One problem related to transmission gear indicator has been reported for the 2003 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Ford Windstar based on all problems reported for the 2003 Windstar.
2003 Ford Windstar transaxle jerks vehicle from 1st to 2nd gear shift under light or moderate throttle. Was serviced 4 times in 2006 by dealer. Dealer rebuilt transaxle yet problem still existed. Dealer replaced throttle position sensor 2nd time and problem was even more pronounced. Now vehicle would pop out of 2nd gear with engine race immediately after 1st to 2nd gear shift because it hammered the shift so bad. Dealer replaced stator support on 3rd time in yet still pops during shift from 1st to 2nd. Called Ford consumer line immediately afterward to complain. Vehicle was coming out of warranty in 8k miles and I wanted to voice my concerns that the transmission was not working properly after being service 3 times. Ford called dealer. Dealer called me to explain that the Ford service rep told them that the Windstars will shift like that and that is the way it is. 14 months later transmission is failing when under any stress (hills, moderate acceleration, etc. . ) with a ratcheting or grinding noise. Have to disengage od on highway hills to maintain speed with heavy traffic. Have called Ford again. They want to have dealer perform a diagnostic test which I will have to pay for. It is out of warranty now even though I complained to Ford a year ago when it was in.