Problems with 2003 Ford Windstar POWER TRAIN

Transmission problem. the transmission was replaced 4 times within 60k mile interval while following the 30k transmission fluid flush. a flashing o/d light comes on and the transmission will die out of nowhere and the past few times it has been on the highway going 75 mph with no warning, smoke, lights, etc. i had the transmission start smoking from the engine bay even though the fluid was changed. now there is a massive transmission fluid leak. there have been thousands of owners who report a bad design of the ford windstar 2003 transmission and it needs to be recalled. the ford freestar was recalled for the transmission issue, but the windstar wasn't. why not? both models use the same transmission. it is a safety issue and ford is not willing to acknowledge the issue with the vehicle and recall the vehicle to fix the transmission problem.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated that while driving 2 mph, transmission fluid leaked from the vehicle onto the ground. the vehicle was diagnosed at carriage ford dealer located in clarksville, indiana where it was determined that there was a fractured transmission casing in the vehicle. the dealer under nhtsa campaign number: 11v030000 (structure) and 10v385000 (suspension) previously repaired the vehicle. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: cas-13693189. the failure mileage was 175,000. the vin was not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. while driving 55 mph, the rear axle fractured without warning. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. the contact called crest ford flat rock (22675 gibraltar rd, flat rock, mi 48134) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the issue, but did not assist. the failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

Transmission just started slipping out of nowhere , stopped for a red light put in nuetral light turns green and i put it into drive and start to roll the van wouldnt budge looked out the window and leaking alot of transmission fluid . parked it in nearby parking lot added tranny fluid still not drivable and wont move in any gear.

I was informed of a recall to the rear axle on my 2003 ford windstar, i took the van into the dealer and had the inspection done as well as the brackets installed. ( 15s27). the van was then parked for approx 5 months after the procedure was done as i was given a company vehicle. i was then let go from my job and began to drive the old trusty van that we have around. 2 weeks into driving it on a regular basis i began to smell an odor of burning rubber. nursed the van home and began to attempt to diagnose the problem. changed the wheel bearing on the drivers rear as i thought that was the problem. got it all back together and found out i still had the same problem. had aaa tow the vehicle to the dealer where they informed me that now my axle was broken, and by the way the recall was now over and i would be required to pay 1150.00 for a new one. this vehicle was never correctly inspected to identify this problem, it was just shuffled through and now nobody will stand up and make the repair. i have been cheated by the system. i do not believe this is fair nor do i believe it was ever done correctly. *tr

Takata recall uncontrollable driving with steering rear end fishtailing. *tr

2003 ford windstar. consumer writes in regards to rear axle reinforcement brackets recall notice repair issues. *smd the consumer stated the dealer performed a visual check of the vehicle, but nothing was replaced. *jb

2003 ford windstar. consumer writes in regards to dealership refuses to repair axle recall notice until consumer pays for a new $300 axle replacement. *smd the consumer stated the dealer installed the brackets at no charge. *jb

2003 ford windstar. consumer writes in regards to rear axle reinforcement brackets recall notice repair issues. *smd the consumer was informed the brackets were installed correctly. however, there was a crack in the axle. *jb

2003 ford windstar. consumer writes in regards to reimbursement for vehicle repair. *ld the consumer stated the safety recall 15s27 was improperly completed. the axle cracked, the installed bracket and axle completely rusted through. the failure happened while the vehicle was being driven. *js

I was driving at hwy speed and rpm's went up and car slowed down.stopped and tried shifting gears no luck/movement.had car towed.transmission wiped out second time in 14 months.ford needs to step up.

Rear axle broke in half while driving,( backing up in driveway) my 2003 ford windstar

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated that the engine cooling indicator became trapped in the speedometer and gear shifter area, causing the gear shifter not to engage in park. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the failure mileage was 50,000.

2003 ford windstar. consumer writes in regards to vehicle rear axle fracture recall notice replacement parts failure. *smd *cn

I just bought this car one week ago with 96000 miles on it. because i previously got a 1995 windstar with ax4s transmission, running over 190000 miles without any transmission issues. i then bought the 2003 car with relatively low mileage and hope it would last the similar length. this 2003 car is with 4f50n transmission. both ax4s and 4f50n transmission are similar in design and dimensions but they perform totally different. every time during the first week of driving the 2003 car, there were always a harsh reverse when the engine was warm after driving a few miles. i had to pump the gas to reach a high rpm just to gain a little reverse action. that makes me temporarily to park the car with the front facing the driving lane at shopping plaza. but i could still carry out the reverse action on the driveway during the morning while the engine is cold. it may not be the mechanical problem but the hydraulic issue inside the transmission.there must be something wrong with some not-up-to-the-spec internal transmission components that are temperature sensitive with warm transmission fluid, thus affecting the normal operation of certain components for their intended performance. i will bring the car for the mechanic check up soon. ford designs, buys parts from suppliers, manufactures, fabricates, sell, and service this car. ford should bear the responsibility to address this problem and initiate some actions such as notices, warnings, or recall to correct the problem and give consumers the confidence in their product.

My wife was driving the car in the country and heard noises when going over bumps. when she smelled something burning she stopped. discovered the rear axle had split where it had been beefed up with brackets after ford's 10s13 recall. ford is saying we have to pay $300 to make repairs on an issue that appears to us to be a design/manufacturing flaw, for which there has been 3 recalls issued (if i understand it correctly). i don't understand why we should have to pay?

2003 ford windstar transmission completely failed at 87343 miles. i have seen thousands of reports on 2003 ford windstar transmissions failing under 70k miles. transmissions should be recalled.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

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. *tr

Rear axle recall was inspected in 2/17/2011 by the dealer and was noted no cracks and just put some brackets. today 3/23/2015 went for a state inspection to the same dealer and failed due to crack in the rear axle(that was once recalled). now dealer/ford states that the recall was once managed, and no longer responsible for further issues... if an item was recalled, it should be fixed without cost. please address this with ford. thank you *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, there was a pothole on the road, which was driven over. the contact noticed that the rear drivers side wheel fractured and was detached from the axle. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear axle fractured. the vehicle was not repaired. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 12v193000 (power train) however, the recall remedy failed to repair the vehicle. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 137,000. updated 4/15/15*cn

My spouse was driving our 2003 ford windstar home from church and while turning right onto our street the transmission failed, no longer powering the vehicle. she coasted to a stop in front of our home. i had the vehicle towed to a local transmission repair shop and was told by the mechanic that this is a very common problem in ford windstars and that he has had to prematurely replace many of these transmissions. we were very lucky during this incident. it could have easily happened on the interstate highway and caused a severe crash, injuries or death. ford customer relations informed me they had no recall actions underway for this problem on my vehicle, but to save any receipts in case there was a future reimbursement/recall effort. *tr

I have a 2003 windstar ford mini van. about 2 1/2 years ago they put a patch fix on the rear axle that was so when the axle breaks instead of the wheels separating it holds it together. well recently i was on my way to a major highway i thought my brakes locked up, but in actuality the patch fix broke and so did my axle. so a big thankyou for almost killing my 2 children in the back seat, does ford motors care? no they don't! because when i called the dealership they said ford is aware of this ongoing problem with numerous complaints and will not fix it again. but i can buy another part for $800.00. if they are aware of the problem and the patch was not a safe fix then why bother at all! i feel this company should put their children in the back seat and then maybe they would actually care to find a safe fix. *tr

I was on a 65 mph highway and had to stop for a stoplight. when the light turned green, i put my foot on the gas and nothing happened. i put in 2 then 1 and then reverse and nothing happened. i had put my hazard lights on as i was afraid of being at a green light and getting rear ended with the other car going at least 65 mph. i proceeded to shut the van off, turn it back on and put it in drive and it jerked forward, but i could tell the transmission was slipping and the o/d light started flashing on and off and the check transmission light came on. i had to continue to shut the vehicle off and turn it back on to get it to a safe place where i finally had to be towed home. i had my 14 year old daughter with me and had we been hit from behind, we both could have died. *tr

Transmission failure, van will not shift into any gear, forward, reverse, 2,1. *tr

While driving lost all power to transmission. car would start but not move in any gear. code scanner shows no codes, engine light does not stay lit. mechanic's guess in torque converter. seems to be a too common problem. *tr

April, noticed that cruise control not working 100% of time - not engaging and not disengaging!! opted not to use it anymore. july, abs and brake light on and didn't shut off while in home garage. shut van off, restarted it, lights off. august, lights seem to be coming on with more frequency. doesn't seem to be speed related. september, abs and brake light coming on more frequently. seems to reset (for short time) after shut van off. october, had brake system checked. disc rotor - r&r; control arm w/ ball joint - lower - front suspension; rear brakes serviced; brake fluid flush. thought that would have "fixed" everything however less than 10 days later, the abs and brake lights are coming on again while driving. turn van off, turn back on - lights reset - until next time i drive it!! after reading through, realize that the two might be related. safety is a must!! *tr

Brake light and abs lights are on, brakes are fine, fluid level is fine, but light is on. abs now not working. speedometer does not go above 40 mph until driven at least 3 miles, this is also causing the cruise control to not work smoothly. transmission is not shifting into overdrive, transmission is clean and working. all of these issues began within a few weeks of each other. *tr

A few days after buying the van the abs light started coming on, it goes on and off. my interior lights have flashed on and off, my passenger window no longer works! and the gear shifter is loose and sometimes hard to get into park. *tr

My transmission had to be replaced; i do not drive the vehicle a great deal, tho the car is aged, the upkeep is great on the car. i have tried to keep up with the recalls on this car, is there a recall on the car's trans.? *tr

While in 75mph speed limit upon entering into a 70mph limit i pushed cst on cruise panel steering wheel. i not only slowed but my van continued to slow while heavier traffic was skirting and trying not to run me over. it was at less than 40mph i was able to get on the emergency lane. would not respond to drive, 1st, 2nd, reverse gears. engine sounded like in neutral, going nowhere, when foot applied to accelerator. no warning given; no transmission problems or noise beforehand. stranded 400 mi from home, towed to sterling ford dealership in opelousas, la with van left there and no notion of when firm diagnosis, torque converter was the first suggestion, pulling transmission pump and much more costly was second. was told by preus ford they "thought" there had been recall regarding this problem. don't know. *tr

Failed ford sub frame recall noise in front end going over bumps took in for service. i was told front sub frame was rusting apart. ford windstar had sub frame recall 3 years ago large brackets placed around sub frame(in michigan). called ford dealer(in florida wear vehicle resides) and they agreed to inspect and said they thought the other dealer may have place bracket around a rotten sub frame. dealer also said ford would not replace the sub frame and i would have to pay $3000.00 for that repair. my windstar has been in florida since the recall was performed in michigan so it has not been in t.he "salt belt" how is it possible that the sub frame went from being safe to its current unsafe condition if the recall was done properly?

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle exhibited an abnormal noise. the contact noticed that the rear drivers side wheel was abnormally tilted inward. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle was fractured and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign id number: 12v193000 (power train). the approximate failure and current mileage was unknown. updated 03/26/14*lj the consumer stated cracks in the rear axle, were not visible and re-enforcement repairs were done, to the rear axle and front subframe lower control arm. however, the repair failed, while the consumers husband was driving. ford wouldn't pay for the repairs. they stated they had already full-filled their obligations, when they made the re-enforcement. also, the anti-lock brakes did not work. updated 03/27/14

When driving up hills the "od off" transmission light will begin to flash and though i depress the button on the shifter the light will not stop flashing. only way to make it stop is when i turn he car off and then turn the vehicle back on. *tr

Ford came out and tool my car to [xxx] cunningham to fix my call on a safety recall dated 2/28/2014 then refuse to fix my car state ford refuse to pay home for the recall repair he said i have to pay out of pocket. all repair are free of charge my car still at the shop at the shop because the front wheel cause by the power train axle assembly nhtsa 12v193000 and 11v030000 11s16 and 10s13 3/11/2014. can i get a copy of these recall mail to me thanks my car is still at [xxx] for 3 weeks now please help no renter was given to me as part of the recall. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact reversing from a driveway, the transmission failed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but the diagnosis was unclear. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the vin was unavailable. the approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the front axle fractured and resulted in the detachment of the front driver's side wheel. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. there was a recall related to the defect under nhtsa campaign id number 12v194000 (suspension). the dealer was contacted but refused to repair the vehicle for an unknown reason. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was unavailable. updated 04/22/14 ma

I went to put the ford in gear and it would not go into gear any gear, i see there is a lot of complaints on the matter. there should be a recall on this transmission before someone gets hurt or worse. *tr

rear axle cracked . ford said there was a recall on my axle , now ford says they recall is over . i don't understand how ford can get away with this. *tr

My 2003 ford windstar was taken in for the rear axle recall and was repaired. the axle has cracked again we took it to the dealer who said that they contacted ford about the problem and were told they would not repair or replace the axle the van only has 47000 miles on it we would like to have it repaired or replaced at ford expense. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated while the vehicle was turned on and unoccupied the vehicle rolled away and crashed into another vehicle. a pedestrian attempted to stop the vehicle but ended up being pinned between the two vehicles. the pedestrian sustained injuries to the arm. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted about the failure. the failure mileage was 70,000.

I was driving roughly 40mph and the engine revved up and then wouldn't accelerate. i was able to coast to a side road for safety. i tried to shift the car into gear to drive and the car didn't register the shifts. i took the car to a shop and was told it is a common problem, torque converter, in these cars. after searching online i have found that the problem is indeed common, and should be recalled. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact was driving approximately 30 mph when the transmission failed to operate without warning. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis where the contact was informed that the torque converter was faulty and required replacement. the vehicle was not repaired. there was a recall associated with the 2004 ford windstar model years but not the 2003 models (nhtsa campaign id number:12v006000-power train). the manufacturer was notified of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

We stopped at a restaurant to have lunch. came out to leave. started the van and put it into reverse to leave parking place and it wouldn't move at all. called our dealer and was told it sounded like the torque converter. that was exactly the problem. there was no warning at all. it just stopped working. *tr

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. *tr

Van rpm needle goes haywire with foot on the brake and tries to stall out...engine feels like it is trying to jump out of vehicle. *tr

Torque converter failure with out any warning. upon minimal research there are hundreds of other people that have had the same problem and several that have had this issue happen more then once on same vehicle.at various mileages. and the cost of repair if you dont get killed in a crash is very exspensive exceeding 1200.00 .i have owned this van since 2009 and have had this in 3 times for recalls.wiring,axle,subframe, the 2004 free star is a post windstar model and there has been a recall issued on that model involving the torque converter.and wondering why the recall for the windstar has not been enforced as of yet. it takes a death before action. what a sad state of affairs. these are dangerous vechicles and should be lawfully repurchased by ford motor company. and removed from the nations highways. before death not after. *tr

Was going down the highway and the vehicle started to decrease in speed, pressed gas pedal to increase speed, b ut only the rpm's went up and nothing else. had to coast to a safe area to get off the road, was stranded 6 miles front he nearest town and was about 20 degrees outside. there was no warning or anything else showing any type of problem before transmission went out. *tr

I drive approximately 50-100 miles a day. i just pulled into the library and when i went to leave, the car backed out, but than would not move forward. i tried every gear and the rpm just revved. there was no prior slippage or indication the transmission was going. spoke to the mechanic and its the same problem the ford freestar and mercury monterey experienced. i just saw they got their recall why not the windstar since so many people are experiencing this and it can result in an accident or fatality. i had my daughter with me. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 65mph, the vehicle lost power and shut off. the contact merged to the shoulder of the road and was unable to restart the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that the transmission had to be replaced. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 150,000.