1999 Ford Windstar complaints

STARTED THE CAR AND SMALL AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE ENGINE HOOD. THE ODOMETER IS NOW ALL DASHES, SPEEDOMETER STAYS AT 0, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS INOP. #10 FUSE BLEW. REPLACED AND SAME THING RECURS. *JB

FIRST: WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE IN NC OUR VAN DIED. AFTER SAFELY PULLING OVER, CROSSING 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, WE HAD THE VAN TOWED HOME TO VA AND THE MECHANIC SAID HE CHANGES 7-8 TRANSMISSIONS A WEEK IN FORD WINDSTAR VANS. WE HAD FALLEN VICTIM TO THIS. WE STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE O/D LIGHT COMING ON AND HAVING TO ADD TRANSMISSION FLUID FREQUENTLY. SECOND: OUR VAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS DIM AND BLINK AT RANDOM. THE ALERT WILL ALSO COME ON SAYING ONE OF THE DOORS IS AJAR LEAVING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON AND DOORS UNLOCKED. IT WILL RANDOMLY CHANGE DOORS WHILE DRIVING. NOW THE REAR TURNING LIGHTS DO NOT FLASH, THE LOCKS DO NOT WORK, THE INTERIOR AND BACK EXTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT GO OUT EVEN WITH THE KEY OFF AND OUT. THERE WILL BE RANDOM BEEPING AND BUZZING NOISES. THE REAR HEAT/AIR TURNS OFF AND ON AT RANDOM EVEN WITH THE CONTROLS IN THE OFF POSITION. THERE IS A CLICKING UNDER THE DASH WHEN THE REAR HEAT OR AIR IS RUNNING. ON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC FOUND THE ALARM WIRES UNDER THE DASH BARE, UNHOOKED, AND EXPOSED. HE TAPED THESE HOPING IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT HAS NOT. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IS NOT REPUTABLE. IT IS A WELL KNOWN FACT IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY BREAK SOMETHING ELSE WHILE FIXING ANOTHER TO ENSURE A RETURN VISIT. WE HAVE TO TRAVEL 45-60 MINUTES TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY ARE SO BUSY BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE SERVICE FOR A LARGE RURAL AREA. FORD HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED PHONE CALLS OR LETTERS SENT TO THEM. WE FEEL STUCK WITH A LEMON! *TR

I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I HEARD A LOUD SOUND. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE ENGINE JUST REVVED. I THOUGHT I RAN SOMETHING OVER DUE TO THE SOUND SO INSPECTED GOT OUT TO INSPECT THE CAR. I FOUND NOTHING. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND TURNED CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER SUTTON FORD IN MATTESON IL. THAT THE TRANSMISSION JUST BROKE AND WOULD COST ME $3000.00. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR LESS THEN 2 YEARS. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT JUST EXPIRED A FEW MONTHS AGO. MY OBD LIGHT WAS ON BUT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IT WAS A SENSOR. THEY COULD TURN IT OFF BUT IT WASN'T ANYTHING MAJOR. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'M SURE IT IS MAJOR. SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TIRES AT LEAST EVERY SIX MONTHS, MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR, ALTERNATOR REPAIR, AS WELL AS SPRING REPLACEMENT. OVERALL, I'VE PUT MORE THEN $3000.00 IN REPAIR NOT INCLUDING THE REPAIR OF THE TRANSMISSION I NOW NEED. I LOVED MY WINDSTAR BUT I AM NOW DISCOVERING THAT IT PUTS MY LIFE ENDANGER TO DRIVE IT. MY TWO KIDS WERE IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I FEARED SOMEONE WOULD HIT MY CAR. THE WORST PART ABOUT ALL THIS IS I AM UNABLE TO GET RID OF THIS CAR AS I STILL AM BUYING THIS CAR. I AM UNABLE TO REFINANCE THE DIFFERENCE. I WAS TOLD TO JUST SCARP THE CAR BY THE DEALER AND JUST GET ANOTHER CAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE. HE PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND DROVE OFF WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. WHEN HE ARRIVED TO HIS DESTINATION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND RATTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS BURNT. AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM THE MECHANIC, THE FAILURE INTENSIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA TO THE CHEST AND ABDOMEN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A DISLOCATED HIP ON HER RIGHT SIDE AND BRUISING FROM THE SEAT BELT ON HER LEFT SHOULDER AND CHEST AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. HER ATTORNEY ADVISED HER NOT TO COMMUNICATE WITH FORD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

WE WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY DUE TO OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. WE HAD 7 PEOPLE IN OUR VAN INCLUDING SMALL CHILDREN. LUCKILY, NONE OF US WERE INJURED, BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY WAS DEFINITELY THERE. AS WE WERE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT ABOUT 35 MPH THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND WE LOST ALL POWER. WE HAD NO BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. IT WAS EVIDENT WE WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP SO MY HUSBAND OPTED FOR THE DITCH. STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND WE HIT A STOP LIGHT ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH THE LEFT FRONT END OF THE VAN AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP ABOUT 4 FT. FROM A UTILITY POLE. THE VAN WAS DRIVING FINE WITH NO INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO LOSING ALL POWER SUDDENLY. WE HAVE IN THE PAST EXPERIENCED THE BATTERY LIGHT OR THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON WHEN IT WAS RAINING OR AFTER DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER BUT HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED LOSING ALL POWER UNTIL YESTERDAY. WE HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE CUTTING OUT AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR AWHILE AND THEN DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AT LOWER SPEEDS. IT SEEMS THAT WHEN YOUR DRIVING ON JUST CITY STREETS AT LOWER SPEEDS WE DON'T EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM, AND ALSO NOT TYPICALLY WHILE WE ARE ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (ALTHOUGH WE HAVE HAD IT CUT OUT A COUPLE TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY). IT SEEMS TO USUALLY OCCUR AFTER WE HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS FOR AWHILE AND THEN EXIT ON TO LOWER SPEED ROADS. THE ENGINE JUST S

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINNEBAGO BRAVE. THE MODEL OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED IN THE DROP DOWN MENU AT THE TIME OF THIS COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. AFTER USING THE COMPONENT, HE CANNOT GET THE DEVICE TO SET AGAIN. HE STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS COMPONENT, BUT IS UNAWARE IF THE RECALL APPLIES TO HIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE ENGINE SIZE AND A VALID VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT AND THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 169,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

ON JULY 1, 2007 DURING THE OPERATION OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUTDOWN AT WHICH TIME THE SMOKE STOPPED. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS INSPECTED BY MYSELF AT THAT TIME AND I FOUND NOTHING THAT APPEARED ABNORMAL. RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE SMOKE DID NOT REAPPEAR BUT THE ODOMETER READINGS WENT TO DASHES, SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS INOPERATIVE. DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND PERFORMED A MORE DETAILED INSPECTION OF IT. THIS INSPECTION REVEALED A BLOWN FUSE, AS #10 OF THE INTERIOR FUSE BLOCK. THIS FUSE WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLES IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED ON, AGAIN SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE AND I DETERMINED AT THAT TIME IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CONNECTOR. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY AND THE CONNECTOR WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LOCATED ON THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. I FOUND THE CONNECTOR BOTH INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY WET WITH BRAKE FLUID. THE CONNECTOR SHOWED SIGNS OF OVERHEATING AS IT WAS PARTIALLY MELTED ON THE INSIDE. CLEANED ALL THE BRAKE FLUID FROM THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH CONNECTOR AND THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH ITSELF. I LEFT THE CONNECTOR DISCONNECTED FROM THE SWITCH AND TURNED ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS RESULTED IN NO SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONNECTOR WAS LEFT DISCONNECTED FROM THE SWITCH BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE USED UNTIL

MY FORD WINDSTAR 1999 HAS THE FRONT SPRING COIL FRACTURED CAUSING THE SPRING TO BARELY TOUCH THE TIRE AND EVENTUALLY WOULD DEFLATE THE TIRE. THIS FRONT SPRING COIL PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY THE RECALL FOR WINDSTAR 1997-98, BUT NOT 1999. THE RECALL FOR 1997-98 IS NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V199/FORD RECALL NO. 01S19. THIS RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO 1999 TOO SINCE IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD FLATTENED. UPON CHANGING THE TIRE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT 116,948 MILES WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 119,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,948. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST INCIDENT LOST CONTROL NEAR INTERSECTION GOING 40 MPH AND INSPECTED VEHICLE FOUND TIRE BLEW OUT AND LEFT FRONT COIL IN TIRE. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED THE 2ND INCIDENT WAS IN A PARKING LOT GOING 10-15MPH AND TIRE BLEW OUT FOUND BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL IN TIRE. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED REPAIR INVOICES. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

I AM WRITING TO YOU CONCERNING A COMPLAINT I HAVE AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I OWN A 99 FORD WINDSTAR. APPROXIMATELY 117,000 MILES. HE CRUISE CONTROL RECENTLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS AT FIVE STAR FORD NOW BEING REPAIRED. I HAVE A LETTER TO YOU DRAFTED, HOWEVER, IT WAS TO LONG FOR THIS FIELD. PLEASE CONTACT ME, AND I WILL FORWARD IT.*AK

THE REAR AXLE BEAM ON A1999 FORD WINDSTAR (87,032 MILES) CRACKED AND SNAPPED INTO, CAUSING BOTH WHEELS TO PITCH THE BOTTOM OF WHEELS OUTWARD RESULTING IN UNSTABLE VEHICLE CONTROL (AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT). ATER INSPECTION OF FAILED PARTS, I BELIEVE FORD HAS A MANUFACTURING PROCESS THAT CREATES STRESS RISERS IN THE PART THAT LEAD TO PREMATURE FAILURE. I HAVE THE PARTS AND CAN EMAIL A PPD FILE THAT SHOWS THE FAILURE SURFACES. THE DEALERSHIP TALKED TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND DID PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS DO NOT WANT TO PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH THEIR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE. I CONDUCT FAILURE ANALYSIS FOR A FORTUNE 100 COMPANY AND HAVE CONCERNS WITH THE SAFETY OF THIS PRODUCT. THE REPLACE PART IS MANUFATURED EXACTLY LIKE THE ORIGINAL FAILED PART.I DID FIND A REPORT ON THE INTERNET THAT DESCRIBES AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THE SAME FAILURE. *TR

MY TRANSMISSION ON A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IS LEAKING FROM THE BELL HOUSING ON THE TRANSMISSION, AS WELL AS SLIPPING THROUGH THE GEARS, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED WITHIN 50,000 MILES. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT FROM WHERE IT IS LEAKING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AFFECTED BY THE FLUID THAT IS ON IT AS WELL, CONSISTENTLY BURNING OFF AS IT GETS HOTTER. *TR

THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED AT ANY DEGREE OF INCLINE OR DECLINE HAS HAD REPEATED TENDENCIES NOT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. ON THIS OCCASION, I HAD THE VEHICLE ON RAMPS CHANGING MY OIL AND WENT TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO LEVEL IT OUT. THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO HAVE GOTTEN STUCK IN REVERSE AND NEITHER THE FOOT BRAKE NOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD STOP IT. IT WOULD NOT LET ME SHIFT INTO ANY OF GEAR UNTIL IT REACHED LEVEL GROUND. I HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION ON MAY 31, 2007 BECAUSE I HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING VERY ROUGH AND FEELING A JERKING SENSATION WHEN I SHIFTED FROM PARK TO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE. *TR

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS I AM REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 1999 WINDSTAR. BOTH TIMES IT JUST STOPPED WORKING,, BUT WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO SAFETY. NOW ON SECOND TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL AT A COST OF $1700 FOR HE FIRST TIME , AND 1$400 THE SECOND. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE.*AK

ONLY 28,000 MILES ON CAR DRIVEN BY ELDERLY FATHER A FEW MILES EVERY DAY FOR PAST 7 YEARS. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. PULLED FROM STOP ONTO STATE ROAD AT POINT WHERE A BLIND CURVE/NO SITE DISTANCE FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC-SPEED LIMIT 45 MPH. CAR JERKED FORWARD AND TRANSMISSION FAILED, NO FORWARD GEARS, LEAVING CAR SIDEWAYS ACROSS 2 LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. GOT CAR TO GO IN REVERSE TO GET OFF ROAD WHICH CREATED AN EVEN MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME AND ALL ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TOLD WILL COST $2,500 FOR RE-BUILT TRANSMISSION. FORD SENT STANDARD REPLY TO MY COMPLAINT SUGGESTING GO TO DEALERSHIP AND HAVE CHECKED OUT. AMAZING THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED OR ANYTHING BEEN DONE AFTER SEEING THIS AND NUMEROUS WEBSITES WITH SAME COMPLAINTS. SO MANY OF US LUCKY. HOW MANY DEATHS DOES IT TAKE BEFORE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN? HAVE BEEN A FORD OWNER FOR YEARS AND WILL NEVER, EVER BUY FORD AGAIN. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WEEK BEFORE THE FIRE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT OPERATING NORMALLY. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT SHE CHANGE THE PULLEYS IN THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HOWEVER, A FORD DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUS EOF THE PROBLEM. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOTIFIED, AND WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,152. *AK

ON 5/1/05 MY WIFE DROVE THE VAN TO WORK WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT WORK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. SHE THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FORM UNDER THE DASH. SHE HAD A FRIEND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY (THAT ACT PROBABLY SAVED THE VEHICLE FORM CATCHING FIRE). I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO CLAIR FORD IN SACO, ME. CLAIR FORD TOLD ME THE WIPER MOTOR BURNED OUT DUE TO SOME KIND OF SHORT CIRCUIT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT TELL WHAT CAUSED THE SHORT CIRCUIT. ON 5/20 I READ ABOUT A RECALL FORM FORD FOR WIPER MOTORS BURNING UP. I CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA E-MAIL AND A WOMAN CALLED ME A FEW DAYS LATER AND SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS INVOLVING WIPERS AND FORD WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I THEN RESEARCHED THE NHTSA WEB SITE IT SHOWED ME THAT FORD HAD RECALLED THE WIPERS IN 2001 UNDER RECALL NUMBER 01S25. *JB

I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR DOING 40 TO 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SOMETHING BROKE. A PASSER BY TRIED TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I ENDED UP HAVING TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. TURNED OUT THE PROBLEM WAS THE BRACKET THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CONNECTS TO SNAPPED OFF THE FRAME WITH THE CONTROL ARM STILL ATTACHED TO IT. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM IT PULLED THE DRIVESHAFT AWAY FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THEREFORE THIS IS GOING TO BE A COSTLY REPAIR BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE PIECE OF METAL DURING THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VAN. THEREFORE AT THE MOMENT I AM UNABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE AND WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I GET THE MONEY TO REPAIR IT. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED I WILL NOT BUY A FORD EVER AGAIN!! *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT HAD A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 95000 MILES AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SLOW DOWN ,AND SHE WOULD FEEL A PULSATING VIBRATION. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON AT ALL TIMES, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE WEATHER HAS NOT BEEN A FACTOR WHEN THIS OCCURRED.. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT GIVE HER A REPAIR ORDER. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SEATED IN THE DRIVER SEAT WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INCURRED MUSCULAR BACK INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING A GENERAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTION PERFORMED BY A DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO INDICATE A FAILURE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V332000, REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 30 MPH, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE, AND THE STEERING SHIFTED PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE, WHERE THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE STEERING AND FOUND THE STEERING WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ONTO A LIFT. THE SUBFRAME WAS FOUND TO BE RUSTED OUT AND HAD A FRACTURE. THE FRONT LEFT TIE ROD WAS BENT DUE TO THE FRAME FAILURE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE SUB FRAME SECTION SUPPORTING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AND THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

MY 2-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S RIGHT HAND WAS CRUSHED IN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR OF OUR MINIVAN. HER HAND IS TOO SMALL FOR THE SAFETY SENSOR TO DETECT IT AND THEREFORE, THE DOOR LATCHED AND LOCKED WITH HER HAND BETWEEN THE BODY PILLAR AND THE DOOR. *JB

WITHOUT WARNING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. MY DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR IS FULL. THE CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY BUT HAD NO RECENT BRAKE WORK COMPLETED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER COMPLETELY FAILED. THE PARTY THAT WAS STRUCK IS NOW CLAIMING INJURY. WE DO NOT KNOW THE SEVERITY OF THEIR INJURIES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FOUND SIMILAR RECALLS # 01V261000 ABOUT THE VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE.

3 DEATHS. BET I'VE GOT YOUR ATTENTION NOW! I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FAILURES, AND MY VAN HAS THE SAME PERSISTENT PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN ENGINE DESIGN DEFECT AND THAT ALTHOUGH GASKET REPLACEMENT IS RECOMMENDED BY THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, IT SEEMS CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE PAID TO GET THE TSB FIX STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY HAVE SPENT OVER $5000 IN THE LAST TWO YEARS TRYING TO GET THE ISSUE RESOLVED. AT 103K, MY VAN'S BLUE BOOK VALUE IS MUCH LESS. THIS IS NOT EVEN TO MENTION WHAT I'VE SPENT ON EXTRA GAS AT TODAY'S HIGH PRICES DUE TO INEFFICIENT ENGINE OPERATION RESULTING FROM THIS DESIGN DEFECT. THE STALLING OF THE ENGINE WHICH IS BEING REPORTED BY A LOT OF CONSUMERS IS ALSO DUE TO THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF RUNNING THE VAN WITH THIS SAME DESIGN DEFECT. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE DOES DIE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ENGINES CUTTING OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. FORD SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT AT NO COST TO CONSUMERS. THERE ARE ENOUGH INDIVIDUALS ON THIS WEBSITE ALONE TO ORGANIZE INTO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, AND I AM JUST THE ONE TO TAKE THE LEAD ON IT. OF COURSE, I DO NOT PLAN TO KEEP THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GETTING TOO HOT AND BURNING UP MY ALTERNATOR. I PURCHASED THIS VAN IN 2000 AND HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR SIX TIMES (AVERAGING ONCE PER YEAR). THIS IS THE FIRST FORD VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I AM LESS THAN IMPRE

I BOUGHT MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR SEL IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR (2006) AND NOT EVEN A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT WHEN I WOULD PULL OUT FROM RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS AND THE VAN WOULD EITHER DIE ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR WOULD CONTINUOUSLY HESITATE. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THAT IT WAS MY KEYS SO THEY REPROGRAMMED MY KEYS. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS SOON AS I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, I BROUGHT IT BACK A SECOND TIME, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY BELIEVED IT HAD TO DO WITH MY THEFT DEVICE. THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS FIXED THEN SENT ME HOME WITH IT. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME EVERY TIME I GOT IN MY VAN OR CLOSED MY DRIVER DOOR FROM ENTERING OR EXITING MY VAN IT WOULD TELL ME ON MY MESSAGE SYSTEM THAT MY DRIVER DOOR WAS AJAR WHICH LEAD TO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BEING ON. IT DID THAT THE DAY I TOOK IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP SO I HAD TO BRING IT BACK FOR A THIRD TIME NOW FOR THE RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM I WAS HAVING AND NOW WITH THE DOOR BEING SAID TO BE OPEN. THEY FINALLY SAID THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND THAT FORD TOLD THEM THAT THERE WAS A SIMILAR INCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VAN LIKE MINE AND SAID THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CIP SYCRONIZOR. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE MY VAN HOME AGAIN AND THEY PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED ALL EXCEPT THE MESSAGE I STILL GET TO THIS DAY ABOUT MY DRIVER DOOR BEING AJAR WHEN IT ISN'T. IT DIDN'T DO IT TO ME BEFORE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW THEY WON'T FIX IT WHEN IT WAS A RESULT FROM THEM HAVING IT. KEEP IN M

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A SKID. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME THAT HELD THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FRACTURED IN HALF. UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB

1999 WINDSTAR ,98K, COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WENT INTO REVERSE , BUT NOT INTO ANY FORWARD GEAR. I'VE METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE, NEVER TOWED. HAVE OWNED CARS FOR 30 YRS, NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THIS BAD. WILL NEVER BUY FORD AGAIN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOTICED THE BLACK CLIP ON THE SEATBELT OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS FRACTURED CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO BE INOPERABLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENTIRE SEATBELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

RECALL #01V261000 WAS RECTIFIED IN FEB 2002. THE MOTOR COVER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE WATER WOULD GET INTO THE MOTOR. TODAY MY HUSBAND REPLACED OUR WIPER MOTOR AND THE OLD ONE WAS FILLED WITH WATER. OBVIOUSLY, THEIR SOLUTION WASN'T ADEQUATE. *NM

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE RESULTING IN LOSS OF DRIVE POWER/TORQUE AS A RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *NM

1999 WINDSTAR STALLED. SEAL IN HEAD GASKET FAILED. *TS WHEN THE SEAL FAILED IT ALLOWED AIR TO GET SUCKED IN AT THE HOLES FOR THE BOLTS. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A FOOT OF WATER, OR IN THE RAIN, THE STEERING LOCKED UP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL RELAY ON THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE RELAY WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA.

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SUSTAINED MAJOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SYMPTOMS. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY SEVERE GRINDING. TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND TO BE FILLED WITH METAL AND REQUIRED OVERHAUL. VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 75000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING. REPAIR COSTS WERE OVER 2000 DOLLARS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, THE ENGINE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. SOME DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE COLUMN SHIFT INDICATOR WAS STILL IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT DETERMINED A CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM.

WE NOTICED A LEAK OF AN OIL PRODUCT AND TOOK OUR VAN IN TO BE CHECKED. THE REPAIR PERSON SAID THERE WAS A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID WHERE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CONNECTS TO THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. THEY SAID THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND TO TAKE THE VAN TO A FORD DEALER. WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING BECAUSE OUR WINDSTAR (1999) IS NOT PART OF THE JUST ANNOUNCED RECALL, BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM, WE NEED TO KEEP ADDING BRAKE FLUID. *JB

THE LATCHES ON THE VEHICLE ARE DEFECTIVE. THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT LATCH WILL NOT OPEN. THE LATCH ON CD STORAGE WILL NOT WORK EITHER AND THE LATCH ON THE HATCHBACK IS ABOUT READY TO BREAK...IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WANT TO OPEN. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SHUTTER. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE TIRE HAD A BULGE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALERSHIP AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER THE TIRE WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SHUTTER AGAIN. UPON INSPECTION, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS SHREDDED. THIS OCCURRED A THIRD TIME HOWEVER IT WAS THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND IT SEPARATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TIRE DEALERSHIP, THE TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE ONLY TIRE THAT DID NOT HAVE A FAILURE WAS OF A DIFFERENT BRAND. THE THREE TIRES WITH FAILURES WERE COOPER LIFELINE TOURING SLE. UPDATED 8/30/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE'S TIRE WAS OBSERVED TO BE RELEASING AIR FROM THE STEM. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PUT AIR INTO THE TIRE, THE AIR WAS RELEASING FROM THE STEM FASTER THAN THE TIRE COULD BE FILLED WITH AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COSCO WHERE ALL 4 TIRES HAD BEEN PURCHASED 2-3 YEARS AGO. THE TIRE'S STEM WAS REPLACED. A REPRESENTATIVE AT THE COSCO MENTIONED THAT THE TIRE REPAIRED WAS FROM A DEFECTIVE BATCH OF TIRES. ON 7/23/06, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER ANOTHER TIRE WAS FLAT AND OBSERVED TO BE RELEASING AIR EXPEDIENTLY FROM THE STEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. INITIALLY THE WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, HOWEVER THE WIPERS ARE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING AT ALL. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 01V261000, REGARDING THE VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: MOTOR. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 8/7/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS HAD THE WIPER MOTOR AND WIPER SWITCH REPLACED. *NM

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON. I DROVE IT THIS WAY FOR TWO MONTHS. 15 CODES IN THE SYSTEM. FORD DEALER STATES IT'S THE HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BOX. TO REPAIR BOTH WOULD COST 800.00 OR SO, WHICH IS INCLUDING LABOR AND PARTS. STATES IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM OF 1999 FORD WINDSTARS. I HAVE NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS ON. DECLINING TO FIX AT THIS TIME, BUT A HUGE LIABLILITY FOR MYSELF. POSSIBLITY OF BRAKE FAILURE NOT DISCUSSED AT THIS TIME. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPAIR THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD 500.00+ (AT A FORD DEALER) AND ALSO HAD THE DOOR AJAR PROBLEM, WHICH WAS FIXED AT HOME HERE FOR 0$. THIS IS THE THIRD AND FINAL PROBLEM LISTED ON CONSUMER REPORTS THAT THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR. *JB

THE SUBFRAME ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE IS CRACKED AND APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. WE WERE NOTICING A CLUNK SOUND WHEN TURNING AND STOPPING SO I PULLED THE WHEEL TO CHECK AND NOTICED THE CRACK RIGHT AWAY. IT COULD CAUSE THE TRANS AND ENGINE TO SHIFT AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS THE SUBFRAME IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. WE NEVER HIT ANYTHING WHILE DRIVING SO THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL. *JB

STUD BOLT ON PASSENGER (RIGHT) FRONT HUB FAILED AND BROKE OFF WHILE CONDUCTING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE- LUGS HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECS- 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN HAS ONLY HAS 62,000 MILES- NO EVIDENCE OF CROSS THREADING/STUD THREADS WERE CLEAN. NOT YET REPAIRED. *JB

COMPLAINED TO FORD ABOUT TRANSMISSION WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION. ON SUNDAY 06/11/06, WHILE EXITING PARKWAY THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH ONLY 17,000 MILES ON IT IN 7/01,VEHICLE NOW HAS 65,000 MILES. WARRANTY EXPIRED LAST MARCH, FORD REFUSES TO HELP WITH THE COST OF REPAIR FOR TRANSMISSION. *JB

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SPONTANEOUSLY STARTED ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. IT HAD NOT BE RUN FOR AT LEAST 8 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. WHILE NO ONE WAS INJURED THIS COULD HAVE STARTED OUR ENTIRE HOUSE ON FIRE. THE INSURANCE FIRE EXPERT LOCATED THE START OF THE FIRE TO THE WIRING OF THE HEATER. *NM

I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL HAD ALIGNED ITSELF TO THE LEFT, AND THE VAN WOULD NOT CENTER ITSELF WELL, WHILE ON THE ROAD. I TOOK THE VAN TO RAJ AUTO CENTER AT SOMERSET,NJ. AFTER CHECKING THE VAN THE AUTO CENTER SAID THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VANS K-FRAME HAD ROTTED OUT AND COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY ENDANGERED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS BECAUSE THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE DIS-ASSOCIATED ANYTIME FROM THE FRAME. HE ADDED THAT HE HAS NOT SEEN THE K-FRAME ROTTING IN 20 YEARS OF HIS EXPERIENCE. *JB