Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | |||
| 08/01/2008 | 45000 | ||
| Windstar van doors will lock and unlock while driving. right passener slide door will not lock/ unlock have to do it by hand. left rear passeners door slide open it self after i shut it. will lock it self. i can pull the lock up and it will lock it self again. the drivers door will not unlock have to use key.. keyless remotestop working. plus battier . still nothing. | |||
| 09/24/2010 | 81535 | ||
| Our 2003 ford windstar has been having mechanical failures for about 3 years. we have heard a loud grinding noise from the rear passeners side of the car that neither our local mechanic nor ford could fix. we replaced shocks and most recently the tire rods on 9/24/10. we have had numerous electronical bugs inclluding abs lights flashing on and off for 2 years requiring multiple fuse changes and electrical testing. our transmission was replaced in 2009 at 59,000 miles. the power locks on the passenger side door and rear passenger doors do not open remotely or with power locks, only key or manual lifting. needless to say, although we have not had any person injuries, we have spent a fortune to keep this car running in what we thought was safe manner. | |||
| 03/01/2009 | |||
| Ford vehicles should not only be recalled for rear axle rust. there should also be a recall for rust that constantly occurs around the rear wheel well panels. the rust appears to start from underneath the rear side panel on the windstar. it seems like this is occuring along with the rear axle rust. the sliding side doors have a continuous problem with closing completely when any of the control buttons were used. the doors would reopen over and over. repeated visit to the service department did not solve the problem which seem to involve the pulley system. | |||
| 05/10/2010 | 80000 | ||
| Engine revs and car accellerates while driving. engline 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. | |||
| 04/10/2010 | 136000 | ||
| This van keeps draining our battery. we have tried to figure out why the van's electrical system keeps draining the battery. it has drained our battery several times. | |||
| 04/01/2007 | 45000 | 1 | |
| Electrical problem doors lock sometimes, next time no lock, abs lite will not go off replace fuse, drive 5 miles, abs lite comes back on, has for 2 years,wasted money and time on trying to find solution. fuses blow out faster then i can replace them. *tr | |||
| 07/25/2009 | 77971 | 1 | |
| With no prior problems to report, i was suddenly unable to put my vehicle in gear after starting it. the gear-shifter felt somewhat loose as if i were parked at an incline without putting the hand brake on. however, i was parked on level ground. after turning the vehicle off, i was finally able to get the vehicle out of park and into neutral where i was able to start it and put it into drive. whenever i placed it in park it was extremely difficult to get it back into any other gear however, it would randomly go into gear as if there was no problem. but once placed back into park it would get stuck again. now there is all kinds of wacky electrical stuff going on...window swithches aren't functioning, no tail lights, fuel gage is not functioning and the remote alarm entry only unlocks the drivers side door. there is a clicking in the left side of the steering column when trying to utilize any of the listed electrical functions. *tr | |||
| 01/30/2009 | 145000 | 1 | |
| 2003 ford windstar. brake and abs lights came on, fluid leaking out of brake pressure switch. fluid wicking down to other wires blowing fuses. abs control unit wires soaked in fluid. possible fire. also electric door locks stick both fail to unlock and fail to lock even though the solenoid is triggered. the actual lock is sticking on 3 of the four doors. *tr | |||
| 11/24/2008 | 48000 | 1 | |
| 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}. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2008 | 1 | ||
| 2003 ford windstar brake warning light and abs warning light on constantly. numerous electrical problems, i.e, doors not unlocking, locking for no reason. blend door sticking, not allowing for heat or defrosting. *tr | |||
| 10/20/2008 | 67000 | 1 | |
| Left rear automatic closing door will begin to close, just before latching the door will re-open itself. *tr | |||
| 08/01/2004 | 1 | ||
| Purchased a used van from local dealer. it has a dvd player already installed (not factory installed). approx. 6 months later, i complained to service assoc. while getting an oil change, that my radio does not get stations clearly. maybe there's a problem with the antennae. he said, it's a ford thing in 2005 i told same service assoc. that the 'door is ajar' light keeps coming on. the trunk. hatch light comes on and stays on even when back is closed. and the interior lights go on and off. and the dvd player no longer worked. he said it could be the contacts, and he would clean them but there's 'no guarantee. the next service check, i told him that the lights stay on after the doors are closed and i 'm afraid my battery will go dead. also that the power locks now go on and off while driving around. i was told that it was probably an electrical problem but that it was not under any warranty and it would be very costly,it could take hours and hours of looking for the problem and it may never be found. i went home and my husband purchased and changed the contact thing for the back door. the light for that back hatch then stopped staying on when the door was closed. i was very concerned about the locks going up and down while driving my three small children around. how could i know if the locks were engaged or not??? if there is a 'short; could a fire start?? i called the ford co. consumer number, explained my problems and the rep. just told me that there is no recall for those problems with that van. i said i was afraid for my children's safety, not knowing if the doors were locked or open. when repeated her statement and said to take it to the dealer at my expense. it is now 2008, my locks continue to go up and down while driving randomly, i have to turn all the interior lights off and leave them off, already replaced a battery, back door is open light still stays on!! please advise me!! i am quite frustrated and nervous about this vehicle. *tr | |||
| 05/09/2008 | 53200 | 2 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. while en route to new york and driving 60 mph, the door locks did not function and were not programmed. when the contact activated the cruise control, the abs, door lights, and emergency brake lights illuminated. halfway to her destination, she had to stop at a repair shop and pay for them to inspect the vehicle so that she could continue driving. the mechanic checked the brake line and pads and informed her that the vehicle was functional. the battery was also repaired. within 2-3 weeks, the same lights illuminated again. the vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. the current mileage was 55,394 and failure mileage was approximately 53,200. updated 07/29/08 *bf the consumer also state the vehicle had an oil leak in the oil pan near the oil gasket. the low tire pressure light illuminated. the consumer was informed that the new battery was causing electrical problems they were experiencing. updated 07/29/08 | |||
| 06/22/2007 | 46736 | 1 | 08/20/2003 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford wind star. the contact stated that the transmission would not engage. the tow truck driver stated that the vehicle was stuck into gear. the dealer replaced the transmission. in addition, the front passenger locks would not work properly. the dealer stated the motor in the doors caused the failure. the current mileage was 57,303 and failure mileage was 46,736. updated 4/16/08 *cn the dealership removed the transmission to replace the torque converter, front hub seal, pump shaft and bearing. the front doors needed actuators. updated | |||
| 06/24/2004 | 30000 | 8 | |
| When the passenger side automatic door lock engaged it pinched the occupant's arm. as a result, passenger suffered a blood blister that turned into a bruise. *ak | |||
| 03/01/2003 | 3000 | 100 | 11/30/2002 |
| Automatic sliding door opens by itself - no command; door will not power open; door lock assembly freezes. the door has opened itself while the vehicle is in motion - very scary and dangerous for my children. this is a problem ford has known about but have not been proactive about fixing (see ford tsb article 03-6-8). *ak | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH | |||
| 04/09/2009 | 80000 | 1 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact was driving 45 mph on normal road conditions; the abs brake warning light indicators illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. the technician recommended the replacement of the anti-lock brake system computer module. in addition, there were defective automated power locks on all four doors. an authorized mechanic was unable to duplicate the door lock failure. the vehicle is in the process of being repaired for the abs computer module. the contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. the failure mileage was 80,000. the current mileage was 100,000. updated 12/30/09 *bf updated 12/30/09*jb | |||
| 05/13/2008 | 76000 | 1 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. the contact stated that the passenger side sliding door would not function with the power button. the door would have to be opened manually from the passenger compartment. the dealer stated that there was a service bulletin for the failure, but there was no recall. the contact was informed that a tsb kit was needed. the manufacturer stated that nothing could be done and referred her to nhtsa. the current mileage was approximately 77,000 and failure mileage was approximately 76,000. updated 07/15/08 *bf updated | |||
| 01/01/2004 | 38000 | 6 | 08/13/2003 |
| Since purchase i have had to replace transmission, airconditioner, and the alternator--this has been replaced 4 times. there is still an issue with the interior lights coming on. this has been reported to ford and they state there is no issue on their part. *tr | |||
| 08/15/2005 | 25302 | 15 | 09/29/2003 |
| I own a 2003 ford windstar that was purchased in september of 2003. i had so many issues with this van since purchasing it, it's not even funny. it started out with the door locks and the back hatch door not operating correctly....there were also some cosmetic items that were defective. the most annoying problem occurred in august of 2005 and has continued sporadically over the course of the last year. the van stalls out while driving down the road!!! you lose the power brakes and power steering when this happens..it has been in the shop probably four times over the course of the last year. the first couple of times they would return the van with the explanation no problem found. i have had people riding with me that have experienced this problem first hand. when it first started happening it was only when it rained..and it was very sporadic...then it started happening even in dry weather. i just got it back after having left it at the dealer for almost a month!!! the repair order states that the intake manifold gaskets were replaced... that was july 25th 2006. during another visit they replaced a cam shaft position/cylinder??? so now they tell me that because they replaced another part, that this is not considered the same problem. this van is a lemon!!!! and ford needs to take a look at these issues....and do what is right for the consumer. i.e. refund the purchase price of these vehicles!!! *jb | |||
| 06/28/2005 | 4000 | 20 | 01/02/2004 |
| Our vehicle has several ongoing problems that the dealer has been unable to repair. the traction control light occaisionally comes on and loud grinding noises are heard and vibrations felt through the floor. this problem began around 9/2004. the interior lights will randomly turn on and off while driving. the dealer completely removed the overhead consoles and headliner to repair a short in the wiring harness; but that didn't fix it. and both power sliding doors have malfunctioned several times. the doors will not open with any of the interior switches or remote, and the power locks on them will hang up. the doors have, on occaision, opened by themselves while the vehicle is parked in the driveway. we found the interior flooded one morning after it rained heavily the night before. we can only assume the door opened on its own. and yesterday, the door right side door opened on it own while driving at about 45mph. the interior lights were flashing on and off and the power lock swith on the door sounded like it was cycling on and off. the vehicle was taken straght to the dealer and they verified that it wasn't working - it wouldn't operate with any of the switches. we have notified ford under the rules of our state's lemon law and are awaiting their response. | |||
| 02/11/2005 | 20000 | 3 | 07/16/2003 |
| 2003 ford windstar with automatic power sliding doors. this is the third incident where the doors automatically opened when they were closed and locked. the first 2x i returned to find the doors opened and retracted. the third my 3 year old was seated in her car seat when the door opened while driving. this is a hazard and major safety issue. ford has ignored my phone calls and ford service they can find no problem and cleaned the contacts. i will file suit in the next few weeks to address this horrible defect. *jb | |||
| 11/19/2004 | 3 | 09/20/2002 | |
| Sliding side doors worked intermittently. told nothing wrong. one stopped working. cost close to $400 dollars and took all day. said it was an electricians nightmare. the very next day the other door quite working. we have no children, so do not use door in excess. this is more than coincidence. the first one needed a new plate or something like that. they said it would be $1000 if the motor goes. *jb | |||
| 06/16/2004 | 58000 | 1 | |
| The sliding door senor failed, causing a 3 year old child's left arm to be closed in the sliding door way. consumer had to use a crowbar to open the sliding door. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| 02/01/2004 | 600 | 15 | 12/30/2003 |
| I have power sliding doors on my windstar van. this van has been taken to the shop numerous times because the door will not shut securely. i have actually had to take it to the shop with the door only particularly secure for them to examine the problem. this is unsafe especially since my child was in the van with me. i reported to ford that i was having problems getting it fixed and they sent a letter for me to take it to the dealer, please note i had been taking it to the dealer for the past 6 months. *nm | |||
| 7000 | 3 | ||
| Consumer complained about a sliding door problem. the driver side sliding door opened on its own. vehicle had been at dealer on three separate occasions, but dealer was unable to resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| 8871 | 1 | ||
| Consumer complained about automatic door problem. the door on the passenger side opened without warning while vehicle was in motion. *ak | |||
| 11/01/2003 | 1 | 1 | 02/01/2002 |
| The electric sliding door on our 2003 ford windstar will not stop if my wife or child is in its intended path. the door will literally pin them against the door frame. i have had to apply force in order to have the door reverse. *ak also the door mechanism (latch) will not allow the door to open when pulled. the door must be forceibly pulled to ectivate the auto open sequence. my wife has stated that when closing ther door with the key fob that the door does not alway close, she has had two occurences where she has removed my daughter from the van and closed the door, when she came out of the store the door was open. | |||
| 11/02/2003 | 1 | ||
| 2003 ford winstar wife was leaning on front passinger door, door was lock, but as slowing down for stop sign and a few bumps in the road the front pass door popedopen enough to sound the door open alarm. the door did not open all the way, the lock button was still in the down position. ford dealer looked over and said they saw no defect, however what and why did the door come open part way.*ak | |||
| 07/01/2003 | 5 | ||
| Passenger automatic sliding door reopens while in the process of closing. this happens about 80% of the time. we have to manually force the door to close some times and try 4-5 times the other times to close. this problem also occurs sometimes while in reverse or drive, when close button is pushed inside. also, the sliding door does not stop and retract if something is in the way. i, the owner, remotely closed the door and realized i forgot something, i went to grab for it, and the door continued to close and almost shut my shoulder and arm inside. fortunately, i was able to pull my arm out, but the door continued to close until it finally shut. *la | |||
| 1 | 09/05/2003 | ||
| When the vehicle was on an incline rear sliding door on the driver's side slammed shut. door slammed on the head of a 3-year-old child, causing bruises and headaches. *ak | |||