2003 Ford Windstar Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 655about this part
- Share
- 43%of 1,510 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 655 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Ford Windstar, 43% of the 1,510 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My ABS light and breaks turn on once I drive for a mile on the road and it stay on till I shut the engine off for the following day for work. I already replace my brakes, rebuild my transmission and replace all spark plugs and cords, also change my engine oil on time pretty much a take care of my one and only vehicle I have. I have enough with the fords.”
NHTSA complaint #10722379, filed 2015-05, 144,000 miles“My ABS and brake lights on the dashboard come on and off at different times. Sometimes they stay for a while (days) and then go off for (days). Also, I have been having problems with the gauge arms on the dashboard all of sudden will go back and forth in a quick motion. Then sometimes stick in one position and then back to normal and then sometimes not move at all for a while.”
NHTSA complaint #10807677, filed 2015-12, 100,000 miles“The ABS warning light will randomly come on and stay on until the vehicle is turned off. This happens occasionally, but not every time the vehicle is driven. It happens all different speeds, not just one speed zone. I am reporting this because I found out it is becoming a common issue for many people with this type of vehice.”
NHTSA complaint #10595616, filed 2014-06, 102,000 miles“I'm driving down the road and the ABS light and brake light comes on. It doesn't go off until I turn off ignition. When I start the engine again the lights are off but usually within 10 miles down the road the ABS light and brake light come on again. Every once in a while the lights won't come on but the next time I drive the vehicle they will come on again.”
NHTSA complaint #10548307, filed 2013-10, 118,000 miles“The ABS warning light came on. The brakes still seemed to work ok. After taking the vehicle to the Ford dealer, we were advised that the ABS was not working and in the event of a quick stop being necessary, we should pump the brakes to prevent the tires from skidding. Repair of the vehicle was going to exceed $1200.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10627206, filed 2014-08, 92,500 milesBrakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | 13% |
| 2003 | 655 | 43% |
| 2002 | 643 | 48% |
| 2001 | 544 | 32% |
| 2000 | 384 | 23% |
| 1999 | 223 | 15% |
| 1998 | 199 | 14% |
| 1997 | 28 | 15% |
| 1996 | 229 | 17% |
| 1995 | 505 | 15% |
| 1994 | 2 | 9% |
| 1993 | 2 | 18% |
| 1990 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Windstar
280 complaintsSuspension
254 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
225 complaintsBody and structure
127 complaintsVehicle speed control
85 complaintsEngine cooling
47 complaintsOther or unknown
44 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsExterior lighting
35 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
33 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsElectronic stability control
27 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Windstar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology