1998 Ford Windstar complaints

ON 4/16/06 I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND FELT SOMETHING STRANGE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE TIRE WAS FLAT AND FOUND NOTHING NOTICEABLE. I CONTINUED ON MY WAY DROVE ABOUT ONE MORE MILE WHEN ALL FIVE LUGS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF. THE TIRE DAMAGED THE FENDER AND DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED AND REPLACED THE LUGS. HE COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON FOR THE LUGS TO BREAK. 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. *NM

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR IN WHICH I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE AN OIL PAN BECAUSE THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT HAD WARPED AND WAS CAUSING AN OIL LEAK ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD OF A FAULTY OIL PAN IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WITH THIS PROBLEM?*JB

VEHICLE HAS A DANGEROUS RACK AND PINION INPUT SHAFT STEERING GEAR. THIS IS COVERED UNDER RECALL 97V-165000, HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY SEVERAL TIMES THEY REFUSE ALL RESPONSIBILITY IN CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD REFUSES TO TAKE ANY AND ALL CORRECTIVE ACTIONS. NHTSA WAS USELESS IN HELPING THE SITUATION. *JB

1998 FORD WINDSTAR. 2 DRIVER SIDE WHEEL LUG BOLTS BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. BOTH STUDS SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACED BOTH STUDS FROM FORD PARTS AND 3 WEEKS LATER 1 OF THE NEW REPLACEMENT LUG BOLTS BROKE OFF. *NM

ELECTRONICS-DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON SPECIFICALLY WHEN WEATHER IS DAMP OR MILD. THIS CAUSES DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, ALSO DOOR CHIME KEEPS CHIMMING. BATTERY LOOSES POWER BECAUSE DOME LAMP STAYS ON FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK IF ILLUMINATED DOOR AJAR WARNING IS CAUSED BY OPENING OR CLOSING REAR LIFTGATE. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DRIVER DOOR SWITCH AT THE COST OF $100 PARTS AND LABOR, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER DOOR, SIDE SLIDER AND REAR LIFTGATE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IM NOT SURE IF DOORS ARE REALLY CLOSED OR NOT. SINCE THE DOORS WONT STAY LOCKED, I BELIEVE THIS POSES AS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ALL PASSENGERS. MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINI VANS. *NM

POWER STEERING RETURN LINE FROM RACK TO COOLER RUBBED ON FRAME OF 98 FORD WINDSTAR UNTIL A HOLE RESULTED IN LOSS OF MOST PS FLUID. DRASTIC LOSS OF FLUID OCCURRED DESCENDING BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS. WINDSTAR HAD ABOUT 125,000 MILES, AND THE DAMAGE TO THE HOSE WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM NORMAL INSPECTION. FLUID SPRAYED OVER HOT ENGINE PARTS BUT DID NOT IGNITE. *JB

FOUND LOT OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. LEFT AT REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR SHOP CALLED AND MENTIONED THAT IT IS HEAD GASKET DAMAGE. THE REPAIR SHOP ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HAS SEEN LOT OF SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH 3.8 L FORD WINDSTAR GL MINIVANS. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO SINCE IT MIGHT COST ABOUT $2,000 TO FIX. *JB

THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DEPARTED (I.E. FELL OFF) THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH ON A PAVED ROAD. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON A SOFT SHOULDER AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL FIVE STUDS HOLDING THE WHEEL ON WERE SHEERED OFF. THE WHEEL ITSELF WAS NOT DAMAGED, HOWEVER MAJOR BODY DAMAGE WAS MADE TO THE WHEEL WELL AND FRONT DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED (EXCEPT FOR THE BODY DAMAGE) AT THE COST OF $1300, REPLACING THE ROTOR, BRAKE, SPINDLE AND STRUT. *NM

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND VAN WAS RUNNING ROUGH. DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFORD RUNNER CONTROL VACUUM MOTOR WAS STUCK. VAN WOULD OVERHEAT IF NOT REPLACED. *NM

1998 FORD WINDSTAR. PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE SLOWING TO ALMOST 1 KM/H (LUCKILY). ALL 5 STUDS SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACED ALL STUDS FROM FORD PARTS AND 3 WEEKS LATER 2 STUDS SHOWING. VERY SCARY, STILL WORKING ON PROBLEM. *NM

HEADLIGHT POWER REDUCED DUE TO HAZY LEN'S. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE SEAT BELT STRAPS ARE RIPPING APART. TWO OF THE STRAPS HAVE COMPLETELY RIPPED. ONE OF THE STRAPS IS FRAYING. EACH OF THE SEAT BELTS IS LOCATED IN A DIFFERENT ROW. TWO OF THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK

VEHICLE LOSS COOLANT GRADUALLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I NEVER SAW ANY LEAKS UNDER THE VEHICLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CAR WAS ABRUPTLY PULLED OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, BUT WE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE BURNING SMELL, WE ALSO HAD BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO EVALUATE BUT HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CULPRIT. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON OCT19TH AND SPRAYED COOLANT AND STEAM WHICH WAS THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS A PHYSICAL INDICATION THAT THERE TRULY WAS A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP AT MY EXPENSE TO REPAIR THE HEAD GASKET, INTAKE MANIFOLD AND TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET.

PURCHASED 2 COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES, TIRE IDENTIFICATION NO. 2UTM3C2J4702, ON JANUARY 17, 2003. SINCE THAT TIME, TIRES HAVE NOT HELD AIR AND HAVE SUFFERED LOSS OF TREND AND TRACTION CAUSING A DANGEROUS CONDITION. RETURNED TO RETAILER IN MARCH OF 2005 AND TIRES WERE TAKEN OFF AND RESEALED AT A COST OF $15.00 BUT TIRES STILL CONTINUE TO LOSS AIR. SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE, ONLY 23,000 HAVE BEEN PUT ON THESE TIRES. *NM

DT: THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 15 MINS BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DOORS LOCKED, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE RUNNING ON THEIR OWN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND HAD TO CUT THE BATTERY CABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE KEYS WERE LEFT INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE CONSOLE IN BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT SEATS. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORTS OF FIRES ON WINDSTARS. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND CALLER FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY WILL GET BACK TO HIM. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND IT WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CALLER DID NOT KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE.*AK *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WIND STAR. IN 8-03 HIS WIFE WAS MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND ASCENDING TURN AT 15-20 MPH AND THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SHEARED OFF. ALL FIVE LUGS:BOLTS BROKE OFF. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 9-13-05 AFTER IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY FORD. SHE WAS MAKING A SLOW ASCENDING TURN WHEN ALL OF THE FIVE LUGS:BOLTS BROKE OFF AGAIN.*AK *JB

CONSUMER HAS A QUESTION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE 1998 FORD WINDSTAR CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WILL BE RECALLED.*MR

ON 4/12/02 59,173 MILES. WINDSTAR HAD ABS & BRAKE LIGHT ON. DISC BRAKES REPLACED AND ROTORS MACHINED. 2/26/04 82,240 MILES ALL ABS SENSORS,DISC BRAKES,BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR/FLOAT ASSEMBLY REPLACED,ROTORS MACHINED. 95,487 MILES BRAKE LIGHT ON. 3/05 CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF. ABS LIGHT FLICKER ON & OFF. DEALER SAID NOT WORTH MONEY TO FIX. 9/04/05 FIRE UNDER BATTERY TRAY. VAN OFF 2 TO 3 MINUTES. DEALER SAID CRUISE CONTROL MODULE IGNITED FIRE. BRAKE FLUID LEAKED INTO IT. THE ABS PUMP OVERHEATED WIRE CAUSED LEAK. OUR VAN IS NOW AT CHAPMAN FORD AWAITING OUR APPROVAL TO REPAIR PROBLEMS AT A COST OF $2200.00. WE ARE NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE AND DON'T WANT TO APPROVE REPAIRS WITHOUT TALKING TO SOMEONE FROM YOUR OFFICE. PLEASE RESPOND AND LET US KNOW WHAT OUR NEXT STEP SHOULD BE. WE ARE A ONE INCOME FAMILY SO GETTING A NEW VEHICLE IS NOT AN OPTION. YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *NM

IN SEPTEMBER, 2002, I HAD TO REPLACE THE SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH ON THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER OF MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR, BECAUSE IT STARTED LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD END BECAUSE THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID DAMAGED THE RUBER BUSHING. *JB

CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED & TURNED ON CAUSING VEHICLE TO BEGIN TO SPEED UP. I WAS IN THE WAL-MART PARKING LOT, WHEN MY VAN SUDDENLY REVVED UP & RACED TOWARDS 2 PEDESTRIANS. I FIRST TRIED THE REGULAR BRAKE - NO LUCK, SO I THREW THE VAN IN PARK & TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I WOULD TURN THE VAN ON AGAIN THE RPMS WOULD JUMP UP IMMEDIATELY TO 4000+. I HAD TO BE TOWED IN. I DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT ALL DURING THE TRIP SO I (AS WELL AS THE REPAIR SHOP) WAS SURPRISED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE WAS THE CULPRIT. *JB

TRANSMISSION WAS SLOW GOING INTO GEAR,WAS VERY NOISY AND WOULD NOT SHIFT IT FINALLY LOCKED UP IN GEAR AND WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS TOWED IN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. THE VAN HAS ONLY 46,000 MILES ON IT. A 30,000 DOLLAR CAR SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS. *JB

WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE WITH THIS VAN - WE BOUGHT IT USED(1 YR OLD) SO WE HAD NO RECOURSE AS FAR AS WARRANTIES GO. WE FINALLY WERE ABLE TO TAKE IT IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THE LIGHT PROBLEM LOOKED AT - THEY REPLACED A SENSOR FOR $140 AND AS SOON AS WE DROVE 45 MILES IT STARTED UP AGAIN! WE WERE ON OUR WAY ON A ROAD TRIP AND I CALLED TO TELL THEM IT FAILED, BUT WHEN WE GOT BACK TWO WEEKS LATER THEY CLAIMED THAT IT MUST BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT... INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT SHUT OFF, REMOVED DOOR AJAR CHIME SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO THAT WHILE DRIVING ALL THE TIME, DOOR AJAR LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONTINUOUSLY FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS, WE'VE HAD TO REMOVE THE DOME LIGHTS AND TURN THE OTHER LIGHTS TO "OFF" SO OUR BATTERY DOESN'T GO DEAD OVER NIGHT - THE PASSENGER FLOOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON HOWEVER AND GET VERY HOT... THE DOORS DO NOT LOCK BECAUSE THE CAR THINKS IT'S DOORS ARE OPEN! THE CAR HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND THE PROBLEM HAS STUMPED TOO MANY MECHANICS TO LIST - WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 40 MPH THE RIGHT WHEEL STARTS MAKING A 'THUMPING' NOISE AND WHEN TURNING LEFT OR ACCELERATING IT BECOMES ALMOST DEAFENING, NOW IT'S MAKING A VERY LOUD SCREECH IF, BUT DON'T WANT TO SELL THIS DEATH-TRAP TO ANYONE ELSE EITHER YOU TURN TOO SHARPLY - THERE IS A CONTINUOUS SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE SAME AREA. PLEASE HELP!! THANK YOU, [XXX] PS... CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK AND THE BACK WIPER ONLY WORKS IF YOU'RE BACKING UP... HAVE HAD THE VAN REALIGNED CONTINUALLY AND I JUST BOUGHT ANOTHE

MY 98 FORD WINDSTAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE A CHEVY TAHOE RAN A RED LIGHT AND T-BONED THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VAN. UPON IMPACT THE SIDE DOOR OF MY VAN FLEW OFF AND ENDED UP 15 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS (MY WIFE AND OUR 5 CHILDREN) SO NO ONE WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. OUR SON WHO WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH MULTIPLE LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM

SERVICE BULLETIN #01205 OR NHTSA #625715 I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR GL 1998 I ONLY HAD IT TURN OVER TO 70,000 AND MY ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND I'M GETTING TROUBLE CODE PO 171 AND I'M ALSO NOTICE THAT FUEL GAGE DON'T NOT GO TO THE FULL MARK AND I HAD TO HAVE ALL 4 H2O SENCER REPLACE AND NOW MY ODEMETER AND TRIP METER QUIT WORKING AND I ONLY HAVE 72,000 ON MY VAN IS THERE SOMETHING I CAN DO WITH THESE VECHILE PROBLEMS THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE WITH SUCH LOW MILES I JUST BOUGHT THE VAN IN AUG 2004 WITH ONLY 56,000 ARE ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS ON THE RECALL LIST . PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP REPAIRING MY VAN THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL PROBLEM.THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME

FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING UP A LOW GRADE AND COMING TO A STOP. VAN STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD AFTER REMOVING FOOT FROM BRAKE AND WHEN IT FINALLY MOVED FORWARD THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NO SPEEDOMETER. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR. MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER PASSING A SEMI ON THE FREEWAY. PASSED DOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND WHEN PULLING BACK INTO RIGHT LANE VAN LOST ALL FORWARD POWER AND SPEED. SPEEDOMETER ONCE AGAIN DROPPED TO 0. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER BUT AS YET HAVE NOT HAD IT LOOKED AT BY DEALER. SAID TO BRING IT BACK ON THE WEEKEND.

WE WERE ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME ON OUR RETURN TRIP FROM OHIO TO IOWA WHEN, WHILE ACCELERATING OUT OF A REST AREA, STEERING COLUMN BEGAN SHAKING VIGOROUSLY. WE BEGAN TO SLOW FROM 60-65MPH AND MERGED INTO THE RIGHT LANE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING AROUND 50MPH THE RIGHT FRONT END DROPPED AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BOUNCED OFF INTO A FIELD. WE RETAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER WITHOUT INJURY. UPON EXAMINATION, THE TIRE STUDS HAD ALL BROKEN CLEAN OFF. ALL EXCEPT TWO WERE LOST. THE TWO HAD A LOCKING MECHANISM. THE DAMAGE DUE TO THE COLLISION WITH THE ROAD AFTER THE WHEEL FELL OFF WAS COVERED BY OUR INSURANCE, THOUGH TECHNICALLY THE INITAIL MECHANICAL FAILURE DID WAS NOT, THOUGH SINCE THE STUDS WERE PART OF THE ROTOR WHICH WAS DAMAGED THEY WERE REPLACED WITH THE ROTOR. THE PARTS DAMAGED AND REPLACED INCLUDE THE ROTOR, FRONT BRAKES, CONTROL/STABILIZING ARM, RIGHT FENDER AND PASSENGER DOOR.

I HAD THREE OF THE FOUR SUBJECT TIRES SEPARATE ON THREE DIFFERENT INCIDENTS. THE FIRST TORE OUT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR CAUSING $950 DAMAGE (JULY 2004). AT THIS POINT WE REPLACED BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE SECOND (LEFT REAR SEPARATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED) JULY 1, 2005. AND THE THIRD SEPARATED A WEEK LATER ON THE RETURN TRIP HOME (JULY 9, 2005). THE TIRES WERE MASTERCRAFT P794 205-70-15 SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE TREADS WERE BRAND NEW AND NO VISUAL WARNING SIGNS WERE AVAILABLE. NO YEAR GIVEN MASTERCRAFT P22575R15 - TIRES:TREAD/BELT : HTTP://RECALLS.JUSTIA.COM/AUTO-CONTENT-5303.HTML

DT: CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND THE FUEL PUMP HARNESS MELTED. DEALER TOLD CONTACT SHE WAS LUCKY THE VEHICLE DID NOT BLOW UP ON HER. THIS HAPPENED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEN VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP.*AK

MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING INSIDE. I TOOK IT TO A LES SWABB TIRE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE REASON FOR THE NOISE WAS A CRACKED RIM, ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG. THEY SAID THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN, VERY DANGEROUS. IT COSTED ME $45.00 TO REPLACE THE RIM. THEY SUGGESTED TO LOOK INTO OTHER REPORTS. ON YOUR WEB SITE I FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 RIMS. THEY SAID IF THIS CRACKED ALL AROUND MY TIRE WOULD OF FELL OFF. SCARY THOUGHT FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAYS,ETC. I CALLED FORD TO REPORT THIS AND REQUESTED THEM TO REPLACE ALL 4 RIMS. THEY REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONCIBILITY FOR THIS. TRIED TO BLAME IT ON MY TIRES AND MY DRIVING. TIRES ARE ALL NEW AND DRIVING SHOULDN'T CRACK THE RIM LIKE IT DID. I THINK IT IS SAD THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED NOR CARE THIS COULD CAUSE A FATAL CRASH. I AM GOING TO CALL KING 5 NEWS. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY VAN NOW. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, DANGEROUS. PLEASE MAKE FORD TAKE RESPONCIBILITY FOR THIS, BEFORE A FATAL CRASH IF HAS NOT HAPPENED ALREADY.

1998 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE, HEAD BOLTS STRETCHED CAUSING COOLANT LEAK INTO ENGINE, HEAD GASKET WAS NOT BLOWN SO WYNN'S SERVICE CONTRACT WILL NOT PAY FOR $1800 REPAIR. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR EXPENSE, I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 80,000 MILES.

I PURCHASED MY VAN FROM MY GRANDFATHER'S ESTATE. ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2005, I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. I WAS TRAVELING FROM A SCHOOL FUNCTION WHERE I TEACH WITH MY SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN THE VAN. MY VAN SEEMED TO HAVE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 183 HEADING NORTH TOWARD CEDAR PARK WHERE I LIVE. I COULDN'T MAKE THE LIGHT AT THE JUNCTION OF 620 TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, SO I WENT PAST THE LIGHT AND TURNED INTO THE CONSTRUCTION AREA JUST NORTH OF THAT INTERSECTION. I HAD ALREADY CALLED MY HUSBAND TO MEET ME BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE VAN. WHEN I PULLED IN, I POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW SMALL FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SECTION UNDER THE HOOD. I DROPPED THE HOOD AND GRABBED MY DAUGHTER FROM THE CAR. I THEN CALLED 911 AND THEY DISPATCHED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHILE I WAITED, I PULLED A BOTTLE OF WATER FROM THE VAN, POPPED THE HOOD AND SPRINKLED WATER ON THE FLAMES. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUND ME, THE FIRE WAS SMALLER. THEY FINISHED PUTTING OUT THE FIRE AND TOLD ME THAT I PROBABLY SAVED MY VAN BY SPRINKLING WATER ON IT. IT APPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL AND NEAR THE AREA WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS LOCATED. I WAS IN TEARS BY THE TIME MY HUSBAND ARRIVED AND IT WAS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. I AM GRATEFUL THAT WE WERE NOT INJURED, BUT AM FURIOUS THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED MY VAN. I DID HAVE IT REPAIRED AT COMPUTER AGE AUTOMOTIVE IN CEDAR PARK AND MY INSURANCE AGENT IS RYAN WITH STATE FARM WHOM I DID SUBMIT

THE REAR BRAKE LINE ABOVE THE SPARE TIRE WAS RUSTED AND BLEW APART WHEN MY WIFE HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW FOR A TURNING VEHICLE. THIS LINE IS IN A VERY BAD SPOT. IT IS NOT VISIBLE AND THERE IS THE GREATEST CHANCE TO HOLD MOISTURE THERE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT.

I OWE 3 WINDSTARS ALL THREE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH POWER WINDOWS NOT GOING DOWN.

VAN WILL STALL WHEN DECELERATING INTO A TURN, OCURRS 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 84,000 MILES COSTNG $1,700 TO REPAIR. VAN WOULD VIBRATE AND STUTTER WHEN ACEELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. HAD VAN TO DEALER 3-4 TIMES FOR STALLING PROBLEM, THEY CLAIMED THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.

DT: WHILE PARKED ON THE STREET, SOMEHOW IN THE NIGHT, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IGNITED ON THE LEFT PASSENGER SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT LOCATED AT THE SECOND ELECTRICAL OUTLET. IT WAS SO HOT IT MELTED THE CAR SEAT AND PANELING NEAR THE ARMREST. THE GLASS DIDN'T BREAK BUT PAINT TO OUTSIDE OF CAR IS PEELING OFF. CENTER AND CONSOLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE WENT OUT SOMEWHERE NEAR THE FRONT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *TT

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT FIVE OR TEN MILES ,IF THE CONTACT GOES TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN OR STOP, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. THIS OCCURS WHILE DECELERATING. HE STATES THAT EVERYTHING WORKS FINE WHILE HE IS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT JUST WHEN HE GOES TO STOP THAT HE HAS THE PROBLEMS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC , AND THEY REPLACED THE IDLE CONTROL ,AND CLEANED THE INJECTORS. HOWEVER, VEHICLE STILL HAS THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. IT WILL START BACK UP AS SOON AS IT STALLS WHEN HE PUTS IT IN PARK. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 100 TIMES. VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. IT STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND IT WOULDN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME AND NOW IT IS DOING ALMOST EVERY TIME YOU SLOW DOWN. HAS CAME VERY CLOSE TO CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.*AK

FORD WINDSTAR IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT WHICH IS CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. *MR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND WOULD ACTIVATE 80% OF THE TIME. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSORS WERE THE PROBLEM ON ONE OCCASION AND ON ANOTHER, THE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE THIS. *SC

INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS OPERATING ERRATICALLY WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION

1998 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2 1/2 YEARS AGO. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND BROKE, PUNCTURING THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE COIL SPRING REPLACED ONCE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY DROPPED. ALSO, THERE WAS A BRAKE FAILURE. TWO NHTSA RECALLS REGARDING FRONT COIL SPRINGS, RECALLS 01I007000 AND 01V199000 WERE ISSUED.*AK

VEHICLE SHOOK CONTINUOUSLY WHEN BEING DRIVEN. FRONT END WAS ALIGNED, THE BEARINGS, SHAFT, AND THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. *AK

PAINT BEGAN PEELING OFF LIFTGATE, ROOF AND SIDE DOOR IN MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZE STRIPS AND HAS CONTINUED TO WORSEN, REVEALING THE WHITE PRIMER BELOW. THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE PAINT ADHESIVE. THE CONTRAST IN TONE BETWEEN THE DARK BLUE PAINT AND LARGE UNEVEN PATCHES OF WHITE PRIMER IS DISTRACTING TO OTHER DRIVERS, SINCE IT LOOKS SO ODD, AND HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE ENTIRE MINI-VAN NEEDS TO BE REPAINTED. I NOTE THAT 4 OF THE TOTAL OF 6 COMPLAINTS OF STRUCTURAL DEFECTS REPORTED TO NHTSA TO DATE FOR THIS VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR , NOT INCLUDING THIS ONE, ARE ALSO FOR PEELING PAINT ON UPPER SURFACES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. (INCIDENT DATE ONLY INDICATES THE TIME AROUND WHEN I FIRST OBSERVED THE PROBLEM.)*AK

UPON BEING IN A PARKING LOT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A MECHANISM UNDER THE SEAT. CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DRIVE GEAR POPPED OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND NOT MOVE. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK

WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. THE DRIVER HAS DIFFICULTY MAKING TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V165000; FORD ISSUED A STEERING GEAR RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN, BUT HAD SAME GEAR STEERING PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *AK

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DECELERATING INTO A TURN. IT ALSO SHUTS DOWN MOMENTARILY (VEHICLE "BUCKS") OR FULLY (STALLS COMPLETELY) DURING NORMAL DRIVING, INDEPENDENT OF SPEED. THE LATTER PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE COMMON THAN THE FORMER! CONSEQUENCE: SEVERAL NEAR-MISS REAR-END COLLISIONS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN REPLICATED BUT COULD NOT PROPERLY REPAIR THE PROBLEM(S). THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. *NM

THE TRANSMISSION ON A 98 FORD WINDSTAR FAILED AFTER ONLY 74482 MILES. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT A SIGNIFICANT COST. *NM

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL97V165000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BOX FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK *NM

CONSUMER STATED EXCESSIVE FUEL WAS LEAKING . DEALER INDICATED THAT TOP OF THE FUEL TANK BROKE APART. *AK