This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 35 mph, the interior lighting began flashing erroneously. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,720.
ABS module does not work, and shows a constant alarm light. Cost to repair is $2K door locks failed and have to be opened manually. Cost to repair is $500/lock power steering unit constantly noisy, hard to steer vehicle. No repair cost known. Door open light constantly on. No repair cost known. Interior lights do not come on when doors are opened. No repair cost known.
- Glen Ridge, NJ, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
While driving, I felt the van was not shifting, so I went to the dealer I bought it from. They said there was nothing wrong with the transmission. The problem still existed. I took it back to dealer-again, nothing wrong with transmission but they did do a transmission tune up. When I picked it up, I drove into town. I was driving on the highway and had to stop on a red light. On green, I pressed my gas pedal but the car would not move. In a desperate effort, I shut the engine off and waited a few minutes. I was able to move again, but for only about a quarter mile to have to do the same repeatedly until I got to a safer spot. Finally, I ended up leaving my van parked at a shopping center and called a cab home. This is not the only problem I have been going through with my Ford Windstar van. The interior lights flash on and off while I am driving, and my air conditioning doesn't work, even when I had free on put in it. I do not have the money for another car, nor do I have the money for a new transmission, along with having it put in. I live in a town where there are no buses and can only get a ride from a taxi. I don't have $10 one way for this! I need to get to work, and cannot afford to lose my job. All because of a malfunctioning vehicle that is causing same problems for many others out there. Ford should be recalling these vehicles!
2003 Windstar electronic concern -fuse no.3 to power rear view mirror shorts out. Can not keep a fuse in it. The lite on mirror is great ideal. But does not work. I have taken it in they want $89 to 100 check to run a ectric check to see why? I am still paying a bank fee and this van has run me in debt trying to fix it.
Ford Windstar that has had 2 recalls for front and rear axles. Interior lights flash on and off randomly while driving. Doors lock and unlock randomly while driving. Very distracting and dangerous!
Interior lights flash on and off intermittently as driving. The lights include those on the dash, which makes it dangerous when driving at night. Please do a search for this problem on the internet and note the exceptional number of similar complaints posted by other owners.
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.
I have a 2003 Ford Windstar and have had nothing but problems with it. Since purchasing the car I have had issues with the electrical system or something which Ford claims they can not figure out what the problem is- all they kept saying is you need to pay $ for diagnostic tests which will probably not even tell them the answer to the problems because in order to catch the problem they need to catch it just as it happens which is near impossible. Long story short-I have put nothing but $ into this van which I feel should be recalled because after doing research on all the problems there are alot of people that are complaining about the exact same issues for the exact same year and model van. As of now I am stuck with no car to get to work and to get my kids to school because the van won't start and it had to be towed to the shop once again. Events leading up to the failure- domes lights flickering on and off at random while driving even with the switch in the off position, fuses getting blown from opening windows, automatic door locks only working when it wants to, alternator and battery failure, transmission failure, and now they have no clue why it is not starting. Failures happen every year since I have had the van. I have had the alternator and battery replaced every year and had the transmission replaced as well. I have had problems with the ac and heat and the brake and ABS lights coming on and off at random. I have been stranded on the side of the road with my children and just can't afford to do this anymore.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the brake and ABS lights remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle also leaked brake fluid from what appeared to be the master cylinder. He also stated that the dome lights flickered on and off intermittently. Occasionally the passenger side window would not open. The two bench rear windows would also open intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but the dealer could not duplicate or diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not spoken with the manufacturer. The current mileage was 113,289. The failure mileage was 113,279.
I have a 2003 Ford Windstar. My brake light and ABS light never turn off. My warning that the door is open is always on as well so my interior lights stay so my battery dies. My head lights turn on and off as well.
55000 miles. Original owner 09S09 recall. Brake switch leaking-repaired before recall.paid $250 ABS/brake lights intermittent, occasional burning smell, rear tail light remain on. Battery dies (on#3) flashing interior lights, radio go out upon braking. Dealer performed recall (wire thing) said need new ECU and hcu at cost of $1800. Have had car in and out of service many times for strange electrical occurrences and warning light problems. Always said can not duplicate. Have seen hundreds of complaints on message boards www.fordwindstarrecall.info, www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2003/Ford/Windstar/ABS+warning+light, www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2003/Ford/Windstar/electrical+system. From consumers with similar complaints. Feel car is not safe. Low miles, always had scheduled maintenance.
Engine revs and car accelerates while driving. Engine light stays on. ABS light goes on and off. Door locks click open and close while driving. Interior lights go on and off while driving.
My 2003 Ford Windstar continues to smoke and the ABS and brake lights keep coming on. It also has electrical problems because the interior lights continue on flashing and the door locks sometimes do not work properly. The problem seems to be a widely experienced issue because I have found numerous websites describing these issues.
Vehicle was skipping/jerking when trying to accelerate (happened recently), ABS and brake lights come on and off w/O warning, inside dome lights were flickering, and front windshield wipers would not stop after being turned off, until car was cut off (happened over 2 year period). Had a dealer to fix problems to a tune of about $2300.
We have had many different problems with our '03 Ford Windstar. We have had the powersteering pump replaced 3 times. We have had the transmission rebuilt because is quit working. The ABS and brake light on the dash are always on. We can not adjust the temperature of the A/C or heater. It is always cold. The rear air selector switch does not work. The dome lights flicker from time-to-time. The rear speakers work about 1/2 the time. The brakes sometimes make a growling sound when applied. The mechanics can not find the reason for the noise. The rear door indicator switch needs to be replace. When we shut the rear hatch (door) the doors will not lock because it seems that a door is still ajar.
It started with the interior lighting coming on while driving, then the dash windows nd radio, battery dying and the outside lighting staying on while keys were out and not working once started. They are all happening constantly even with all the new parts that the Ford garage replaced{battery, switches, alternator, light sockets, etc}.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Nanticoke, PA, USA