Is the 2003 Ford Windstar a bad year?
1,508 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 225, 2.3× a quiet Windstar year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 78k–128k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Windstar owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 102,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 648 (43%) | 66k–119k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 225 (15%) | 78k–128k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 252 (17%) | 105k–160k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Electrical system | 280 (19%) | 69k–125k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 125 (8%) | 88k–142k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 85 (6%) | 70k–124k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 65 (4%) | 52k–132k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 40 (3%) | 50k–130k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Exterior lighting | 35 (2%) | 48k–118k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 30 (2%) | 81k–136k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 27 (2%) | 63k–117k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Interior lighting | 24 (2%) | 50k–105k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Parking brake | 22 (1%) | 67k–117k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Wheels | 20 (1%) | 82k–169k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 102,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,508 complaints: 33 mention a crash · 27 mention a fire · 28 report an injury · 28 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Traveling 65 miles an hour on I-96 eastbound , outside of the detroit area. Sudden loss of all powertrain function.
While driving lost all power to transmission. Car would start but not move in any gear. Code scanner shows no codes, engine light does not stay lit.
Transmission failed completely. Right in the middle of driving up a hill. Luckily we were far enough up that it coasted to the top.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 102,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2003 Ford Windstar: 9
The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to increased stresses caused by high cycles of torsional loading, specific to this market, the rear axle can crack. A fractured axle may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments may occur. A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft.
Over time, corrosion can weaken the rear axle making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which, if undetected, can increase and result in a complete fracture of the axle. A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft. This could result in reduced steering control increasing the risk of a crash.
After many years of vehicle service in these areas, corrosion can weaken the rear axle, making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which if undetected can propagate and result in a complete fracture of the axle. A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn. A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
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. Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
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 strength requirement was met. Identical latches are used in the second row of seats. If the latches on TH4E second or third row seats of the vehicle release in a crash, the potential for occupant injury is increased.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 9
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Ford Windstar. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
For 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 11S16 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period…
NHTSA defect investigations: 6
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Rear Axle Fracture Recall Scope
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Rear Axle Cracking
Engine compartment fires
Neighbouring years
2002 Windstar: 1,353 complaints, keep it · 2004 Windstar: 24 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Windstar year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · All Windstar years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2003 Ford Windstar a bad year?
1,508 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 225, 2.3× a quiet Windstar year. At 102,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 78k–128k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Windstar?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (648), transmission and drivetrain (225), suspension (252), electrical system (280), body structure (125). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 78k–128k miles.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Windstar have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 15V-608), Suspension (NHTSA 12V-195), Suspension (NHTSA 12V-194), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 12V-193) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.