Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When driving my muffler broke loose and was dragging on the ground. My axel creaks when I stop or sit idle at a light. When several miles from home my ignition cylinder came out. I couldn't start or turn the ignition on nor operate the steering. I'm now afraid to drive my vehicle. Since acquiring it. I've put a lot of money into repairs. In addition to purchasing this vehicle, I've spent well over $2,000 in repairs. Once I learned of the recall and viewed the risks (Video) of the dangers I became grossly disturbed by what I am facing at the thought of driving. I have contacted 4 Ford Service Centers and none of them contacted back regarding fixing my 'recall'. I NEED HELP!! I have a disability and now I don't have transportation besides this car. How come no one is returning my calls? I am stranded at my home knowing that my safety is at risk. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the brakes failed without warning and caused the contact to crash the vehicle into a deer. The failure recurred on several occasions. The contact stated that the ABS and brake warning indicators were continuously illuminated. The contact did not specify if a police report was filed or if any injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
The ABS light comes on. Then the vehicle is fine for days then it comes on again for no reason. This problem has been infrequent and has only recently before more of a issue. Usually the problem goes away and does not come back for weeks. I went to the local advance auto so they could pull the code and identify which wheel was sending the code so I could narrow it down and replace parts as necessary. The codes pulled are followed. C1185, c1198, c1194, c1254,c1246, c1250, c1242, c1214 & c1210. That's right 9 ABS codes came out. The 1st on is the problem c1185, the rest are failures at each wheels inlet outlet valves. When searching the c1185 issue I found 100's of complaints online for this issue and many dealership horror stories. …
Our 2003 Ford Windstar began experiencing intermittent electrical failures. On May 27, after driving normally, we stopped for about 30 minutes. Then the van stalled several times on a short trip. After another 10 minute stop, it operated normally again. Several times during the next week, although the car did not stall, the power to the steering and brakes went out. We had an appointment with our local Ford dealer to service the van on June 7. However, on June 6 the power systems failed, causing the car to crash into a road side mailbox. No personal injuries occured. Nothing was done to correct the failure. At our expense, Ford would have had someone look at the vehicle to see if they could determine the exact cause of the accident. We choose to deal with our insurance company instead. The car was totaled and repossessed by state farm insurance.
ABS brake light will turn on and off at random times. Also, brake (e-brake) light comes on, interior lights occasionally flash, all running lights and headlights have gone out (really bad when driving down highway at night), and loss of all electrical (radio, lights, heater fan, dash illumination, headlights, running lights, etc... All go out at same time). Alternator and several batteries have been replaced. Electric windows will occasionally stop working as well. Obviously the huge issue here is the fact that the ABS system May be disabled, dash warning lights randomly come on and off, and all electrical shuts off, with losing headlights and running lights being the biggest issue!
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.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact started the ignition and suddenly, smoke expelled from the front end of the vehicle. The engine was turned off. The driver inspected underneath the hood and the engine compartment exhibited heavy smoke and small flames. The hood was closed which smothered the small flames. The fire department was not called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was contributed to the anti-lock brake system. The contact performed a temporary repair. The contact had concern of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 110,000.
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.
Bought used vehicle from dealer and noticed the ABS/brake light was constantly on. It was "fixed" before completing the purchase. Lasted for a few days before lights came back on and stayed on. Was told it not a big deal, so I didnt worry about it. Was not experiencing any other issues until 1.5 years later when I turned the defrost fan on and it stalled the motor as I was traveling. The next weekend my husband wanted to look at it and after the van idled for a few minutes, turned on the defrost and it did not stall, called it a fluke until we popped the hood and had smoke coming out!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While approaching a stop, the driver depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the driver had to engage the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. The brakes, ABS, engine, and door ajar warning lights previously illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS electrical module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,190.
Brake complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 655 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Ford Windstar, 43% of the model year's 1,510 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Windstar brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2003 Ford Windstar, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Windstar brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.