10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,190 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2003 Ford Windstar brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 10 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #116

May 032010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My ABS light is on and wont go off.

- Chester, PA, USA

problem #115

Sep 102012

Windstar

  • 105,000 miles
The ABS and brake lights stay on occasionally. This happens at least 4 or 5 times a month.

- Hillsboro, KS, USA

problem #114

Jun 142013

Windstar

  • 147,000 miles
ABS and brake light both on. Got serviced with new sensors and brakes problem fixed for two days. Returned to mechanic, could not find out problem ( spent $300). Recently took to pepboys for complete check(spent $180). Came out code C1185. Referred me to take to Ford for fix. Called in to see how much repair would be quoted part at $800 plus service. I don't know how to get this fixed now. Since Ford does not want to take responsibility for this faulty part, Ford should at least have some deal where you can pay in payments or reduce the price by 1/2 since it is a common problem that is not due to normal wear and tear such as new brakes, sensors, rotors, etc. Seriously the part is expensive it's not like we can all afford to just say oh ok it's only about a thousand to fix! help us out here!

- Mission, TX, USA

problem #113

Mar 182010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The ABS warning light is on, intermittently. When on, the rear brakes can easily lock up if I slam on the brake pedal. Braking distance is increased, and with less control. This seems to be a common problem: www.fordwindstarrecall.info/#brokensoldier described as problem # 2 on this site. I also had problem number 1 described on the above website where the "brake pressure differential deactivation switch" developed a leak. For some, as the website suggests, this has caused a fire. I fixed mine, myself, at my own expense, before a fire occurred. Both of these issues are design / manufacture defects, not normal wear and tear.

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #112

Jun 012007

Windstar

  • 80,000 miles
The ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights will come on all at the same time after driving for only a few minutes. Once these lights come on, the ABS and traction controls are completely inoperable, and in bad weather this could lead to a crash. The warning lights illuminate faster when it is warmer outside. I believe that at $2800 to repair, this is a serious problem and should most certainly be a recall, especially in a family vehicle where children could be in danger.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #111

Jun 032013

Windstar

  • 198,000 miles
The ABS and emergency brake light came on driving home, the next morning I went out and started the car and was drive out of drive way and the car would not stop....had to turn off ignition.good thing it happened here in the driveway and not on the road.

- Madison, FL, USA

problem #110

Jun 292010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 80,597 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I saw there's a recall on the Ford Windstar ABS system? (I have 2003) in 2010, I complained to my Ford dealership that the ABS and brake lights on the dash were flashing on and off, that it happens all the time. On that ticket they wrote, "no action", meaning they did nothing and said nothing about how to fix it. I just got back from Ford dealership yesterday where I'd complained again about the same issue because now it's been 3 years of flashing lights... and they said "oh, you need a whole new ABS system, that part is $2800 and that does not include labor!!! really" too bad my warranty is now expired. Would have been nice to get that done when I complained the first time and had that expensive warranty in place. Is this in fact a recall or do I have to pay for a new ABS system"

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

problem #109

May 152013

Windstar

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, both the ABS and brake warning indicators illuminated intermittently. The failure occurred only in warm temperatures without pressure being applied to the brake pedal. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Lincoln , NE, USA

problem #108

May 152013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 172,000 miles
For a few years, the ABS warning light has been intermittently coming on. It has mostly been during the warmer months of the year. Also, the brake warning light has been intermittently coming on. Sometimes the two lights come on together sometimes individually. Also, the low tire pressure warning has come on numerous times when there was no issue with tire pressure. Now I have a new issue- the speedometer is reading incorrectly. This is very unsafe because I am teaching my son how to drive and he is very nervous already, now he has no idea how fast he is going! this problem is also intermittent but happens 80 percent of the time the vehicle is driven. Mostly, it is indicating about half of the vehicles actual speed. I also got an airbag warning yesterday for the first time. I assume this issue will start to show up more often now. This vehicle is unsafe to drive with all of these erratic warnings and indications. Please help the nation out by mandating a recall of the Ford Windstar wheel speed sensors & vehicle speed sensors.

- Imperial, MO, USA

problem #107

May 022011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 100,200 miles
ABS and brake light comes on after 5 minutes, when the car is turned off it resets but the comes on again 5 minutes or so after driving. Cruise control not working.

- Holbrook, MA, USA

problem #106

May 112010

Windstar

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic. The mechanic stated that the ABS system had malfunctioned. The mechanic did not detail what needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer who advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 170,000. The VIN was not available.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #105

May 122013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 128,000 miles
Van ABS brake light and ABS light comes on at the same time. I took the van to local dealer who informed me that this is a common problem with these Windstar. He said that it would cost a lot of money to fix. If this is a common problem and a safety issue why hasn't ODI.NHTSA make Ford call a recall. Minivans are a family vehicle is it safe to continue driving my family in it while this keeps happening?

- Smyrna, DE, USA

problem #104

May 062013

Windstar

  • miles
ABS light wont turn off.

- Melvindale, MI, USA

problem #103

Aug 012012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 107,121 miles
The yellow ABS light and red brake light come on intermittently. This first occurred last summer. Did not occur with much regularity over the winter. Now within the last 3 weeks it happens almost any time the van is driven. The brakes were inspected along with the wheel speed sensors. These items are not the cause of the two dash lights coming on. It appears the problem is the ABS ebcm ECU ECM computer.

- Grove City, OH, USA

problem #102

Jan 022012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
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.

- Canton, MA, USA

problem #101

May 122010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 175,000 miles
ABS sensor light comes on, even after brakes serviced.

- Kentwood, MI, USA

problem #100

Apr 142013

Windstar

  • 105,700 miles
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!

- Texarkana, AR, USA

problem #99

Apr 152010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
ABS ECU seemingly has failed as the "brake" and "ABS" lights come on soon after starting every time the Windstar is turned on. This was originally an intermittent problem, but is now continual. The only fix for these two lights is to repair the ABS ECU.

- Kailua, HI, USA

problem #98

Mar 202012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
ABS control module failure. Module is still defective, I have no ABS brakes and cannot get vehicle inspected due to this defect, which is estimated to cost $1000 repair. This is a well known problem with this vehicle, see www.fordwindstarrecall.info/.

- Monongahela, PA, USA

problem #97

Mar 012011

Windstar

  • 114,000 miles
Like many other people, I have had problems with ABS and brake lights. Mine constantly come on all the time. Even when I had my brakes done, they still came on. Also my car like to idle high and my check engine light has been on forever. It never goes off, and I have had work done so there is no reason for it to be on. Now I am having problems with my od light blinking. I was on my way home from work, and the light starting blinking. All the sudden my car wouldn't move. I had to turn the car off and then back on to make it home. It was pretty scary and I have read my complaints and know that I am not the only one with this problem. Ford seriously needs to do something about these issues. I just had my transmission rebuilt last year. Right now, I would not recommend a Ford to anyone. I have read a lot of complaints and have seen some people had some pretty serious accidents because of these problems. When do you recall something?? after people have been hurt. Crazy!!

- Fairborn, OH, USA

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