If the date is passed, then countdown shows only for 2 seconds, on page load, and then disappears. In those 2 seconds it appears without digits: screenshot.
The countdown is a widget.
I've disabled all plugins, but this still happens.
I've tried changing to a WordPress default theme, and it still happens.
The site homepage is where it happens (in the left column).
We have version 2.3.13b installed.