2003 FORD WINDSTAR Power Train Problems

My family and I went to pull out of an entersection when the 03 Ford Windstar I purchased suddenly stopped pulling .almost getting rearended

On May 23rd 2022 I was driving on interstate 45 the speed limit through where I was driving was 75 all of a sudden with no warning no engine light on my transmission stopped working and I could not break I was able to safely get over thank goodness but there is a recall on my transmission which almost killed me that needs to be replaced

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTOR, FILTER, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 172,000.

Mileage: 172,000

PURCHASED USED 2003 FORD WINDSTAR..IN 2005 ..WITH 30,000 MILES ..NOW HAS 107,000 MILES...AROUND TOWN DRIVING...GOT RECALLS..BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO DEALER FOR REAR AXLE FIX.INSPECTED TWICE..AFTER ......BRACKETS INSTALLED TO STABILIZE AXLE WERE INITIALLY INSTALLED TOLD IF AXLE WAS BAD , FORD WOULD REPLACE..DID NOT REPLACE. BENTELER AXLE WHOLE PROBLEM FROM START.WEAK METAL SUBJECT TO FATIGUE .BRACKETS WERE A BAND-AID.ACTUALLY MAY HAVE MADE PROBLEM WORSE.......AXLE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING AST LOW SPEED..AND WHILE TURNING........

Mileage: 1,073,200

TRANSMISSION SLOW TO ENGAGE AFTER SITTING. THIS IS NOT ONLY A REPEAT PROBLEM AFTER BEING REPAIRED, BUT ALSO AFTER BEING TOTALLY REPLACED BY FORD DEALER. ABS NEVER RECALLED FOR SCDS 09S09. CONSTANTLY RESETTING AND DISENGAGING. AFTER 15 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, I HAVE YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF OR HAD ANYTHING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ( WHEN THE RPM'S WENT UP AND THE TRANSMISSION QUIT PULLING) ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, NO PLACE TO GO. NEARLY CAUSING A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT. WITH THE ABS PROBLEM, ANYTHING INDICATING A BRAKE FAILURE, POSSIBLE ONBOARD FIRE, OR LOSS OF CONTROL, LEAVES YOU WITH A HUGE LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 71,018

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES WITHIN 60K MILE INTERVAL WHILE FOLLOWING THE 30K TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH. A FLASHING O/D LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL DIE OUT OF NOWHERE AND THE PAST FEW TIMES IT HAS BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 75 MPH WITH NO WARNING, SMOKE, LIGHTS, ETC. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION START SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE BAY EVEN THOUGH THE FLUID WAS CHANGED. NOW THERE IS A MASSIVE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WHO REPORT A BAD DESIGN OF THE FORD WINDSTAR 2003 TRANSMISSION AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THE FORD FREESTAR WAS RECALLED FOR THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT THE WINDSTAR WASN'T. WHY NOT? BOTH MODELS USE THE SAME TRANSMISSION. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD IS NOT WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND RECALL THE VEHICLE TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.

Mileage: 203,000

2003 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REAR AXLE FRACTURE RECALL NOTICE REPLACEMENT PARTS FAILURE. *SMD *CN

2003 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIR. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAFETY RECALL 15S27 WAS IMPROPERLY COMPLETED. THE AXLE CRACKED, THE INSTALLED BRACKET AND AXLE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED CREST FORD FLAT ROCK (22675 GIBRALTAR RD, FLAT ROCK, MI 48134) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,000.

Mileage: 138,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT CARRIAGE FORD DEALER LOCATED IN CLARKSVILLE, INDIANA WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURED TRANSMISSION CASING IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) AND 10V385000 (SUSPENSION) PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: CAS-13693189. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 175,000

TRANSMISSION JUST STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF NOWHERE , STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT PUT IN NUETRAL LIGHT TURNS GREEN AND I PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND START TO ROLL THE VAN WOULDNT BUDGE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND LEAKING ALOT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID . PARKED IT IN NEARBY PARKING LOT ADDED TRANNY FLUID STILL NOT DRIVABLE AND WONT MOVE IN ANY GEAR.

Mileage: 129,000

I WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL TO THE REAR AXLE ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, I TOOK THE VAN INTO THE DEALER AND HAD THE INSPECTION DONE AS WELL AS THE BRACKETS INSTALLED. ( 15S27). THE VAN WAS THEN PARKED FOR APPROX 5 MONTHS AFTER THE PROCEDURE WAS DONE AS I WAS GIVEN A COMPANY VEHICLE. I WAS THEN LET GO FROM MY JOB AND BEGAN TO DRIVE THE OLD TRUSTY VAN THAT WE HAVE AROUND. 2 WEEKS INTO DRIVING IT ON A REGULAR BASIS I BEGAN TO SMELL AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER. NURSED THE VAN HOME AND BEGAN TO ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. CHANGED THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE DRIVERS REAR AS I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. GOT IT ALL BACK TOGETHER AND FOUND OUT I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HAD AAA TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT NOW MY AXLE WAS BROKEN, AND BY THE WAY THE RECALL WAS NOW OVER AND I WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY 1150.00 FOR A NEW ONE. THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER CORRECTLY INSPECTED TO IDENTIFY THIS PROBLEM, IT WAS JUST SHUFFLED THROUGH AND NOW NOBODY WILL STAND UP AND MAKE THE REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN CHEATED BY THE SYSTEM. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS FAIR NOR DO I BELIEVE IT WAS EVER DONE CORRECTLY. *TR

Mileage: 190,000

TAKATA RECALL UNCONTROLLABLE DRIVING WITH STEERING REAR END FISHTAILING. *TR

Mileage: 189,300

2003 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS RECALL NOTICE REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER PERFORMED A VISUAL CHECK OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NOTHING WAS REPLACED. *JB

2003 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS RECALL NOTICE REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED CORRECTLY. HOWEVER, THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE AXLE. *JB

2003 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPAIR AXLE RECALL NOTICE UNTIL CONSUMER PAYS FOR A NEW $300 AXLE REPLACEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INSTALLED THE BRACKETS AT NO CHARGE. *JB

I WAS DRIVING AT HWY SPEED AND RPM'S WENT UP AND CAR SLOWED DOWN.STOPPED AND TRIED SHIFTING GEARS NO LUCK/MOVEMENT.HAD CAR TOWED.TRANSMISSION WIPED OUT SECOND TIME IN 14 MONTHS.FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP.

Mileage: 225,000

REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING,( BACKING UP IN DRIVEWAY) MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE COOLING INDICATOR BECAME TRAPPED IN THE SPEEDOMETER AND GEAR SHIFTER AREA, CAUSING THE GEAR SHIFTER NOT TO ENGAGE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR ONE WEEK AGO WITH 96000 MILES ON IT. BECAUSE I PREVIOUSLY GOT A 1995 WINDSTAR WITH AX4S TRANSMISSION, RUNNING OVER 190000 MILES WITHOUT ANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I THEN BOUGHT THE 2003 CAR WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE AND HOPE IT WOULD LAST THE SIMILAR LENGTH. THIS 2003 CAR IS WITH 4F50N TRANSMISSION. BOTH AX4S AND 4F50N TRANSMISSION ARE SIMILAR IN DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS BUT THEY PERFORM TOTALLY DIFFERENT. EVERY TIME DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF DRIVING THE 2003 CAR, THERE WERE ALWAYS A HARSH REVERSE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. I HAD TO PUMP THE GAS TO REACH A HIGH RPM JUST TO GAIN A LITTLE REVERSE ACTION. THAT MAKES ME TEMPORARILY TO PARK THE CAR WITH THE FRONT FACING THE DRIVING LANE AT SHOPPING PLAZA. BUT I COULD STILL CARRY OUT THE REVERSE ACTION ON THE DRIVEWAY DURING THE MORNING WHILE THE ENGINE IS COLD. IT MAY NOT BE THE MECHANICAL PROBLEM BUT THE HYDRAULIC ISSUE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION.THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH SOME NOT-UP-TO-THE-SPEC INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS THAT ARE TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE WITH WARM TRANSMISSION FLUID, THUS AFFECTING THE NORMAL OPERATION OF CERTAIN COMPONENTS FOR THEIR INTENDED PERFORMANCE. I WILL BRING THE CAR FOR THE MECHANIC CHECK UP SOON. FORD DESIGNS, BUYS PARTS FROM SUPPLIERS, MANUFACTURES, FABRICATES, SELL, AND SERVICE THIS CAR. FORD SHOULD BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND INITIATE SOME ACTIONS SUCH AS NOTICES, WARNINGS, OR RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND GIVE CONSUMERS THE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR PRODUCT.

Mileage: 96,010

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN THE COUNTRY AND HEARD NOISES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. WHEN SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING SHE STOPPED. DISCOVERED THE REAR AXLE HAD SPLIT WHERE IT HAD BEEN BEEFED UP WITH BRACKETS AFTER FORD'S 10S13 RECALL. FORD IS SAYING WE HAVE TO PAY $300 TO MAKE REPAIRS ON AN ISSUE THAT APPEARS TO US TO BE A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING FLAW, FOR WHICH THERE HAS BEEN 3 RECALLS ISSUED (IF I UNDERSTAND IT CORRECTLY). I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY?

Mileage: 250,000

2003 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AT 87343 MILES. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF REPORTS ON 2003 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSIONS FAILING UNDER 70K MILES. TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD BE RECALLED.

Mileage: 87,343

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

AFTER LOOKING UP ALL OF THE SERVICE REPORTS ON THIS VEHICLE, I AM BEGINNING TO RECOGNIZE THAT FORD HAS SOME EXPLAINING TO DO. WE HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF SERVICE REPORTS ON OUR VEHICLE ALONE THAT OUR DEALERSHIP IS NOT REPORTING. WE HAVE PAID MORE FOR SERVICE REPAIRS THAN WE DID PAYING FOR THE VEHICLE. OUR AC/HEAT JUST CLICKS W/O WORKING, POWER WINDOWS FRONT AND REAR DO NOT WORK, POWER DOOR LOCKS, LEAKING ROOFS, LEAKING DOORS, ABS LIGHTS ON, ENGINE LIGHTS ON, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON, ENGINE SPUTTERS EVEN AFTER TWO COMPLETE OLD FASHIONED TUNE-UPS, COWL BROKEN, FRONT AND REAR AXLES SEVERELY CRACKED, SUB-FRAME CRACKED, REAR WIPER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, BRAKES NEED CONSTANT REPAIRS, ELECTRICAL SHORTS EVERYWHERE, HEAD LIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS ALL NEED CONSTANT REPLACEMENTS, ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED 6 TIMES IN ONE DAY BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL FAULTY, BRAKE SWITCH UNDER BRAKE PEDAL NEEDS CONSTANT REPLACEMENT, CONSTANT WHEEL ALIGNMENTS, WHEEL SENSORS MISSING OR BROKEN, POWER SEAT BROKE AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT IT WAS PETTY TO HAVE IT FIXED EVEN WITH A HEIGHT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRIVERS, CONTROL MODULES REPLACED, MULTIPLE EXPENSIVE SENSOR FAILURES, SPARK PLUGS WITH WIRES REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE, STARTER REPLACED, PARKING BRAKE NEEDS TO BE WATCHED FOR SLIPPAGE BECAUSE IT CAN'T HOLD ON HILLS, INTERIOR LIGHTS BLINK IN A PATTERN WHILE DRIVING, CAN'T HAUL IT'S OWN TAILGATE, BATTERY REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES BY DEALERSHIP, POWER MIRROR SWITCH BROKE, MANY MORE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AT OUR COST, P0302, P0305, P0316, C1235, C1185, C1198, C1194, C1254, C1246, C1250, C1242, C1214, C1210, C1103, C1410, C1404, B1318. WE WERE TOLD BY MANY SERVICE DEPARTMENTS A WHILE BACK THAT THESE CODES WERE NOT IMPORTANT. THEY CLEARED THE CODES EVERY TIME. THEIR RESPONSE TO THESE CODES WERE TO CLEAR THEM EVERY SINGLE TIME. WE ONLY HAVE ONE VEHICLE AND THIS IS IT. I AM A MOM W/CHILDREN. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

REAR AXLE RECALL WAS INSPECTED IN 2/17/2011 BY THE DEALER AND WAS NOTED NO CRACKS AND JUST PUT SOME BRACKETS. TODAY 3/23/2015 WENT FOR A STATE INSPECTION TO THE SAME DEALER AND FAILED DUE TO CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE(THAT WAS ONCE RECALLED). NOW DEALER/FORD STATES THAT THE RECALL WAS ONCE MANAGED, AND NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR FURTHER ISSUES... IF AN ITEM WAS RECALLED, IT SHOULD BE FIXED WITHOUT COST. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS WITH FORD. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 106,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A POTHOLE ON THE ROAD, WHICH WAS DRIVEN OVER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL FRACTURED AND WAS DETACHED FROM THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 4/15/15*CN

Mileage: 137,000

MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HOME FROM CHURCH AND WHILE TURNING RIGHT ONTO OUR STREET THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, NO LONGER POWERING THE VEHICLE. SHE COASTED TO A STOP IN FRONT OF OUR HOME. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD WINDSTARS AND THAT HE HAS HAD TO PREMATURELY REPLACE MANY OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS. WE WERE VERY LUCKY DURING THIS INCIDENT. IT COULD HAVE EASILY HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND CAUSED A SEVERE CRASH, INJURIES OR DEATH. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS INFORMED ME THEY HAD NO RECALL ACTIONS UNDERWAY FOR THIS PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE, BUT TO SAVE ANY RECEIPTS IN CASE THERE WAS A FUTURE REIMBURSEMENT/RECALL EFFORT. *TR

Mileage: 129,381

I HAVE A 2003 WINDSTAR FORD MINI VAN. ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AGO THEY PUT A PATCH FIX ON THE REAR AXLE THAT WAS SO WHEN THE AXLE BREAKS INSTEAD OF THE WHEELS SEPARATING IT HOLDS IT TOGETHER. WELL RECENTLY I WAS ON MY WAY TO A MAJOR HIGHWAY I THOUGHT MY BRAKES LOCKED UP, BUT IN ACTUALITY THE PATCH FIX BROKE AND SO DID MY AXLE. SO A BIG THANKYOU FOR ALMOST KILLING MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT, DOES FORD MOTORS CARE? NO THEY DON'T! BECAUSE WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID FORD IS AWARE OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND WILL NOT FIX IT AGAIN. BUT I CAN BUY ANOTHER PART FOR $800.00. IF THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE PATCH WAS NOT A SAFE FIX THEN WHY BOTHER AT ALL! I FEEL THIS COMPANY SHOULD PUT THEIR CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT AND THEN MAYBE THEY WOULD ACTUALLY CARE TO FIND A SAFE FIX. *TR

I WAS ON A 65 MPH HIGHWAY AND HAD TO STOP FOR A STOPLIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I PUT IN 2 THEN 1 AND THEN REVERSE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AS I WAS AFRAID OF BEING AT A GREEN LIGHT AND GETTING REAR ENDED WITH THE OTHER CAR GOING AT LEAST 65 MPH. I PROCEEDED TO SHUT THE VAN OFF, TURN IT BACK ON AND PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT JERKED FORWARD, BUT I COULD TELL THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO CONTINUE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO GET IT TO A SAFE PLACE WHERE I FINALLY HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. I HAD MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WITH ME AND HAD WE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND, WE BOTH COULD HAVE DIED. *TR

Mileage: 198,897

A FEW DAYS AFTER BUYING THE VAN THE ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON, IT GOES ON AND OFF. MY INTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE FLASHED ON AND OFF, MY PASSENGER WINDOW NO LONGER WORKS! AND THE GEAR SHIFTER IS LOOSE AND SOMETIMES HARD TO GET INTO PARK. *TR

Mileage: 118,000

APRIL, NOTICED THAT CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING 100% OF TIME - NOT ENGAGING AND NOT DISENGAGING!! OPTED NOT TO USE IT ANYMORE. JULY, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON AND DIDN'T SHUT OFF WHILE IN HOME GARAGE. SHUT VAN OFF, RESTARTED IT, LIGHTS OFF. AUGUST, LIGHTS SEEM TO BE COMING ON WITH MORE FREQUENCY. DOESN'T SEEM TO BE SPEED RELATED. SEPTEMBER, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON MORE FREQUENTLY. SEEMS TO RESET (FOR SHORT TIME) AFTER SHUT VAN OFF. OCTOBER, HAD BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED. DISC ROTOR - R&R; CONTROL ARM W/ BALL JOINT - LOWER - FRONT SUSPENSION; REAR BRAKES SERVICED; BRAKE FLUID FLUSH. THOUGHT THAT WOULD HAVE "FIXED" EVERYTHING HOWEVER LESS THAN 10 DAYS LATER, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. TURN VAN OFF, TURN BACK ON - LIGHTS RESET - UNTIL NEXT TIME I DRIVE IT!! AFTER READING THROUGH, REALIZE THAT THE TWO MIGHT BE RELATED. SAFETY IS A MUST!! *TR

Mileage: 137,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, VAN WILL NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR, FORWARD, REVERSE, 2,1. *TR

Mileage: 111,545

BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ON, BRAKES ARE FINE, FLUID LEVEL IS FINE, BUT LIGHT IS ON. ABS NOW NOT WORKING. SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT GO ABOVE 40 MPH UNTIL DRIVEN AT LEAST 3 MILES, THIS IS ALSO CAUSING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO NOT WORK SMOOTHLY. TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE, TRANSMISSION IS CLEAN AND WORKING. ALL OF THESE ISSUES BEGAN WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

WHILE DRIVING LOST ALL POWER TO TRANSMISSION. CAR WOULD START BUT NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. CODE SCANNER SHOWS NO CODES, ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT STAY LIT. MECHANIC'S GUESS IN TORQUE CONVERTER. SEEMS TO BE A TOO COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 78,500

WHEN DRIVING UP HILLS THE "OD OFF" TRANSMISSION LIGHT WILL BEGIN TO FLASH AND THOUGH I DEPRESS THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER THE LIGHT WILL NOT STOP FLASHING. ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT STOP IS WHEN I TURN HE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

MY TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED; I DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE A GREAT DEAL, THO THE CAR IS AGED, THE UPKEEP IS GREAT ON THE CAR. I HAVE TRIED TO KEEP UP WITH THE RECALLS ON THIS CAR, IS THERE A RECALL ON THE CAR'S TRANS.? *TR

Mileage: 99,900

WHILE IN 75MPH SPEED LIMIT UPON ENTERING INTO A 70MPH LIMIT I PUSHED CST ON CRUISE PANEL STEERING WHEEL. I NOT ONLY SLOWED BUT MY VAN CONTINUED TO SLOW WHILE HEAVIER TRAFFIC WAS SKIRTING AND TRYING NOT TO RUN ME OVER. IT WAS AT LESS THAN 40MPH I WAS ABLE TO GET ON THE EMERGENCY LANE. WOULD NOT RESPOND TO DRIVE, 1ST, 2ND, REVERSE GEARS. ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IN NEUTRAL, GOING NOWHERE, WHEN FOOT APPLIED TO ACCELERATOR. NO WARNING GIVEN; NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OR NOISE BEFOREHAND. STRANDED 400 MI FROM HOME, TOWED TO STERLING FORD DEALERSHIP IN OPELOUSAS, LA WITH VAN LEFT THERE AND NO NOTION OF WHEN FIRM DIAGNOSIS, TORQUE CONVERTER WAS THE FIRST SUGGESTION, PULLING TRANSMISSION PUMP AND MUCH MORE COSTLY WAS SECOND. WAS TOLD BY PREUS FORD THEY "THOUGHT" THERE HAD BEEN RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. DON'T KNOW. *TR

Mileage: 69,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT HAD FAILED. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED BY THE MECHANIC AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 5/27/14*CN *TR

Mileage: 100,000

FAILED FORD SUB FRAME RECALL NOISE IN FRONT END GOING OVER BUMPS TOOK IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD FRONT SUB FRAME WAS RUSTING APART. FORD WINDSTAR HAD SUB FRAME RECALL 3 YEARS AGO LARGE BRACKETS PLACED AROUND SUB FRAME(IN MICHIGAN). CALLED FORD DEALER(IN FLORIDA WEAR VEHICLE RESIDES) AND THEY AGREED TO INSPECT AND SAID THEY THOUGHT THE OTHER DEALER MAY HAVE PLACE BRACKET AROUND A ROTTEN SUB FRAME. DEALER ALSO SAID FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE THE SUB FRAME AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $3000.00 FOR THAT REPAIR. MY WINDSTAR HAS BEEN IN FLORIDA SINCE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN MICHIGAN SO IT HAS NOT BEEN IN T.HE "SALT BELT" HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE SUB FRAME WENT FROM BEING SAFE TO ITS CURRENT UNSAFE CONDITION IF THE RECALL WAS DONE PROPERLY?

Mileage: 147,000

FORD CAME OUT AND TOOL MY CAR TO [XXX] CUNNINGHAM TO FIX MY CALL ON A SAFETY RECALL DATED 2/28/2014 THEN REFUSE TO FIX MY CAR STATE FORD REFUSE TO PAY HOME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR HE SAID I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. ALL REPAIR ARE FREE OF CHARGE MY CAR STILL AT THE SHOP AT THE SHOP BECAUSE THE FRONT WHEEL CAUSE BY THE POWER TRAIN AXLE ASSEMBLY NHTSA 12V193000 AND 11V030000 11S16 AND 10S13 3/11/2014. CAN I GET A COPY OF THESE RECALL MAIL TO ME THANKS MY CAR IS STILL AT [XXX] FOR 3 WEEKS NOW PLEASE HELP NO RENTER WAS GIVEN TO ME AS PART OF THE RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 10,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT AXLE FRACTURED AND RESULTED IN THE DETACHMENT OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V194000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/22/14 MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WAS ABNORMALLY TILTED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 03/26/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED CRACKS IN THE REAR AXLE, WERE NOT VISIBLE AND RE-ENFORCEMENT REPAIRS WERE DONE, TO THE REAR AXLE AND FRONT SUBFRAME LOWER CONTROL ARM. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED, WHILE THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. FORD WOULDN'T PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY STATED THEY HAD ALREADY FULL-FILLED THEIR OBLIGATIONS, WHEN THEY MADE THE RE-ENFORCEMENT. ALSO, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT WORK. UPDATED 03/27/14

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNCLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Mileage: 103,000

VAN RPM NEEDLE GOES HAYWIRE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND TRIES TO STALL OUT...ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO JUMP OUT OF VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 199,999

I WENT TO PUT THE FORD IN GEAR AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR ANY GEAR, I SEE THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE MATTER. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE. *TR

Mileage: 136,000

REAR AXLE CRACKED . FORD SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY AXLE , NOW FORD SAYS THEY RECALL IS OVER . I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW FORD CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR THE REAR AXLE RECALL AND WAS REPAIRED. THE AXLE HAS CRACKED AGAIN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT THEY CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WERE TOLD THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE AXLE THE VAN ONLY HAS 47000 MILES ON IT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED OR REPLACED AT FORD EXPENSE. *TR

Mileage: 47,200

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND UNOCCUPIED THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A PEDESTRIAN ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT ENDED UP BEING PINNED BETWEEN THE TWO VEHICLES. THE PEDESTRIAN SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

OUR VAN WAS FINE UNTIL IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING. WE TOOK THE VAN INTO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO WATER. AND ALSO HAD THE WATER TO THE RADIATOR COMPLETELY BYPASS THE TRANSMISSION. EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL MONTHS LATER IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING. SOMEHOW A LOT OF WATER HAD GOTTEN IN THERE. THERE'S NO WAY IT'S FROM THE RADIATOR SINCE LIKE I SAID IT BYPASSES THE TRANNY AND HAS A DIFFERENT COOLING THING?? NOW HE THINKS IT'S FROM THE A/C. SO NOW IT'S IN THE SHOP AGAIN AND I ALREADY SPENT $300 FOR A COMPLETE FLUSH. NOW I MIGHT HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN. PLUS HE'S GOING TO MAKE A SHIELD FOR THE A/C. THIS IS CRAZY. *TR

Mileage: 124,000

WE STOPPED AT A RESTAURANT TO HAVE LUNCH. CAME OUT TO LEAVE. STARTED THE VAN AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO LEAVE PARKING PLACE AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL. CALLED OUR DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THAT WAS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL. IT JUST STOPPED WORKING. *TR

Mileage: 89,288

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!! *TR

Mileage: 114,000

I WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY 40MPH AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THEN WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE ROAD FOR SAFETY. I TRIED TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO GEAR TO DRIVE AND THE CAR DIDN'T REGISTER THE SHIFTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM, TORQUE CONVERTER, IN THESE CARS. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS INDEED COMMON, AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 05/01/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAS SINCE FAILED AGAIN.

Mileage: 76,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 05/01/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAS SINCE FAILED AGAIN.

Mileage: 76,000

VEHICLE HESITATES OR STUTTERS,VIBRATES ROUGH SOUND .......................... AT APPROX 40-60 MPH DEALERSHIP DID REPAIR, DID NOT FIX PROBLEM, STILL HAPPENING ONE MONTH LATER THEY TELL ME IT IS THE TRANSMISSION, AND ADVISE ME TO JUST DRIVE IT THAT WAY! WHEN I PUSH FOR MORE ANSWERS THEY SAY TRANSMISSION TORQUE INVERTER AND COST TO REPAIR 2200-2800.00 , ON TOP OF THE 5000.00 I PAID THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 102,568

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2004 FORD WINDSTAR MODEL YEARS BUT NOT THE 2003 MODELS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:12V006000-POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE WITH OUT ANY WARNING. UPON MINIMAL RESEARCH THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SEVERAL THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE HAPPEN MORE THEN ONCE ON SAME VEHICLE.AT VARIOUS MILEAGES. AND THE COST OF REPAIR IF YOU DONT GET KILLED IN A CRASH IS VERY EXSPENSIVE EXCEEDING 1200.00 .I HAVE OWNED THIS VAN SINCE 2009 AND HAVE HAD THIS IN 3 TIMES FOR RECALLS.WIRING,AXLE,SUBFRAME, THE 2004 FREE STAR IS A POST WINDSTAR MODEL AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED ON THAT MODEL INVOLVING THE TORQUE CONVERTER.AND WONDERING WHY THE RECALL FOR THE WINDSTAR HAS NOT BEEN ENFORCED AS OF YET. IT TAKES A DEATH BEFORE ACTION. WHAT A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS. THESE ARE DANGEROUS VECHICLES AND SHOULD BE LAWFULLY REPURCHASED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. AND REMOVED FROM THE NATIONS HIGHWAYS. BEFORE DEATH NOT AFTER. *TR

Mileage: 155,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD TO ACCELERATION OR REVERSE OR ANYTHING. IT WAS LIKE I WAS OUT OF GEAR. I DRIFTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED A TOW. I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THAT WAS FEB. 2011 I JUST HAD THE SAME INCIDENT HAPPEN AGAIN TO ME DEC. 2012- TRANSMISSION NEEDS REBUILT AGAIN! MILEAGE IS 82000 ARE YOU KIDDING! 2 TRANSMISSIONS IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS! THE TORQUE CONVERTER BOTH TIMES! *TR

Mileage: 56,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,096 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 181,096

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SPLINES WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 01/02/2013*LJ UPADTED 1/7/2013 *JS

Mileage: 100,000

WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECREASE IN SPEED, PRESSED GAS PEDAL TO INCREASE SPEED, B UT ONLY THE RPM'S WENT UP AND NOTHING ELSE. HAD TO COAST TO A SAFE AREA TO GET OFF THE ROAD, WAS STRANDED 6 MILES FRONT HE NEAREST TOWN AND WAS ABOUT 20 DEGREES OUTSIDE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR ANYTHING ELSE SHOWING ANY TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

I DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 50-100 MILES A DAY. I JUST PULLED INTO THE LIBRARY AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE, THE CAR BACKED OUT, BUT THAN WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. I TRIED EVERY GEAR AND THE RPM JUST REVVED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR SLIPPAGE OR INDICATION THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING. SPOKE TO THE MECHANIC AND ITS THE SAME PROBLEM THE FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY EXPERIENCED. I JUST SAW THEY GOT THEIR RECALL WHY NOT THE WINDSTAR SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS AND IT CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. I HAD MY DAUGHTER WITH ME. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

WHEN LEAVING MY HOUSE ON A TRIP OUT OF TOWN, I DROVE MY WINDSTAR DOWN THE STREET TO THE INTERSECTION LEAVING MY STREET. AS I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSION BROKE, DISENGAGED AND WOULD NO LONGER PROPEL THE WINDSTAR FORWARD. THE MECHANIC WHO TOWED THE VEHICLE SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND HE HAD SEEN COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF WINDSTARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 155,600

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE AXLE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

Mileage: 56,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE DECREASED ACCELERATION INDEPENDENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST INCIDENT AT 97,000 MILES THEN AGAIN AT 120,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE IN EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR AND AS OF NOW THERE IS NOT A RECALL OUT ON THIS VEHICLE. BUT THERE IS INDEED A RECALL ON THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR WHICH HAS THE EXACT SAME COMPONENTS AND DRIVETRAIN. FORD HAS RECALLED 205,896 2004-2005 FREESTARS DUE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAIL. THE SAME ISSUE IS WITH MY VEHICLE... I HAVE HAD THE WORST SERVICE THREW FORD IN THE FOLLOW UP WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND MANY TRANSMISSION MECHANICS VERIFY THIS ISSUE AND STATES THE FOLLOWING MODEL OF MY VAN HAS BEEN RECALLED. IF THIS IS SO WHY HASN'T MY VEHICLE BEEN RECALLED.. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE , IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY 3 CHILDREN IS THIS VEHICLE WHEN THIS PART FAILED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE! *TR

Mileage: 101,009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS ). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER BOTH RECALLS. LATER WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

Mileage: 143,000

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH STAYS ON MAJORITY OF THE TIME, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH NO POWER, AND THERE IS A NOTICEABLE CHANGE AT TIMES IN THE CRUISE SPEED CONTROL WHILE DRIVING REVVING UP THE ENGINE. HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AS A RESULT. THERE APPEARS TO BE RUST AND CRACK IN THE AXLE. *TR

Mileage: 119,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ UPDATED 09/05/2012 *JS

Mileage: 124,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE TRANSMISSION POWER WITH A RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

Mileage: 137,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000.

Mileage: 61,000

I WAS DRIVING ON THE MASS TURNPIKE WITH MY DAUGHTER AND TWO OF HER FRIENDS, WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO RACE AND THE SPEED STARTED TO DECREASE, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO BECAUSE THE BREAK DOWN LANE HAD DROPPED I SLOWED INTO THE LANE FURTHEST TO THE RIGHT, FOR SLOW MOVING TRUCKS AND HAD THE VEHICLE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PUT IT INTO PARK AND SHUT IT OFF, (MY HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ON), TRIED TO START IT BACK UP AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE, BUT WHEN I DID IT WOULDN'T MOVE AND SLOWLY STARTED TO MOVE BACKWARDS, TRIED TO PUT IT IN 1ST, 2ND AND NEUTRAL AND SAMETHING HAPPENED, SO HAD TO CALL 911 AND HAVE A WRECKER TOW IT BACK TO WEST SPRINGFIELD, HAD TO PAY $207 DOLLARS FOR TOW BACK THERE AND $80 TO TOW IT TO THE GARAGE THAT IT IS CURRENTLY AT NOW AND NEW TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO COST ABOUT $2000. THIS WAS A VERY UNSAFE AND STRESSFUL SITUATION FOR ME AND THREE CHILDREN, AGES 9,7, AND 6. THANK GOD WE DIDN'T GET IN AN ACCIDENT AND GET KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STARTED HER VEHICLE AND WHILE IT HAD POWER IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. ...UPDATED 04/25/13 *BF

Mileage: 86,000

THE CAR WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. NO WARNING, THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING. ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THERE WAS NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. NOTHING HAPPENED PRIOR, THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR ON THE INTERNET. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. WE ARE SO THANKFUL NOTHING WORSE HAPPENED, THERE WERE CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 104,000

PULLED OUT OF PARKING SPACE AT WORK AND DROVE TO THE GARAGE ENTRANCE, STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN. PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND ENGINE RPM JUST REVVED UP, NO FWD OR REVERSE, VAN ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO THE GARAGE. TOWED IT HOME, WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. HAD NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES. GOOD THING NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME!. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE NO INFO ON THIS, BUT CAN REBUILD IT FOR AROUND $1,000.00. *TT

Mileage: 113,000

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HAD A 100% TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING, BUT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. I DID PREVIOUSLY REPORT TRANSMISSION ISSUES (SLIPPING) TO FORD ON MORE THAN ONE OCCATION. FORD WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE OR IDENTIFY AN ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

Mileage: 108,000

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. LOOKS LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. PEOPLE AT AUTO STORE AND AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAID FORD WINDSTAR IS KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IF SO, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JS

Mileage: 118,000

TRANSMISSION DOESN'T TURN, IT'S SEIZED. *TR

Mileage: 94,826

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER COULD NOT BE MOVED INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES FOUND WITHIN THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN AT 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TORQUE CONVERTER BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

Mileage: 75,000

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED TODAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC NO WARNING, VERY SCARY. I GOOGLED FOR KNOW PROBLEMS ONLY TO FIND OUT I AM NOT ALONE, IT APPEARS THERE ARE MORE THAN FEW HUNDRED OWNERS OF 2003 WIND STARS WITH THE SAME DANGEROUS FAILURES. HOW COME THIS IS NOT A RECALL, WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING 60 MPH CENTER LANE AND YOUR TRANSMISSION QUITS NO WARNING. IT WAS JUST THE BLESSING OF GOD I GOT OUT OF THAT SITUATION WITHOUT BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED AND I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT TONIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME. FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT AND HAS NOT EVEN TRIED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE THAT THIS HAS AND COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT WARNING PLACING OWNERS IN WHAT COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE YEAR AND FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CANNOT BELIEVE FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL - $3,400 LATER I AM GETTING MY VAN FIXED.

Mileage: 146,000

2003 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN TO A WORKPLACE AND PARKED FOR THE DAY. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL HOME, DRIVER STARTED VEHICLE NORMAL AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR TO MOVE FROM THE PARKING SPACE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO EITHER DRIVE (FORWARD) OR REVERSE (BACKWARD). VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND THEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION EXCEEDS $2500. THE TRANSMISSION HAD SHOWN NO SIGNS OF SLIPPAGE OR OTHER VISIBLE, AUDIBLE AND/OR SHIFTING ISSUES. SINCE THE INCIDENT, I HAVE DONE ONLINE RESEARCHED AND FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND INCIDENTS ON THIS VEHICLE MODEL. WE HAVE ALSO HAVE REPEATED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN. INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF FOR NO REASON. INTERIOR LIGHTS BLINK WHILE DRIVING IN DAYTIME OR NIGHTTIME. SOMETIMES THE REAR POWER WING WINDOWS OPEN...SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT. SERVICE LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INCLUDING BRAKE AND ABS SYSTEM LIGHTS, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS, AND OTHERS. WE ARE THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 115,540

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO DRIVE HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO NONRESPONSIVE WHEN SHIFTING INTO ANY SELECTED GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

WHILE DRIVING ON I94, WITHOUT WARNING, POWERTRAIN COMPLETELY FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. THANKFULLY I HAD THE ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. *JS

Mileage: 107,000

SLOWED DOWN TO TURN LEFT ONTO SIDE ROAD, STARTED UP-HILL WENT TO SHIFT AND THEN THERE WAS NOTHING, COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. SEEMED AS THOUGH I HAD PUT VAN INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS OVER 300 MILES FROM HOME, JUST ME AND MY 2 YR OLD. TOWED BACK HOME TO TRANSMISSION GARAGE, HAD TO HAVE REBUILT FOR APPROXIMATELY $2900. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS, WHY IS FORD NOT RECALLING??? THIS VAN SEEMS TO BE MORE TROUBLE THAN IT IS WORTH. I ALSO HAD THE REPAIR TO THE BACK AXEL DONE AFTER I DISCOVERED THAT I HAD A COMPLETE CRACK THRU IT. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

AFTER HAVING THE 2011 REAR AXLE AND SUBFRAME RECALL DONE MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING SIGNS WHAT'S SO EVER . . . . SHORTLY AFTER SPENDING TWO THOUSAND ON HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT IN AUGUST MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY ABS STARTING KICKING IN WHEN I APPLY MY BREAKS AND WHEN MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON MY BRAKES ARE FINE AND MY VAN DOESN'T COME UP ON THE ABS RECALL . . . . . . FORD NEEDS TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND FIX THESE VANS. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN, WE USE THIS VEHICLE EVERYDAY BRINGING KIDS TO SCHOOL AND FOR WIFE TO DRIVE TO WORK, WE HAD TAKEN THE VAN TO A WEDDING ON THE 20TH OF AUGUST ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY. MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE LIKE ALWAYS. THE NEXT DAY SHE WENT TO TAKE THE KIDS OUT FOR AN ICE CREAM AND FOR WHATEVER REASON THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING, NO REVERSE ,FORWARD COMPLETELY NOT WORKING. THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF A PROBLEM ,I HAVE NEVER HAD A MISS SHIFT OR A SLIPPAGE. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE WEB AND IT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED I HOPE THERE CAN BE A RESOLVE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON A TRIP FROM CHICAGO TO NORTH CAROLINE, MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. IT WAS AS IF I JUST PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL; I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV WHEN I APPLIED THE GAS BUT NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED. LUCKILY, I WAS NEAR AN EXIT RAMP AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. I TRIED PUTTING THE CAR INTO ANOTHER GEAR, BUT THERE WAS NO CHANGE. WE ENDED UP GETTING THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE, WHERE THEY DETERMINED IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. LATER, AFTER PULLING THE TRANSMISSION APART, THEY DETERMINED IT WAS SPECIFICALLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH HAD FAILED. MY FAMILY AND I (INCLUDING 4 CHILDREN AND 4 DOGS) HAD TO STAY IN A HOTEL FOR 3 DAYS UNTIL THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. DURING THAT TIME, I INVESTIGATED THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE PROBLEM (VIA THE INTERNET) AND FOUND THAT IT IS COMMON IN WINDSTARS AND FREESTARS. THERE IS A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THE FREESTAR BUT NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THE WINDSTAR YET. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED ASAP!!!! I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS DRIVING IN CONDITIONS THAT ALLOWED ME TO SAFELY MANEUVER MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING OR BEING INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. THE SAFETY OF MYSELF, MY CHILDREN AND THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WITH ME, A WINDSTAR OWNER, SHOULD NOT BE PUT AT RISK BECAUSE OF A KNOWN TORQUE CONVERTER DEFECT. THE WINDSTAR NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE FORD RECALL FOR TORQUED CONVERTERS IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Mileage: 114,089

SUDDEN FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, TAKING LEFT TURN UP A SMALL INCLINE IN THE ROAD. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WITH ENGINE POWER EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. FELT LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL IN ALL SHIFTER DRIVE AND REVERSE POSITIONS. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, VEHICLE REQUIRED COMPLETE REBUILT TRANSMISSION COSTING OVER $3000. *KB

Mileage: 108,782

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE POWER FAILED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE ANY FURTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,764. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED HIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, WITH THE OTHER FORD MODELS. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS STATED IN THE RECALL. RECALL# 12V006000. UPDATED 03/02/12 UPDATED 06/12/12

Mileage: 47,764

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,764. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED HIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, WITH THE OTHER FORD MODELS. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS STATED IN THE RECALL. RECALL# 12V006000. UPDATED 03/02/12 UPDATED 06/12/12

Mileage: 47,764

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO CRUISE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,727 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,200. UPDATED 02/22/12*LJ UPDATED 05/03/12

Mileage: 83,727

ON OUR WAY TO PITTSBURGH MONDAY DECEMBER 16, 2012 FOR A LITTLE OUTING WITH OUR 18 MONTH OLD SON FOR THE DAY JUST TO GET AWAY FROM ALLEGANY COUNTY AND WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON ROUTE 40 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VAN IS TRAVELING IN NEUTRAL AND WILL NOT GO IN ANY GEAR. WE DRIFTED THE VEHICLE TO A SIDE ROAD AND CALLED UPON MY AUNT THAT HAS AAA. SURE THAT WAS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO BUT HEY WE JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED ON 11-4-11 AND JUST RECEIVED OUR ACTUAL TAGS ON 1-3-12. WERE PRETTY LOW ON EXTRA CASH RIGHT NOW TO BE FORKING OUT 250.00+ FOR A TOW BACK TO OUR HOME TOWN. CONSIDERING GETTIN THE VAN BACK ON THE ROADS GONNA BE HALF THE PRICE OF WHAT WE PAID FOR THE HEAP TO BEGIN WITH. ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE VAN WHEN I FIRST SAW IT AT THE USED AUTO DEALERS. CLEAN INSIDE AND OUT AND HAD LOW MILES FOR THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER WASN'T THE BEST AT TAKING CARE OF THE TITLE AND TAG INFORMATION AS FAR AS FORWARDING IT TO THE MVA SO WE COULD GET OUR REAL TAGS AND TITLE TO THE VEHICLE. HAD TO CALL HIM A FEW DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS TO GET HIM ON THE BALL AND SEND THE REQUIRED INFO SO WE COULD GET OUR TAGS SINCE THE TEMPORARY WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE. HE ACTED QUICKLY AND HAD THEM FOR US AT HIS SHOP ON THE 3RD OF JANUARY. NOW WHEN I DO A LITTLE RESEARCH ON 2003 WINDSTARS FROM PREVIOUS OWNERS AT LEAST 80% OF THEM WRITE THE SAME MESSAGE AS WHAT IM EXPLAINING. ( TRAVELING ALONG THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING BOOM NO GEARS AT ALL.) I REALLY WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE SOME MORE RESEARCH BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS VAN CONSIDERING WAY OVER HALF OF THEM ARE JUNK. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND HOPEFULLY ACTION IS TAKEN UPON THESE FORD VANS AND SOMETHING IS DONE. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 87,355

RECENTLY ISSUED RECALL OF 2004 FORD CO. MINIVANS FOR INPUT SHAFT FAILURE, ALL FORD WINDSTARS INCLUDING 2003 MODELS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. FREESTAR VAN IS NOTHING BUT A NAME CHANGE FOR THE SAME POOR UNSAFE VEHICLE. ALONG WITH THE MANY SAFETY ISSUES, OWNERS SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THE REPAIRS MADE ON SUBSTANDARD VEHICLE. INCLUDING THE FRAME ISSUES, BRAKES ISSUE, ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE QUALITY. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

DRIVING ON A BUSY TWO LANE ROAD, JUST CAME AROUND A SHARP CORNER WHEN THE RPMS SHOT UP AND VAN STARTED TO COAST. WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO GET COMPLETELY OFF THE ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VAN FORWARD OR BACKWARD AFTER STOPPING. THERE WAS NO WARNING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND IT WAS VERY SCARY BEING DISABLED ALONG A BUSY ROAD WAITING FOR HELP TO ARRIVE. CARS APPROACHING ME FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS HAD TO ALTERNATE TURNS TO GET AROUND MY VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA WHILE ON VACATION AND MY VAN LOST THE DRIVING POWER, THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING AND THE TACHOMETER WENT HIGHER AS WE TRIED TO GO, BUT WERE UNABLE TO MOVE. WE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY GLIDE OFF OF THE ROAD AND BE TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE MAIN SHAFT AND TORQUE CONVERTER WERE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT THE COST OF $1200 FOR REPAIR, A RENTAL CAR OF $350 AND A RETURN FLIGHT TO RETRIEVE VAN AFTER REPAIRS, IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SHAFT. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE THE CONTACT DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION AUTO CENTER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

Mileage: 77,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDER BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SAT FOR THREE HOURS BEFORE IT COULD BE MOVED. A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A LIST OF DEALERS IN WHICH HE COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

Mileage: 153,000

I HAVE HAD NO TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. I DROVE HOME FROM WORK EARLY THIS MORNING (3:30AM.) I WENT TO LEAVE FOR AN APPOINTMENT AT NOON ON THE SAME DAY, AND NOTHING. I STARTED MY VAN, ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT IN GEAR AND NOTHING!! NO WARNING, NO NOTHING!! I HAVE NEVER TOWED WITH THIS VEHICLE (IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A HITCH,) THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF PEOPLE RIDING IN IT HAS BEEN 350 POUNDS. THERE HAS BEEN NO STRESS ON THIS ENGINE AS I DON'T LIVE IN MOUNTAINESS AREAS. I AM A SINGLE MOM OF 4 LITTLE KIDS, RECEIVING NO CHILD SUPPORT, WORKING PT, JUST ABLE TO PAY THE BILLS, AND FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE!! I HAVE ALSO HAD NUMEROUS OTHER 'PROBLEMS' BUT NOTHING SO MAJOR THE VEHICLE COULDN'T BE DRIVEN (INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHING, BLENDER DOOR ACTUATOR GOING OUT 3X IN A YEAR, ROUGH IDEAL ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD, BACK DOOR HANDLES NOT WORKING FROM INSIDE, BACK DOORS SO HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE, I CAN HARDLY DO IT, BACK WIPER WORKED ONE DAY THEN JUST STOPPED AND HASN'T WORKED SINCE, ONE BACK WINDOW OPENS AND CLOSES ONLY WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. I ALSO JUST PUT $70 IN GAS IN THIS VEHICLE! UGH!! *KB

Mileage: 132,871

ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011, MY WIFE WAS HEADING TO WORK. SHE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL TURNED GREEN, SHE HIT THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE RPM'S WOULD GO UP AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THIS WAS THE CASE IN ALL GEARS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SINCE TRAFFIC APPROACHING THE SIGNAL ARE DRIVING AT 50+ MPH. LUCKILY, A FEW PASSERS BY HELPED MY WIFE PUSH THE VAN INTO A LOCAL PARKING LOT. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY ARE NOW REBUILDING IT FOR ABOUT $2,000. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE VANS, I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED BY FORD. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE SOME REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE COSTS I AM PAYING FOR REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION (I.E.: KNOCKING SOUNDS, SLIPPING, ETC.) PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 100,054

DROVE THE VAN TO WORK WITHOUT INCIDENT OR ANY IMMINENT WARNING OF VEHICLE PROBLEMS. AS SOON AS I STOPPED AND PUT THE VAN IN PARK, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND DIFFERENT SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHEN GETTING READY TO LEAVE WORK FOR HOME, I STARTED THE VAN AND PROCEEDED TO PLACE IT IN REVERSE AND THE VAN DIDN'T WOULDN'T MOVE REGARDLESS OF THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR POSITION. THERE WAS A LOUD WHINE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH THE ABS, BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATION, SLOW GEAR SHIFTING AND POWER WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCK FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Mileage: 101,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TRIED PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

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! *KB

Mileage: 150,000

I WAS PARKED OUTSIDE MY HOME.I WENT OUT TO MY VAN TO GO PICK UP DINNER AND TO MY DISTRESS, THE VAN WOULDN'T REVERSE OR GO FORWARD. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION FROM ONLINE SOURCE AND AUTO MECHANICS, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FORD'S TRANSMISSIONS. NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM.IN THE PAST WEEKS,MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WHILE IM DRIVING. THIS VAN IS A HAZARD. YOU REALLY NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS PLEASE. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WATER WOULD GET INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION AT TIMES AND THE REVERSE GEAR IS FAILING. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND AS THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED THE SPEED CONTINUED TO DECREASE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Mileage: 117,000

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DRIVING IN REVERSE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY..NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NOISE...TRANSMISSION STOPPED. CAR WILL NOW NOT MOVE. CANNOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE...HUGE EXPENSE THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR..VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS FORD MINI-VAN.

Mileage: 89,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT KNOCK OR SLIP PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,337.

Mileage: 43,337

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TACOMETER BEGAN TO DISPLAY A HIGH READING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,988. UPDATED 10/27/11*BF UPDATED 3/27/12 *CN

Mileage: 46,988

TRAVELING 65 MILES AN HOUR ON I-96 EASTBOUND , OUTSIDE OF THE DETROIT AREA. SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL POWERTRAIN FUNCTION. ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER. ENGINE RUNS FINE, AND WILL GO INTO PARK.

Mileage: 102,480

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN DELAWARE WITH MY FAMILY THE VAN I SUDDENLY LOSS ACCELERATION. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT THIS HAS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. WITHOUT NOTICE LOSE ACCELERATION AND NOW NO GEARS WORK. 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER SEARCHING ON LINE THERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM. THIS VAN HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE BREAKING WHILE DRIVING AND THAT WAS RECALLED. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE RECALLED AS IT ALMOST THE SAME RESULT. ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

VAN SHUDDERED WHILE ACCELERATING, LOUD ROAR ON DRIVER SIDE OF VAN, PROBLEM PERSISTED EVEN AFTER I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, THE SHOP CLAIMED THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY CODES FOR THE PROBLEM. DROVE ALL DAY JUNE 15 WITH ONLY ABOVE LISTED PROBLEMS, GOT IN THE VAN THE SAME NIGHT ONLY TO FIND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. NO WARNINGS, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VAN WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH NO MOVEMENT, ONLY RISING RPMS. I HAVE CHECKED NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS ONLY TO DISCOVER HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND FORD HAS NOT REIMBURSED ANYONE OR DONE A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME YEAR MODEL ON ALMOST EVERY FORUM COMPLAINT. MY VAN IS NOW IN THE SHOP, THERE IS NO TELLING HOW MUCH I AM GOING TO BE CHARGED TO GET MY VAN BACK, I HAVE 5 CHILDREN AND HAVE TO HAVE MY VAN. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GO OUT AND PUT A DOWN PAYMENT ON A NEW VAN OF A DIFFERENT MAKE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? *TR

Mileage: 84,541

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR PROCEED WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

NO WARNING LEADING TO FAILURE, VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO POWER THE TIRES. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WITH NO WARNING, ENGINE REVS, BUT NO POWER TO THE TIRES TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ON A VERY WELL TRAVELED ROAD RT 4 IN AUBURN ME HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET IT TO SAFETY THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR, CONSIDERABLY MORE PREVALENT THAN THE CURRENT REAR AXLE RECALL. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST FORD AND NHTSA FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING FAILURE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE AND I DO THINK IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP. *TR

Mileage: 117,316

NO EVENT LEADING TO FAILURE, VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO POWER THE TIRES. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WITH NO WARNING, ENGINE REVS, BUT NO POWER TO THE TIRES TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ON THE HIGHWAY IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR, CONSIDERABLY MORE PREVALENT THAN THE CURRENT REAR AXLE RECALL. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST FORD AND NHTSA FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING UP A HILL. LUCKILY WE WERE FAR ENOUGH UP THAT IT COASTED TO THE TOP. ALL GEARS FAILED ON THE TRANS, D/2/1/R. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION OR WORSE.. I HAVE FOUND THAT GREAT AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, IT IS ALMOST A GIVEN NOW THAT THE TRANS ON THIS VAN WILL FAIL. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. COST TO ME FOR REPLACEMENT IS $3000.00.

Mileage: 128,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION YET TWO YEARS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

Mileage: 150,000

2003 WINDSTAR SPORT TRAVELING APPROX 80 MPH IN PASSING LANE OF I-93 EXPRESSWAY WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL. TURNED OFF CRUISE CONTROL AND PRESSED ON GAS WITH NO RESPONSE. NO WARNING LIGHTS, SOUNDS, ETC TO INDICATE ANYTHING WAS WRONG. RPM'S INCREASED DUE TO PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT NO RESPONSE FROM TRANSMISSION. COASTED TO SIDE OF EXPRESSWAY. TRIED USING DRIVE, 2ND OR 1ST GEARS TO GET OFF HIGHWAY BUT THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION RESPONSE AT ALL. NO BREAKDOWN LANE AVAILABLE SO WE WERE STUCK IN RIGHT-HAND TRAVEL LANE WITH FLASHERS ON. WE WERE IN A PLACE WERE THERE WAS NOWHERE TO GET OUT AND BE SAFE AWAY FROM VEHICLE EITHER. EXTREMELY SCARY AND UNSAFE EXPERIENCE WITH TWO CHILDREN AND DOG IN VAN WITH ME AT 10PM IN BOSTON TRAFFIC!!! WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN HIT AND KILLED!!! HAD VAN TOWED BACK TO NH AND HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY THE MECHANIC THAT TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WILL BE HAVING A REBUILD DONE FOR $1000. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A GROWING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES BUT IS NOT A RECALL. ONE TRANSMISSION PLACE HE CALLED IN MANCHESTER NH STATED THEY ARE REBUILDING APPROX 3 PER WEEK RIGHT NOW. I HAD JUST PURCHASED AS OUR OTHER CAR DIED THE DAY AFTER MY FIANCE DEPLOYED OVERSEAS WITH THE ARMY. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED KNOWING ALL THE RECALLS HAD BEEN DONE AND IT GOT A CLEAN CHECK FROM MY MECHANIC. AS I HAVE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION I AM NOW OUT OF WORK UNTIL THE VAN IS FIXED. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SITUATION IN ANY REGARD AND FORD SHOULD BEGIN TAKING CARE OF THIS FOR THEIR CONSUMERS. WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE BUT ARE NOW IN A HUGE FINANCIAL SITUATION WITH LOSS OF WORK AND A TRANSMISSION REBUILD BEING DONE. *TR

Mileage: 128,300

2003 WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION LITE DASH "OVER DRIVE IS OFF". I CHECKED THE FUSES NO.14 10 AMP WAS BLOWED THIS ALSO GOES TO THE SIDE ELECTROCHROMATIC MIRRORS THAT STOPPED WORKING. PUT NEW FUSE IN. I DRIVE 14 MILES AT 45MPH FUSE BLOWS AGAIN., *TR

Mileage: 80,000

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, LESS THAN 60000 MILES, TRANSMISSION JUST DIED, NO WARNING NO NOTHING...UNABLE TO REPAIR DUE TO THE COST OF REBUILDING, ESTIMATE IS $2300 ON A 4000 DOLLAR VAN. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP WHERE HE WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Mileage: 97,000

I'M THE OWNER OF A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAD MY TRANSMISSION FAIL WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING.THE VAN DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD,THE STEERING WAS LOCKED,THE LIGHTS BLINKED,MY OD N BLINKER FLASHED OFF N ON.MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN. ALSO MY ABS LIGHT ABSOLUTELY WON'T GO OFF!!!!.ALSO REPLACES,BRAKES, ROTORS(WHICH WERE TOTALLY RUSTED). *TR

Mileage: 150,000

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, LOW KIM, TRAVELING HWY WITHOUT ANY WARNING LOST ACCELERATION, RPM'S ALL OVER THE PLACE, ALMOST CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COAST TO ROAD SIDE. NUMEROUS IDENTICAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FORD IGNORES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. FORD MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. CANT IMAGINE THEM PUTTING THEIR OWN FAMILY AT RISK BY PUTTING THEM ON THE HWY OR A DIRT ROAD WITH THIS WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 WINDSTAR. ONLY AFTER MY SONS SHAKEN PHONE CALL FROM THE 401 WITH THE SOUND OF TRAFFIC IN THE BACKGROUND DID I START MY OWN RESEARCH AND DISCOVER THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OF SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH OTHER PERSONS VOICING CONCERN FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY AND SAFETY OF THEIR FAMILIES. FIX IT FORD. *TR

Mileage: 113,015

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE EXTENSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND PROVIDED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

TRANSMISSION REVERSE FAILURE. I NOW HAVE NO REVERSE. COST TO REBUILD IS $2,200.00 FROM DURABILD TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION FOR I DO NOT HAVE THE CASH TO REPAIR IT AND HOPING THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART ALSO, SINCE THERE IS 5 OTHER RECALLS ON THE 2003 FORD WINDSTAR MINI-VAN. SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE, I'M USING IT CURRENTLY WITH NO REVERSE. I HAVE FOUND OVER 100 OTHER TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR LOCATED AT THIS LINK... HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/WINDSTAR/2003/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML I HAVE FOUND ON-LINE THAT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED WITH PREVIOUS WINDSTAR MODEL YEARS AND SEEM TO BE STILL HAPPENING EVEN THOUGH CORRECTIONS WERE ATTEMPTED. BELOW IS A LINK TO WIKIPEDIA AND TRANNY PROBLEMS CAN BE FOUND LISTED UNDER PROBLEMS... HTTP://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/FORD_WINDSTAR I CURRENTLY HAVE MADE A RECALLS APPOINTMENT FOR THIS COMING THURS. WITH A FORD DEALER. I BELIEVE THESE WINDSTARS WERE LEMONS AND GLAD FORD DOES NOT BUILD MINI-VANS ANY MORE. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR

Mileage: 82,300

STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN VAN WOULD NOT MOVE. THERE WERE NOT ANY NOISES, WARNING LIGHTS OR ISSUES TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. VAN REQUIRED A TOW TRUCK. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS FAILURE OF TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

Mileage: 80,728

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE. ALSO, A RAPID INCREASE IN THE RPMS OCCURRED. THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE MECHANIC HAD NOT YET CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF UPDATED 05/09/11

Mileage: 130,000

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 WINDSTAR AT 40 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR IT LOST POWER. THE VAN HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VAN WOULD START BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE. THERE WAS NO WARNING TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. AAA TOWED THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC HAS TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. FIVE DAYS PRIOR THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED FROM THE FORD DEALER WITH A NEW REAR AXLE (RECALL, 10 WEEKS AT THE DEALER). AT THE TIME OF FAILURE THE VAN HAD APPROXIMATELY 116000 MILES. THE WINDSTAR WILL BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1849.11. I CAN NOT REPLACE THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME (I WOULD LIKE TO!). FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOESN'T CARE! *TR

Mileage: 116,000

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT THEN PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED AT THE CONTACT EXPENSE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THE CONTACT STATED MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. JO

Mileage: 85,000

2003 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS , THE TORQUE CONVERTER BROKE ON MY VAN . THE VAN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP , THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ,THERE SHOULD BE E RECALL ,THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ALMOST EVERYBODY THAT OWNS THIS FORD MODEL. ALSO THERE IS A RECALL FOR REAR AXEL .NOW FRONT AND REAR FRAME MOUNTS. THERE SHOULD ALSO BE RECALL FOR ELECTRIC WINDOWS DO NOT WORK HALF THE TIME. THESE VANS ARE DANGEROUS FORD SHOULD HAVE TO BY THEM BACK. *TR

Mileage: 70,100

COMPLETE FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WITH NO VISIBLE OR AUDIBLE WARNING. TRANSMISSION CHANGED PER FORD SPEC AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE FLUIDS. THERE IS A HIGH RATE OF FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT ACCORDING TO A NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT REPORTING AGENCIES VIA THE WEB. THE TRANSMISSION IN A 2003 WINDSTAR SEEMS TO BE PARTICULARLY PRONE TO VERY EARLY AND UNACCEPTABLE FAILURE. I AM EXTREMELY THANKFUL THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT STOP AND NOT DURING OPERATION WITH MY WIFE AND 4 KIDS IN IT. FROM OTHER REPORTS VIA INDEPENDENT REPORTING AGENCIES, WE WERE FORTUNATE.

Mileage: 63,028

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS TO MAKE A TURN AND AFTER BRAKING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN SO IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INPUT SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000. ..UPDATED 09/29/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $1500.00 UPDATED 10/05/11

Mileage: 77,000

I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR COMPLETELY WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING! NO DRIVE OR REVERSE! THANKFULLY I WAS ON A BACK ROAD AND NOT THE HWY. THE TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED BUT I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO RIGHT NOW. IN THE MANNER THAT THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND COULD CAUSE A WRECK THAT RESULTS IN DEATH. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

2003 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE COMPLAINT AND TRANSMISSION. FIRST OF ALL, I WAS LEFT STRANDED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON CHRISTMAS EVE. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME FROM FORD. FORD WANTS $3800 TO REPLACE IT. THE VAN IS ONLY WORTH THAT. THEN I FIND OUT THAT FORD HAS HAD MANY COMPLAINTS AND FAILURES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. I TAKE CARE OF AND MAINTAIN MY VEHICLES AND I GET THIS HANDED TO ME. THEN THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE AXLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT MIGHT BE 6 WEEKS BEFORE THE PART EVEN COMES IN. THEY WILL NOT BUY THE VAN BACK BECAUSE IT IS A 2003. I THINK THEY SHOULD. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO SOLD ME THIS VEHICLE AND NOW I HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. BUY THE TIME THEY PAY FOR MY RENTAL AND FIX THE AXLE, IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO BUY ME OUT AND SAVE THERE CUSTOMER ALOT OF STRESS. *TR

Mileage: 174,000

I TOOK MY CAR IN TO FORD DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. MY SPEEDOMETER WAS SPINNING AND "STUCK" IN AN APPROXIMATE 5:00 O'CLOCK POSITION...IN ADDITION, MY PRNDL NEEDLE "STUCK" IN THE PARK POSITION AND WOULD NOT MOVE. ON TOP OF THIS, MY ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY AND OCCASIONALLY SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING BURNING. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM. THE "FIX" DIDN'T LAST MORE THAN TWO WEEKS...THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT IS BACK TO GOING ON AND OFF. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION THAT THEY GAVE ME, THE PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT REPAIR...THEY ASSURED ME THAT MY SERVICE BRAKES STILL WORKED. IN THE PROCESS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT RECALLS TO THE 2003 FORD WINDSTAR FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN OTHER VEHICLES, HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT THESE RECALLS DIDN'T PERTAIN TO ME. IF I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING AND THEY ARE GETTING THEIR REPAIRS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THEMSELVES, WHY AM I PAYING FOR REPAIRS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ITEMS??????? THE SWAY BAR LINKS ON MY WINDSTAR WERE ALSO REPAIRED ALONG WITH THE BUSHINGS...AGAIN...ANOTHER RECALL THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN ISSUED BUT I WAS TOLD THAT "IT DIDN'T APPLY TO ME". NOW I HAVE MY WINDSTAR IN THE SHOP, AGAIN, BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION PUMP EXPLODED AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. NO WARNING, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NOTHING. HOW MUCH OF AN ADDITIONAL EXPENSE IS THIS GOING TO BE???? OH, I DID RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE REAR AXLE...THAT WILL BE CHECKED RIGHT AFTER I GET MY CAR BACK FROM HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED. WHY ARE SOME VEHICLES COVERED AND OTHERS AREN'T??? IF IT AFFECTS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, IT SHOULD BE ALL OF THEM, NOT JUST SOME OF THEM. *TR

Mileage: 149,990

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN. LEFT ON IN THE ROAD WITH ENGINE RUNNING, BUT WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION. *TR

Mileage: 112,110

THERE IS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND THE VAN RUNS ROUGH AND ALMOST STOPS RUNNING. THERE IS AN ERROR CODE P0171 AND P0174. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE AXEL RECALL, IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TOO. IT SEEMS LIKE THESE ARE ALL DEFECTS THAT FORD IS AWARE OF, BUT DOES NOTHING TO FIX FOR THE CONSUMERS OF THEIR CARS. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

JUST ANOTHER DAY OF DRIVING DOWN THE STREET ON THE BUMPY ROAD. WHEN I FINALLY PASS THE CONSTRUCTION AREA TO THE NEWLY PAVED ROAD TO COME TO A STOP AT THE LIGHT, CAR STARTED TO SKID LOCKED UP THE FRONT WHEEL. WHOLE VAN SHACK. THEN THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS A LIFE OR DEATH EXPERIENCE FOR ME! NOW THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT LID UP ON THE REGULAR BASES. HELP!! *TR

Mileage: 175,000

2003 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE READY TO BREAK. FORD SAYS IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL EVEN TOUGH OUR DEALER DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 88,757

PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. 105000 MILES. FLUID REPLACED AT RECOMMENDED 60K INTERVAL. NO INDICATION OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. VAN WAS PARKED, STARTED AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED EDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE TRANSMISSION PUMP. EIGHT MONTHS LATER, THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE TRANSMISSION PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 70,500

SIT DOWN, GET A COFFEE, BECAUSE YOU WILL BE READING A BOOK. I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, WITH 20,000 MILES, IN 2005. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT MAJOR PROBLEMS. IN 12/2008 WITH 87,205 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT,THAT WAS 2013.00 , THEN IN 3-2009 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, HAD TO REPLACE GASKETS, THAT COST 500.00,. THEN IN 10/15/2010 I HAD TO BRING VAN IN FOR DIFFERENT SENSORS, AND ABS LIGHT, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THAT WAS . THAT WAS 232.00. THEN ON 10/19/2010 BROUGHT VAN IN TO THE FORD DEALER, BECAUSE NONE OF MY GAUGES WORK, LETTING ME KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING, OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. THEY SAY IT IS THE GAUGE CLUSTER, THAT'S 500.00 ALONE NOT INCLUDING LABOR, THEY INFORM ME I HAVE A HOLE IN THE LEFT REAR AXLE, AND I HAVE TO LEAVE THE VAN THERE, AND I MAY ALSO NEED A NEW ALTERNATOR, AND IT MAY TAKES WEEKS FOR THE PART TO COME IN. THAT'S NOT INCLUDING OTHER MINER REPAIRS ALONG THE WAY. THE BEST PART OF ALL. I STILL HAVE 6 PAYMENTS LEFT. WHAT RIGHTS DO I HAVE? I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THE MAJOR ISSUES. THEY SHOULD TAKE THIS VAN, AND GIVE ME A DIFFERENT ONE. NOT A FORD. I TOLD YOU, THAT YOU WERE READING A BOOK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84000.

Mileage: 84,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN RPMS. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IN OPERATION WITH THE REPEATED FAILURE AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLUTCH AND TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 05/23/11

Mileage: 102,000

SPOUSE WAS DRIVING HER 2003, FORD WINDSTAR SE, GOING UP AN ON-RAMP TO A MAJOR HIGH WAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE REVERED HIGH, SLIPPING OUT OF DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTERWARDS. DRIVE AND OR REVERSE DOESN'T WORK ON THE VAN. VEHICLE HAS ALL THE POWER, BUT ONCE PUT IN DRIVE / REVERSE HITTING THE GAS, YOU GO KNOW WHERE.. *TR

Mileage: 103,403

TRANSMISSION FAILURE FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. VAN IS STILL DRIVABLE, BUT IT HAS A VERY NOTICEABLE JERK WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (POWER TRAIN: AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE DEALER LATER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE MANUFACTURERS DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD, UNUSUAL POP. THE VEHICLE THEN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT STALLING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT AXLE WAS CORRODED AND HAD FRACTURED IN TWO. IN ADDITION, THE REAR AXLE WAS ALSO FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,714.

Mileage: 78,714

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130000.

Mileage: 130,000

2003 FORD WINDSTAR' TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING. CAR ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

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? *TR

Mileage: 208,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 60-65 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE REAR AXLE WHICH CAUSED OTHER ADDITIONAL DAMAGES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER REGARDING THE SPECIFIC COMPONENTS THAT WERE AFFECTED AS A RESULT OF THE REAR AXLE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND ALL OF SUDDEN HE HEARD A NOISE. HE NOTICED THAT THE AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE REAR TIRES BEGAN ABNORMALLY TILTING INWARD. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,306. UPDATED 10/13/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HEARD UNUSUAL NOISES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND SOON DISCOVERED THE REAR TIRES WERE TILTED IN AT THE TOP. HE DISCOVERED THE AXLE WAS 3/4 CRACKED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. UPDATED 10/14/10*JB

Mileage: 110,306

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND CAME UPON A RED LIGHT. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND I HEARD IT REV UP BUT DID NOT MOVE. WAS ABLE TO LET IT COAST TO THE SIDE. I CALLED AAA AND HAD IT TOWED. THE MECHANIC LOOKED IT OVER AND SAID I WOULD NEED NEW TRANSMISSION. BEFORE THE INCIDENT, IT NEVER SHOWED ANY SIGNS OF SLIPPAGE. STILL AWAITING TO COME UP WITH $1,300.00 TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, FORD WINDSTAR 2003, SECOND TRANSMISSION. UNDER 90,000 MILES. JUST REVIEW SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS @ THIS SITE FOR A START HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/WINDSTAR/2003/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML WITH A SMALL INTERNET SEARCH - YOU CAN FIND THESE THE FAILURE @ HIGHSPEED RAMANT WITH 2003 FORD WINDSTAR - THIS IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 86,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED HE ALSO OWNED A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND EXPERIENCED REAR AXLE FAILURE. HE EXAMINED THE 2003 VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

Mileage: 74,000

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR KEEP SHOWING SYSTEM INFORMATION ERROR AND ABS, BRAKE LIGHT,OD OFFLIGHTS STAYS ON. THIS NORMALLY STARTS AFTER ABOUT TWO TO THREE MINUTES INTO DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 97,139

TRANSMISSION ON THE FORD WINDSTAR 2003 GOES WITHOUT WARNING. IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY IT DECREASED IN SPEED TO A STOP. THE ENGINE REV. WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. IT IS A BIG PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES. YOU CAN FIND ADDITION COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND OTHERS ON A WEBSITE WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. I WENT AS FAR AS WRITING FORD TO LET THEM KNOW HOW DISSATISFIED AND UPSET THEY EXPECT ME TO PAY FOR THEIR MALFUNCTIONING TRANSMISSIONS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. I DON'T THINK SOMEONE LIFE SHOULD HAVE TO BE SACRIFICED IN ORDER FOR FORD TO CORRECT THEIR PROBLEM AND NOW MY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 90,138

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT RELATIVE LOW SPEEDS OF 5 MPH, THE REAR SUSPENSION BROKE CAUSING THE WHEELS TO COLLAPSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE DEALERS ADVICE AND OFFERED TO DISCOUNT THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

RECENTLY LOST VEHICLE MOBILITY ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR SEL (TYPE AX4N TRANSMISSION). REQUIRED NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AND COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD. *TR

Mileage: 81,538

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING UNUSUAL SOUNDS AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIRS SHOP WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL SO SHE PULLED OVER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A CRACK ON THE REAR AXLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER ADVISED HER TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,780.

Mileage: 140,780

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WERE UNUSUAL NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN IN HALF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

Mileage: 72,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE REAR AXLE SUDDENLY BROKE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE AXLE HAD RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000.

Mileage: 83,000

I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR NEW . I AM THE ONLY DRIVER 66 YEARS OLD. I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN JAN. 2010 AND COULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR FORWARD. TOWED TO DEALER, HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION,000 KM., FACTORY REBUILT $ 3500. NOW APRIL 2010 PUT 5000 KM.ON TOOK IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND TO CHECK ON TRANNY, IT WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY{STUTTERING}. MECHANIC SAID HE HAD TO REPLACE TORQUE CONVERTER, FOUND FLUID IN AND NOW REPLACING RADIATOR. WHAT NEXT????? FORD SHOULD BE REPLACING TRANSMISSIONS, TOO MANY COMPLAINTS. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT ON THE HIGHWAY IN CASE I LOOSE IT AGAIN. HELP! *TR

Mileage: 160,000

WHILE DRIVING IN KY MY TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED, LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO LIGHTS, NO NOISES. THE CAR SIMPLY STOPPED ACCELERATING. THERE WERE NO FORWARD GEARS NOR REVERSE. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

TRANSMISSION FAILURE 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. NO INDICATION OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THE EVENT. SMOOTH SHIFTING, NO SHUDDERS, NO HESITATION ON ACCELERATION. STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT-BUSY INTERSECTION. ON ACCELERATION, WINDSTAR MOVED FORWARD INTO INTERSECTION, RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY WITHOUT ANYMORE FORWARD MOVEMENT. FORD DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTICS REPORTED TRANSMISSION FAILURE BUT COULD NOT BE MORE SPECIFIC THAN TORQUE CONVERTER, INPUT SHAFT OR HYDRAULIC FLUID PUMP. SOME FORD WINDSTARS SHARE A TRANSMISSION TYPE (AX4N/4F50N) WITH THE FORD FREESTAR WHICH IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR A SIMILAR COMPLAINT WITH ODI (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE09033). VEHICLE HAD 95,000 MILES WITH REGULAR SERVICE ACTIONS. FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THE 3 REPORTED INCIDENTS WITH NHTSA. SEE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/WINDSTAR/2003/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML. NO ACTION TO REPAIR VEHICLE YET. TRANSMISSION STILL AVAILABLE FOR INVESTIGATION (FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER ANYWAY). 911 CALLED ON INCIDENT BECAUSE OF A DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATION IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. SHE STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH IN CLEAR CONDITIONS, SHE NOTICED GREY SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. SHE WAITED UNTIL THE POLICE ARRIVED TO ASSIST. SHE NOTICED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS COLLAPSING INWARD TOWARD THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THE REAR AXLE HAD FAILED. THE REAR AXLE AND THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED.

Mileage: 80,000

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

SUDDEN LOSE OF TRANSMISSION FUNCTION, DRIVING AND SUDDENLY THERE IS NO GEARS JUST NEUTRAL, NO WARNING, 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

WITHOUT ANY PRIOR PROBLEMS OR WARNINGS MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WITH ONLY 66,600. MILES THE TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT. I PARKED IT CHRISTMAS EVE AND IT WAS FINE THREE DAYS LATER I WENT TO LEAVE AND IT WON'T GO INTO GEAR. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BACK HATCH SENSOR. IT SAYS DOOR IS AJAR AND EITHER MINUTES LATER , HOURS , DAYS WHILE I'M DRIVING IT WILL START BEEPING , LOCK THE DOORS AND LIGHT GOES OFF. *TR

Mileage: 66,600

OD LIGHT FLASHING, ABS LIGHT ON, SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING, ODOMETER NOT WORKING, AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING, SMOKE UNDERHOOD, ENGINE LIGHT ON THIS ALL HAPPENED TO MY WIFE WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 90 MILES FORM HOME. *TR

Mileage: 75,875

ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENT. BEING STATION IN EUROPE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE MY AUTOMOBILE 100% WITH THE AUTOBAHNS. MY WINDSTAR IS A 2003 WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT. WHILE DRIVING IT LOST ALL FORWARD GEARS AND REVERSE. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THIS HAPPEN FEB 2009. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

THE HARD SHIFTING STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. NOW WITH 160,000KM THE TRANSMISSION NOW SHUDDERS AND SHIFTS ERRATIC. I WAS TOLD BY THE TRANSMISSION SHOP IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER NOT WORKING RIGHT WHICH IS CAUSED BY THE A DEFECT IN THE VALVE BODY. A COMPLETE REMANUFACTURE MAKING IT BETTER THAN FORD CAN WILL RUN $2500. $1800 IF I REMOVE AND INSTALL IT MYSELF. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

WE BOUGHT A USED 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX. WE HAVE HAD ONE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHTS GOING ON. ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND STAY ON OR THE LIGHTS START FLASHING AND FLICKERING. YESTERDAY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE GONE ON AGAIN. RECENTLY THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. THIS MORNING WE WERE AT A STOP SIGN WAITING TO PULL OUT ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. MY HUSBAND STEPPED ON THE GAS. THE ENGINE ROARED BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD NOR WOULD IT MOVE BACKWARD WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. WE HAVE HAD THIS VAN AT THE GARAGE NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THESE REPAIRS. EACH TIME BEING TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. EACH TIME SPENDING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WHEN WE DROVE, SOMETIMES IT WOULD FEEL LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING, WELL IT DID ONE DAY GOING TO WORK, THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAME APART DAMAGING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 65000 MILES ON IT WE BEGGED FORD FOR HELP BECAUSE WE THINK THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO A VEHICLE THIS YOUNG WE HAVE OWNED LOTS OF VEHICLES WITH WELL OVER 150,000 MILES ON THEM. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

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.*TR

Mileage: 40,000

NO PROBLEMS WITH 2003 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAS APPROX 88,000 MILES. VEHICLE RUNNING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN TRANSMISSION WHINED AND QUIT. LEFT OCCUPANTS STRANDED. UPON ONLINE SEARCH, HUNDREDS OF ISSUES WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SAME PART. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR IN LATE 2006 TO EARLY 2007 AND NOW WE NEED TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. THE 2ND TIME THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND WITHIN AND HOUR TO AN HOUR AND A HALF THE CAR NEEDED TOWED BACK TO OUR HOUSE WHERE IT IS SITTING NOW. ANOTHER PROBLEM WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE OVERHEAD LIGHT COMES ON WHENEVER IT WANTS TO AND WE LOSE THE ELECTRIC IN THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR WHENEVER IT WANTS TO GO. AND RECENTLY THE LOCK ON THAT SAME DOOR WILL CONTINUALLY LOCK OVER AND OVER FOR ABOUT 10 TIMES AND THEN LOCKS. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR THAT I PURCHASED AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER 2008 FROM A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. IN NOVEMBER, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STARTED INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON THE DASH. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE VAN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A TRANSMISSION REPAIR AND HAD THEM LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC MODULE IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY FORD AND THEY HAVE YET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE BRAKES STILL FUNCTION LIKE NORMAL, BUT THE ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX THIS SINCE THE BRAKES WILL STILL TECHNICALLY WORK, BUT AS THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD I AM SHOCKED THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DIRECTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I WAS QUOTED $1,200 FOR THE MODULE BY THE DEALERSHIP WHICH I JUST CAN NOT AFFORD TO SPEND THE MONEY ON RIGHT NOW. I WILL SEARCH ON THE NET FOR A NEW MODULE, HOPEFULLY, AT A LOWER PRICE AND REPLACE IT MYSELF. FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PRODUCTS AND THEY SHOULD BE FORCED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

THE FORD WINDSTAR STOP SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. IF YOU ARE IN TRAFFIC, THIS COULD BE FATAL. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. I TURNED THE CORNER AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. I BARELY MISSED BEING HIT WHILE THE VAN COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE OWNED TWO PREVIOUS WINDSTARS THAT WERE A 1995 AND A 1998 THAT I HAD THE TRANSMISSIONS GO OUT ON BUT THERE WAS SLIPPING AND IT WAS OBVIOUS THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING. I BOUGHT ANOTHER FOUND BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST ABOUT THE ONLY THING I CAN AFFORD. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHATSOEVER THIS TIME. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND THE SPLINE HAD BEEN STRIPPED OFF THE TORQUE CONVERTER. HE SAID HE SEES THIS KIND OF THING ALL THE TIME WITH FORDS. THEY ARE REBUILDING IT FOR ME FOR $1800.00. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE I READ ON HERE ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME VAN HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. FORD NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE WHEN THEY PUT OUT CRAPPY TRANSMISSIONS THAT GO OUT WITH NO WARNING. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS ON A HIGHWAY? NOW I KNOW WHY PEOPLE REFER TO FORDS AS FOUND ON ROAD DEAD..BECAUSE THEY WILL BREAK WITH NO WARNING! *TR

Mileage: 117,085

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 64750 MILES. A FEW DAYS AGO MY WIFE WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND WHEN SHE PUT IT INTO GEAR IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR SELECTED. HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SUSPECTED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AAMCO FOR REPAIR AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN UP. I HAD NO PRIOR WARNING TO THIS IMPENDING PROBLEM AND NOW IT IS GOING TO COST ME $2100.00 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD BY THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTARS AND IRONICALLY ANOTHER WINDSTAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME THING. HE SAID THAT IT IS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. I CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND ANY RECALL ON FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT AND BASICALLY GOT THE RUN AROUND AND TOLD THAT THERE WOULD PROBABLY BE NO HELP IN REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION. I DID FURTHER RESEARCH AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN THE WINDSTAR. WHY IS THERE NO PRESSURE PUT ON FORD TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES WITH OVER 120,000 MILES AND HAVE NOT HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 64750 MILES. I WANT TO SEE FORD MADE TO RECALL AND REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE SAME RESULTS WITH FORD. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY UNSAFE INCIDENT IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE ROAD. *TR

Mileage: 64,750

MY FORD 2003 WINDSTAR, PURCHASED 05/01/08 W/35000 MI, BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS ON INCLINES WHILE STOPPED IN DRIVE. FIRST TIME WAS 08/01/08 COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO TRAFFIC -- SITTING ON INCLINE, WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR, TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE TO REST IT ON GAS, AND BACK I ROLLED -- TWICE. NOTIFIED DEALER (UNDER 12/12000 DEALER USED CAR WARRANTY), LEFT VAN THAT EVENING (FRI), PICKED UP ON WED, THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO ROLL OR FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE WERE NO CODES SHOWING UP. BROUGHT IT BACK, AND WED EVENING HAD 3 SEPARATE INSTANCES OF ROLLBACK, ONE ON A CITY STREET (HILL) AND 2 ON DRIVEWAYS WHERE I ROLLED BACK UNTIL REACHING LEVEL SURFACE AND THE VAN STOPPED ITSELF. NEXT DAY, ROLLED BACKWARDS AGAIN OUT OF DRIVE AT OFFICE, THEN STOPPED ON LEVEL SURFACE, THEN BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD ON ITS OWN -- MY FOOT WAS NOWHERE NEAR ANY PEDALS. TOOK BACK THAT AFTERNOON. SERVICE MGR DROVE W/ME AND WE ROLLED BACK AT AN INTERSECTION. SERVICE MGR CALLED FORD TECH LINE WHILE I STOOD NEXT TO HIM. SAID THAT THE TECH AT FORD TOLD HIM THAT BECAUSE OF GOVT REQUIREMENTS TO IMPROVE MPH, FORD HAS LOWERED THEIR IDLE SPEED AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT AT A STOP, THE SLOWER IDLE CAUSES THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY START GOING BACKWARDS WHICH WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK WHILE IN DRIVE, ESPECIALLY ON INCLINES. THE TECH SAID THAT THEY (FORD) ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE CALLS ABOUT THIS, PARTICULARLY ON NEWER VEHICLES. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE TEMPERATURE OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MAKES IT WORSE. COULD ACCOUNT FOR WHY MY WINDSTAR ROLLED BACK MUCH QUICKER AND FURTHER THAN THE ONE WE TRIED THAT WAS SITTING ON THE DEALERS LOT. NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ACCORDING TO FORD. FROM WHAT I'M SEEING IN THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I'VE BEEN SOLD A LEMON THAT I NEED TO TRADE ASAP. WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON THE FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

NOTHING LEADING UP TO EVENT. CHRISTMAS DAY THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT OF MY 2003 WINDSTAR NO WARNING $900. 2 MONTHS LATER SEALS $300, AND NOW OVERDRIVE IS COMPLETELY. I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION $2000. THIS IS MY 3RD WINDSTAR AND AT 90,000 TO 100,000 MILE THE TRANSMISSION STARTS GIVING TROUBLE. WHAT IS THE DEAL? YOU PAY BIG DOLLARS FOR A AMERICAN CAR AND IT DOESN'T LAST. HONDA'S IN WHICH I DON'T WANT WILL LAST FOR 200,000 OR MORE. IF YOU COULD HELP PLEASE DO SO. I AM NOT A DEAD BEAT ASKING FOR HELP, I AM A FULLTIME BAPTIST PASTOR WITH A WIFE AND 3 KIDS JUST TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU CAN DO.... *TR

Mileage: 123,000

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES. DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, WHEN ENGINE REVVED AND WE LOST ALL DRIVE. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. *TR

Mileage: 62,974

BRAKE, ABS, AND OTHER LIGHTS COME ON, DRIVE DISENGAGES, VAN WILL ONLY RUN IN 2ND OR LOW GEAR UNTIL YOU TURN IT OFF THEN ON AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE VAN LOSES POWER AND DECELERATES. FUSE #1 SPARKS WHEN PUTTING IN A FUSE. BLOWS THE FUSE IMMEDIATELY. INTERIOR LIGHT THEN WILL NOT WORK. VAN IS CURRENTLY BEING LOOKED AT BY PHIL LONG FORD. *TR

Mileage: 57,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD AND DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE GEAR LOCKS AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO MOVE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT CONTINUOUSLY PLACED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE IN REVERSE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOUR TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,873 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,273.

Mileage: 85,273

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

Mileage: 46,736

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

Mileage: 38,000

MY WIFE PULLED UP TO STOP AND WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED SHE HAD NO GEARS FROM THE TRANSMISSION. NO WARNING SIGNS OR SOUNDS. WE HAD THE VAN TOED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP( CHAMPION FORD) IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD BE 3,319.94 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM. IF WE WANTED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION TAKEN APART TO FIND THE FAILURE WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TEAR DOWN AND IF IT STILL HAD TO BE REPLACED THEN THE REPLACEMENT COST WOULD BE ADDED. WHAT DO YOU DO? THE VAN ONLY HAS ABOUT 75K MILES ON IT. I AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT. UPON TALKING WITH A PRIOR FORD MECHANIC (RETIRED NOW) I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE WEB I SEE THAT IT IS STILL A PROBLEM IN VANS NEWER AND WITH LOWER MILEAGE THAN MY OWN. THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE FORD. FIX IT! *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOOSE FORWARD SPEED. THEN TRANSMISSION FLUID BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM THE TRANSAXLE, APPARENTLY CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR ENGINE MANIFOLD. THE LATEST CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE, RESULTING IN TOTAL A LOSS AND DAMAGE TO THIRD-PARTY PROPERTY. AT THE TIME OF EVENT THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT. *TR

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 AVAILABLE SPACE TO CLEAR TRAFFIC. I THEN PROCEEDED TO WALK TO THE NEAREST HOUSE WHICH WAS ABOUT 1000 YRDS AWAY DUE TO THE FACT THIS HAPPENED IN A RURAL AREA AND WITH CONSIDERABLE RISK TO MYSELF APPROACH A HOME OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT KNOW ME, DURING A PERIOD OF DARKNESS AND RAIN, AND ASK FOR HELP GETTING A TOW TRUCK. MEANWHILE MY WIFE AND BROTHER WERE BACK AT THE VAN WITH 18 WHEELERS WHIRRING BY DURING A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. THE CHANCE OF A COLLISION DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY WAS MOST DEFINITELY A POSSIBILITY. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED HE HAD TO HOOKUP MY VAN IN POURING DOWN RAIN AND TOW THE VAN TO A SAFE PLACE UNTIL MORNING SO I COULD THEN HAVE IT TOWED HOME. AT THIS TIME I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT DONE. UPON RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD WINSTAR. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

2003 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSAXLE JERKS VEHICLE FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR SHIFT UNDER LIGHT OR MODERATE THROTTLE. WAS SERVICED 4 TIMES IN 2006 BY DEALER. DEALER REBUILT TRANSAXLE YET PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR 2ND TIME AND PROBLEM WAS EVEN MORE PRONOUNCED. NOW VEHICLE WOULD POP OUT OF 2ND GEAR WITH ENGINE RACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER 1ST TO 2ND GEAR SHIFT BECAUSE IT HAMMERED THE SHIFT SO BAD. DEALER REPLACED STATOR SUPPORT ON 3RD TIME IN YET STILL POPS DURING SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND. CALLED FORD CONSUMER LINE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD TO COMPLAIN. VEHICLE WAS COMING OUT OF WARRANTY IN 8K MILES AND I WANTED TO VOICE MY CONCERNS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AFTER BEING SERVICE 3 TIMES. FORD CALLED DEALER. DEALER CALLED ME TO EXPLAIN THAT THE FORD SERVICE REP TOLD THEM THAT THE WINDSTARS WILL SHIFT LIKE THAT AND THAT IS THE WAY IT IS. 14 MONTHS LATER TRANSMISSION IS FAILING WHEN UNDER ANY STRESS (HILLS, MODERATE ACCELERATION, ETC..) WITH A RATCHETING OR GRINDING NOISE. HAVE TO DISENGAGE OD ON HIGHWAY HILLS TO MAINTAIN SPEED WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. HAVE CALLED FORD AGAIN. THEY WANT TO HAVE DEALER PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR. IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW EVEN THOUGH I COMPLAINED TO FORD A YEAR AGO WHEN IT WAS IN. *TR

Mileage: 42,468

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND PLACED INTO GEAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,824.

Mileage: 99,824

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, 50,000 MILES, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. EVEN THOUGH PROPER MAINTENANCE DONE. VEHICLE SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR, AND REVERSE IS NOT HIT OR MISS. SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THIS VEHICLE IS WORTHLESS AND A REBUILD IS RECOMMENDED OVER A USED ONE SINCE YOUR ONLY GOING TO GET OTHER PEOPLES PROBLEMS. A NEW TRANSMISSION FROM FORD IS 3000$ THE REBUILD WILL COST $2000. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I65 IN LEBABNON, IN ON WAY TO WORK AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH. SUDDENLY THE VANS TARTED TO SLOW EVEN THOUGH I WAS MAINTAIING PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL. VAN CONTINUED TO SLOW WITH TRACTOR TRAILERS RACING UP BEHIND ME, SWERVING SORUND ME AND HRONS BLARING. I WAS BALE TO GET OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AN MADE IT TO THE END OF THE RAMP WHERE THE VHEICLE JUST STOPPED MOVING.

Mileage: 71,894

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINSTAR. THE CONTACT'S FAMILY MEMBER AND PASSENGER WERE IN TEHE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING FORWARD, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS FAILURES OR WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,087. *AK

Mileage: 44,087

I STARTED THE VAN AND LEFT THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN TO RUN INSIDE THE HOUSE TO GET SOMETHING. WHEN I CAME BACK THE VAN WAS ROLLING BACKWARD ACROSS THE NEIGHBOR'S YARD. BECAUSE THE DOOR WAS OPEN IT WAS RIPPED BACKWARD AS IT LEFT THE GARAGE AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE DOOR. IT HAD ROLLED OFF A RETAINING WALL WHICH PULLED THE FRONT BUMPER OFF. IT WAS STILL ROLLING ACROSS THE NEIGHBOR'S YARD WHEN WE FINALLY CAUGHT IT. WHEN I GOT IN THE VAN IT WAS STILL IN PARK. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT. *JB

Mileage: 47,652

I OWN 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, SERVICED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP. AT 70,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE OVERDRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WITHIN AN HOUR THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ALTOGETHER, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. THE TEARDOWN REVEALED A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER, INPUT SHAFT SUPPORT BEARINGS, AND BURNT OUT INTERMEDIATE CLUTCH PACK. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAVING ITS TRANSAXLES REPLACED COMPLETELY AS IT IS BEYOND REPAIR. THE INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR TRANSAXLES IS A MINIMUM OF 120,000 MILES BETWEEN REBUILDS. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THIS TRANSAXLES MODEL, THE FORD AXOD AND ITS VARIANTS, HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A HUGE NUMBER OF FAILURES, WHICH ARE REPORTED TO OCCUR AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES. THE FAILURES ARE ALTERNATELY ATTRIBUTED TO VARIOUS COMPONENTS, WHICH LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT INTERNAL COMPONENTS WHICH ARE UNRELIABLE HAVE BEEN USED IN ITS MANUFACTURING. *NM

Mileage: 70,000

WE OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. EVER SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE VAN AFTER RUNNING AT CRUISING SPEED THE ENGINE WILL NOT IDLE DOWN. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. BEING A FORMER FORD TECH. I TRIED TO FIX IT MY SELF AND REPLACED THE TPS SENSOR WITH NO LUCK. NO MATTER WHERE YOU SET THE IDLE SPEED THE PROBLEM WILL COME BACK. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH PROBLEM FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND ARE GROWING VERY TIRED. NOT ONLY IS THIS DANGEROUS IT IS WEARING OUT BRAKES FASTER. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM WHERE THE COMPUTER WILL NOT LOWER THE IDLE. I HAVE CHECKED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND THROTTLE VALVE AND NOTHING IS BINDING. I CAN'T BLAME THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP, I BLAME FORD. I HOPE THIS CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I BOUGHT THIS VAN SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY WIFE AND KIDS. *JB

Mileage: 10

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE VAN MADE A NOISE LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR, THEN THE CAR STOPPED. I HAD NO PROBLEMS GETTING THE GEARS TO SHIFT BEFORE OR AFTER. AFTER THE VAN STOPPED, WOULD NOT MOVE INTO ANY GEAR. I TRIED REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, D2 AND D1 AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. *JB

WE OWN A 2003 WINDSTAR AND THE TRANSMISSION AND POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT OF IT. TO ME THEY SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 60,000 MILES. *NM

Mileage: 59,000

03 WINDSTAR WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, A/C WAS ON. MY WIFE AND I UNLOADED THE CHILDREN FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE VAN (MANUAL SLIDING DOORS) AND I UNLOADED A STROLLER FROM THE BACK OF THE VAN CLOSING THE TAILGATE. WE PLACED ITEMS IN OUR GARAGE AND I MOVED THE KIDS TOYS OUT OF THE WAY SO I COULD PULL THE VAN IN THE GARAGE. MY WIFE NEEDED HELP TAKING ITEMS IN THE HOUSE AND I FOLLOWED THE CHILDREN INTO THE HOUSE. WE HEARD A LOUD CRASH. I OPENED UP THE DOOR TO OUR GARAGE TO FIND OUR WINDSTAR HAD ENGAGED AND DROVE UP THE DRIVE, THROUGH THE GARAGE AND INTO A DEEP FREEZER AND REFRIGERATOR, PUSHING THEM BOTH THROUGH THE BACK WALL OF OUR HOME. THE BACK WALL OF OUR HOUSE WAS MOVED 8 INCHES OFF THE FOUNDATION AND THE APPLIANCES WERE CRUSHED. THE BUMPER AND HOOD OF THE VAN WAS DAMAGED. THE VAN WAS IDLE AND STILL RUNNING AS IT PUSHED AGAINST THE APPLIANCES. I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR, TOOK THE VAN OUT OF PARK AND BACKED IT OUT INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF THE VAN. WE ARE THANKFUL THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DEATHS. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE FORD DEALER WAS CONCERNED AND HAD THREE TECHS LOOK FOR ISSUES. THE TECH REPS COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE VAN AND STATED THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE IN PARK. IN A PROFESSIONAL MANOR THEY ADVISED ME TO ALWAYS TURN A VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY AS WELL AS SET THE PARKING BRAKE PRIOR TO EXITING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING HOW THE VAN WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE IN PARK BUT WAS WITNESS TO THE RESULTS. THE MECHANICS STATED THAT STRANGE FAILURES CAN OCCUR IN ANY MACHINE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VAN WAS SAFE TO DRIVE.

Mileage: 22,712

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 43,00 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I SPOKE TO A LOCAL AAMCO TRANSMISSION STORE AND THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS THE FOURTH SUCH PROBLEM WITH 2003 WINDSTAR'S THEY HAD SEEN IN A MONTH. *JB

Mileage: 43,000

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE WINDSTAR ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH BY ITSELF. BY APPLYING THE BRAKES, SHE GOT IT TO A LOW ENOUGH SPEED TO SLAM THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK.*AK THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, BUT ABOUT 3 OR 4 MONTHS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THEY FIXED IT AGAIN. BUT WE REFUSE TO RIDE IN THIS DEATH TRAP, AND DEMAND THAT THEY GIVE US A NEW CAR AMONG OTHER THINGS.

SIMPLY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND ATTEMPTED TO SET THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE, AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED. REQUIRED NEW TRANSMISSION TO REPAIR. THIS AFTER ONLY 49,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID CHANGED AT 37,000 MILES WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAD THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AT 17,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT USED FOR TOWING, PRIMARILY HIGHWAY MILES.*AK

Mileage: 49,000

THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COME OUT PARK WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Mileage: 43,556

I THOUGHT THE VAN WAS IN PARK AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IT POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND STARTED TO ROLL BACK. I TRIED TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE BUT IT ROLLED TO FAST AND CRUSHED MY LEG BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND A POLE. AFTER I WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE IT THEN STARTED TO GO FORWARD ON AN INCLINE. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED ME TO HAVE SURGERY TO REPAIR A BROKEN LEFT LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREEWAY FORD WHERE THE FOUND THAT THE PARKING LINKING WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT CAUSING IT TO POP OUT OF GEAR. PARKING LINKAGE WAS ADJUSTED.*AK

Mileage: 27,600

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TWO. FIRST, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THIS CONDITION ALMOST CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION. SECONDLY, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH IF ANY TYPE OF DEBRIS GOT INSIDE OF THE BUCKLE OPENING, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT IF THE VEHICLE GOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

Mileage: 50

THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. *MR THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND THE BRAKE PADS JUMPED. *SC *JB

PURCHASED VEHICLE 10/17PM WITH 50 MILES REGISTERED ON ODOMETER. DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM KING'S FORD, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SHIFTING WAS ROUGH UPON STARTING AND STOPPING THE CAR. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS ALSO FLASHING ON AND OFF. 10/18 AM, THE WINDSTAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO KING'S FORD SERVICE WHERE 2 DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS SHOWED TRANSMISSION TROUBLE.

Mileage: 50

THERE IS A NOISE IN THE REAR BREAK DRUMS CAUSED BY MOISTURE. *MR THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE REAR BRAKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO MOISTURE AND NOT TO WORRY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS PROBLEMATIC, AND THE REAR BRAKES HAD STARTED TO NOT STOP PROPERLY. THE REAR BRAKES WERE READJUSTED, AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS ADDED. THE NOISE IN THE BRAKES HAD RETURNED. *SCC *JB

NAR 05/21/2003 *MR 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. *CB