2003 ford windstar, low kim, traveling hwy without any warning lost acceleration, RPM's all over the place, almost crashed while attempting to coast to road side. Numerous identical reports submitted ford ignores, transmission failure without warning. Ford must take responsibility before someone is killed. Cant imagine them putting their own family at risk by putting them on the hwy or a dirt road with this wide spread problem with the 2003 windstar. Only after my sons shaken phone call from the 401 with the sound of traffic in the background did I start my own research and discover the exact same problem of sudden transmission failure with other persons voicing concern for their own safety and safety of their families. Fix it ford.
2003 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 6 of 9: complaints 131 to 160 of 225, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The transmission in my 2003 ford windstar. I understand this is a very common issue and should be addressed in a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact was driving 50 MPH when the vehicle began to decelerate extensively. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the transmission was failing and would need replacing. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there were no recalls for the automatic transmission and provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Transmission reverse failure. I now have no reverse. Cost to rebuild is $2,200.00 from durabild transmission. I have not repaired the transmission for I do not have the cash to repair it and hoping there was a recall on this part also, since there is 5 other recalls on the 2003 ford windstar mini-van. Since this is my only vehicle, I'm using it currently with no reverse. I have found over 100 other transmission complaints for this model and year located at this link... Http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/windstar/2003/transmission/transmission_failure.shtml I have found on-line that transmission problems have occurred with previous windstar model years and seem to be still happening even though corrections were attempted. Below is a link to wikipedia and tranny problems can be found listed under problems... Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ford_windstar I currently have made a recalls appointment for this coming thurs. With a ford dealer. I believe these windstars were lemons and glad ford does not build mini-vans any more. I will never buy a ford again!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Stopped at traffic light. When light turned green van would not move. There were not any noises, warning lights or issues to indicate a problem. Van required a tow truck. Mechanic diagnosed the problem as failure of torque converter.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH and attempting to change lanes. When the accelerator pedal was engaged there was no power response. Also, a rapid increase in the rpms occurred. The gear would not shift out of the park position. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The contact suspected that the failure was related to the transmission but the mechanic had not yet confirmed the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 05/04/11 *bf updated 05/09/11
While driving my 2003 windstar at 40 MPH on a busy highway during the morning rush hour it lost power. The van had to be pushed to the side of the road. The van would start but it would not engage in either drive or reverse. There was no warning to the transmission failure. Aaa towed the vehicle. The mechanic has to rebuild the transmission and replace the torque converter. Five days prior the vehicle was returned from the ford dealer with a new rear axle (recall, 10 weeks at the dealer). At the time of failure the van had approximately 116000 miles. The windstar will be repaired at a cost of $1849.11. I can not replace the vehicle at this time (I would like to!). Ford motor company doesn't care!
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH the transmission suddenly malfunctioned in the middle of the road. The contact then pushed the vehicle to the side of the road and had it towed. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the transmission and the manufacturer informed the contact there is no recall and the vehicle has to be towed at the contact expense to the dealer. The contact stated this is a known issue with the transmission for this year make and model. The contact stated manufacturer should issue a recall. The failure mileage was 85,000. Jo
Complete failure of transmission with no visible or audible warning. Transmission changed per ford spec as well as the rest of the fluids. There is a high rate of failure of this component according to a number of independent reporting agencies via the web. The transmission in a 2003 windstar seems to be particularly prone to very early and unacceptable failure. I am extremely thankful that the transmission failed at stop and not during operation with my wife and 4 kids in it. From other reports via independent reporting agencies, we were fortunate.
2003 ford windstar transmission problems , the torque converter broke on my van . The van came to a complete stop , this is very dangerous ,there should be e recall ,this has happened to almost everybody that owns this ford model. Also there is a recall for rear axel .now front and rear frame mounts. There should also be recall for electric windows do not work half the time. These vans are dangerous ford should have to by them back.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds to make a turn and after braking, the vehicle would not accelerate forward. No warning lights illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle was unable to be driven so it was towed to a dealer. They informed the contact that the input shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000. ..updated 09/29/11 *bf the consumer stated the cost to repair the vehicle was $1500.00 updated 10/05/11
I was just driving down the road and my transmission on my 2003 ford windstar completely went out with no warning! No drive or reverse! Thankfully I was on a back road and not the hwy. The transmission will have to be replaced but I don't have the money to do so right now. In the manner that the transmission goes out without any warning, this is a huge safety risk and could cause a wreck that results in death.
2003 ford windstar rear axle complaint and transmission. First of all, I was left stranded when the transmission went out on christmas eve. Merry christmas to me from ford. Ford wants $3800 to replace it. The van is only worth that. Then I find out that ford has had many complaints and failures with the transmission. Why do I have to pay for this. I take care of and maintain my vehicles and I get this handed to me. Then the dealer tells me that the axle needs to be replaced and it might be 6 weeks before the part even comes in. They will not buy the van back because it is a 2003. I think they should. They are the ones who sold me this vehicle and now I have to deal with it. Buy the time they pay for my rental and fix the axle, it would be cheaper to buy me out and save there customer alot of stress.
I took my car in to ford due to a failure in the instrument panel. My speedometer was spinning and "stuck" in an approximate 5:00 o'clock position...in addition, my prndl needle "stuck" in the park position and would not move. On top of this, my ABS/brake lights were coming on and off sporadically and occasionally smelled like something burning. The ford dealer replaced my instrument cluster and attempted to fix the ABS/brake light problem. The "fix" didn't last more than two weeks...the ABS/brake light is back to going on and off. According to the information that they gave me, the parts are no longer available for the ABS/brake light repair...they assured me that my service brakes still worked. In the process, I have been told about recalls to the 2003 ford windstar for similar problems in other vehicles, however, I was told that these recalls didn't pertain to me. If I am experiencing the same problems that others are having and they are getting their repairs fixed at no charge to themselves, why am I paying for repairs for the same problem items??????? The sway bar links on my windstar were also repaired along with the bushings...again...another recall that seems to have been issued but I was told that "it didn't apply to me". Now I have my windstar in the shop, again, because the transmission pump exploded and damaged the transmission. No warning, no check engine light, nothing. How much of an additional expense is this going to be???? Oh, I did receive the recall notice for the rear axle...that will be checked right after I get my car back from having the transmission repaired. Why are some vehicles covered and others aren't??? If it affects a 2003 ford windstar, it should be all of them, not just some of them.
Transmission failure without any warning sign. Left on in the road with engine running, but would not move in any direction.
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.
Just another day of driving down the street on the bumpy road. When I finally pass the construction area to the newly paved road to come to a stop at the light, car started to skid locked up the front wheel. Whole van shack. Then the ABS and brake light came on. It was a life or death experience for me! Now the ABS and brake light lid up on the regular bases. Help!!
2003 ford windstar rear axle ready to break. Ford says it is not part of the recall even tough our dealer documented the problem.
Premature transmission failure. 105000 miles. Fluid replaced at recommended 60k interval. No indication of transmission problems. Van was parked, started and would not go into gear.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar limited edition. While driving approximately 40 MPH the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who replaced the torque converter and the transmission pump. Eight months later, the same failure occurred the vehicle was taken to the same dealer. The dealer replaced the torque converter and the transmission pump. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 70,500 and the current mileage was 90,000.
Sit down, get a coffee, because you will be reading a book. I purchased a 2003 ford windstar, with 20,000 miles, in 2005. I've had nothing but major problems. In 12/2008 with 87,205 miles the transmission went,that was 2013.00 , then in 3-2009 check engine light, had to replace gaskets, that cost 500.00,. Then in 10/15/2010 I had to bring van in for different sensors, and ABS light, and emergency brake light kept coming on. That was . That was 232.00. Then on 10/19/2010 brought van in to the ford dealer, because none of my gauges work, letting me know how fast I'm going, or how much gas I have. They say it is the gauge cluster, that's 500.00 alone not including labor, they inform me I have a hole in the left rear axle, and I have to leave the van there, and I may also need a new alternator, and it may takes weeks for the part to come in. That's not including other miner repairs along the way. The best part of all. I still have 6 payments left. What rights do I have? I can't believe all the major issues. They should take this van, and give me a different one. Not a ford. I told you, that you were reading a book.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While traveling at any speed the contact heard a squeaking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the rear axle was cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 84000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH and the transmission would not respond when the accelerate pedal was engaged until after several attempts. The engine exhibited an unusual increase in rpms. The vehicle continued in operation with the repeated failure and was taken to an independent transmission specialist where they informed the contact that the clutch and torque converter would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000. Updated 5/2/11 *cn updated 05/23/11
Spouse was driving her 2003, ford windstar se, going up an on-ramp to a major high way, when the vehicle's engine revered high, slipping out of drive and the vehicle came to a stop afterwards. Drive and or reverse doesn't work on the van. Vehicle has all the power, but once put in drive / reverse hitting the gas, you go know where..
Transmission failure from first to second gear. Van is still drivable, but it has a very noticeable jerk when shifting from first to second gear.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer advised the contact that there was a recall for the failure under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v385000 (power train: axle assembly). The dealer later advised the contact that her vehicle was not included in the recall because of the manufacturers date. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the approximate current mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact was driving 2 MPH and attempting a turn when she heard a loud, unusual pop. The vehicle then came to a complete stop without stalling. The contact had the vehicle towed to an authorized dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was advised that the front axle was corroded and had fractured in two. In addition, the rear axle was also fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was awaiting a response from the manufacturer to determine if repairs would be made to the vehicle. The failure and current mileage was 78,714.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While driving 10 MPH the contact noticed that the vehicle would no longer accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 130000.
2003 ford windstar' transmission went out while driving on the highway without any warning. Car only has 56,000 miles on it.
The right front sub frame on my 2003 windstar corroded causing the lower control arm to separate and wheel to pull out. Lost steering. Also axles shaft pulled from transmission and fluid ran out. Fortunately at slow speed so no accident, but what if I were on a freeway running fast?
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