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 ABS and brake light have been on in my car intermittently for almost as long as I have owned the car. The Ford dealer was unable to find any problems even though the light remains on. I have had to replace 3 sets of wheel bearings in the car and now the power steering unit is about to go out and the rack is leaking. The vehicle only has 78,000 miles on it. I work at home so I do not drive to work so the mileage is low for a vehicle this age. The vehicle is also rusting and I keep it parked in my garage unless it is being driven. The passenger side window only rolls down occasionally. In conclusion: I have been driving for 41 years and I have never replaced wheel bearings or power steering in any vehicle, let alone 3 sets of wheel bearings and a power steering unit. The costs of these repairs will total over 2000 dollars with no resolve of the brake issue or window problem.
Driving 45 mph when something snapped under front of the vehicle lost steering completely hit the curb got pushed back to the middle of the 4-line road and came to a stop very lucky. Later found out that lower subframe control arm broke of the frame due to rust and pulled out axle snapped sway bar and damaged ball joints, towed it to a dealer and they are willing to fix frame but want me to pay for all the other expense sway bar, ball joints, tires, steering arm totaling over a 1000 $. can not believe that Ford would not at least replace all needed part considering that I made it out alive and with out a crush. And all this after they have performed rear axle repair and checked the front and was informed that front was safe a year ago.about 10,000 miles and a year later I had this happened. The vehicle has 74,000 miles only.
ABS light is on as well as check engine light.car is idling rough. Checked with numerous car repair places with no success. Also, van is pulling to the right even after I changed tires and did alignment check !
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly swerved to the left and right and the contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle. The contact crashed into ditch. The contact was reported injured. A police report was available (carroll township police department 10-0910). The vehicle was towed from the ditch and the tow driver advised that the steering bracket was fractured. The vehicle was taken to a tow yard where the contact was awaiting the completion of an investigation through her insurance company. The failure and the current mileage were 106,000.
The right front sub frame on my 2003 Windstar corroded causing the lower control arm to separate and wheel to pull out. Lost steering. Also axles shaft pulled from transmission and fluid ran out. Fortunately at slow speed so no accident, but what if I were on a freeway running fast?
- Charing Cross, On, Canada , 00, USA
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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.
2003 Ford Windstar SE brake and ABS lights on intermittently. The following codes are present: C1226;C1235;C1185;C1198;C1194;C1254;C1246;C1250; and C1242. The mechanic said it appears the ABS control module is going bad or is bad at a cost of $700. I replaced both rotors, drums, right wheel bearing, left inner tie rod and my brakes work just fine. The lights coming on are an annoyance and could possibly cause a fire??
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.
Power steering pump makes loud noises that can be heard over a block away. Had pump replaced twice still makes the noise. Replacement pumps were rebuilt. Also when pump makes noise the interior lights flicker but not all of the time.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the power steering malfunctioned and a noise was heard coming from the engine compartment while driving approximately 65 mph. All of a sudden, the power steering completely failed. He took the vehicle to the shop and they repaired the power steering. The current mileage was 63,780 and failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The consumer stated wanted to be reimbursed for repairs, however Ford stated will not reimburse the consumer due to the fact the repairs were not made by a local Ford dealership. Updated 09/18/07
We purchased the 2003 Ford Windstar in October of 2003. Since that time, the van has been in and out of the shop 5 times because of a loud screeching in the power steering, interior lights flickering on and off (which they told me that they couldn't find a reason for that and that I should just turn the interior lights off so that it dosen't happen), and a thumping in the front end when the wheels are turned sharply. They told me that I should bring the van to the shop whenever any of these things happen since they couldn't figure out what was causing these problems and I have done that. I am currently driving a loaner car from the dealership because the van is back in the shop. I called Ford Motor Company and filed a complaint with them. I need to know why this is happening and what can be done to fix this van.
Nar 05/21/2003 the consumer has made two major safety related repairs (transmission, and steering pull) made to the vehicle over an 11 month period. Please review for further investigations.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- West Des Moines, IA, USA