1998 Ford Windstar complaints

HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE, HAD NO HEAT UNDER 30MPH.

EXPERIENCED IRRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AT 65 MPH IN RAIN. CAR SWIRVED OUT OF CONTROL HOWEVER I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN 1ST GEAR IT APPEARS. TAKING TO DEALER 10/09/2000 BECAUSE OF HOLIDAY WAIT.

BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PUT INTO GEAR FRONT WHEEL JUMPS AND LOUD THUNK HEARD. DEALER REPLACES BUSHING PROBLEM STILL THERE. *AK

TOOK VAN IN FOR SERVICE & WAS TOLD THAT THE CALIPERS, RIGHT & LEFT WERE REAL ROUGH EVEN THOUGH THE PADS WERE ONLY HALF WORN! TECH. REPLACED PAD`S & TURNED ROTORS! WHEN MOVING FOREWORD, MAKING A TURN, & BRAKING THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHIMMY! IN 40 YEARS I`VE NEVER SEEN ROTORS GO BAD & THE PADS BE ONLY HALF WORN! COST, $170.27 TOLD NOT COVERED BY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY!

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 04-1243-985. *SLC

VEHICLES DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP ARE BEING RECALLED (00V-168) AND DISCONNECTED BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED U.S. STANDARDS, THE CONSUMER DOES NOT WANT THEM DISCONNECTED BUT REPLACED TO MEET U.S. STANDARD. NLM

ON 9/7/00 I WENT TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER TELLING THEM WE WERE LEAVING FOR VACATION IN FLORIDA ON THE 9TH AND TO PLEASE DO AN EARLY OIL CHANGE AND ROTATE THE TIRES, MAKING SURE THE TIRES WERE IN GOOD CONDITION (BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH FIRESTONE TIRES). I WAS TOLD THE TIRES WERE FINE AND ACTUALLY WATCHED WHILE THEY ROTATED THEM. WE GOT TO FL AND, BECAUSE OF THE ROCKY RIDE DOWN IN THE RAIN, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE VAN TO SEARS TO GET IT ALIGNED. HE WAS HORRIFIED TO LEARN THAT THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE 'OUT OF ROUND' AND THAT ONE OF THOSE FIRESTONE TIRES HAD TREAD THAT WAS ON THE VERGE OF SEPARATING. THIS IS WHAT HAS KILLED SO MANY PEOPLE. OUR VAN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WE BROUGHT THE TIRES BACK WITH US AND THEY ARE STORED IN OUR GARAGE, SO I CAN GET THE NECESSARY NUMBERS, ETC., FOR YOU IF YOU WISH. I TOOK THE TIRES TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER. THE MANAGER AGREED WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE DRIVEN THAT FAR WITH THAT TIRE, AND HE APOLOGIZED; HOWEVER, HIS ONLY ACTION WILL BE TO "ADJUST" THE COST OF NEW FIRESTONE TIRES WHEN WE NEED THEM (WE BOUGHT TWO NEW MICHELIN TIRES). THIS TIRE ONLY HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE A 2 1/2-YEAR-OLD SON, AND WE ARE PETRIFIED KNOWING THIS TIRE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND KILLED OUR ENTIRE FAMILY. WHEN I CALLED FIRESTONE THIS MORNING, THEY SAID NO ONE ELSE WITH A '98 FORD WINDSTAR HAS REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

ON 9/7/00 I WENT TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER TELLING THEM WE WERE LEAVING FOR VACATION IN FLORIDA ON THE 9TH AND TO PLEASE DO AN EARLY OIL CHANGE AND ROTATE THE TIRES, MAKING SURE THE TIRES WERE IN GOOD CONDITION (BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH FIRESTONE TIRES). I WAS TOLD THE TIRES WERE FINE AND ACTUALLY WATCHED WHILE THEY ROTATED THEM. WE GOT TO FL AND, BECAUSE OF THE ROCKY RIDE DOWN IN THE RAIN, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE VAN TO SEARS TO GET IT ALIGNED. HE WAS HORRIFIED TO LEARN THAT THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE 'OUT OF ROUND' AND THAT ONE OF THOSE FIRESTONE TIRES HAD TREAD THAT WAS ON THE VERGE OF SEPARATING. THIS IS WHAT HAS KILLED SO MANY PEOPLE. OUR VAN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WE BROUGHT THE TIRES BACK WITH US AND THEY ARE STORED IN OUR GARAGE, SO I CAN GET THE NECESSARY NUMBERS, ETC., FOR YOU IF YOU WISH. I TOOK THE TIRES TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER. THE MANAGER AGREED WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE DRIVEN THAT FAR WITH THAT TIRE, AND HE APOLOGIZED; HOWEVER, HIS ONLY ACTION WILL BE TO "ADJUST" THE COST OF NEW FIRESTONE TIRES WHEN WE NEED THEM (WE BOUGHT TWO NEW MICHELIN TIRES). THIS TIRE ONLY HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE A 2 1/2-YEAR-OLD SON, AND WE ARE PETRIFIED KNOWING THIS TIRE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND KILLED OUR ENTIRE FAMILY. WHEN I CALLED FIRESTONE THIS MORNING, THEY SAID NO ONE ELSE WITH A '98 FORD WINDSTAR HAS REPORTED THIS PROBLEM.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )

WHEN AT A STOPLIGHT TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL UNNOTICED, BUT WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS THE ENGINE REVVS UP AND THEN SUDDENLY JUMPS BACK INTO GEAR AND SHOOTS OUT INTO TRAFFIC WITH OUT WARNING. FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM , AND TOLD ME IT WAS A ALUMINUM PISTON THAT FAILS IN THE TRANS. BUT WANTS OVER 2000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T REPORT IT SOON ENOUGH. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE INTERSECTION WAS EMPTY, OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD ACCIDENT! THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT FORD DOES NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH. I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM? I CALLED SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS AND THEY ALL KNEW OF THE PROBLEM, EVEN SOME OF THE FORD DEALERS ADMITTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE! FOR $26000.00 THE TRANS. ONLY LASTED 2YRS. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?

TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STARTED CYCLING THROUGH THE GEARS CAUSING ENGINE TO REV UP AND THE GEARS SHIFTING WITH HARD CLUNKS. AFTERWARD, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE AND WE WERE FORCED TO DRIVE AT SLOW SPEED ON SHOULDER. TRANSMISSION SHOP COULD NOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM. FLUID WAS CLEAN AND NO CODES WERE DETECTED ON SCAN.

I AM A LETTER CARRIER FOR THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE IN WHITESTONE, NY. WE HAVE 33 1998 FORD WINDSTARS IN OUR FLEET. I HAVE NOTICED 3 RECURRENT PROBLEMS IN OUR VANS, IN THE THREE YEARS THAT WE HAVE HAD THEM. FIRST, THE VEHICLES HAVE MANUAL CRANK WINDOWS, NOT POWER WINDOWS. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS FAILED ON SEVERAL VEHICLES, PERHAPS 6 OF THEM, AND ON A FEW OF THEM, FAILED MORE THAN ONCE. THERE HAS GOT TO BE BETTER MATERIAL USED IN THESE WINDOW REGULATORS FOR THE FUTURE. THE FAILURE RATE IS REALLY UNACCEPTABLE. THE SECOND PROBLEM THAT I HAVE NOTICED, IS A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. I HAVE HEARD THIS ON MANY VEHICLES SO IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS ALSO AN ENGINEERING DEFECT. THE THIRD RECURRENT PROBLEM IS A STRANGE ONE. WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARM, THE COMPUTER READS THAT THERE IS AN OPEN DOOR, YET ALL OF THE DOORS ARE SECURELY LOCKED. THE REMINDER CHIMES WILL DING, THE ICON WILL APPEAR ON THE DASH, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON. STRANGELY ENOUGH, WHEN THE SPEED IS OVER 15MPH, THE CHIMES WILL STOP DINGING, BUT THE DASHBOARD ICON WILL STAY LIT. ONE OF OUR VEHICLES HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP 8 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY STILL CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS! IF I SEE THESE RECURRENT PROBLEMS ON A SMALL SAMPLE OF 32 VEHICLES, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM MUST HAPPEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WHEREVER WINDSTARS ARE BEING USED. SOMEBODY IN AUTHORITY, PLEASE INVESTIGATE THESE PROBLEMS! THANKS.

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE STALLING DURING A LEFT HAND TURN, THUS CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO FREEZE UP AND WE'VE HAD CLOSE CALLS ON ACCIDENTS. LUCKILY WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WHERE WE HAVE THE TIME TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, RESTART IT, THEN COMPLETE THE TURN. THE CAR HAS ALSO STALLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN COMING TO A FAST STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR IN A DRIVEWAY AFTER COMPLETING A PARTIAL TURN. IT IS VERY SCARY. I'M WORRIED THAT THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS, IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE TWO YOUNG DRIVERS IN THE FAMILY, AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM AS WELL. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? WE LIVE OVER 3 HOURS AWAY FROM THE DEALER WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM. HAVE OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS EXPEREINCED THIS PROBLEM? PLEASE ADVISE. *AK

DRIVING NYS THRUWAY @ 65MPH ABOUT 5:30PM WHEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION DROPPED FROM OVERDRIVE TO FIRST GEAR. SUDDEN CHANGE FROM HIGHWAY SPEED TOPARKING LOT SPEED REQUIRED GREAT SKILL OF FOLLOWING DRIVERS TO AVIOD RUNNING OVER US AND CREATING A RUSH HOUR CHAIN REACTION TRAFFIC PILEUP. AGENCY DENIES TYPE PROBLEMS WITH THAT TRANSMISSION, FORD HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY LETTER. HELP! *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE & IT WOULD GO INTO A LOW DEPRESSION. A BORING NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM THE SPRINGS. IT WAS AN INTERMITTEN PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF NOISE. DID CHANGE THE BUSHINGS & STRUTS. *AK NOISE IN FRONT END OVER BUMPS DUE TO BOTH OUTER TIE ROD FAILURE. *YH

I'VE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SEATBELTS (THE FRONT PASSENGER AND ALL 5 OF THE REAR SEATBELTS). I HAVE TALK TO THE DEALER AND I HAVE SENT A EMAIL TO FORD INC. THE TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEATBELTS. THE PROBLEM THAT I'M HAVING IS THAT THE SEATBELTS (EXCEPT THE DRIVERS SIDE) IS THAT THEY KEEP LOCKING UP. WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS WHEN YOU PULL THE SEATBELT OUT TO PUT IT ON AND SNAP THE TWO HALVES TOGETHER, WHEN YOU LET THE EXTRA PART OF WHAT YOU PULLED OUT ROLL BACK INTO THE ROLLER, AFTER THIS POINT, MOST OF THE TIME THE SEATBELT LOCKS. THEY WILL NOT PULL OUT ANYMORE. YOU CAN'T LEAN FORWARD WITHOUT TAKING THE SEATBELT OFF. I HAVE FOUND THAT WHEN I OR MY KIDS RIDE IN THE BACK SEATS OR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THAT THE SEATBELTS KEEP GETTING TIGHTER AS YOU DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD, WHICH IN TURN MAKES YOU TAKE THE SEATBELT OFF DUE TO PAIN FROM THE SEATBELT PULLING TIGHT. I WAS TOLD THAT A REP. FROM FORD LOOKED AT THIS PROBLEN AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE RIGHT REAR TIRE P205/70R15 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, TIRE STILL HAD PRESSURE AFTER SEPARATION. *SLC

NO SUMMARY

VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES.*AK

TIRE BLEW OUT ON A HOT DAY WHILE TRAVELING AFTER 1.5 HOURS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15/235R )

1. TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT ERRATICALLY , AND A LOUD NOISE WILL OCCUR AND MOTOR WILL SHAKE. FORD ENGINEERING WAS SENT OUT AND DETERMINED TRANSMISSION NEEDED WORK, BUT NO DEALER WILL HONOR WARRANTY. 2. BRAKES WILL FAIL IN THE WINTER AND IN SLIPPERY ROADS, CAUSING PEDAL TO GO TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. 3. ALL DOORS LOCK BY THEMSELVES/ LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF, AND HEATER AND DEFROSTER MOTOR WILL COME ON EVEN WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNTION. VEHICLE WILL EVEN START UP BY ITSELF. *AK

(FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON AND SEAL) WHEN YOU BRAKE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT OR EVEN COME TO A STOP AND THEN STEP ON THE GAS, ALL THE VEHICLE DOES IS REV. IT'S LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN GEAR OR SLIPPING AND THEN IT EVENTUALLY DROPS INTO PLACE. IT'S A PRETTY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IF TURNING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I FEEL THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON A RECALL BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ALL YOU ARE DOING IS BRAKING OR SLOWING DOWN. PLEASE, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND WOULD HATE FOR SOMEONE TO LOSE A CHILD BECAUSE OF A WRECK THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY ISSUING A RECALL. THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THIS SITE TO LIST PROBLEMS.( DOT NUMBER: APM3JEUU02 TIRE SIZE: 215/70R15 )

PCM MODULE FAILED. *SLC

NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY DEFECTS AS ON NHTSA WEBSITE

RAYBES TO FRONT BRAKE PADS FAILED AFTER ONLY 13000 MILES

ON FEB. 27 OF THIS YEAR, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/70R15 )

ON FEB. 27 OF THIS YEAR, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/70R15 )

PROBLEM ORIGINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE. WAS TAKEN IN 3 TIMES FOR REPAIR. FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT REGISTER FULL WHEN FILLED AND FILLING UP WITH ONLY 12 TO 14 GALLONS WHEN AT 1/4 OF A TANK OR LESS. PROBLEM SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BUT STILL HAD OCCASIONAL ERRATIC MOVEMENT AND IMPROPER FUEL GAUGE READINGS OVER A PERIOD OF 1 1/2 YEARS. PROBLEM BECAME MUCH WORSE IN JULY 2000. HAD ERRATIC MOVEMENT IN FUEL GAUGE, WOULD FILL TANK, GAUGE WOULD GO TO FULL, THEN DROP 1/8, THEN GO BACK UP TO FULL, THE DROP 1/8 AGAIN. FILLING UP AT 1/4 OF A TANK OR LESS WITH 12 TO 14 GALLONS AGAIN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALERS 5 TIMES, TO DATE. CONTINUALLY SAY THAT IT IS FIXED BUT WHEN I FILL UP WITH GAS THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.

FRONT RIGHT CONTROL ARM BROKE ONCE, AND LEFT CONTROL ARM HAS BROKEN THREE TIME IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS. DEALER HAS BEEN MAKING THE REPAIRS. *AK

AT THE 75000 MILE CHECK UP WITH HENRY CURTIS FORD, WE ASKED THAT THEY CHECK OUT AN ABNORMAL NOISE IN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. THEY REPORTED THAT THEY COULD NOT HEAR ANY PROBLEM. WE DROVE THE VAN TO UTAH THE NEXT WEEK. ON THE WAY BACK THE NOISE BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE. WE DROVE IT LOCALLY FOR TWO WEEKS WITH THE NOISE BECOMING WORSE. WE CALLED FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AFTER IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING BROKE. WE TRIED DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT ENDED UP NEEDING A TOW WHEN THE WHEEL BROKE. ABOUT SIX WEEKS LATER THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BEGAN TO LOSE AIR. THINKING THAT WE HAD PICKED UP A NAIL WE WENT TO THE TIRE SHOP TO GET THE TIRE REPAIRED. THE SHOP DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL WAS LEAKING AIR AT THE WELDS. AFTER CALLING AROUND TO FIND A NEW WHEEL THEY CAME AND TOLD US THAT WHEELS WERE HARD TO FIND BECAUSE SO MANY WERE LEAKING AND BREAKING AT THE WELDS. QUITE FRANKLY I AM AFRAID TO LET MY WIFE PUT HERSELF AND OUR CHILDREN AT RISK OF THE WHEELS BREAKING WHILE SHE IS GOING SOMEWHERE. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID THEY KNEW NOTHING. I ASKED WHO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE WHEELS IS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GIVE ME THAT INFORMATION. I AM UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS THE ONLY WHEEL FOR THAT CAR. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER FAMILIES WHO MIGHT BE TRAVELING IN A VAN THAT THEY FEEL IS SAFE WHEN THE DEALER CAN'T EVEN FIND THE PROBLEM AND SENDS THEM OFF TO THEIR DESTINATION WITH A FALSE IDEA OF SAFETY. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO A FAM

WOULD HEAR SQUEALING/HOWLING NOISES COMING FROM THE STEERING AREA. STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. WOULD HAVE NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO DEALER & INFORMED CONSUMER TIE ROD ENDS HAVE WORN OUT EXCESSIVELY DUE TO A LACK OF LUBRICANT.*AK NO GREASE FITTINGS.

I HAVE EXPERIANCED "RAPID DEPRESSURIZATION" OF THE LR TIRE ON MY MINI-VAN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CROSS THE CENTERLINE . I WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. AFTER I CAME TO A STOP THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SIDEWALL 11/2 IN. WIDE BY 3" HIGH. THESE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN ABUSED, ALWAYS PROPERLY INFLATED, NOT OVERLOADED AND PROPERLY ROTATED AND INSPECTED. THE CAUSE (PER GOODYEAR DEALER) WAS PLY SEPERATION WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235-70R15 )

VAN WENT ON FIRE UNDER HOOD AT THIS TIME LANDMARK FORD IN TIGARD OREGON DOESNT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THIS FIRE IT IS THERE AT THIS TIME WAITING TO BE REPAIRED

BEARINGS ON THE LEFT FRONT OF VEHICLE FAILED , VEHICLE COULD NOT NEVER BE ALIGNED. BEARINGS WERE A PART THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL . DEALER CHANGED BEARINGS. *AK

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ISSUED AND I WAS NOT PROPERLY NOTIFIED. BY LOOKING AT THE RECALLS I THINK THAT I MAY HAVE BEEN CHARGED BY THE DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL ISSUE.

REAR TIRE BLEW.

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR,RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND PUT ON PADS AND ROTORS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *AK

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 98 WINDSTAR, SIZE P215/70R15, RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK 2 OTHER GOODYEAR INVICTA TIRES DOT#PDM3DDER317 EXPERIENCED IRREPAIRABLE BULGES. *SLC

AFTER BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY,FROM A COMPLETE STOP TRANSMISSION MADE A GRINDING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE.TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE FAILURE AFTER DRIVING 1/2 MILE DOWN THE ROAD.FORD MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT AN ALUMINUM PART WAS USED IN THIS MODEL YEAR,THEN FORD CHANGED IT BACK TO STEEL ON REBUILT AND SUBSEQUENT YEAR MODELS.FORD NEVER ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.DEALER SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR $500 PLUS DEDUCTABLE FOR AN EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN. *AK

AT 70 MPH VEHICLE KEPT SLAM SHIFTING INTO GEARS, DID NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR TO BE IN, DID THIS BEGINNING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CONTINUED AT ANY SPEED. *AK

I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD ADD THE FIRESTONE TIRES THAT WERE STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THE 1998 WINDSTAR TO YOUR INVESTIGATION. THE CIRCUMSTANCES SEEM PRETTY SIMILAR.OUR TIRE SHREDDED ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH . TREAD WRAPPED AROUND REAR AXLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THIS OCCURED IN A RURAL AREA IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER. IF NOT FOR MOBILE PHONE AND SERVICE WE COULD HAVE DIED OF HEAT STROKE. CAR WAS TOWED BY AAA TO SHERIDAN, WYOMING GOODYEAR DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS DEFINITE TIRE FAILURE. FIRESTONE DEALER IN LAS VEGAS EXAMINED TREAD AND REFUSED TO REPLACE AT NO CHARGE OR ADMIT DEFECT. AFTER MANY CALLS AND COMPLAINTS, FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE FINALLY REFUNDED US $40.00 AND NOTHING TOWARDS THE TOWING OR OTHER COSTS INVOLVED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P20570RX15 )

FROM THE REAR OF THE ALTERNATOR COMES A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL. MECHANICS ARE TELLING US TO REPLACE THE UNIT WHICH IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SHOULDN'T THIS PART BE A LIFETIME WARRANTY? WHY DID IT FAIL RIGHT AFTER THE 36000 MILE WARRANTY RAN OUT? *AK

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE&STUCK ACCELERATOR-BACKING UP DRIVEWAY WITH FEET ON BRAKES-ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT DOWN ON OWN VAN WRAPPED AROUND TREE- REPORTED BRAKE PROBLEM ON TEST DRIVE-THEY FIXED IT,BUT NO GOOD. *AK

VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BACKED OUT FROM DRIVEWAY AND ENGAGED IN DRIVE MODE, A LOUD CLUNK NOISE OCCURED. AFTER DRIVING FOR HALF A MILE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *YH

WHEN DRIVING OR MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN CONSUMER NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE. CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER NOTED THAT OUTER TIE RODS NEED TO BE REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES, DRIVER AND PASSENGER. *AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH VEHICLE FLIPPED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BENCH SEAT BROKE, CAUSING CHILD AND INFANT SEAT TO BE THROWN TO THE FLOOR. *AK VEHICLE DID NOT FLIP, IT HIT WATER AND SPUN. *YH THE BUCKLE SHATTERED AND THE PLASTIC HOUSING AND SPRINGS INTERNAL TO THE MECHANISM BROKE APART. *TT

SHOCK ABSORBER (STRUT) AND COIL SPRING BROKE ...NONE IN STOCK IN ALL OF USA! 2WEEKS HAVE GONE WITH NO REPAIRS BECAUSE OF LACK OF SPRING NATIONWIDE! DEALER IN MO (CAR STILL THERE) TOLD US PART WAS ON ORDER FOR 3 DAYS...AFTER MISSING WORK FOR 4 DAYS AND PAYING FOR HOTEL IN EUREKA, MO WE ENDED UP RENTING A CAR AND DRIVING BACK HOME TO MICHIGAN. WILL HAVE TO RENT ANOTHER CAR AND OVERNIGHT HOTEL BILL TO RETURN TO PICK UP VAN WHEN (IF ) COMPLETED...ALL THE WHILE WE STILL ARE MAKING MO/PAYMENTS ON VEHICLE WE CAN'T EVEN DRIVE!!!

THE PASSENGER DOOR CONTACT WAS CORRODED CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO COME ON AND AN ALART ON THE DASH THAT THE DOOR IS "OPEN". REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP BUT NEVER REPAIRED OR REPLACED UNDER WARANTY. THIS IS A DANGER TO THE DRIVER THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN AND DISTRACKS THE DRIVERS ATTENTION TO IMMEDIATELY TURN AROUND TO VISUALLY CHECK. THIS ALERT ALSO CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO AUTOMATICALLY COME ON WHEN THIS "OPEN DOOR" INDICATION IS GIVEN. THIS IS ALSO A DISTRACTION. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD WERE CONTACTED BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. *AK

ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS THIS VEHICLE WHILE STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP (STOP SIGN/TRAFFIC LIGHTS). THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP OVER 8 TIMES AND WAS LAST WORKED ON FOR THIS PROBLEM IN JUNE 2000. THEN IN JULY 200 WHILE ON VACATION THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND THE EMISSION CONTROL FAILED. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN REPAIRING THE PROBLEMS THE VEHICLE HAS LOST IT'S CREDITABILITY AS BEING SAFE.

CHILD WEIGHING 33 POUNDS SITS IN THE BUILT-IN CHILD SEATIN WHICH HARNESS IS TOO HIGH, AND DOES NOT PROTECT THE CHILD CORRECTLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK