1999 Ford Windstar complaints

ABS LIGHT KEEPS ON TURN OFF AND ON, TACKING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. REPLACED BRAKES TWICE. *TR

ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT TIMES. HAS DONE THIS SINCE ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND VAN HAS 150,000 CURRENTLY. AT FIRST IT WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS NORMAL, NOW IT COMES ON EVERY OTHER DAY OR MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY. ABS COMPUTER IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FAILURE CODES THAT ARE IN THE ABS COMPUTER: 1145RF WHEEL SPEED INPUT CIRCUIT FAILURE 1185POWER RELAY OUTPUT CIRCUIT FAILURE 1198LF ISOLATION VALVE CIRCUIT FAILURE 1194LF DUMP VALVE CIRCUIT FAILURE 1254RR ISOLATION VALVE CIRCUIT FAILURE 1246RR DUMP VALVE CIRCUIT FAILURE 1250LR ISOLATION VALVE CIRCUIT FAILURE 1242LR DUMP VALVE CIRCUIT FAILURE 1214RF ISOLATION VALVE CIRCUIT FAILURE 1210RF DUMP VALVE CIRCUIT FAILURE AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE CODES THE ABS COMPUTER HAS FAILED. THE ABS COMPUTER WILL BE DEACTIVATED UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE INSTALLED. *TR

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR. TRANSMISSION DOWNSIHFTS HARD TO 1ST GEAR AT TIMES. PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE OVER TIME. AT FIRST JUST A LITTLE BUMP FEELING BUT AFTER ABOUT 40,000 MILES GOT WORSE AND NOW AT 150,000 CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. PROBLEM OCCURS ALMOST ALL THE TIME, 95% OR MORE OF THE SHIFTS. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SERVICED WITH FILTER AND FLUID CHANGE EVERY 30, 000 MILES BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY. WILL TRY A NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH BUT MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IF THAT DOES NOT CLEAR UP THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT CURRENTLY IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ECM IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE COMPUTER BOARD IS MOUNTED ON AN ALUMINUM PLATE WHICH EXPANDS FROM ENGINE AND SUMMER HEAT, CAUSING THE DASHBOARD ABS LIGHT TO COME ON AND POSSIBLY FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE, ABS BRAKE STAYS ON, CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER WENT OUT. FUSE BLEW AND CONTINUES TO BLOW. FORD HAS A REDESIGNED BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH, BUT WILL NOT SAY IT IS A RECALL. *TR

THE FRONT SUB FRAME DROPPED DOWN DUE TO RUST AT THE REAR ATTACHING POINTS. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY & THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY OR RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES, IT COULD VERY WELL HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH ALSO KNOWN AS THE CRUISE CONTROL CUTOFF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED ON MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT OF IT WILL CAUSE A MASSIVE FIRE. I HAVE 3 KIDS AND HAVE TO DRIVE EVERYDAY THAT'S WHY IM FILING THIS COMPLAINT. I NO IM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE FORD DEALER WHO REPAIRED MY CAR SAYS HE KNOWS OF QUITE A FEW PEOPLE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR FAULTY BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH FOR CRUISE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FROM THE WEBSITE, FORD WINDSTAR RECALL: MANY OWNERS OF THESE POPULAR VANS HAVE ENCOUNTERED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS. FORD HAS NOT TAKEN ACTION TO SOLVE THESE CRITICAL PROBLEMS YET. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ADDED EXTRA FLUID IN BRAKE RESERVOIR (OVER FILLED) AND BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED TURNING ON. ABS LIGHT USED TO TURN ON ABOUT 2 TIMES A MONTHS WITH 38000 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW LIGHT TURNS ON ALMOST ALL THE TIME WITH 1400000 MILES ON THE CAR. BRAKES HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY REPLACES, CALIPERS, PADS, ROTORS AND ALL OTHER WORN PARTS. ALL FRONT SUSPENSION PARTS, INCLUDING STRUTS ARE NEW. REAR HAS NEW SHOCKS AND BRAKE PARTS AS WELL. ALL BRAKES PROPERLY BLED BUT THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUES ALMOST EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN. CAR IS DRIVEN DAILY. MPG WAS ABOUT 21MPG AVERAGE BEFORE 35K MILES BUT NOW ONLY ABOUT 17 MPG. ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAS ALL MAINTENANCE COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE - TRANSMISSION MERCON V FLUID REPLACED EACH 30K MOTOR OIL BY SCHEDULE IN MANUAL. CAR HAS HAD OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS - LIKE THE DOME LIGHT TURNING ON RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD - THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE TWO PROBLEMS ARE RELATED. ALSO THE REAR AC WOULD TURN ON RANDOMLY SINCE NEW, BUT FORD SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT - THE DASH CONTROL SWITCH FOR THE REAR AC IS INCORRECTLY MAID AND THE LEVER GOES PAST THE OFF POSITION. THIS CAUSES THE REAR AC TO RANDOMLY TURN ON AND WOULD PROBABLY BE CONSIDERED A SHORT. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 1999 FROM HUB CITY FORD IN LAFAYETTE, LA. THERE APPEARS TO BE SEVERAL ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN THE VAN THAT THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR FIX.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR FRAME SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED, NEARLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE TIE RODS FAILED AND THE TIRES ARE NOW FACING INWARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS EXCESSIVELY RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF THE REAR FRAME. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, 3.8L ENGINE. ABS BRAKE LIGHT ON, NO SPEEDOMETER, NO ODOMETER, NO AIR CONDITIONING. TOOK TO A REPAIR SHOP, THEY FOUND FUSE #10 WAS BLOWN. REPLACED THE FUSE AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME UP FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER AREA, HE REMOVED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION PLUG FOR THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. THANKFULLY THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE MY WIFE AND CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, SO NO ONE WAS INJURED. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET OF SEVERAL WINDSTARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND BELIEVE FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS PREPARING TO TURN OVER THE OWNERSHIP OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN TO MY SON. AFTER GOING OVER THE VEHICLE AND CHECKING THE FLUID LEVELS, I REMEMBERED THE FACT THAT THE VAN HAD USED AN INAPPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID OVER THE PAST MONTHS. I CHECKED THE BRAKES, LINES, CALIPERS, ETC TO FIND THE TROUBLE. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE AREAS I SHOULD SEARCH BECAUSE I HAD A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT MY E150 VAN WARNING OF POSSIBLE FAILURE AND DANGER OF FIRE FROM A CRUISE CONTROL CUTOUT SWITCH MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. I CHECKED THE FUSE BOX ON THE WINDSTAR BECAUSE MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD FAILED, I SAW A BLOWN FUSE BUT THE FUSE BAX DID NOT HAVE WHAT THE FUSE CONTROLLED PRINTED ON IT. I REPLACED THE FUSE AND STARTED THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY, I SAW AND SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. BECAUSE THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR SERVICE UNLESS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PANEL ASSEMBLY, I REMOVED THE ASSEMBLY AND SAW THAT THE WIRING TO THIS SWITCH ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER HAD BURNED. I REMOVED THE SWITCH AND IT WAS SO BURNED THAT IT FELL APART IN MY HANDS. THE SEAL IN THE SWITCH HAD FAILED AND ALLOWED THE BRAKE FLUID TO CONTACT THE SWITCH CONTACTS AND ALSO LEAK OUT. I REPLACED THE SWITCH AND WIRING AT MY EXPENSE BECAUSE THE SWITCH WAS NOT ON FORD'S RECALL LIST EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND SWITCH AS IN THE E150 WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL. *TR

STARTED HEARING A FUNNY NOISE (RUBBING OR SQUEAKING) ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE (1999 FORD WINDSTAR). MECHANIC SHOWED ME WHERE THE SUB-FRAME HAS RUSTED AND SPIT APART. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS LITERALLY SEPARATING FROM THE BACK END. HE SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN AND RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL FORD. FORD WAS NO HELP AT ALL. SAID "SORRY", BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MADE NO EFFORT WHATSOEVER TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT WITH THIS, BUT THERE DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE BEEN IF I CONTINUED DRIVING THIS. *TR

TRAVELING AT 55 MPH GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, I NEEDED TO BRAKE ASAP TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. THE CRUISE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, I TAPPED ON MY BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED THE ON OFF SWITCH DID NOTHING EITHER, SINCE I WAS GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES UNTIL THEY STARTED BURNING BEFORE I REAR ENDED THE DUMP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VAN IN NEUTRAL WITH THE ENGINE STILL RACING AND PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VAN THE IDLE WAS NORMAL. I CONTINUED ON MY WAY BUT ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. FROM THAT DAY ON THE ABS SYSTEM KEPT CAUSING PROBLEMS UNTIL MY MECHANIC PULLED THE FUSE. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AS OF TODAY I HAVE NO ABS THE CRUISE JUST HUNTS FOR POSITION WHEN ON AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHTS KEEPS FLASHING. I HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU. *TR

ABS LIGHT ON, SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER DO NOT WORK, LEAK FROM MASTER CYLINDER VISIBLE ON CONNECTORS BELOW IT. *TR

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS LIGHT (YELLOW) AND TRAC OFF LIGHT (YELLOW) COMING ON WHILE DRIVING. *TR

THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING FOR ABOUT THE PAST 6-9 MONTHS. THEY WILL COME ON AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES (WHEN CONDITIONS DON'T WARRANT THE USE OF ABS BRAKES) AND WILL STOP WORKING ALTOGETHER AT OTHER TIMES. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NOT WORKED FOR ABOUT THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF AND THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING DOWN UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER IN MY ENGINE-ALL OVER WIRES. THE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ARE CAUSING UNNECESSARY WEAR AND TEAR ON MY BRAKES MAKING CONSTANT REPLACEMENT A NECESSITY. I HAVE DISCONNECTED THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM IN MY VAN IN ORDER TO PREVENT A FIRE OR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BRAKES THAT WOULD ENDANGER MY FAMILY. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN BOTH ENDS OF THE ENGINE CRADLE ROTTED AWAY CAUSING IT FAILED INSPECTION AND CALLING FOR THE ENTIRE ASSY. TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE FOR THE PART AND LABOR ALMOST $1,000.00. THIS PART IS A VERY MAJOR PART OF THE VEHICLES UNDER STRUCTURE AND SHOULD NEVER ROT LIKE THIS. WHEN AND IF ONE OR THE OTHER, OR BOTH SHOULD BREAK OFF THE ENTIRE WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE WILL CAUSE IT TO DROP ONTO THE PAVEMENT POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH. *TR

DRIVING IN THE 93 SOUTHBOUND TUNNEL NEAR EXIT 23 THE REAR AXLE OF MY VEHICLE SNAPPED IN HALF. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET, FORD REFUSES TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR XL. AND THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF WHEN I PUT MY FEET ON THE GAS AND IT CAUSE THE VAN TO SHIFT IN GEAR VERY HARD. AND WHEN I GET OVER 55 MILES PER HOUR IT ALSO DOES THE SAME THING. IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY. THE VAN GOES INTO GEAR VERY HARD AND IT IS HARD FOR IT TO PICK UP SPEED WHEN I TAKE OFF. IT STALLS. *TR

NOT ONLY DOES MY 99 WINDSTAR STALL AND JERK AND WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED PROPERLY BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AND THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON AFTER I START THE VAN AND STAY ON AS WELL. IF I DRIVE OVER 55 THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES. WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A LIGHT THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND THE VAN WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED AND THEN IT JERKS INTO GEAR. *TR

NOT ONLY DOES MY 99 WINDSTAR STALL AND JERK AND WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED PROPERLY BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AND THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON AFTER I START THE VAN AND STAY ON AS WELL. IF I DRIVE OVER 55 THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES. WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A LIGHT THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND THE VAN WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED AND THEN IT JERKS INTO GEAR. IF I AM AT AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR OR IT WILL MAKE A REAL LOUD NOISE AND JERK INTO GEAR. IF ANYONE ELSE WHO IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WOULD LIKE TO FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I OWN A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE MILEAGE ON MY CAR IS 98,000. TWO MONTHS AGO MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT SWITCH OFF, THEN MY ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AS WELL AS MY SPEEDOMETER. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN MANY FORD WINDSTARS AND WOULD NOT EVEN WORK ON IT DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROBLEM. HE SAID WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKS CAUSING SOME KIND OF ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH ENDS UP BEING VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. IN MY RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. IT SEEMS LIKE THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK IS A DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR - FRAME NEAR PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AXLE IS RUSTED OUT. DRIVER'S SIDE NOT EFFECTED. *TR

I HAVE A 99 FORD WINDSTAR WITH THE VIN # INCLUDED IN THE SUPPOSED RECALL, BUT WHEN I WROTE FORD THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT IN THAT LIST- IT STARTS WITH 2. MY VAN HAS BEGUN TO BURN UNDER THE HOOD AND SMOKE SMELLING LIKE WIRING ON FIRE. A FIRE HAD NOT ACTUALLY STARTED. DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT DOES AND SOMEONE DOES FOR THEM TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY VAN? IT IS AT THE SECOND SERVICE STATION BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST MY FORD DEALERSHIP, WITH GOOD REASON. I HAVE IT IN FOR THE SECOND WEEK AT A SECOND SERVICE STATION WITH NOTHING TO DRIVE. HOW DO I GET THIS DONE EXPEDITIOUSLY? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS SURFACE RUST ON THE VEHICLE, BUT NOTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THE AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGES AT THIS TIME. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ

FREQUENT ABS AND TRAC WARNING LIGHTS AFTER VEHICLE WARMS UP. ALMOST ALWAYS OFF INITIALLY. *TR

FRAME RUST

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD START, BUT THEN IDLE, STUTTER, AND STALL. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE OXYGEN SENSORS AND ALL THE HOSES WERE REPLACED, INCLUDING OTHER REPAIRS. THE TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $1,700. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE, BUT NO ERROR CODE DISPLAYED WHEN A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FAMILY MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED OF A FAILURE WITH THE VALVES AND INTAKE MANIFOLD, OF WHICH FORD WAS AWARE. THE FAILURE WOULD DETER OIL FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE VALVES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STARTED HER VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE. AFTER DRIVING A BLOCK OR MORE AT 2 MPH, WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT OF THE HOOD. SHE JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SOMEONE ELSE INSPECTED UNDERNEATH HER HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING MELTED AND COULD BE UNHOOKED. HE PROCEEDED TO UNHOOK IT AND DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 114,000.

ABS BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. *TR

ABS LIGHT COMES ON MORE AND MORE OFTEN. STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE ELIMINATES THE PROBLEM FOR A WEEK OR TWO. *TR

THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN SINCE PURCHASE, BUT THEN RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS FINE, SHIFTS A LITTLE ROUGHLY INTO FIRST GEAR, BUT ALL OTHER PARTS ARE FINE. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED, AND THE LIGHT STILL FLASHES. *TR

A MULTIPLE OF TIMES (APPROX 4) HAVE TAKEN MY FORD WINDSTAR INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CONTINUING TO GLOW. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE FIRST INCIDENT WHEN I TOOK IT INTO FUTURE FORD OF ROSEVILLE BUT IT HAS BEEN AT LEAST 4 YEARS AGO. *TR

WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION THERE WAS A CLUNK FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. WHEN MOVING OFF FROM A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SUDDENLY 2"-3" OFF OF CENTER, DOWN TO THE RIGHT. DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE VAN. MECHANIC CAME TO INSPECT AND FOUND THE SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY HOLDING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED, IT HAD CRACKED THROUGH AND NO LONGER HELD THE WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. HE RECOMMENDED NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DANGER OF THE OPPOSITE SIDE FAILING AND CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE, EXTREME REPAIRS AND POSSIBLE INJURY IF OCCURRING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR LESS. THE DEALER ONLY CAUTIONED AGAINST POSSIBLE EXHAUST SYSTEM DAMAGE IF THE OTHER SIDE FAILED. THIS WAS NOT BOLTS OR NUTS RUSTING, THE MAIN SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY DEVELOPED A CRACK AND SEPARATED. I AM HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, ESTIMATED COST $1200 - $1400 DEPENDING ON THE DIFFICULTY OF REMOVING THE ASSEMBLY'S BOLTS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS PART FAIL ON A VEHICLE. 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS ATTEST TO THIS. I HAVE SEEN VEHICLE FRAMES IN JUNKYARDS 20 YEARS OLD STILL INTACT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS PART OF A VEHICLE THAT IS DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS ONLY SHOULD EVER FAIL IN AVERAGE USE. I WILL SAVE THE PART IF YOU DESIRE. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE AND ON WWW.MYCARSTATS.COM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY VALVE COVER, AND THE ENGINE NEEDED AN UPPER INTAKE AND DRIVER SIDE VALVE COVER. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $500. THE DEALER DID NOT EXPLAIN THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, WHEN THE VALVE COVER DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY, IT CAUSES OIL TO LEAK INTO THE MOTOR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,946.

REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. *TR

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATES INTERMITTENTLY (IT MIGHT BE FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN WILL SUDDENLY COME ON). WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF, THE ABS SEEMS TO RESET AND THE LIGHT WILL BE OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. THE CODE IS C1185. MY MECHANIC WANTS TO REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC PUMP AND EHCU ($1000) THE VEHICLE IS A FORD WINDSTAR 1999 SE 125,000 MILES. *TR

THE REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM AT THE PRESENT TIME IS INOPERATIVE. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO FORD 5 OR 6 TIMES FOR REPAIR. IT SEEMS TO FAIL AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT 1 TIME WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND BACKED INTO A VEHICLE THAT WAS PASSING BEHIND ME WHICH I DIDN'T SEE. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL OTHER TIMES WHEN I RELIED ON THE SENSOR TO WARN ME IF SOMEONE WAS WALKING BEHIND THE VAN ESPECIALLY SOMEONE THAT IS SHORT, I'M UNABLE TO SEE AND DEPENDED ON THE REVERSE SENSOR TO WARN ME. EACH TIME I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE REPAIR DEPT TOLD ME THAT IT IS POORLY DESIGNED. AS SOON AS THE WIRES TO THE SYSTEM GOT WET IT WOULD FAIL. THEY CHANGED THE HARNESS AND IT WOULD WORK UNTIL IT GOT WET. *TR

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED ON HIGHWAY. SUDDEN HOT SMELL COMING FROM VEHICLE. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY UNDER POWER, NO APPEARANCE OF SMOKE, FLUID, OR OTHER ISSUE. ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENTER HIGHWAY AND FOUND THAT VEHICLE WOULD GO FORWARD WITH SELECTOR IN "N"-NO OTHER GEAR POSITIONS WORKED. VEHICLE MOVED TO SAFETY OFF HIGHWAY (FORD DEALERSHIP). COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER MOVING TO DEALERSHIP. NOTE: THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE. ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 2001 WITH FORD REBUILT TRANS BY FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND THE DOOR IS OPENED, THE DOORS AND WINDOWS SOMETIMES CONTINUE TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWO OR THREE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO FIND OUT IF A SAFETY RECALL WAS AVAILABLE, BUT HE WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V351000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH) WAS THE RECALL IN QUESTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WITH JUST OVER 68K MILES. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY BEEN TOLD THAT MY WINDSTAR IS IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD IT IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS. I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1000.00 IN REPAIRS AND NOW MY TRANSMISSION JUST DROPS. WHY DO I HAVE TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION IN A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES? I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT THIS IS COMMON IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT FORD IS GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS. I AM NOT HAPPY! *TR

FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. *TR

SUBJECT VEHICLE IS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN WITH 3.8 ENGINE; THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN OPERATIONAL SINCE JULY 15, 2007 DUE TO STALLING PROBLEM. AFTER REACHING OPERATING TEMPERATURE, IT MAY STALL AT ANY TIME. AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH YOU CAN MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BUT UNDER 35 MPH VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DUE TO ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST. *TR

(1) STARTED VEHICLE AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN FOUND AND RECALLED IN MANY OTHER FORD MODELS. (2) HAD CRUISE DISCONNECTED AND TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPLACED (3) FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT SINCE MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. SERVICE TECH DID SAY THE SWITCH WAS BURNED UP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME IN REVERSE AT 35 MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE RACK AND PINION IS GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE AND THE CONTACT EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING AT THE BOOT REPLACEMENT AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST $600. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HIS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY, SO THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

I OWN A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A DEALER, AND IT HAD LESS THE 40,000 MILES ON IT. IN THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION, THE FRONT SPRINGS, STRUTS, TIE RODS AND POWER STEERING PUMP. I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $1,000 ON REPAIRS IN THE PAST YEAR. I NOW AM TOLD THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. BECAUSE OF ALL THESE ISSUES, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY VAN FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN WHO NEED TO BE DRIVEN TO SCHOOL AND OTHER EVENTS, AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DO SO WHEN NEEDED DUE TO THE CONSTANT ISSUES WITH THIS VAN. I HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND KNOW THAT THIS IS A RECURRENT, CONSISTENT ISSUE FOR THESE VANS. FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD TO PAY MONEY FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION WENT UP. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CONTROL ARM FELL OFF IN MARCH. CONSUMER AGAIN STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *KB

I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR A FEW MONTHS AGO. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. IN FACT, I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN HALF OF WHAT I PAID FOR THE VEHICLE IN REPAIRS IN ONLY 2 MONTHS. THE REASON FOR MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE MOST RECENT REPAIRS HAVE INVOLVED ITEMS THAT I FEEL ARE EXTREME SAFETY CONCERNS. 1- THE POWER DOORS ON MY VEHICLE TO NOT LOCK/UNLOCK PROPERLY, MAKING IT UNABLE TO OPEN THE SLIDING DOORS. THIS WAS LOOKED AT BY THE FORD MECHANIC TODAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DOOR LATCHES WERE BAD AND WERE "BURNING UP" THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE REASON, BUT ALSO LATELY, MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON MY DASH AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN, TWO OF THEM IN CAR SEATS AND UNABLE TO GET THEM SELVES OUT OF A CAR. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN SUCH AS AN ACCIDENT OR AN EMERGENCY SITUATION THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY CHILDREN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I AM PAYING TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AT THE TUNE OF AROUND $1,000.00 WHICH I THINK IS A REAL RIP OFF, DUE TO FORDS POORLY MANUFACTURED VEHICLE. 2. MY BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY VAN. I CHANGED THE BULB AND TESTED IT, AND DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I THEN NOTICED THAT MY REAR TAIL LIGHT IS NOW NOT WORKING. I HAD THIS CHECKED OUT BY THE MECHANIC TODAY, AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE REAR ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS GOING TO COST ME NEARLY $600 TO FIX. I'M NOT SURE WHAT WOULD CAUSE SUCH A THING TO FAIL, BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SUBFRAME FAILED AND FORCED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A FORD DEALER MADE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,000. UPDATED 01/02/08.*LJ UPDATED 12/12/07