First of all there is a short located by the steering wheel around the air bag. I thought it was the battery so I changed it and a couple of days later my van would not start. I took it to the ford dealer and they couldn't find the problem, so I took it to an old man that just did electrical problems on automobiles. He said it was a bad wire in the steering column and he said to repair it would cost a lot of money, so he bypassed some wires and I have not had any problems since, but when you open the driver side door, the door chimes, like when you leave the keys in the ignition. He only charged me $75. Also I would be driving and the interior lights would turn on and off by themselves. This has been happening for a long time. Also the ABS warning lights have been on for a while and my mechanic said it is a bad ABS steering box. To replace it would cost around $1000. I have had also the head gasket replaced because the ford dealer could not find what was wrong with it while it was still under warranty. It was idling very rough while stopped at a light, also when in parked. It cost me about $600 to replace it. I took it to pep boys and they found out what was wrong with it. I also had the fuel pump replaced, because it kept shutting off while at the grocery stores and had it towed by aaa 3 times in about a year. Bottom line, I will never buy another ford vehicle while I am alive. They are good for the first couple of years, then they start failing. So sad, because I have been a ford guy for over 35 years.
2003 Ford Windstar electrical complaints
Page 5 of 10: complaints 101 to 130 of 280, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact attempted to start the ignition repeatedly however, the engine failed to operate. And the battery required a jump start. The failure recurred numerous times on separate occasions. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. There was a technical service bulletin pertaining to the defect under the federal safety agency item number: 636000(electrical system:battery). The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Abs and brake dashboard lights warning that ABS system is inoperative, speed control system also inoperative. Break pressure deactivation switch leaking oil. This leaking oil has traveled down ABS wiring harness all the way to the ABS controller. Unsafe condition. Ford dealership has refused to repair this dangerous condition as a manufacturing/design defect and stated there currently is no recall issued for this very serious problem!!
I have had multiple problems with my 2003 windstar sel to include complete failure of the vacuum system where brakes, power steering didn't work had to have towed. The dealership could not fix and did not have a recall. Hoses in this system kept coming off. Interior lights kept flashing on without any being turned on. Also the "passenger door is open" light stays on. Along with ABS/brake light stays on. I have taken my van in to have brakes checked. There was no problem with brakes. I have maintenance done on regular basis. Problems started with 50,000 miles. I am a single woman and need reliable transportation which this van is not. When is ford going to recall for electrical problems? Dealership is of no help, only want to charge for something they can't fix. I took to dealership when front passenger window didn't open. Dealership stated that it needed a new motor. I knew better as this had happen before. Took home and after a little bump in the road window started working again. Part of the crappy workmanship ford used to put together. Also dealership stated there was no recall for the problem with vacuum system which I was told was a design problem. Ford needs to address all the problems associated with this model. I wonder how many others have this same problem?
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the electrical components of the doors failed. The check engine and tire pressure warning light were also illuminated. The contact replaced the battery and the tires. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the dealer advised the contact that the 02 oxygen sensor would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired yet the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 101,000 and the current mileage was 102,000.
My 2003 ford windstar has several problems. The ABS light and the brake light on is lit on the dashboard. The cruise control is inoperable and the power windows do not work except for the front passenger side. I am concerned because I take my 3 kids to school and back everyday.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, all of the lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle stalled and the steering wheel also seized. The contact was unable to maneuver to the shoulder so the vehicle was stopped in the middle of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The dealer stated that the electrical system was defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced some unknown electrical components, but it did not remedy the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.
My ford winstar has had ABS problems off and on for a year now, no 1 can fix it. I have spent around $1000.00 trying to fix this issue. Now my odometer & speedometer isn't working. I have been told that this is a problem with windstars and it is a combo of the 3 not working together.
Service brakes,hydraulic braking distance suddenly increased the ABS and brake light have been on in my car steady for as long as I have owned the car. The ford dealer was unable to resolve this issue.
Speedometer lights come on while driving and don't go away. Now the car wont start from what was told to me because of electrical problems. Rear driver light doesn't work but can signal,left rear passenger lights wont signal.
Abs and emergency brake light on and off when I turn car on and off did not know what it was. Took to mechanic lights when off before he could check. Scds was replaced in feb 2010. Going to new ford dealer to check. Haldeman ford in hamilton nj installed scds and they were the worst dealership ever. Read info from prior complaints. Possible fire,ect. Was nervous so now taking it back and having subframe recall inspection.
2003 ford windstar minivan vehicle had been driven to a workplace and parked for the day. Upon entering the vehicle to travel home, driver started vehicle normal and attempted to shift automatic transmission into gear to move from the parking space. The transmission would not engage into either drive (forward) or reverse (backward). Vehicle was towed to a garage and then to a transmission shop. Estimate to repair the transmission exceeds $2500. The transmission had shown no signs of slippage or other visible, audible and/or shifting issues. Since the incident, I have done online researched and found literally hundreds of similar complaints and incidents on this vehicle model. We have also have repeated electrical problems with this van. Interior lights come on and go off for no reason. Interior lights blink while driving in daytime or nighttime. Sometimes the rear power wing windows open...sometimes they do not. Service lights come on and off including brake and ABS system lights, service engine lights, and others. We are thoroughly disappointed with this vehicle.
Recently issued recall of 2004 ford co. Minivans for input shaft failure, all ford windstars including 2003 models have the same issue. Freestar van is nothing but a name change for the same poor unsafe vehicle. Along with the many safety issues, owners should be compensated for the repairs made on substandard vehicle. Including the frame issues, brakes issue, electrical and engine quality.
Interior lights come on randomly and blink while driving. Sometimes they stay on after turning off the vehicle draining the battery. The door ajar stays on when the door is closed. All contacts cleaned and it still does this. Driving with a flashing light in the vehicle is distracting and could cause an accident, this seems to be a problem in all ford windstars and should be investigated.
I have had no transmission issues with my 2003 ford windstar van. I drove home from work early this morning (3:30am.) I went to leave for an appointment at noon on the same day, and nothing. I started my van, attempted to put it in gear and nothing!! No warning, no nothing!! I have never towed with this vehicle (it doesn't even have a hitch,) the total weight of people riding in it has been 350 pounds. There has been no stress on this engine as I don't live in mountainess areas. I am a single mom of 4 little kids, receiving no child support, working pt, just able to pay the bills, and ford needs to fix this issue!! I have also had numerous other 'problems' but nothing so major the vehicle couldn't be driven (interior lights flashing, blender door actuator going out 3x in a year, rough ideal especially when cold, back door handles not working from inside, back doors so hard to open and close, I can hardly do it, back wiper worked one day then just stopped and hasn't worked since, one back window opens and closes only when it feels like it. I also just put $70 in gas in this vehicle! Ugh!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH the vehicle stalled without any warnings. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure but stated that it might be a problem in the factory wiring. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 99,000 and the current mileage was 104,000.
Yellow ABS light and red brake warning light stay on. This began after having recall # 09s09 (speed control system modification) performed at bondy's ford in dothan al. Lights were not on when left dealership...came on later and have stayed on. Brakes do not seem to work as well now as before the recall work was done.
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 http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/. Please help [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the entire electrical system failed. The windshield wipers did not operate, the interior lights shut on and off while driving at night, the power windows would not open or close, and the power doors worked intermittently. The contact stated that there were several instances when children became locked inside of the vehicle. In addition, the instrument panel was inoperable. The dealer replaced the windshield wiper motor however, did not evaluate the vehicle for the other failures. The manufacturer had not been notified nor was the vehicle repaired. The current mileage was 105,000 and the approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
The middle seat door locks fail randomly. When they fail, it is impossible to open doors. Must click locks open and close approx ten times to make the door open operate. We had it repaired in apr 2010. They worked for about a month and the problem is still present. The additional lighting package lights flicker on and off randomly. That was repaired at same time and worked for about a month also. We had the system checked and paid about $800 for service from a ford dealership, gurnee ford, 18834 west grand avenue in gurnee illinois 60031, receipt dated april 15, 2010. This is a dangerous problem. The doors need to open and the flickering lights come on and are a great distraction esp at night.
The door locks don't work right, and the gauges suddenly went sporatic. The RPM gauge needle went so hard, it is stuck to the dash. Not usable. It does this regularly now. (the gauges and locks).
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: the federal safety agency (the federal safety agency) missouri attorney general (consumer protection) information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the external and internal lights, windshield wipers and door locks would licker on and off sporadically. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the body control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 152,000 and the current mileage was 153,083.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that none of the windows or doors opened with the key remote. The windows do not open but the doors can be opened manually. The dealer inspected the vehicle but could not determine what caused the failure to occur. The failure mileage was 100,000.
There is some kind of malfunction in the 2003 ford windstars. The windows will stop working all at once or at random times. The lights will stop working and then start again. The radio will stop working and start again. These are all on random fuses. Ford says they can not fix the problem if they do not experience it. The problems will last for a few minutes or up to days at a time. The cruise control also will not engage at times. These are all getting power as the cruise control will tell you it is ready to engage and when you try to engage it , it says its been deactivated. The radio will eject or load cd but will not come on. We have not found a solution yet but feel this can be a problem if the lights go out at the wrong time. Even the windows not opening can be a problem. If a bee or something else gets stuck in the van you can not always stop to get it out. As my husband and daughter are very allergic to them it is a danger not being able to open them. In looking up solutions I have noticed a great many other people with the same problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the entire electrical system failed and none of the electrical components were operable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or a mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the ABS light illuminated and of the insrument panel gauges began to fluctuate erratically. The contact stated that the ABS light remained consistently illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostics. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed for the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the anti lock brake light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that all of the gauges on the instrument panel would intermittently display inaccurate readings. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was a factory defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Abs/brake lights are coming on constantly....losing power....front/passenger side windows will not work, lights go on and off.....
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