1998 Ford Windstar complaints

WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLIDE.(CLAIM#60-C263-071)*JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE WHEEL BOLTS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE THE ROADWAY.(CLAIM#02-0442-821)*JB

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRON WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER.(CLAIM#25-5525-512)*JB

CONSUMER POSSIBLY EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE WHEEL STUDS BREAKING OFF.(CLAIM#38-J687-126)*JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE STUDS BROKE OFF THE WHEEL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE GROUND.(CLAIM#33-0269-919)*JB

WHILE THE INSURED WAS TRAVELING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE OFF AND THE VEHICLE WHEEL ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO WHEEL WELL CAUSING FENDER DAMAGE. CLAIM# 43-R781-260 *YH

WHILE DRIVING, THE STUDS ON THE HUB BROKE OFF, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL AND VEHICLE, CLAIM 25-5623-634

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING LEAKAGE, DEALER FOUND TWO HYDRAULIC LINES RUSTED. HOWEVER, REPAIRS COULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR 10 DAYS. *TT

INSURED WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHEEL FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE, CLAIM 13-7144-933. *JG

HEAD GASKET FAILURE/REPLACEMENT - FORD HAS HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE 3.8 ENGINES. FORD INFORMED ME THAT THEY DO HAVE "PROGRAMS" FOR THIS PROBLEM ON EARLIER MODELS BUT HAVE NOT EXTENDED THEM TO COVER THE 98 MODELS. WHILE MY WINDSTAR IS A 98 MODEL IT WAS BUILT IN JANUARY OF 1997. *AK

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE FRONT LUG NUTS THAT HOLD THE TIRE IN PLACE FELL OFF FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF TIRES. PERSONAL MECHANIC REPLACED LUG NUTS AND STUDS. *AK *TT

FILLER NOZZLE CRACKED AND THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. CONTACTED A DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

RIMS WILL DEVELOP CRACKS. CONSUMER HAD TO ALREADY REPLACE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND CURRENTLY HAS TO REPLACE LEFT FRONT WHEEL.*AK

VEHICLE LOST POWER, RPMS WENT UP, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHILE TRAVELLING 55MPH ON LOCAL EXPRESSWAY. *AK

WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DOOR WARNING LIGHT COMES ON PANEL, AND LIGHT WILL STAY ON. INTERIOR LIGHT WILL GO OFF, BUT THE SOUND OF THE CHIME WILL NOT STOP. DEALERLERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AIK

PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK IS INOPERATIVE, CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ON AT ALL TIMES.*AK *TT

RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY BEGAN LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. HAD TO REPLACE RACK-AND-PINION ASSEMBLY AND POWER STEERING PUMP.*AK

WHEN MAKING TURNS IN EITHER DIRECTION THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. WHILE AT DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A RECALL PERFORMED, MECHANIC NOTICED FRONT TIE ROD JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO GREASE AT ALL ON JOINTS.*AK

AT 35 THOUSAND MILES POWER STEERING WENT OUT. MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING PUMP AT 38-39 THOUSAND MILES, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. MECHANIC RESEARCHED PROBLEM, FOUND OUT THAT TIE ROD END RODS WERE TOO TIGHT, PUTTING EXTRA STRAIN ON POWER STEERING. *AK

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO I STARTED TO NOTICE A NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. OVER TIME IT GRADUALLY BECAME LOUDER AND MORE FREQUENT. WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL GARAGE , THE NOISE WOULD NOT INITALLY BE PRESENT. FINALLY IT BECAME MORE PRESENT AND THE LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE TIE RODS AND THAT FORD WAS KNOWN TO FREQUENTLY HAVE THAT PROBLEM. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE FIXED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. AT THAT TIME I HAD ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON T HE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT THE MECHANIC SAID. THEY REPAIRED THE CAR AND CHARGED ME FOR THE REPAIR SINCE THEY CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE CAR (HIDDEN OR OTHERWISE) SINCE I HAD PRESSED THIS POINT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND LATER WITH HIS MANAGER. NOTE: I HAD PREVIOUSLY SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEB SITE REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT DOES SEEM THAT TIE RODS SHOULD NOT BE FAILING AT 38-40,000 MILES. AND, THAT ULTIMATE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS CRASHES AND INJURIES.*AK

SEAT BELT ALARM,LIGHT, AND COURTESY LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLES. *AK

FORD MO SAID THEY CANNOT FIX MY SUSPENSION PROBLEM AFTER WORKING ON MY CAR SINCE THE FIRST SERVICE CALL. THIS HAS BEEN SINCE 1999. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SERVICE CALLS, PARTS REPLACED, AND I WAS TOLD THAT IF I TRADED IN THE CAR THAT THEY WOULD GIVE ME $3,000 TOWARD ANOTHER CAR, WHICH AMOUNTED TO ME BUYING A NEW VAN FOR THE REGULAR LISTED PRICE. I HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WITH THESE EXCUSES THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT MY CAR AS A TRADE IN AS THEY COULD'NT RESELL IT. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I CAN'T SELL AS IT IS DEFECTIVE. WHAT IS A CONSUMER LIKE MYSELF TO DO ABOUT THIS. I HAVE GONE TO ARBITRATION AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. THE LEMON LAWS ONLY APPLIES TO THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE AND I SPENT THE FIRST YEAR WITH FORD TELLING ME THEY WERE WORKING ON MY PROBLEM AND THAT IT WOULD ALWAYS BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. NOW THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THE CAR HAS SUCH A BAD SHIMMY, POUNDING IN THE FRONT END THAT NO ONE WOULD TAKE THIS VAN AS A TRADE.*AK

WE WERE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, AND THE ENGINE REVVED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I TOOK TWO MEN TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO KNOW OF NO PROBLEM WITH 1998 WINDSTAR TRANSMISSIONS. WE KNOW OF 3 OTHER OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THERE IS EXCESSIVE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE, MECHANIC DOES NOT HAVE SOLUTION FOR CONSUMER CONCERN. *AK DEALER REPLACED DEFECTIVE BANK #2 HEGO SENSOR. BUT CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM STILL EXIST. DOOR LIGHT ON DASH BOARD ILLUMINATED. A SPECIAL PART WAS ORDERED. *TT

THE POWER STEERING FAILED. *YH

DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR FAILES TO LOCK FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

DOME LIGHT WILL AUTOMATICALLY STAY ON EVEN AFTER DOORS ARE CLOSED. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

CONTACTED BILL FORD, CHAIRMAN, FMC, IN WRITTING, 2X,, NO WRITTEN RESPONSE.NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

BRAKE HOSE LEAK CAUSED A SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF BREAKING POWER. AMAZINGLY, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE GASKET FAILURE WAS ATTENDED TO AT THE FIRST HINT OF A PROBLEM, SINCE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY FORD TAURUS ONE MONTH PRIOR.

CONSUMER STATES WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND LOSES ALL POWER. VEHICLE WILL KEEP ROLLING, AND IT IS HARD TO MANEUVER. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK *YH

THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE FRONT COIL SPRINGS-MAY 2000. (REASON UNKNOWN) IN SEPTEMBER, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS REPAIR, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT ISSUE REIBURSEMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $228.17. THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND AND FEELS THAT FORD WOULD RATHER STAY BEHIND THEIR DEALER, THAN TO STAND BEHIND THEIR CUSTOMER. (THOUGH SATISFIED W/THE VEHICLE, BUT UNSATISFIED W/THE TREATMENT. *SCC

FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND IT WAS RUBBING AGAINST TIRE SO BADLY THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL 01V1999000 REPAIRS ON COIL SPRING. A SHIELD WAS PUT AROUND THE SPRING. DRIVER DID NOT SEE A SPRING SHIELD AROUND COIL. DRIVER ONLY SAW A PLATE TO PREVENT TIRE FROM BEING PUNCTURED AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT UPON RECEIVING A SAFETY RECALL FOR SPRING COIL REPLACEMENT, RECALL #01V199000, CNSUMER CALLED THE DEALER TO ASK IF SHE COULD ORDER THE SPRING COILS TO HAVE THEM READY FOR THE APPOINTMENT, DEALER TOLD HER THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE, CONSUMER MADE APPOINTMENT AND WENT TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE RECALL REMEDY, DEALER TOLD HER THAT A SPRING COIL REPLACEMENT WAS UNNECESSARY IN NASHVILLE, INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THE RECALL INSTRUCTION FROM FORD THEY INSTALLED PROTECTIVE SHIELDS WHICH CAUSED CRUNCHING SOUNDS OVER THE SMALLEST BUMP, WHEN TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT THE TIRE MADE SOUNDS OF HEAVY FRICTION, CONSUMER BELIEVES THE TWO TIRE BLOW OUT THAT SHE HAS EXPEREINCED HAS SOMTHING TO DO WITH THE SHIELDS THAT WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLE, AND THE DETERIORATION OF THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE CONSTANT FRICTION AND RUBBING, HOWEVER, CONSUMER NEEDS THE SHIELDS TO BE REMOVE AND THE PROBLEM TO BE CORRECTED AS QUICKLY AS TRUE TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL SPECIFICATION AS POSSIBLE. *YD

SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD BUT THEY REFUSE. NO SAFETY DERFEC TLISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THIS IS UNUSUAL FOR A VEHICLE WITH THIS MILEAGE. I ALSO FOUND THAT FORD HAD A RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK, PUT INTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN SEPTEMBER 1997. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACURED IN JUNE 1997. PERHAPS I HAD ONE ON THE BAD ONES PUT IN BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT. ANYWAY IT COST ME $667.00 FR THE REPAIR.*AK

BUGETS USES AS THERE REPAIR PERSON COLLINS LINCOLN - MERCURY. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

DURING OPERATION AT ANY SPEED ENGINE WILL STALL UNEXPECTEDLY. PROBLEM OCCURRED A FEW TIMES BEGINNING IN JULY OF 2000, AND IS PROGRESSIVELY INCREASING IN FREQUENCY. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAS FALLEN OFF THREE TIMES WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. BOLTS THAT HOLD TIRE IN PLACE KEPT BREAKING OFF THE LUGS: NUTS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING ON BRAKES THE PEDAL CONTINUES TO MERGE TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. MECHANIC DOES NOT KNOW WHY BRAKES ARE MALFUNCTIONING. *AK

DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASH IS ON CONSTANTLY WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SHUT. CHIME IS ALSO GOING OFF AT ALL TIMES. WHEN CHIME IS ON IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO LOCK DOORS. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH PASSENGER TOOK A MAGAZINE AND GENTLY SWATTED AT A MOSQUITO ON WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD SHATTERED, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 50. NO INJURIES. *AK

I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RECALLED IN 1998. I INFORM THE LOCAL DEALER OF OF THIS RECALL AND ASKED IF THIS PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED. HE STATED THAT THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS. I FEEL THAT SINCE I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS AT ANYTIME. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO GET FIXED. THE INFOMATION PERTAINING TO THIS IS: 97B17 (PROGRAM NUMBER) ISSUE DATE: FEB 98 RECALLM - FUEL GAUGE/SENDER ASSEMBLY." REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM: THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF YOUR VEHICLE MAY READ APPROXIAMATELY 1/4 FULL WHEN THERE IS VERY LITTLE FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK. THIS COULD CAUSE YOU TO EXPERIENCE THE INCONVENIENCE OF RUNNING OUT OF FUEL" I HAVE A COPY OF A LETTER THAT MY REPAIR MAN HAS GIVEN ME TO SEE IF THE DEALER SHIP WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE ONE VEHICLE AND HAVE THREE CHILDREN. I CAN'T RELIE ON THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. I AM AFRAID THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP ALL OF A SUDDEN AND THEN AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. MONICA MCCLUREP ALL OF

DRIVERSIDE SEATBELT FELL APART IN MY HAND! THEN AFTER FURTHUR CHECKING , THE MIDDLE PASS SIDE BELT WAS STARTING TO FRAY. AFTER 20 DAYS OF NOT HAVING A SEATBELT THEY ARE FINALLY BEING REPLACED. VERY DISSAPOINTED IN FORD TAKING ITS SWEET TIME WHEN IT COMES TO THE SAFETY OF ITS OWNERS AND THERE FAMILIES.*AK

THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM LOOK LIKE FORD KNEW ABOUT IT AS EARLY AS 1995 WITH SOME OF ITS OTHER VEHICLES. DOESN'T SEEM FAIR TO ME. *AK

DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WILL LOCK AT TIMES, AND NOT LOCK AT OTHER TIMES. ALSO, INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL ILLUMINATE SHOWING THAT DOOR IS NOT CLOSED WHEN IT IS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

COURTESY LIGHTS WILL INTERMITTENLY WORK. THEY WILL COME ON WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, OR SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. *AK EXPERIENCING OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, DOOR CHECK LIGHT, AND SIGNAL LIGHTS OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE IS NOISY AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, THE SEAT BELT IS LOOSE, PASSENGER SIDE ARM REST IS LOOSE, AND THE BACK WINDOW WIPER IS INOPERATIVE. *TT

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, AND LURCHING FORWARD, PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR DEALER TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. *TT