Brake light (e-brake) and ABS light come on intermittently after about 5-10 minutes of driving. This either cause the ABS to disable or not depending on which mechanic I talk to. Two mechanics have looked at this, and recently I was denied an emissions test due to this (non-emission related) problem. According to several websites, this is slated as a _very_ common problem with this year of vehicle, and I would like to get it fixed... The dealer wants over $1000 to diagnose and repair this problem that if not resolved, results in intermittent ABS, or fire.
2003 Ford Windstar brakes complaints
Page 20 of 23: complaints 551 to 580 of 655, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2003 ford windstar. Brake and ABS lights came on, fluid leaking out of brake pressure switch. Fluid wicking down to other wires blowing fuses. Abs control unit wires soaked in fluid. Possible fire. Also electric door locks stick both fail to unlock and fail to lock even though the solenoid is triggered. The actual lock is sticking on 3 of the four doors.
I drive a 2003 ford windstar. Within about 5-10 minutes of starting the vehicle, both the yellow ABS light, and the red emergency brake light light up on the dash. The brakes still seem to be working properly. I even took the vehicle to a mechanic and the brake system checked out fine. However, the lights are still on, and won't go away.
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 .
I have a 2003 ford windstar that I purchased at the end of september 2008 from a local ford dealership. In november, the ABS and brake light started intermittently coming on the dash. I currently have the van at the dealership for a transmission repair and had them look at this problem. They have told me that the ABS hydraulic module is bad and needs to be replaced. After doing some research, I have seen that this is a known problem by ford and they have yet to do anything about it. The brakes still function like normal, but the ABS system does not work due to this problem. I understand that they do not want to fix this since the brakes will still technically work, but as this is a fire hazard I am shocked that they have not been directed to fix this problem. I was quoted $1,200 for the module by the dealership which I just can not afford to spend the money on right now. I will search on the net for a new module, hopefully, at a lower price and replace it myself. Ford needs to be held accountable for their products and they should be forced by the government to correct this problem.
Within a few minutes of starting the van an driving out of the neighborhood, the console lights flickered and there was a wisp of smoke from within the dashboard area, though I didn't witness any flames. The console ABS and brake lights came on. I subsequently replaced the battery in case it was weak, but since that time the ABS and brake lights have come on and off intermittently. If they do come on, sometimes I can make them turn off by turning the van off and restarting it.
Moisture on road, red brake light on. Yellow ABS light on no speedometer , no cruise control. Van pulls to right when brakes applied.
I kept getting an intermittent brake and ABS light that resets when the car is turned off. My mechanic troubleshoot it down to the ECM for the ABS. Failure of ECM in the ABS brake system resulting in the ABS light and the brake light being illuminated. I am sure they have fixed plenty of these by now. Why no recall on an obviously bad part/design?
2003 ford windstar brake warning light and ABS warning light on constantly. Numerous electrical problems, I.e, doors not unlocking, locking for no reason. Blend door sticking, not allowing for heat or defrosting.
Abs, brake light and traction control lights come on.
In my 2003 ford windstar van for the last 20 30 thousand miles the ABS and brake light come on intermittently and randomly. Had it checked at repair shop. They could not detect or simulate problem. Quoted $800.00 - $1200.00 to replace switches/wires as possible solutions. In checking with complaint department, this is a very common issue with this vehicle, leading to engine fires. I believe ford should issue a recall for the issue before more vehicles catch fire, and secondly before the owners of this vehicle pay over $1000 to fix something that is a defective system in the car.
I have a 2003 ford windstar se with 72,000. The past month after driving for about 15 miles, the rear brakes screech very very loud and when the car stops, the red brake light comes on. It does not do this until the car has warmed up. I have had new brakes, calipers, pads etc replaced on the front and back brakes . This did not help. The light still goes on after warming up. We took it to sayville ford in sayville, ny to investigate brake light. They got no codes and could not duplicate problem. Today, ABS and brake light came on along with screeching sound. Will take it back to ford to check out. I understand that there are many many many more windstars experiencing the same problems with no solution. I hope that you will get ford to recall the windstars and correct the problem. I also understand that the car can also go on fire unless you disconnect 2 fuses. I will discuss with ford what to do. I would hope you investigate this problem and make ford responsible for this problem. These vans are mommy vans and who do you think will get hurt when van goes on fire or the brakes malfunction- moms and children. Please take this seriously and act now!
My ABS lights come on when the car warms up.
Ford windstar 2003 ABS light, trac active light, and brake light intermittently go on and off and stay on for various amounts of time and then just turn off on their own with no apparent reason found. Car operates fine when these lights come on. I am worried about a vehicle fire. This is still an ongoing problem in my car. Searched the web and many other ford minivans have the same problem. Ford ash to do something!!
Brake light and ABS light came on all of a sudden. Looked under hood and noticed a leak in a switch on the bottom of the brake master cylinder. Noticed exact same problem discussed on several online forums, I got most of my information from http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/
2003 ford windstar, the ABS and brake warning lights comes on and off while driving. Caused by brake fluid leak which could lead to a fire.
The ABS and brake lights on the front panel come on intermittently. We have brought it to the local ford dealership, who have replaced the master cylinder to no effect. In communicating with other windstar owners, I have learned that a likely cause is leakage from a switch onto a cable harness, which has been known to cause fires in vehicles with this problem, and that the ABS system must be disabled to preclude this problem.
We have a 2003 ford windstar, the brake and ABS light keeps coming on after a short period of time after the car is started. We took it to a mechanic but he was unable to fix the problem. Personally I think it should be a recall issue.
Abs light and brake lights stays on, cruise control never has worked, have fixed the brakes and the lights are still on. Now I think the 02 sensor I guess it may be the oxygen sensor is out also I think it keep on burning up my alternators, I put a new last year and just had to put another one and I think it is about gone also.
The ABS brake light comes on with a warning to check the system. When checked, nothing physical can be found wrong with the brakes. When the vehecle is restarted the light is out.
Abs and brake light come on when car is running for a while or heated up. Car smells like something is burning.
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.
I drive a 2003 windstar, and the brake lights will not go off even after having the brakes replaced. In searching for answers I came across a recall for 1999-2003 models, however, my VIN was not included. This upset me because my car was experiencing the exact problem. I called 2 ford dealers for assistance, one gave me the number to the customer care line. They did not care too much, because they were unwilling to add my car on the list to receive repairs. I think it is more than coincidence that the recall and my problem are exactly the same and no one will fix it. Please help before we wind up with injury or worse!!!
I own a 2003 ford windstar that about 80 percent of the time displays the ABS and brake warning lights on the instrument panel. The problem was diagnosed (for $100) at a local ford dealer as a defective ABS ecu, which costs approximately $750.00. This problem has been recurring since the vehicle passed the 50,000-mile mark, and even though I bought the vehicle used, it had a ford exp warranty to 60,000 miles. The dealer and the ford rep I contacted both said this problem was not covered by the warranty. Further research on the internet has revealed that this is a very common problem on these vehicles that may be caused by a leaking pressure switch at the master cylinder reservoir which wicks brake fluid down to the ecu, creating a possible short circuit and chance for a fire. Others suggest that the ecus fail because of delamination of the main circuit board due to incompatible expansion and contraction rates of the materials used. The failure of the ecu appears to stem, in either case, from design flaws. The ABS is rendered inoperative in both cases, creating an unacceptable safety hazard in these 4200-lb. Family vehicles.
2003 ford windstar ABS & brake lights on, dealer says it needs a replacement of the abc transducer and module. Based on what I have been able to discover, this doesn't appears to be a normal wear and tear sort of thing but a design problem.
Abs control module failure in 2003 ford windstar van; less than 80,000 miles on vehicle; replaced by ford dealership on 9-5-2008 for a cost of over $1,400; preventable action taken before serious accident occurred.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The ABS light remains illuminated, followed by the brake light. There is also fluid leaking and melted wires under the hood. The contact has not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The current mileage was 135,000 and failure mileage was 132,000.
Replacing brake pads front/rear.
Abs yellow light and red brake light are on most of the time, it will reset with restart of the car and sometimes stay off for several miles and applying the break has no effect, it will come on with no break action at all. What we do not know is if the ABS break action is functioning during this time or if we are at risk, otherwise the breaks seam to be working. I also know of several hundred people with the same problem or symptoms so it looks like to me ford should have a recall to at least check this out this could be very dangerous.
My 2003 ford windstar is exhibiting identical problems as numerous other 2003 windstar vehicles. They include but are not limited to the following: 1) ABS brake system - brake module melts and fails due to excessive heat. 2) electrical problems - interior lights intermittently remain on when vehicle is turned off and doors closed. 3) emergency brake light - remains on when vehicle is in operation. 4 burning smell - occasional electrical burning smell when vehicle is in use. Local dealer - sheehy ford of gaithersburg, md - is indicating the ABS module has 'burned out' (ABS ECM wiring connector), although admittedly, are surprised with so few miles on the vehicle.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Ford Windstar?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history