1999 Ford Windstar complaints

OUR 1999 WINDSTARS IDLING WHILE STATIONARY IN PARK OR WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED WOULD BECOME ERRATIC AND STALL, WITH BRAKES DEPRESSED WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT VEHICLE IN N TO TRY TO KEEP RPMS UP, VEHICLE STALL WHEN STARTED TO WARM UP THEN START UP AFTER TURNING KEY OFF THEN BACK ON THEN THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT WE HAD TO GET THE WHOLE FUEL SYSTEM MINUS THE GAS TANK REPLACED(PUMP, FILTER,SENDING UNIT) BUT WHEN IT WAS REPAIRED WE DIDNT GET THE FUEL GAGE BACK AND THE MECHANIC COULDNT FIND WHY. THEN WE HAD STATIC COMING THRU THE SPEAKERS WHILE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING AND JUST STOPPED AS SOON AS STARTED, THEN OUR BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY DEAD WE HAD JUST BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY SO WE HAD TO UNHOOK AND HOOK UP THE CABLES EVERYTIME WE DROVE OR BATTERY WOULD DIE .THEN THE INTERIOR LAMPS WOULD NOT GO OFF AT TIMES WE HAD TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE OFF ON THE DIAL AT ALL TIMES THEY WOULD SOMETIMES COME ON WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AND NOT GO OFF. THEN WE STARTED HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS FROM THE ABS SENSOR TO EXCESSIVE FLUID LOSS AND PADS(TWICE WITHIN A COUPLE MONTHS) AND DRUMS NEEDING COMPLETELY REPAIRED BRAKE LIGHTS THAT WOULDNT GO OFF EXCEPT WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF ABS SENSOR FLASHING/STAYING ON, WE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING VEHICLE BUT WHEN WE TOOK IT IN STARTER, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY WERE FINE IT WOULD TAKE 30 MINS OR MORE TO GET VEHICLE TO START BUT IT WOULD CRANK OVER, ONE DAY IT STALLED AND WOULDNT START WE TOOK IT IN AND WERE TOLD THE FP(9 MOS OLD) AND PCM FUSE WAS BLOWING. WE HAD THE F

APRIL 2008 LOST FUEL PUMP, AND GUAGE FOR GAS LEVEL HAD FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT AND FILTER REPLACED BUT GAUGE DIDNT COME BACK IT STAYED ON AS A LOW FUEL LIGHT PERMANENTLY. BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OR EXCESSIVE USE BY BRAKING SYSTEM HAD TO FILL ABOUT ONCE WEEKLY BRAKES THOUGH THEY HAD BEEN REPLACED WOULD JUST GO OUT WITH NO WARNING ABS LIGHT WASNT INDICATIVE DUE TO FACT ITS LIGHTING UP AND STAYING LIT WAS ERRRATIC. REPLACED BRAKING SYSTEM AND FRONT END COMPONENTS (LINKAGE PINS GONE, ROTOR THAT HAD GOTTEN VERY HOT AND POSSIBLY STARTED ON FIRE DUE TO BRAKES GOING OUT AND HEAVY BREAKING NEEDED TO AVOID ACCIDENT DEATH HAD TO PUMP BRAKES RAPIDLY TO TRY TO STOP SOMETIMES UNABLE TO STOP BRAKE PEDAL WOULD STICK ON HARD PUMPING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR LOCK ENGAGED AND UNABLE TO ENGAGE. *TR

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SEL WITH TRACTION CONTROL THAT I PURCHASED NEW JANUARY OF 1999. IT HAS NEVER BEEN OUTSIDE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND IS STORED INSIDE. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 140,000. THIS ABS PROBLEM STARTED AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED AT APPROX 39,000 MILES. THE VAN DEVELOPED AN "ABS" LIGHT AND "TRAC OFF" LIGHT. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS WAS A "FAULTY ABS MASTER RELAY" (CODE C1185 AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHERSREQUIRING A NEW ABS MODULE TO THE TUNE OF MORE THAN 1200$. WITH THE OTHER PROBLEMS IE: HAVING TO REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSES, INTAKE MANIFOLD, VALVE COVER, DOOR SEALS, HEATER BLEND DOOR, INTERIOR LIGHT FLICKERING, AND TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST 9 YEARS, THIS WAS ONE FIX WE ELECTED TO FORGO AS I PERFORM ALL MAINTENANCE OUTSIDE THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS SI A DEALER ONLY FIX. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS FOR YEARS WITH INTEREST AND JUST NOW DECIDED TO FILE AS THERE APPEARS TO BE THOUSANDS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. DASH LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR THE LAST 100,000 MILES. APPARENT PROBLEM AS FOUND ON WEB - ABS ECM FAILURE - ABS BRAKE LIGHT. THE ISSUE OF THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT IS CRITICAL IN THAT THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED BY FORD. THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY HEAT IN THE ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) (2C219) MODULE CAUSING EXPANSION OF A LARGE ALUMINUM PLATE (HEAT SINK) IN THE ECM WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE ECM MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD AT ALL POINTS. THE EXPANSION OCCURS WHEN THE UNIT GETS WARM ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND CAUSES INTE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A CRACK IN THE AXLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING DRIVEN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT 12/2008. THEN ON 1/31/09, THE SPEEDOMTER & ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. TAKEN TO FORD GARAGE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS

CRUISE CONTROL WIRING HARNESS STARTED TO SMOKE AND MELT. CAUGHT IT ON TIME THANK GOD. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ABOUT THIS ON OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT ON THE WINDSTARS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY KNOW IT. AND ON TOP OF THAT IT IS ABOUT $300 TO GET THIS REPAIRED AFTER IT BURNS WHICH IT IS NOT AFFORDABLE THESE DAYS. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. RECEIVED FOLLOWING CODES. C1185 C1194 C1198 C1210 C1214 C1242 C1246 C1250 C1254. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO ENTER NEUTRAL. UPON INSPECTION, FOUND THAT THE WELD THAT ANCHORS THE CONTROL ARM TO THE ENGINE CRADLE/SUBFRAME HAD BROKEN. CONTROL ARM PULLED AWAY FROM THE CRADLE AND DISLODGED THE RIGHT HALFSHAFT LEAVING VEHICLE IMMOBILE. VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. A NON-MOVING, FRICTIONLESS PART SHOULD NOT BREAK UNDER NORMAL USE. *TR

DRIVING ALONG THE NJ GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AT 60MPH, I EXPERIENCED A LOUD POPPING SOUND. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIRMAN ONLY TO FIND THAT THE SPARK PLUG AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN OUT CAUSING A MISFIRE IN THE ENGINE. *TR

PAINT PEELING OFF 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR - BROKEN REAR AXLE - VAN MADE MINOR CLUNKING NOISES AT LOW SPEED OVER BUMPS. ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VAN ACTED LIKE THE REAR END WAS LOOSE / TRACKING BADLY. A FLASHLIGHT INSPECTION AT HOME SHOWED A LARGE OPEN-GAPED CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. NEGATIVE CAMBER NOTICEABLE ON DRIVER-SIDE REAR TIRE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES ON INTERNET CAR FORUMS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS DOCUMENTING IDENTICAL AXLE FAILURES. SOME REPORTS MENTIONED TOTAL FAILURES THAT LED TO MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. THE VAN IS PRESENTLY AT A FORD DEALER PENDING REPAIR. DEALER PERSONNEL HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR WINDSTAR OWNERS THAT MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WINDSTARS ARE OFTEN USED AS SCHOOL VEHICLES. I HOPE PRESENT WINDSTAR OWNERS CAN BE NOTIFIED PRIOR TO ANY FATALITY OCCURRING. *TR

THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH ON BACK PASSENGER SIDE. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS RUST FREE FOR THE MOST PART. THE CAR HAS 80,300 MI . ITS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN LEFT REAR TIRE NEAR INSTANTLY DEFLATED CAUSING TOTAL TIRE FAILURE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. TIRE SIDEWALL WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. SPARE INSTALLED. NO PUNCTURES, TEARS OR CUTS WERE FOUND ANYWHERE ON THE TIRE TREAD OR SIDEWALL. THE ONLY KNOWN CAUSE OF THE TIRE FAILURE WAS A CRACKED (CUT) VALVE STEM IN THE AREA WHERE THE STEM SEATS AGAINST THE ALUMINUM WHEEL ALLOWING AIR TO EXHAUST QUICKLY FROM THE TIRE ONCE THE CRACK PROPAGATED TO INSIDE. PHONED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FOUR NEW REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE INSTALLED 3 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AND 23,170 MILES PRIOR TO DISCUSS THE BLOWOUT ISSUE. IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THIS IS THE 4TH TIRE OUT OF 8 THAT I HAD PURCHASED FROM THEM (THREE ON MY OTHER VEHICLE AND ONE ON THIS VEHICLE) WHERE I HAD TIRE FAILURE DUE TO CRACKED VALVE STEMS. REFERENCE ODI #'S 10254187, 10254189 AND 10254191). CRACKED VALVE STEM INFORMATION; TR 413, 217 EHA, GERMANY, 03. TO DATE, THE TIRE AND VALVE STEM HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AND ARE BEING SAVED FOR REFERENCE. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE FAILED PENNSYLVANIA STATE INSPECTION,DUE TO ROTTING METAL ON FRONT SUBFRAME,LOCATED NEAR WERE CONNECTION TO UNI-BODY EXIST. SUBFRAME HAS ROTTED A HOLE AND IS CONTINUING TO DETERIORATE. PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

I AM SEEING AN INTERMITTANT YELLOW ABS LIGHT COME ON ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE 3.8 LITER. IT COMES AND GOES, AFTER SEEING THE PICTURES OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN AND THAT MY INDICATIONS ARE SYMPTOMATIC OR THIS I HAD TO REPORT IT. THE BRAKES ARE STILL WORKING AND THE LIGHT DOES NOT REMAIN ON CONTINUALLY. I WILL TAKE IT IN TO HAVE IT FIXED AND WAIT FOR YOUR FINDINGS. *TR

BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING DOWN WIRES CAUSING FUSES TO BLUE ALONG WITH OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS. *TR

THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AND ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALL AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD QUIT WORKING THE RECENT PAST. WE FOUND A WEBSITE IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM STATING THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR FORD WINDSTARS. *TR

ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED AND BROKE APART. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, I HEARD A THUMP COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. I THEN FELT THE STEERING WHEEL GO FROM THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION TO THE 3 O'CLOCK POSITION. I STOPPED THE MINIVAN AND GOT OUT TO INSPECT THE UNDER CARRIAGE. I FOUND THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED THROUGH A FEW INCHES FROM WHERE IT BOLTS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE S NO LONGER SAFE AND IS CURRENTLY AT THE REPAIR SHOP BEING INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN A SUBFRAME RUST THROUGH AS IT DID. THE VEHICLE HAS ONE OWNER AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. PICTURES AVAILABLE AT REQUEST. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS MELTED. THE FAILURE LED TO A SMALL FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. HIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE MELTED WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 162,000. UPDATED 12/02/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/03/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY FAILURE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE FOR THE SAME FAILURES (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING), (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL). SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 12-15-08 *BF UPDATED 12/17/08. *JB

BRAKE LEAK UNDER MASTER CYLINDER. CAN APPARENTLY CAUSE OTHER ITEMS TO FALTER IF NOT FIXED AND CAN EVEN CAUSE FIRE IN THE ABS CIRCUITRY. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT, TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND FOUND THE REAR ELECTRONIC MODULE BAD. REM COSTS $740 FOR REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE? THIS IS A DISGRACE THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY MAKES ALL OF THESE TERRIBLE ENGINEERING ENHANCEMENTS FOR THEIR BOTTOM LINE BUT WILL NOT PRODUCE CARS THAT ARE MORE FUEL EFFICIENT TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING. WHAT A JOKE THIS SITUATION IS AND HOPEFULLY, THE NHTSA DOESN'T OVERSEE THESE SENSELESS DESIGNS AND APPROVES THEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUBFRAME SUDDENLY FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE AXLE TO PULL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CENTERED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE MAIN ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *CN UPDATED 11/21/08. *JB

WE HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, ABS LIGHT ON, DOORS WONT UNLOCK, ODOMETER DOESN'T WORK, NOW BLINKERS ARE NOT BLINKING LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF, HAD TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY. WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS. WE HAVE AN ELECTRICAL MESS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT CURRENTLY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V261000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT RANDOM IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHT TO DIM. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN OFF FOR 4-5 MILES BEFORE ILLUMINATING AGAIN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH WAS OPEN, SO HE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT THE HATCH. ONCE HE GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE, HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE THAT NEVER OCCURRED IN THE PAST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND A MECHANIC REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUN GEAR WELLS IN THE TRANSMISSION BECAME DETACHED, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 144,000.

PULLED UP TO AN INTERSECTION, PUT THE VAN INTO PARK, GOT OUT TO CLOSE THE REAR HATCH. GOT BACK INTO THE VAN PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND I HEARD A LOUD THUNK AND THE VAN ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC. I HURRIED UP AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND THANK GOD IT WORKED. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR MOVING AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE SHOP THAT'S REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION SAID THAT THE (SUNGEAR) WELDS HAD BROKE AND THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL FORD WINDSTARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF BROKEN WELDS ON THE SUNGEAR. IT SEEMS THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS, BUT HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY RECALLS FOR THEIR DEFECTS OF THESE BAD WELDS ON THE SUNGEARS OR THE OTHER DEFECTS IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

ON THE WINDSTAR THE ABS RELAY SHORTS OUT PUTTING A SMALL HOLE IN THE UNIT AND LEAKS BRAKE FLUID. I HAVE MET OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A LOT OF THEM. IT COST ME OVER $200 TO FIX AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM ON FORD TRUCKS AND WAS RECALLED ON THEM BUT NOT THE VANS YET. *TR

ABS LIGHT ALMOST CONSTANTLY ON IN MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX, 3.8 LITER. *TR

BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT OF THE SPEED CONTROL BRAKE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *TR

ABS MODULE SYSTEM FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO PRESSURE SWITCH LEAK. ACCORDING TO FORD, 1999 MODEL YEAR WINDSTAR IS NOT PART OF RECALL BUT MY VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS OTHER MODEL YEARS AS LISTED ON THE WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALLINFO.COM WEBSITE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AFTER COMPLETING A TURN. HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

ABS DASH LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY ,, SEEMS MORE FREQUENT WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. ABS DOES NOT WORK WHEN LIGHT IS ON... BUT DOES WORK WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS NOT ON. ... DIAGNOSTIC FAULT = C1185 ... REAR BRAKES REPLACED, FAULT CODE CLEARED ... ERROR AND WARNING LIGHT RETURNED WITHIN 30 SECONDS AFTER PICK-UP FROM FORD SERVICE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BEFORE IT WAS FINALLY REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 627927 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,306. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF AND DIDN'T IDLE PROPERLY. UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE COIL SPRING AND TIRE WERE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB

I WAS IN MY GARAGE. I PLACED THE WINDSTAR IN PARK. I LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING, OPENED MY DOOR AND WALKED TO THE BACK OF THE VAN. I HEARD A CLUNK WHICH APPARENTLY WAS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THE VAN IMMEDIATELY TOOK OFF AND THE DOOR CAUGHT ME AND SLAMMED ME INTO THE GARAGE WALL AND BROKE BACKWARDS. IT DRUG ME OUT THE GARAGE AND I FELL OFF. THE VAN THEN PROCEEDED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY ACROSS THE STREET. IT DAMAGED THE NEIGHBORS YARD, MAIL BOX, CABLE BOX AND SHRUBS. IT SLOWED ON A BERM AND I WAS ABLE TO JUMP IN AND STOP IT. I MOVED IT FROM REVERSE TO PARK, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WITH BRUISES AND SPRAINED WRISTS. *TR

I HAVE A RED BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATING, AND MY CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING. THE BRAKE SWITCH JUST BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS EVIDENCE OF LEAKAGE AND IT IS SEEPING ONTO THE WIRING AND SPEED CONTROL BOX. IF IT CONTINUES WITHOUT SERVICE SERIOUS DAMAGE IS EMINENT. *TR

FOR THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING ISSUES WITH MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR: 1. ABS LIGHT COME ON AND OFF...NOW STAYS ON 2. RED EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. 3. INTERIOR LIGHTS AND LOCKS WORK WITHOUT PRESSING A SWITCH. IN LAST MONTH: SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING A/C STOPPED AT SAME TIME THESE ISSUES SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR......WHAT CAN YOUR AGENCY DO TO MAKE FORD CORRECT THIS SITUATION SINCE THE MECHANICS DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT AN ECONOMICAL SOLUTION. THANK YOU. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR WAS OBSERVED PRODUCING SMOKE WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AT 7:00AM 7/31/08 (THE VEHICLE WAS LAST DRIVEN AROUND 8:00PM THE PREVIOUS EVENING). THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND DRIVEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPORTED THE ABS UNIT HAD BURNED AND APPARENTLY SMOLDERED OUT ON ITS OWN. THE ABS UNIT WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED TO CONTACT A FORD DEALER TO SEE IF THE ITEM WAS UNDER RECALL DUE TO HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH THESE DEFECTS. HOLMAN FORD (MT. LAUREL, NJ) SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE. NOTE: ROUGHLY 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CRUISE CONTROL, AIR CONDITIONER, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC ITEMS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE SERVICE MECHANIC OBSERVED THE CRUISE CONTROL UNIT APPEARED BURNED. *TR

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT ENGINE SHIFT WHILE DRIVING. THE GARAGE INDICATED THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE CRADLE HAD RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHIFT. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY, THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. HE SAID IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE STUCK OR RUSTY, WE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE VAN IN ABOUT 7 DAYS. HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THINKING THE BRAKES WOULD RELEASE AND THE CAR WOULD BE FINE. WHEN HE REALIZED THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE AND IT WAS SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS HE IMMEDIATELY CAME HOME AND WE INSPECTED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE AND FOUND THE COIL SPRING WAS RESTING ON THE TIRE AND RUBBING. THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER WAS APPARENT AS HE DROVE BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY. WE TOOK OF THE TIRE AND FOUND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN NEAR THE BOTTOM. WE ARE CURRENTLY GETTING ESTIMATES TO REPLACE THE ONE COIL SPRING, OUR FIRST ESTIMATE FROM A FORD DEALER WAS $400 TO $450, WITH OUT SEEING THE CAR, IT IS NOT DRIVABLE. WE ARE UNCERTAIN AT THIS TIME IF THE TIRE ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR IF THERE IS OTHER DAMAGE WE CAN'T SEE. OLD PART WILL BE RETAINED BY US AFTER THE VEHICLE IS FIXED. *TR

BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING FLUID CAUSING CRUISE CONTROL NOT TO WORK AND POSSIBLY CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ECM CONTROL MODULE. ALSO A POSSIBLE RISK OF FIRE CAUSED BY THE LEAKING FLUID INTO THE WIRING FOR THE ECM CONTROL MODULE CAUSING IT TO SHORT OUT. ABS BRAKES NOT WORKING DUE TO FAULTY ECM CONTROL MODULE. PARTS HAVE BEEN PRICED,BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED YET DUE TO A LACK OF MONEY TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESET THE BATTERY IN HOPES THAT IT WAS A DEFECT. TWO WEEKS LATER, SMOKE WAS PRESENT UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AND AIR CONDITIONING FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALLS LISTED; HOWEVER, FORD STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. CURRENTLY, THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE08035) FOR THE DESCRIBED FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

OUR ABS LIGHT CONTINUE TO BE ON AND WE HAD BROUGHT IT TO THE MECHANIC SEVERAL TIME, HOWEVER WE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS ON SINCE THE BRAKES WAS ALL NEWLY CHANGED. I FOUND OUT THROUGH RESEARCHING AND THE FAILURE OF OUR SPEEDOMETER, MILEAGE COUNTER AND AC CONTROL DIED ON US YESTERDAY, 08/05/08 WHILE DRIVING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN CAUSE A LEAK AND SHORT OUT FUSE 10. SURE ENOUGH WE HAD ONE. THUS I AM WRITING TO INFORM OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED TO SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS. AND WHAT SCARES ME THE MOST IT CAN CAUSE FIRE ESPECIALLY I HAVE 2 CHILDREN ONE OF WHICH IS A TODDLER AGE WHO SITS IN A CAR SEAT THAT COULD GET CAUGHT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS AN ISSUE WITH FUSE #10 BLOWING WHICH AFFECTS THE SPEEDOMETER (DOES NOT WORK) AS WELL AS A/C WHICH ONLY BLOWS HOT AIR. THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON AND MUCH MORE INSTRUMENTATION IS INOPERABLE INCLUDING CRUISE CONTROL. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE ON A HIGHWAY IN COLORADO. MY HUSBAND AND I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE MANUAL. WE REPLACED FUSE #10 AND ALL WORKED FINE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THEN THE FUSE BEGAN BLOWING EACH TIME I TURNED ON THE CAR. WE BOUGHT SEVERAL EXTRA FUSES AS WE WERE GETTING READY TO DRIVE TO OUR NEW HOME IN ARIZONA. THIS WAS JULY 11, 2008. THE CAR RAN FOR 12 HOURS ON A NEW FUSE WITH NO PROBLEM. WE STOPPED AND RESTED FOR THREE HOURS AND CONTINUED OUR ROAD TRIP ON JULY 12TH. THE FUSE BLEW WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND SEVERAL NEW FUSES NEVER GOT IT TO WORK AGAIN. I HAD TO DRIVE THE LAST LEG (FOUR HOURS) OF MY TRIP WITH NO A/C (DESERT CLIMATE) AND WORST OF ALL NO KNOWLEDGE OF HOW FAST I WAS GOING. THAT WAS SCARY. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC IN TUCSON, AZ AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD SOME RECALL ISSUES AND THAT I SHOULD GO TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. I LOOKED UP RECALLS AND FOUND A WEBSITE WITH FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES. APPARENTLY, THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL FOR THEM AT THIS TIME. THEY STATE IT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. I HOPE SO AS I SPENT $1300.00 ON A/C AND HEATER PROBLEMS LAST WINTER. MY VAN HAS 115,000 MILES ON IT AND I NEED IT TO LAST ME LONG ENOUGH UNTIL I GET A NEW JOB IN ARIZONA. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME. THANK YO

ONGOING FAILURE OF FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE SPEEDOMETER/AC AND ABS. LEAK FROM UNDER MASTER BREAK CYLINDER ONTO SWITCH. FIXED BY REPAIR SHOP. 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

ABS LIGHT COMES ON IN MY VAN AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP. EACH DAY WHEN I USE THE VEHICLE THE ABS LIGHT IS NOT ON, AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP, THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I FOUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE ECM IS DEFECTIVE AND THE CIRCUIT BOARD WARPS WHEN HEATED. THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY HEAT IN THE ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) (2C219) MODULE CAUSING EXPANSION OF A LARGE ALUMINUM PLATE (HEAT SINK) IN THE ECM WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE ECM MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD AT ALL POINTS. THE EXPANSION OCCURS WHEN THE UNIT GETS WARM ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND CAUSES INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE UNIT BECAUSE THE FRAGILE BOARD IS BEING STRETCHED AND MALFORMED. THE CODE MOST COMMONLY SCANNED BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS IS CODE C1185. SEEN BY US OWNERS AS A YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT. *TR

I WAS RECENTLY DRIVING WITH MY SON IN A 1999 WINDSTAR WHEN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HOUSING BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE AND WE WENT ALL OVER THE ROAD. IF ANYONE HAD BEEN COMING THE OTHER WAY WE WOULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. EVERY MECHANIC WHO HAS LOOKED AT THE BROKEN HOUSING SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE, EVEN ON MUCH OLDER VEHICLES, AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. MOST OF THE MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO FEEL THAT A FAULTY WELD CAUSED THIS STRUCTURE FAILURE, AND THAT IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED WITHOUT INSTALLING AN ENTIRE NEW SUB-FRAME. THE FORD DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE VAN, AND THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AT THE FORD HEADQUARTERS, SAID THAT CONSIDERING THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY FROM RUST. IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR SUCH A DEFECT ON THE 1999 WINDSTAR, THAT THIS IS MY PROBLEM. IN MY OPINION, I INTERPRET THIS TO MEAN THAT FORD CONSIDERS IT ACCEPTABLE FOR THE STRUCTURE OF THEIR PRODUCTS TO HAVE A USABLE LIFE OF LESS THAN 10 YEARS. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THINK OF HOW MANY OF OUR LIVES ARE AT STAKE ON A DAILY BASIS BECAUSE OF 9 + YEAR OLD FORDS ON THE ROADS. MY WIFE IS DRIVING A 2002 FORD TAURUS. IS MY FAMILY SAFE IN IT? THIS PROBLEM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH A LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON MY PART. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS. SO WHO IS AT FAULT? I HAVE PHOTOS WHICH SHOW THE BREAK, AND CAN SEND THEM TO YOU IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. ALSO, I ST