2000 Ford Windstar complaints

RECALL OF WIPER MOTER COVER. VAN WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND STARTED SMOKING, DISCONNECTED BATTERY AND FOUND THAT THE WIPER MOTOR SHORTED OUT. WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED BY RECALL, WITH FURTHER INVESTIGATION WIPER MOTOR COVER WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, TOOK VAN BACK TO FORD DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT OUT OF WARRANTY. FORD WANTED OVER $500.00 TO REPLACE IT, SO I REPLACED IT MY SELF FOR UNDER A $100.00. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH A TRUCK MADE A SUDDEN STOP AND REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON INMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. EMT WAS CONTACTED TO TRANSPORT A CHILD TO HOSPITAL. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED OFF THE HIGHWAY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS SHREDDED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FRONT COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK

THE VAN STARTED TO IDLE VERY ROUGH, FROM COMPLETE STALL TO RACING, INTERMITENTLY, THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TO COMPENSATE, CAR NEEDED TO BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL AT COMPLETE STOPS, DEALER SERVICE INDICATED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, CAUSED, IN PART BECAUSE OF ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE OF A PLASTIC PART THAT IS NO LONGER AVAILBLE. REPLACEMENT PART IS INDICATED TO BE ALUMINUM , SEVERAL OTHER GASKETS REPLACED IN A COSTLY REPAIR THAT FORD REFUSED TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY ON VAN WITH ONLY 41,500 MILES. *AK

WE PURCHASED A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED ON 3/21/04 FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP IN IONIA, MI. WE WERE TOLD THE VAN HAD BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND HAD BEEN GONE OVER MECHANICALLY BY THEIR PEOPLE. IT ONLY HAD 38,549 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE ONLY HAD IT A MONTH AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT OF IT. DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE? AT THE TIME THIS HAPPEN, THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN UP A HILL IN HEAVY DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT, THE VAN JUST WOULD NOT GO ANY WHERE EXCEPT BACKWARDS. MY COLLEGE AGE SON AND HIS BUDDIE GUIDED THE VAN BACKWARDS INTO A PARKING LOT A FEW FEET AWAY TO WAIT FOR A WRECKER. IT WAS TOWED 35 MILES, WHICH IS WHERE IT IS SITTING UNTIL WE CAN DECIDE WHAT TO DO. I HAD MECHANIC LOOK AT IT, BUT HE FELT IT SHOULD BE COVERED. HE DID NOT TEAR IT DOWN.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. TRANSMISSION TOTALLY FAILED , ONLY THE REVERSE GEAR WAS WORKING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THEY COULD REPLACE IT WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION OR REBUILT IT AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING LEFT/RIGHT. THEN, VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK DEALER ALSO PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC ON VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE CAUSE WAS A BAD IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE. CONSUMER DECLINED REPAIR ON IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AFTER DIAGNOSIS FROM FIRST DEALER. HOWEVER, IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS REPLACED BY A DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALER. *LA

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A LARGE CARGO BOX THAT FELL OFF A DELIVERY TRUCK. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED A SPRAINED NECK AND BACK . THERE WAS EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED AND UNDER NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS REAR WINDOW BURST WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED REAR WINDOW BURST UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK

WHEN TURNING CORNERS VEHICLE MAKES A SQUEALING SOUND. ALSO, BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ,THE PISTON BLEW OUT INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. *JB

VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN FIRST BOUGHT. TOOK BACK AND DEALER REPLACED TIRES, DIDN'T FIX PROBLEM. HAD TSB #002110 FIXED IN VEHICLE. SINCE THERE HAS BEEN A VIBRATION IN THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. DEALER HAS CLAIMED IT IS A NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. WILL NOT FIX VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.*AK

1ST OCCURRANCE FEB 2002 -ABS LIGHT CAME ON, CLUNK NOISE FROM FRONT BRAKES, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR BUTDID NOT STOP VEHICLE EALER REPLACED RT CRACKED RING GEAR. IN FEB 2003 - SAME SCENARIO BUT LEFT SIDE . *AK IN CHECKING INTERNET SITES, FOUND NUMEROUS (1 SITE, MYCARSTATS.COM HAD 30+) COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING-THIS IS DANGEROUS. MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THEY HAD TO HIT AN OBSTACLE TO STOP THEIR VEHICLE. IS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 FORD WINDSTAR BEING "INVESTIGATED", HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE TO GET ACTION???

I WOULD JUST LIKE YOU TO BE AWARE THE THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS ON MY WINDSTAR TEND TO OPEN UP BY THEMSELVES WHILE IN REVERSE OR DRIVING I FIND THIS AS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK SINCE I HAVE 4 SMALL CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE BACK. *AK

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN NOV 2003 FROM PACIFIC COAST FORD IN FEDERAL WAY WA. IT IS NOW MARCH 2004, I HAVE IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, WHICH WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE. THE TIRES REPLACED DUE TO THE FRONT PASENGER SIDE TIRE BLOWING OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. NEXT THING WAS THE BRAKES FRONT AND BACK. THE VAN STARTED ALL OF A SUDDEN MAKING A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THEY SAID IT NEEDS BRAKES. NEXT I HAD TO HAVE MY BACK WINDSHIELD REPLACED DUE TO IT SHATTERING WITH NO EXPLANATION. THE VAN HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE FRIDAY. SUNDAY MORNING MY NEIGHBORS CAME TO MY DOOR TO TELL ME THAT THEY WERE STANDING OUTSIDE SMOKING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY BACK WINDOW HAD SHATTERED. FOLLOWING THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SPARK PLUGS. WHICH IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT ON FORD'S END. WHEN I TOOK MY VAN INTO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM ALSO GAVE ME A BULLETIN UPDATE ON THE PROBLEM. THE ORIGINAL EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET HAS A SMALL HOLE IN IT, THEN NEW EXHAUST MANIFOLD DOES NOT HAVE THIS HOLE. IF YOU ASK ME FORD SHOULD BE FIXING THAT! SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THIS VAN AND HAD ALL THIS TROUBLE I HAVE BEEN ONLINE LOOKING UP EVERYBODY ELSE'S COMMENTS ON THIS VAN AND ALL ARE THE SAME. FAULTY HEAD GASKETS, BRAKES, WIRING, DOORS, BATTERY, GLASS NOT BEING INSTALLED PROPERLY, TIRES BULGING CAUSING BLOWOUTS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD SHOULD OWN UP TO THESE PROBLEMS. BEFORE THIS I HAD FINANCED A BRAND NEW 2000 FO

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD DEALER CHECK CAR. PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE INTAKE GASKETS/BOLTS/CONNECTORS. THE VEHICLE HAD 61,128 MILES. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM BUT FORD REFUSED TO REPAIR THE CAR SINCE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND ACCORDING TO ONE FORD DEALER THEY COMPLETE ABOUT 5 OF THESE JOBS PER WEEK.

INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE USE OF POOR METAL ON THE FORD WINDSTAR'S. *PH *LA

2000 FORD WINDSTAR, ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE ON A HILL,THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. PULLED EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT WAS NOT IN TIME TO STOP VEHICLE FROM CRASHING INTO DUMPSTER AND CAUSING EXTENSIVE REAR END DAMAGE. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE REASON FOR FAILURE, STILL HAVING BRAKING DIFFICULTIES WHEN ON INCLINE AND BACKING. DATE GIVEN IS ESTIMATE, PAPER WORK AT HOME. *JB

CONSISTANT RACING AND STALLING OF VEHICLE. VIRGINIA (WIFE) ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WALL IN OUR GARAGE WHEN PARKING FOR THE EVENING. FORD DEALER IS REPLACING THE MASTER AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE ITEM IS NOT COVERED UNDER OUR E.S.P. AGREEMENT PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MAY FIND THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSTAR 2000. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THAT COVERAGE ON THE PART IS A "NUMBERS GAME" ... THAT NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAINED TO DATE, BUT THAT I SHOULD KEEP MY RECEIPT AND WOULD BE REIMBURSED IF A RECALL SOULD COME OUT. *AK

SLIDING DOOR WAS REPLACED WITH ONLY 13,013 MILES AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. (NAR) *LA *CB

MY COMPLAINT IS WITH MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. IN APPROX. JUNE OF 2003(DON'T HAVE EXACT DATE BECAUSE VEHICLE IS AT DEALERSHIP), WITH NO WARNING MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. EASY CARE WARRANTY REFUSED CLAIM DUE TO FACT TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED 1000 MILES PAST RECOMMENDATION. DEALERSHIP NOR FORD MOTOR CO. PROVIDED NO HELP. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. LOCAL MECHANIC DOCUMENTED THAT TRANSMISSION HAD NO IMPACT ON FAILURE. COST OF REPAIR WAS APPROX. $2100. IN JAN. 2004, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LOCAL MECHANIC RAN DIAGNOSIS AND STATED IT MUST BE REPAIRED BY FORD DEALER. STATED THAT DRIVABILITY WAS OK. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP TODAY, FEB.2, 2004. ONCE AGAIN, EASY CARE REFUSED CLAIM BECAUSE IT WAS A POORLY DESIGNED PART AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS. ONCE AGAIN, FORD MOTOR CO. WAS NO HELP. STATED THAT VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. PER EASY CARE, THERE IS A REVISED VALVE COVER THAT HAS BETTER BAFFLING SYSTEM. FORD HAS A DESIGN FLAW. FORD WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PARTS, THEREFORE, THE WARRANTY IS MEANINGLESS AND THE CUSTOMER MUST PAY FOR POOR DESIGN??!! THE REPAIR WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $700. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO INCUR THE COST OF REPAIR DUE TO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DEFECTIVE DESIGN.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE GASKET FAILED AND WAS CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. *NM

COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AT 42,000 MILES. NO FORWARD GEARS- ONLY REVERSE. HEARD A LOUD BANG WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A RED LIGHT.*AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I STOPPED TO LET ANOTHER AUTO PASS. I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE MY CAR. THE REAR SUN GEAR DRUM BROKE IN TWO PIECES, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. TOTAL COST $2,426.79 NOTE: I HAVE BROKEN PIECES. MANY FAILURES FOR 2000 TO 2002. *JB

TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 WINDSTAR LX TOTALLY FAILED AT 70,000 MILES. REPAIR COST OVER $2,500. I WROTE TO FORD AND COMPLAINED, AS I AM AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH WINDSTARS, MANY WITH LESS MILAGE, ONE AS LOW AS 45,000 MILES. FORD HAS REFUSED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION, ALTHOUGH IT MUST BE OBVIOUS THERE IS A DEFECT. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS CLAIM TO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN A WINDSTAR BEFORE. I FIND THIS IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE.*AK

WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ONCE THE LIGHT HAD CHANGED AND I WAS ABLE TO PROCEED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE IN REVERSE BUT NOT IN THE FORWARD GEAR. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUN GEAR HAD BROKEN CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. COST FOR THE REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE IS ESTIMATED AT OVER $2000.

WHEN I PUT NEW TIRES ON MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR THE FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING AT 45 TO 60 MPH I HAVE A 75000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE VAN AND IT HAD 67000 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. FORD TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY,THERE WAS NO PART CAUSING THE VIBRATION,BUT THEY HAVE A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN SAYING TO REPLACE JUST ABOUT ALL OF THE FRONT END PARTS (NONE ARE DEFECTIVE) WITH AN ENTIRE KIT OF PARTS! THE KIT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY,EVEN THOUGH FORD HAS ENOUGH TROUBLE WITH THIS SITUATION TO HAVE A TSB AND AN ENTIRE KIT IF PARTS TO FIX IT. *CB

NATURE OF FAILURE: TRANSMISSION FAILURE VEHICLE: 2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX 73,000 MILES. DATE OF FAILURE: OCTOBER 22, 2003 COST OF REPAIR PLUS TOWING: 2,178.00

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. AS WELL AS NEW TIE RODS.

RIGHT FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE VAN, I HAVE HAD ONE ISSUE OR THE OTHER. HERE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES. 1. TIRES - MY NEW VAN HAD BUMPS ON ALL 4 TIRES. EVERY TIRE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WOULD BURST ON DRIVING. THEY WERE GENERAL TIRES. I WENT TO FORD MANY TIMES AND OPENED A CASE WITH THEM ALSO TO NO AVAIL. AFTER 12,000 MILES, I DECIDED TO BUY 4 NEW TIRES MYSELF FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AT MY OWN EXPENSE. 2. AT 15,000 MILES, I HAD TO GET MY FRONT BRAKES CHANGED AS THEY HAD REACHED THEIR END OF LIFE. 3. AT 15,000 MILES, I ALSO HAD TO GET MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AS WELL AS DROP PAN CHANGED AS THEY WORN OUT 4. AT 30,000 MILES, I HAD TO GET MY FRONT BRAKE PADS AGAIN CHANGED (THESE WERE ALSO WORN OUT). WHAT IS SURPRISING IS THAT MY REAR BRAKES ARE FINE 5. AT 30,000 MILES, I ALSO HAD TO GET MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AS WELL AS DROP PAN CHANGED AS THEY WORN OUT 6. AT 40,000 MILES, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOR WHICH I HAD TO GET THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM CHANGED AS WELL AS HAD MAJOR ENGINE WORK DONE TO REMOVE THE LIGHT. THE BILL WAS IN A FEW THOUSAND, AND I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID TO GET IT ALL FIXED 7. AT 45,000 MILES, I HAD TO GET FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES AGAIN. 8. AT 45,000 MILES I ALSO HAD TO GET MY FRONT TIE RODS CHANGED AS THEY WERE SQUEAKING 9. MY AUTOMATIC DOOR SENSOR HAS NEVER WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT THE VAN. IF YOU SHUT THE DOORS USING THE ELECTRONIC DOOR OPENERS, AND IF SOMETHING IS IN THE WAY, IT WILL STILL SHUT THE DOOR TRAPPING THE ITEM, RATHER THAN REVERSING THE P

AT THIS TIME WE ARE LEASING A 2000 WINDSTAR LX AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO TURN IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP - AND WE PLAN TO NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. WE HAVE PURCHASED A USED HONDA ACCORD AND EXPECT THAT WE WILL BE QUITE HAPPY WITH IT... THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE EXHAUST/EMISSIONS WAS FIXED AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND WILL NOT GO OUT - EASTGATE FORD, DAYTON, OH DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. THE PAINT ON THE LUGGAGE RACK IS PEELING OFF. THE DOOR ACTUATOR ON THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR - DOES NOT WORK - IT TAKES 2 PEOPLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, ONE INSIDE AND ONE OUTSIDE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAULTY. FORD HAS A SERVICE BULLENTIN OUT - BUT THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE FORD DOES NOT BELIEVE THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE HERE - I DO NOT AGREE. PROPER STEERING IS PRETTY IMPORTANT AND IF A SMALLER SIZE FEMALE OR MALE WAS TURNING LEFT AND THE PUMP FAILED, IT COULD BE QUITE HAZZARDOUS. OUR BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS THE WAY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND EASTGATE FORD HAVE TREATED US. THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY ON EITHER PART. FORD OR EASTGATE WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT.

THE ABS SYSTEM STILL IS NOT WORKING RIGHT. THE MECHANICS SAY THAT THE ABS AND THE EMISSIONS COULD VERY WELL BE CAUSED BY THE SAME PROBLEM - A FAULTY COMPUTER. BOTH MODULES HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED TO BE BAD, HOWEVER, THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO USE A "POST WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT" TO HELP FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS UNREASONABLE THAT WITH JUST OVER 60,000 MILES THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS CAN BE CONSIDERED ANYTHING BUT MANUFACTURER DEFECTS.

SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT 29000 MILES IN OCTOBER 2001. SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED JUNE 2000 WITH 56000 MILES ON THE CAR AND ONLY 27000 MILES ON THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION. FORD HAS OFFERRED TO PAY 50% OF THE REPAIR COST FOR THE FIRST TRANSMISSION. I TOLD THEM I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE BOTH TIMES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE QUALITY OF THE TRANSMISSION AND FORD'S OFFER TO ONLY PAY 50% FOR AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THEIR TRANSMISSION.

ON MAY 27, 2002, I WAS ON VACATION WITH MY FAMILY USING OUR 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. I WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT AND WAS TRYING TO GET OUT WHEN I TRIPPED AND LANDED WITH MY KNEE ON STEPPING AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THE FORCE OF MY LANDING (WHICH WASN'T THAT HARD) CAUSED THE SIDE DOOR TO UNLATCH FROM IT'S GROOVED MOLDING AND SHUT ON MY ARM WITH FULL FORCE. I WAS LUCKY NOT HAVE ANY BROKEN BONES (BUT DID HAVE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR AND HAVE X-RAYS) HOWEVER I WAS UNABLE TO WORK OR REALLY TAKE CARE OF MY CHILDREN (I HAD A 1 YR OLD AND 5 YR OLD AT THE TIME) FOR A GOOD MONTH (I WENT BACK TO WORK AFTER A WEEK BUT WITH PAIN). I CALLED FULLERTON FORD AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID THE FIRST STEP WAS TO COME IN AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, WHICH I DID. JAIME, THE SERVICE REP, LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR HOWEVER THIS IS A FLAW IN THE OVERALL DESIGN AS THE AUTOMATIC WINDSTAR DOORS HAVE A LOCKING MECHANISM AND THE MANUALS ONLY HAVE THIS SMALL MOLDING. HE RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND LODGE A COMPLAINT FOR A RECALL. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD DOCUMENT ALL THIS IN HIS COMPUTER FOR WHEN FORD REVIEWED THE COMPLAINT. I CALLED FORD IMMEDIATELY AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD TAKE MY INFORMATION AND THAT WOULD BE IT. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT A RECALL THEY SAID IT WAS DOUBTFUL BUT WRITE A LETTER. I SENT OUT A LETTER ON JUNE 15TH EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW I FELT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR AS THE DOOR HAD SLID OTHER TIMES IN THE

12/02 ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - HAD TO HAVE UPPER PLENUM GASKET, O-RINGS, VACUUM ELBOW AND VALVE COVER WITH GASKET REPLACED FOR $600.00. 4/03, CAR LESS THAN 3 YRS. OLD BUT WITH 44K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BLEW: WELD BROKE ON THE "DRUM OVER THE PLANETARY GEAR". SO WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36K MILES BUT WINDSTAR STILL UNDER 3 YRS. OLD. I EXPECT A CAR TO LAST AT LEAST 3 YEARS BEFORE ANYTHING THIS EXPENSIVE HAPPENS. WANT FORD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND EXTEND WARRANTY TIL WINDSTAR IS PAID FOR IN 2005.

I COMPLAINED OF A RATTLING NOISE SOUNDING LIKE CHAINS UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VAN , STARTING FROM 7,700 MILES TO THE PRESENT. EACH TIME TAKING IT IN AND BEING TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, TO THEM FIXING SOMETHING AND THE NOISE STILL BEING THERE. I STATED TO THEM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE VAN WAS NOT RIDING RIGHT. I COMPLAINED OF A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. AGAIN, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE BRAKES WHERE ALWAYS RUBBING AND THEY REPLACED THE PADS. I WAS TOLD SEMI-METALLIC PADS MAKE NOISES. THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER, BECAUSE I COMPLAINED THAT UPON ACCLERATION THE VAN WOULD MAKE A PINGING NOISE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS COMBUSTION WITH THE GAS. I FOLLOWED THERE RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT WHAT GAS TO USE, AND OTHER THINGS TO DO. IT STILL CONTINUED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING ELSE ABOUT IT. I OWNED A '98 WINSTAR AND NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS AND IT DID NOT DRIVE THE WAY MY 2000 DID. RIGHT NOW THE VAN IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE, WITH A BROKEN TRANSMISSION AND I CANNOT GET HELP FROM FORD.I LEASE THE VAN AND I REFUSE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS ON A VAN, THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPOSIBLE FOR. MY LEASE IS ALMOST OVER AND THEY SHOULD BACK THEIR PRODUCT UP. I PUT ALOT OF EXTRA MONEY IN THIS VAN TO KEEP IT WELL MAINTAINED. I FEEL FORD SHOULD HELP ME.

MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. TBS ARTICLE NO. 03-16-1. THIS REPAIR WAS DONE 7 MONTHS EARLIER THAN THIS AND WE PAID A $200.00 DEDUCTABLE AND OUR WARRANTY COMPANY PAID THE REST. 7 MONTHS AND 13,800 MILES LATER IT WENT AGAIN AND THEY NEVER DID THE TBS TO IT THE FIRST TIME AND THEY WOULDN'T PAY FOR THEIR ERROR IN NOT TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME. OUR WARRANTY COMPANY WOULD NOT PAY AS IT'S A FAULTY PART FROM FORD AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AT THE 7 MONTH PRIOR APT. I HAD ALSO BROUGHT IT IN A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS OCT. VISIT AS THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE MY GAS CAP WASN'T ON TIGHT ENOUGH AND WAS CHARGED $85.00 FOR THIS VISIT. I WONDER IF THIS WAS A SIGN OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. WE WE'RE TREATED TERRIBLY BY FORD NOT ONLY WITH NOT PAYING FOR THEIR ERROR BUT DISREPECTFULL AND UNCALLED FOR LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR.

DURING THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS ALWAYS A NOTICEABLE THUNK WHEN THE GEARSHIFT WAS FIRST ENGAGED. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS I INQUIRED OF THE DEALER WHAT THIS MIGHT BE AND WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL AND THAT I SHOULD USE THE PARKING BRAKE AT ALL TIMES TO MINIMIZE THIS PROBLEM. IN ANY EVENT, AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS OF MAINLY HIGHWAY DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SIMPLY FAILED ONE DAY WHILE I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DRIVING ABOUT 110 KM/HR. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS ARISING FROM A HYDRAULIC LINE THAT HAD BURST INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION LEAKING A CONTAMINATING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY RESULTED IN A MELT-DOWN OF THE WORKING PARTS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION.

VEHICLE COULD ONLY GO BACKWARDS AS A RESULT OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS IS THEREFORE THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT COVER UNDER ANY WARRANTY. *NM

MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SEL WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES PLACED MY FAMILY IN EXTREME DANGER DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE, ON DECEMBER 30, 2003. THE TRANSMISSION LITERALLY "BROKE" WHILE I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A 5 LANE HIGHWAY. I HAD FOUR CHILDREN IN THE VAN WITH ME, AND MY VAN GAVE NO INDICATION OF TRANSMISSION TROUBLE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN REAR-ENDED, THAT IS HOW STRONG THE IMPACT WAS. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR ANSWERS, (WHY WOULD A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES VIOLENTLY QUIT?) IT BECAME QUITE OBVIOUS TO MANY CONSUMERS THAT THE FORD COMPANY HAS KNOWN FOR MANY YEARS THE DEFICITS WITH THEIR WINDSTAR TRANSMISSIONS. IT IS A CRIME FOR THE FORD COMPANY TO CONTINUE TO SELL THEIR PRODUCT AS A FAMILY SAFE VEHICLE, WHEN THEY KNOW FULL WELL THE DANGER FAMILIES ARE IN. AGAIN, IT IS ONLY THE SAFE DRIVING OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD THAT DAY THAT PREVENTED FORD FROM HAVING THE DEATH OF 5 FAMILY MEMBERS ON IT'S RECORD. I AM SURPRISED THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT HAS NOT BEEN FILED YET? PERHAPS ONE IS IN PROCESS CURRENTLY? I INTEND TO FIND IT, AND ADD MY NAME TO IT.*AK

2000 WINDSTAR WITH DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FRONT VALVE COVER CAUSES COSTLY REPAIRS.*AK

WITHOUT WARNING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOORS COME AJAR INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP ON NINE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

WE HAVE OWNED THIS 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2002. I HAVE LOST COUNT OF HOW MANY TIMES WE HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF THE POOR GAS MILEAGE. IT WAS GETTING 13 MPG AND THE DEALER SAID THAT WAS NORMAL. BUT OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS WE HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER 8 TIMES BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE UPPER/LOWER INTAKE GASKETS, FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, FUEL LINE, MASS OXYGEN FLOW SENSOR, BOTH O2 SENSORS, VALVE COVER GASKETS, AND A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS TOO. THE GAS MILEAGE ACTUALLY GOT WORSE AFTER SEVERAL OF THE REPAIRS. WE ARE AVERAGING BETWEEN 9 - 10 MPG. IN ADDITION TO THE ENGINE PROBLEMS, OUR DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK RIGHT AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DON'T WORK AT ALL AUTOMATICALLY...WE HAVE TO TURN THEM ON AND OFF. THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE SLIDING DOORS HAVE TO WORKED BY HAND. I AM SO SICK AND TIRED OF THIS CAR. WE HAVE HAD TO CANCEL TWO ROAD TRIPS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS, BECAUSE I DON'T TRUST THE CAR OUT OF TOWN. IT ALREADY LEFT ME STRANDED OVERNIGHT BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION BLEW UP TWO MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT IT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, SLIDING DOOR WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WHERE THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD REOPEN AFTER IT CLOSED. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER TO TRADE THE VEHICLE SINCE IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. *AK

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY SERVICE BULLETINS DOES IT TAKE BEFORE A MANUFACTURER INITIATES A RECALL ON THE ITEM. I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. YOUR SERVICE BULLETIN DATABASE HAS 191 ENTRIES FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. ALTHOUGH MY VAN REPRESENTS NUMEROUS CONDITIONS OF THE 191 ENTRIES, I AM ONLY CONCERNED WITH THE 11LISTED FOR THE LEAN CONDITION CODES P171 AND 174 LISTED IN SERVICE BULLETINS 03161, 03123, 16920, 0347, 0338, 15740, 15522, 01205, 14353, 14060, AND 8532. OBVIOUSLY, FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH PLASTIC INTAKE COMPONENTS AND ENGINES EXIBITING A LEAN CONDITION. I DID NOT RESEARCH ANY OTHER MAKE AND MODEL FORD PRODUCT, AND I WOULD BET THAT THERE ARE SIMILIAR PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE. I PERSONALLY THINK IT IS TIME FOR A RECALL. I HAVE HAD MY VAN IN FOR REPAIRS FOR THIS CONDITION FOUR TIMES THIS YEAR AND MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC DOESN'T THINK THAT THE LATEST FIX FORD PUBLISHED WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SO IN THE MEANTIME, I CARRY A SOCKET AND RATCHET WITH ME AND WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, I UNHOOK MY BATTERY TO CLEAR THE CODE. ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE ME TO A PERMANANT SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. SINCERELY, KARL J. BODIEN. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER SHIFTED THE BATTERY AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED OFF. *AK

AFTER AND WHILE RAINING THERE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WATER IS GETTING INTO THE FUEL TANK FROM THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. THIS IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL FREQUENTLY OR NOT START AT ALL. AFTER A COUPLE OF BOTTLES OF DRY GAS ARE ADDED THE STALLING IS STOPPED UNTIL MORE WATER GETS INTO THE GAS TANK. THERE IS NO TYPE OF WEATHERSTRIPPING AROUND THE FUEL FILLER DOOR THAT PREVENTS MOISTURE FROM COMING INTO THE FUEL FILLER AREA AND THERE IS ALWAY WATER THERE AFTER RAIN OR SNOW. I HAVE GONE TO SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS TO LOOK AT SIMILAR FORD WINDSTARS AND EVEN THE NEW FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN AND FOUND RANDOMLY THAT ON SOME OF THOSE CARS THERE WAS A RUBBER STOPPER ATTACHED TO THE FUEL FILLER DOOR WHICH LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD CREATE A SEAL TO PREVENT WATER FROM COMING IN. HOWEVER MOST OF THE VEHICLES THAT I LOOKED AT DID NOT HAVE THAT RUBBER STOPPER ON THE FUEL FILLER DOOR YET IT CLEARLY LOOKS LIKE IT BELONGS THERE.*AK