2000 Ford Windstar complaints

TRANSMISSION FAILURE 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR A COUPLE WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS BEFORE AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY ARE NOT GOING TO COVER IT. I BELIEVE THEY STALLED UNTIL THE WARRANTY WAS OUT SO THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT FORD HAS HAD A HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSTAR. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD OF BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURER. *JB

ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I NOTICED CREAKING NOISES FROM THE REAR OF MY WINDSTAR MINIVAN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED A SEVERE CRACK IN THE REAR CROSS BEAM (FRAME); THERE IS ONLY ABOUT 2 INCHES OF METAL REMAINING HOLDING THE REAR FRAME TOGETHER. THE CRACK HAS RUST AROUND IT. THERE IS A SECOND CRACK AT THE SAME LOCATION ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CROSS BEAM, ALSO WITH A LINE OF RUST THAT WRAPS AROUND THE CROSS BEAM. THE COMPONENT IS APPARENTLY NEAR THE FAILURE POINT, AS THE REAR WHEELS STARTED TO SPREAD APART (LIKE WINGS) DURING THE DRIVE TO THE MECHANIC. IF THIS PART HAD FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE LEAD TO A FATALITY. I PLAN TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL RIPPED AWAY ENDING UP BURNING THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A TORN SEAL. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE OVERDRIVE SYMBOL FROM THE PANEL STARTED TO BLINK. THIS INCIDENT DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER IN WHICH A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER ALSO PUT AN ADDITIVE TO THE TRANSMISSION SEAL.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE KEYS WERE OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ENGAGED BY THEMSELVES. BLACK AND WHITE SMOKE ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT RAISED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WHICH STOPPED THE WIPERS. ALTHOUGH SMOKE WAS PRESENT, NO VISIBLE FLAMES OR FIRE WAS OBSERVED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HEAT DAMAGED THE WIRING HARNESS AND THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR SHORTED OUT. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER WAS ALERTED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED.

VAN MAKES A GRUNTING / CRUNCHING SOUND USUALLY ON RIGHT TURNS. *JB

INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS REPLACED AND VALVE COVER. $1500.00 THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT/POOR DESIGN. A 6 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT NEED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED. *JB

2000 FORD WINDSTAR WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. FRONT RIGHT SPRING BROKE WHILE BACKING THE CAR OUT OF GARAGE, AND IT PUNCTURED THE TIRE AS WELL AS RUINED THE STRUT SHOCK. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL FOR A SOARING TO RUST OUT IN (6) SIX YEARS. DUE TO OUR PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH A 1996 WINDSTAR, WE HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR THIS VEHICLE, SO WE DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE RIGHT HAND VEHICLE DAMAGE. BUT, DUE TO THE VERY HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THE LEFT SPRING WOULD RUST THROUGH AND FAIL SOON, WE OPTED TO PAY TO HAVE THE LEFT SPRING AND OTHER COMPONENTS FIXED AT THE SAME TIME AS WE HAD THE RIGHT SIDE REPAIRED. MY WIFE'S LIFE AND THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD IS WORTH MORE THAN THE COST TO REPLACE A RUSTED OUT, POOR QUALITY COIL SPRING / DESIGN. IF THIS SPRING WOULD HAVE BROKEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED, MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO THE AGGRESSIVE WAY THE BROKEN SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE, ACTUALLY PIERCING INTO THE TIRE AND LOCKING IT FROM ROTATION. *JB

PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR HAS FAILED THREE TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2000. FORD FIXED IT ONCE WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY...NO COST. THEY ALSO FIXED IT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED...NO CHARGE. THIS TIME...APRIL 2006...THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR SINCE I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD....EVEN THOUGH THIS REPAIR GOES BACK TO WHEN I HAD THE WARRANTY. THEY SAY THEY ONLY COVER THEIR REPAIR FOR 12 MOS. ALL 3 TIMES THE ELECTRIC PASSENGER REAR DOOR LOCKS UP AND CANNOT BE OPENED....EITHER MANUALLY OR VIA THE ELECTRIC BUTTON. CANNOT LIFT DOOR LOCK...AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENED JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER YEAR. I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR SINCE IT GOES BACK TO WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR AND I HAD TO TAKE IT TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE THE INTAKE GASKETS AND ISOLATOR BOLTS HAVE WORN OUT DUE TO TIME. AS A RESULT THE CAR SOMETIMES TREMBLES IN PARKING MODE AND IDLES AND STALLS WHEN THE CAR STOPS AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I DID FIND IT SUSPICIOUS THAT THESE PARTS HAVE WORN OUT AFTER ONLY SIX YEARS OF USE, (LESS THAN THE COMMON 10 YEAR LIFESPAN OF A CAR). ACCORDING TO THE FORD SERVICE COUNSELOR THIS PROBLEM HAS LATELY BECOME MORE FREQUENT WITH THIS CAR MODEL. *JB

HAD JUST STOPPED AND WAS PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHEN A CLUNK SOUND FROM UNDER THE VAN WAS HEARD. THERE WAS NO POWER, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE MOTION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. IT HAD TO BE TOWED HOME AND WE WERE TOLD THAT SINCE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THE COST WOULD BE OURS TO BEAR. IT SITS IN THE GARAGE AS I HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY THE $2400 MECHANIC BILL. FORD KNEW ABOUT THIS AND YES HAS DONE NOTHING. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDSTAR I'VE OWNED THAT HAS HAD TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. THE FIRST BEING A 1995 WITH HEAD GASKET TROUBLES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED AT 32,000 MILES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THEN AT 62,000 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN 70 MPH, AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST DETERMINED THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS CAUSING THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME AT 70,000 MILES.

IN FALL OF 2005 MY BROTH-IN-LAW HAD HIS TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE ON A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN. FEE FROM DEALERSHIP (FORD IN WILLIAMSBURG, VA) WAS IN EXCESS OF $2500 EACH REPLACEMENT. IN JANUARY 2006 MY OWN 2000 WINDSTAR VAN'S TRANSMISSION FAILED IN AN INTERSECTION IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP IN WMBG AND DIAGNOSED AS TRANSMISSION FAILURE, FEE $2700. FOR A SECOND OPINION, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MR. TRANSMISSION IN HAMPTON, TRANSMISSION DISSECTED AND LAID OUT FOR ANALYSIS. METAL FRAGMENTS HAD DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE WITH FORD WINDSTARS. IN EARLY MODELS, A METAL TUBE FOR THE COOLANT DOESN'T HAVE ANY SUPPORT AND BREAKS OR TEARS FROM VIBRATION. IN LATER MODELS THIS TUBE HAS A SUPPORT TO PREVENT THAT. THE FORD SERVICE PEOPLE, WHEN CONFRONTED, SAID "TRANSMISSIONS CAN FAIL, YOU NEVER KNOW." WE ASKED "IS THIS COMMON IN WINDSTARS?" ANSWER "NO." NO MENTION OF PRIOR KNOWLEDGE, NO MENTION OF RECALL. WHEN ONE CONSIDERS 2 WINDSTARS, YEARS 1999 AND 2000, 3 DESTROYED TRANSMISSIONS BETWEEN THEM, AND DENIAL ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER, THIS WARRANTS INVESTIGATION. IT IS NEGLIGENT TO NOT MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR IN TRAFFIC AND NOT INSTITUTE A RECALL TO REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS ON EARLY MODELS. IT IS CRIMINAL TO CHARGE OWNERS $2500+ FOR A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW. THE FACT THAT LATER MODELS HAVE THE ISSUE CORRECTED IMPLIES PRIOR KNOWLEDGE. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *NM

WE HAVE A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SEL LIMITED. YESTERDAY ON 1/27/06 WE WERE TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE TIE ROD BROKE. THE TIE ROD GOUGED INTO THE DRIVE AND THEN APPARENTLY FORCEFULLY FLEW UP AND BENT THE RACK AND PINION AND LINK. IT SCARED MY FAMILY THAT WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. THE CAR BECAME UNDRIVEABLE, AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THAT WAS WHERE WE LEARNED THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGES. THE COST OF REPAIRS AT THIS TIME WAS ESTIMATED TO BE OVER $600. IT DID NOT SEEM THAT A TIE ROD SHOULD JUST BREAK LIKE THIS. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED, AND THAT WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WE WILL BE WITHOUT THE VEHICLE FOR ALMOST A WEEK WHILE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE POLICE CAME TO THE SCENE AS WE ENDED UP BLOCKING TRAFFIC, BUT THEY DID NOT MAKE AN OFFICIAL REPORT. *AK

2000 FORD WINDSTAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. *TS THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED BUT DID NOT BREAK. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE ON THE GLASS OF ANY SORT OF IMPACT. IT WAS STILL INTACT AND PERFECTLY FLAT (NO INDENTATIONS, MARKS, SCUFF ETC). *NM

CONSUMER REQUESTING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR 2000 WINDSTAR DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TS THE REAR AXLE CRACKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE CONSUMER HAD IT REPAIRED AT A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE CRACKED AXLE TO THE DEALER WHO WROTE DOWN HIS VIN AND INDICATED THAT HE SHOULD BE HEARING FROM FORD SOON. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL IF THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED THERE WAS A RISK THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. ALTHOUGH THE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO REMAIN ON THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE LEFT VALVE COVERS AND UPPER INTAKE GASKETS WERE WRONG FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED IN MARCH 2004 THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED UNDER ALL CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ON THE DASHBOARD CONCERNING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER CHANGED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY LEAD WIRES. THIS ONLY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM FOR TWO TO THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE DOOR SWITCHES WERE CHANGED. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR TWO TO THREE WEEKS. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE THUMB ROLLER FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE SWITCH PLATES ON THE SLIDING DOORS. AGAIN THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER TWO TO THREE WEEKS. ONCE AGAIN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND DEALER SUGGESTED THE PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO A RARE ELECTRONIC MODULE WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE CONTACT, BUT THIS STILL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A THIRD DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE WIRING UNDER THE HEADLINER. THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER TWO TO THREE WEEKS. YESTERDAY THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE THIRD DEALER, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

ISSUES WITH REPEATED REPLACEMENT OF TIE RODS ENDS. *JB

THE MAIN RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MY WINDSTAR HAS BEEN A LEAK IN THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CARGO AREA, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE HEADLINER AND A BODY CONTROL MODULE THAT WIPED OUT THE LIGHTS, TURN LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND DOME LIGHT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED IT IN OCTOBER OF 2002 AND HAD ISSUES WITH THIS IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE VAN FROM REPLACED THE CARPET AND ATTEMPTED TO SEAL THE LIFTGATE HINGE AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THERE WAS STILL A LEAK AND I TOOK IT BACK, THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT I SHOULDN'T TAKE THIS VAN TO A CAR WASH. I TOOK IT TO A MERCURY DEALER AND THEY "FIXED" A RECALL THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE CAR OF THE PROBLEM. DESPITE THE EFFORT, IT HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR THREE YEARS AND I DIDN'T FIND OUT UNTIL MY WIFE TOLD ME THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE HEADLINER AND CARPET WERE SOAKED. I ALSO FOUND CORROSION ON THE CASING OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, A PART THAT FORD WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME ALMOST $400 FOR. NOT INCLUDING LABOR. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO AN INDEPENDANT BODY SHOP. IT'S GOING TO COST US $350 TO REMOVE THE LIFTGATE AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE BODY AND CORRECT THE LEAK. I WAS "LUCKY" ENOUGH TO FIND A BODY CONTROL MODULE FOR $150 THAT I'LL INSTALL MYSELF. $500 IS A LOT OT SPEND ON SOMETHING THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS WAS THE SUBJECT OF RECALL. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE AND MY WIFE IS DISABLED. I'VE OWNED THREE FORD PRODUCTS AND ALL HAVE HAD WATER L

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON 2000 WINDSTAR WITH 78000 MILES. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST CASE I HERD OF ON THIS PROBLEM. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PUSHED SLIGHTLY, LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD, AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR. IN TURN THE ENGINE WAS AT FULL ACCELERATION. THE BRAKES WERE UTILIZED UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FRAYED. IT WILL BE REPLACED AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT, AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. *AK UPDATED 01/11/05. *JB

FORD WINDSTAR - BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH FAILURE - SWITCH HAS FAILED - LEAKED BRAKE FLUID INTO THE ELCTRICAL CONNECTOR AND CAUSES INTERMITTENT SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS SHORT CIRCUIT BLOWS FUSE #10 10AMP. WHEN FUSE BLOWS, DRIVER IS UNABLE TO CONTROL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. LACK OF DEFROST FUNCTION & LOSS OF TEMPERATURE CONTROL HAS CAUSED SEVERE FOGGING OF WINDSHIELD WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE DURING PAST TWO WEEKS. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, BUT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

BLOWN TRANSMISSION ON A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT JAMMED TWICE. SHE WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE SEAT BELT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. DURING THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THE CONAUMER'S HUSBAND HAD TO PRY THE BUTTON OFF THE BUCKLE TO FREE HER. *AK UPDATED 11/16/05. *JB

FIRE ON MY CAR. *NM

I INTEND TO SEND A LETTER TO OUR STATE SENATOR BECAUSE OF THE UNFAIR SERVICE AND QUALITY OF THIS CAR. I ASKED POK. FORD TO CHECK A VIBRATION IN THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS TOLD TO GET NEW ROTORS AND NEW BRAKES. THEY SAID INSPECTION WAS DUE SOON, SO I SAID FINE FIX IT, BUT ALSO DO AN INSPECTION. AFTER FIXING, THE PEDAL STILL VIBRATES. THEY SAY THE TIRES, THEY'RE BALD AND STRAP IS SHIFTED, KNOWING THIS THEY PASSED MY CAR ANYWAY. CONCERNED I WENT TO BJ'S TIRE CENTER THE FOLLOWING DAY TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND IF THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY. THEY REPLACED THE TWO FRONT TIRES BECAUSE THEY HAD NO TREADS, GAVE ME AN ALIGNMENT AND SAID THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL. ON THE WAY TO THE DOCTORS WITH MY CHILDREN I FELT MY GAS PEDAL STICK. FORD CLAIMS THAT MAYBE THE VIBRATION WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I WENT TO THE PLACE THAT DID MY TRANSMISSION, HE SAID THIS WAS NOT TRANSMISSION RELATED. HE POPPED THE HOOD AND SAID THIS COULD BE THE PROBLEM, MY GAS CABLE LINE LOOKED LIKE IT WAS SAWED. HE CLAIMS THIS JUST DOES NOT USUALLY HAPPEN. I TOLD JASON WHAT HE SAID, JASON CLAIMS HE AND I WAS CRAZY. HE CAME OUT AND LOOKED HIMSELF, HE SAID IT WAS WORN, FRAYED AND VERY LOOSE. AFTER ARGUING WITH JASON BECAUSE HE HAD MY CAR FIVE TIMES FOR THE SAME REASON, AND IT TOOK A TRANSMISSION GUY TO NOTICE THE CABLE LINE, JASON TOLD ME TO LEAVE THE GROUNDS AND DON'T COME BACK. WHEN I GOT HOME I CALLED THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, FEDERAL TRADE COMM, DEPT OF MOTOR VEHICLE, AND A LAWYER. I CALLED FREEDOM FORD IN

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, RADIO, AND HEATER WOULD STAY ON AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY IS REMOVED. THE FUSE HAS TO BE REMOVED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. HE FOUND RECALL 00V351000 ON LINE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN HE CONTACTED THE DEALER , THEY SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. ALSO THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE OFF SWITCH FOR CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD ONLY BE TURNED OFF BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. *AK

BRAKE FLUID LEAKED INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH AND CAUSED EROSION ON MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. OTHER VEHICLES SUCH AS THE FORD 150 AND EXPLORER ARE CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY VAN HAS HAD THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH REPLACED ON 10/13/05. I BELIEVE FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE WINDSTAR VANS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM OR THERE WILL BE VEHICLE FIRES ON THESE VANS AS WELL. *NM

DT: A RECALL REGARDING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SWITCH THAT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE OTHER FORD VEHICLES HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. AT THE PRESENT TIME THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS NOT YET CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED FORD ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2005. *AK *MR *JB

DT: ON 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE SAME PART THAT MALFUNCTIONED IN FORD, F50 PICKUP TRUCKS. ALSO, THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS , AND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A FIRE HAZARD IN THE F50 PICKUP TRUCKS AND THE LINCOLN NAVIGATORS. THE CONSUMER NOT YET CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. THE SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED BEFORE SEVERAL TIMES . THE DEALERSHIP WANTED $280 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED, AND ANY VEHICLE PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN THE PAST HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED BY FORD. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT HE ALREADY PAID $80 JUST TO HAVE VEHICLE LOOKED AT BY MY DEALERSHIP, AND THEN THEY TOLD HIM THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THEY WERE HAVING WITH OTHER VEHICLES. *AK

CONSUMER FORD WINDSTAR 2000 CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH FAILED. *TS THE SWITCH INSTALL IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER FORD'S RECENT RECALL OF 3.2 MILLION VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE FAULTY SWITCH REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

DT: 2000, FORD, WINDSTAR MINI VAN. THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VAN ON THE STREET AT 8 PM AND SOMETIME AROUND 2:30 AM THE VAN BURNED. SOMEONE THAT WAS ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE BUILDING CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF THIS FIRE UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. THE FIRE WAS MOSTLY IN AND AROUND THE DASHBOARD AREA. THE FRONT WINDOW WAS BURNED AND THE DRIVERS WINDOW WAS BROKEN. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP; THEY KEPT IT FOR THREE WEEKS. THE DEALER COULD NOT TELL THE CONSUMER HOW OR WHY THE FIRE STARTED. THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WERE UNWILLING TO OFFER ANY INFORMATION ON WHY THE VAN COULD HAVE BURNED LIKE THIS. A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK *JB UPDATED 11/15/2005. *NM

WITHIN IN MATTER OF 2 MONTHS, BOTH FRONT TIRE INNER TIE RODS BROKE. LUCKILY FOR THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY CHILDREN, I WAS NOT DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED (HIGHWAY) WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED A TRAGIC FATAL ACCIDENT. *NM

BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKEN. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 WINDSTAR. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION PRESSURE SWITCH FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SHORTING OUT OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND BLOWING FUSES. THE FUSE BLEW OUT LAST ON AUGUST 19, 2005. ON 8-22-05 NOTICED THE LEAK. CALLED FORD MOTOR, AND THEY TOLD HIM THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER INVESTIGATED THIS HIMSELF AND DETERMINED THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW WHO IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR GMC A LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND VERIFIED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM.*AK THE PRESSURE SWITCH AND FUSE WERE REPLACED. THIS RESTORED OPERATION TO THE CRUISE CONTROL, ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, CLUTCH AND A/C. THE ANTILOCK WARNING LIGHT ALSO WENT OUT. *NM

I HAVE A 2000 WINDSTAR SEL. IT IS JERKING WHEN PUT IN REVERSE OR IN DRIVE. THE GASKET HAS A LEAK PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON 9/29/05. I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP TO ALSO QUESTION ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC THAT CAN HEAT AND CATCH ON FIRE LOCATED NEAR THE BRAKE AND THEY IGNORED MY COMPLAINT. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO POINT OUT THAT PLASTIC PIECE AND HE SHOWED IT TO ME WHEREAS, THE DEALER JUST REFUSED. I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A VAN THAT JERKS AND POSSIBLY COULD CATCH ON FIRE! *NM

THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ON MY 2000 FORD WINSTAR POPS OPEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. SOMEONE HAS TO GET OUT AND PUSH IT SHUT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE PURCHASED IT NEW FROM THE DEALER, AND EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. OF COURSE THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON EDMUNDS FORUM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *NM

I JUST DID A COPY/PASTE OF WHAT I SENT TO FORD:--DESCRIPTION OF ISSUE/CONCERN: I TOOK MY VAN IN FOR SERVICE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND I COULD SMELL AND SEE OIL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE FRONT VALVE COVER, AND I'M TOLD THAT THERE WAS A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM. IT COST ME $1000.00 TO GET THIS REPAIRED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN PROBLEM, MY IN-LAWS HAVE THE SAME MODEL WINDSTAR AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, IT COST THEM MORE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS TO PARTS THAT WERE MADE/ENGINEERED WRONG BY FORD. NOW I HEAR OF A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING FIRE, EVEN WITHOUT DRIVING THE VAN. IT COULD BE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND CATCH FIRE, AND FORD IS NOT GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM EITHER. A FIRE IN THE VAN PARKED NEXT TO MY HOUSE WHILE ME, MY WIFE, AND KIDS ARE SLEEPING, THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM YOU ARE WILLING TO FIX? *JB

DT: 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE AND WENT THROUGH THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS A SLIGHT NOISE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE COIL SPRINGS ON BOTH SIDES AND THE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

DT: 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH ON THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING FLUID. THIS CAUSED THE MASTER CYLINDER TO GO OUT. THE GAUGES ON THE VEHICLE QUIT WORKING, AND THIS IS HOW HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH FORD, THEY WERE RECALLING THE TRUCKS BUT NOT THE VANS. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE JUST RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK. *AK

DT: WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL, AIR CONDITIONER, RADIO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, POWER WINDOWS, ODOMETER, AND THE SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING THESE FAILURES. MECHANIC STATED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH ON THESE FORD VEHICLES WERE RECALLED AND WERE UNDER INVESTIGATION. SALES DEALER ADDRESS WAS NOT AVAILABLE.*AK THIS CONDITION ALSO EFFECTED THE HORN, IN WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT THE HORN. HOWEVER REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *TT

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 2000 FORD WINDSTAR APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER DID DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH BECAUSE OF THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION WITH THE FORD CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES. THE CONSUMER DID BLEED THE BRAKES, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC FILM ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO START COMING OUT OF THE DEACTIVATED SWITCH ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS COMPONENT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER, AND THEY WERE COOPERATING WITH THE NHTSA REGARDING THIS ISSUE.*AK

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE, PIERCING INSIDE SIDEWALL OF TIRE, PUNCTURING IT. FRONT COILS REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE. OLD (BROKEN) SPRING IS IN MY POSSESSION. MAY SEND OUR FOR METALLURGICAL FRACTURE ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WAS HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. THE FUSES BLEW OUT, THE LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON AND OFF, AND THE ODOMETER/SPEEDOMETER WERENOT WORKING. THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS WEREBLINKING ON AND OFF. CONSISTENTLY, KEPT THE DASHBOARD NOT ILLUMINATED. THEY HAVE EVEN TRIED TO LEAVE THE AIR OFF TO SEE IF THIS WOULD HELP THE FUSES NOT TO BLOW OUT. THERE WERE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT WHEN LIT UP WTHE FUSE BLEW OUT. . THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE FUSE BLEW OUT. THE REAR DEFROSTER DIDN'T WORK NOR DID THE REAR AIR VENTS. THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY CONDITION FOR THE OWNER TO BE TRAVELING WITH CHILD WHO HAS MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES. THE OWNER HAS NOT TAKEN THE VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT AFFORD THE COST OF LABOR AND SERVICE CHARGES. THE OWNER HAS HAD A SMALL PROBLEM CONTACTING THE FORD MANUFACTURER, BUT THAT WAS NOW RESOLVED. SHE WAS PLANNING ON CONTACTING THEM TODAY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING. *AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IN PARK AND BURNT OUT.

DT: VEHICLE WAS PARKED FRIDAY ALL DAY AND ON SATURDAY MORNING CONSUMER NOTICED A SHEPARD HOOK CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.*AK *NM

CONTACT STATES: CONTACT SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A CRACKLING NOISE ONE TIME FOR LIKE ONE MINUTE AND THAT IS WHEN THE FAILURE STARTED.. THE SPEED ODOMETER, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, GAS GAUGE, AND TACHOMETER FAILED. USE TO HAVE A THEFT LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT, NONE OF THESE FEATURES ON THE VEHICLE COME ON ANYMORE. THIS PROBLEM TOOK PLACE ON SUNDAY MAY 1ST. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WENT OUT TO START THE VAN AND IT WOULD NOT START THAT IS WHEN IT MADE THE NOISE. HE GOT OUT OF THE VAN, SHUT THE DOOR, AND OPENED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND THEN NOTHING ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD WORK. THE VAN STARTED THAT TIME.*AK *JB

DT: THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT. *AK *SC *JB