2003 Ford Windstar Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,510 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Ford Windstar, 3% of the 1,510 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I brought my car to the Ford dealer for routine oil and filter maintenance and while on the lift it was brought to my attention that the rear axle is cracked and barely intact. This car was not safe to drive. I had it replaced and $1,300 dollars later. The representative states that my car is about the 4th in their dealership within the month with rear axle cracked.”
NHTSA complaint #10350399, filed 2010-08, 60,700 miles“The ABS and engine lights have been on my 2003 Ford Windstar for years. However, they were electrical misfires and did not affect the operation of the vehicle. It does now seem that the ABS is failing. The car brakes normally at low speeds. However, over 30 MPH it now seems that the brakes lock up and the car pulls to the right. I do not feel that the car is safe to drive, as it screeched and locked up when I was stopping at a red light.”
NHTSA complaint #10533526, filed 2013-08, 90,000 miles“I purchased a 2003 Ford Windstar se on february 2, 2010 and it was on fire in my driveway february 6,2010 4am. I had not driven it over 6hrs before. I think all these vehicles should be off the road. The car by the way was a total loss not to mention a great inconvenience.”
NHTSA complaint #10310706, filed 2010-02, 73,000 miles“My 2003 Ford Windstar cuts off going down the road , 30mph to what ever you are running don;t care. You have to stop and coast off the road best you can put it in park start it up again and then go on, may do it again or again in a day or so this needs to be placed on a recall, everyone I talk to 6 out of 10 people with these vans have the same thing and no one knows what to do about it, please help before some one gets hurt or killed for this crazy mess!!!! Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #10356970, filed 2010-09, 165,258 miles“The vehicle stops in the middle of traffic. It will stall out when stopped. The car will not restart. It is not anything that pertains to a tune up or oil change or transmission fluid. The radiator got low a;little but that was not the problem. There was a recall on 2003 Ford Windstar limited edition but mine was not in this recall. I feel that my car should be fixed because it his a safety hazard. Plus the front wheel bearings are bad, which causes my tires to go bald. Ford will not fix the life threatening situation.”
NHTSA complaint #10552786, filed 2013-11, 138,000 milesEngine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 4% |
| 2003 | 47 | 3% |
| 2002 | 27 | 2% |
| 2001 | 66 | 4% |
| 2000 | 92 | 5% |
| 1999 | 129 | 8% |
| 1998 | 196 | 14% |
| 1997 | 38 | 20% |
| 1996 | 470 | 34% |
| 1995 | 1,610 | 48% |
| 1994 | 8 | 35% |
| 1993 | 5 | 45% |
| 1985 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Windstar
655 complaintsElectrical system
280 complaintsSuspension
254 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
225 complaintsBody and structure
127 complaintsVehicle speed control
85 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 27, 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