Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 60 MPH in rainy conditions, the vehicle began to jerk. The entire instrument panel, headlights, windshield wipers, and power windows failed to operate. The engine warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road until the rain subsided. After restarting, the failure persisted. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where a code was not detected. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
I was driving down the road and our and and brake lights had came on. Took it to the local shop and was told about the c1185 code was on. We were driving on the way home, and it just comes and goes with every start up and shut off. Car was in motion. To my acknowledgement I'm not positive what is causing this issue but I've been researching and have read about many of the same issues in this particular van series. I've read about Ford's safety recall number 09s09 and and my vehicle is to be in that recall as well.
ABS and brake lights have been off and on for years. Have had the brakes looked at many times and they are always said to be fine. Today, while driving along, the radio went off when I rolled up the window...thought that was strange so opened window....radio back on, closed window....radio off. Thankfully I was very close to home as the windows stopped opening and closing, radio shut off, odometer reading disappeared, clock lights disappeared. I made it to the driveway, turned it off and it did not turn back on. Came inside and started to search "2001 Ford Windstar ABS and brake lights on"......I'm appalled at how many complaints I have found. Husband and friend did a check and it May be the alternator....but after what I've read we will definitely be checking for fluid in the ABS control module. …
In the fall of 2006 I began experiencing isolated instances where the brake lights stayed on after the release of the brake pedal. I first noticed it when the battery was dead by the end of the work day. Frequency increased over the next several months. I found I could resolve the problem by lifting the pedal slightly from behind. On March 12, 2007 the problem began happening with each stop, so I removed and examined the brake light switch. It appeared to be functioning correctly. I examined its placement on the brake booster rod. The wear pattern appeared to be very slightly off-center. I reinstalled the switch, but inserted the spacer insert from the opposite side. When dissassembling, the spacer was inserted from the passenger side. When I reassembled it, I inserted it from the driver side. I have driven the car approximately 1200 miles and the problem has not returned. …
Dt: the contact stated in March 2004 the interior lights flickered under all conditions. There were no warning indicators on the dashboard concerning the interior lights flickering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and dealer changed the alternator and the battery lead wires. This only repaired the problem for two to three days. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the door switches were changed. This solved the problem for two to three weeks. The problem recurred and vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the thumb roller for the interior lights and the switch plates on the sliding doors. Again the problem recurred after two to three weeks. Once again the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who referred the contact to another dealer. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer who was unable to diagnose the source of the problem. …
I purchased this vehicle about 2 years ago and began having problems right away. The ABS light comes on and goes off quite often. At about 125,000 miles I had problems with the brakes and could not drive the car. My o/d light also began to flash and my speedometer jumped up and down while I was driving. I took it to a shop and had to have a speed sensor replaced. A day later the problem happened again and I had to have the sensor replaced again. The ABS light began to come on again a few days later. Now I have a light on the panel (the master lighting switch). When I turn off the headlights and parking lights, the parking lights come back on. I used to be able to turn them off and sometimes they would stay off, but now I have to disconnect the battery every time I park and reconnect it to drive the car. Also, one by one, all of the power locks are going out. …
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting
Vehicle description: Mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of FMVSS 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to Ford, the vehicles were…
Remedy: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Windstar years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (54), 1995 (50), 1998 (45), 2001 (35) and 2002 (31) model years. Headlight complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Ford Windstar headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 00V-168 (exterior lighting, Jun 19, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Windstar headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles; 18% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the brake lights (26 mentions), followed by the headlights (25).
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.