1998 Ford Windstar complaints

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL STALL. WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE WILL ALSO STALL. ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND GO OFF. THIS HAPPENS VERY OFTEN. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER STATED ENGINE LIGHT HAS TO STAY ON AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE VEHICLE COULD BE PUT ON COMPUTER. *AK *JB

ON THE EVENING OF OCTOBER 12TH 2001, WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN IN OUR 98 GL WINDSTAR TO SEE A COUSIN OF MINE. WE APPROACHED A SEMICIRCLE CURVE ON A HILL, AS I TURNED MY WHEEL TO THE RIGHT ENTERING ON TO THE CURVE, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY VEHICLE. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING BUT THEN FIRE WAS STARTING TO COME OUT AS WELL. I YELLED TO EVERYONE ON BOARD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND STAY SOME DISTANCE AWAY. AS THE FLAMES WERE GETTING WORSE. I HAD TO POP OPEN THE HOOD AND SEE IF I COULD CONTROL THE FIRE. I SAW THE FLAME SHOOT OUT OF THE BOTTOM AND THE SIDES OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THEN DISCONNECTED THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE ON THE ADVICE OF A STRANGER THAT WAS THERE. ANOTHER PERSON CAME WITH A BUCKET OF WATER AND WE MANAGED TO DOUSE THE FIRE OUT. MY COUSIN ARRIVED LATER TOWARDS WHERE WE WERE AS MY WIFE HAD NOTIFIED HIM BY CELLULAR OF OUR SITUATION. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS HOME AND IN THE MORNING HE TOOK A LOOK AT THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAD CAUSED IT TO FLAME. HE NOTICED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID WAS VISIBLE AND THAT THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE HAD RUBBED WITH TIME ON THE RACK AND PINION OR SOMETHING METALLIC OF THE CAR SLOWLY FORMING A GROOVE ON THE HOSE ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF WIDE AND ABOUT 1/4 INCH DEEP. THIS CREATED A HOLE IN THE GROOVE WHERE IT WAS RUBBING WHEN I MADE MY TURN ON THE HILL, THUS POURING OUT POWER STEERING FLUID ON TO THE CATALIC CONVERTER WHICH THEN STARTED T

I NOTICED RECENTLY A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. FROM PAST EXPERIENCE, I THOUGHT ONE OF THE TIRES NEEDED BALANCING, SINCE I DID NOT FEEL ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE ROTORS. I WENT TO HAVE THE TIRES CHECKED, AND THE GOODYEAR DEALER SAID THE TIRES HAD A DEFECT IN THE BELTS. HE RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL 4 TIRES, BECAUSE HE SAID THEY ALL LOOKED BAD. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY (10/12/01) TO HAVE THEM REPLACED, BUT WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT, I WENT TO DRIVE TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY ON 10/11/01 AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW UP. I THINK THAT GOODYEAR SHOULD REPLACE THESE TIRES AT "NO CHARGE" INSTEAD OF PRO-RATING THEM, BUT THAT PROBABLY WON'T HAPPEN WITHOUT A RECALL RIGHT? I WOULD NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYBODY ELSE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. WHAT IF THEY HAVE BAD TIRES, BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANY VIBRATION LIKE I DID? CAN THESE TIRES BLOW UP WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO OTHER DRIVERS?*AK (TIRESIZE: P215 70R15)

WHILE DRIVING, LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN, A YEAR LATER, CONSUMER RECEIVES RECALL 01S19 REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CORRODING, POSSIBLY CAUSING TIRE DAMAGE, CONSUMER DOES NOT WANT THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. *SLC

INTERNAL RACK AND PINION PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, DIFFICULTY ALIGNING THE VEHICLE, AFTER TWO ALIGNMENT STEERING STILL SQUEALING AND PULLING TO THE LEFT.

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL #01I007000 REPAIRS, BUT DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITH COOLER WEATHER CONDITIONS THE ENGINE NEARLY STALLS OUT WHEN STOPPING. THIS AFFECTS THE POWER BRAKES AND THE POWER STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. COMPLAINTS TO DEALERS AND FORD CUSTOMER CARE HAVE NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. PROBLEM DEVELOPED AFTER INSTALLING A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AT 30,000 MILES. FORD CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AFTER AT LEAST FOUR TRIPS TO THE SHOP. THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED UNDER THE LEMMON LAW AND REPLACED BUT WAS NOT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE BY APPLYING BRAKES, AND BRAKES FAILED TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. CONSUMER EVENTUALLY MANAGED TO STOP VEHICLE. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO COMPONENT THAT FAILED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. GATEWAY FORD STATED THAT THE ABS WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *YH

ONGOING PROBELM WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS /ROTORS ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED. REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. REBUILT TRANSMISSION ALREADY SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE SIMILAR TO OLD ONE. THERE MUST BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS - THEY SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS. *AK

ALL STALLING HAS OCCURRED WHEN SLOWING FOR A TURN FROM A SLOW SPEED (FROM ABOUT 30 MPH TO 15 MPH.) ONCE NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ETC WERE LOST AND NEARLY REAR-ENDED CAR IMMEDIATELY AHEAD. ANOTHER STALL WAS IN MIDDLE OF BUSY TRAFFIC WHICH WAS HELD UP UNTIL ENGINE STARTED AGAIN. ALL STALLING OCCURRED WHEN ON PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES, TURNING EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. PROBLEM BEGAN IN FEBRUARY 2000 AT APPROX 44,000 MILES ODOMETER READING.

I WENT TO PURCHASE 2 NEW TIRES AFTER AN AVERAGE ROAD HAZARD BLOWOUT AT COSTCO FOR MY FWD WINDSTAR W/ ANTILOCK BRAKES. THEY REFUSED TO PUT THE NEW TIRES ON THE FRONT, EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES NOT BEING REPLACED HAD GOOD TREAD WEAR REMAINING. THEY SIGHTED AN ARTICLE ON THE COUNTER AND A HANDOUT FROM MICHELIN STATING IT WAS THEIR "POLICY" TO PLACE THE TIRES ON THE REAR. THIS MAKES NO SENCE!. IT APPEARS TO BE A PLOY TO SELL MORE TIRES BY LEAVING OLD TIRES ON THE FRONT WHERE THEY WEAR FASTER, EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE NEW TIRES BY LETTING THEM WEAR LESS ON THE REAR, AND DECREASING POSSIBLE TIRE LIABILITY BY HAVING THE NEW TIRES NOT CONTROL (STEER) THE VEHICLE! DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT THIS PRACTICE IS SAFER OR IS IT A MARKETING PLOY THAT IS OUT OF CONTROL??.

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SMELLED A FUNNY SMELL AND THEN SAW FLAMES COMING UP FROM THE HOOD, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT, POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION LEAK ONTO MANIFOLD, CLAIM 40-2554-562. *SLC

RIGHT HAND SIDE OF POWER STEERING PUMP HAS RUSTED THROUGH, RESULTING IN DIFFICULT STEERING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIRS ON FRONT SPRING. SAME DAY CONSUMER RECEIVED CAR BACK, THERE WAS A BANGING NOISE WHEN CONSUMER HIT A BUMP. CONSUMER HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMAYION.*AK

STEERING COLUMN STICKS, HAS TO JERK STEERING WHEELS. ALSO VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER CAN HEAR A WHISTLING SOUND ON LEFT SIDE. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER KEPT VEHICLE FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR, AND TOLD CONSUMER IT WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *AK

TREAD ON THE FRONT RIGHT GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRE, SIZE: P215/70R15, DOT: UNKNOWN ON A 1990, FORD, WINDSTAR IS STARTING TO SEPARATE, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 44,000 MILES ON THE TIRES.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE TIRE DID SEPARATE AND DECIDED TO REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WHICH ALSO HAD SEPARATED, CONSUMER THEN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES.*JB

THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BEFORE STARTING IT AND SHIFTING IT TO DRIVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *YH

FAULTY INSTALLATION OF LEFT FRONT SPRING GUARD THAT WAS ON RECALL CAUSED NOISE. *YH

THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYED ON EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, DUE TO DOOR SWITCH FAILURE. *YH

THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON, THE FUSE, WIRING HARNESS AND BRAKE WIRES WERE FIXED AS POSSIBLE CAUSE BUT THE LIGHT KEEPS ON COMING. *YH

WHEN PROCEEDING THROUGH A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AFTER A STOPPING, VEHICLE WILL DIE. CONSUMER CAN RESTART IT AGAIN. *AK

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE STEERS HARD, DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP.*JB

AFTER COMING TO COMPLETE STOP AND APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL AGAIN, VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND. ENGINE REVVS, BUT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS 2-3 TIMES, THEN VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE, CANNOT FIND PROBLEM.*AK

RECEIVED RECALL 97V165001 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR. WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL IN RIGHT OR LEFT IT WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE LIKE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF POWER STEERING FLUID. BUT VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY FULL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED OTHER CONSUMERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE JERKED AND MADE A REALLY STRANGE NOISE. VEHICLE THEN DIED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT A METAL PIECE HAD BROKEN INSIDE OF TRANSMISSION, AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMMATION.*AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE FRONT TIRE TIRES WERE BALLED INSIDE. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS AND TIRE ROD ENDS WERE DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER REPLACED THEM. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. *AK

MY FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF MY CAR WHEN I CAME TO A STOP TO ALLOW A CAR PASS BY, I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT HANDED TURN WHEN MY ENTIRE WHEEL CAME OFF MY CAR AND SHOT ACROSS THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND CAME TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND WELL AS A TOW TRUCK HAD TO TAKE OUR CAR HOME, BOTH MADE THE COMMENT THAT ALL FIVE BOLTS SCHEERED OFF. STATE FARM OUR INSURANCE COMPANY PLUGGED THIS INFORMATION INTO THEIR SYSTEM AND SAID THAT IT IS A FORD ISSUE AND THAT I NEED TO FILL OUT THIS COMPLAINT FORM FOR YA'LL TO INVESTIGATE. STATE FARM IS SAYING THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE ROTAR AND VIBRATION IF THE WRONG PARTS ARE INSTALLED THIS SITUTATION COULD HAPPEN. WELL I TOLD STATE FARM AND I WILL TELL YOU, THE ROTARS ARE FROM THE FACTORY AND SO THE "WRONG PARTS" WERE NOT USED AND IT IS NOT A POSSIBLITY BECAUSE IT DID HAPPEN TO ME. FORTURNATELY I WAS NOT INJURED AND MY PRECIOUS GIRLS WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME, BUT I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE OR FOR THAT MATTER WHO IS TO SAY THE OTHER ROTAR WON'T DO THIS ON THE OTHER SIDE. PLEASE CALL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME WITH THIS MATTER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A LARGE POP AND SAW SMOKE, VEHICLES ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 42-1402-914. *SLC

INNER AND END TIE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. FIRST TIME AT 16000 MILES. CONSUMER HEARS NOISE FROM FRONT END, THEN, HAS VEHICLE INSPECTED BY DEALER, WHO THEN FINDS TIE RODS ARE BREAKING. *AK

THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. NLM

WHEN VEHICLE RECEIVED FROM DEALER, THE REAR A/C -HEATER UNIT FAN INOP. DEALER REPORTED "REPLACED FUSE". 4 WEEKS LATER REAR HEATER, A/C UNIT AGAIN INOP. DUE TO LACK OF FAITH IN DEALER ABILITIES, OWNER REPAIRED FAULT. FOUND 60 AMP CURRENT LIMITER BLOWN. TRACED FAULT TO MAIN POWER WIRE BETWEEN FUSE BLOCK AND A/C CONTROL PANEL CHAFED/BURNED TO CHASSIS WELD POINT LOCATED UNDER CARPET BY DRIVERS LEFT FOOT REST. WIRING REPAIRED, WELD POINT GROUND FLUSH, 60 AMP CURRENT LIMITER REPLACED.*AK

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP OR TURN--THERE IS A DOWNSHIFT/SHUDDER--IF I AM DRIVING IN OVERDRIVE. OUT OF OVERDRIVE, IT DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT. REF. 99-18-4 I HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIMES AND ALL THEY DO IS CLEAN THE FUEL INJECTORS. (TIRESIZE: P215/70R15)

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO ENGINES, TRANSMISSION WORK AND A LOT OF SMALLER PROBLEMS. RIGHT NOW IT IS HAVING THE DRIVERS SEAT TRACK AND ADJUSTERS REPLACED. WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT. THE WINDSTAR MAY BE SAFE, BUT IT ISN'T RELIABLE.*AK

VEHICLE WOULD SLIP IN AND OUT OF GEAR WHILE AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN (WHILE IN DRIVE GEAR). REQUIRED HIGH RPMS TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT OWNER'S COST.*AK

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 68000+/- MILES. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, HEARD LOUD NOISE, GOT OFF AT NEXT EXIT. SOUNDED LIKE ENGINE DROPPED OUT AND WAS DRAGGING ON GROUND, VAN WAS JUMPING. MADE IT TO A PARKING LOT AT WHICH POINT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. DEALER DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE, QUESTIONED DEALER IF THIS IS COMMON, "NOT COMMON, BUT CAN'T SAY IT DOESN'T HAPPEN" REAPIR WOULD BE $3000.00. CALLED 3 TRANSMISSION SHOPS FOR PRICING, WHEN TOLD IT WAS A WINDSTAR ALL NEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, DOWN TO THE NOISE IT MADE! REPAIRS AT INDEPENDANT SHOPS RAN $1500.00. FORD IS NO HELP, CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM IN THE WINDSTAR, FORD NEEDS TO GET INTO GEAR AND GET THESE VEHICLES TAKEN CARE OF AND COMPENSATE THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS.*AK

VEHICLE STALLS WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS. NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK

VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT DOWN INTO GEAR AT STOP, RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROCKING BACKWARDS UNTIL GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO GO FORWARD WHICH RESULTS IN CAR LURCHING FORWARD VIOLENTLY. INSPECTED BY JENKINS AND WYNN FORD DEALERSHIP ON DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM DRUM AND PISTON ASSEMBLY WHICH STICKS IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PRESSURE BUILT UP FOR IT TO GO FORWARD. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER JOHN CORNEJO AT JENKINS-WYNN ON 08/27/01. AT THIS TIME FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AS WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE SERVICE STAFF AT THIS LOCATION IN CLARKSVILLE, TN. A FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE WAS CONTACTED AND TOLD OF THE PROBLEM. SHE THEN CONTACTED LARRY BRYANT, SERVICE MANAGER AT THIS LOCATION, WHO THEN PROCEEDED TO GIVE ERRONEOUS INFORMATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVE. THE FORD MOTOR REPRESENTATIVE THEN BECAME INDIFFERENT TO OUR SITUATION. WE REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE OF A HIGHER AUTHORITY AND WERE TOLD THAT WE WOULD BE CONTACTED BACK BY HER SUPERVISOR WITHIN 48 HOURS. MEANWHILE MR. CORNEJO, STATING THAT THE FIRST OPTION OF FLUSHING OUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BENEFIT US, AS ORIGINALLY SUGGESTED TO US BY MR. BRYANT AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO A REBUILT TRANSMISSION, ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS NOT A REMEDY FOR THIS TYPE OF DEFECTIVE PART. WE ARE CURRENTLY AWAITING MR. CORNEJO TO CONTACT US ON 08/28/01 REGARDING THIS FACT AFTER HE CONSULTS WITH MR. BRYANT. AS FORD MOTOR CORP. CUSTOMERS, WE ARE EXPECTED TO FOOT THE BILL ON A DEFECTIV

WE WERE ON VACATION IN PENNSYLVANIA AFTER A TRIP TO BOSTON AND HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING AREA WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO STRAIGHTEN OUT IN THE PARKING SPACE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD GARAGE WHERE WE WERE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. THIS TOOK 5 DAYS, WHEN WE LEFT PA AND DROVE HOME TO IOWA. THE MILES ON THIS WINDSTAR ARE HIGHWAY MILES AND NOT CITY DRIVING.*AK

THIS VAN IS 3 YEARS OLD. CORROSION MOST LIKELY CAUSED THE PROBLEM WITH STRUT RODS & SWAY BAR LINKS. OBVIOUSLY THIS MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONCERNED WITH QUALITY B/C OF ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THE FORD COMPANY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME (MY VAN IS NO LONGER COVERED BY FACTORY WARRANTY) UNLESS THEY ISSUE A RECALL ON ANY PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I WOULD HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS WITH A VEHICLE THAT WAS LESS THAN 2 YRS OLD WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED. MAYBE YOU CAN'T HELP ME, BUT I WANTED TO LODGE A COMPLAINT.*AK

MY WIFE PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ONTO THE ROAD AND HEARD A HORRIBLE SCREECHING/SQUEALING SOUND AND SMELLED RUBBER BURNING. SHE PULLED INTO THE CENTER LANE, APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET FROM OUR DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED. SHE ASKED OUR DAUGHTER TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. SHE SAID, "MOM, THE TIRE IS TOUCHING THE REAR BUMPER". MY WIFE TURNED THE VEHICLE AROUND IN THE NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY AND DROVE BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. SHE CALLED ME OUT AND I LOOKED AT THE REAR RIGHT CONTROL ARM ON THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. IT WAS COMPLETELY SEVERED AND PULLED APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES APART. THE REAR RIGHT TIRE WAS SCRAPING THE BUMPER AND HAD GOUGES IN THE TREAD (THE TIRE IS RUINED). THE LEFT WHEEL WAS PUSHED SLIGHTLY FORWARD. I KNOW IF SHE HAD MADE IT TO THE EXPRESSWAY AND THIS PIECE HAD BROKE AT 70 MPH, MY CHILD, HER 3 FRIENDS, AND MY WIFE WOULD BE DEAD. I AM WORRIED THAT ANYBODY WITH THE SAME STYLE AND YEAR VEHICLE COULD HAVE THE SAME DEFECT, AND I WANT IT MADE AWARE TO ALL. I AM PETRIFIED TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. I ALSO HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE DEFECT WHICH COULD BE E-MAILED AT YOUR REQUEST.

ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VAN ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE. THE VAN WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD. UPON PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE REVS UP. AFTER 10-15 SECONDS, THE VAN SHIFTS INTO GEAR AND LUNGES FORWARD. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE'S NO INDICATION WHEN THIS TYPE OF MOVEMENT WILL OCCUR. ON OCCASIONS WHEN BREAKING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, THE VEHICLE SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. IT GOES BACK INTO DRIVE MODE. THIS AGAIN CAUSES ANOTHER SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE HAS ALMOST BEEN REAR-ENDED NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, THAT VEHICLE RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, CONSUMERS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, FIREMAN STATED FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN MECHANICALLY RELATED, CLAIM 43-R763-433. *SLC

WHILE TRAVELING IN WARM WEATHER ,MAKING SUDDEN STOPS/PARKING AND WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMAITON.*AK AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO FAULTY MODULE, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ADJAR SWITCH WAS STICKING CAUSING THE DOOR ADJAR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, OUTER TIE ROD FAILED CAUSING NOISE IN THE FRONT END, VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOSS OF POWER/SLIPPING DUE TO FAULTY TRANSMISSION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE STALLED, DEALER REPLACED SENSOR, SPEEDOMETER WAS OFF. NLM

MY PROBLEM IS WITH NHTSA DEFINITION OF A PROBLEM (DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TOO BRIGHT IN THE DAYTIME) AND FORD'S FIX OF THE PROBLEM(DISABLE THE LIGHTS).

RACK AND PINION STEERING MAY HAVE A DAMAGED INPUT SHAFT BEARING FROM A SERVICE BULLETIN OWNERS LETTER # 97S85 .ALSO, BULLETIN WAS GIVEN BY THE DEALER. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT FORD STATED NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNTIL THERE WAS A RECALL.*AK

ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE NEVER BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES, WE FEAR THERE IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY FOR A REAR-END COLLISION. INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REACT WHEN DEPRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE DOES NOT RACE. THEN, THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD, ALMOST AS IF THE CLUTCH WAS RELEASED QUICKLY. AFTER EACH OCCURRENCE, WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. TO DATE, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING. I HAD THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE ABS SENSOR WAS DETECTING A CRACK IN A COMPONENT USED BY THE ABS SYSTEM. I INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NOT WEAR AND TEAR. THE COSTS OF THE REPAIRS WILL EXCEED $500.00 BECAUSE THE AXLE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. LIKE OTHERS THAT HAVE SUBMITTED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO YOUR SITE, I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF ITS SAFETY FEATURES. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THE COSTS OF REPAIRS FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT ESPECIALLY RELATED TO A SAFETY FEATURE.

CAR STOP/STALL ABRUPTLY, EITHER DRIVING (0-10MPH), WHILE TURNING, OR WAITING AT THE RED LIGHT. ALMOST GOT A TICKET FOR STALLLING IN MID TRAFFIC, AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*AK

THE 1998 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8L V-6 ENGINE'S HEAD GASKET LEAKED ON OUR WINDSTAR AND THE COOLANT CONTAMINATED THE ENGINE OIL, WHICH CREATED ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO EXCESS BEARING WEAR. IN THE LAST 2,000 MILES WE LOST APPROXIMATELY 2 QUARTS OF COOLANT. FORD SAYS IT DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THE 3.8L HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND WILL NOT COMPENSATE US FOR THE COSTS OF INSTALLING A NEW FQR 3.8L ENGINE. THE NEW FQR ENGINE ONLY HAS A 24 MONTH/24,000 MILE WARRANTY, WHICH MAY FAIL AGAIN AFTER THE 2YEAR/24,000 MILE AND THE CUSTOMER IS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF AGAIN! FORD IS AWARE OF THE 3.8L ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND HAS HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE 1988 MODEL YEAR. FORD HAS ISSUED TWO ONPS (OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM) 98M01 WHICH EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR 5YEARS/60,000 THROUGH 1995 MODEL YEARS, AND THE 00M09 WHICH EXTENDED THE 98M01 WARRANTY TO 7YEARS/100,000. I HAVE CHECKED THE NHTSA COMPLAINT DATABASE AND FOUND THEY ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.8L HEAD GASKETS THROUGH THE 1999 WINDSTARS, MUSTANGS, SABLES, TAURUS, LINCOLN CONTINENTALS, AND COUGARS. MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE PROBLEM AS EARLY 18,000 TO 36,000 MILES BUT THE BULK ARE HAVING THE PROBLEMS IN EXCESS OF 3YEARS/36,000 AND THE CUSTOMER IS STUCK WITH A HUGE REPAIR BILL, OF $4,000 TO $6,000 DOLLARS. FORD CLAIMS THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AFTER THE 1995 MODEL YEAR WITH NEW HEAD GASKETS EVEN THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUS THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. FORD HAS SOLD AND STILL MAY BE SELLING A PRODUCT THAT IS DEFECTIVE THAT COULD LEA