2001 Ford Windstar complaints

I WAS TRAVELING AT 25-30 MPH HEARD A HEAVY CLUNKING NOISE, FELT THE STEERING WHEEL LOSE CONTROL OF THE WHEELS AND PULLED OVER ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WE REPLACED THE COIL SPRINGS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/03/06. *JB

2 YEARS AGO MY CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING. ONE MORNING MY WIFE STARTED THE VAN AND SMOKE POURED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WE TOOK IT TO A SHOP IN ALVIN TEXAS. THEY REPLACED A FRIED SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND WOULD NOT REIMBURSE MY LOSSES. AT THE REPAIR SHOP THEY STATED IT IS THE SAME SWITCH THAT IS UNDER RECALL IN THE OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I STILL HAVE THE SWITCH AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO NEXT. ANY SUGGESTIONS FROM THE NHTSA WOULD BE GREATLY HELPFUL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL #01V207000 DUE TO THE VIN HOWEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL ONNECTOR WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE PART IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM FURTHER INCIDENTS OF FIRE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COVER WAS NOT PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF THE RECALL AND DETERMINED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD BE CONTACTED FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RECALL WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE AND NO OTHER SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO STATED THAT THE RECALL PERTAINED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COVER AND THE PRIOR RECALL WORK THAT HAD BEEN DONE ON THE VEHICLE WAS FOR THE ADDITION OF SILICONE OVER THE MOLDING HOLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WOULD NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH RECOVERY WORK TO THE RECALL.

CAR EMISSIONS LIGHT CAME ON. THEN WHEN FILLING UP, GAS BACKS UP AND SPEWS OUT PAST NOZZLE. CAN'T GET CAR TO ACCEPT GAS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATION SENSOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED THE CONTROL MODULE SWITCH AND THE COMPONENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED IN THAT AREA AND EXTINGUISHED BEFORE IT COULD SPREAD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS THIS PROBLEM ON THREE DIFFERENT MODELS AND FOR THE SAME COMPONENT WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS ON OR OFF. THIS VEHICLE WAS OFF THE DAY THE FIRE INCIDENT.*AK UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM

2001 FORD WINDSTAR COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE BACKING SLOWLY OUT OF DRIVEWAY. WE HEARD A LOUD "SNAP" FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. UPON INSPECTION, WE SAW THE COIL SPRING HAD CRACKED IN TWO PIECES. FORD WINDSTARS HAD A RECALL FOR 1997 AND 1998 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. MAY BE A RECALL NEEDED HERE. *JB

FOIA REQUEST ANY REPORTS, NOTICES COMPLAINTS/ INFORMATION, MFG VIOLATIONS, WARNING/ REGULATORY LTRS RE ELECTRICAL AND/OR AIR BAG FIRES IN 2004-2004 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. *TS THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER DIED AND THE SON WAS INJURED WHEN THEIR VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I PRESSED MY BRAKES TO STOP AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO BRAKES UNTIL I PUMPED MY BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES. WHILE DOING THIS MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. MY O/D LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH ODOMETER. AND MY A/C STOPPED WORKING. WE STOPPED TO WORK ON IT AND FOUND FUSE NUMBER 10 WAS BLOWN. WE REPLACED FUSE. WHEN WE TURNED TO KEY TO START THE MOTOR BLUE SMOKE CAME UP FROM MOTOR AREA AND FUSE INSTANTLY BLEW. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE SENSOR UNDER MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID INTO ELECTRICAL HARNESS. HAVE NOT FIXED SENSOR YET. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT AT 7MPH A SNAPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FRONT COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ROAD SALT CORROSION. THE FRONT COIL SPRING IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. 08/02/06 UPDATED. *TT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A GASOLINE ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE HOOD WAS OPENED FOR INSPECTION. THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE FAILED WHERE THE PLASTIC LINE CONNECTS WITH THE STEEL LINE. AS A RESULT, FUEL SPRAYED ONTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL LINE WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. UPDATED 06/12/06. 8JB

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. ALL DUE TO "INTAKE PROBLEMS" (PER THE FORD CERTIFIED MECHANICS WHO WORKED ON IT). THE LAST MECHANIC WHO WORKED ON IT SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF INTAKE SYSTEM THAT FORD HAD TO CHANGE TO A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SYSTEM. AT $80-100 JUST TO RUN THE COMPUTER CHECK EACH TIME AND $300-500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM EACH TIME I CAN'T AFFORD TO OWN A FORD ANYMORE. *NM

I WAS HEADING SOUTH COMING TO A GREEN LIGHT AND A CAR HEADING WEST RUN A RED LIGHT AND I HIT HER IN THE SIDE GOING ABOUT 45 MPH . AFTER HITTING THE CAR I CONTINUED THROUGH INTERSECTION AND HIT STEEL GUTTER AND WENT OVER THAT AND HIT HEAD ON INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

WE OWN A FORD WINDSTAR (2000) WITH 68000 MILES, THIS MORNING AS MY WIFE WAS LEAVING FOR WORK THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE CUTTING THROUGH THE TIRE SIDE WALL. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY TO CONTROL THE VAN OR TO SAFELY STOP. THE SPRING COIL WAS RESTING ON THE TREAD AND THE TOTAL SUSPENSION DROP WAS SO LOW THAT I HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE JACK UNDER THE FRAME RAIL. *NM

I WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON A DRY ROAD THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 21, 2006, AT ABOUT 40 MPH. A CAR TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND STRUCK THE FRONT OF MY CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE FRONT SUSTAINED DAMAGE SEVERE ENOUGH TO TOTAL THE CAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID INFLATE, THOUGH THE DAMAGE ON THAT SIDE WAS LESS. I WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. DESPITE WEARING MY SEAT BELT, MY STERNUM WAS FRACTURED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IT WAS PARKED AND WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPEN, FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V388000, REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL AND VIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ON THE VEHICLE AND THE WIPER/WASHER MOTOR WAS GETTING HOT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V261000, REGARDING THE WIPER/WASHER MOTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 4/11/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE THEN WENT OUT OF CONTROL; GOING INTO A DITCH, ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, AND FINALLY STOPPING IN ANOTHER DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM RUSTED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 04/17/06

I WAS AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR JERKED A LITTLE AND WHEN I GAVE IT THE GAS TO GO , IT WOULD NOT HARDLY MOVE. IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET IT TO MOVE, VERY SLOWLY. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. HE HAS CHECKED IT OUT AND SAYS THE REVERSE GEARS WERE MELTED TOGETHER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE ADJUSTABLE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL PUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THIS ACCELERATION CONTINUED FOR A NUMBER OF SECONDS. THEN, THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. SUBSEQUENTLY THE O2 LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, PER THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS HAPPENED ON A WINDING TWO LANE ROAD WHY CONTACT'S WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 01V207000 REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 42 MPH, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED. THERE HAD BEEN NO COLLISION AND NOTHING WAS RUN OVER. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SIGN AS TO WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ALTHOUGH, THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN, THE CONTACT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 3/28/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WAS NOT CLICKING CLOSED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE VEHICLE ONLINE, AND WAS CONCERNED AT THE AIR BAG RECALL INFORMATION THAT WAS DISCOVERED. THERE WERE TWO NHTSA RECALLS , #00V270000 AND # 00V412000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT. THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED REPLACING THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THEY DID NOT INSPECT THE AIR BAGS. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - THE CONSUMER DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPAIR THE AIRBAG SO THE TECHNICIAN AT THE BODY SHOP REMOVED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FUSE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS WILL STAY ON WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF TEMPORALLY WHEN THE KEYLESS ENTRY IS PRESSED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLIES. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.

1) THERE WERE 2 MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH OUR FORD WINDSTAR 2001 WHICH WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM OUR DEALER. THE FIRST PROBLEM: WE THOUGHT THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST. IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS BURNING OIL. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME AND THEY REPLACED A SEAL. WE TOOK A TRIP AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND WE WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. WE ENDED UP SPENDING ABOUT $3500 ON THE CAR. THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE ABS BRAIN FAILED AND WE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE IT AND THAT WOULD BE ABOUT $1200. IT WAS AT THIS POINT, WE DECIDED WE WOULD NOT PURSUE THAT REPAIR AS THAT WOULD MEAN WE WOULD HAVE PUT IN ABOUT 5K INTO OUR CAR WITHIN A YEAR. 3) FORD WENT IN "HALF" WITH US ON THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I DO NOT RECALL THE EXACT DATE FOR THE FIRST FAILURE. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY JANUARY 2005. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED THE NOISE INCREASED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT NEEDED REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NORMALLY DOES NOT NEED PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE.

ONSET OF DULL "KNOCKING" NOISE IN RUNNING ENGINE AT IDLE; SOUND SIMILAR TO CONNECTING-ROD OR PISTON WRIST-PIN BEARING KNOCK, BUT DOES NOT INCREASE IN SEVERITY OR FREQUENCY AS ENGINE SPEED CHANGES. SIMULTANEOUS SIGNIFICANT VARIATION IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED (+/- 200 RPM @ 1,000 RPM IDLE), AND ROUGH TRANSITION TO CRUISING SPEED. DEALERSHIP "FOUND" THAT THE INTERNAL PLATE OF THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD COME LOOSE AND WAS SHIFTING TO PRODUCE SOUND. DEALERSHIP SPECULATES THAT THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED AIR / VACUUM LEAKS, COMPROMISING ENGINE IDLE. OWNER DEDUCES THAT DEALER WAS FAMILIAR WITH SIMILAR VEHICLE PROBLEMS EFFECTING OTHER WINDSTARS. AT MINIMUM, THE "KNOCK" COULD TRIGGER EXPENSIVE- AND UNNECESSARY ENGINE REPAIRS. AT WORST, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MALFUNCTION COULD CAUSE LOSS-OF-POWER OR ENGINE INABILITY TO OPERATE, TRIGGERING ACCIDENT. A LIKELY SIDE-EFFECT WILL BE THE REDUCTION IN ENGINE OPERATING EFFICIENCY / INCREASE IN FUEL CONSUMPTION, AND COMPROMISES IN ENGINE EMISSIONS PERFORMANCE. SITUATION BEARS SIMILARITIES TO FORD TSB SEP 01, 2001 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 625749: "MAKE : FORD MODEL : WINDSTAR YEAR : 2001 MANUFACTURER : FORD MOTOR COMPANY SERVICE BULLETIN NUM : 15213 DATE OF BULLETIN: SEP 01, 2001 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 625749 COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE SUMMARY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A CONNECTING-ROD KNOCK OR LIFTER NOISE. *TT". *NM

AT ABOUT 8:30 AT NIGHT, I WAS AT HOME ALONE AND HEARD STRANGE THUMPING AND HISSING NOISES OUTSIDE MY LIVING ROOM WINDOW. I WENT OUTSIDE TO INVESTIGATE AND DISCOVERED FLAMES BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN, WHICH WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY FOUR FEET FROM OUR WOOD FRAME HOUSE. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE 4:00 PM. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911, AND NEIGHBORS HELPED CONTAIN THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE WHILE WE WAITED FOR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL TO ARRIVE. IT TOOK FIREMEN A GOOD 20-30 MINUTES TO FULLY EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES, WHICH DISINTEGRATED THE ENGINE, WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD AREA. THANKFULLY THE FIRE DID NOT SPREAD TO OUR HOUSE. ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS WHO HELPED THAT NIGHT IS A FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN. HE SAID THAT IN HIS OPINION THE FIRE WAS UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. SINCE OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THOSE RECALLED FOR THAT PROBLEM, WE HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF WARNING THAT OUR CAR MIGHT SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY ON A COOL JANUARY NIGHT. NOW THAT'S IT'S TOO LATE, AND AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, I RECOGNIZE SOME SYMPTOMS THAT LINE UP WITH SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE: 1) A FEW WEEKS AGO MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. WE ADDED BRAKE FLUID AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. 2) FOUR DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE, I TRIED TO USE MY CRUISE CONTROL IN A 30 MPH ZONE AND IT WOULDN'T WORK. THAT SPEED MAY HAVE BEEN TOO SLOW TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT IT HAD WORKED BEFORE. 3) TWO DAYS BEFORE THE FI

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM PICKING UP THE KIDS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ROLL BACKWARDS TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD THE TRANSMISSION FAILED 5 MINUTES EARLIER, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN TURNING OFF A BUSY STREET AND COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH TWO KIDS IN THE CAR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE OF THE TOURQUE CONVERTER AND VALVE BODY DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE ROD LEADING INTO THE VALVE BODY. THE VAN HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT. THE REPLACEMENT WILL COST $3,000. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD GO AT THIS POINT IN THE CARS LIFE. *NM

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND IT WAS SNOWING. I STARTED TO SLIDE ON ICE. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I SLID OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE SHOULDER AND IMPACTED WITH A DRAIN PIPE INTO A DITCH. NEITHER OF MY DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND AS A RESULT MY MOUTH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED 18 STITCHES. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS CLAIMED A TOTAL LOSS. *JB

ON 11/20/05 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 P.M. A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF MY VAN. THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVERS FRONT LEFT AT THE HEADLIGHT SECTION OF THE VEHICLE. MINOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE INCIDENT CAUSED INJURY TO MY WIFE. THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY BUT THE PASSENGERS DID. THIS CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO BREAK MY WIFE'S WRIST IN 2 PLACES. AT THE SAME TIME THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT LOCKED BUT THE PASSENGERS DIDN'T CAUSING MY WIFE TO GO FORWARD. BOTH OF US WERE WEARING OUR SEAT BELTS. THIS SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM SINCE EVERYTHING HAPPENED BACKWARDS. AT THIS TIME NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THE VAN BUT FORD CUSTOMER AFFAIRS IS SUPPOSE TO BE CONTACTING ME. *JB

ON 9-15-05 MY WIFE MADE A ROUND TRIP OF 70MI. THE NEXT DAY THERE WAS A LARGE POOL OF TRANSMISSSION FLUID ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. I HAD MY AUTO REPAIR CHECK OUT THE SOURSE OF THE LEAK,LOOKED LIKE A FRONT SEAL ON THE TRANSMISSION, I CALLED SUNLAND FORD WAS TOLD ITS WAS OUT OF WARRANTY,THIS VAN ONLY HAS 42,770 MI. THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSED THE TRANS TO OVER HEAT AND , BLOW THE SEAL, THE TRANMISSION SHOP SAID THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AT THIS MILEAGE,THE TRANS HAD BEEN SERVICED AT THE REQUIRED TIME ,WHEN THEY PULLED THE PAN IT WAS FULL OF STEEL SHAVINGS,I HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT AT A COST OF $ 1554 THIS IS REAL HARD WHEN YOU ARE RETIRED, I SENT FORD A LETTER W/ REPAIR INVOICE ON 9-24-05 THEY CALLED ON A FRIDAY ABOUT MONTH AFTER I SENT THE LETTER SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR MY PROBLEM, AND THAT IS THE WAY IT STANDS AS OF NOW ! I SEE ON THE COMPLAINT SEARCH THIS IS NOT THE ONLY COMPLAINT ,FOR TRANS PROBLEMS AND MORE, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO STAND BUY THEIR CLAIM OF "BUILT FORD TOUGH" SORRY I BOUGHT A FORD. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATES THE AUTOMATIC DOOR ON HER VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. THE DOOR IS LOCATED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR WILL COME OPEN. SHE TRIED LOCKING THE DOOR TO KEEP IT CLOSED, BUT THIS DOES NOT WORK. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW PART, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS TRYING TO FIND A REMEDY TO THE DEFECT. *JB UPDATED 10/31/2006 - AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE DOOR THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT A FORD ENGINEER TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM COULD BE RESOLVED. THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DPFE SENSOR*NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND THE FIRE WENT OUT. HE THEN DROVE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED AS A RESULT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD WERE BURNED. THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HE HIT A LARGE TREE. IT WAS A FRONT END COLLISION. BUT UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE AIR BAG LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY PRIOR ACCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED B Y THE DEALER TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WE HAD THE CODES READ. P0171 AND P0174. RUNNING LEAN ON RIGHT SIDE AND LEFT SIDE. RESEARCH SHOWS MANY OTHERS ON MESSAGE BOARDS ALL AROUND THE WEB WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE SAME AVERAGE MILEAGE (50,000). DEALERS WANT OVER $600 TO FIX THE ISSUE. WITH SO MANY USERS EXPERIENCING THIS DESIGN FLAW, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? *NM

CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING AND STARTING TO SMOKE LIKE IT COULD CATCH ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. SENSOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

BOUGHT 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IN JANUARY 2005 WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. IN AUGUST WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION( 46,000 MILES). THIS WAS $2000.00. THEN IN OCTOBER WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE(49,000 MILES) BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET. FORD QUOTED US $4800.00 FOR THIS AND SAID THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT HELP US DEFER THE COST IN ANY WAY. WE ENDED UP GETTING A USED ENGINE. *NM

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT WHILE DRIVING. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON PRIOR TO AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR NINE DAYS, THEY HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.*AK UPDATED 11/16/2005 - THE MANUFACTURER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED IT TO DEPLOY AND REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM

I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE WORK, PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. THE TRANSMISSION JUST DIED. NO WARNING IN ADVANCE. THE CAR IS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 51,000 MILES ON IT AND COST MY $ 3000 FOR A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. FORD STATED " NO WARRANTY" OVER 30,000 MILES SORRY. SHOULD THIS BE HAPPENING TO A VAN THAT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND THAT COST ME $27,000. THE GARAGE THAT INSTALLED MY TRANSMISSION STATED THAT THE PARTS MELTED TOGETHER AND WE WERE LUCKY IT DIDN'T START ON FIRE. *JB

THE PSD ON OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR OPENED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH OUR TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. WITH THE CAR OFF, PARKED AND CHILDREN IN THEIR SEATS, MY WIFE CLOSED THE PSD WITH DOOR BUTTON IN POST. DOOR WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. AFTER SEVERAL PUSHES ON THE OUTSIDE HANDLE, THE DOOR CLOSED WITH POWER AND ENGAGED. AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MINUTES THE DRIVER SIDE PSD TRIED TO OPEN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR OPENED HALF WAY. MY WIFE PUSH THE DOOR BUTTON ON THE CEILING AND IT BEGAN TO CLOSE AGAIN. THEN IT CLOSED AND REVERSED 3 TO 4 INCHES AND CLOSED AGAIN. THEN IT REPEATED THE 3 TO 4 INCHES CLOSED AND COULD NOT BE OPERATED. IT STAYED CLOSED UNTIL SHE REACHED HER DESTINATION (10 MINS). WHEN SHE STOPPED THE PASSENGER PSD OPENED ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVERS PSD WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL POWER OR MANUAL. THE CHILDREN LEFT THE VAN THROUGH THE PASSENGER PSD. WE TOOK THE CAR TO FORD THE NEXT DAY. THEY REPLACED THE DOOR SWITCHES AND CONTACT PADS AND THE POWER DOOR LOCK MOTOR ON THE STUCK DRIVER SIDE SLIDER DOOR. THE CAR WAS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY (57,000) AND WE PAID $556.44 FOR THE REPAIRS. BY SEPT 12, THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR WAS OPENING AGAIN BY ITSELF, THIS TIME WHILE IT WAS IN A PARK MODE. WE RETURNED THE CAR TO FORD, THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE A PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED REPLACING THE SLIDING DOOR HINGE, THEY THOUGHT THEY SAW WEAR. BUT THEY COULD NOT SAY IF THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE DID NOT COMPLETE THE SECOND REPAIR ($250) SINCE IT WAS A GUESS. WE HAVE THE P

I HAD MY INTAKE GASKETS REPLACE IN FEB 2005 TO AVOID ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS; I JUST THREW A ROD ON 9/7/05 IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH ONLY 80000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THE COST OF $4000. I JUST CHECKED THE BLUE BOOK VALUE - IT'S ONLY $9000. I'M IN AN UPSIDE DOWN SITUATION BECAUSE I STILL OWE ON THE CAR! I'VE READ ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT PREVENTING THIS PROBLEM - AND NOT CHANGING THE INTAKE GASKETS (WHICH SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER RECALL OR AT LEAST SEND A NOTICE!) SHOULD HELP KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING SMOOTH. THIS WASN'T TRUE IN MY CASE!*JB

2001 FORD WINDSTAR, 80,000 MILES. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER SAYS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED REGARDING MOISTURE ENTERING AND CORRODING THE ABS SYSTEM. $2,845 TO REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN MANY WINDSTARS; THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE DAMAGE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN FRONT END COLLISION ON AUGUST 2, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING 45-50 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE WHEEL DROPPED OFF ON THE PAVEMENT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE. HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND A LOCAL MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO AIRBAG SENSORS OR WIRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS, NOR HAVE THE AIRBAGS BEEN DEACTIVATED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY REFERRED HER TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO COME TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS IMPORTED FROM CANADA. *AK

DT: AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME. LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 7 DAYS. DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND IS OFFERED NO HELP. DEALER SAID THE CALLER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID SAME THING.*AK

DT: THE CALLER COMPLAINED ABOUT WINDSHIELD WIPER/MOTOR PROBLEM. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 01V261000 ON THIS ISSUE AND THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. DEALER SAID THE RECALL WORK WAS ALREADY DONE, AND THE CALLER HAD TO PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID THE WORK WAS DONE ON DECEMBER 7, 2001. *AK

THIS IS A 2001 VEHICLE. AFTER WARRNATY EXPIRED WE HAVE INVESTED ALMOST $2000 IN REPAIRS AND THINGS CONTINUE TO BREAK.*JB

DT: THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THE OWNER WAS TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH NO POTHOLES OR BUMPS AT A SPEED OF 40-45 MPH. THE OWNER WAS GOING ONTO THE RAMP WHEN HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION. THE PASSENGER THOUGHT THAT THEY HAD BEEN SHOT BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON BEFORE DEPLOYMENT, BUT IT WAS ON NOW THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE OWNER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD AND THEIR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. FORD CUSTOMER AFFAIRS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THERE WAS 1 INJURY, BUT NOT LIFE THREATENING. THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH. THE AIRBAG BLEW THE SEAMS OUT OF THE SEATS AND FOAM HAD GOTTEN EVERYWHERE. THIS WAS GOING ON 3 WEEKS, AND THE CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOR FORD TO DETERMINE IF THEY WERE GOING TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. FORD DETERMINED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE. *AK *SC *JB