1999 Ford Windstar complaints

01 V 261 000/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER: THE WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *JB

AWFUL NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WITH TENDENCY TO STALL. TOWED TO LEE MYLES TRANSMISSIONS, WITH DIAGNOSIS OF A SEPARATED 1/2 DRUM ASM EPC SOLENOID. REPAIR COST $2148.03 MINUS $180.28 PLUS TAX FOR A TRANSMISSION COOLER WITH LABOR. *NM

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH 1999 FORD WINDSTAR ON SEVERAL OCCASION. *BF (TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE) THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EXISTED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED; ENGINE TROUBLE, VAPORIZATION LEAKS, AND A BROKEN GEAR. THERE WERE ALSO WORN FRONT BRAKES, STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK DUE TO THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *SC *JB

WHILE TURNING ON THE DEFOGGER OR HEAT IT FAILED TO COME ON. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, MECHANIC ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED, BUT THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR. *AK IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT HE BLEND AIR DOOR WAS BROKEN WHICH WOULD NOT ALLOW HEAT TO BLOW TROUGH ANY OF THE VENTS. *NM

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SUDDENLY SPURTS ANTIFREEZE FROM INTAKE VALVE GASKET. FORD DEALER NOTIFIED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8L V6 AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE WORK SINCE IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. ALSO, TOLD THAT "EXTENDED WARRANTY" FOR THE PROBLEM WAS EXPIRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE GASKET INTAKE SEAL AND MANIFOLD VALVE COVER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HAVE NO WARNING AND NO STEERING. POWER STEERING FLUID WAS EVERYWHERE. IT TOOK MY WIFE AND I TOO TURN THS VAN INTO A PARKING LOT. UNFORTUNATELY I HAD MY 3 CHILDREN IN THIS VAN WITH ME. I HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION OR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I AM NOT EVEN SURE IF I SHOULD OR NOT. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYWAY TO KNOW IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER(S) GOT THE RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF.*AK

DRIVING LOCALLY AT LOW SPEED, UPON ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ABRUPT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS, JUST A LOUD BANG AND THEN IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD AND HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALER WHERE THE VAN WAS PURCHASED AND SERVICED AT OFFERED NO RECOURSE AS I AM OUT-OF-WARRANTY! IN PROCESS OF GETTING ESTIMATES TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *AK

WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN OHIO WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. UPON EXITING THE FREEWAY WE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND BARELY ACCELERATED AND THE VAN HESITATED AND WE BARELY MADE A SLIGHT TURN INTO A GAS STATION WHEN THE VAN WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO GEAR. WE MANAGED TO NURSE IT INTO A PARKING SPOT AND PUT IT IN PARK AND THERE IS WHERE IT STAYED, UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA FROM MICHIGAN. THE VAN ONLY HAD 53091 MILES ON IT AND WAS MAINTAINED WELL. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A DEALER AND WERE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FAULTY SUN GEAR. UPON FURTHER QUESTIONING WE WERE TOLD THAT SOMETHING NOT WELDED PROPERLY JUST "BROKE LOOSE" AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE ROTATED. MECHANIC ROTATED THE ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. LEAKED FLUID UNTIL THERE NONE WAS LEFT. THIS CAUSED POWER STEERING TO FAIL. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WA COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING SEEN AT THE DEALERS. NO DIAGNOSE HAS BEEN GIVEN AT THIS TIME. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 75,000 MILES. RELACED TRANSMISSION TOTALING $2,544.00. *AK

THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR DOES NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE REST OF THE DOORS DO UNLOCK. DURING AN EMERGENCY THIS COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM WHEN TRYING TO EXIT THE MINI VAN.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE AFTER THE STEERING WENT OUT. SHE INDICATED THAT HIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. NOW IT HAS GONE OUT AGAIN CAUSING HER TO HIT A WALL IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT BRING IT BACK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM THE DEALER CLAIMED THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT THE INVOICE DIDN'T STATE WHAT WAS REPLACED. *NM

WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

FIRST, THE O/D LIGHT FLASHED. A FEW DAYS LATER, WHIE DRIVING ON THE HIGWAY WITH ALL MY KIDS IN THE VAN, I SAW TONS OF SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE VAN. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SAW ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID POURING OUT UNDER THE FRONT END. I DROVE TO AN EXIT, CALLED FOR A RIDE HOME (IT TOOK TWO SEPARATE DRIVERS TO COME AND GET ME AND THE KIDS!) AND GOT THE VAN TOWED. THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH WENT, AND THEN CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS WELL--AT 74,000 MILES. EVERY GARAGE I CALLED SAID THAT THIS IS A BAD TRANSMISSION, AND THEY REPLACE/REBUILD IT ALL THE TIME. *AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A TURN, THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

TWO PROBLEMS OCCURRED IN ONE MONTH. FIRST, THE POWER STEERING WENT CRAZY. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS LEAKING AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. BUT I WAS NOT SURE BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW IF FORD DEALER WAS TRYING TO RIP ME OFF. THEN I TOOK IT TO CARX IN RACINE, WI TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. HE SAID SAME THING BUT HE CAN'T FIX IT BECAUSE HE HAD TO ORDER THE PART. THEN I DECIDED TO WAIT AND LEAVE. ABOUT 2 MILES LATER, THE TRANSMISSION BLEW UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT CAN'T DRIVE OR GEAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO TOWNE FORD INC. IN RACINE, WI. THE TOWNE FORD INC SAID THAT HE FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS ONE OF THE GEARS SNAPPED OFF THE METAL PART. THEY HAD NO IDEA WHY IT HAPPENED. SO, MY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION INSTEAD OF SEVERAL PARTS BECAUSE OF THE COST AND WARRANTY COVERAGE. BUT MY VAN ISN'T OLD YET. IT IS 1999 FORD WINDSTAR AND IT HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS STILL KIND OF NEW. WHY DID THE TRANSMISSION BLOW UP AT 50,000 MILES? WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY ON TRANSMISSION? BY MILES OR AGE? ALSO, WHY DID POWER STEERING GET LEAKING?*AK

POWER STEERING LEAKING AT STEERING RACK ON 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. APPROX. 63,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. INTIAL INQUIRY WITH MECHANIC; REPLACEMENT OF RACK. VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL REPAIRED, LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT DRIVING SPEEDS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. WHAT IS BEING DONE REGARDING THIS PREMATURE FAILURE?*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE SIDE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS INJURED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS AT A RED LIGHT OF A MAJOR INTERSECTION, HEARD A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. TRANSMISSION LITERALLY EXPLODED FOR NO REASON AND NO WARNING. DANGER BECAUSE OF OUR LOCATION CAUSING TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. CAR ONLY HAS 55000 MILES ON IT. WE HAD THE TRANS REBUILT - STEEL PART EXPLODED. COSTING CONSUMER $2400. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO HELP OR ACKNOWLEDGE SAFETY PROBLEMS WHEN A CAR JUST DIES - COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS AND INJURY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO STOP OR DIE NEXT ON YOU. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW WITH MY FAMILY. SECOND TIME IN 4 MONTHS THIS CAR HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE AND INTERSECTION.*AK

STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM VAN WHEN I TURN, RACK AND PINIONS GONE BAD, FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING AND TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEVER GET ANYTHING FROM THEM FOR REIBURSEMENT OF REPAIRS AND THAT THEY DON'T CARE WHAT THE NHTSA OR GOVERMENT SAY. I ONLY HAVE 36,000 MILES ON MY VAN EVEN THOUGH IT IS A 1999 WINDSTAR THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. FOR DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR REPUTATION OR PRODUCT OR CONSUMERS. *AK

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO 25 MPH THE VEHICLE STOPPED GOING FORWARD. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO GO BACKWARDS, BUT NOT FORWARD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, WITHOUT WARNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *LA *JB

SEATBELT ON PASSENGER SIDE (FRONT SEAT) OF 1999 FORD WINDSTAR RUBBED PLASTIC SLEEVE (WHERE SEATBELT RETRACTS DOWN INTO DOORPOST COVER) CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE PLASTICS EDGE CAUSING IT TO BE ROUGH AND JAGGED, WHICH CAUSED 1/4" OF FRAYING INTO THE EDGE OF THE SEATBELT WHICH CONTINUES TO CUT INTO THE BELT WITH EACH USE. THERE SEEMS TO MAYBE BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT WITH THE DESIGN. THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS A WARPED (NOT SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THAT) PLASTIC PIECE ABOVE THE BELT WHICH PUSHES THE BELT AWAY FROM THE EDGE OF THE SLEEVE (HARD TO DESCRIBE), MAKING IT NOT RUB AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE SLEEVE, SO NO PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT HAS DEVELOPED.*AK

I LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE IN THE OUTSIDE LANE ON THE INTERSTATE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE EMERGENCY PARKING LANE WITHOUT INCIDENT, HOWEVER, WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE (NO GEARS AT ALL) IT COULD HAVE BEEN QUITE DANGEROUS ON A BUSIER STRETCH OF HIGHWAY. I WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION PUMP, SHAFT, VALVE BODY AND SEALS. *JB

THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED REVEALED THE FAILURE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH AND THE STATOR. THE RECOMMENDED ACTION WAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, AT A COST OF $3,086.72. A TRANSMISSION SHOULDN'T FAIL AT 65,000 MILES. *NM

ELECTRICAL PROBLEM INVOLVING 10 AMP FUSE FOR AC, ABS, ODOMETER, SPEED SENSOR FOR TRANS, AND SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS. FUSE BLOWS CONSTANTLY. TOOK TO DEALER 3 TIMES. CLOCKSPRING REPLACED - 605.00, SPEED SENSOR IN TRANS - 300.00, USE OF 15 AMP FUSE ON THIRD VISIT - FUSE BLEW AFTER 7 DAYS. TO DATE, DEALER CANNOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE PARTS IN THE HOPE THAT THEY FIND IT, PLUS THE PROBLEM REMAINS. ARE THERE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND IS THERE A KNOWN FIX THAT THE DEALER IS UNAWARE OF? *JB

THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED OFF A HILL, WENT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY INTO A FIELD THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE MUFFLER. THE SECOND TIME THE INCIDENT HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE CONSUMERS DRIVEWAY AND CRASHED INTO A TREE, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGED TO THE FENDER. IN BOTH CASES THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE STEERING WHEEL NEVER LOCKED ON THE VEHICLE AS WELL. *AK *JB

EXTERIOR BULB WARNING LIGHT CAME ON LEFT REAR RUNNING LIGHT QUIT OPERATING. ELECTICAL MACHANIC STATED REM MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. THIS UNIT IS VEHICLE SPECIFIC AND A COST OF $300 AND HAS TO BE PROGRAMED BY DEALER FOR ANOTHER CHARGE.*AK

FRONT HEATER DOES NOT WORK. THUMPING NOISE FROM DASHBOARD. DEALER (PERSON FORD, LAVERNE, CA) WANTS $500 TO REPLACE HEATING VALVE/FLAP. ABS LIGHT STAYS ON DEALER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WHEN IT RAINED OR THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. ONCE THE VEHICLE STALLED THE CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT A HALF HOUR OR MORE BEFORE RESTARTING. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES A MONTH IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. THE DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE TWICE AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *JB

RECENTLY EXPERIENCE WIPER MOTOR/HARNESS CORROSION ON MY 1999 FORD WNSTAR WHICH HAS RESULTED IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. THE WIPERS FAILED WHILE MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS WERE DRIVING ON I-40 WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THEM TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAPITAL FORD DEALER AND THE WIPER FAILURE WAS ANALYZED AT A CHARGE OF $61.00 ON MAY 20, 2004.THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THE HARNESS AND MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $461.00. THE DEALER HAS BEEN LESS THAN HELPFUL IN EXPLAINING HOW CORROSION DEVELOPED. ON MAY 25, 2004 10:45 EST), I CALLED FORD MOTOR CORP. CUSTOMER RELATIONS (KURL 800-392-3673). I EXPLAINED MY SITUATION AND REFERRED TO RECALL # 01V26100. SHE STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO WARRANTEE/RECALL COVERAGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS WELL OUTSIDE THE 12 MONTHS/12,000. MILES. SHE FURHTER SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE IN 2001 AND THAT THERE WAS NO RELATIONSHIP TO MY CURRENT MALFUNCTION AND THE RECALL. LOGIC WOULD SUGGEST THAT A RECALL 2 YEARS AFTER MANUFACTURER DATE COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A PROBLEM/MALFUNCTION 5 YEARS LATER. PLEASE ADVISE BY WRITTEN NOTICE OF YOUR FINDINGS OR CONCLUSIONS. THANKS

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE REGISTERED A FULL TANK BUT THERE WAS NO GAS IN THE TANK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK ON LOW SETTING . WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BY THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER REPLACED THE MOTOR FOUR TIMES WITH NO CHANGE IN SYSTEM.*AK

I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2000. THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE IT HAD TO BE RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEMS. WE NOTICED A HARD SHIFTING RIGHT AWAY AND INQUIRED ABOUT IT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE IT HAD A LARGE ENGINE AND WE WERE JUST NOT USED TO IT. WE DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS WHEN AT 60,000 MILES THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASING. WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. WE WERE LUCKY AND HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS AND COMPLAINTS FINALLY PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW 2 YEARS AND 30,000 LATER WE NEED ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION. THE VAN STARTING LURCHING WHEN STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT AND THEN TRIED TO STALL. WE HAS ALSO NOTED A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT END IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT. WE ALSO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE THE LIGHT COME ON AND NEVER GO OFF. THE A/C-HEAT, COMES ON WHEN YOU START THE VAN AND THE BLOWER IS IN THE OFF POSITION. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS, WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO LOCK WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN DRIVE, FINALLY LOCK ABOUT 50 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH ON THE VAN AND ALL THE PROBLEMS IT HAS I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD WILL NOT DO SOMETHING. I GUESS THE LIVES OF THE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN THAT DRIVES THESE VANS MEAN NOTHING TO THEM. I GUESS IT WILL TAKE THE DEATH OF SOMEONE'S CHILDREN AND A HEAFTY LAWSUIT TO FINALLY GET SOME ACTION. MY WIFE IS NOW AFRAID TO EVEN GET BEHI

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT I HAVE PUT A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS IN IT. THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WITH CODES 171/174 LEAN ON BANK 1 AND 2 I HAVE REPLACED THE O2, THE EGR, THE DIFFERENTIAL, I HAVE HAD THE UPPER INTAKE GASKET REPLACED AND THE EGR HOSES CLEANED. THE LIGHT STILL BURNS. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR SINCE BUYING IT AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE.I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES, THE STRUTS AND THE STABLIZER BAR , AS WELL AS ONE OF THE TIE RODS. THIS VAN MIGHT LOOK GREAT BUT IT RUNS LIKE CRAP WE HAVE SPENT ENOUGH ON THIS USED VAN TO HAVE BOUGHT A NEW ONE. *LA

WHILE DRIVING A VAN FULL OF 6 YOUNG GIRLS TO A SPORTS PRACTICE, THE VAN STARTED JUMPING WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND ACCELERATING. WE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN DRIVE .SUDDENLY, IT JUMPED INTO DRIVE, ALL THE WHILE , MY CARFULL WERE VERY UPSET AND THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO CRASH. I BARELY MADE IT TO THE PRACTICE PARKING LOT. THE VAN WAS JUMPING THE WHOLE DRIVE. IT THEN STALLED IN THE DRIVEWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON BUT THERE CAME A VERY LOUD, SCARY NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I GOT IT ON, BUT IT WOULD NOT DRIVE IN DRIVE, ONLY IN NUETRAL. I HAD TO BE TOWED. IT WAS A MAJOR HASSLE. I CAME TO FIND THAT TH E TRANSMISSION HAD GONE AT 72,000 MILES. I HAD BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON. IT WAS EVALUATED AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM THAT ALL STARTED AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES. COME TO THINK OF IT, THE VAN "JUMPED FROM GEAR TO GESR SINCE DAY 1". FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL ALSO BE CONTACTED. IT SEEMS PRETTY FISHY THAT THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING.*AK

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR THE EMISSION TEST INSPECTION, AND DID NOT PASS THE INSPECTION'S TEST. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE VALVE COVER WHICH WAS SENDING OIL TO THE PCV SYSTEM. INTAKE GASKETS WERE ALSO REPLACED. *LA

MY VAN STARTED MAKING A SCREECHING NOISE EVERYTIME WE MADE ANY TURNS, WE CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT WAS FINE. VAN SAT IN THE YARD CAUSE IT WAS EMBRASSING TO DRIVE WITH THE LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND SINCE WE HAD A 2ND CAR WE JUST LEFT IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. THEN WHEN MY HUSBANDS CAR GOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WE HAD NO CHOICE AND HAD TO DRIVE IT. AS SOON AS WE TRY AND DRIVE IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WE NEW SOMETHING MAJOR IS WRONG IT TOOK 2 PEOPLE TO TURN THE WHEEL ON THE VAN JUST TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. SO I CALLED MY STEP DAD AND EXPLAINED WHAT IT WAS DOING AND HE SAID SOUNDS LIKE THE POWER STERRING PUMP WENT OUT ON IT SO WE TAKE IT TO A VERY RELIABLE MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT NOT ONLY IS THE POWER STERRING PUMP BAD THE RACK AND PINONS ARE GONE ALSO. I CAN'T BELIEVE WITH A VAN THAT IS NOT THAT OLD TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN SO QUICKLY. I HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FORUMS ABOUT THE FORD WINDSTAR AND I SEE PAGES AND PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING I'M DEALING WITH NOW. WHAT DOES IT TAKE BEFORE A COMPANY STANDS BEHIND THERE PRODUCT AND ISSUE A RECALL.*AK

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE! FIRST TIME WHEN WE BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALER - THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATTLE SOUND (WARRENTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT). IT WAS HAPPENING AROUND 40MPH - WHOLE FRONT END WOULD RATTLE. THEY HAD TRANSMISSION "EXPERT" LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION. ABOUT 10,000 MILES LATER - WHAM! COULD NOT DRIVE. TOOK IT BACK (AFTER WARRENTY EXPIRED) AND TRANSMISSION "EXPERT" SAYS IT IS TORQUE CONVERTER AND IT WOULD NEED NEW/REBUILT TRANS - NOT COVERED UNDER WARRENTY. I WENT ELSE WHERE FOR THE REPAIR, NOT A CENT MORE TO FORD - EVER. NEXT, AFTER I GOT MY TRANS REBUILT BY 3RD PARTY, IT FAILED AGAIN 25,000 MILES LATER. THEY GOT ALL THE UPDATES, ETC - AND TRUST ME, THEY DO A GREAT JOB ON TRANS (THEY REPAIR FBI CARS). AFTER 2 REBUILDS LATER - WE ARE UP AND RUNNING AGAIN - BUT, IF SOMEONE OFFERS ME MONEY FOR THIS CAR, THEY CAN HAVE IT! FOUND ON ROAD DEAD - (AND CHANGING THE NAME TO FREESTAR DOES NOT HELP THE COVER UP)

WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT, OUR FORD WINDSTAR WAS REAR-ENDED BY A FORD FOCUS ESTIMATED TO BE GOING 50-60MPH. BOTH OF US IN THE FRONT SEATS SUFFERED SEVERE CALF MUSCLE INJURIES. WE BELIEVE THESE WERE CAUSED BY THE MANUAL SEAT ADJUSTMENT BAR THAT RUNS THE FULL WIDTH OF THE SEAT. WE WERE BOTH WEARING SEATBELTS. AN ADDITIONAL NOTE: THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE ON IMPACT.*AK IS THERE ANY HISTORY OF LEG TRAUMA CAUSED BY SEAT HARDWARE IN REAR-END COLLISIONS?

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGHLY. SEVERAL SECONDS LATER, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BIND. *AK DEALER ALSO MADE REPAIRS ON FRONT END, POWER STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND TIE ROD ENDS. A 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS ALSO PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. *LA

INTERIOR LIGHTING, RADIO,REAR A/C FAN WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF AND KEY REMOVED. REAR FAN CONTINUES TO RUN, DRAINING BATTERY. THIS FAULT IS INTERMITTENT AND WAS SUPPOSEDLY RESOLVED BY THE DEALER( PLACE MOTORS , WEBSTER MA) REPLACING THE BATTERY LAST SPRING 2003. DID THE DEALERSHIPS REALLY FIX ANYTHING?? IT COST ME A NEW BATTERY TO FIND OUT. CHATTERING OF POWER RELAYS ALSO OCCURS . SIMILAR DESCRIPTION AS THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR INTERIOR LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. REAR A/C FAN WAS DISCONNECTED TO STOP BATTERY DRAIN. EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE WORSE ON RAINY DAYS. *JB

RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 42,000 MILES DUE TO AN END SEAL FAILURE. MOST OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT WITHIN 2 DAYS OF THE LEAK. THERE IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THIS BY FORD THEY HAVE ISSUED 2 TSB'S. THIS PART SHOULD NEVER FAIL AT THIS MILEAGE, IT IS A POOR DESIGN WITH EITHER WRONG MATERIALS SELECTED FOR THE SEAL AND NO LIFE TESTING WAS CONDUCTED TO VERIFY THE DESIGN. FORD SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED TO TALK ABOUT QUALITY WHEN CRAMP LIKE THIS HAPPENS.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN DRIVING THE SLIDING DOORS POP COMPLETELY OPEN. ALSO, THE DOORS DO THE SAME THING WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED. CONSUMER HAS TO PHYSICALLY GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE DOORS CLOSE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES, BUT WHEN THE DEALERS HAS THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM WILL NOT MANIFEST ITSELF. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PRODUCED A THICK SMOKE FROM THE INTERIOR CLUSTER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC THE DRIVER APPLIED THE ACCELERATE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS THEN STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER A SUN GEAR INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB