Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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
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. …
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. …
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.
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.
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.
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* 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.
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
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.
Related recalls
Power train › Axle assembly
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997, through July 3, 2003, and currently registered or originally sold in virginia. Over time, corrosion can weaken the rear axle making it susceptible to torsional stress.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2012.
Transmission complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 225 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Ford Windstar, 15% of the model year's 1,510 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (94 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Windstar transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-193 (axle assembly, May 3, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Windstar transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.