Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1998 record →
FORD INSTALLED IMPROPER SIZE FUEL TANKS WHICH CAUSED THE WIRE IN THE FUEL TANK TO CHAFE AND SHORT OUT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING. *PH THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. *NM
THE PAINT IS LITERALLY PEELING OFF OF MY SILVER 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE PAINT ON THE ROOF IS PRACTICALLY GONE AND NOW THE TOP OF THE DOORS ARE STARTING TO PEEL AND RUST. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. ALL ESTIMATES I HAVE FOR REPAINTING STATE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *AK
OUR 1998 FIRD WINDSTAR ENGINE SIEZED
A VIBRATION BEGAN SUDDENLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. AFTER GETTING RAPIDLY WORSE, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF OF MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR AT 45 MPH WHEN THE LUG BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE GROUND. I RETRIEVED THE WHEEL AND FOUND ALL FIVE LUGS, WITH THEIR LUG NUTS STILL ATTACHED, CAPTURED BETWEEN THE HUBCAP AND THE WHEEL. THE POLICE OFFICER WHO RESPONDED REPEATEDLY STATED THAT HE WAS AMAZED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL OVER AND THAT I WAS LUCKY THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED LUGS AND NUTS POPPED OFF. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK
LUGS NUTS KEEP BREAKING OFF. HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 2 TO 3 THOUSAND MILES. USUALLY 2 TO 3 LUGNUTS BREAK OFF EACH TIME. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. WAS TOLD TO MENTION MENTION THAT THERE IS AN ONGING INVESTIGATION GOING ON WITH THIS. THE INVESTIGATION # IS 3983673 - ACTION # EA03004.*AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALL/ CAMPAIGN NOTICE 03E003000 REGARDING DS-2000 PRIMARY DRIVING CONTROL SYSTEM. CONSUMER DID NOT AGREE WITH THE CAMPAIGNS THAT THE MANUFACTURER CALLED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THESE REPAIRS WERE VERY COSTLY, AND DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WITH DIRT AND FOREIGN MATERIALS ENTERING THE SYSTEM ,AND CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO OPERATE SLOWLY. THE CONTROLS ON THE SYSTEM HAD TO BE PRESSED FIRMLY UNTIL THE FUNCTION, E.G., SHIFTING WAS ACCOMPLISHED. *AK
HEAD GASKET FAILED.*AK
POWER STEERING LEAK, BLACK POWER STEERING FLUID, LOUD WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT,BROUGHT TO MECHANIC,REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK.STILL HAVE BLACK POWER STEERING FLUID ,CAR STILL LOUD WHEN TURNING WHEEL.*AK
ENGINE RAMPED UP BY ITSELF DURING HIGH-SPEED DRIVE. *JB
LAST YEAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED AGAIN. I HAD THE VAN IN THE GARAGE AGAIN IN DECEMBER TO REPLACE THE PUMP ON THE TRANSMISSION AFTER IT BLEW APART AND LEFT ME STRANDED WHEN IT WOULDN'T GO INTO ANY GEAR. AFTER 10 DAYS THE VAN WOULD MOVE AGAIN. NOW AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND. THE VAN IS FAMOUS FOR DOWNSHIFTING FROM OVERDRIVE INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY FLASHING AND NOT WORKING. *JB
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN SHE MADE A SUDDEN STOP, HER 5 YEAR OLD CHILD'S SAFETY SEAT CAME FLYING TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT THE SAFETY SEAT ACTUALLY CAME LOOSE FROM THE SEAT BELT. THAT THE CHILD SUSTAIN SOME MINOR INJURIES (2 BUMPS ON THE HEAD) BUT NEVER CAME OUT OF THE GRACO SEAT BECAUSE IT REMAINED FASTENED. *NM THE SEAT WAS ORIGINALLY POSITION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THIRD ROW BENCH SEAT. *NM
THE FUSE IN THE FUEL PUMP BLEW OUT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE STALLED. UPON REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP, THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE WIRING IN THE FUEL PUMP. THEY NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE RUBBING AGAINST A METAL CLAMP OR PIPE , WHICH CAUSED THE INSTALLATION TO RUB OFF. *NM *JB
HEATER ON CAR WASN'T WORKING, SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. ADVISED THAT WINDSTARS WITH 3.8 ENGINES SEEM TO EXPERIENCE HEAD GASKET FAILURE WHEREIN COOLANT IS EITHER BEING BURNED OR MIXING WITH OIL AND WILL CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. ADVISED TO CONTACT FORD, NHSTA AND LOCAL DEALER. *AK
1998 FORD WINDSTAR. ABS PUMP HAS FAILED AND BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THERE WAS NO BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH TO DENOTE A PROBLEM AND NOTHING COMING UP WHEN TESTS WERE RUN ON COMPUTER. ALL MECHANICS THOUGHT IT WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER AND AS A RESULTS I HAD 5 PUT ON THE VAN FROM CHRISTMAS 2003 TO PRESENT. CALLED FORD DIRECTLY AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOTE THE PROBLEM, BUT NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CANNOT DRIVE MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE AS AFRAID OF HAVING ACCIDENT IN RESULT OF PUMP NOT FUNCTIONING. COST JUST FOR PUMP IS $2200.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. VERY UPSET THAT FORD WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND ATTEMPT TO HELP.*AK
FAILED HEAD GASKET IN 3.8L ENGINE. *AK
FUEL TANK COLLAPSE ON 1998 WINDSTAR DEALER WANTS $1300 DOLLARS TO REPLACE FUEL TANK AND ALL RELATED COMPONENTS. DEALER SAYS THIS IS BECAUSE THERE IS A VACUUM INSIDE TANK CREATED BY THE FUEL PUMP. PERFECTLY RUNNING VAN THAT HAS BEEN KEPT UP MAINTENANCE WISE IS NOW INOPERATIVE DO TO STALLING. *AK
HEAD GASKET FAILURE LEADING TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. *JB
PURCHASED A 1998 WINDSTAR ON 11/20/01. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ONLY FOUR MONTHS LATER, AT ONLY 44,000 MILES. THIS VAN CURRENTLY HAS A BUSTED HEAD GASKET AND IS INOPERABLE AT ONLY $64,000.00 MILES. THESE ISSUES WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL ARE QUITE COMMON AND WIDE-SPREAD. FOR MOTOR COMPANY IS QUITE AWARE. BOTH PROBLEMS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND PROPERTY DAMAGES. THEY ARE EXCESSIVE AND EXTRAORDINARY. *LA
CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR STATION. THE DRIVER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE FROM THE LEFT WHEEL. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT STRUTS AND COILS SPRINGS NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER 01-I-007-000 *JB
WHILE TRAVELING ON OHIO TURNPIKE FRONT LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF VEHICLE, CROSSED THE MEDIAN, AND HIT A CAR TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.*AK
THE WARNING SOUND THAT A DOOR IS AJAR WILL CONTINUALLY GO OFF EVEN WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SECURELY SHUT. I HAVE HAD THIS REPLACED TWICE AT MY OWN EXPENSE AND IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. IT WILL EVENTUALLY RESET ITSELF AFTER DAY OR MORE. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM AND I AM JUST GETTING TIRED OF IT. IT HAS HAPPENED AFTER I HAVE REPLACED THE SWITCHES, AND FUSES. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM. *CB
FUEL PUMP FUSE HAS BLOWN ON 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. *MR THE VEHICLE CEASED TO RUN WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT IT HA BEEN A NUMBER OF VEHICLE'S WITH FUEL PUMP WIRE FAILURES DUE TO DEFECTIVE VENTING SYSTEMS FOR THE FUEL TANK. THIS CAUSES THE FUEL TANK TO DEFORM, COLLAPSE AND PINCH THE WIRES TO THE INTEGRITY MOUNTED FUEL PUMP. *SC
THE PAINT ON THE ROOF OF THE VAN IS PEELING THAT IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE TOOK A CAN OPENER TO IT.
PAINT IS PEELING OFF LARGE AREAS OF ROOF AND SIDES
PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF VAN INTEROR REMAIN ON PANEL SHOWS DOOR OPEN WHEN ITS NOT AND THE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OUT UNTIL YOU REACH ABOUT 20MPH TRY DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THIS.
PAINT IS FLAKING FROM ROOF AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. PROGESSIVELEY GETTING WORSE.
I BOUGHT THIS VAN BECAUSE OF THE CLEAN CONDITION OF IT . I HAVE THE 3.0 LTR ENGINE WHICH HAS BEEN EXCELLENT. THE TRANSMISSION SO FAR IS OK. STEERING IS A DANGEROUS MESS WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING NEW AND 3 ALIGNMENTS. IF YOU TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD EVEN FOR A SECOND YOU CAN END UP IN A DITCH. MY WIFE & I BOTH WENT OFF THE ROAD IN A 1 MONTH SPAN. WE BOTH HAVE EXCELLENT DRIVING RECORDS. THE FRONT END SEEMS OK TO FORD. SOMETHING SERIOUS IS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. WON?T LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT ANYMORE. HAS A LITTLE VIBRATION THAT YOU CANNOT GET RID OF. SENDING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL OR ANY STEERING ISSUES WITH THAT VAN. HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN IN FRONT OF ME AT THAT TIME STATING THERE WAS. BUT THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. FORD DENIED THE ALL OF THE ABOVE. AM AFRAID TO SELL TO SOMEONE BECAUSE I THINK SOMEONE WILL GET HURT. DON?T KNOW WHY FORD KEEPS PUTTING IN THE SAME BAD PARTS YEAR AFTER YEAR. I HAVE HAD ALL THE DOME LIGHT PROBLEMS AND DOOR LOCKS ETC. THEY WILL STILL SAY NO PROBLEMS. BOUGHT IT USED AT A GOOD PRICE THINKING IT WAS A BAD TIRE CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. IF ACCIDENT OCCURS WILL SEEK DAMAGES
SOME TYPE OF COMPUTER CHIP FAILED THAT ENABLE THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT GEARS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME. WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT A RECALL WAS DONE ON THE PART. HOWEVER I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, THE AMOUNT OF THE REPAIR WAS UNKNOWN. NOW THE PAINT IS FALLING OFF & RUSTING EVERYWHERE! STARTED TO RUST ON TOP OF THE VAN ROOF THEN PAINT STARTED "CHIPPING" ON THE ROOF SIDE, WAS SMALL AT FIRST THEN ONE DAY WE HAD A LOT OF RAIN AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN AT THE END OF THE DAY I NOTICED A LOT MORE PAINT MISSING. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND THIS IS NOT USUAL FOR ANY OF MY CARS.
HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON 3.8 LITER V-6 ENGINE
PAINT IS PEELING ON ROOF, AND SIDES OF THE VEHICLE
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER HAVING THE FLUID AND PAN GASKET CHANGED WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 6 MONTHS. SINCE IT IS A '98 AND ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION AS EARLIER YEARS (WHOSE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER BECAUSE OF EITHER RECALLS OR SECRET WARRANTIES) FORD REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION AT COST.
I SENT THE FOLLOWING IN AN EMAIL TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND ALSO TALKED WITH THEIR "CUSTOMER SERVICE". THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DISPUTE BETWEEN THE DEALER REP AND MYSELF, AS IT WAS A FIELD DECISION. THE ORIGINAL REPAIR WAS A REBUILD OF THE DRUM BRAKE ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL, THE SAME WHEEL THAT LATER SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE SHOES. LUCKILY, WE WERE DRIVING AT OVER 35 MPH, SO THE WHEEL DID NOT LOCK UP UNTIL WE STOPPED AT A FRIENDS HOUSE. THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REBUILT AFTER THE BRAKE SIEZED. NOTE: THIS IS THE SECOND BRAKE REBUILD. THE CAR HAS ALSO SUFFERED FROM BROKEN TIE RODS. ======================================================== THE PARSONS DEALERSHIP THAT REBUILT MY RIGHT REAR BRAKE LAST OCTOBER WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE PADS, AND SUBSEQUENT COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY LAST WEEK WHICH REQUIRED REPLACING THE DRUM, IS COVERED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY (12,000 OR 12 MONTHS.) THEY SAY IT WAS DUE TO A RUSTED PARKING BRAKE CABLE THAT SEIZED. I SAY THAT IS A BIG LOAD OF BALONEY....EVEN IF IT WAS RUSTED (IN A PRETTY NEW CAR!) THEN THEY SHOULD HAVE SEEN THAT LAST YEAR. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR ON 9/20/02 WAS $639.88. I WANT FORD TO: 1) MAKE PARSONS RETURN MY MONEY, AND 2) REPRIMAND PARSONS FOR POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WILL NOT BUY A CAR FROM THEM AGAIN, NOR WILL THEY EVER SEE MY CAR AGAIN - DESPITE THEIR ADMONITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THEIR INVOICE THAT SAYS "WARRANTY 90 DAYS OR 4000 MILES ON A
AT 55,000 MILES MY 1998 WINDSTAR WITH THE 232 CUBIC INCH ENGINE, YOU GUESSED IT, BLEW A HEAD GASKET. AFTER READING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH PREVIOUS MODELS, IT LOOKS AS THOUGH FORD HAS MORE PROBLEMS A"HEAD" (SORRY HAD TO). WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE TO HELP THE OTHER CONSUMERS MAKE COMPLAINTS SO WE AREN'T OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR REPAIR COSTS THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A FORD PROBLEM? WHAT STEPS CAN I TAKE TO GET FORD TO COVER THE COSTS OF THIS REPAIR? SINCERELY, *TR
I OWN TWO 1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS, BOTH OF THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SLIDING DOOR CAUSING THE PANEL LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE CAR INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ON FOR UP TO TWO HOURS AFTER YOU HAVE EXITED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE READ IN A REPORT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE A SISTER THAT ALSO OWNS A WINDSTAR AND A BROTHER THAT JUST TRADED HIS IN. THEY HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM TO MY KNOWLEDGE. WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND HOW IS THE PROBLEM FIXED? THE DEALER'S MECHANIC WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM TOLD ME THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THIS, BUT I KNOW IT IS NOT. 12 SECOND DELAY IS NORMAL NOT TWO HOURS. I THINK HE WAS JUST AS STUMPED AS MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN WITH THIS PROBLEM. AGAIN PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN AND HOW IT CAN BE REPAIRED.
FORD INSTALLED A FORD TAURUS TRANSMISSION IN THE WINDSTAR FROM THE FACTORY. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE LAWSUIT STAGE TO MAKE FORD REPAIR THE FACTORY DEFECT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AGAIN. TOWN EAST FORD IN MESQUITE, TX FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DECIDED TO EAT THE $1000.00 PLUS REPAIR BILL AFTER THEY DISMANTLED THE TRANSMISSION AND DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. THEY NOW WANT TO GIVE ME THE RUNAROUND AND SHIFT THE BLAME TO THE USED DEALERSHIP KINGDOM AUTO WORLD IN ARLINGTON TEXAS WHERE I BOUGHT THE LEMON FROM. FORD IS CLEARLY RESPONSIBLE AND I WILL SUE THEM DEARLY FOR THEIR RUNAROUND AND POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
HEAD GASKET FAILURE. FAULTY HEAD GASKET DESIGN IN MY OPINION ABS/TRACTION CONTROL UNIT. CURRENT PROBLEM TSB STATES THAT FUEL TANK MANUFACTURED WITH INCORRECT DEPTH - FUEL PUMP WIRING IS RUBBED UNTIL ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURS - AND FUEL PUMP FUSE BLOWS - VEHICLE IS THEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC, IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ETC. FORDS RECOMMENDED FIX IS TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP ASSEMBLY HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT CONTRIBUTE ANYTHING TO THE COST OF THE REPAIRS CAUSED DUE TO THEIR FAULTY DESIGN.
REAR SWAY BAR BROKE IN HALF ON LOW SPEED TURN IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A FREEWAY EXCHANGE OR OFF RAMP THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A ROLLOVER AND POSSIBLE DEATH!
THIS VAN HAS ALL THE DEFECTS AND COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THEGOVT. RECALLS THE NHTSA SITE AND OTHERS IHAVE TOO MUCH INFO TO PUT ON THIS SITE IF THERE IS ANYONE I CAN SEND MY COMPLAINT TO PLEASE LET ME KNOW IAM PUTTING IT BACK INTO THE SHOP AGAIN IVE BEEN THRU A NIGHTMARE ALONG WITH TRYING TO ASSURE MY 4 KIDS THAT THEY WERE SAFE IN THIS VAN THANKYOU ANGELA WALLACE AND BY THE WAT THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME THIS VAN WILL NOT COOPERATE AT ALL
HEAD GASKET BLEW. NEVER RAN HOT. ALWAYS SERVICED ON TIME. TALKED TO OWNER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO IN TURN HAD ME TALK TO THE SERVICE MGR. HE TOLD ME HE WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING FORD WOULD DO ABOUT IT. HE NEVER CALLED ME BACK, SO I CALLED HIM AFTER A WEEK. HE SAID HE LEFT A MESSAGE ON MY ANSWERING MACHINE. I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWERING MACHINE...THEN HE TELLS ME THE ONLY PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.8 ENGINES WAS IN THE T-BIRDS, NOT THE WINDSTARS. BY THIS TIME I HAVE ALREADY LOOKED ON THE NET AND SEEN THE PROBLEMS ARE WITH THE WINDSTARS AS WELL. HE THEN TELLS ME TO COME IN AND TALK WITH THE OWNER. I HAD ALREADY TAKEN OFF WORK TO DO THIS. I NOW HAVE THE VAN AT MY MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. I WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY A FORD PRODUCT. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT IF FORD IS PRODUCING A FAULTY PRODUCT, THEY SHOULD TAKE THE BLAME WHEN IT TEARS UP. I KNOW FROM THE NET THAT THEY DID A REPAIR, OR TRADE IN ALLOWANCE ON SOME YEARS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT STOPPED THIS PROGRAM IN 1998. THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL. I THINK THEY TRIED TO JUST IGNORE IT AND SEE IF IT WOULD GO AWAY!
A/C OCT. 99 $168.98, DEC. 99 $134.40 SUSPENSION JULY 01 $664.61, DEC. 99 $515.85, JUN 01 $61.78, BODY JUN 01 $443.61 OTHER CD PLAYER JUN 01 $19.50 AND $366.86 TURN SIGNAL JAN 02 $161.04 DOME LIGHT JAN 02 $84.02 JAN 02 $89.72 DOOR OCT 99 $134.52, MAR 03 $285.07 STEERING SEPT.02 $258.82, MAR. 03 569.32 COMPUTER CONTROLS SEPT. 00 $106.02 ENGINE JAN 02 $784.75 COOLANT SMELL (FOUND FRONT COVER GASKET LEAKING) SEPT. 02 85.95 (TOLD THROTTLE BODY WORN OUT, SOLD ME UPDATE COMPUTER SOFTWARE, SEAMS TO RUN BETTER) CURRENTLY IN SHOP FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A/C SYSTEM INTERMITTENT. MECHANIC FOUND ENGINE PROBLEM, SAYS MAIN BEARINGS OR CRANKSHAFT BAD, POSSIBLY DUE TO COOLANT IN OIL SYSTEM FROM JANUARY 02 PROBLEM
IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS WE HAVE HAD THE WHEEL BOLTS ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BREAK OFF SIX TIMES. THE LAST TIME, THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE WHEEL. THAT WAS DONE IN MAY 2003 AND NO PROBLEM SINCE WITH THAT WHEEL BUT ITS ONLY BEEN TWO MONTHS. NOW IN JULY 2003 WE HAVE HAD THE BOLTS BREAK ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TWICE! ON JULY 22 2003, WE HAD A NEW WHEEL AND ALL FIVE BOLTS REPLACED ON THE LEFT FRONT. ONE WEEK LATER THE VAN IS AGAIN AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THREE BOLTS HAVE BROKEN ON THE NEWLY REPLACED LEFT FRONT AGAIN.
THE FIRST ITEM LISTED UNDER OTHER WAS FOR A POWER STEERINGN LEAK, WHICH ENDED UP BEING A POWER STEERING RACK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR HAD JUST GONE OUT OF WARRANTY, SO A PORTION WAS PAID FOR BY FORD. I ALSO HAD TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WHEN THE NEW RACK WAS PUT IN. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE IT AND IT WAS MAKING THE SAME NOISE AS BEFORE. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEY ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE RETURN HOSE FOR THE POWER STEERING. THEY SAID THEY MISSED THAT AND DIDN'T CHARGE ME ANYMORE. MY SERVICE ADVISOR IS AN EXTREMELY NICE AND UNDERSTANDING PERSON. AUGUST 2003 PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES AND MASTER CYLINDER. THE CAR IS NOT AT A FORD DEALER. THAT REPAIRIS 615.00. I HAVE MORE PROBLEMS, BUT THESE ARE THE TWO BIG ONES AND THE BRAKES ARE THE CURRENT ISSUE.
ON OCTOBER 1, 2003 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 23,956 MILES. IT NEUTRALIZES AT 10 MPH OR HIGHER. CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I COULD BRING IT IN FOR REPAIR. THEY WOULD NOT COOPERATE WITH PROVIDING ME THE NAME AND MEANS OF CONTACTING THE ZONE REP. REPAIR COST AT $1800.00 WITH TRANSMISSION SHOP.
I PURCHASED MY 1998 WINDSTAR WITH APPROX 20,000 KM ON IT IN 1999. JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED (AT 60,000 KM) I NOTICED 2 LARGE BUBBLES IN THE PAINT ON THE TWO FRONT DOORS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY AGREED TO PAY 80% OF THE COST OF REPAINTING. THIS WAS NOT ENTIRELY AGREEABLE TO ME BUT I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE. MY VEHICLE HOW HAS 86,000 KM ON IT AND THE PAINT IS PEELING ON THE ROOF AND AROUND THE SLIDING DOOR. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CANADA BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM AS YET. OTHER PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED INCLUDE HAVING TO REPLACE A MOTOR FOR THE POWER WINDOWS, THE FAN MECHANISM (THE BLOWER WOULD NOT MOVE OFF OF DEFROST), A LEAKING BRAKE CYLINDER AS WELL AS WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER STANDARD MAINTENANCE SUCH AS BRAKES, TIRES. I AM ALSO HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EG. THE WARNING BELL SIGNALLING THAT THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN LEFT ON OR THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION GOES OFF FOR NO REASON. THIS THEN PREVENTS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO LOCK THE VEHICLE.
WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VAN, WE ALSO BOUGHT A DIAMONDKOTE WARRANTY ,FOR 499.99$ AND TOLD AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THAT IS WAS A GOOD WARRANTY.WE THEN FOUND OUT THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD THE WARRANTY AND PLAZA FORD LINCOLN WILL NOT HONOR IT, WE CAN'T EVEN GET A REFUND, SO WE SPOKE TO SOMEONE AT DIAMONDKOTE AND THIS PERSON TOLD US THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD THE WARRANTY AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A REFUND EVER SINCE,EITHER FROM PLAZA FORD LINCOLN OR DIAMONDKOTE. I HAD INTENTIONS OF SUING FORD MOTOR COMPANY TWO YEARS AGO WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK MY TWO DAUGHTERS TO HALIFAX, BECAUSE MY 8 YEAR OLD HAD CANCER AT THE TIME, SHE HAD A APPOINTMENT AT THE I.W.K HOSPITAL AND IT WAS BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT THAY WERE NOT KILLED WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENTION SPRING BROKE IN WHICH CASE MY HUSBAND LOST STEERING. I SPOKE TO A LAWYER WHO SADLY TOLD, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DEATH OR INJURY THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO,WELL MY 8 YEAR OLD WHO IS NOW CANCER FREE WAS SO SCARED, SHE STILL GETS VERY SCARED TO GET IN A VEHICLE. I COULD GO ON BUT FOR NOW THIS IS JUST THE BEGINING. I AM GOING TO PURSUE THE MATTER OF THE DIAMONDKOTE WARRANTY FURTHER,AND POSSIBLY MORE.WE HAVE HAD ALOT OF VEHICALS BEFORE BUT NEVER A FORD WITH AS MUCH TROUBLE AS THIS HAS BEEN.
I CURRENTLY OWN A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAVE HAD THIS VAN FOR TWO YEARS. I BOUGHT IT WITH 38000 MILES ON IT AND NOW HAVE 66000 MILES ON IT. UP TILL ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I HAD NO PROBLEMS AS I HAVE LOVED THIS VAN. BUT I DID RUN INTO A PECULIAR PROBLEM THAT SEEMS THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THIS VAN AS I HAVE CHECKED NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND WEB POSTS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS MY FRIENDS THAT HAVE FORMERLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE. THE DOOR AJAR CENSOR INSIDE THE DOORS WEAR, CAUSING THE COMPUTERS TO RECOGNIZE THE CAR DOORS TO BE SHUT. THIS EMITS A BEEPING SOUND THAT STEADILY BEEPS TILL YOU RISE ABOVE 15 MPH. ALSO, THE LIGHTS STAY ON AND SINCE FORD BUILT THESE VANS ALL THE SAME WAY, YOU CANNOT SIMPLY FIX IT WITHOUT SPENDING AT LEAST 500 DOLLARS IF YOUR LUCKY. ALSO, ANOTHER PROBLEM HAS RISEN JUST RECENTLY. MY TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED TO SLIP. I EXPECTED NORMAL WEAR-AND-TEAR, BUT IT SEEMS THAT WHEN YOU REACH A CERTAIN THRESHOLD, AS MANY OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED ONCE HITTING 65000 MILES ON THIS PARTICULAR VAN, THE TRANSMISSION GOES COMPLETELY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND AN AWARENESS TO FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN THEIR NEWER VANS, IF A PROBLEM EMERGED AND TO FUTURE BUYERS OF THIS YEAR OF VAN. THIS HAS COST ME OVER 2500 DOLLARS AND I MUST ADMIT, IS NOT WORTH IT. THIS VAN IS BY FAR THE WORST INVESTMENT I HAVE EVER MADE, AND I DO NOT RECOMMEND BUYING ONE. THANK YOU.*AK
SEE 10053790 *TC
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITHOUT WARNING CONSUMER SMELLED GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK THE SEAL BETWEEN THE GAS TANK AND THE FUEL PUMP FAILED BECAUSE THE GAS TANK COLLAPSED. THE GAS TANK WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER. THE FUEL GAUGE ACCURACY PROBLEM THAT WAS CORRECTED WHEN THE NEW GAS TANK WAS INSTALLED. *SCC
CONSUMER OWNED A 1998 WINDSTAR THAT LOST LUGS IN THREE INSTANCES SINCE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT REPLACING THE LUGS WAS NOT A SOLUTION SINCE THE LUGS ON THAT TIRE WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE LUGS WON'T REMAIN TIGHT. OVER TIGHTEN THEM AND THEY WOULD BREAK. UNDER TIGHTEN THEM ,AND THE LUGS NUTS WOULD LOOSEN, AND THEN LUGS WOULD BREAK. THERE WAS NO MIDDLE GROUND EXCEPT TO CONSTANTLY CHECK THEM FOR TIGHTNESS. *AK
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1998 Ford Windstar → · Every Windstar year → · How the figures are calculated →