VAN (MANUAL SLIDING DOORS) AND I UNLOADED A STROLLER FROM THE BACK OF THE VAN CLOSING THE TAILGATE. WE PLACED ITEMS IN OUR GARAGE AND I MOVED THE KIDS TOYS OUT OF THE WAY SO I COULD PULL THE VAN IN THE GARAGE. MY WIFE NEEDED HELP TAKING ITEMS IN THE HOUSE AND I FOLLOWED THE CHILDREN INTO THE HOUSE. WE HEARD A LOUD CRASH. I OPENED UP THE DOOR TO OUR GARAGE TO FIND OUR WINDSTAR HAD ENGAGED AND DROVE UP THE DRIVE, THROUGH THE GARAGE AND INTO A DEEP FREEZER AND REFRIGERATOR, PUSHING THEM BOTH THROUGH THE BACK WALL OF OUR HOME. THE BACK WALL OF OUR HOUSE WAS MOVED 8 INCHES OFF THE FOUNDATION AND THE APPLIANCES WERE CRUSHED. THE BUMPER AND HOOD OF THE VAN WAS DAMAGED. THE VAN WAS IDLE AND STILL RUNNING AS IT PUSHED AGAINST THE APPLIANCES. I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR, TOOK THE VAN OUT OF PARK AND BACKED IT OUT INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF THE VAN. WE ARE THANKFUL THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DEATHS. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE FORD DEALER WAS CONCERNED AND HAD THREE TECHS LOOK FOR ISSUES. THE TECH REPS COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE VAN AND STATED THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE IN PARK. IN A PROFESSIONAL MANOR THEY ADVISED ME TO ALWAYS TURN A VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY AS WELL AS SET THE PARKING BRAKE PRIOR TO EXITING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING HOW THE VAN WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE IN PARK BUT WAS WITNESS TO THE RESULTS. THE MECHANICS STATED THAT STRANGE FAILURES CAN OCCUR IN ANY MACHINE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VAN WAS SAFE TO DRIVE.