2003 Ford Windstar Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,510 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,736miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2003 Ford Windstar, 2% of the 1,510 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,736 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Windstar van doors will lock and unlock while driving. Right passenger slide door will not lock/ unlock have to do it by hand. Left rear passengers 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 battery . Still nothing.”
NHTSA complaint #10398876, filed 2011-05, 45,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10376993, filed 2011-01, 81,535 miles“The electric sliding door on our 2003 Ford Windstar will not stop if my wife or child is in its intended path. The door will literally pin them against the door frame. I have had to apply force in order to have the door reverse. Also the door mechanism (latch) will not allow the door to open when pulled. The door must be forceibly pulled to ectivate the auto open sequence. …”
NHTSA complaint #10051263, filed 2003-12, 1 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10326172, filed 2010-04, 136,000 miles“With no prior problems to report, I was suddenly unable to put my vehicle in gear after starting it. The gear-shifter felt somewhat loose as if I were parked at an incline without putting the hand brake on. However, I was parked on level ground. After turning the vehicle off, I was finally able to get the vehicle out of park and into neutral where I was able to start it and put it into drive. Whenever I placed it in park it was extremely difficult to get it back into any other gear however, it would randomly go into gear as if there was no problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10278411, filed 2009-07, 77,971 milesLatches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 4% |
| 2003 | 33 | 2% |
| 2002 | 17 | 1% |
| 2001 | 20 | 1% |
| 2000 | 52 | 3% |
| 1999 | 35 | 2% |
| 1998 | 17 | 1% |
| 1997 | 3 | 2% |
| 1996 | 10 | 1% |
| 1995 | 29 | 1% |
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 complaintsEngine cooling
47 complaintsOther or unknown
44 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsExterior lighting
35 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