1998 Ford Windstar complaints

I HAVE REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TWICE AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP ONCE ON MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR.*AK

I HAVE A 98 WINDSTAR MINI VAN . AFTER THE MINIVAN HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR AWHILE AND YOU GO TO STOP IT WILL GO DEAD OR WHAT YOU CALL STALLS. SO AFTER I CRANK IT BACK UP AND TRY TO TAKE OFF AGAIN IT WILL STALL AGAIN. SO THEREFORE I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO TRAFFIC COMING,BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN SOME CLOSE CALLS OF ME AND MY CHILDREN GETTING INTO A WRECK DUE TO THIS PIECE OF $#*$.THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF, SO MY HUSBAND HAD TO TAKE THE LIGHT BULBS OUT: ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN OR UP. THIS THING IS SO BAD I WISH JIMM SKINNER FORD WOULD HAVE JUST KEPT THE PIECE OF $#*$. *NM

FOUR OF FIVE LUGS:NUTS DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE WHEEL TO VIBRATE AND ALMOST DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECKUP AND REPAIRS. *AK

HEARD NOISE FROM ENGINE AND LOST TRANSMISSION POWER. CAR COASTED. WHEN I GOT OUT THERE WAS A LOT OF TRANSMISSION OIL ON THE GROUND. TOWED TO FORD OF UPLAND, (CALIF) . I WAS SHOWN THAT THE LOW/INTERMEDIATE SERVO COVER WAS BLOWN TO THE SIDE. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS FOUND ONE RECALL FOR 98 WINDSTAR. ACCORDING TO FORD MOTOR CO REP. MY VEH WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER 3/1/97 NAMELY ON 11/26/97 BUT FORD REP SAID IT COULD BE THE SAME PROBLEM, AS OF NOW HE NOTED MY COMPLAINT AND SAID I SHOULD CALL YOU, (NHTSA) YOU MAY BE ABLE TO CHECK FURTHER INTO THIS. THANKS *JB

THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND WAS HARD TO TURN. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A RECALL, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED FOR THE RACK AND PINION. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

CONCERNED ABOUT FUEL TANK FILLER HOSE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON STATES LOOSE FUEL CAP. FUEL CAP HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. PROBLEM PERSISTS. IS THERE A 1999 RECALL ON WINDSTAR FUEL TANKS? WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL? WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

TOOK VAN IN TO HAVE ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND COOLANT REPLACED. REPAIR SHOP SAID THE HEAD GASKETS WERE GONE. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY SAID SORRY BUT NO HELP WAS AVAILABLE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. BILL TO REPAIR ESTIMATED AT 1400 USD. VAN HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND GIVEN GOOD SERVICE. DON'T THINK HEAD GASKETS SHOULD LEAK AT 76000 MILES.*AK

VEHICLE HAS FRONT AXLE HUB AND SPEED SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO ANTILOCK WARNING SIGNAL CONTINUING TO STAY ON. *BF RECALL# 01I007000. THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION A LOUD BANG HAD COME FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LEFT FRONT SPRING EXPLODING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED ON ANOTHER OCCASION THAT THE SUB FROM HAD RUSTED BADLY. *SC

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BLOWN HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. ANTI- FREEZE WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL, CAUSING WHITE EXHAUST FUMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM OVER THE PHONE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER IT WILL COST $1500.00 TO REPAIR. THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

MY HEATING WAS WORKING INTERMITENTLY SO I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO CROWN FORD IN LYNBROOK TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE RADIATOR ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING INTO IT. COST FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $2300. THERE WAS A RECALL ON PREVIOUS YEARS VEHICLES AND THERE ARE MANY TALES OF WOE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM POSTED ON THE WEB. I DON'T BELIEVE FORD HAS FIXED THIS PROBLEM SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER 1996.*AK

CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR THAT GOT STRONGER AS TIME PROGRESSED. A BLACKISH COLOR SMOKE CAME FROM THE VENTS. THEN, THERE WERE FLAMES FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE.*AK *TC

REPORTING DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION IN 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. *BF *NM

CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VENTS AND FROM THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND SAW FLAMES. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

1: STEERING ON VEHICLE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY 2: STEERING WHEEL TAKES EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN VEHICLE LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE SOMETIMES. 3: FORD RECALLED CERTAIN VIN NUMBERED VEHICLES OF THIS MODEL YEAR, BUT MINE DID NOT GET RECALLED, BUT STILL HAS THE CONDITION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH OCCUPANTS STARTED SMELLING SMOKE THAT WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. WITHIN SECONDS OF PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE MARSHALL COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE BECAUSE THE FRONT OF THE VAN WAS SEVERELY BURNT. *AK....*AK

RECALL 01V199000 CONCERNING FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THIS RECALL A POPPING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED OR APPLYING BRAKES. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. ONCE STOPPED, AIR BEGAN TO SEEP OUT. WHEEL WELD ALONG WITH THE BRAKE LINE WERE SEVERED. CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL 00T011000,CONCERNING THIN LINER. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH 1998 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION.*MR *NM

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HEAD GASKET FAILED . AS A RESULT, A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE WAS PRODUCED. *AK *SC *JB

WITHOUT WARNING, THE SPEEDOMETER WENT FLAT AND THE ENGINE STAYED IN LOW GEAR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON WHEN I WAS TRYING TO DRIVE UP A STEEP HILL. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HE PUT A LITTLE EXTRA TRANSMISSION FLUID IN IT. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. WE TOOK IT THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A OIL & AIR FILTER CHANGE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH. WE ONLY MADE IT A FEW MILES UNTIL IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. WHEN WE HAD IT CHECKED AT THE SHOP, WE WERE TOLD IT ALSO HAS A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT. WE CALLED A "TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST" AND WERE TOLD BY THE DESCRIPTION, IT SOUNDED LIKE THE SPEED SENSOR HAD GONE OUT. WE HAD THIS VAN CUSTOM-BUILT, NO ONE ELSE HAS EVER OWNED IT. IT CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 94,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS HAD REGULAR MAINENTENCE AND HAS NEVER BEEN IINVOLVED IN A COLLISION. HAS FORD RECALLED ANY OF THIS, IT SEEMS MORE THAN THE REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR?*AK

I HAD A METALIC GRINDING NOISE WHEN I STEERED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT TIE ROD ENDS WERE BINDING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY VAN LUBRICATED AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THESE TIE RODS HAVE NO GREASE FITTING FOR LUBRICATION. I VIEW THIS AS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF LEFT UNATTENDED.*AK

THE DOOR OPEN/CLOSE INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINED ON. *AK SOMETIMES THE LIGHT REMAINED ON FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT A YEAR. *NM

BOTH FRONT TIE-RODS TOTALLY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 50,000 MILES. *LA

HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED SUDDENLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE VERY LITTLE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. AN ACCIDENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. THE COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WAS IN EXCESS OF $1,500. *LA

THREE (3) ABS SENSORS HAVE GONE BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE OWNERSHIP. EACH SENSOR COST $175.00 WITH LABOR TO REPLACE AND VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE FOR 1/2 DAY. *LA

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH WITH ONLY 47,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *LA

RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEM WITH IT. I ADDRESSED THE SELLER, AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO WARRANTY, AND SO THAT I SHOULD JUST TAKE THE VEHICLE AND TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM BY MYSELF. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I FEEL I WAS USED BECAUSE I AM POOR, AND WAS DESPERATE FOR A VEHICLE. OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM THEM HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ACTIONS CAN BE TAKEN TO CORRECT THE MATTER ANY LONGER. I HAVEN'T GIVEN A PAYMENT FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS, BECAUSE I HAVE HAD TO FIX THE VEHICLE. MAINLY TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALSO HAD STEERING WHEEL PROBLEMS, AND TIRE PROBLEMS. *LA

COOPER TIRE RADIAL TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY TO MURFREESBORO TO VISIT RELATIVES WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED. THERE WAS MUCH DAMAGE TO MY VAN INCLUDING BODY AS WELL AS FUEL LINE. NOBOY WAS INJURED BUT IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. IT HAPPENED ON INTERSTATE 24 JUST BEFORE MONTEAGLE MTN. I DRIVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. I REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A TEMPORARY AND DROVE BACK TO WALMART AT KIMBALL EXIT TO GET NEW TIRES. BECAUSE OF THE FUEL LINE DAMAGE, I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VAN AGAIN UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED.*AK

DOOR ACTUATORS FAILED IN THIS MINIVAN IN 2000. IN 2001 THE RELAY SWITCHES WERE REPLACED AND IN 2002. NOW IN 2004 THEY SAY I NEED TO REPLACE THE DOOR ACTUATORS AGAIN. AS A RESULT THE DOORS DO NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY EVERYTHING MUST BE DONE MANUALLY. *NM

A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SWAY BAR BROKE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, AND BOTH INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

THE HEAT IN THE 1998 FORD WINDSTAR (82K MILES) STOPPED WORKING... A FEW WEEKS LATER ON OUR WAY HOME FROM A 300 MILE TRIP, THE TEMPERATURE GAGE SOARED TO HOT.. WE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO CHECK THE WATER IN THE RADIATOR. WE FILLED IT (HAVING EXTRA UN-OPENED DRINKING WATER) THINKING THAT WOULD HELP UNTIL WE COULD GET TO LIT SERVICE AREA. ONCE AT THE SERVICE AREA, THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, THE OIL WAS LOW AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. MY HUSBAND TURNED OFF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND OUR NIGHTMARE BEGAN. TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION 150 MILES FROM HOME AT 9:00 AT NIGHT, OUR CHILD AND OUR GEAR, WE THEN HAD TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO STAY OR GET HOME SOME HOW. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW MADE A 300 MILE ROUND TRIP TO GET US HOME TO SAFETY. THE GARAGE WORKED WITH US OVER THE PHONE, TO FIX OUR CAR, BUT HALFWAY THROUGH, VIA CONTACT WITH FORD I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WOULD NOT HONOR ANY WORK THE GARAGE DID BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER. THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN AND TOO WARPED TO SHAVE DOWN, SO I HAD TO GET NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, FORD SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE A PROGRAM TO REIMBURSE OUR HEAD GASKET 1400.00 BILL FOR THE 1998 YEAR WINDSTAR....JUST THE 1995 WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET PROBLEM...I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE THIS ISSUE AND HOPE THAT FORD WILL OWN UP TO THEIR RESPONISIBILITY. THE "CUSTOMER RELATIONS NUMBER" INDICATED THAT THEY DON'T HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE 1998, SO THEY ARE NOT TAKING ACTION. PLEASE COMPLAIN TO FORD IF Y

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR WITH ABOUT 100,000 MILES ON IT. THE ENGINE IS GOOD, BUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT SUDDENLY SHIFTS TO LOW GEAR AND JERKS. INITIALLY, THIS WOULD HAPPEN OCCASSIONALLY, BUT NOW IT HAS REACHED A POINT THAT IT DOWN SHIFTS VERY OFTEN ESPECIALLY WHEN RUNNING AT SLOW SPEED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATES A LOT. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE PASSENGERS EXPERIENCE A VERY STRONG JOLTING FORWARD LIKE AS IF SOMEBODY STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AT HIGH SPEED. *JB A VISIT TO MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC REVEALS THAT THIS EXPERIENCE IS VERY COMMON AMONG FORD TRANSMISSIONS ON VARIOUS CARS. IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1,500 - $2,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION.

TRANSMISSION ON VAN WENT WITHOUT WARNING, STRANDED THE COMPLAINANT IN A PARKING LOT. VAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THSI WAS THE THRID MAJOR REPAIR TO THIS VEHICLE (REPAIRS COSTING MORE THAN $1,000 EACH). PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE IN APRIL 2001- HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT, CURRENTLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES. JUST AFTER THE DEALER WARRANTY EXPIRED THE VAN HAD PARTS REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION, THEN PARTS REPLACED IN THE DRIVE TRAIN (EXPENSIVE). ENTIRE RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENT FOLLOWED. THE REAPIRS WERE DONE WITHING 18 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. EVEN AFTER HAVING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND RIVE TRAIN REPLACED, THERE IS STILL A GROWLING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IDLES AT A STOP SIGN. VEHICLE ALSO HAS ERRATIC SHIFTING WHEN ROUNDING CORNERS AT LOW SPEEDS (CLUNKING SOUNDS AND VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN VAN DROPS INTO GEAR)- ALL OF THIS EVEN AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED! WHAT A LEMON! *AK

SURGING, LACK OF POWER, STALLING, NO START CONDITION

AT APPROXIMATELY 57,600 MILES MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR DEVELOPED AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL GARAGE AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A LEAK AT THE TIMING COVER GASKET. I HAD THIS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1453. TWO WEEKS LATER, AS I WAS DRIVING TO A BASEBALL GAME, MY CAR BEGAN TO STALL. IT WAS HARD TO START, AND THE OIL LIGHT WAS FLICKERING WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND THERE WAS A LOUD RATTLE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS NORMAL, NO RATTLING SOUNDS FROM THE ENGINE,ETC. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY LOCAL GARAGE. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE RATTLING NOISE AS COMING FROM THE LOWER BEARINGS, THE ENGINE BEARINGS WERE FAILING AT 57,800 MILES!!!! I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE WINDSTAR AND ASKED THEM IF THERE WERE ANY OPEN PROGRAMS ON THE ENGINE, SINCE WHEN THE TIMING COVER GASKET HAD FAILED, I HAD SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE( IT WAS). THE FORD DEALER WAS NO HELP, I THEN CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE NO HELP. I THEN WROTE A LETTER TO WILLIAM CLAY FORD AND HE HAD A BLAINE YUNG CALL ME ON 5/8/2004. MR. YUNG WAS ALSO NO HELP, QUOTING THAT THE WARRANTY WAS 3 YRS./36,000 MILES. MEANWHILE I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AT A COST OF $4200, NEW REMANUFACTURED ENGINE, TUNE-UP, ETC. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEFECT ON THE TIMING COVER GASKET WHICH CAUSED THE ORIGINAL ANTIFREEZE LEAK, LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAUSED THE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS CAR HAS B

MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR HAD A FAILURE OF THE FRONT LEFT LEAF SPRING. THE RESULTING DAMAGE WAS AT LOW SPEEDS BUT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. IN DEC 2001 I HAD THE RECALL BY FORD ACCOMPLISHED TO INSTALL A GUARD ON THE LEAF SPRINGS. THIS GUARD WAS INSTALLED TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE. THIS FIRST RECALL WAS A "SAFETY RECALL" AND THE FIX FOR THAT RECALL WAS INEFFECTIVE. THIS SHOULD BE A FULL OUT SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THESE SPRINGS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. IT SHOULDN'T TAKE A DEATH TO CHANGE THE POLICY ON THESE SPRINGS. I BELIEVE THIS FAULT TO BE MORE RELATED TO A MATERIAL DEFECT THEN A RUST OR CORROSION PROBLEM. I HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES ON MY WINDSTAR AND I INSPECT IT PERIODICALLY FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE. THESE SPRINGS HAVE LITTLE OR NO REST NOR DID THE SPRING AT THE POINT OF BREAK. WITHOUT DETAILED INSPECTION MICROSCOPES A MINUET CRACK COULDN'T BE SEEN WITH THE EYE. THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS NOTED IN THE COMPLAINT SECTION WITH OVER 77 COMPLAINTS. JUST THINK OF THE PROBLEMS THAT AREN'T REGISTERED ON THIS SITE. I'M ONLY CONCERNED FOR THE UNSUSPECTING FAMILY WHO HAS NO IDEA THAT THESE SPRINGS WILL FAIL IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. FORD WILL ONLY REPLACE THEM IF THEY BREAK. THEY WILL BREAK AS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I FEEL THE SAFETY COUNCIL SHOULD REVISIT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SOME VIDEO OF THE DAMAGE TO MY SPRINGS AND TIRE FOR PROOF IF THERE IS ANY NEED FOR SUCH EVIDENCE IN AN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION. LET ME RESTATE MYSELF THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS

CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS AND LOCKS BECAUSE OF THE DOOR AJAR MONITOR. ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED AND DOOR ALARM MONITOR REMAINS ON WHICH CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON AT ALL TIMES. HAVE TO REMOVE #29 FUSE JUST TO GET INTERIOR AND DOME LIGHTS TO SHUT OFF, EVEN AFTER IGNITION IS OFF AND KEY REMOVED. OTHERWISE BATTERY WILL DIE AS LIGHTS DO NOT GO OFF AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. DRIVING WITH DOME LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ON IS A VERY BIG SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. HOWEVER REMOVING THIS FUSE ALSO RESULTS IN LOSS OF ELECTRIC WINDOW FUNCTION WHICH SHOULD ALSO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AT LEAST FOUR YEARS. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, IT WOULD STOP FOR A SHORT WHILE AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY ACT UP AGAIN. I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND PURCHASED IT NEW IN 1998. I FEEL THESE PARTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE CORRECTLY TO BEGIN WITH AND/OR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO BE REPAIRED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND WITH OUT ANY WARNING REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SNAPPED OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM BROKE. *AK

THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED A WHILE AGO TO INSTALL A PROTECTIVE SHIELD BETWEEN THE COIL SPRINGS AND THE TIRE, SO THAT IF THE SPRING FAILED THE TIRE WOULD NOT BE DAMAGED. THIS MODIFICATION DID NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED. WE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE SPRING AS WELL AS THE SHIELD WHICH SHREDDED THE TIRE AND DAMAGED A BRAKE LINE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THEIR RECALL, THIS IS A REPREHENSIBLE ACT ON THEIR PART.*AK

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TWO YEARS AGO FOR COIL SPRING RECALL REPAIRS. A SPRING SHIELD WAS PUT INTO VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE TIRES FROM BEING PUNCTURED. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH COIL SPRING PUNCTURED A TIRE. RECALL REPAIRS DID NOT WORK, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK

DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON, DOOR AJAR BELL RINGS CONTINUALLY WHEN PARKED OR DRIVING UNDER 17 MPH, INTERIOR WILL NOT GO OFF, PROBLEM SEEMED TO COME AND GO BUT NOW IT SEEMS TO BE HERE FOR GOOD. UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. *JB

THE HEAD GASKET ON MY 1998 FORD WINSTAR 3.8L ENGINE HAS FAILED AT 90,000 MILES, WELL SHORT OF WHAT I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED. IT APPEARS THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR OLDER 3.8L ENGINES WHICH HAVE HAD HEAD GASKET FAILURES, BUT NOT FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. I AM REGISTERING THIS COMPLAINT IN THE EVENT THAT OTHER FORD OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.

DOOR AJAR LIGHTS COME ON EVEN WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SECURELY CLOSED. THE LIGHTS CONTINUE EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. EVENTUALLY, SOMETIMES AFTER A DAY, THE LIGHTS GO OUT ON THEIR OWN.

I OWN A 1998 FORD WINSTAR. I BOUGHT IT TWO YEARS AGO AND A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT GOES ON WHEN I OPEN THE SLIDER OR THE TRUNK AND IT WON'T GO OUT THEREFORE MY DOME LIGHT STAYS ON AND IF I DON'T PULL THE FUSE I RISK THE CHANCE OF LOOSING MY BATTERYAND WHEN THE FUSE IS OUT I CAN'T OPEN MY WINDOWS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SEPERATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO ALL FIVE STUDS SNAPPING OFF.*MR

1998 FORD WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET FAILURE WITH VEHICLE JUST OVER WARRANTY COVERAGE STATUS. NORMAL MAINTENANCE RECORD AS WELL AS DRIVING TECHNIQUES/HABITS. *NM

PASSENGER MIRROR GLASS JUST FELL OUT. INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT SHUT OFF WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN GEAR.*AK

HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY INTERIOR LIGHTS AND SENSOR SHOWING THAT YOUR DOOR IS OPEN DOES NOT TURN OFF. EVEN ALL THE DOOR ARE CLOSED. SOMETIMES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS GO OFF BUT THE BEEPING NOISE DOES NOT STOP.*AK

WE HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR, THE DOOR SWITCH, IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN THE DOORS ARE SHUT, THE LIGHT SHOWING THE DOOR OPEN, THE DOOR LOCKS WILL UNLOCK, AND THE IN SIDE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON. I HAD NEW REAR DOOR LOCKS REPLACED, MY WIFE SAFETY IS A FACTOR IF YOU LEAVE THE INSIDE LIGHTS ON, THE BATTERY WILL FAIL, IF YOU TAKE THE FUSE OUT, THEN THE WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK.*AK