Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1999 record →
UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A STOP VEHICLE ACCELERATED, RESULTING IN UNWANTED AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. ALSO, SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER MALFUNCTION INTERMITENTLY. OWNER BELIEVES A COMPUTER PROBLEM EXISTS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK.ET.
WHILE DRIVING SLIDING DOOR COULD UNLATCH AND OPEN HALF WAY WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ON THE HIGHWAY UP THE HILL I NOTICE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM BEHIND MY VAN AND WHEN I HALTED I NOTICE TRANSMISSION OIL COMING UNDERNEATH MY VAN AND I CALL ROAD ASSISTANCE. *AK
WAS MAKING A LFET TURN RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER'S WHEEL FLEW OFF. THIS WAS CAUSED BY 5 OF THE WHEEL BOLTS BREAKING OFF IN HALF. IT MADE A LOUD BOOM & THEN A BANG TYPE OF NOISE. CONTACTED FORD & INFORMED NOT THEIR FAULT & WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER IT HAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FOR 30SEC -1 MIN. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE LOOKING INTO AND IT IS NOT A SAFTEY ISSUE. PLEASE E-MAIL ME IF YOU ARE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. *AK
VAN WAS RUNNING IN PARK AND JUMPED FROM PARK TO REVERSE. PINNED MY LEG TO A TREE, THEN THREW ME TO THE GROUND AND THEN PROCEEDED INTO MY GARAGE THROUGH THE CLOSED DOOR. IT THEN STOPPED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE POPPED OPEN ABOUT TWO INCHES. VAN HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
UNKNOWN EXACT PROBLEM AT THIS TIME GRINDING NOISE AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN STARTED AND NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN TOUCHED. SOUNDS EITHER LIKE GEARS ARE SHIFTING LIKE A STICK SHIFT CAR IN THE WRONG GEAR OR LIKE YOU TRYING TO START THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN STARTED.
WHEN BRAKES PEDAL WAS APPLIED VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN TO STOP AS IT SHOULD. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE.*AK
REAR DEFOGGER IS NOT OPERABLE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED ON . THE TOP OF THE WINDOW IS OKAY. BUT AT THE BOTTOM OF WINDOW SNOW AND ICE WOULD STICK *AK
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED DURING A TURN WHEELS LOCKED UP. PEDAL WAS NORMAL,AND THE BRAKES DID RESPOND. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED A LEAK. NLM
ABS BRAKE PROBLEM; WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND APPLYING BRAKES ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, VAN KEPT GOING AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON A SMOOTH AND DRY ROAD SURFACE. VAN IS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
CONSUMER PULLED NOZZLE FROM GAS TANK, WHEN A BURST OF FLAMES SHOT OUT OF THE TANK, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY STATIC ELECTRICITY. *SLC
THE HORN IS VERY HARD TO BLOW AT TIMES OF NEED. AND NOT REALLY EASY ACCESSIBLE. *AK
CONSUMER HAD PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION TWICE. TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT DUE TO A CABLE BEING LOOSE, AND DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION TWICE. ALSO, DEALERSHIP REPLACED A CABLE ON THE SLIDING DOOR, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL PERFORMS ERRATICALLY. *AK
THE VAN WAS STRUCK IN THE FRONT -- TOTALING IT. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK
LEAVING A FILLING STATION AND RETURNING TO THE STREET ATTEMPTING TO STOP BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSION MADE A GRINDING NOISE, THE CAR KEPT MOVING, THE ENGINE WAS NOT REVING UP BUT THE VAN KEPT MOVING, I STEERED TO THE RIGHT AS MUCH AS I COULD I WAS ALMOST SIDE SIPED BY A 18 WHEELER. AFTER REACHING THE STREET I LET UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VAN COASTED TO A STOP. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE TODAY AND THEY CHECK THE ABS BRAKES BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IT APPEARED TO ME THAT WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE THE TRANSMISSION STYED ENGAGED , BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP THE GRINDING NOISE STOPPED. THE GARAGE DID NOT CHECK THE TRANSMISSION, THEY FELT IT COULDN'T HAPPEN. I'M 74 YEARS OLD IN EXCELLENT HEALTH. THE MOTOR WAS NOT REVING UP SO I DID NOT HAVE ONE FOOT ON THE GAS PEDDLE, AS THEY ASSUMED I DID. I TRIED SAT WITH 1 FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE OTHER ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. SO IN MY OPINON IT HAD TO BE IN THE TRANSMISSON. IF THAT 18 WHEELER WOULD HAVE HIT ME THEY WOULD HAVE SAID THE DRIVER FAILED TO STOP, AND MY WIFE AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD . *AK
WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A TOTAL STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, VEHICLE ROARS UP, AND PULLS THOUGH THE INTERSECTION. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY VAN SURGES AT LOW SPEED WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. VAN HAS BEEN TAKEN 8 TIMES TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. NEITHER DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
UPON STARTING VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTED THE ALTERNATOR DOES NOT TURN OVER WHICH CAUSES A NO START CONDITION, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 10 TO 25 MPH, IF CONSUMER PUTS ON BRAKES OR SLOWS DOWN, WILL EXPERIENCE A LOUD BANG. CONSUMER SAYS THIS IS A VERY SCARY SOUND. *AK
ABS MODULE WIRE BURNED OUT; ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER DID NOT WORK. *AK
WHILE FILLING VEHICLE WITH GAS SOME SPILLED AROUND FILLER ASSEMBLY . CONSUMER NOTICED A SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. LEAKING FUEL DRAINS INSIDE BODY MOLDING. IT THEN EVAPORATES AND SOME GOES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *AK *ML
WHILE DRIVING RACK AND PINION STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS, TOOK A LONG TIME FOR DEALER TO RECEIVE PARTS, MEANWHILE OWNER HAD TO DRIVE UNSAFE VEHICLE. *AK *ML
UPON TURNING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN INTO A NEIGHBOR'S HOME. DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD WHEN IN USE. WOULD PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD TO CLEAN WINDSHIELD WIPERS OFF. WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, INFORMED BY MECHANIC THEY WERE THE ONLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS MADE FOR WINDSTAR BY MANUFACTURER. CONSUMER WAS LATER ABLE TO PURCHASE EFFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FROM AN AUTOMOTIVE STORE. *AK *ML
WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, HIT VANK HEAD ON AND THE WHOLE FRONT END AND BUMPER COMPLETLY CAME OFF. *AK.ET.
WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN OR BECOME STIFF. DRIVER HAS TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES IN ORDER TO TURN. DEALER SAYS THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DEALER HAS REPLACED RACK AN DPINION BEFORE, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30MPH STEPPED ON GAS PEDAL AND IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND GOT STUCK. CONSUMER HIT THE CURB, NO INJURIES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER 6 TIMES. THEY ARE ORDERING A NEW GAS PEDAL. *AK *ML
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN UP TO 15-20 MPH. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DOES NOT HAVE TO BE APPLIED. ON OCCASION TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO BE BETWEEN GEARS.. *AK
DUE TO THE DESIGN AND LOCATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, OCCUPANT WITH A LARGE STANDARD FOOT SIZE CAN PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH MAY RESULT IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *AK
WHEN MOVING REAR SEAT TO MIDDLE POSITION BEHIND DRIVER, THERE IS NO PLACE TO BUCKLE THE LAP BELT. IN THE REAR POSITION THERE IS, VEHICLE IS ADVERSTISED AND OWNERS MANUAL SHOWS THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO SWAP MIDDLE AND REAR SEATING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT.
NO FAILED COMPONENTS - MICE GET INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH FIREWALL - FIREWALL NOT SEALED?? NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
RE: SLIDING DOORS- WILL NOT OPEN RELIABLY SINCE NEW- TROUBLE INTERMITTENT-DEALER LAKELAND FORD REPLACED DOOR SWITCHES WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE INTERMITTENT CONDITION(NOT EASY)DEALER CONTACTED FORD WHO TOLD THEM THAT THE DOORS WERE DESIGNED TO OPERATE THAT WAY TO CONSERVE BATTERY!(BELIEVE IT) FORD DESIGN ENGINEER SAID THE POWER TO THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WAS CUT OFF AFTER 30 MINUTES OF NO USE TO CONSERVE THE BATTERY, FURTHER, THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED NO OTHER COMPLAINTS.. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT SO. THE VAN CAN SIT FOR 24 HOURS AND THE DOORS WILL OPEN , MOST OF THE TIME. RE HORN BUTTON: MOST PEOPLE USE THE PALM OR HEEL OF THE HAND TO OPERATE THE HORN. I HAVE HAD THREE CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SOUND THE HORN TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS. IT CAN ONLY BE OPERATED BY USING THE THUMB OR INDEX FINGER DIRECTLY OVER THE HORN SYMBOL. THIS CONSTITUTES AN AREA OF SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE SQUARE INCH. RE EMISSION CONTROL:ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THIS NOISE IS CAUSED BY ONE OF THE EMISSION CONTROLS UNDER THE HOOD. IT CAUSES A WHIRRING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR AND MAKES A SQUACK LIKE A DUCK WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HAD IDENTICAL TROUBLE IN '96 WINDSTAR, TURNED OUT TO BE COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION RELATED.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED IN ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
IF YOU PROCEED UPHILL AND COME TO A STOP TO PARK, I PLACE SET THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE BEFORE I PUT THE VAN IN PARK. WHEN I LEAVE I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PUT THE VAN IN DRVE OR WHICHEVER GEAR I NEED AND I GET AN EXTREMELY LOUD CLUNK AS IF THE TRANS. IS GOING TO FALL OUT. WHILE GOING UPHILL, ONCE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH AND A SECOND TIME AT 45 TO 50 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FOR A SECOND ALL TOGETHER. THEN IT JUMPED BACK INTO THE GEAR IT WAS IN PREVIOUSLY, NOT BERFORE ACTUALLY SLOWING DOWN AND ALMOST STOPPING. I BROUGHT THE VAN NTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT AND WITHIN A FEW HOURS THEY CALLED ME FOR PICK UP AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE, I'VE BEEN AROUND CARS ALL MY LIFE AND THAT SOUND IS NOT NORMAL AND THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED ARE NOT NORMAL. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY HAVE LOWW TRANNY FLUID. THAT HAS BEEN CHECKED AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I FEEL LIKE I'M GETTING THE RUN AROUND HERE AND AM NOT GETTTING ANY SOUND ANSWERS AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENS. I ALSO JUST FOUND OUT TODAY FROM THE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WINDSTAR HAS MANY TECHNICAL BULLETINS OUT REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION. I FEEL A LITTLE LEFT OUT OF HTE CROWD HERE. I'LL BE TAKING MY FAMILY ON A VACATION BACK TO MINNESOTA AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEVAN WILL MAKE IT. AFTER ALL THATS WHY WE PAY FOR THE WARRANTIES NOW ISN'T IT. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP AND GUIDANCE WITH THIS ISSUE. *AK
ON THE 21ST OF DEC 99, MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN OUR WINDSTAR. THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE HORN WERE USEABLE. THE WAY THE HORN BUTTON IS NOW YOU WILL HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME TRYING TO FIND THE EXACT SPOT TO PUSH TO GET THE HORN TO SOUND. WHEN TIME IS CRITICAL IN THE OUTCOME, SEARCHING FOR THAT EXACT SPOT ISN'T A PLAYER. THIS WAS THE CASE ON THE 21ST. WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL TRIED TO CROSS THE HIGHWAY HE HIT OUR VAN ON THE RIGHT SIDE CAUSING $6500 IN DAMAGE. PRIOR TO THE IMPACT SHE TRIED TO HIT THE HORN BUT COULD NOT FIND IT WHEN IT WAS NEEDED MOST. WE ARE ALMOST 100% POSITIVE THAT IF SHE COULD HAVE FOUND THE HORN SHE COULD HAVE SOUNDED IT, AND THE OTHER DRIVER WOULD HAVE SEEN HER COMING. LUCKILY MY 18 MONTH OLD AND 5 YR OLD DAUGHTERS WERE NOT WITH HER AT THE TIME. NOW I HAVE A $30,000 MINIVAN THAT WILL NEVER BE OF ANY VALUE AGAIN. SURE IT WILL BE FIXED, BUT WHO WOULD EVER WANT A VEHICLE LIKE THAT THAT HAS HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. I GUESS THATS MY LOSS THOUGH.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
BRAKES FAILED AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP. PUT VEHICLE IN PARK WHILE MOVING, AND FINALLY STOPPED ON SIDEWALK, AT A SCHOOL WHERE THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN DESASTERIOUS.
THE HORN LOCATION IS HARD TO FIND DUE TO DESIGN. YH
THE FORD WINDSTAR DOES NOT HAVE THE SWITCHABLE RETRACTOR SEATBELTS INSTALLED ON THE EXTERIOR, REAR LAP AND SHOULDER BELT COMBINATION SEATBELTS; ALTHOUGH FORD PAPERWORK SHOWS THAT AS STANDARD FEATURE IN THE 1999 WINDSTAR AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL ON THIS VEHICLE SAYS THAT THIS TYPE OF SEATBELT IS INSTALLED. THE MANUAL DESCRIBES THE METHOD OF INSTALLING A CHILD SAFETY SEAT AS THOUGH THIS TYPE OF SEATBELT IS INSTALLED (PAGE 130 - 142 IN OWNER'S MANUAL). IF THE INSTALLATION OF THE CAR SEAT IS MADE ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL THE CAR SEAT WILL NOT BE SECURE. THIS IS BECAUSE AN EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR IS USED ON ALL SEATS IN THE WINDSTAR. I VERIFIED THIS WITH DOREE COLLETT AT 312-324-8914 (A CHILD CAR SEAT SAFETY CONSULTANT). THE INSTALLATION OF THE CHILD SEAT IN THE REAR WINDSTAR SEATS CAN BE MADE SAFE WITH A LOCKING CLIP UNTIL THE CORRECT SEATBELTS ARE INSTALLED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURERS CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMEROUS TIMES. I WAS TOLD THE OWNER'S MANUAL IS ONLY A GENERAL GUIDE AND THAT IT WILL NOT TELL ME WHAT IS ON THE VEHICLE. THIS MAY BE TRUE, BUT CAR SEAT INSTRUCTIONS DIRECT OWNER'S TO REFER TO VEHICLE OWNER MANUALS FOR INSTALLATION AND AS I'VE STATED PREVIOUSLY - FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS WOULD DIRECT A PERSON TO MAKE AN UNSAFE INSTALLATION OF CAR SEATS. (NOTE: IT TOOK ME A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND PERSISTANCE TO EVEN BEGIN TO GET HELP FROM FORD ON THIS ISSUE. I AM NOW USING THE LOCKING CLIP, BUT I AM CERTAIN OTHER KIDS ARE SECURRED IAW THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ARE
THE HORN IS VERY DIFFICULT TO USE WHEN NEEDED DUE TO LOCATION. IT WOULD FAIL TO WORK WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC NO PROBLEM WITH HORN. *AK
WHILE THE VAN WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, REAR WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE JUST BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WINDOW WILL BE REPLACED UNDER OWNER'S INSURANCE. OWNER CONCERNED ABOUT A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE GLASS. *AK *ML
WINDOWS FOGGED, VISIBILTY LIMITED, WATER POURED FROM DASH ONTO FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR
FUEL TANK HAS 26 GALLONS AND TANK ONLY TAKES 21 GALLONS. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE GAS IS GOING SOMEWHERE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HAD TO BLOW THE HORN, IT DIDN'T WORK. CONTACTED DEALER ,NOTHING COULD BE DONE. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO TAKE EYES OFF THE ROAD TO FIND A SPOT ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO SOUND THE HORN. *AK
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1999 Ford Windstar → · Every Windstar year → · How the figures are calculated →