1999 Ford Windstar complaints

1999 WINDSTAR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH OVERHEATED. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THERE WERE SPARKS AND BLACK SMOKE AND THAT THE SWITCH WAS DESTROYED. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED SINCE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF FOR A FEW DAYS, TWO SEPARATE TIMES. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

CEL (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) CAME ON. FORD DEALER SAID THAT THE FORD COMPANY HAS A BULLETIN OUT TO DEALERS RECOMMENDING THE REPLACEMENT OF GASKETS AND VALVE COVER FOR THE VACUUM LEAKS. WHICH RUN UPWARD OF 600.00 IF THEY ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THIS PROBLEM, WHY ARE THEY NOT RECALLING IT? *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE STABILIZER AND ROCKER ARM BRACKETS BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE BRACKETS BROKE DUE TO RUST. A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE FAILURE THE CONSUMER'S FATHER HEARD A NOISE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THE BRACKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 4/4/2006 - *NM

ENGINE SUBFRAME FAILURE AT 78K MILES, ABOUT 6 INCHES OF THE ENGINE SUBFRAME ON THE RIGHT REAR HAS TOTALLY RUSTED AWAY, REST OF SUBFRAME IS PRISTINE, RIGHT REAR ENGINE MOUNT WAS NOT SUPPORTED, NOTICED CLUNKING SOUND AND WHEEL SHIFT TO 6 O'CLOCK POSITION THAT INITIATED INVESTIGATION NEVER IMPACTED, ORIGINAL OWNER, TRANSMISSION PAN HAS NO NICKS (LOWER THAN FRAME) CAR WAS UNDERCOATED WHEN NEW FORD SAYS IT'S A NORMAL PROBLEM, ACTUALLY SAID REPLACEMENT FRAME IS BACKORDER FOR 3 WEEKS, WAS ABLE TO FIND 1 REPLACEMENT AT ANOTHER DEALER, ALL MECHANICS I TALKED WITH AT THE DEALER SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEE N THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND WE'RE TALKING GUYS WITH 20+ YEARS OF FORD EXPERIENCE POTENTIAL TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, ACCIDENT, CRASH, ETC. 6 MONTHS OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY ~$1350 TO FIX PICTURES AND OLD PART AVAILABLE. *NM

PURCHASED THE WINDSTAR USED IN 2001. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR THE STEERING STARTED TO MAKE FUNNY (WHINING) NOISES AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD GET TOUGHER TO TURN WHEEL. AT 65K MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. WE HAD TO DRIVE THE LAST 800 OR SO MILES TO OUR NEW HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP, SUSPECTING THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT BAD, JUST NEEDED FLUID. I HAD CHECKED THE FLUID WHEN IT ORIGINALLY WENT OUT AND IT WAS LOW, BUT NOT EMPTY. IT DROVE FINE (STILL NOISY) FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND THEN STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. I RETURNED TO THE SAME SHOP AND AGAIN TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED FLUID. I TOLD THEM I HAD NEVER SEEN A LEAK, BUT I WOULD CHECK EVERY DAY TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE FLUID WAS GOING. ABOUT THREE DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD AGAIN AND WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY I COULD SEE THE TRAIL OF POWER STEERING FLUID I LEFT BEHIND. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THE FLUID WAS POURING OUT FROM THE BOOT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID "BLOWN RACK AND PINION". THANKS. *JB

THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF 99 FORD WINDSTAR USER WITH THIS PROBLEM. CODE P0171 & P0174 HTTP://WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/LIVE/FORDWINDSTAR/493.HTML FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN DEFECT! A LAW SUIT NEEDS TO BE MADE AGAINST THEM AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT PAID UP TO $731, NOT TO MENTION THE TIME INVOLVED NEED TO BE REIMBURSED. OXNARD FORD DID NOT CARE TO LISTEN!. SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, FORD!!!!*JB

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE CHECK ENGINE ISSUE. TO MAKE IT EASIER I WOULD LIKE TO REFER YOU TO THE FOLLOWING WEB SITE WHERE IT EXPLAINS MY SAME PROBLEM FROM SEVERAL OTHER INDIVIDUALS. HTTP://WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/LIVE/FORDWINDSTAR/493.HTML I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. HAVE A GOD BLESSED DAY. *NM

ON JANUARY 10,2006 MY WIFE [XXX] WAS LEAVING WORK THAT EVENING. WHEN SHE STARTED TO DRIVE SHE HEARD SUM NOISES FROM UNDERNEATH HER CAR. IT IS A FORD WINDSTAR VAN 1999 70,000 MILES VIN [XXX]. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. SHE NOTICED HER STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED DOWN TO 6 O'CLOCK TO KEEP HER WHEELS STRAIGHT. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING. WHEN SHE GOT IT TO CAR-X IN WESTMONT,IL THEY TOLD HER IT WAS THE CROSS MEMBER FRAME. THIS HELPS SUPPORTS THE TRANSMISSION. THE CROSS MEMBER HAD RUSTED AWAY ON ONE SIDE AND ON THE OTHER SIDE SHOWED A CRACK WHERE THE OTHER BUSHING HOLE WAS. WE COULD NOT GO TO FORD DEALER BECAUSE OF THE COST FACTOR. IT HAS BEEN FIXED AND SEEMS TO BE DRIVING JUST FINE. I DID CONTACT FORD ON JANUARY 23 AND WE DID NOT GET ANY RESTITUTION FOR OUR COST. BUT WE ALSO WANTED FORD TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBLE HAZARD. IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS ITEM BORKE SHE WOULD HAD BEEN KILLED. EVEN THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THE METAL FRAME SEEMED TO SHOW METAL FATIGUE. I STILL HAVE THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED FOR EXAMINATION. I ALSO TOOK PICTURES IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. I AM VERY CONCERNED. THANK YOU. *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1999 WINDSTAR,. PAINT PEELING ON FRONT HOOD, REPLACED THE FOLLOWING: TRANSMISSION (4 TIMES), INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS (2 TIMES) POWER STEERING SYSTEM, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND SYSTEM(TWICE), INTERIOR LIGHTS THAT FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY AND STAY ON FOR PERIODS OF TIME FOR NO REASON.*AK

FORD WINDSTAR 1999- TRANSMISSION, RACK AND PINION AND MANIFOLD FORD WOULD NOT HELP SO I TOOK THEM TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT IN ONTARIO AND WON FULL COST TO ALL THREE MATTERS. *JB

ENGINE SEIZED AT 78,568 MILES; ALL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE; INSPECTION OF ENGINE RESULTED IN 3 FRACTURED PISTONS, SCORED CYLINDER WALLS, BENT RODS AND LARGE CHUNKS OF METAL DEBRIS SECONDARY TO THE ENGINE SEIZURE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED IMMEDIATELY THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE OR WARNING. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED BECAUSE THE CONTACT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM

FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT REMAINS ON DESPITE THE FACT ALL THE DOORS ARE CLOSED; THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING AND MANUAL LOCKING WILL NOT WORK. AFTER 10 TO 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING, IT WILL GO OUT AND THE DOORS WILL FINALLY LOCK. TODAY, WHILE THAT LIGHT WAS ON AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND MAKING A TURN. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MY GRANDCHILDREN RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE! *NM

REM MODULE REPAIR - $ 690. *NM

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS LISTED IN RECALL NUMBERS 01V261000; 00V351000 AND 99V147000, HOWEVER, MY VIN # IS SOMEHOW NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR AT NO COST. *NM

PARK TO REVERSE INJURY. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE DID NOT DIE, BUT OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST PRODUCED CODES. HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WENT TO PULL AWAY WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. THERE WAS VERY LOUD NOISE, LIKE AN EXPLOSION, AND THE VAN LURCHED FORWARD. AT FIRST I THOUGHT ANOTHER DRIVER HIT US AND I WAS BRACING FOR THE IMPACT. FORTUNATELY, WE HAD NOT BEEN HIT, BUT THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE MORE THAN A FEW FEET AT THAT POINT. I MANAGED TO PULL AS FAR OVER AS I COULD IN THE TRAFFIC LANE, ALTHOUGH I COULD NOT REACH THE SHOULDER, AND TURNED ON MY HAZARDS. THERE HAD BEEN NO WARNING AT ALL THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VAN AT THAT POINT. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO LEAKING FLUID, AND IT WAS STILL RUNNING-IT JUST WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING IT ALL DAY, AND I AM THE PRIMARY DRIVER. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE WORKING JUST FINE UP UNTIL THAT POINT. I HAD NOT NOTICED ANY SLIPPING OR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. ONCE IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WE FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TOTALLY FAILED AND WE ARE NOW PAYING $2600 FOR A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. THE VAN HAS 89,000 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY, AND WE DID HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAN RAN OUT AT 75,000 MILES. WE HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING UNIT REPLACED ALREADY, IN ADDITION TO FORD SENDING MECHANICS OUT FROM MICHIGAN TWICE TO REPAIR OUR AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS, WHICH HAD BEEN MALFUNCTIONING SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VAN. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THE OD LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD . THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. ALSO, THEY STATED THE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHILE DRIVING AT A LATER TIME THE DASHBOARD LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS CAUSING IT TO SMOKE. *AK UPDATED 12/7/2005. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES. THE REPAIR SHOP CLEARED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM SHE WAS REFERRED TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER. THE DEALER CLEARED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE. AFTERWARDS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. SHE WENT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, AND SAID NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 04/06/06

ON 7/29/05, MY 82-YEAR OLD MOTHER, PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, WITH LESS THAN 44,000 MILES ON IT. MY MOTHER RECEIVES MINIMAL SOCIAL SECURITY & I, TOO, AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR DISABILITY. WE COULD NOT AFFORD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON TOP OF CAR FINANCE $200./MO.) WE DID HAVE A DEALERSHIP LIMITED WARRANTY OF 60 DAYS AND 3,000 MILES. BEFORE THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE EVALUATED BY OUR REGULAR MECHANIC HE FOUND ONLY TWO PROBLEMS &E ACTUALLY CONGRATULATED US ON FINDING SUCH A GREAT CAR. WE TOOK THE MINIVAN BACK TO BRANFORD SUBARU WHERE WE PURCHASED IT AND THEY MADE THE REPAIRS IMMEDIATELY. NOW THAT WE ARE ONE MONTH AND 50 MILES OVER THE LIMITED WARRANTY, POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING. EXXON DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. I HAD TO LEAVE THE MINIVAN AT BENS EXXON BECAUSE THE LEAK WAS SO BAD I WAS HAVING EXTREME DIFFICULTY STEERING & WAS LOSING MORE THAN 2 QUARTS OF OIL PER DAY. MY MECHANIC FOUND A TSB ABOUT IT BUT MANTILIA FORD DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT BECAUSE WE ARE PAST THE ORIGINAL 3-YEAR WARRANTY. THEY REFERRED ME TO FORD CORP CUSTOMER RELATIONS WHO GAVE ME HE SAME ANSWER. OBVIOUSLY, FORD WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL STEERING RACK WITH A REVISED UNIT UNLESS THE ORIGINAL UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE. ALTHOUGH THAT FACT IS NOT ACTUALLY STATED IN THE BULLETIN, IT IS VERY CLEARLY IMPLIED.NOW, HERE WE HAVE AN 82 YEAR OLD AND A 59 YEAR OLD, BOTH ON LIMITED INCOME FROM SOCIAL SECURITY, WHO TOOK EVERY PRECAUTION POSSIBL

DT: CONTACT STATES THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING THAT GOT WORSE WHEN TURNING. IT WAS GETTING HARDER TO TURN. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING AT TIMES. THERE WERE METAL FILINGS IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID. DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING GEAR AND A PUMP. SHE WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING FLUID. SHE WAS STILL HEARING A SLIGHT NOISE WHEN SHE TURNS TO THE LEFT. MANUFACTURE HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY (60 MPH), THE OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND MESSAGE BOARD SHOWED CHECK MESSAGE. I PUSHED INFO BUTTON, AND TXT. MESSAGE DISAPPEARED. I PULLED OVER TO FIRST LANE AND OBSERVED A LOT OF SMOKE IN THE REAR MIRROR. I STOPPED THE CAR AND OBSERVED FIRE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. FIRE CONTINUED FOR APP. 4 MINS. AND EXTINGUISHED SLOWLY. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER, WHICH HAS STATED THAT TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN OVERHEATED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE CHECKED SOME OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND IT LOOKS LIKE FORD HAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH WINDSTARS. LUCKILY ME AND MY TWO CHILDREN CAME THROUGH THIS INCIDENT UNSCATHED BUT IT CAN BE A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. NO HELP FROM DEALER AND ACCORDING TO OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS IT SEEM LIKE FORD ALSO IS VERY RELUCTANT TO LOOK INTO SUCH PROBLEMS. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VAN WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN THE OWNER PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR TO GO, THERE WAS NO POWER. THE OWNER HAD TO PUSH THE VAN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VAN HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS. THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE OPENINGS IN DEALERSHIPS. THE OWNER HAS NOT CONTACTED FORD.*AK

DT: WHILE THE CALLER'S SON WAS DRIVING BOUT 65 MPH THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE SUB FRAME, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THAT IS WHEN THE TIRE CAME LOOSE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR FREE. MANUFACTURER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO HELP FOR FREE. *AK

SEVERE SIDEWALL BLOWOUT OF A 3 YEAR OLD MICHELIN WEATHERWISE WITH APPROX 30K MILES ON IT. THE TIRE HAD AN EVEN TREAD WEAR PATTERN, AS IT HAD BEEN ROTATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO EMAIL YOU PHOTOS OF THE BLOWN TIRE. BOTH WEATHERWISE TIRES ON THE FRONT OF MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR HAVE SINCE BEEN REPLACED. *NM

PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRIC MIRROR DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. WHEN SWITCHED TO RIGHT OR LEFT, THE MIRROR GOES DIAGONALLY UP OR DOWN, ALSO WHEN SWITCHED UP AND DOWN. THE WIRING, SWITCH AND MIRROR WERE CHECKED. THE MIRROR IS NEW, BOUGHT FROM FORD. *JB

BOTH OF THE SLIDING DOOR POWER LOCKING MECHANISMS ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THEY NO LONGER UNLOCK WITH THE SWITCH. IT IS ALSO IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL THE LOCK KNOB UP. WHEN THE SWITCH IS PRESSED THE DOOR RE-LOCKS ITSELF. IF A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT, THE DOOR ALSO WILL NOT OPEN VIA THE DOOR HANDLE OR SWITCH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF AN EMERGENCY WERE TO ARISE. SOMETIMES WE CAN OPEN IT BY HOLDING DOWN THE FRONT DOOR SWITCH AND PULLING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HAND AT THE SAME TIME. IT DOESN'T WORK EVERY TIME. *JB

CRACKED FUEL RAIL LEAKING GAS ON TO MANIFOLD LEAKING AT WELDED JOINT. *NM

CAR WENT "CLUNK" THEN WOULDN'T ENGAGE TRANSMISSION WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. HAD VAN TOWED TO DEALER; TRANSMISSION REPLACED -- HAD TO EXTRACT A BROKEN BOLT FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *NM

SUDDEN LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL, RACK AND PINION LEAKAGE SEAL FAILURE. NEED TO REPLACE RACK AND PINION BEFORE LEAK DAMAGES PUMP. REPLACE RACK AND PINION. *NM

THIS VIEHICLE IS MOSTLY DRIVEN IN THE CITY GOING TO THE STORE AND TAKING KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL. THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND IS RUBBING IN THE TIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND I WAS TOLD BASED ONLY ON THE YEAR GIVEN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SPRINGS. WHEN THE VIN NUMBER WAS GIVEN I WAS INFORMED THAT VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED. I FEEL THAT REPLACING BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND MY DAMAGED TIRE SHOULD BE FORDS RESPONSABILTY DUE TO THE FACT THEY HAVE SHOWN A KNOWN HISTORY FOR HAVEING THESE SPRINGS BRAKE. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WOULD BE RARE TO HAVE A RECALL ON A VEHICLE 16 YEARS OLD.

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR WITH ONLLY 55,OOO. I STOPED AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN I HIT THE GAS I HEARD A THUD AND THE VAN WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I ONLY HAD REVERSE. I HEAR THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE OF WINDSTAR VANS

AVOID THE DEER AND SLID OFF ROAD AND HIT A TREES. THE AIR BAGS ON BOTH SIDES DID NOT RELEASE. THE SPEED THAT THIS HAPPEN WAS AT 40MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS $8600 DAMAGE TO IT. THE SEATBELT WAS BEING USED, BUT THE AIR BAGS I BELIEVE SHOULD OF STILL WORKED.

I DROVE MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX WITH MY MOTHER AND MY FAMILY (MY 2 CHILDREN, MY NEPHEW AND MY DAUGHTER'S FRIEND) TO ERIE, PA TO VISIT MY SISTER'S FAMILY FOR 2 DAYS, THEN TO SPLASH LAGOON FOR 2 DAYS. THIS WAS A 230 MILE TRIP, EACH WAY, FROM MY HOME IS ELMIRA, NY. WE ARRIVED THERE WITHOUT INCIDENT. ALL FLUIDS WERE CHECKED BEFORE WE LEFT AND WERE IN PRIME CONDITION. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WE GOT IN OUR VEHICLES TO GO SEE THE 15 MILES OF BEACHES ALONG LAKE ERIE. ABOUT A MILE DOWN THEIR ROAD, WE WENT TO CROSS A 4-LANE HIGH-WAY, WHEN MY VEHICLE STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE, ALMOST KILLING ALL OF US BECAUSE TRAFFIC WAS COMING FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. MY VEHICLE WOUDN'T MOVE FORWARD NO MATTER WHAT. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, ABRUPTLY, WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE NOTICE, WHATSOEVER! AFTER MUCH ONLINE RESEARCH, I SOON REALIZED MY UNFORTUNATE SITUATION ISN'T UNIQUE TO FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS! THIS "SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE" IS VERY COMMON. WE COULD HAVE ALL BEEN KILLED. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW HAD TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE BACK TO HIS HOUSE IN REVERSE, AS THAT WAS THE ONLY GEAR THAT WORKED. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE FLUIDS WERE CHECKED AGAIN, AND ALL WAS STILL FULL AND IN GOOD CONDITION (WE SAVED THESE), HOWEVER, HE THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THE FILTER MIGHT NEED TO BE CHANGED, SO HE DID SO, REPLACING THE USED TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH BRAND NEW. KNOWING WE SHOULD NOT HAVE WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE FOR RISK OF VOIDING THE $1,948.00 EXTENDED SERVICE WARRANTY I PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE (LESS T

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX. THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN HALF . IF CONTACT HAD NOT STOPPED THE VEHICLE IT WOULD HAVE BLOWN OUT THE TIRE. THE SPRING WAS IN THE TIRE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1995-1998, BUT IT DID NOT COVER THE 1999 MODELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIPTO REPLACE THE COIL SPRING. THE COIL SPRING BROKE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BUT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING AS WELL BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BREAK. THE COST OF REPAIRS WAS $900 CHARGED TO THE CONSUMER. *AK

1999 FORD WINDSTAR 135,000 MILES. USED FOR SALES. MASTER CYLINDER (ABS) LIGHT ON AND SHORT AT LINE RUNNING INTO MASTER CYLINDER. PULLED FUSE AFTER BLOWING SEVERAL. AFFECTED PART OF DASH (SPEEDO, AND ODOMITER) AND CRUISE NOW DOES NOT WORK. HAD MY SON CONFIRM WERE SMOKED WIRE WAS WHILE PUTTING IN NEW FUSE AND WATCHING UNDER HOOD WITH MY SON STARTING VAN. NOTE: SAME PROBLEM AS SEE IN NEWS REPORTS ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS BUT WINDSTAR WAS NOT LISTED. MY MECHINIC DOES NOT DO WIRING BUT HE DID POINT OUT TOSTED HARRNESS AND CONNECTION AT MASTER CYLINDER.

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR ARE STOPPING HALFWAY THROUGH THE CYCLE AND I PHYSICALLY HAVE TO GET OUT OF MY CAR AND PUSH THEM SO THEY RETURN TO THE BASE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT FORD TOLD ME SINCE IT WAS ALREADY PERFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN.

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE # 10 FUSE KEEPS SHORTING OUT. THE SHIFTER CAN BE SHIFTED WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE ON POSITION. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS FUSE CONTROLS THIS SAFETY FEATURE ALONG WITH OTHER THINGS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. A GARAGE TOLD THE CONSUMER THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.*AK

I OPENED ELECTRONIC SLIDING DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN TO LOAD THE CAR FOR A WEEKEND TRIP. I KNEELED IN THE DOOR OPENING TO POSITION THINGS IN THE BACK SEAT. WITHOUT WARNING THE DOOR BEGAN TO SHUT ON ITS OWN. BEFORE I COULD JUMP OUT OF THE CAR, IT HAD MY CALVES STUCK IN THE DOOR. IT DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY OPEN AS I WAS INFORMED IT SHOULD HAVE WHEN IT HIT MY LEGS. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE DOOR OPEN AND ALLOW ME TO ESCAPE. MY RIGHT CALF WAS INJURED, THOUGH IT DID NOT BREAK THE SKIN, I HAVE A LARGE BRUISE FROM THE DOORS IMPACT APPROX. 2 INCHES HIGH AND 4 INCHES LONG. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (TED BRITT FORD IN FAIRFAX VIRGINIA) WHERE I PURCHASED MY VAN AND CARRY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR IN FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS, ALL RELATED TO THE DOORS MALFUNCTIONING OR OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS AN INJURY DUE TO THE DOOR FAILURE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY STILL IN THE SHOP FOR THIS MALFUNCTION. **ABOUT THE NUMBER OF FAILURES LISTED BELOW: I AM UNCERTAIN IF I SHOULD INDICATE ONE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN AN INJURRY OR THE MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE DOORS OPENING, REFUSING TO OPEN, OR REFUSING TO CLOSE THAT PROCEEDED THIS LAST INCIDENT. I WLL INDICATE ONE FAILURE, MEANING THIS LAST ONE. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL IF I SHOULD INDICATE ALL THE DOOR FAILURES WE HAVE INCOUNTERED TO DATE. **I AM ALSO A BIT CONCERNED AS THE REPAIR DEPARTMENT AT TED BRITT FORD IN FAIRFAX, WHERE MY VAN IS REGULARLY SERVICED, INDICATED THAT HE BELIEVES

1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN:: CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I REMEMBERED SEEING A SPECIAL ON CNN-TV RECENTLY ABOUT FORD F150 AND EXPLORER VEHICLES CATCHING ON FIRE. SUSPECTED CAUSE WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CUT-OUT SWITCH LOCATED ON THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. SO I DECIDED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD SEE RELATED TO MY PROBLEM. I FOUND THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT'S MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM FRONT OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SOAKED WITH BRAKE FLUID. APPARENTLY THE SWITCH'S SEAL FAILED CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK THRU THE SWITCH INTO THE POWER CONNECTOR AND RUN DOWN THE WIRING. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUGHT MY VEHICLE ON FIRE BECAUSE A LIQUID ACROSS A 12 VOLT POWER CONNECTOR TO GROUND IS A HIGH RESISTANCE SHORT TRANSLATING INTO HEAT = FIRE. I TOOK SOME PICTURES WITH A DIGITAL CAMERA AND CAN E-MAIL THEM IF YOU'RE INTERESTED. IN THE MEAN TIME I DISCONNECTED THE POWER CONNECTOR AT THE CRUISE CONTROL CUT-OUT SWITCH FOR SAFETY. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON A 1999 FORD WINSTAR ? I HAVE A 1999 FORD F150 TRUCK ALSO AND IT HAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CUT-OUT SWITCH MOUNTED ON THE END OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER EXCEPT IT'S ON THE TOP. I ALSO DISCONNECTED IT TO BE SAFE. I CALLED FORD AND A NEW SWITCH COSTS ABOUT $15.00 BUT NONE ARE AVAILABLE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO KICK THE ROCK OFF FORD BEING IN TOTAL DENIAL OF THE PROBLEM. IT'S QUITE EASY TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY KEEP SAYING THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING IT ??? IF I CAN GET A NEW SWITCH I CAN ALSO SEND THE DEFECTIVE

STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE THEN JUMPED INTO GEAR VIOLENTLY. I MANAGED TO GET TEH VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND GEARSHIFT IN PARK. I MOVED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO DIFFERENT GEARS AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR HAD A HISTORY OF NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO ANY GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED ON A INCLINE. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO DOWNSHIFTED HARSHLY WHEN DECELERATING TO COAST THROUGH A TURN. BOTH ISSUES WERE REPORTED TO THE DAN WACHTEL FORD IN ATHENS, AL THAT SERVICES THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED AND HAD THE FILTER CHANGED TWICE, THE SECON ONLY 8000 MILES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. DEALER REPORTS THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I PURCHASED AN 5 YEAR/70,000 EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR, BUT OF COURSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I AM LOOKING AT A $2800 REPAIR BILL. I LOOKED AT THE FORD SERVICE BULLETINS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS THROUGH THIS SITE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A HISTORY OF THE SAME TYPE OF OCCURRENCES WITH THE WINDSTAR AND THE TRANSMISSION. SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM DEALER AND FORD SINCE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED, HAS LOW MILEAGE CONSIDERING IT IS 6 YEARS OLD AND HAS A HISTORY OF SUCH EVENTS.

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKING BETWEEN TWO VEHICLES AND I NEED TO PROCEED SLOWLY AND WITH CAUTION, MY ENGINE HAS A SUDDEN, MOMEMENTARY SURGE OF APPROXIMATELY 500 RPM EACH TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS DUE TO THIS SUDDEN MOVEMENT WHEN STOPPED FOR PEDESTRANS TO PASS IN FRONT OF ME, I HAVE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD, THEY LOOK AT ME LIKE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO RUN THEM DOWN. AS OF THIS DATE, I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT IS DOING THIS.

CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES ON IT'S OWN THEN DOES NOT RESTART WHEN I TRY TO RESET IT

DT: REAR BLOWER MOTOR IN THE REAR OF VAN SMELLED LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND THEN STOPPED WORKING. THERE WAS A RECALL ON EXACT MODEL, 1999, FORD, WINDSTAR. THE OWNER'S MALFUNCTIONED PART WAS NOT PRODUCED WHERE THE OTHERS WERE, SO SHE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE BLOWER HAS NOT WORKED FOR A MONTH. THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE BLOWER. THE OWNER TOOK THE VAN TO A SERVICE STATION, AND THE SERVICE STATION INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, ON EXACTLY WHAT SHE SHOULD BRING TO FORD FOR VEICLE TO BE FIXED. THE SERVICE ADVISED THE OWNER TO GO TO FORD FOR THE RECALL. SHE THEN TRIED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH FORD, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT. THE OWNER TRIED TO CONTACT FORD. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR THAT THE AIR HAD BEEN ON. AND THAT WAS WHEN THE BURNING ODOE SHE SMELLED AND THE BLOWER STOPPED WORKING.*AK

DT: FORD WINSTAR 1999 FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. *AK

1. 99 WINDSTAR, FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE, 71,000 MILES, SPRING FRACTURED SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY 2. UNABLE TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT PARTS, NO ESTIMATED DELIVERY TIME FOR BACKORDERED SPRINGS FROM FORD 3.NO SOLUTION FROM FORD OTHER THAN WAIT

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 63,000 MI. MECHANIC INFORMED US THE PLANETARY ASSEMBLY HAS CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED,TOTAL WILL BE ABOUT $2,500 FOR A REBUILT TRANS. PREFORMED ALL MAINTANCE FOR THE TRANS. AT 40,000 MI. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. WILL FORD HAVE THE INTEGRITY TO STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCTS? WILL NHTSA FORCE A RECALL DUE TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF FAILURES ON THESE VANS? PS. FORD SAYS NO TO ANY HELP. I EVEN OFFERED TO PAY FOR LABOR IF THEY PAID FOR THE TRANSMISSION. STILL NO.

UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A STOP VEHICLE ACCELERATED, RESULTING IN UNWANTED AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION