2003 Ford Windstar: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Jan 7, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 120,000 miles · IL

Started having wiper issues (intermittent did not work) randomly for a couple weeks, then headlights went out on highway at night with no other cars, first for a couple seconds off then on then off for good after a few more seconds. After another 10 min or so they went back on and stayed on. Also wipers did not work, or radio, windows and door locks. Another time during heavy rain in daytime the system failed again, wipers went off. This was on busy highway. Luckily they went on again after 10s and I was able to see and pull over. Very scary. Happened off and on again. Turned out forward control module was bad. Dealer replaced one I got from junkyard, no more problem.

Filed Mar 28, 2015 · Brakes, Seat belts · 175,000 miles · VA

After looking up all of the service reports on this vehicle, I am beginning to recognize that ford has some explaining to do. We have a large amount of service reports on our vehicle alone that our dealership is not reporting. We have paid more for service repairs than we did paying for the vehicle. Our AC/heat just clicks w/o working, power windows front and rear do not work, power door locks, leaking roofs, leaking doors, ABS lights on, engine lights on, traction control light on, engine sputters even after two complete old fashioned tune-ups, cowl broken, front and rear axles severely cracked, sub-frame cracked, rear wiper does not work properly, brakes need constant repairs, electrical shorts everywhere, head lights, fog lights, brake lights all need constant replacements, alternator was replaced 6 times in one day because they were all faulty, brake switch under brake pedal needs constant replacement, constant wheel alignments, wheel sensors missing or broken, power seat broke and the dealership told us that it was petty to have it fixed even with a height difference between drivers, control modules replaced, multiple expensive sensor failures, spark plugs with wires replaced at least twice, starter replaced, parking brake needs to be watched for slippage because it can't hold on hills, interior lights blink in a pattern while driving, can't haul it's own tailgate, battery replaced multiple times by dealership, power mirror switch broke, many more expensive repairs have been done at our cost, p0302, p0305, p0316, c1235, c1185, c1198, c1194, c1254, c1246, c1250, c1242, c1214, c1210, c1103, c1410, c1404, b1318. We were told by many service departments a while back that these codes were not important. They cleared the codes every time. Their response to these codes were to clear them every single time. We only have one vehicle and this is it. I am a mom w/children.

Filed Oct 5, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 120 miles · OK

Abs and emergency brake lights come on and off intermittently. Middle seat won't go back up and the door locks don't work half the time.

Filed May 31, 2013 · Body, Electrical · 40,228 miles · VA

We have not been properly informed about all of the recalls or other issues with our vehicle. The vehicle does have a lot of problems from the electrical, structure, engine lights are always throwing codes needing a lot of sensor replacements at our cost, the rpms seem to run fast sitting at a light(we have to turn off the engine and then restart), and the engine seems to run hot, brakes, cruise control(cannot use), traction control(cannot use), interior light are always flickering, passenger windows(cannot use) and door locks(cannot use), both rear windows(cannot use), leaks from roof, rear door and sliding doors, the cruise control, brake and traction control lights stay on while driving(we were told by a dealership that we can still drive the vehicle, but we won't have anti-lock brakes.), the AC is always having trouble staying charged, the AC/heat control switches have malfunctioned(it has to be set away from the cold and the speed to 3/4 speed to work right), the battery keeps losing charge, the brake tail lights stay on draining the battery and had to get repaired by us because the dealership could not locate the problem, driver seat has malfunctioned(cannot use per dealership's request), cruise control and traction control does not work, suspension seems to have a lot of squeaks and popping sounds, alternator and starter had to be replaced several times, the coil packs need constant replacements, all spark plugs and wires had to be replaced before their time, cannot use the rear wiper because it goes down onto the paint and starts wiping the paint and not the rear window, constantly replacing exterior lights all around, the engine constantly cuts out, we told the dealership for several years that there was an antifreeze smell and they could not locate it until 5-28-13, replaced bad front and rear axles on 5/28/13 and many others. 12k-18k to repair everything.

Filed Mar 2, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 105,000 miles · OH

My ABS/brake lights have been coming on while driving. Lean codes p0171 and p0174 are showing. Also electrical system, mainly locks have become inconsistent. When using remote to open locks, sometimes a door lock will not open on driver or passenger side. Also, interior lights sometimes don't shut off when supposed too.

Filed Jun 7, 2012 · Body · 117,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While parked, the contact noticed the rear driver and passenger doors would not open from the interior. The contact exited the vehicle and opened the doors from the exterior so the passengers could exit the vehicle. The same failure occurred to the rear lift gate. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

Filed May 2, 2012 · Brakes, Lights · 50,000 miles · NJ

Abs module does not work, and shows a constant alarm light. Cost to repair is $2k door locks failed and have to be opened manually. Cost to repair is $500/lock power steering unit constantly noisy, hard to steer vehicle. No repair cost known. Door open light constantly on. No repair cost known. Interior lights do not come on when doors are opened. No repair cost known.

Filed Nov 30, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 132,871 miles · MN

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!!

Filed Oct 31, 2011 · Electrical · IL

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.

Filed Oct 11, 2011 · Body, Brakes · 101,000 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing numerous failures with the ABS, brake light illumination, slow gear shifting and power windows and door lock failures. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The manufacturer denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 101,000 and the current mileage was 104,000.

Filed Oct 4, 2011 · Electrical · 104,000 miles · MI

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).

Filed Oct 3, 2011 · Electrical · 152,000 miles · GA

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.