Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
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 vehicle has several ongoing problems that the dealer has been unable to repair. The traction control light occaisionally comes on and loud grinding noises are heard and vibrations felt through the floor. This problem began around 9/2004. The interior lights will randomly turn on and off while driving. The dealer completely removed the overhead consoles and headliner to repair a short in the wiring harness; but that didn't fix it. And both power sliding doors have malfunctioned several times. The doors will not open with any of the interior switches or remote, and the power locks on them will hang up. The doors have, on occaision, opened by themselves while the vehicle is parked in the driveway. We found the interior flooded one morning after it rained heavily the night before. We can only assume the door opened on its own. …
I own a 2003 Ford Windstar that was purchased in September of 2003. I had so many issues with this van since purchasing it, it's not even funny. It started out with the door locks and the back hatch door not operating correctly....there were also some cosmetic items that were defective. The most annoying problem occurred in August of 2005 and has continued sporadically over the course of the last year. The van stalls out while driving down the road!!! You lose the power brakes and power steering when this happens..it has been in the shop probably four times over the course of the last year. The first couple of times they would return the van with the explanation "no problem found". I have had people riding with me that have experienced this problem first hand. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While en route to new york and driving 60 MPH, the door locks did not function and were not programmed. When the contact activated the cruise control, the ABS, door lights, and emergency brake lights illuminated. Halfway to her destination, she had to stop at a repair shop and pay for them to inspect the vehicle so that she could continue driving. The mechanic checked the brake line and pads and informed her that the vehicle was functional. The battery was also repaired. Within 2-3 weeks, the same lights illuminated again. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The current mileage was 55,394 and failure mileage was approximately 53,200. Updated 07/29/08 the consumer also state the vehicle had an oil leak in the oil pan near the oil gasket. The low tire pressure light illuminated. …
With no prior problems to report, I was suddenly unable to put my vehicle in gear after starting it. The gear-shifter felt somewhat loose as if I were parked at an incline without putting the hand brake on. However, I was parked on level ground. After turning the vehicle off, I was finally able to get the vehicle out of park and into neutral where I was able to start it and put it into drive. Whenever I placed it in park it was extremely difficult to get it back into any other gear however, it would randomly go into gear as if there was no problem. But once placed back into park it would get stuck again. Now there is all kinds of wacky electrical stuff going on...window swithches aren't functioning, no tail lights, fuel gage is not functioning and the remote alarm entry only unlocks the drivers side door. …
Our 2003 Ford Windstar has been having mechanical failures for about 3 years. We have heard a loud grinding noise from the rear passeners side of the car that neither our local mechanic nor Ford could fix. We replaced shocks and most recently the tire rods on 9/24/10. We have had numerous electronical "bugs" inclluding ABS lights flashing on and off for 2 years requiring multiple fuse changes and electrical testing. Our transmission was replaced in 2009 at 59,000 miles. The power locks on the passenger side door and rear passenger doors do not open remotely or with power locks, only key or manual lifting. Needless to say, although we have not had any person injuries, we have spent a fortune to keep this car running in what we thought was safe manner.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving 45 MPH on normal road conditions; the "ABS" brake warning light indicators illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician recommended the replacement of the anti-lock brake system computer module. In addition, there were defective automated power locks on all four doors. An authorized mechanic was unable to duplicate the door lock failure. The vehicle is in the process of being repaired for the ABS computer module. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 80,000. The current mileage was 100,000. Updated 12/30/09 updated 12/30/09
The electric sliding door on our 2003 Ford Windstar will not stop if my wife or child is in its intended path. The door will literally pin them against the door frame. I have had to apply force in order to have the door reverse. Also the door mechanism (latch) will not allow the door to open when pulled. The door must be forceibly pulled to ectivate the auto open sequence. My wife has stated that when closing ther door with the key fob that the door does not alway close, she has had two occurences where she has removed my daughter from the van and closed the door, when she came out of the store the door was open.
Tl 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 the dealership removed the transmission to replace the torque converter, front hub seal, pump shaft and bearing. The front doors needed actuators. Updated
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the passenger side sliding door would not function with the power button. The door would have to be opened manually from the passenger compartment. The dealer stated that there was a service bulletin for the failure, but there was no recall. The contact was informed that a TSB kit was needed. The manufacturer stated that nothing could be done and referred her to NHTSA. The current mileage was approximately 77,000 and failure mileage was approximately 76,000. Updated 07/15/08 updated
2003 Ford Windstar with automatic power sliding doors. This is the third incident where the doors automatically opened when they were closed and locked. The first 2x I returned to find the doors opened and retracted. The third my 3 year old was seated in her car seat when the door opened while driving. This is a hazard and major safety issue. Ford has ignored my phone calls and Ford service they can find no problem and cleaned the contacts. I will file suit in the next few weeks to address this horrible defect.
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2003 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2003 Ford Windstar, 2% of the model year's 1,510 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Windstar door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches 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 door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to locks & latches 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.