1998 Ford Windstar complaints

WHILE IN MOTION, THE EGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 53-C579-741. *JG

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, CLAIM 04-1243-985. *JG

VEHICLE ONE WAS DRIVING AND STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING LIKE PLASTIC. INSURED PULLED INTO SEVICE STATION, LIFTED THE HOOD AND FOUND A FIRE BURNING INSIDE THE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 36-A159-793. *JG

VEHICLE LOSS, FIRE UNDER HOOD, CLAIM 59-V719-855. *JG

WHILE IN MOTION INSURED SMELLED GAS AND PULLED OVER. LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, HE SAW FLAMES SHOOTING FROM THE ENGINE, CLAIM 42-1328-321. *JG

WHILE IN MOTION, INSURED REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REAR END SOMEONE ELSE, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE POSSIBLY MECHANICALLY RELATED, THERE WERE TWO INJURIES IN THE ACCIDENT, CLAIM 43-R763-433.

INSURED WAS TRAVELING WHEN HE SMELLED SOMETHING FUNNY. FLAMES HAD START TO COME UP FROM THE HOOD. INSURED TRIED TO PUT FIRE OUT BUT COULDN'T, POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION LEAK ONTO MANIFOLD, CLAIM 40-2554-562. *JG

WHILE DRIVING, INSURED HEARD A LARGE POPPING NOISE, SMOKE EMMITED, THEN AN FIRE ERUPTED, CLAIM 42-1402-914. *JG

WHILE PARKED FOR A DAY INSIDE OF INSURED'S GARAGE, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 23-C025-105. *JG

THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. HE PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER OF ROAD, AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THESE 2 CONDITIONS SINCE DAY ONE. NOW THAT MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT, AND I'M NOT WORKING, THEY TELL ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. MY ABS SYSTEM IS TEARING AWAY AT MY BRAKE PADS. THE VEHICAL GRINDS TO A STOP. TO ME, THIS IS A SAFTY ISSUE, AS I HAVE A 13 MONTH OLD SON. I WOULD HATE TO APPLY MY BRAKES, AND THEY ARE NOT THERE. MY ABS LIGHT IS ON.....ALL THE TIME. I AM ON DISABILITY, AND HAVE GONE TO THE DEALER REGARDING THIS ISSUE. AS FAR AS THE REAR WIPERM, IT GOES ON WHEN I PUT THE VAN IN REVERSE.......WEATHER OR NOT THE FRONT WIPERS ARE ON.. OR NOT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION SEAL SEPARATED FROM THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK TO EXHAUST PIPE, AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL CAME OFF, DEALER WAS CONTACTED.*AK. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF HER VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL 97V097000. *YD

RECALL 01 V 199 00/ FRONT COIL SPRINGS. SINCE RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE SNOW TIRES WERE NOT TO BE INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS*AK.

ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER 2 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND STAYS ON. CAR HAS ONLY 29000 MILES AND HAS ONLY JUST GONE OVER 3 YEARS. *AK

WE HAVE OWNED TWO FORD WINDSTARS, THE FIRST BEING A 1996, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT ON IT AT 63,000 MILES, THE VAN WAS 3 1/2 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME, WE THEN TRADED IT FOR A 1998 WINDSTAR AND AT 3 1/2 YEARS OLD AND ONLY 60,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT ON IT!*AK

ALL FOUR OF WHEEL RIMS ARE CRACKED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. 10 SECONDS LATER THEY WILL COME BACK ON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE RIM BEGAN TO LEAK. THEN TWO WEEKS LATER, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RIM BEGAN TO LEAK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT IS UNABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM UNTIL NEW YEAR. ALSO, CONTACTED SEARS AND WAS TOLD THAT WELDING FOR RIMS IS UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V199000. DEALERSHIP ONLY EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR CORROSION, AND FAILED TO INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELDS AROUND COIL SPRINGS PER CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING, AND WHEN CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD THERE WAS A SMELL OF COOLANT SPRAYED ALL OVER VEHICLE, AND LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH ONTO THE GROUND. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. BUT PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. *AK

WAS DRIVING 25MPH WHEN SUDDENLY DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD AFTER GOING FROM WEST BOUND CROSSING TO EAST BOUND LANE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT REAR FRAME BOLTS HAD SHEARED OFF AND CAUSED FRAME TO SEPARATE.*AK

# 4 CYLINDER WAS CHECKED BY FORD DEALER AS DEFECT, BUT IT WAS HEADGASKET PAID $300.00 FOR COMPUTER CHECK WRONG INFORMATION, CAR KEPT STALLING BEFORE AND AFTER INSTALLATION DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE WHILE MAKING TURNS OR SUDDEN STOPS. *AK

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION KICKING WHILE AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT, BROKEN PISTON. *AK

ENGINE STALLED ON AN OFF . CALLED DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID BECAUSE OF THE EMISSION CONTROL WAS ON RECALL CAMPAIN. AFTER THEY FIXED THE EMSSION CONTROL, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND THE DEALER SAID IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE RECALL JUST DONE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO THIS YEAR.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER WILL FREEZE. BUT, TIRES ARE STILL SPINNING. IF TRAVELING AT 60 MPH SPEEDOMETER READS ZERO. CONSUMER FEELS THIS CAN BE UNSAFEIF HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW FAST VEHICLE IS GOING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA RECALL 01 V 199 000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 01S19/FRONT COIL SPRING: DEALER; PRESTIGE FORD; MOUNT DORA, FL; PHONE# 352/357-5522)IS NOT HONORIN RECALL AS OUTLINED. DEALER ONLY INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. ALSO, NO REPAIRS WERE NECESSARY. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER , BUT DEALER HAS NOT HONORED RECALL AS OF YET.*AK

FORD IS SAYING ITS MY RESPONSIBILITY CAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS LAPSED BUT THE CAR IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK

PREMATURE FAILURE OF AUTOTRANSMISSION @ 50000 MILES & $2200. *AK

TIRE BLEW UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *AK (TIRESIZE: P20570R15)

INTERIOR LIGHTS IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT REMAIN ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER STATED THAT BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 40 AND 65 MPH SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD OF VEHICLE. DRIVER STOPPED VEHICLE, RAISED HOOD TO DISCOVER A FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED WIRING FOR TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

6TH TIME IN 6 MONTHS LUGS: BOLTS HAVE SHEARED, NORMAL DRIVING W/ NO INCIDENT. WHEELS, HUBS, TIE RODS AND LUG BOLTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED W/ NO CHANGE IN REGULARITY OF EVENT. NO SUBSTANTIVE VIBRATION EXPERIENCED. MECHANICS HAVE ALL BEEN ADVISED OF HISTORY. COWLES FORD, C&J AUTO, D&B AUTO, AAA AND AND FIRESTONE HAVE SERVICED THE INCIDENTS. REQUESTED REVIEW ON TSB'S AND OTHER COMPLAINTS TO FORD - TO NO AVAIL. REAL SERIOUS - ONE TO FOUR LUGS HAVE SHEARED ON EACH INCIDENT; INVOLVED BOTH FRONT WHEEL ASSYS AND ONE REAR ASSY.*AK

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APROXIMATELY 65MPH AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN. POWER BRAKES AND STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER STATED IT WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE CAUSE.

CAN BE TURNED OFF IN GEAR--AND PUT IN GEAR WHEN OFF--WILL ROLL. *AK

THE OUTER TIE RODS CREATED A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNED AT LOW SPEEDS AND LIKELY DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE LUBRICATION.THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT INNER TIE ROD WAS MUCH MORE SERIOUS, IN THAT IT CREATED A VERY BAD VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WAS A SCARY SITUATION, AND COULD VERY WELL HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK

I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE CURVING ROAD WITH THE BRIGHTS ON. WITHOUT WARNING THE LIGHTS WENT COMPLETLY OUT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE SWITCH BACK TO THE REGULAR POSITION AND THEY LUCKILY THEY CAME BACK ON. I WAS UNABLE TO GET A REPLACEMENT ON SATURDAY BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS DOING INVENTORY. THE SWITCH ALSO FAILED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES OVER THE WEEKEND WITH THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS AS WELL. I CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT SWITCH AND ASKED HIM IF THEY HAD BEEN REPLACING MANY OF THESE AND HE TOLD ME YES. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL HIM HOW IT TRIED TO KILL ME AND MY FAMILY. I HAVE METERED THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH AND IT SHOWS READINGS ALL OVER THE PLACE AS FAR AS RESISTANCE, IN EXCESS OF 400,000 OHMS AT TIMES. IT NEVER WOULD STAY COMPLETLY OPEN. I JUST WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS THAT THIS INTERMITTANT PROBLEM MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.*AK

RECALL 01 V 199 000/FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION: DEALER ; CAPITOL FORD; GOLDSBORO, NC; PHONE# 919/735-8411 REFUSED TO DO ANY REPAIRS NOT UNTIL SIGN OF DEFECT/CORROSION APPEARED ON VEHICLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. COMPONENT THAT FAILED WAS BRAKE CALIPER. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY RECALL 98I003000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS. *AK

RECALL 01I007000; MOISTURE AND CORROSION AFFECTING FRONT COIL SPRINGS. ALSO, CAN AFFECT STRUT BEARINGS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED ALL THEY HAVE TO DO WAS TO PUT SHIELD AROUND AND CHECK COIL SPRINGS.*AK

WHENEVER VEHICLE IS SHIFTING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR IT WOULD JERK. PROBLEM HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS, 20-25MPH. CAN MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAD BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS, AND EACH TIME WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS TORQUE CONVERTER. *AK

IT WAS HARD TO STEER VEHICLE, AND IT WAS NOISY. CONSUMER WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT FLUID IN RACK AND PINION WAS VERY DIRTY. SHAFT BEARINGS AND GEARS WERE DAMAGED BY FLUID AGAIN AFTER THEY TEST DROVE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD REGARDING RECALL 97V165000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 97S85. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED, DUE TO VIN.*AK *JB

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HEARD A NOISE FROM PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL. HE PULLED OVER, AND TOOK OFF HUBCAP TO CHECK TIRE. AS SOON AS HUBCAP WAS OFF, 3 OF THE 5 LUGS: NUTS FELL OFF WITH POST ATTACHED. *AK

VEHICLE STARTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHENEVER CONSUMER IS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE/ EITHER TURNING OR COMING TO A STOP THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND NEAR FRONT WHEELS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT SUBFRAME STRUT SLEEVES NEED TO BE WELDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS. WHEN VEHICLE SHUTS OFF, ENGINE CHECK AND BATTERY LIGHTS COME ON.*AK

WHILE PARKED FOR ONE DAY, ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 23-C025-105. *SLC

REPORTED PROBLEM IN MAY 2001, NOW REPLACED LUGS: NUT SHEARED OFF WHEEL,HELP!*AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND TRYING TO PROCEED VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 15 MPH AND IN FIRST GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. PLEASE ADD VIN . *AK