2004 Ford WINDSTAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
123,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 24 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 12.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 6 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Suspension: 6; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Suspension:Rear: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 6
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 4; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10177334 · 2006-12-29 (December 29, 2006)
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HEARD A NOISE FROM THE BRAKES THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE BRAKES BY SANDING DOWN THE ROTORS. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT FORD HAS CHANGED THE MATERIALS THAT WERE USED TO MAKE THE ROTORS. ALSO, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE HE DIDN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFTEN. *AK UPDATED 1/30/2007 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229900 · 2008-06-04 (June 4, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE FAILURE CAUSED FUSES TO BLOW OUT IN THE CRUISE CONTROL AND ABS MODULES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE ABS MODULE STILL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 209,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 159,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10295340 · 2009-12-11 (December 11, 2009)
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY & SUDDENLY LOST POWER, ALTHOUGH ENGINE WAS STILL ON. TOWED TO DEALER & TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10342792 · 2010-07-12 (July 12, 2010)
FAILURE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SLIGHT NOISE FROM VEHICLE WHICH WAS NOT IDENTIFIED. DRIVING DOWN ROAD TOTAL LOSS OF MOTION WITHIN SECONDS WITH NO SIGN OF DEFECT OR SOUND WHICH PUT MY WHOLE FAMILY IN DANGER. THE TRANSMISSION IS BROKE AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED BUT HAS NOT YET BEEN DONE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 97,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 10342792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10395644 · 2011-04-12 (April 12, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10462988 · 2012-06-25 (June 25, 2012)
PURCHASED THE CAR USED ON 5/26/12, DROVE AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND THE BREAK WARNING LIGHTS BOTH CAME ON, INDICATING ISSUES WITH ABS. TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS MODULE (??) WAS CAUSING THE ISSUES. CAR DEALERSHIP AND WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSED TO COVER IT BECAUSE IT'S AN OPTIONAL SYSTEM. THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED - IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN CANADA, SO I'M NOT SURE IF THAT EFFECTS RECALL INFORMATION. ON 6/12/12 DRIVING IN TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 152,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10375452 · 2011-01-10 (January 10, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD ALSO OPEN AND SHUT INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE FAILURE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 129,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10375452 at NHTSA ↗