2003 Ford Windstar Acceleration Problems

Which parts fail

• Accelerator pedal
  9
• Cruise control
  1

Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  913%
• 25k–50k
  46%
• 50k–75k
  710%
• 75k–100k
  1624%
• 100k–150k
  2334%
• 150k+
  812%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and Brake warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, there was smoke, and a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the ABS fluid had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that fluid had leaked from the Speed Control Deactivations Switch causing damage to the ABS Control Module connector. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 250,000.

On May 24 while backing out of the driveway I was a passenger in my sons car when it suddenly accelerated at a tremendous rate of speed and with a loud noise and crashed into the vehicle in front, which was pushed into our shed. I sustained injuries of 6 broken ribs, bruised lung and contusions to my chest. If not for the car and shed in front we would have ended at the bottom of the hill behind our home. The insurance company, 21st century, did not send a claim form and is fighting paying for this accident.

Was on the street driving, lights started flashing on dashboard van shut off in the middle of the street battery, alternator, blew out, was driving again van was ilde up really bad and while my feet was on the brakes it started moving on its own and ran into someone else vehicle, and also van was on the road started running bad broke down on a busy street once I was pushed to a safe location all my fluids were on the ground and the van was smoking really bad and lights on dashboard were flashing.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact was pulling into a parking spot when suddenly, smoke began emitting from the hood. The contact opened the hood and saw that the engine compartment was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and the police took a report shortly after. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealershi.p, where the contact was informed that the fire was caused by the speed control deactivation switch (recall 09V399000). The dealer told the contact to call the insurance company so the repair costs would be covered but the insurance company refused as the failure was caused by vehicle malfunction and not an accident. The dealer contacted the manufacturer who requested pictures of the damage to determine whether they would assume responsibility for the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were approximately 80,450.

I was backing down the driveway when my Ford Windstar 2003 engine started revving and I had to put both feet on the breaks to stop the car from running out of control. After I put both feet on the brakes to release the engine from revving did it stop. It happened again on the same day and it took all my strength to stop the Ford Windstar 2003 model. It could have done a lot of damage either to another car or a person. It is very dangerous and this problem has to be corrected or put on a recall basis before other people who might have the problem, can either get it fixed or taken off the road.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While the vehicle was parked, it idled at an accelerated rate. In addition, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the tp sensor and multiple other parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the gauges on the dashboard began to fluctuate sporadically. The ABS and brake warning lights would also illuminate intermittently. On one occasion, the contact stated she observed smoke coming from under the hood. The dealer advised an unknown fluid had leaked onto the ABS modular and burned. The contact secured an appointment with the dealer for repairs. The failure mileage was 149,900 and the current mileage was 149,950.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control); however, the recall repairs were not done completely. The dealer fused the wiring harness, but only inspected the ABS control module and did not replace it as listed in the recall notification. As a result, the module was leaking. The manufacturer refused to replace the part under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 192,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the cruise control failed to disengage when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the contact had to turn off the cruise control manually. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 6/8/15

My father was driving my car and while in the road the vehicle start to burn . The vehicle was total lost because the fire extended so rapidly that when the firefighters arrive was too late.. I made a complaint to Ford motor company after the incident but they said that my car was not included in the safety recall 09s09.

Related recalls

Acceleration complaints in other Windstar years