KnownCarProblems2003 Ford Windstar Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,510 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Windstar, most often about the brakes (39% of complaints, typically around 90,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Windstar model year since 2000 and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2003 Ford Windstar problems
Brakes
592 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, indicator light, pedals and linkages.
Emergency brake light came on around three months ago. The emergency brake was not engaged and this had no effect on the running of the vehicle. The vehicle brakes started going to the floor when we found the switch at the bottom of the master cylinder was leaking and defective. We ran out of brake fluid. We have…
: the contact stated the brake and ABS lights illuminated without incident. An independent repair shop determined there was no problem with the vehicle and reset the codes. The lights illuminated again and the dealership determined the ABS master cylinder needed to be replaced. Also, the door ajar light stayed…
Electrical
280 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the wires from the overdrive switch in the transmission were burned and the fuse was inoperable. The vehicle became engulfed in smoke while driving at an unknown speed. Smoke was rising from the instrument panel and the vehicle would have caught fire if the…
: the contact stated the brake and ABS lights illuminated without incident. An independent repair shop determined there was no problem with the vehicle and reset the codes. The lights illuminated again and the dealership determined the ABS master cylinder needed to be replaced. Also, the door ajar light stayed…
Suspension
254 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 135,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
Driving out of parking lot onto the road, my rear axle broke in two. Had just had it at Ford for front tire rods, rotation of tires and alignment. I asked them to look it over because I was going on vacation. Updated ivoq 11/03/10 the consumer was informed her vehicle was not included in the recall, because her…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact started the vehicle and shifted into the drive position. The vehicle failed to accelerate and it was towed to a local auto shop where they detected that the front passenger's side coil spring fractured. The contact stated that one year ago the front driver's side coil…
Transmission
225 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, manual transmission.
I and my wife were returning home from a long trip to settle my son at a rehabilitation center for kids with retardation when the transmission stopped working without any warning at all. It was raining and a tornado warning was issued for where we were. I had to coast to a stop on the side of the road without much…
Transmission failure with absolutely no warning. One second I'm pulling on to the roadway with a working transmission the next second my vehicle is sitting in the way of traffic and can not move. As I have researched this,this has happened quite often. This is very dangerous and something needs to be done.
Body and structure
127 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 116,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I have a 2003 Ford Windstar. In april 2010 my rear axle suddenly broke. I paid a small fortune to tow and fix the problem. In july my front axle suddenly broke leaving me with another large towing and repair charge. And now the car just doesn't drive nice and my traction and brake warnings have been lighting up on my…
2003 Ford Windstar, inspected for rear axle corrosion recall, passed and parts added in mar 2011. At the same time the rear axle was fixed the vehicle was inspected for front subframe recall and passed. Aug 18-2011 the passenger side lower control arm broke while driving at approx 20mph. No letter was ever received…
Speed control
85 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
My wife was parked and started our 2003 Ford Windstar on 6 aug 2007 when she noticed a large amount of white smoke coming from the engine compartment, she had already driven the vehicle for approximately 40 miles that morning. Thinking the engine was on fire she opened the hood, she saw the smoke coming from the…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that there was brake fluid leaking from the module under the vehicle. The ABS light illuminated everyday due to a slow leak which had to be refilled with brake fluid. The contact was informed by the dealer that his vehicle was not included in recall 09v399000…
Engine
69 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Tl contact owns 2003 Ford Windstar lx. The vehicle stalled intermittently and the lights on the instrumental panel illuminated while driving 10 MPH. The contact performed routine maintenance on the vehicle. He replaced the alternator and the battery three times. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle didn't have a…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 50 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where she was informed the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure has since recurred 5 times. After each failure, the vehicle was towed either to…
Service Brakes, Electric
69 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles.
Abs and brake light on 2003 Windstar. The speed control switch (located under brake master cylinder) is leaking and causes this light to be on. Replaced speed control switch but both lights are still on. Retrieved ABS code error and it is c1185 - relating to the ABS relay failure which is connected to the ABS module…
03 Ford Windstar- the yellow ABS light and red brake light appear while driving. It seems to happen at random. In researching the issue online it appears many other Windstar owners have had this same issue. I have not done anything to correct the issue as of yet.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Ford Windstar recalls
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on october 21, 2015. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15s27.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured september 2, 1997, to july 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10v-385, 12v-193, and 12v-195.
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket on the rear axle or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be provided free of charge. The recall began on june 1, 2012. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, registered in puerto rico. Due to increased stresses caused by high cycles of torsional loading, specific to this market, the rear axle can crack.
Suspension: control arm
Risk: A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft. Either condition could result in significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe and make the necessary repairs free of charge. The recall began on june 18, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the state of virginia. Corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments may occur.
Transmission: axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on june 19, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, and currently registered or originally sold in virginia. Over time, corrosion can weaken the rear axle making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which, if undetected, can increase and result in a complete fracture of the axle.
Body and structure: underbody shields
Risk: This could result in reduced steering control increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets, and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe, and make the necessary repairs free of charge. If repairs cannot be made to a vehicle, ford will offer to repurchase the vehicle. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before february 21, 2011. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, utah, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin. A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft.
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: As parts become available, dealers will inspect and if necessary install the rear axle reinforcement brackets free of charge. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and currently registered or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin. After many years of vehicle service in these areas, corrosion can weaken the rear axle, making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which if undetected can propagate and result in a complete fracture of the axle.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: If the latches on th4e second or third row seats of the vehicle release in a crash, the potential for occupant injury is increased.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat-to-floor latches on the second and third row of seats. Owner notification began on november 21, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain minivans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." during testing, a third row bench floor-to-seat latch released before the strength requirement was met. Identical latches are used in the second row of seats.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front subframe corrosion failures
Summary
In a january 26, 2011 defect information report, ford motor company (ford) notified the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address corrosion related fractures in the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe in approximately 425,288 model year (my) 1999 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles manufactured from april 1998 to july 2003 and either sold or currently registered in the following high corrosion (salt-belt) states:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new ham
Rear axle fracture recall scope
Summary
On november 5, 2010, NHTSA received a defect petition from the owner of a my 2003 ford windstar vehicle registered in the state of new york requesting that the scope of recall 10v-385 be expanded to include additional my 2003 vehicles experiencing the defect condition.the petitioner initially filed a complaint (voq 10345125) with odi on july 25, 2010, two days after the axle failure.the complaint was subsequently amended and the petition filed after the consumer was denied compensation and repair under the recall.odi has identified a total of five complaints from owners of my 2003 ford windstar vehicles in salt belt states that were built after february 28, 2003, ford's original cutoff date
Front subframe corrosion failures
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has identified 346 complaints to odi and ford alleging fracture, cracking and or excessive corrosion of the front subframes in model year (my) 1999 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles.approximately 97 percent of these complaints (334) involve vehicles that have been operated in salt belt states, which make up approximately 60 percent of the subject vehicle sales in the united states.the front subframe, sometimes referred to as the engine cradle, is a structural component of the windstar vehicles that carries the engine, transaxle, steering rack and certain front suspension components (e.g., lower control arm).for complaints with sufficient informatio
Rear axle cracking
Summary
In a letter dated august 26, 2010, ford motor company (ford) submitted a defect information report notifying NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 10v-385) to address a rear axle defect in model year (my) 1998 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles built at the oakville assembly plant from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and either sold or currently registered in high corrosion (salt-belt) states where the use of salt and other corrosive chemicals may be used to treat snow/ice covered roads.the following states are included in ford's recall:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan,
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Ea08-021 is closed with ford's actions in recall 09v-399 recalling approximately 4.5 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).with this recall ford has now recalled all of the approximate 16 million ford model vehicles that were manufactured from my 1992 through 2003 with a texas instruments scds.NHTSA will continue to monitor the recalled vehicles to ensure remedies installed by ford tomitigate the potential for scds related fires are effective.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for further details.
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Odi has received 134 consumer complaints, 285 manufacturer complaints, and 137 manufacturer warranty claims alleging incidents of engine compartment fire in model year (my) 1995 thru 2003 ford windstar vehicles.two of the odi complaints allege the fires caused structural damage to the complainant's home.of the 134 odi complaints, 36 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked, 72 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was running and 26 of the complaints do not specify if the vehicle was running or not.further review of the odi complaints shows that 72 allege that the speed control deactivation switch (scds) caused the fire and 10 allege that the scds leaked brake fluid on to t
Questions about the 2003 Ford Windstar
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Windstar?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (592 complaints, typically around 90,500 miles); electrical (280 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); suspension (254 complaints, typically around 135,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Windstar have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 29, 2015 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Ford Windstar?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Windstar model year since 2000, with 1,510 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.