Problems · NHTSA complaints

2003 Ford Windstar problems

Owners filed 1,510 complaints about the 2003 Ford Windstar with NHTSA between Mar 2003 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (296).

Complaints
1,510
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
33
Reported by owners
Fires
27
Reported by owners
Injuries
35
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes296
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic282
  3. Electrical system280
  4. Suspension254
  5. Power train225
  6. Structure127
  7. Vehicle speed control85
  8. Service brakes, electric69
  9. Engine and engine cooling47
  10. Steering40
  11. Exterior lighting35
  12. Latches/locks/linkages33
  13. Air bags30
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)25

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200323
200448
200524
200619
200740
2008115
2009131
2010232
2011171
2012162
2013121
2014158
201581
201657
201742
201823
201926
20209
202110
20226
20234
20244
20252
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

296 reports4 crashes1 fire
“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. I would like to get my issue remedied with a $4,999.00 Reimbursement for this vehicle ASAP so I may invest in getting a safer one. Please give me a dealership address here in Los Angeles so I can have the vehicle towed there and be done with it. I no longer want a vehicle that I can not drive nor can get my 'recalls'…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2022Steering, Suspension, Service brakesODI 11446673

Service brakes, hydraulic

282 reports3 crashes4 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2014Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10639433

Electrical system

280 reports4 crashes8 fires
“IT HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NEEDS WIRING HARNESS, NEEDS FRONT AND REAL AXLE REPLACEMENT. DANGEROUS. ALARM GOES OFF AT RANDOM. WON'T HOLD CHARGE. STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2020Suspension, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)Crash reportedODI 11324221

Suspension

254 reports4 crashes4 fires4 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at 40 MPH, the rear axle snapped. The wheel hub to the axle was barely connected. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number:15V608000 (SUSPENSION); however, the contact had not received the recall notification. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 237,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2026SuspensionODI 11729112

Power train

225 reports4 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2022Power trainODI 11465824

Structure

127 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10-20 MPH, the steering wheel was shaking abnormally. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V030000 (Structure). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that after the recall repair was performed the procedure was that the dealer would inspect the vehicle and escalate the findings to the special support center. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the warranty on the repair had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2026StructureODI 11753134
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.