1999 Ford Windstar complaints

TRANSMISSION, SLIDING DOOR, DRIVER DOOR, RACK AND PINION, STEERING PUMP, INTAKE MANIFOLD, FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER LINK, WORLD'S FASTEST DECLINING VEHICLE VALUE, WORLD'S WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SATISFACTION REPRESENTATIVES.*AK

WE HAVE OWNED OUR 99' WINDSTAR SINCE THE DAY IT WAS NEW, AND AT FIRST LOVED IT. BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND AS I HAVE FOUND OUT WITH FORD EMPLOYED INVESTIGATORS THE 99' WAS A BAD YEAR FOR MANY AREAS TO INCLUDE THE TRANSMISSION. OUR TRANSMISSION GOES INTO DEFAULT LIMP-HOME MODE(OVERDRIVE FLASHES ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY RPM'S INCREASE AND SHIFTS HARD). AT 5 MILES AFTER STARTING UP AND GETTING UNDER WAY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE BEST REPAIR TO THE PROBLEM WAS TO "DRIVE THE VAN TILL THE TRANS DIES" AS THIS WAS AN EASIER FIX THAN THE BAD COMPUTER MODULE. SUPPOSEDLY CHEAPER AS WELL. I STRONGLY URGE EVERYONE IN THE WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION PREDICKAMENT TO SPREAD THE NEWS AS FORD SHOULD CORRECT THIS KNOWN PROBLEM BEFOR IT KILLS SOMEONE.

CONSTANT TRANSMISSION SHUDDER DURING UPSHIFT. UNLIKE THE TSB DEALING WITH SHUDDER WHILE CORNERING, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ALL THE TIME. MECHANIC INDICATES THAT LIKELY CAUSE IS FAILURE OF THE PISTON IN THE FOWARD CLUTCH. A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN WINDSTARS. CONSEQUENTLY, IT CAUSES INSUFFICIENT ACCELERATION FORM A STOP MAKING CROSSING INTERSECTIONS UNSAFE.

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. *NLM...*AK

THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT ON MY VAN. LUCKILY I WAS AT HOME IN MY DRIVEWAY. CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO COMPLAINTS AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. SO I AM HAVING TO HAVE IT FIXED MY SELF. THE VEHICLE IS 4 YEARS OLD, I PERSONALLY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE PUMP SHOULD BE BAD.

WHILE THE CONSUMER MADE A TURN THE POWER STEERING PUMP MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING FLUID STARTED TO LEAK WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ONLY MOVE IN REVERSE. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SEL 3.8L V6 - BLOWN GASKETS. *JB

THE DRIVER'S WINDOW DID NOT ROLL DOWN BY USING THE SWITCH DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *JB

THE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE ALL THE WAY, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THE DOOR WAS AJAR. *JB

ENGINE REVS UNEXPLAINABLE, CAUSING UNEXPECTED AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE. EXTREME BRAKE APPLICATION NEEDED TO STOP VEHICLE DURING INCIDENTS. HAS OCCURRED IN EXCESS OF 20 TIMES SO FAR DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. FORD DEALER UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.*JB

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AT 42,000 MILES, FORD WINDSTAR- MANUFACTURE WOULD NOT ASSIST IN REPAIRS, CAUSED FAMILY TO BE STRANDED IN REMOTE AREA. HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSTAR. *JB

AS MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUR FORD WINDSTAR INTO THE DRIVEWAY, A SPRAY OF HOT OIL CAME FROM THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND HIT ME ON THE RIGHT LEG NOT SERIOUS BUT TURNED MY LEG RED FOR A SHORT TIME. APPEARS TO BE POWER STEERING FLUID AS SHE FINISHED BACKING UP THE VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE CAR WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE GROANING NOISE. HAVE ADDED A COUPLE OF OUNCES OF POWER STEERING FLUID INTO THE RESEVOIR. WILL DRIVE OR MAYBE HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP.*JB

HORN IS VERY HARD TO ACTIVATE. I SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY FILED THIS COMPLAINT, BUT I DON'T SEE ANY ACTION TAKEN. FORD HAS SOLD A CAR WITH A USELESS HORN, WHICH MUST BE IN VIOLATION OF SOME SAFETY REGULATION. *TT

I HAVE MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE AND MAINTAIN MY VEHICLES RELIGIOUSLY AS I LIKE TO KEEP THEM AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. WE HAVE A '99 FORD WINDSTAR AND AT 30,800 MILES THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION. SHE DESCRIBED IT AS A LOUD "BANG" AND THEN IT WOULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY ADVISED WE HAD WORN OUT THE "CLUTCHES" AND THE TRANSMISION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD JUST DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ON A SKI TRIP VACATION THE WEEK BEFORE AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SLIP OR HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, SOMETHING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BROKE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND LEFT MY WIFE AND KIDS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE WEB AND VERIFYING THROUGH SOME CONNECTIONS I FOUND THAT THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND IT USUALLY OCCURS BETWEEN 30K TO 50K MILES. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO MAKE US PAY SINCE IT WAS 800 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY BUT AFTER MUCH DELIBERATION THEY AGREED TO "LET" US PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND GAVE US A REBUILT TRANSMISION. WE HAD THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES PREVIOUSLY FOR TRANSMISSION RECALLS AND PERFORMANCE ISSUES. WE NEVER TOW ANYTHING WITH OUR VAN AND MY WIFE MAINLY DRIVES AROUND THE AREA TO WORK AND TRANSPORTING OUR CHILDREN. WHERE MY WIFE WAS STRANDED WAS ON TOP OF A HILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A 6 LANE HIGHWAY INTERSECTION AND NOT ONLY DO I FEEL THIS IS A QUALITY ISSUE PERPETUATED ON FORD CUSTOMERS BUT A SAFETY ISSUE ALSO AS WAS DEMONSTRA

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO DOWN SHIFT. *NLM

A SHARP PIECE OF METAL WAS PROTRUDING FROM THE DRIVER SEAT BACK (LEFT SIDE AT HIP LEVEL). *NLM *SCC

SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB

THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE DEALER STATED THE RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. HOWEVER, THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2001 BY THE DEALER. *JB

1999 FORD WINDSTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MILES HAD UNEXPECTED TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. VEHICLE LURCHED "LIKE IT HAD HIT A BOX" WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN. VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED TO CHECK FOR ANY DEBRIS; NONE FOUND. UPON RE-ENTERING VEHICLE, IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN FORWARD IN "DRIVE." VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE DRIVEN IN "REVERSE" GEAR. VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE TRANSMISSION BY SAME FORD DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER 2002. TWO OF OUR IN-LAWS ALSO OWN 1999 FORD WINDSTARS, ONE OF WHOM IS NOW ON IT'S THIRD TRANSMISSION, AND THE OTHER IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING OCCASIONAL "SLIPPING" OF THE TRANSMISSION DURING ACCELERATION. *NLM

COOLANT LEAKING FROM ENGINE BLOCK. VAN NEVER OVER HEATED. FOUND OUT THIS HAPPENS OFTEN TO THE 3.8 L ENGINE....THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS..SHOULD CHANGE FROM ALUMINUM TO STEEL OR ANOTHER METAL THAT WONT CRACK OR WARP SO EASILY. *JB

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK ON HIGH SPEED OR IN COLD WEATHER. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY HEAT AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT WAS A NEW PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. *JB

THE OIL GASKET SHIFTED FROM ITS "SPECIFIED" LOCATION WHICH CAUSED AN EXTREME OIL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE. *JB

ABS LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY. I HAD THE PROBLEM CHECKED TWICE, THE FIRST TIME NUMEROUS CODES OCCURRED, IT WAS RESET AND A SWITCH WAS REPLACED. AUTO SHOP CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ABS. I KEEP TAKING IT IN AT A COST OF $70 EACH TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RECHECKED BECAUSE THE ABS LIGHT STILL CONTINUED TO COME ON. I HAVE WRITTEN TO FORD CORPORATION AND LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED VEHICLE. *JB

THE ABS MOTOR SWITCH BECAME STUCK WHILE BRAKING AND RESULTED IN NOISE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF BUT THE NOISE PERSISTED. *NLM *NLM

TRANSMISSION FAIL-FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON. STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND WHEN I PUT FOOT ON GAS TO GO IT JUST RACED THE ENGINE. GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. NO FOREWARNING AND ONLY 33,000 MILES ON A LIGHTLY DRIVEN CAR! CALLED FORD DEALER AND CORP. AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING. FROM WHAT I READ THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND HAD I PULLED INTO TRAFFIC THIS MORNING AND LOST IT I WOULD BE WRITING THIS FROM A HOSPITAL!!! I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO FORDS ATTENTION! I WILL BE OUT OF ALMOST 2500 WHEN THIS IS OVER....MONEY IN THESE TIMES THAT I CANNOT AFFORD! *NLM

1/.WINDSHIELD WIPER IS NOT COMPLETELY WIPING OFF WATER ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT TRAVELS AT 65 MPH ONLY 1/3 UPPER PART OF WINDSHIELD IS WIPED OF. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON RAINY DAY. 2/ PAINT IS BUBBLING AND PEELING OF FROM THE HOOD. 3/ THE CAR IS HUMBLING AND MAKE NOISE WHEN IT IS AT STOP AND A/C ON (MAY BE THE PRESSURE FROM THE POWER STEERING PULLING). *JB

WE PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2002. THE DASH LIGHTS, ESPECIALLY THE ODOMETER AND RADIO BLINK. THEY WILL DIM AND BRIGHTEN, DIM AND BRIGHTEN. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC PATTERN. IT IS A RANDOM THING. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THERE IS A SHORT IN THE WIRING OR SOMETHING. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS TODAY, BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTHS. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING RECALLS RELIGIOUSLY TO SEE IF THIS WAS ONE OF THEM. ALSO THERE IS RUST UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CARFAX REPORT DID NOT SHOW ANY WATER DAMAGE TO THIS VEHICLE. IT ALMOST APPEARS LIKE THIS PIECE DID NOT GET PAINTED. *JB

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS SUFFERED A COMPLETE STEERING RACK FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THE ORIGINAL PART WAS PRONE TO EARLY FAILURE AND THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENT WAS MUCH IMPROVED. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS A FLAW IN THE ORIGINAL PART, I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *JB

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE MIDDLE ROW SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND PARTICLES FROM THE BAG CAUSED INJURIES TO THE CHILD OCCUPANT. *JB

THE REAR TIRES DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*JB

WHILE DRIVING THE DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE HEAT WENT ON AND OFF, AND IT GAVE OFF A BURNING SMELL. *NLM

1999 FORD WINDSTAR, TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE FAILURE. 78,000 MILES, NO WARNING GIVEN. DEALER QUOTED $2500.00 FOR REBUILT TRANNY. AS I UNDERSTAND, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLAQUED WITH DRIVETRAIN PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FORD BE FORCED TO REPAIR/REPLACE/REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR REPAIRS THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN NECESSARY.*JB

THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED. IT FELL COMPLETELY BACK ON THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT. USUALLY MY YOUNGEST CHILD (BABY AT THE TIME) WOULD HAVE BEEN (IN HER CHILD SEAT) IN THE MIDDLE ROW AND I'M SURE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF SHE HAD BEEN IN THE VAN THAT DAY. *JB

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED INTO PIECES, WITHOUT IMPACT.*JB

THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN RESTARTED.*JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC. WAS TOLD THAT THE O2(OXYGEN)SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO UPSTREAM AND ONE DOWNSTREAM. SECOND OPINION/SOURCE SAID THAT THOSE PARTICULAR PARTS RARELY MALFUNCTION. WAS TOLD THAT PROBLEM COULD SEVERELY DAMAGE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.APPROX. 57K ON DATE OF OCCURANCE. SEEMS TOO SOON FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM.

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL.*JB

THE HORN IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO ACTIVATE IN AN EMERGENCY AND EVEN NOT IN AN EMERGENCY.

TENSIONER ASSEMBLY AND IDLE PULLEY DEFECTIVE. IF INSPECTING ENGINE, WHILE VAN IS RUNNING AND HOOD UP MAIN BELT MIGHT BREAK AND POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY TO INSPECTOR.

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.*JB

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE PROPERLY.*JB

THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB

POWER STEERIN RACK IS LEAKING FLUID. AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP ($335+), BECUASE IT BURNED OUT DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE RACK, ( LEAKING FLUID THROUGH THE RACK, SYSTEM COULDN'T MAINTAIN SYSTEM PRESSURE) I AM NOW FACED WITH HAVING TO REPLACE THE RACK AT A COST OF OVER $600.

WE JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. IT HAS 107,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WHEN WE HAD 63,000 MILES, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RACK. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE TO OWN - ESPECIALLY WITH THE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS THAT IT REQUIRES.

1999 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 63,000 MILES TRANSMISSION FAILURE

TEERING RACK FAILURE ON 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WITH LESS THAN 18,033 MILES. CAUSED UNSTABLE CONDITION, INCLUDING LACK OF STEERING CONTROL.

FORD WINDSTAR 1999. CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIT. MANUAL STATES THAT THIS INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. DROP CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR. PARTS ON ORDER. CHECKED FEB. 5, 2003. PARTS STILL ON ORDER. AM TOLD THAT 8 OR SO VEHICLE OWNERS ARE WAITING FOR SAME PARTS.