We bought a used 2003 ford windstar lx. We have had one electrical problem after another. Anti lock brake lights going on. Engine light going on. Driving down the road and all interior lights go on and stay on or the lights start flashing and flickering. Yesterday the anti lock brake lights have gone on again. Recently this has been happening several times a week. This morning we were at a stop sign waiting to pull out onto a major highway and the car would not move. My husband stepped on the gas. The engine roared but the car would not move forward nor would it move backward when put into reverse. We have had this van at the garage numerous times for these repairs. Each time being told that the problem resolved. Each time spending several hundred dollars.
2003 Ford Windstar electrical complaints
Page 9 of 10: complaints 221 to 250 of 280, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle was skipping/jerking when trying to accelerate (happened recently), ABS and brake lights come on and off w/o warning, inside dome lights were flickering, and front windshield wipers would not stop after being turned off, until car was cut off (happened over 2 year period). Had a dealer to fix problems to a tune of about $2300.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the hub has been replaced 15 times and the electrical system is faulty. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty; therefore, they would not repair the vehicle. The contact feels that the manufacturer should repair the vehicle. The current mileage was 91,000 and failure mileage was 81,000.
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.
We have had many different problems with our '03 ford windstar. We have had the powersteering pump replaced 3 times. We have had the transmission rebuilt because is quit working. The ABS and brake light on the dash are always on. We can not adjust the temperature of the A/C or heater. It is always cold. The rear air selector switch does not work. The dome lights flicker from time-to-time. The rear speakers work about 1/2 the time. The brakes sometimes make a growling sound when applied. The mechanics can not find the reason for the noise. The rear door indicator switch needs to be replace. When we shut the rear hatch (door) the doors will not lock because it seems that a door is still ajar.
My ford windstar has had all of it's brakes redone twice because of failure of ABS system. As I have been driving the ABS lights along with the brake lights will come on the dashboard. I had the brakes redone twice, still happening come to find out it is a malfunction of ABS unit itself. Do I have to contact my consumer advocates on the local news to get a recall started because I am a hairs breathe away from doing it. I can no longer put up with these repair bills as I am on disability for a bad heart and the news will just eat this up!
Ford windstar brake, ABS brake, cruise control, and speedometer/odometer electrical problems. Our van has had this issue twice now and needs to be a recall item as ford is well aware of the issue and the major safety issues it presents! We are looking for the federal safety agency to press them for a resolution with so many of these vehicles on the roads and the number of events.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the wires from the overdrive switch in the transmission were burned and the fuse was inoperable. The vehicle became engulfed in smoke while driving at an unknown speed. Smoke was rising from the instrument panel and the vehicle would have caught fire if the contact had not turned off the engine. The dealer stated that there was no recall on the wiring harness; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the repair. The failure mileage was 96,000. Updated 03/12/09. *lj updated 03/16/09.
The vehicle ABS warning light and brake warning light go on and off. Diagnostic code of c1185. No viable reason for the failure. Lights are illuminated on the dash board regularly but with no particular pattern or reason. Loss of ABS breaks as a result. Fearful of accident or vehicle fire due to issue. Nothing done to correct the problem as there does not seem to be a clearcut solution to the problem without impacting other functions of the vehicle. Additional issue with interior cabin lights going on and off while driving. This is distracting at night and could cause an accident. This is a product defect that has been happening since 2007. I will not pay to fix something that happens in many of the same models and is clearly a defect that should be recalled. I've told the dealership and they say I need to pay to have a modular replaced.
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. 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.
Smoke coming out from under the hood,then after a few weeks the ABS light coming on. At the same time as the ABS light the speedometer started going all over the place. Also at this time cruise control when on would deactivate and basically do whatever it wanted. But while all this was happening there was no smoke.
We bought a used windstar in july of 2007 have been having the same issue with the brake light and ABS light coming on at times.
Moisture on road, red brake light on. Yellow ABS light on no speedometer , no cruise control. Van pulls to right when brakes applied.
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}.
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?
I have had several electrical failures with this vehicle include the wires corroding for the brake/ABS lines, the ignition wires failing and the more minor codes produced for faulty sensors in the door ajar system. I am currently determining if it pays for me to replace the wiring, or junk the vehicle.
Purchased a used van from local dealer. It has a dvd player already installed (not factory installed). Approx. 6 months later, I complained to service assoc. While getting an oil change, that my radio does not get stations clearly. Maybe there's a problem with the antennae. He said, "it's a ford thing" in 2005 I told same service assoc. That the 'door is ajar' light keeps coming on. The trunk. Hatch light comes on and stays on even when back is closed. And the interior lights go on and off. And the dvd player no longer worked. He said it could be the contacts, and he would clean them but there's 'no guarantee". The next service check, I told him that the lights stay on after the doors are closed and I 'm afraid my battery will go dead. Also that the power locks now go on and off while driving around. I was told that it was probably an electrical problem but that it was not under any warranty and it would be very costly,it could take hours and hours of looking for the problem and it may never be found. I went home and my husband purchased and changed the contact thing for the back door. The light for that back hatch then stopped staying on when the door was closed. I was very concerned about the locks going up and down while driving my three small children around. How could I know if the locks were engaged or not??? If there is a 'short; could a fire start?? I called the ford co. Consumer number, explained my problems and the rep. Just told me that "there is no recall for those problems with that van". I said I was afraid for my children's safety, not knowing if the doors were locked or open. When repeated her statement and said to take it to the dealer at my expense. It is now 2008, my locks continue to go up and down while driving randomly, I have to turn all the interior lights off and leave them off, already replaced a battery, back door is open light still stays on!! Please advise me!! I am quite frustrated and nervous about this vehicle.
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.
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.
My ABS and brake light on my 2003 ford windstar which has only 63,000 miles had been coming on intermittently. When I carried the vehicle to the local ford dealer they informed me that if I had arrived one day earlier on 8/19/08 I could have received an out of warranty service adjustment but when I arrived on 8/20/08 I was one day too late. The ECM is causing the brake light and ABS light to turn on according to the diagnosis and will have to be replaced. The original estimate was $757.00 but when I mentioned the number of complaints on the website they automatically dropped to $672.00. I will now be required to pay this amount for a known problem with the ford windstar vehicle. Ford is not taking responsibility at the local service center.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While en route to new york and driving 60 MPH, the door locks did not function and were not programmed. When the contact activated the cruise control, the ABS, door lights, and emergency brake lights illuminated. Halfway to her destination, she had to stop at a repair shop and pay for them to inspect the vehicle so that she could continue driving. The mechanic checked the brake line and pads and informed her that the vehicle was functional. The battery was also repaired. Within 2-3 weeks, the same lights illuminated again. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The current mileage was 55,394 and failure mileage was approximately 53,200. Updated 07/29/08 *bf the consumer also state the vehicle had an oil leak in the oil pan near the oil gasket. The low tire pressure light illuminated. The consumer was informed that the new battery was causing electrical problems they were experiencing. Updated 07/29/08
Brake, ABS, and other lights come on, drive disengages, van will only run in 2nd or low gear until you turn it off then on again. Very dangerous situation as the van loses power and decelerates. Fuse #1 sparks when putting in a fuse. Blows the fuse immediately. Interior light then will not work. Van is currently being looked at by phil long ford.
Abs light coming on due to heat on circuit board. Occurs whenever the car gets warm, started during summer.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the passenger side sliding door would not function with the power button. The door would have to be opened manually from the passenger compartment. The dealer stated that there was a service bulletin for the failure, but there was no recall. The contact was informed that a tsb kit was needed. The manufacturer stated that nothing could be done and referred her to the federal safety agency. The current mileage was approximately 77,000 and failure mileage was approximately 76,000. Updated 07/15/08 *bf updated
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the lights on the instrument panel and the head lamps sporadically come on and off even when the car is not started. The brake lights sporadically come on and off as well even when the brakes are not being applied. The aircondtioner also failed and only comes out through the defroster vents. The vehicle has been taken to a local mechanic but a problem could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the air condition was repaired however it failed again soon after. The current and failure mileage was unknown. The vehicle has not been repaired as of current date. (sc) updated 06/16/08
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. Whenever the contact depresses the brake pedal while driving, the brake light fuse malfunctions. As a result, the exterior brake lights fail to illuminate. In addition, whenever the contact uses the door unlock and lock buttons, the power lock fuse malfunctions. There were no warning indicators prior to the failures. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 68,000.
I noticed the brake lights on my dashboard coming on and disappearing intermittently. I had no idea that my anti lock braking system is sporadically working like so many thousands of other windstar owners. I have three small children that I transport on the highway to and from school and I hate to think of an accident that could be made worse by this situation. Don't wait until a child or any other person loses their life over this situation. Please recall this module as was done on the ford escape so that lives don't have to be lost. This seems like a severe safety issue. My brakes squeal constantly in hot weather and I fear of a fire breaking out while my dog and three small children are in the car. Please let me know if maybe getting in touch with our local news channel or any other media outlet would shed extra light on this problem.
On almost every trip the ABS and brake warning lights come on the dash. Dealer stated a problem code c1185 and said the ABS module would need to be replaced for about $800.
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