2003 Ford Windstar: misfire or rough idle

Filed Aug 4, 2013 · Brakes, Engine · 90,000 miles · FL

The ABS and engine lights have been on my 2003 ford windstar for years. However, they were electrical misfires and did not affect the operation of the vehicle. It does now seem that the ABS is failing. The car brakes normally at low speeds. However, over 30 MPH it now seems that the brakes lock up and the car pulls to the right. I do not feel that the car is safe to drive, as it screeched and locked up when I was stopping at a red light.

Filed Mar 8, 2011 · Body, Engine · 78,397 miles · NJ

Brought my 2003 ford windstar sel (with 78,397 miles on it) in to dealer to have it checked for subframe recall, the engine light began flashing, and the ABS, brake light, and trac off lights had all gone on. During the diagnosis, they found that the subframe was fine, the spark plugs needed to be replaced, the ignition coil needed to be replace (causing cylinder 3 to misfire), and the PCM needed to be resealed for moisture. (march 3rd, 2011) they found no hard code for the brakes. We get the necessary work done, drive the van home, and within a day the ABS light, brake light, and trac off light come back on. Call and have the dealer look at van again, they now find code 1185 (pin point test found ABS module not responding). The dealer replaced the ABS module and rescanned with no codes and was road tested. Everything seemed fine (march 7th, 2011), I pick up van, within 4 hours, the ABS light, brake light, and trac off light are back on. As of right now, the van is back at the dealers being checked again. This is very disappointing. In the last week, I have had to bring this particular van in 4 times due to problems. This all comes after having work done on this van in december. In december 2010, they performed system diag,, dtcs, po174, po174, lean on both banks, inspect for vacuum leaks, found leaks at intake manifold runner control shafts, required intake manifold replacement to correct, replaced intake manifold and required parts, including cleaned fuel injector, changed oil and filter cleared dtcs, retested verified proper operation. Manifold, 2 seals, 5 gaskets, isolator, thermostat, anti-freeze, coupling, fuel system, filter, engine oil). This should not be the case with a van that has less than 80,000 miles on it.

Filed Nov 12, 2010 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · IL

There is a check engine light on and the van runs rough and almost stops running. There is an error code p0171 and p0174. After taking it to the ford dealership for the axel recall, it was noted that there is something wrong with the transmission, too. It seems like these are all defects that ford is aware of, but does nothing to fix for the consumers of their cars.

Filed Sep 12, 2009 · Engine · 165,000 miles · 00

Our 2003 windstar started misfiring badly and the engine light came on. I bought a code reader and found the codes 171 and 174 and misfire in cylinder #5. After doing some research I found this is usually due to the intake manifold gaskets leaking and is very common. I've had it with this van and I'm afraid to park it in the driveway near the kid's room in case it catches on fire. In the last few months I've replaced a broken (not rusted) front spring, brake deactivation switch, transmission (152,000km) and now this. Also the ABS light is on all the time now meaning that it doesn't have anti-lock anymore. I'm a licensed autobody technician and realize that cars require routine maintenance and parts replaced from time to time and I do most of the work myself, but when they are widespread safety and reliability issues it makes me extremely frustrated that nothing can be done. I want to just park the van, but we still have a year left on the financing.

Filed Jan 22, 2007 · Electrical, Engine · 24,687 miles · MO

Our 2003 ford windstar has had multiple electrical issues and now a possible bad intake gasket causing a rough idle/check engine light/lean running code. I have no confidence in our local ford dealer as they couldn't repair either the interior lights coming on while driving or intermittent operation of the rear passenger vent window. Their answers are always well if it's not acting up when we test it there isn't anything we can do. But I know that they have other vehicles in for the same problems so they do know. We have replaced 2 taillight bulbs and 1 headlight bulb in a vehicle 3 1/2 years old with 34,000 miles. I won't take the rough idle problem in till it's doing it 100% of the time so they can't squirm out of it. They say since we have the extended warranty it would be covered if it's the intake gaskets but I don't trust them. This is our 3rd and last new ford vehicle and they have all had electrical issues and intake/head gasket issues. Ford=poor quality and service.