Ford Windstar hesitation problems

Filed Oct 9, 2014 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate and stalled without warning. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed May 2, 2014 · Engine · 163,717 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to hesitate and decelerated before the engine stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 163,717.

Filed Mar 13, 2013 · Transmission · 102,568 miles · OH

Vehicle hesitates or stutters,vibrates rough sound .......................... At approx 40-60 MPH dealership did repair, did not fix problem, still happening one month later they tell me it is the transmission, and advise me to just drive it that way! When I push for more answers they say transmission torque inverter and cost to repair 2200-2800.00 , on top of the 5000.00 I paid that did not fix the problem.

Filed Jun 25, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 152,000 miles · WA

Purchased the car used on 5/26/12, drove away from the dealership and the ABS warning light and the break warning lights both came on, indicating issues with ABS. Took it to the repair shop and was told that the ABS module (??) was causing the issues. Car dealership and warranty company refused to cover it because it's an optional system. There appears to have been a recall for this but for some reason my car wasn't included - it was originally purchased in canada, so I'm not sure if that effects recall information. On 6/12/12 driving in to work the car suddenly lost speed while trying to accelerate on the highway. I was attempting to make it across 4 lanes and the car suddenly wouldn't go over 30mph - thankful there wasn't a lot of traffic but this could have caused an accident. Issues continue - car bucks and hesitates when trying to accelerate, there's often a loud pop (backfire?) from the engine when applying the gas pedal. Mechanic replaced seals and spark plugs in engine but we were told that the PCM (ECM?) was causing an electrical issue. Additional symptoms include reduced gas mileage, feeling like it's going to stall or move while at a stop (bucking like it's going to move forward even though brakes are applied) and reduced functioning in the A/C unit.

Filed May 19, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 50,000 miles · MD

Check engine light on - 2002 ford windstar - seems to be common complaint online service bulletin issued in 2003 - diagnostics says it's the o2 sensor, this is not the case vehicle idles erratically at stops - some hesitation - now hesitates and runs bad in rain I've replaced the transmission twice - engine once - crappy vehicle.

Filed Apr 18, 2011 · Electrical · 65 miles · NE

Interior lights have been intermittent for several years, drivers side auto lock stopped working completely, constant draining of the battery, must carry jumper cables.. Third battery in three years, now problem is weekly. Thinking this issue may have to do with the fact that the interior lights go on and off at random unexplained times. Sometimes remaining on once the vehicle is off and all doors are completely closed. Problem with ABS and brake light coming on at random times in addition to the check engine light never staying reset. Charging system lights intermittently comes on.. Sometimes they come on and off but if they remain on cause the car to hesitate or just quit on you. Car is a extreme safety hazard at intersections because of hesitation and stalling. My wife (her primary vehicle) has been stranded in two intersections where the car died completely. My wife is terrified for her safety everytime we are in this vehicle. I have finally had enough and am filing a complaint since I have read from numerous sources that I am one of thousands and thousands having this same issue. Please consider the safety of the drivers of these vehicles and subsequently any innocent motorist or pedestrian who may become injured from these safety issues. Thank you. Ford is obviously aware of these problems and reports and it appears is unwilling to research a fix, or initiate a recall until enough bodies pile up on the side of the road in vehicle accidents, having a vehicle fail completely twice in 3 months in the middle of omaha nebraska intersections is very dangerous, and should be evaluated or recalled. I have replaced batteries, and alternator, fuses, and many dollars in diagnostic fees to family ase certified mechanic who is shaking his head. Does ford know what the problem is and just does not want to admit it and complete another factory recall on this vehicle.

Filed Aug 31, 2010 · Brakes · MD

Abs dashboard light -- for over a year now we have been dealing with a ABS dashboard light which comes on and off. The majority of the time it has been on. We have had computers hooked up trying to diagnose the issue with false diagnosis. In addition to the ABS light the engine light also will come on and off with the same outcomes, sometimes vehicle will show hesitating during cold weather and then light will emerge. In the past few months we have started having an issue with the right tail light remaining on after the vehicle has been turned off. We tried several different remedies with this problem too but eventually it too returns. If left alone the light will eventually shut itself off but makes the red tail light shield very hot to the touch. We have been told that all of the above problems it may be related and may be a relay problem . This has been a very frustrating problem and I worry about the ABS problem being a safety problem. I have two children who ride in this vehicle constantly with me, one of them has heart problems and is on coumadin therapy and even a minor incident could be major and life threatening to him. I ask you to please look into this problem. I am aware that there are many others experiencing the same problems with their ford windstar minivans too, a simple search on the internet shows many frustrated consumers. Thank you in advance for your help and investigation into this matter.. Take care.

Filed Aug 27, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 59,000 miles · IL

Where to start? Almost seem like to many problems to list. We will start with the constant draining and replacement of the battery. New battery every few months. Thinking this issue may have to do with the fact that the interior lights go on and off at random unexplained times. Sometimes remaining on once the vehicle is off and all doors are completely closed. Problem with ABS and brake light coming on at randoms times in addition tp the checl charging system light. Sometimes they come on and off but if they remain on cause the car to hesitate or just quit on you. I have 3 kids and am terrified for our safety everytime we are in this vehicle. I have finally had enough and am filing a complaint since I have read from numerous sources that I am one of thousands and thousands having this same issue. Please consider the safety of the drivers of these vehicles and subsequently any innocent motorist or pedestrian who may become injured from these safety issues. Thank you.

Filed Feb 27, 2010 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · NY

Transmission failure 2003 ford windstar. No indication of transmission problems leading up to the event. Smooth shifting, no shudders, no hesitation on acceleration. Stopped at a traffic light-busy intersection. On acceleration, windstar moved forward into intersection, rpms increased rapidly without anymore forward movement. Ford dealership diagnostics reported transmission failure but could not be more specific than torque converter, input shaft or hydraulic fluid pump. Some ford windstars share a transmission type (ax4n/4f50n) with the ford freestar which is being investigated for a similar complaint with odi (the federal safety agency action number : pe09033). Vehicle had 95,000 miles with regular service actions. Found numerous other anecdotal evidence is more widespread than the 3 reported incidents with the federal safety agency. See http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/windstar/2003/transmission/transmission_failure.shtml. No action to repair vehicle yet. Transmission still available for investigation (for a little while longer anyway). 911 called on incident because of a dangerous traffic situation in a busy intersection.

Filed May 18, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 56,000 miles · MA

I own a 2003 ford windstar. Approximately two months ago the ABS and brake lights came on while I was driving. When I restarted the engine the lights turned off; but while driving they came back on again. This now happens almost every time I drive the vehicle. When my mechanic examined it he said that the module was shot. While I was deciding the best way to handle the necessary repair I decided to research the problem. My research shows that this is a very common and dangerous issue with windstars. I hesitate to replace the part only to have the same issue in the near future.