2003 Ford Windstar: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Engine · 182,000 miles · NC · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 ford windstar. While attempting to park the vehicle, white smoke emerged from the engine compartment. The contact exited the vehicle and then it became engulfed in flames. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The fire department deemed the vehicle destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 182,000.

Filed Sep 26, 2019 · Suspension · 129,493 miles · CA

I was driving on the interstate at about 60 MPH changing lanes to the right I could hear tires squealing and the van felt like it was going to roll over to the left. I regained control, then I heard some creaking metal noise, then I heard a rubbing noise and saw a lot of smoke coming from the rear. I was able to pull over and inspect, what I found was the rear axle was broken and driver side tire rubbing inside the wheel well. I was very fortunate to have somewhere to pull over, otherwise to continue driving could rupture the tire and/or I would be left stranded in highway speed traffic.

Filed Feb 12, 2018 · Suspension · 134,000 miles · IA

Top of rear right tire tilted inward causing it to rub wheel well. While driving on city streets van fishtales. Smell of burning rubber while driving. With further investigation, I found tire to be damaged by the rubbing, and a large crack almost through structural cross member/axle. Took photos of damage.

Filed Apr 4, 2016 · 101,760 miles · NJ · fire

The ford dealer just serviced two safety recalls, I.e. The engine subframe fracture and rear axle on the week on 3/7/2016. I immediately feel the car sway slightly at high speed. I thought it might be alignment issue, so didn't pay too much attention. On 3/29/16, the car sway badly especially when I brake, then I realize something serious wrong. I took a look of subframe and found out one mounting screw is missing, and a sway bar nut is missing and leaving the bolt hanging there. I brought the car back to dealer to get it repaired next day. Then on 4/3/16, my car caught on fire by itself while driving on highway.

Filed Nov 12, 2015 · Transmission · 250,000 miles · MI

My wife was driving the car in the country and heard noises when going over bumps. When she smelled something burning she stopped. Discovered the rear axle had split where it had been beefed up with brackets after ford's 10s13 recall. Ford is saying we have to pay $300 to make repairs on an issue that appears to us to be a design/manufacturing flaw, for which there has been 3 recalls issued (if I understand it correctly). I don't understand why we should have to pay?

Filed Apr 21, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 105,700 miles · AR · fire

Bought used vehicle from dealer and noticed the ABS/brake light was constantly on. It was "fixed" before completing the purchase. Lasted for a few days before lights came back on and stayed on. Was told it not a big deal, so I didnt worry about it. Was not experiencing any other issues until 1.5 years later when I turned the defrost fan on and it stalled the motor as I was traveling. The next weekend my husband wanted to look at it and after the van idled for a few minutes, turned on the defrost and it did not stall, called it a fluke until we popped the hood and had smoke coming out!

Filed Sep 27, 2012 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · OH · fire

The rubber on the wires going to the power distribution box rubbed off and melted shorting out everything. Cased the speedometer to go out tachometer to stop working ABS and brake lights to come on and overdrive light blinks. May have cot on fire for a min I smelled smoke but went out on its own.

Filed Nov 16, 2011 · Engine · 103,000 miles · LA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact was driving 30 MPH when flames emitted from the engine. The contact also mentioned prior to the failure that a loud noise was heard from the engine after the start of the ignition. The fire caused no injuries and both the police and fire departments were contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and the current mileages were 103,000.

Filed Feb 19, 2011 · Electrical · 76,000 miles · GA

I just brought a 2003 ford windstar an the same day I got it the window on the driver side does not work.. So I started looking online to see if anyone else had this problem. An sure enough 1000s of people have with the ford windstar. I heard lots of bad things about this van an now I scared to even put my kids in it. I have 5 kids an don't wanna take the chance of it catching on fire are axles braking or anything like that. I don't know what to do know.

Filed Feb 8, 2011 · Brakes · 180,000 miles · NY

2003 ford windstar mini van, the ABS brake cruise control light and electrical problems in my minivan. Headlights. When is going to recall and fix the ABS brake light system. The yellow ABS brake light is on and will not turn off . *tr when will ford call re call on to fix ABS lighting system in these mini van, do we have to wait until something van get caught on fire or dies.

Filed Sep 6, 2010 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 83,000 miles · PA

Randomly, but with increasing regularity, the ABS and brake lights come on simultaneously and stay lit. Only way to "correct" issue is to turn off vehicle for a period of time(more than 10 minutes) and then start up again. No "noticeable" effects occur when lights come on, but I haven't had to "use" the ABS system as it is summertime and road conditions are optimal for braking. Also, not sure if it's related but, recently used the parking brake and even though it is "fully released" inside the vehicle.....the rear brakes appear to still be locked due to the fact of visual evidence of smoke and accompanying burning smell after driving for any distance.

Filed Jun 22, 2010 · Acceleration · 149,900 miles · IL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the gauges on the dashboard began to fluctuate sporadically. The ABS and brake warning lights would also illuminate intermittently. On one occasion, the contact stated she observed smoke coming from under the hood. The dealer advised an unknown fluid had leaked onto the ABS modular and burned. The contact secured an appointment with the dealer for repairs. The failure mileage was 149,900 and the current mileage was 149,950.