Battery Problems of Ford Windstar - part 1

We came from eating breakfast to a dead battery, then we had someone help us to jump it; however, my husband noticed the electrical was not working, and it was still running, but very slow. It finally gave up and we had to tow it, and have someone look at it. We are in the middle of the problem, so hopefully Ford will have a notice or something in the mail soon. We have had problems before with the battery, and thinking maybe that is the problem, but we are hearing stories from online of other issues that could of caused this.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Abs light and brake light stay on. Have new brakes. Interior lights keep flashing on and off when driving battery light stays on. I have had battery tested.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Intermittent problem: problems indicated by on board message center reads "check brake lamps", "check tail lamps" check head lamps" check rear turn lamps", "check front turn lamps", noticed that interior lights will not work, auto locks will not work, key remote will not lock or unlock vehicle or open doors. Get no codes from o b d ii. Scanner. Have replaced battery because it was 6 years old and wasn't putting out proper amps. Thought would solve problem. It didn't. Thought disconnecting battery for 30 min. Would reset computer. Seamed to work a couple of times, however, now believe it was just coincidence. Sometimes when I start the vehicle everything is fine, however while driving, the message reappears and none the above mentioned, no longer work again. This is a driving hazard.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

My 2003 Ford Windstar limited edition has major electrical problems. The hazzard lights will not go off therefore draining my battery. I have to disconnect it whenever I shut it off. It is currently at bay ridge Ford for the recall involving the rear axle. However it has failed emissions for code 171 and 174. I believe there is a major flaw in the design of the Windstar van.

I have a 2003 Ford Windstar se model that has cost well over a thousand dollars in repair. I have replaced 2 batteries and two altenators, and the problems still have not been fixed. I now have no way of knowing how fast I am going or how much gas is in my tank. The electical systems need to be recalled on these vans. People on line are complaing about the problems and their vans failing because of fualty electrical. I use my van to transport my family and do not feel safe on this van. I have had all the nessecary recalls taken care on it. When I drive this van the spedometer is not correct, I think I am doing a certain speed but when compared to other vehicles it is clearly not the speed intended. My gas gauge is always wrong I fill up on gas and it stays full one day and the next it's almost empty. I now have to keep and eye on my milage to know how much fuel I have. The doors never close properly and and my liftgate ajarsignalis always on. The doors do not lock or or unlock when I need them too, which has become a hazard, becuase I can't leave anything in my van for fear of it being stolen. This van has had been to the local dealership and cost me well over 400 dollars to replace an already brand new altenator and new battery which cost over 80 bucks, plus the two hundred dollars for the first altenaotr and another 100 for the first battery. The heat doesn't work properly either. This van is a nightmare of electrical problems that need to be addressed by Ford ASAP. This van has left me and my children stranded on the side of the road in the country and I will not put up with it any more!!!!!!!.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact attempted to start the ignition repeatedly however, the engine failed to operate. And the battery required a jump start. The failure recurred numerous times on separate occasions. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. There was a technical service bulletin pertaining to the defect under NHTSA item number: 636000(electrical system:battery). The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

While driving the o/d light blinks on and off. . Also the brake lights will stay on after I have turned he van off. . This has resulted in a dead battery at the end of the day. 2002 for Windstar cargo van.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Windstar 🔎.

First of all there is a short located by the steering wheel around the air bag. I thought it was the battery so I changed it and a couple of days later my van would not start. I took it to the Ford dealer and they couldn't find the problem, so I took it to an old man that just did electrical problems on automobiles. He said it was a bad wire in the steering column and he said to repair it would cost a lot of money, so he bypassed some wires and I have not had any problems since, but when you open the driver side door, the door chimes, like when you leave the keys in the ignition. He only charged me $75. Also I would be driving and the interior lights would turn on and off by themselves. This has been happening for a long time. Also the abs warning lights have been on for a while and my mechanic said it is a bad abs steering box. To replace it would cost around $1000. I have had also the head gasket replaced because the Ford dealer could not find what was wrong with it while it was still under warranty. It was idling very rough while stopped at a light, also when in parked. It cost me about $600 to replace it. I took it to pep boys and they found out what was wrong with it. I also had the fuel pump replaced, because it kept shutting off while at the grocery stores and had it towed by aaa 3 times in about a year. Bottom line, I will never buy another Ford vehicle while I am alive. They are good for the first couple of years, then they start failing. So sad, because I have been a Ford guy for over 35 years.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs under NHTSA campaign id numbers: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shield) and NHTSA campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly). The contact stated that the it took over eight months to perform the repairs and the vehicle became inoperable after repairs. The dealer stated that the battery and fuel pump had become defective and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure and current mileage was 193,000.

Electrical issues. I just bought the 2003 Ford Windstar ex, and we've experienced the brake light, engine light, interior lights flickering off and on. This is dangerous !! how do we know if there really is a brake problem if the brake light resets and turns back on while driving ? it is very distracting when the interior lights flicker off and on while driving. We are finding out the extent of electrical problems associated with this model. The electrical problem is draining our vehicle battery every night ! I've filed several of the issues with your department, and have seen the complaints on line. What a shame that we have to wait for a serious incident to happen before Ford is held accountable for their bad product !!! I hope you can help. Thank you.

This van keeps draining our battery. We have tried to figure out why the van's electrical system keeps draining the battery. It has drained our battery several times.

My 2003 Ford Windstar is experiencing problems with the brake light and abs light continuing to turn on intermittently. I have had an issue with my van battery being drained over night. I called sunset Ford in peoria arizona and the service advisor told me it was recently repaired in Nov of 2009. I hope that you can help since I believe there is still a problem .

Where to start? almost seem like to many problems to list. We will start with the constant draining and replacement of the battery. New battery every few months. Thinking this issue may have to do with the fact that the interior lights go on and off at random unexplained times. Sometimes remaining on once the vehicle is off and all doors are completely closed. Problem with abs and brake light coming on at randoms times in addition tp the checl charging system light. Sometimes they come on and off but if they remain on cause the car to hesitate or just quit on you. I have 3 kids and am terrified for our safety everytime we are in this vehicle. I have finally had enough and am filing a complaint since I have read from numerous sources that I am one of thousands and thousands having this same issue. Please consider the safety of the drivers of these vehicles and subsequently any innocent motorist or pedestrian who may become injured from these safety issues. Thank you.

Purchased a 2002 Windstar xl from a dealer Feb 2009. All happened in a 12 week period. Engine , abs, and brake lights came on as I left the lot from dealer. Went to have checked out and I was told I had a misfire in #5 plug and replaced intake manifold gaskets, new plugs, wires, oil changed. Had an oil leak 2 days later and went back and plug in oil pan replaced. Engine light stayed off 1 week and then started smelling antifreeze through a/c vents. Heater core is bad in it too so I had the heater core bypassed as a temporary fix. Engine light, abs light & brake light was off for 2 hours then came back on. Found the cruise control deactivation switch was unplugged and plugged it in and then it blew a relay fuse in the box next to the battery. Replaced and left it unplugged. This controls the gauges on instrument panel, a/c, and cruise control. I replaced the cruise control deactivation switch and it burned the wires when engine was started. Overheating of wires caused the melting of wires. I had hood open so stopped engine before wires ignited.

Battery will not hold charge have changed battery still goes dead over night.

On 08/09/2008, the emergency brake light and the abs light illuminated on the dashboard while driving at 60 mph under normal conditions. The vehicle then had to be jump-started, and I noticed a faint burning smell while driving. Upon exiting the vehicle, I noticed the burning scent was extremely strong. The vehicle is now inoperative. The battery, purchased at sears on 06/04/2005, can no longer hold a charge. The electrical system has gone haywire. For example, the headlights now come on, dimly, when the switch is in the off position. The mileage at the time of this incident was 119,200. I had one prior experience with the emergency brake light and the abs light illuminating on the dashboard. In June 2007, both warning lights came on intermittently only when the vehicle was in reverse and were accompanied by a loud squealing sound in the brakes. Twice, on wet pavement, my brakes did not function normally. Although I avoided any collision, on one occasion I was forced to proceed through an intersection where the traffic light had just turned red. An independent garage inspected the brakes and could find nothing wrong. The computer diagnostic was code c1185. As a precaution, they flushed the brake system. Thereafter, the brakes functioned normally. The emergency brake light and the abs light came back on intermittently again in may 2008. Again, this happened when the vehicle was in reverse and was accompanied by squealing brakes. I had a Ford dealership go over the vehicle and received a written report in may 2008 that showed the brakes to be in acceptable condition. There were no further incidents until August 2008. Because of the complaints I've read on the NHTSA website, I will mention that the cruise control deactivation switch on this vehicle has not worked in quite some time. I must use the brake pedal to turn off the cruise control. I urge you to continue your investigation into this dangerous situation.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the abs warning light illuminated. He attempted to reset the battery in hopes that it was a defect. Two weeks later, smoke was present under the instrument panel. The speedometer, odometer, and air conditioning failed in the vehicle. There were several recalls listed; however, Ford stated that his VIN was not included in the recalls. Currently, there is an open investigation (NHTSA action number pe08035) for the described failure. The failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

We have a 1999 Ford Windstar, abs light on, doors wont unlock, odometer doesn't work, now blinkers are not blinking lights will not turn off, had to unhook the battery. What are our options. We have an electrical mess.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While en route to new york and driving 60 mph, the door locks did not function and were not programmed. When the contact activated the cruise control, the abs, door lights, and emergency brake lights illuminated. Halfway to her destination, she had to stop at a repair shop and pay for them to inspect the vehicle so that she could continue driving. The mechanic checked the brake line and pads and informed her that the vehicle was functional. The battery was also repaired. Within 2-3 weeks, the same lights illuminated again. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The current mileage was 55,394 and failure mileage was approximately 53,200. Updated 07/29/08 the consumer also state the vehicle had an oil leak in the oil pan near the oil gasket. The low tire pressure light illuminated. The consumer was informed that the new battery was causing electrical problems they were experiencing. Updated 07/29/08.

The abs light along with the red brake light come on frequently. This has been happening for about three years. For the past year and a half these lights along with the battery light come on and the van surges, lurches and dies. This happens at any time, at lights especially but even when driving. Sometimes all types of lights on the console begin to flicker and I hear a ticking/clicking noise as it occurs. I have started my engine and seen the odometer run what appears to be some sort of diagnostic test. If I push the trip reset when this is happening it cycles through several words and codes and the gauges (fuel, speedometer and temperature) move all the way to the right then fall back to zero and the ignition clicks rapidly. Just today when I went out first thing in the morning to start my van, my electronics door opener would not work. I had to use the key, and when I opened the door the flashing/ clicking was underway. I have had my brakes replaced only to have the light issue resume before I left the mechanic. I have had the van hooked up to diagnostic computers twice which could not diagnose the problem. I am very frustrated. I haven't even paid this vehicle off yet and with these issues I won't be able to sell it in good conscience. As an american company, I expect Ford to take responsibility for it's products and the american government to protect american consumers.

Door locks are activated and continuously active themselves, locks open and close and chimes for door ajar appears on instrumentation panel. Lights on the mirrors luminate due to car reconginizing symtom of open door, draining battery. This problem first occurred while on an 8 hour drive home from canada, was brought to Ford, they changed the front passengener sensor claiming car was fixed after 2 days in the shop. 5 days later while enroute to nc, the same problem arose, locks opening and shuttiing and car chimming constantly. Car was flatbedded to a Ford dealership in north carolina. Car was supposedly fixed, again, after 3 days in the shop. Ten miles bbefore reaching my destination 65 miles away from dealership , same problem occurred again, after the rear sliding door sensor was replaced at this Ford. After numerous attempts at fixing, Ford motor corporation, has been unsuccessful in solving this problem. Now security alarm, is activated due to door locks opening and closing.

The dome light and the door ajar sensor light stays on. The consumer is concerned that the battery will drain completely. The cause has yet to be determined. The vehicle would shake when it was started. One injector was changed. The consumer felt that the other five injectors may go bad.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Interior lighting, radio,rear a/c fan will not turn off when vehicle is off and key removed. Rear fan continues to run, draining battery. This fault is intermittent and was supposedly resolved by the dealer( place motors , webster MA) replacing the battery last spring 2003. Did the dealerships really fix anything?? it cost me a new battery to find out. Chattering of power relays also occurs . Similar description as the other complaints for interior lighting and electrical systems. Rear a/c fan was disconnected to stop battery drain. Everything seems to be worse on rainy days.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was abnormally pulling to the right in would sporadically become stuck in park. On a separate occasion the contact was driving 30 mph when the check engine and overdrive warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where unknown repairs were performed yet the failure persisted after the repairs. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times where several unknown repairs were made but to no avail. In addition, the contact stated that the battery was replaced five times and the she was recently made aware of two open recalls on the vehicle; NHTSA campaign id numbers: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). Neither recall repair had yet been performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 127,445 and the approximate current mileage was 150,000.

Interior lights stay on running the battery down. Doorbell & int. Lights stay on until 20 mph.

The 1996 Ford Windstar continues to have defective head gaskets as in 1994 and 1995 models. This lead to engine failure at 78,000 miles! the cost to replace the engine per miller Ford was 4,778. 00. We paid 19,000 for this vehicle and refuse to pay for a new engine! the nasa has stated the head gasket should last at least 120,000 miles or the life of the vehicle. We have had this Ford Windstar with a blown engine due to head gasket failure since last December, but continue to make monthly payments on this dead Ford Windstar. We pay taxes, insurance, and montly payments to Ford credit for the next 18 months or so. We just discontinued registration fees as the dmv told us we could do this. Ford refuses to acknowledge this problem and is not standing up to it's committment of quality care to it's customers. I urge anyone who is considering buying a Ford to do their research. Ford is a company that does not stand behind it's promises. We will never own another Ford although our family has never owned anything but until now. Ford wake up!.

Continual problems with interior lights and locks because of the door ajar monitor. Have to use passenger side door to enter because drivers door normally sets it off, and have to unplug battery to let system reset, so battery does not go dead which normally takes a couple of days. Locks will lock and unlock on their own while driving. Door ajar will also activate with the other doors on its own while you are driving. This has been happening for at least two years. Everytime I wanted to take it to the dealer, it would stop and the dealer said they could do nothing unless it was happening at the time.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Door ajar bell and lights do not go out, locks do not work properly in passenger rear door. Doors close fine but bell and lights persist at all times. Fuse had to be removed for night driving and to prevent a dead battery. I cant hear things around me outside due to door ajar bell. Bell tone is loud and causing headaches.

Transmission will downshift very roughly, driver gets thrown forward. Dealer cannot find cause. The transmission was down shifting with a terrible jolt at low speed. The vehicle was difficult to start when cold and damp, also when the ignition was switched off and then back to start the engine fires and runs. The vehicle stalling was determined to be fuel pump failure. The gas mileage dropped from 23 mpg to 16 mpg and the vehicle burns more oil. The lights flicker when driving at night and a/c is on, also the vehicle shakes while idling with the a/c on. The driver?s seat cut and slashed the consumer?s clothing. There was a weak green light from the battery. Vehicle vibrates at high speed. The driver?s door was difficult to shut.

Engine check light remains on constantly, vehicle has been checked by dealer several times, but consumer was advised light was not reading a code. Head gasket blewout, and dealer advised consumer that light was reading a problem with the head gasket, which was leaking. Also the battery was replaced.

We have always had trouble with this van - we bought it used(1 yr old) so we had no recourse as far as warrenties go. We finally were able to take it in to the Ford dealership and have the light problem looked at - they replaced a sensor for $140 and as soon as we drove 45 miles it started up again! we were on our way on a road trip and I called to tell them it failed, but when we got back two weeks later they claimed that it must be something different. . . Interior lights do not shut off, removed door ajar chime so we didn't have to listen to that while driving all the time, door ajar light has been on continuously for more than 3 years, we've had to remove the dome lights and turn the other lights to "off" so our battery doesn't go dead over night - the passenger floor lights remain on however and get very hot. . . The doors do not lock because the car thinks it's doors are open! the car has become dangerous to drive and the problem has stumped too many mechanics to list - when driving above 40 mph the right wheel starts making a 'thumping' noise and when turning left or accelerating it becomes almost deafening, now it's making a very loud screech if, but don't want to sell this death-trap to anyone else eithe you turn too sharply - there is a continuous squeaking noise comng from the same area. Please help!! thank you, freida kirkland ps. . . Cruise control doesn't work and the back wiper only works if you're backing up. . . Have had the van realigned continually and I just bought another set of tires in June and the left front tire is already worn out. . . The right passenger's window sometimes doesn't roll back up and the service engine light stays on sometimes for months for no reason as well as the brake light. . .

Electronics-door ajar warning light stays on specifically when weather is damp or mild. This causes door locks to unlock by themselves even when vehicle is in motion, also door chime keeps chimming. Battery looses power because dome lamp stays on for extended period of time. Rear windshield wipers will not work if illuminated door ajar warning is caused by opening or closing rear liftgate. Repairs have been made to driver door switch at the cost of $100 parts and labor, however the passenger door, side slider and rear liftgate have the same problem. Im not sure if doors are really closed or not. Since the doors wont stay locked, I believe this poses as a safety hazard to all passengers. Mechanics have told me that this is a common problem with Mini vans.

Interior lights in passenger's compartment remain illuminated. Consumer stated that battery had to be disconnected. Dealer has yet to be contacted. Please provide further details.

While driving vehicle stalls. When vehicle shuts off, engine check and battery lights come on.

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