Problems with 2003 Ford Windstar ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Abs light will go on and off when the weather gets warm. stays off in cold weather. *tr

Bought used vehicle from dealer and noticed the abs/brake light was constantly on. it was "fixed" before completing the purchase. lasted for a few days before lights came back on and stayed on. was told it not a big deal, so i didnt worry about it. was not experiencing any other issues until 1.5 years later when i turned the defrost fan on and it stalled the motor as i was traveling. the next weekend my husband wanted to look at it and after the van idled for a few minutes, turned on the defrost and it did not stall, called it a fluke until we popped the hood and had smoke coming out! *tr

Both the emergency brake light and anti-lock braking light on instrument panel were illuminated within 5 minutes of having started the car. after approximately 10 minutes, all electrical appliances failed, including directionals, brake lights, etc. the engine continued to run, however it struggled on uphill climbs. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, it was found that the rear axle was corroded and fractured. the contact also mentioned that the abs and brake warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was inspected by a private mechanic who stated that the electronic control module had failed. the contact also stated that the interior lights erroneously illuminated intermittently while the vehicle was in motion. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). the approximate failure and current mileage was 149,000.

After going about 4 miles after starting up van, abs light comes on, occasionally the red brake light will come on too, speedometer goes crazy (up and down) and inside lights flicker at random. seems to be some sort of electrical issue and/or brake issues. *tr

There was a safety recall initiated by ford for corrosion of the engine cradle - 2003 ford windstar structure: frame and members:underbody shields nhtsa campaign #11v030000. ford repaired the left side only, leaving the right side rusted and now several significant rust holes have appeared on the right side. ford disclaims any responsibility saying that they made the repair properly but i claim they made the repair inadequately. bad metal is bad metal and regardless of the fact that the holes were discovered over a year later is inapplicable as good metal does not rust through to the point of creating a safety hazard. if the engine cradle fails, the engine will fall from the vehicle, potentially while moving. gas will spew across the road and a fireball will ignite. other drivers will either hit the engine, swerve to miss it and hit other vehicles, and/or get caught in the inferno which will cause significant damage, human harm and needless deaths. ford initiated this safety recall because there was this safety issue and the issue remains. safety was not improved by simply repairing one side of the engine cradle allowing the other side to corrode to the point of sizeable rust holes being created in a short period of time following the initial inadequate repair. once a safety recall is initiated, it is in the best interests of the public to ensure that the repair is properly and completely made and therefore that the safety issue is fully resolved.

Abs light will not turn off. also the check engine light blinks on and off and the car will not take any gas. *tr

While driving down the road the abs and brake light come on and stay on, and the interior lights come on and go off. i've had the brakes checked, and they are fine. we changed the module, which we were told was the problem, but it didn't solve the problem. the problem occurs more often when the weather is warmer, but it does happen during the winter, too. it is very distracting while driving at night, especially, to have the lights on the dash and the interior lights flashing, and it could be dangerous. also, i wouldn't know if the brakes actually had a problem. *tr

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. *tr

The interior lights in this vehicle flicker on and off at random when driving. it does it during the day and at night. at night is the worst. sometimes it won't do it for a long time and there is times where it does it constantly. shutting off the engine and restarting corrects it but only some of the time. i have been seeing complaints on many different web sites about this problem and i have seen no tsb issued from ford about this issue. *tr

Anti-lock brake system became inoperable according to code c1185 abs light and brake light illuminated on instrument panel. *tr

Abs and brake light come on intermittently. no rhyme or reason but make us feel unsafe. have taken in for service several times and they can find nothing wrong with abs or brakes. car only has 56000 miles on it now and we can't trade it or sell it because of the problem. internet research shows thousands of entries with same problem. found individual on ebay that has business repairing ecu cold solder joints so this is definitely a factory default. abs and brakes function properly but those lights should not be coming on. it appears to be a cold solder joint which is clearly a manufacturing defect. since the ecu sits right under master cylinder a brake fluid leak leaking fluid on ecu has and could cause a fire.mmmford should replace the defective unit at no charge to the customer. *tr

The abs, traction, and brake light come on intermittently. *tr

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. *tr

I purchased a 2003 ford windstar used in october of 2012. it had 114,000 miles on it well from day one i have had a problem. the rpm, speed and gas on the dash go crazy. it says i am doing 20 mph when i know i am going faster than that. the rpm will go and up and down. i was driving to work and the brake light and trac off light came on. i tapped the break and it went away. 5 miles later i was making a right turn and the car just stopped moving. could not go reverse or in drive. i had the car towed and was told it was the transmission yet i had no signs that it was the transmission. i was told the other issues were an electrical problem and would cost me any where from $700.00-1500.00 plus up to $2500.00 to fix the transmission. started doing research and found that these are very common problems with the windstar. also i have problems with my lock on the driver side door. sometimes it will not lock and other times will not open. you have to climb through the van to unlock it. they need to recall this especially the electrical problems...this is unsafe! i will never buy another ford.... *tr

Abs and brake light comes on and off, drivers side window and rear drivers side wing does not operate properly, radio changes stations on its own, engine serge when in ideal, interior lights come on by themselves, noise in rear when in reverse. *tr

The brake light and the abs light came on as i was driving down the highway. i tested the brakes and they still worked. pulled over and checked them out on the side of the highway. worked ok continued on my trip. have since had numerous times this his occurred. have found out this happens when the car has been driven and has reached normal operating temps. have been told by mechanics that the abs module is bad! i have not had it repaired yet. lights are annoying though. *tr

Interior lights went on and were flashing while driving at night. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated that all of the gauges on the instrument cluster malfunctioned. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 156,000 and the current mileage was 162,000.

The electrical system, computer, causes the dome lights to go on and off. the electric window to sometimes not work, the abs light to come on and off, the brake light to come on and off. *tr

Abs light on constantly despite repairs. *tr

Abs and brake light will come on and off. and battery and alternator keeps going bad. *tr

Brake light and abs light are both lit at all times after driving for a short period of time. mechanic says that abs system will not work. *tr

While driving my 2003 ford windstar model sel, i'm encountering a problem with the braking system/abs, as well as, my cluster gauge going haywire doing what it wants on and off on its own. the braking system is starting to become more frequent. i've gone to ford for this particular problem and a few others. ford looked at my car and told me the rear axel had cracked and they repaired the axel on recall. i informed them about the abs breaking system. i've been to two separate dealers in staten island, ny. one dealer told me it looks like i have an electrical problem not sure if it's related to cluster gauge/braking system. they told me i had a problem with the right rear window motor as well, which ford fixed supposedly. as far as the braking system goes they told me they took it for a ride and did not see anything wrong with my vehicle. i told them about the cluster gauge doing what it wants, the abs working/not working. having a hard time stopping car, as well as, telling both ford dealers about my wife having no choice but to pull off the highway because she was having this particular brake problem. i told them the only way she was to stop the vehicle was to crash into these big green metal commercial garbage containers at approximately 10 miles per hour. i showed them the damage to the front of my vehicle as well as telling them my wife had hurt her neck, i was told from both ford dealers that we don't see a problem we can't fix a problem and i am now reading on the web that there seems to be a problem with these cars up to 2003 with everything i have explained up til now. if anybody has any input or contact info for me to call to help me, i would deeply appreciate any help you can provide before one or all of my family members become injured or god forbid fatalities. *tr

My abs and brake light keep coming on. i have had several items done to fix problem including tune up, cleaning of contacts. i am now told that the abs circuit controller may be bad. this is a $1,500 job that just may fix the problem. i have already spent about $600. judging from the hits i get on the internet this is not an isolated problem. *tr

Was making a left hand turn from a dead stop when engine without warning cut out during the turn. all of the dash board alert lights (brake, abs) comes on and off all the time. took the vehicle to 3 dealer ships and could not find anything wrong. vehicle still cuts out and almost causes an accident each time. can't seem to get anyone that can resolve this matter. now the dashboard and interior lights won't either. *tr

My vans brakes started acting funny when i came up to a stop. the abs system is acting as if the van is going into a skid and activating the anti lock brake system. it causes improper braking distance which has almost led to an accident. after operating for awhile the warning lights go on in the dash for the abs and traction control, at this point when the lights go on the systems are disabled. when you shut off the van it resets and the problems persist when you start it back up. i believe there is problem with the computer board causing this problem. it can possibly lead to an accident and or death. *tr

As the drivers of ford windstars we all got treated unfair ford wont even help its current ford windstar drivers i've met alot windstar owners and they are agitated,, first off only had this since last year and after the last 6 months of this it has been a terrible van to drive, first changing the alternator 3 x's and the battery 4's really would get a person violent, whatever happened to customer service beyond the mile of service as ford always talks, don't get me wrong the van can go miles til empty, also, the back windows the driver side doesn't open, it gets hot back there, oh wait the ac don't work in the rear either, don't go to far on a hot ride 4 hours away, you'll be sweating within the 10 miles you'll be drenched, when you open a car or van , big rig,limo, bus, the lights come on , not this mean pup, if you drop money, better wait til morning you'll be searching all nite, it doesn't matter who the current driver the vehicle is you should proceed to bring them in for adjustments, there cost, oh wait you just put $500 in it, here we go again, another $200, by the time it hits 6 months you just spent money you needed for groceries, oh wait $5.00 is all you got, now you gotta beg for food, and don't have no money to do squat, ford i hope this reaches you, so you see i cant tolerate a non honest company, i should have bought that honda or that acura, pure smooth running cars right there, quality built is there name and i stand behind them, ford you get 1 star, honda 10 stars...a driver of the unwinning 2003 ford windstar se, ford you got that buyback program still, she really needs a new home, a home worth big bucks to dump into her, anyone reading this out here, if you here of any help for this sick 2003 ford windstar se, ford is it about time you , demote and let a new car maker come to town. *tr

Abs light and brake light stay on. have new brakes. interior lights keep flashing on and off when driving battery light stays on. i have had battery tested. *tr

My ford winstar has had abs problems off and on for a year now, no 1 can fix it. i have spent around $1000.00 trying to fix this issue. now my odometer & speedometer isn't working. i have been told that this is a problem with windstars and it is a combo of the 3 not working together. *js

Abs and emergency brake light on and off when i turn car on and off did not know what it was. took to mechanic lights when off before he could check. scds was replaced in feb 2010. going to new ford dealer to check. haldeman ford in hamilton nj installed scds and they were the worst dealership ever. read info from prior complaints. possible fire,ect. was nervous so now taking it back and having subframe recall inspection. *tr

2003 ford windstar minivan vehicle had been driven to a workplace and parked for the day. upon entering the vehicle to travel home, driver started vehicle normal and attempted to shift automatic transmission into gear to move from the parking space. the transmission would not engage into either drive (forward) or reverse (backward). vehicle was towed to a garage and then to a transmission shop. estimate to repair the transmission exceeds $2500. the transmission had shown no signs of slippage or other visible, audible and/or shifting issues. since the incident, i have done online researched and found literally hundreds of similar complaints and incidents on this vehicle model. we have also have repeated electrical problems with this van. interior lights come on and go off for no reason. interior lights blink while driving in daytime or nighttime. sometimes the rear power wing windows open...sometimes they do not. service lights come on and off including brake and abs system lights, service engine lights, and others. we are thoroughly disappointed with this vehicle. *tr

My 2003 ford windstar has several problems. the abs light and the brake light on is lit on the dashboard. the cruise control is inoperable and the power windows do not work except for the front passenger side. i am concerned because i take my 3 kids to school and back everyday. *js

Multiple episodes of the abs traction control and brake light coming on at the same time..if you shut off engine and restart the warning lights go away. started several years ago thru present time. have had vehicle serviced and they have tried to reset the error codes with out success seems to be worse when its wet. *tr

The abs and brake warning lights come on frequently at any time for no reason. my mechanic says there is no problem with the brakes; he thinks it is a defective brake module. this is a safety issue, since it cannot get a state inspection when these lights are on. *tr

The abs/brake light indicator came on. it sometimes will go off (usually when there is road salt on the road. it stays on and will not turn off. i took it to the ford dealer thinking it was the brakes/or the brake sensors. they said it was the abs control module failing. it was too expensive for me to replace. when the indicator was off i took the car for emissions inspection and it passed. now the emissions inspection is due and the lights are still on. i do not want to spend $900.00 to replace the part on an eleven year old car especially since there is no guarantee that is the exact problem. *tr

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!! *kb

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated that the electrical components of the doors failed. the check engine and tire pressure warning light were also illuminated. the contact replaced the battery and the tires. the vehicle was then taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the dealer advised the contact that the 02 oxygen sensor would need replacing. the vehicle was repaired yet the failure persisted. the manufacturer was contacted and provided no assistance. the failure mileage was 101,000 and the current mileage was 102,000.

Yellow abs light and red brake warning light stay on. this began after having recall # 09s09 (speed control system modification) performed at bondy's ford in dothan al. lights were not on when left dealership...came on later and have stayed on. brakes do not seem to work as well now as before the recall work was done. *tr

Vehicle violently buckles forward and back when stopped at light. this continues for a few minutes then the abs light, brake light, and check engine light turn on at the same time and the car stops buckling. this happens at least once each time i use the vehicle. so approximately 5-9 times a day. the buckling is so bad i'm afraid my foot will slide off the brake pedal and i will roll into an intersection. i took my vehicle to theodore robins ford in costa mesa (949) 642-3017 today and they say there is nothing they can do. i also found this website talking about this exact problem http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/. please help [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

The rubber on the wires going to the power distribution box rubbed off and melted shorting out everything. cased the speedometer to go out tachometer to stop working abs and brake lights to come on and overdrive light blinks. may have cot on fire for a min i smelled smoke but went out on its own. *tr

2003 ford windstar 71,000 miles - bought new for $35,000 in december 2003, i purchased a new 2003 ford windstar. i am the only driver of this van, to and from work and a few road trips. in the beginning a few things went wrong but i wasn't too concerned at the time. since then, here is a list of things that has gone wrong with this van: 1.no heat - blender actuator 2.driver's side window wouldn't roll up or down (fixed) 3.passenger side window and back windows do not work 4.interior lights go on and off 5.gasket replaced on engine because car was dying when i came to a stop. ($450) 6.rear window defroster doesn't work 7.rusting out by back tires 8.transmission failure $2,800. fluid from the radiator got into the transmission fluid! (now how did that happen other than being defective) 9.2 safety recalls i am lucky i haven't been killed in this vehicle! the transmission failed with no warning! you would think when i had my car serviced they would have noticed that my transmission fluid did not look right. i am so frustrated with this van that i have worked hard and struggled to pay for, but i did it. my entire family has always stuck by ford and i have always defended them. i can't afford another vehicle right now so i had to dig deep to pay for these repairs. i have done quite a bit of research on this vehicle and i cannot believe there hasn't been a recall on the transmission. now i am stuck with driving a $35,000 van that i don't feel safe driving! [xxx] copy to: nhtsa (national highway traffic safety administration) missouri attorney general (consumer protection) information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

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).

My instrument panel keeps going crazy. the rpm needle is now pointing down into the dash. the speedometer usually is not working correctly, it will say that i am doing 20 mph, when i am doing more like 45-50. the gas gauge sometimes says that it is on empty, when i have a full tank of gas. sometimes the needles work, sometimes they don't (with the exception of the rpm needle...it hasn't moved from that buried in the dash spot for a couple of months now), sometimes the speedometer needle goes all the way to the right and then gets buried in the dash also, so far though, each time, it has came back...even though it rarely registers even close to the correct speed. the repair for this is going to be about $700 is what i was told. i do not have that kind of money, and i am constantly praying that my 17 year old daughter who has to drive it sometimes, does not get into an accident because she is going too fast, and has no clue how fast she is actually going, or one of us may get a speeding ticket. i have looked at websites and seen that a lot of people are having these problems, so ford should do the right thing and make a recall, before someone is seriously injured or even killed!!! also, not sure if it is related or not, but the abs light stays on. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated while driving 80 mph the vehicle stalled without any warnings. the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure but stated that it might be a problem in the factory wiring. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was 99,000 and the current mileage was 104,000.

Speedometer lights come on while driving and don't go away. now the car wont start from what was told to me because of electrical problems. rear driver light doesn't work but can signal,left rear passenger lights wont signal. *tr

Abs/brake lights are coming on constantly....losing power....front/passenger side windows will not work, lights go on and off..... *tt

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the anti lock brake light illuminated on the instrument panel. the contact also stated that all of the gauges on the instrument panel would intermittently display inaccurate readings. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was a factory defect. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 150,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated that the entire electrical system failed and none of the electrical components were operable. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer or a mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 46,000.

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.