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.
Ford Windstar headlights problems
78 of the 14,140 owner complaints about the Ford Windstar describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 78
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 110,279
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 19Wipers 9Transmission failure 5Adaptive cruise 5Fire or smoke 4Door locks 4Warning lights 3Stalling 3
Trouble codes mentioned
C1185 2P0316 1P0305 1P0302 1C1410 1C1404 1C1254 1C1250 1C1246 1C1242 1
What owners say
Replaced water pump had started for about 10 minutes shut off tried to start it the next day avert nothing no clicking or humming or anything all the dashboard lights came on even I tried to start it and threw headlights are really bright but however they do not come on when I try and start my van there is a very faint clicking noise coming from the fuse box inside the van. When I realized my water pump wad about to go out because it was trickling from the waterpump so I bring it home after dropping my sister off pull in my driveway shut it off bring my things inside hip back out with my fiance and it had done leaked every bit of antifreeze out of it and it's been sitting since july 10 2017 only started once for 10 minutes shut it off ance tried to start it again an nothing it wouldn't even start with a jump
While driving at night on the interstate or any other road, the headlights suddenly went off for about 10 seconds. I heard a clicking sound under the left side of the dash like the sound of a relay engaging. This happened several times. I had the battery replaced and it was ok for about 2-3 weeks then started again. Driving during the day w/no lights on the A/C blower motor suddenly stopped working and then re-started. This also happened several times. I heard the clicking under the dash at that time too. I took the van to the ford dealer. They kept it for 5 days and found nothing. I was at church and came out to leave. I started the van and the wipers came on by themselves on intermittent and would not shut off no matter what I did. I turned the van off when I got home and the next time I started it the wipers were off. I was driving down the road with the A/C on and the blower motor suddenly stopped working again and also the radio, power windows, and power locks. Again I heard the relay clicking sound. It stayed off for about 10 minutes and came on long enough to open the windows (it was 92 degrees outside). A couple of minutes later it went off again and stayed off for the rest of the day and most of the next. When I noticed a storm coming, I went out and started the van. Thank god the A/C, radio, windows, and locks were working at that time so that I could shut the windows. I drove it to work the next day and all was working. I left the van with my boss (he's a mechanic) so that he can take a look at it. My rear axle was replaced under recall about 16 months ago. I'm frustrated with this problem. I bought the van used in july of 2015. It has meticulous service records and has been great up until this year. Ford really needs to do something about this.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the gauges on the instrument panel worked erratically and the lights on the instrument panel and the headlights illuminated intermittently. The dealer diagnosed that the wiring harness for the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 81,415.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving approximately 60 MPH in rainy conditions, the vehicle began to jerk. The entire instrument panel, headlights, windshield wipers, and power windows failed to operate. The engine warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road until the rain subsided. After restarting, the failure persisted. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where a code was not detected. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving 30 MPH, the headlights and the instrument panel lighting illuminated intermittently. In addition, the brake lights and the windows failed to operate. The contact restarted the vehicle, but it could not be driven. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter, the battery, and the motor mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000. The VIN was not available.
Abs brake light will turn on and off at random times. Also, brake (e-brake) light comes on, interior lights occasionally flash, all running lights and headlights have gone out (really bad when driving down highway at night), and loss of all electrical (radio, lights, heater fan, dash illumination, headlights, running lights, etc... All go out at same time). Alternator and several batteries have been replaced. Electric windows will occasionally stop working as well. Obviously the huge issue here is the fact that the ABS system may be disabled, dash warning lights randomly come on and off, and all electrical shuts off, with losing headlights and running lights being the biggest issue!
Since I purchased this van from steuben/yates county pro-action in nys wheels to work program, I have had numerous problems with my ford windstar. 1st problem was with emission code stating it needed a map censor; 2nd issue was the sway bar broke (was repaired under recall at ford dealership in elmira, ny jan 2012). After numerous complaints to the car dealer ship I purchased the windstar from the garage, their mechanic replaced o-rings in the engine to fix the map censor in jan 2012 as well. In february 2014 I invested a little over 1,800.00 in repairs to my mechanic for; tune up, struts and shocks, brakes all around, wheel bushings, and a wheel alignment. I keep the van well maintained with oil changes and lately my radiator is loosing fluid. I always stop in where I maintain it and the business is always topping off the radiator fluid and when scheduled oil changes are due, I am always a quart low on oil. Most recent incident: I will be driving along and the van turns off and turns back on while driving. At night when this would happen I have no headlights for a brief moment but that is still an unsafe van. Also, I get an electric shocked every time I touch the van as I get in to go somewhere. ****this is my first and last ford!!****
The battery light comes on occasionally. When it comes on, the electrical system has reduced power. This is confirmed by the headlights dimming, wipers moving at slower speed. If I turn the ignition off and then restart, the battery light goes off and everything functions normally. If I don't turn the car off, it will die in a short time.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of fmvss 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to ford, the vehicles were imported into the u.s. Erroneously.
- Risk
- The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by u.s. Standards.
- Remedy
- Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
Recall number 00V168000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Windstar headlights
Which Ford Windstar years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (16 complaints), 2002 (12 complaints) and 1995 (9 complaints).
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