The Lemon Index
20022nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: speed control
114 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Toyota Sienna 512003 Dodge Grand Caravan 1232003 Honda Odyssey 97
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Ford Windstar
- Rust / frame corrosion98 complaintsmostly at 91,000–154,000 miles (146,000–248,000 km)
- Brakes: ABS module / pump87 complaintsmostly at 55,000–110,000 miles (89,000–177,000 km)
- Engine stalling61 complaintsmostly at 82,000–156,000 miles (132,000–251,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 1,510 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Windstar (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,500 and 39,000 miles (5,700–63,000 km) (the middle half of the 64 complaints, of all 114 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15V608000 (suspension), 12V195000 (suspension) and 12V193000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? It has 9 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Ford sent dealers 68 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Visible damage to the pad and plunger for the sliding doors”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 114 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 38K miles (6K to 63K km) on the car (64 of all 114 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
My ciggarette lighter pops out onto the floor every time it is pushed in. The distraction of a possible fire can cause a wreck.
2003 Ford Windstar owner · NHTSA complaint 10102859
More owner reports
Body seams not sealed resulting in water intrusion into floor seat anchors of passenger compartment.
NHTSA complaint 10013627
Consumer complained about an acceleration problem. When driving at any speed the vehicle accelerated, making it very hard to maneuver once the acceleration kicked in. Applying the brake during acceleration was ineffective.
NHTSA complaint 10063339
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 4.7M views · 1999–2003 Ford Windstar
Most-watched topics
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors459K views
2001 Ford Windstar fix for Check Engine Light code P1518 - Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck OpenEver-Curious Geek · 240K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank266K views
How to Replace a Fuel Pump on a 2002 Ford Windstar LX6speeddakota · 182K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors206K views
2002 Windstar Window Motor RepairFixinThatUp · 112K views · 5 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition173K views
2000 Ford Windstar No Start ProblemWatch out Mowers · 148K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system152K views
Coolant leak 2002 Ford WindstarDavid The Mechanic · 95K views · 2 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical145K views
Alternator replacement Ford Windstar 1999 - 2003 scope shows bad diode patternFixing cars and stuff · 102K views · 5 videos - Starter, alternator & belts73K views
Serpentine belt replacement Ford Windstar 3.8L V6 2000Fixing cars and stuff · 73K views - Heat, A/C & blend door58K views
2003 Ford Windstar Rear Heater FixMcVay Family Homestead · 19K views · 5 videos
Before you buy, watch
2003 Ford Windstar Problems (Shaking)Ace Jacobo · 47K views
Copy of FoRD 2003 WINDSTaR PROBLEMSRalph Harper · 9K views
FOR SALE 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED!! DEALER MAINTAINED!! STK# 20147A www.lcford.comLANCE CUNNINGHAM FORD · 22K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2003 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 68 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Visible damage to the pad and plunger for the sliding doors
- Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on / no start / erratic shifting
- Ticking/tapping noise with the engine warmed up and the transmission in gear at idle
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 9
- Suspension · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled.
- Suspension · recall issued 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, REGISTERED IN PUERTO RICO.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA.
Show all 9 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
- Body structure · recall issued 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARY…
- Suspension · recall issued 2010
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2003 AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, I…
- Speed control · recall issued 2009
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Seats · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." DURING TESTING, A THIRD ROW BENCH FLOOR-TO-SEAT LATCH RELEASED BEFORE THE STRENG…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedRear axle fracture recall scope2010
- ClosedFront subframe corrosion failures2010–2011
- ClosedRear axle cracking2010
- ClosedFront subframe corrosion failures2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,450 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Windstar year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 5 older years (1995–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 9 Ford Windstar years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-windstar/?y=2003" title="Ford Windstar reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-windstar/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Ford Windstar reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Ford Windstar reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 123; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Windstar year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2002.
What are the most common 2003 Ford Windstar problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (14%), body structure (13%) and transmission & drivetrain (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Windstar have?
9 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Ford Windstar get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Windstar problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,500 and 39,000 miles (5,700–63,000 km) (the middle half of the 64 complaints, of all 114 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Ford Windstar have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Ford Windstar cost in fuel a year?
About $3,450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Ford Windstar have?
3.8L 6-cyl.
What Ford Windstar year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2002 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works