Overview & Reviews
AdvanceTrac stability control system was supposed to be available for 2002, but it was postponed. It makes its appearance for the 2003 model year. The LX base trim level is rechristened to Windstar.
- Top-flight safety equipment and ratings, plenty of interior features and options, powerful V6 engine.
- Disconnected ride and handling, poor interior space utilization, noisy V6 engine, poor reputation for reliability.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 106.00-
Windstar taxi - 2003 Ford Windstar
By taxi owner - October 1 - 2:00 amBought van 03/09 $2100 135K miles. Transmission already been replaced with the used 90k miles. at 150K replaced alternator from 06 Mustang (better amps and fits fine) $60 used. Oil change every 4K (supertech 10w30) It is a daily driven 150-500 miles as a taxi. Have engine light on and brake+abs light comes on sometimes. The interior lights blinking usually when humid. I have replaced drivers window regulator ($35 used). Rear windows dont open all the times. Replaced air filter with a "cool blue air filter" for better gas mileage $28 eBay. Installed HID xhenon light kit for better vision an night time $35 ebay. Replaced spark plugs. Got a NGK platinums. Now got 184,581, Ill drive till 300K
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broken rear axle - 2003 Ford Windstar
By Dena - May 17 - 12:41 pmGood family car but unsafe. Recently 2days ago my rear axle cracked going 50mph causing me to lose control. Thank God one of my children were not driving at the time and that I wasnt on a major highway going 65-70 mph cause I dont know if I could have got it under control.
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Windstar 2003 SE - 2003 Ford Windstar
By marcovi48 - May 12 - 3:23 pmI have a 2003Windstar SE.I like this van a lot but I have a lot of electrical problems,the alternator change 3 times power locks after 4 months of haven this car stop working.transmition replace at 81000,abs light always on and now my rear axle broke in half,so can not say that this is a good car for the $32000 that I pay,
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Great family Van - 2003 Ford Windstar
By Deb - January 21 - 12:51 pmReliable, I have had this van since 2005, Have not had any problems with it. Oil Changes, brakes - that is all. The only reason I am looking for another vehicle is my childern are very tall and they no longer are confortable in the back seat.
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I Was Surprised - 2003 Ford Windstar
By JETZcorp - November 16 - 5:35 amWhen I told my parents I would like my first car to be a truck, they figured I was looking for a 4000lb thing and picked up this van. I thought it was going to be a terrible pig that got a gallon to the mile and turned with the precision of a brick. What I found instead was that, compared with my moms Suzuki Grand Vitara, the beast had gobs of torque and an orgasmic sound above 4000 revs. My only complaints are the transmission (all cars should be manual) and the fact that it wont haul a motorcycle. In terms of reliability, the only worrying thing is a sort of clicking under the dash depending on the A/C setting. Take control of the shifter yourself and burnouts are easy.
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I Like This Van - 2003 Ford Windstar
By NChawk - October 7 - 7:42 pmI bought this van new in June 2003 with 5 miles on it. About half the time Ive had it, there was a high idling, throttle problem. Once they figured out to replace the throttle sensor, and then the throttle assembly, it has run great....and Ive got over 140,000 miles on it now. I had to replace the transmission at 112,000 miles, which cost about $3,300. It gets about 22 mpg on the highway, and 17 in town. It has all the whistles and bells and they all still work....although I wish they had had the DVD instead of the VCP. Im happy with my Windstar and expect to keep it for another 3-4 years.
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PROBLEMS PROBLEMS - 2003 Ford Windstar
By SBASTIEN - August 13 - 7:59 pmWhen I first bought this vehicle all was well. It was the low price that lured me in, but within a fairly short amount of time problems began. All electrical flashing cab lights, doors not opening, battery not charging, check engine and brake lights on at all times. Vehicle doesnt always start and is very unreliable. I like the interior and exterior of the van, gas mileage too, but very unreliable. WIll NEVER buy a Ford again! :(
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Not as nice as my Aerostar, but a hit - 2003 Ford Windstar
By Ryan- Minivan expert - July 4 - 10:00 amA nimble and clever van, but I would like to see more feature that were in its X-brother van Aerostar. No mechanical problems yet, but Warranty is up to 100K, so I dont need to worry. AWD is a necessity up here in Rochester,NY and FrontWD doesnt perform like our Aerostars, but this van will never rust, as it is plastic and is very safe. Our family always has the new minivan in the neighborhood and impressed a lot of friends, neighbors and family with this van. Will we upgrade to the new redesigned 2004 Windstar, I dont know yet, but that Caravan is looking nicer than before...
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Good and Bad Features - 2003 Ford Windstar
By Sandy - July 30 - 7:17 amMechanically, I have had no problems with the Windstar. I have 88,000 miles on it and it still runs like new. I just changed the battery for the first time. I am going to trade it on a smaller car. If I had known that Ford was going to come out with a van with collapsable seats instead of the removable ones, I would have waited and bought the Freestar. Removing and replacing the back seats has been the biggest pain since I got the car. Also, like most other reviews here, my interior lights occasionally flicker and no one can fine what is wrong. Same with the ABS light that comes on but dealer cant find any problem when I bring it in. Gas mileage has been about 20. Used to be better.
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When the alternator worked. - 2003 Ford Windstar
By Firemann - May 14 - 3:46 pmWe had a spell of a couple months were we could not keep an alternator in the van. However, once we got the problem solved (4 alternators later) the van has been great. Gas mileage is not so good, but its a comfortable ride. We have the SEL. One of the power doors broke and they are very heavy without the motor moving it. They are spacious and great for long drives.
