2001 Ford Windstar complaints

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. IT BEGAN SHOWING 3 LIGHTS ON THE DASH. (THE BRAKE LIGHT ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) I WILL BEGIN WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER READING MANY ARTICLES ON THE INTERNET OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME CODES P0174 AND P0171 I FOUND THE TSB. IT CALLED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE VACUUM LINE, ISOLATOR BOLTS, VALVE COVER, AND PORT SEALS. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CALL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WHOLE ABS MODULE. TO FIX BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY COSTLY. AND AFTER RESEARCHING, I HAVE CONLCUDED THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT ISOLATED. DUE TO THE HIGH PRICE OF LABOR AND PARTS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. I THINK THAT THE LOSS OF ABS ON SLIPPERY ROADS AND THE LOSS OF THE ENGINE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE GASKET PARTS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT, AND POSE AS A HUGE CONCERN. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY UPDATES...THANKYOU *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 56 MPH, POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE END SEALS OF THE RACK AND PINION, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT, IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, A WHOLE NEW RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM WAS NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SEALS. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $600 WITHOUT ANY REIMBURSEMENT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

BRAKE LIGHT ON WHEN IT SHOULD NOT BE. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT AT CONSIDERABLE COST. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ABS UNIT AND SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH ARE DEFECTIVE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO FIRE AS REFERENCED BY THE ATTACHED WEB SITE HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/PREVIOUS-VT49767.HTML?POSTDAYS=0&POSTORDER=ASC&START= *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE FIVE MINUTES AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT A NEW ABS MODULE WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH FORD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,600. UPDATED 01/09/08, *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 70 MPH, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING ONLY IN WARM WEATHER. THE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE OPERATING NORMALLY. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNRECOGNIZABLE ODOR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,209 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,650.

MY FAMILY AND I WERE EXITING THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY AT EXIT 25A ON WED 8/8 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30PM. SPARKS WERE NOTICEABLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE SPARKS WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD. AS WE WENT THROUGH THE TOLL BOOTH AND ONTO THE EXIT RAMP TO ROUTE 7, SMOKE BEGAN COMING IN THE AIR VENTS. AT THAT TIME I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE RAMP AND LOOKED IN THE REAR OF THE CAR FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT HAVE ONE IN THE CAR. I THEN WENT TO ASSIST MY WIFE WITH GETTING OUR 5 YEAR OLD SON OUT OF THE BACK SEAT. AT THAT TIME I NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE LEFT SIDE. WE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND ANOTHER PERSON ASSISTED ME WITH GETTING VARIOUS BELONGINGS OUT. WE THEN WAITED FOR HELP TO ARRIVE. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK CARE OF WHAT THEY CONSIDERED THE VALUE (THIS VALUE WAS LOWER THAN THE NADA VALUE). I PROTESTED THIS BUT WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT CONSIDER NADA DUE TO ITS ACCESSIBILITY ONLINE. THEIR VALUE RESULTED IN MY HAVING TO PAY $1000 TO FULFILL MY LOAN OBLIGATION AND RELEASE THE LIEN TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I THEN CONTACTED FORD AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO WHICH THEIR REPLY WAS THE INSURANCE COMPANY COULD PURSUE RESTITUTION BUT NOT MYSELF. WHY IS IT THAT I AM THE ONE THAT SUFFERS THIS GREAT LOSS? WE HAVE SPENT $2000 TO SATISFY THIS LOAN AND PUT A DOWN PAYMENT ON A NEW CAR. THIS CLEARLY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FORD. CARS DO NOT JUST CATCH ON FIRE FOR

ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR NO REASON. SENSORS REPLACED. LIGHTS STILL COME ON. STARTED JUNE/07. ONGOING. *TR

ABS LIGHT, RED BRAKE LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN DASH BOARD. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,492 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10 AND 40 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STAY ON IN MY 2001 WINDSTAR. I HAVE BEEN ON A WEBSITE THAT INCLUDES INFORMATION WITH OVER 5 THOUSAND PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AT THE DEALER BEFORE AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. *TR

I HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON MY VEHICLE (ALL FOUR BRAKES) AND ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER HAVING THEM PUT ON I NOTICED MY BRAKES WERE WANTING TO FAIL. WHEN I GO TO STOP THE BRAKES SQUEAL REALLY BAD, ARE HARD TO GET TO STOP LIKE I AM PUSHING ON A BRICK (I HAVE TO PUT ALL MY BODY WEIGHT INTO BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE) AND SOMETIMES WILL KEEP ROLLING. I HAD THE LINES CHECKED AND NOBODY CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF. AFTER BRAKES WERE REPLACED THE LIGHTS STARTED THIS ACTIVITY. AFTER RETURNING TO THE SHOP WHERE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THEY PULLED THE FOLLOWING CODES OFF THE COMPUTER, C1185,1194,1198,1210,1214,1242,1246,1250,1254 AND U1262. A GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWED OVER 500 HITS ON ONE WEBSITE FOR THIS ACTIVITY. THE SHOP SAYS THE BRAKES WILL WORK, BUT ABS MAY OR MAY NOT WORK AS INTENDED TO. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. *TR

ABS LIGHT (AND BRAKE LIGHT) GO ON INTERMITTENTLY ON OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. *JB

MID-SUMMER VACATION TRIP FROM WEST VIRGINIA TO NORTH CAROLINA. WITHIN A FEW MILES OF RETURN TO WEST VIRGINIA THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO LEAK AND EVENTUALLY LOST APPROXIMATELY 8 QUARTS OF FLUID. MAJOR SLIPPAGE STARTED WITHIN 6 MILES OF HOME. WE MANAGED TO LIMP TO OUR DRIVEWAY BEFORE THE SLIPPAGE WAS SO BAD WE COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD. I INSTALLED 8 QUARTS OF FLUID AND DROVE IT TO REPAIR SHOP -- NO SIGN OF LEAKAGE ON THAT 15 MILE TRIP. I SUBSEQUENTLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, ANOTHER 15 MILES WITH NO LEAKAGE. THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP PULLED THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACED THE FRONT SEAL AND REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER (SLIGHT GROOVE ON SHAFT THAT REPAIRMAN SAID WOULD CAUSE THE NEW SEAL TO FAIL IF THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS NOT REPLACED). VEHICLE HAD JUST UNDER 65,000 MILES ON IT WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. NOTE: THE SEAL FAILURE APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO AN OVERHEATING CONDITION. THIS IS MADE OBVIOUS BY THE FACT THAT NO LEAKS OCCURRED DURING TWO 15-MILE TRIPS SUBSEQUENT TO FAILURE AND BEFORE REPAIR WAS CONDUCTED. ANOTHE DOWNSIDE TO THIS EXPERIENCE IS THAT AFTER SPENDING $1100.00 FOR THE REPAIR THERE IS NO WARRANTY BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP DID NOT DISASSEMBLE AND INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER MAJOR EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION FUNCTION APPEARS TO BE OK BUT I WON'T BE TRUSTING THIS VEHICLE AGAIN FOR LONG TRIPS OUT OF TOWN. GIVEN THE 65,000 MILE FAILURE AND INTERNET HISTORY OF LOW-MILEAGE TRANSMISSION FAILURES WITHOUT R

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET FAILED AND THE SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,000. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THEN FAILED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED TWO CRASHES. FOR BOTH CRASHES, THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BOTH TIMES AS WELL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IMPOSSIBLE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC AND BRAKE FLUID WAS FOUND IN THE CRUISE CONTROL CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CYLINDER AND THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWNTOWN TO PICK UP PIZZA FOR MY FAMILY, AS I BRAKED FOR A STOP SIGN AND CAME TO A STOP I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND EXPERIENCED A VERY HARD SHAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VAN AS IF I HAD BEEN HIT BY SOMETHING. AFTER INVESTIGATING AND FINDING NO VISIBLE DAMAGE O VEHICLE I DROVE HOME SLOWLY. AFTER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY A MILE OR SO I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING HOT. AS I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD I SAW SMOKE, AND THEN I EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AND THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TOWARDS THE GROUND. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND HEARD NO NOISES RELATED TO THIS. I AM NOW HAVING THE VEHICLE TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL FORD GARAGE ,WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE FRONT SPRINGS, AND ASSESS FOR ANY OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS INCIDENT. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE IS AT A TOW YARD. THERE WILL NOT BE AN INVESTIGATION TO FIND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE. THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL CASE # IS C07OFFO66334. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 190,000.

UPON STARTING THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN TUESDAY MORNING SEVERAL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS STAYED ON, INCLUDING THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS. THE DIGITAL ODOMETER DISPLAY CHANGED FROM NUMBERS TO DASHES AND THE SPEEDOMETER REMAINED AT "0" WHEN DRIVING. ALSO, THE AIR CONDITIONING (A/C ) STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. IT TOOK THEM 2 DAYS TO FIND THE PROBLEM WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER SAID WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE VAN DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. HE TOLD US THAT THE SWITCH HAD COMPLETELY MELTED AND HAD CHARRED THE SURROUNDING WIRES. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM WHICH CAUSED THE MASSIVE FORD RECALL IN 2005, BUT FORD CLAIMS THAT THIS HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM IN THEIR MINIVANS. THE FORD DEALERSHIP DID REPAIR THE DAMAGE AT A COST OF ABOUT $700. I DID NOT THINK TO ASK AT THE TIME IF I COULD HAVE THE BURNED SWITCH. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO GO ON RECORD IN CASE THERE ARE OTHER VANS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PERHAPS THE FORD RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE WINDSTARS AS WELL. I CONTACTED FORD BY EMAIL AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE CURRENTLY NO SAFETY RECALLS INVOLVING THIS VAN.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE WIRING HARNESS. THE LEAK THEN FLOWED INTO THE ABS MODULE AND CREATED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT FILED A CLAIM WITH HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE PART FROM THE DEALER. THE CLAIM WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. WHEN THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTIFIED HER INSURANCE COMPANY, BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER DECIDED NOT TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $2,197.50 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 123,000.

THE CHECK ENGINE OR EMISSIONS LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD TO PAY $100.00 JUST TO HAVE THEM RUN THE CODES ON THE COMPUTER. CODES P0171 AND P0174 SHOWED UP ,AND DEALER SAID INTAKE GASKETS LEAKED, AND IT WOULD COST $671.00 MORE TO FIX. THEIR ESTIMATE INCLUDED REPLACING INTAKE GASKETS, INTAKE BOLTS, LEFT SIDE VALVE COVER, AND FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE PVC HOSE WAS OKAY. THE 2001 VAN ONLY HAD 59,000 MI ON IT. SEEMED LIKE FORD HAD A DESIGN PROBLEM , THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO STAND BEHIND.*AK

ON MAY 2, 2007 WE DETECTED AN ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC IN THE HOUSE. AFTER SEARCHING THE HOUSE I OPENED THE GARAGE AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE FILLED THE HOUSE. THE OCCUPANTS LEFT THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR, AND I PROCEEDED TO OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR AND WENT OUT WITH PHONE IN HAND. WHILE I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE A FRIEND'S SON INDICATED THAT THERE WERE FLAMES UNDER THE VAN. I WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE, GOT THE KEYS AND MADE AN ATTEMPT OF PUSHING THE VAN OUT OF THE GARAGE. AS I TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT OR PARK I NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE WINDSHIELD. I DECIDED THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO BE A HERO, AND I GOT OUT OF THE VAN AND GARAGE. WE WERE AFRAID OF AN EXPLOSION SINCE THE GAS TANK WAS FILLED THAT DAY. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHICH EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BEFORE IT SPREAD TO THE HOUSE. I ATTEMPTED TO GET A WATER HOSE TO TRY TO CONTAIN THE FIRE, BUT AFTER FOUR STEPS, MY RIGHT KNEE ON WHICH I HAD SURGERY THREE WEEKS BEFORE IT GAVE OUT ON ME AND I ENDED UP HAVING TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE VAN WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. MY DAUGHTER AND I DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH OF THE FORD WEB SITE , AND IN ALL CASES INVOLVING FIRES FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOT EVEN BLINKED AN EYE TO PAY ONE CENT. WHY CAN'T THE GOVERNMENT GO AFTER THIS COMPANY THAT KNOWINGLY PRODUCED A PRODUCT THAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND CONTINUED TO PRODUCE OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITHOUT TAKING SAFETY INTO CONSIDERATION. WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT THERE WERE NO DEATHS INVOLVED. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE? *

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IT SURGED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TWO DEALERS, AND BOTH WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 90,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *AK

IN THE FALL OF 2006 I BEGAN EXPERIENCING ISOLATED INSTANCES WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN THE BATTERY WAS DEAD BY THE END OF THE WORK DAY. FREQUENCY INCREASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. I FOUND I COULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BY LIFTING THE PEDAL SLIGHTLY FROM BEHIND. ON MARCH 12, 2007 THE PROBLEM BEGAN HAPPENING WITH EACH STOP, SO I REMOVED AND EXAMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. IT APPEARED TO BE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I EXAMINED ITS PLACEMENT ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER ROD. THE WEAR PATTERN APPEARED TO BE VERY SLIGHTLY OFF-CENTER. I REINSTALLED THE SWITCH, BUT INSERTED THE SPACER INSERT FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE. WHEN DISSASSEMBLING, THE SPACER WAS INSERTED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I REASSEMBLED IT, I INSERTED IT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 1200 MILES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED. I HAVE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AS AN ASE MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC.

DIRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. HAD IT BEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE. SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT BUT THERE WAS NOT ONE. THERE WAS NO VEHICLE DAMAGE EXCEPT TO THE INTERIOR

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS NO LONGER WORK . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY STARTED WITH THE INTERMITTENT WIPERS WHICH WOULD NOT COMPLETELY WIPE THE WINDOW UNLESS ONE CONTINUEDT O WORK THE KNOB. SHE STATED THAT NOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DOESN'T WIPE THE WINDOWS AT ALL. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL 01V261000 FOR VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/ WASHER: MOTOR. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THIS RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY NOW, AND WOULD NOT HELP HER WITH ANY OTHER INFORMATION. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE APART OF THE RECALL SINCE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 74,000 MILES ON IT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. THIS CAUSES 2 PROBLEMS: 1. THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON WHILE DRIVING, AND 2. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, THUS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE. *JB

MY 2001 WINDSTAR HAS BEEN BLOWING DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHTS. NOT ONLY DOES THE LIGHT BLOW BUT THE ENTIRE GLASS PART OF BULB BLOWS COMPLETELY OFF. THIS IS THE 6TH TIME WE HAVE CHANGED BULB. THIS TIME I WAS 60 MILES FROM HOME ON A ROAD FULL OF 18 WHEELERS. WHEN THE HEAD LIGHT BLOWS SO DOES MY TAIL LIGHTS. SO I MUST DRIVE HOME WITH 4 WAY FLASHERS ON. THE ONLY REASON I HAVE THIS VAN IS BECAUSE WE HAVE 5 CHILDREN AND HAVE TO USE A VAN TO GO ANYWHERE. WHICH MEANS MY CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS IN IT WHEN IT MESSES UP. THIS TIME ,ALSO, WHEN TRYING TO GET THE VAN BACK HOME, MY INTERIOR LIGHTS KEPT GOING ON AND OFF BY THERE SELF. AND AS ALWAYS THE MOTOR STUTTERS AND MAKES IT HARD TO GO UP ANY HILL. WE LIVE IN ALABAMA. EVERY ROAD I TAKE IS NOTHING BUT HILLS. *JB

WE PURCHASED A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR 04/2005, IN 09/2005 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE BRAKES FAILED & ENGINE SURGED. SUMMER OF 2006, IT HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH MY WIFE DRIVING, VERY SIMILAR TO THE FIRST INCIDENT. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACES A BRAKE SENSOR. IT HAPPENED AGAIN & THEY REPLACED ANOTHER BRAKE SENSOR. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME WE TOOK IT TO DEALER IN 07/2006 WHERE THE SAID THEY HAD TO ADJUST THE BRAKE SENSORS AND THAT EVERYTHING WAS SAFE. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, WE TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER IN AUGUST 2006 WHERE THEY HAD IT UNTIL 11/2006 TELLING US THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VAN. NOT FEELING SAFE WITH THE VAN TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO HAS HAD IT 11/2006 TILL PRESENT 03/2007. I HAVE TALKED WITH A NUMBER OF MECHANICS OUT SIDE FORD WHO HAVE SEEN THE SAME THING INCLUDING A FORD SALES WOMAN WHO HAD IT HAPPEN TO HER VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT PROBABLY IS SOMETHING IN THE ABS SYSTEM & THAT IT WOULD BE OVER $2000 TO REPLACE BUT NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM ( I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO WASTE) . I ALSO SEE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE. THIS PROBLEM IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE & SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY FORD. WE ARE PAYING & INSURING A VEHICLE, FOR 9 MONTHS THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HELP PLEASE!!!!!*JB

I WAS COMIKNG HOME FROM WORK TRAVELING 45 MPH, HAD A GREEN LIGHT, AS I ENTERED THE INTERSECTION A POLICE CAR RAN THE RED LIGHT AND I STUCK HIM IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS CAR. MY VEIW WAS BLOCKED IN THE NEXT LANE SO I NEVER SAW HIM UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. I SLAMMED MY BRAKES AND TRIED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HIM BUT AT 45 MPH IT WAS NOT ENOUGH, I BRACED MY SELF WAITING FOR THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY BUT NEITHER THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGER WORKED. I SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO MY CERVICAL SPINE AND I AM UNABLE TO WORK. WHEN I REPORTED IT TO FORD THEY SENT ME A LIST OF ITEMS THEY NEEDED AND PUT A 45 DAY TIME LIMIT ON THE COMPLAINT AND REQUESTED INFO...SO I GUESS WE WILL SEE WHAT THEY DO FOR ME, THANK GOD I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT OR I WOULD BE DEAD! *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR FRAME WAS CRACKED. ON 02/23/07 THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED TO SEE IF THE CAUSE OF A LOUD NOISE WHICH CAME FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE COULD BE FOUND. SHE STATED THAT THE TIRE LEANED INWARD. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME HAD A CRACK ABOUT 3 INCHES FROM THE BRAKE DRUM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED ANYONE TO FIND OUT WHAT SHOULD BE DONE. A NEW FRAMED WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT SHE STILL HAS THE TIRE THAT CAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WILL SUBMIT PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND OF THE CRACKED FRAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90000.*AK THE AXLE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/05/07. *JB

MY VAN STARTED TO HAVE SOUNDS OF A FLOCK OF BIRDS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT STALLED AFTER RUNNING 20 MILES, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS THE ONLY LIGHT ON. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CAM SENSOR. THEY FIXED THAT AND OFF I WENT. JUST TO GET DOWN THE ROAD ANOTHER 20 MILES AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONCE AGAIN. BACK TO THE DEALER I WENT THE VERY NEXT MORNING. THE SERVICE GUY I SPOKE WITH SAID" I DO NOT KNOW WHY THAT CAME ON, BUT WE WILL DO A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT AGAIN AND FIND OUT. BY THIS TIME I WAS PISSED OFF. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS PUTTING OUT CODES P0141 AND A P0147? ( ANYWAY IT WAS BANK1 AND BANK2) RUNNING LEAN. I ASKED HIM WHEN IT WAS IN YESTERDAY, DID YOU NOT NOTICE THE CODES AND HE STATED "I WILL HAVE TO PULL IT UP ON THE HARD COPY, BUT HE DID NOT DO IT. NOW ANOTHER DEALER AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION HAS IT TODAY(2-13-07) DIAGNOSTICS ARE ALMOST THE SAME BUT WITH ADDED FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEMS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON. MORE LIKE THE 3RD TIME, WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSTIC CODES. AND EACH TIME I HAD TO HAVE ALMOST THE SAME THING DONE TO IT( LIKE THE INJECTORS BEING FLUSHED OUT 2X, NOW FOR THE 3 RD TIME IN 2 YEARS). BUT EACH TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT WAS ALWAYS THE SAME CODES. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE COMPONENTS. *NM

NOV 9, 2002, IS WHEN WE PURCHASED THE RED WINDSTAR VAN WE WERE TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD USED IT AS A PROMOTIONAL CAR FOR THE OWNERS AND THEIR WIVES. FEBRUARY A COMPLAINT OFFICER AT FORD TOLD ME THEY WERE JUST PUTTING THE CAR IN OUR NAME IT WAS LISTED UNDER ENTERPRISE STILL. I CALLED TO ASKED WHY WE WERE JUST GETTING THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SEAT WHEN I HAD CALLED THEM 5 TIMES WITH THE CALL I MADE 2-7-07 AND WHY HAD THEY NOT SENT A NOTICE FOR THE SLIDING DOORS. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL WIRES BURNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. THE FIRE WENT OUT BY ITSELF. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138000.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CODES READ P0171 (LEAN BANK 1). FOLLOWED REPAIR PROCEDURE PER FORD TSB 03-16-1 (REPLACE ISOLATOR BOLTS AND PORT SEALS UNDER UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD). ALSO REPLACED VACUUM LINE FROM FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR TO INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HEARD A LOUD BANG.HE LOOKED AT THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE VAN WAS BEING FIXED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURE R, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THEY COULD NOT HELP HIM. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE HAD PICTURES, AND WILL HAVE THE PART TO SEND.*AK

TIRE FAILURE

TL* - WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH ON 12/26/06 THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE PROCEEDED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD AND THE EVENING WAS CLEAR. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE THEN RETURNED HOME AND INSPECTED THE TIRE AND FOUND NO PUNCTURES IN IT, BUT DID NOTICE A BUMP IN THE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED HE TOOK TIRE TO FIRESTONE TIRE CENTER THE NEXT MORNING , AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED BY A NAIL, BUT THERE WAS NO NAIL IN THE TIRE. THE TECHNICIAN DID SHOW HIM AN IMPRINT OF THE NAIL ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO FIND OUT IF THIS TIRE HAD ANY SAFETY ISSUES. THE INFORMATION ON THE TIRE WAS: 214/65R16, MODEL # FR380 AND DOT# W26V38B2306. THE CONTACT HAS THE DAMAGED TIRE, AND FIRESTONE DID REPLACE IT WITH A NEW TIRE. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD TO SCRAP THE INSIDE OF TIRE AND CLEAN IT UP BEFORE THEY GAVE THE DAMAGED TIRE BACK. *AK UPDATED 02/06/07. *JB

TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH THE ADJUSTABLE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THIS ACCELERATION CONTINUED FOR A NUMBER OF SECONDS. THEN, THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES IN ORDER FOR THE THROTTLE TO DISENGAGE. THE ROAD CONDITION ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT WAS FAIRLY DRY, SO CONTACT FEELS THAT THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS DEFINITELY NOT AN ISSUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO COVER HIS VEHICLE UNDER THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 01V207000 DUE TO THE FACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WASN'T BUILT UNTIL 06-20-01.

1) NONE. 2) MULTIPLE OCCASIONS FAILURE OF THE BRAKES OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICAL CAME TO A COMPETE STOP. CAR SHUTTERS AT 40,50 AND 60 MPH. SEVERAL MIS-ACCIDENTS OCCURED. THESE WERE DIVERTED AS OUR HABITS WERE ALTERED TO STOP A MINIMUM 10 FEET FROM TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL 10-15 MPH LESS THAT POSTED. 3) REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPLETE BREAK SYSTEM, PADS, CYLINDERS, LINES, ROTORS AND ALL COMPUTERS TO INCLUDE FUSES. ALL FACTORY PARTS. *NM

FAILURE OF CRUISE CONTROL BRAKE SWITCH WHICH CAUSED FIRE CAR WAS "POWER BRAKING", CAUSING OVERHEAT OF ROTORS , BRAKES, TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION. *JB

WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING IN COLD WEATHER THE FRONT END MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE. THE STRUTS WHERE REPLACED UNDER THE 36.000 MILE WARRANTY BUT STARTED MAKING THIS LOUD NOISE AGAIN LAST FALL OF 2005. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY KEEP PUTTING ON BAD STRUTS THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH ON A STREET IN RAINY WEATHER, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A BYSTANDER ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKE WIRING HARNESS WAS WET AND CORRODED FROM RAINWATER AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED AS FAR AS THE LOCK WOULD ALLOW. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF, AFTER REALIGNING THE DOOR, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE DOOR HAD TO OPENED MANUALLY TO GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE THE SAME DOOR SLAMMED SHUT, THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN AN IDLE POSITION, SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WERE OBSERVED TO BE COMPLETELY BURNT. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE DEALER REFUSED TO OFFER A NEW CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND WIRING FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT WERE AVAILABLE WERE DEFECTIVE.

I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR VAN WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. TRANSMISSION AND VEHICLE HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED. NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING TRANSMISSIONS IN WINDSTARS. *NM

ON A RECENT ROAD TRIP, I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION JUMPING FROM HIGH GEAR TO LOW GEAR. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER 1400.00. I BOUGHT MY WINDSTAR NEW AND IT ONLY HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED FORDS AND WAS LOOKING AT A FUSION FOR MY NEXT VEHICLE. HOWEVER, I THINK I WILL SEE WHAT CHEVY HAS TO OFFER. *JB