general problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar

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.

Ford vehicles should not only be recalled for rear axle rust. There should also be a recall for rust that constantly occurs around the rear wheel well panels. The rust appears to start from underneath the rear side panel on the Windstar. It seems like this is occurring along with the rear axle rust. The sliding side doors have a continuous problem with closing completely when any of the control buttons were used. The doors would reopen over and over. Repeated visit to the service department did not solve the problem which seem to involve the pulley system.

Left rear automatic closing door will begin to close, just before latching the door will re-open itself.

Windstar van doors will lock and unlock while driving. Right passener slide door will not lock/ unlock have to do it by hand. Left rear passeners door slide open it self after I shut it. Will lock it self. I can pull the lock up and it will lock it self again. The drivers door will not unlock have to use key. . Keyless remotestop working. Plus battier . Still nothing.

We bought our 2003 Windstar in August of 2006 used from a car lot. In the spring of 2008 the locks on the driver side rear door will lock and unlock on their own. It doesn't matter if we are parked or driving down the road and all of a sudden you hear this awful sound. Shortly after that I noticed leaking from the driver side in the front behind the tire and then the steering was making a noise and beginning to turn hard. We ended up replacing the rack and pinion and the power steering pump. Then in October 2009 we ended up replacing the wheel bearing on the front driver side. We were told that the transmission was going out. We had a mechanic friend of ours come and take a look to have it done cheaper. We then found out that the radiator was also going out. So we had it parked and replaced the radiator in January of 2010 and left it parked because we couldn't afford to pay for the new transmission at the time. It had roughly 13x,xxx miles on it when it failed. We finally bought another one and replaced this in February of 2010. We have just replaced the wheel bearing on the right side in the beginning of November of 2010. We have now taken it in for the recall and found out that it has 3 cracks in it. The dealership wants extra money to check the subframe so I am waiting for our mechanic friend to take a look and see what other surprise we may have. Once we find out I will be reporting back about the subframe if it also has an issue. We are very frustrated because we still owe $5600 on this and have already paid so much for this overpriced van on top of all the money we put in to it. We are beginning to be scared to drive this with our children in it when it eventually gets fixed. Please help, what else is gonna go wrong!!! the date is not exact but approximate.

2003 Ford Windstar brake warning light and abs warning light on constantly. Numerous electrical problems, I. E, doors not unlocking, locking for no reason. Blend door sticking, not allowing for heat or defrosting.

The 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.

Abs module does not work, and shows a constant alarm light. Cost to repair is $2k door locks failed and have to be opened manually. Cost to repair is $500/lock power steering unit constantly noisy, hard to steer vehicle. No repair cost known. Door open light constantly on. No repair cost known. Interior lights do not come on when doors are opened. No repair cost known.

When the passenger side automatic door lock engaged it pinched the occupant's arm. As a result, passenger suffered a blood blister that turned into a bruise.

Automatic sliding door opens by itself - no command; door will not power open; door lock assembly freezes. The door has opened itself while the vehicle is in motion - very scary and dangerous for my children. This is a problem Ford has known about but have not been proactive about fixing (see Ford TSB article 03-6-8).