Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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 and brake light come on intermittently. No rhyme or reason but make us feel unsafe. Have taken in for service several times and they can find nothing wrong with ABS or brakes. Car only has 56000 miles on it now and we can't trade it or sell it because of the problem. Internet research shows thousands of entries with same problem. Found individual on ebay that has business repairing ECU cold solder joints so this is definitely a factory default. ABS and brakes function properly but those lights should not be coming on. It appears to be a cold solder joint which is clearly a manufacturing defect. Since the ECU sits right under master cylinder a brake fluid leak leaking fluid on ECU has and could cause a fire.mmmford should replace the defective unit at no charge to the customer.
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!
Started having wiper issues (intermittent did not work) randomly for a couple weeks, then headlights went out on highway at night with no other cars, first for a couple seconds off then on then off for good after a few more seconds. After another 10 min or so they went back on and stayed on. Also wipers did not work, or radio, windows and door locks. Another time during heavy rain in daytime the system failed again, wipers went off. This was on busy highway. Luckily they went on again after 10s and I was able to see and pull over. Very scary. Happened off and on again. Turned out forward control module was bad. Dealer replaced one I got from junkyard, no more problem.
Last week, my parents were driving my 2003 Ford Windstar home from breakfast with friends. The friends were following them home, when they saw fire coming from the bottom of the van. They immediately began honking their horn to get my parents to pull over. My dad stopped the van they franticly got themselves and my 4 and 6 year old children out of the van. Within 3-4 minutes of everyone getting out, the van was completely engulfed in flames. And the van was reduced to just metal with in less than 10 minutes. We do not know the reason the fire started at this point, but do know that this has been happening with Ford vehicles over the past few years.
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 contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the exterior lights, turn signal lights, odometer and sliding doors failed without warning. Also, the contact mentioned that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the total intergraded power module failed. In addition, the contact stated that the anti-theft system failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 200,000.
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.
The gauges in the vehicle keeps going nuts. Moving from one side to the other,tachometer, speedometer, gas, temperature, battery. The tachometer gauge hit the transmission selector and now that is pushed over to 1. It appears there a many fords that have this problem but Ford refuses to fix the problem. The fix is well over $400 just for the instrument cluster. Also they refuse to fix the power steering whining noise that all fords have. If this is a well known problem then how come the ntsa don't make them fix the problems.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the subframe had rusted and a hole was present located behind the front driver side wheel. The hole was approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Also, the instrument cluster would randomly stop operating. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer (dick brantmeier Ford in sheboycan, wi) was notified along with the manufacturer, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Odi has received 134 consumer complaints, 285 manufacturer complaints, and 137 manufacturer warranty claims alleging incidents of engine compartment fire in model year (my) 1995 thru 2003 Ford windstar vehicles.two of the odi complaints allege the fires caused structural damage to the complainant's home.of the 134 odi complaints, 36 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked, 72 allege the fire occurred…
Engine compartment fires
Ea08-021 is closed with Ford's actions in recall 09v-399 recalling approximately 4.5 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).with this recall Ford has now recalled all of the approximate 16 million Ford model vehicles that were manufactured from my 1992 through 2003 with a texas instruments scds.NHTSA will continue to monitor the recalled vehicles to ensure…
Electrical complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 280 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Ford Windstar, 19% of the model year's 1,510 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Windstar electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 8 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.