2001 Ford Windstar complaints

DT: CALLER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT CRUISE CONTROL BURNING UP. HE MIGHT HAVE HAD IT FIXED, BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW FOR SURE. CALLER SAID CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK, AND THEN THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK. DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THAT IS ALL THE CALLER THINKS THE DEALER DID.*AK CONSUMER FEELS VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN RECALL.*SB

DURING PREPARATION FOR AN OUT OF STATE TRIP, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE VEHICLE HAD 59,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS FLUSHED AT 40,000. PREVIOUSLY, A WHINING NOISE HAD BEEN EVIDENT AND WAS SAID TO BE A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR THAT TRANSMISSION BY A FORD MECHANIC. A STOP INTO A LOCAL LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALER POPPED UP CODES RELATING TO A SOLENOID AND ANOTHER PART OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, THE TRANSMISSION PAN HAD NEEDLE BEARINGS AND METAL SHAVINGS EVIDENT. THIS LEAD TO THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION BEING REPLACED AT A COST OF $2800.00 OUT OF POCKET. AT THIS TIME, NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN FOUND FOR THIS PROBLEM.

ON JUNE 27TH 2005, I WAS DRIVING AND IT WAS RAINING HEAVY AND MY WIND SHEILD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, I COULD'NT SEE ANYTHING, SO I DROVE SLOWLY TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND I ALMOST HIT THIS LADY AND HER DAUGTHER WHO WAS CROSSING THE STREETS CAUSE I COULD NOT SEE THEM CAUSE THE RAIN WAS COMING DOWN SO HEAVY.

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON HIS VEHICLE BROKE PUNCTURING THE TIRE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS COMPONENT, BUT THE CONTACTS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. *JB

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS TURNING THE CRUISE CONTROL ON IN THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR.*MR *SB

WE HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINI-VAN. WE TOOK VAN IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. WIFE ALSO NOTICED THUMPING IN TIRE WELL. EGR REGULATOR WAS CHANGED FOR "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT, BUT THE THUMPING TURNED OUT TO BE TWO (2) BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRINGS!! HOW DOES A HIGHWAY DRIVEN MINI-VAN GET TWO (2) BROKEN SPRINGS? THAT WAS THREE (3) WEEKS AGO AND THE VAN IS STILL IN THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR THE REPLACMENT SPRINGS WHICH WE ARE TOLD ARE ON BACK ORDER. APPEARS TO ME THAT IF THESE SPRINGS ARE ON BACK ORDER, THERE MUST BE A PRETTY GOOD DEMAND FOR THEM. THE FACT THAT BOTH ARE SPRINGS BROKE WITH HIGHWAY USAGE INDICATES A POSSIBLE DESIGN PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. MAY BE A RECALL NEEDED HERE.

WHILE ON VACATION THIS PAST WEEK,MY WIFE, KIDS (5), AND MYSELF, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH WARNING NOR WERE THERE ANY SYMPTOMS TO INDICATE THAT OUR FAMILY VEHICLE WOULD LEAVE US STRANDED ON OUR FIRST FAMILY VACATION. WE PURCHASED A 2001 WINDSTAR SEL FROM UNIVERSITY FORD IN DURHAM, NC. WE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $1500, AND JUST WHEN THE VEHICLE BARELY SURPASSED THE 'EXPIRATION DATE', THE TRANSMISSION, JUST SUDDENLY QUIT. MY WIFE AND SON WERE EXCHANGING SANDALS AT THE LOCAL BEACH SHOP, AND WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE VAN, AND TRIED TO MOVE IT, THERE WAS NO GEAR AT ALL.......JUST PARK AND NEUTRAL, (THE TWO 'NO' GEARS). THEY WALKED 3 MILES IN 90 DEGREE WEATHER BACK TO OUR 'PLACE'. I HAVE CALLED THE UNIVERSITY FORD, AND SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS OUT BY LESS THAN 2500 MILES, I AM STUCK. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 78,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS BEEN SERVICED FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY WE HAVE OWNED IT. IT WAS BOUGHT 'SLIGHTLY USED', ONLY TO BE DRIVEN BEFORE BY A TOP SALESMAN/MANAGER, BEFORE WE PURCHASED IT. I HAVE A FAIRLY DECENT SIZED FAMILY AND AM MIDDLE CLASS, NOT RICH!! THE TRANSMISSION IS SUPPOSED TO BE $1500-$3000 TO REPLACE, AND I CANT AFFORD TO REPLACE AND REALLY DONT FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR A TRANSMISSION THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED, WITH NORMAL DRIVING, WELL INTO 100,000-150,000 MILES. I HAVE A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE THAT HAS ALMOST 215,000 MILES THAT HAS NEVER GIVEN ONE SECONDS TROUBLE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE SO MANY UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE AS MYSEL

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. NO ONE WAS AROUND THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.*AK

REGARDING RECALL # 01V261000. MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR [XXX] WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. HOWEVER, I AM HAVING THE EXACT ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THIS RECALL. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MY VEHICLE IS THE SAME YEAR AS THE YEAR LISTED IN THE RECALL. IT SEEMS VERY ODD THAT I AM HAVING THIS ISSUE YET I SOME HOW MISSED THE RECALL WINDOW BY A SMALL MARGIN. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE AND I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD HAS NOT RESPONDED APPROPRIATELY. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

SMELLED GASOLINE AND FOUND BOTH FUEL LINES SPRAYING GAS AT FRONT OF ENGINE. FUEL LINES APPEARED TO HAVE DISINTEGRATED. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP - DON CHALMERS IN RIO RANCHO, NM. DEALER REPLACED FUEL LINES FROM TANK TO ENGINE - HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM MICHIGAN. TOTAL COST $667.03 DEALER RETAINED PARTS. *JB

THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR OPENED AS THE CONSUMER TURNED A CORNER. THE DOOR WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION FROM THE COMPUTER IT WAS AJAR. *JB

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIT UP. THEN THE ABS, ODOMETER, AND ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, AND THE ODOMETER WENT BLANK. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO APPLE VALLEY FORD, WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT ABS SYSTEM HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR SOMETIME WITH NO WARNING INDICATION , AND SHORTED OUT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE REPAIR BILL WAS $4500 AS THE FRONT ELECTRICAL MODULE WAS SHOT DUE TO THE LEAKAGE. DEALER AND FORD CORPORATION COULD NOT EXPLAIN CAUSE OF LEAK, WHY WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, WHY THE EXTREME DAMAGE OR WHY THE FRONT ELECTRICAL MODULE WAS LOCATED SO CLOSE TO THE ABS SYSTEM, THAT ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN. I QUESTIONED IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING OR LATENT DEFECT. REPAIR WAS BEING DONE AT THIS TIME. *AK

THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR DOOR OPEN INDICATOR SYMBOL ON THE DASH IS CONSTANTLY ON. ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. IN THE BEGINNING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF, DOOR OPEN BELL WOULD CHIME, AND DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING. NOW THE INDICATOR SYMBOL ON DASH STAYS ON AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOORS AND DOORS DO NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN DRIVING OFF. PROBLEM CANNOT BE LOCATED.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THE POWER DOORS LOCKED ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IN AN EMERGENCY THEY WILL BE TRAPPED INSIDE . *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE FROM PARK. ONCE IT WAS PULLED OUT OF PARK IT MADE A LOUD BANG. *NM

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW SHATTERED TWICE. *AK WITH BOTH OCCURRENCES, THE WEATHER WAS MODERATE, PARKED, LOCKED AND UNOCCUPIED, NO KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION. *SC

I PURCHASED THIS 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SEL 11/18/04 FROM POHANKA CHEVROLET. ON MY WAY TO KANSAS ON 11/20/04 THE CD/CASSETTE PLAYER WENT OUT. THAN I STARTED HEARING A NOISE IN THE STEERING. WHEN I RETURNED THEY EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE STEREO AND AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES IN, THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. AFTER THAT I STARTED HEARING A GRATING SOUND WHEN COMING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. PULLING OUT IN REVERSE, OR GOING FORWARD, AFTER TURNING THE WHEEL TO GO STRAIGHT IT WOULD MAKE THIS SOUND. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT SO I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER WHO SAID THIS WAS NORMAL FOR A WINDSTAR. IT DOESN'T FEEL NORMAL AND I HOPE THEY WILL REPLACE ANYTHING IT MAY BE DAMAGING. ALSO, AFTER THE POWER STEERING WAS "FIXED" I STARTED FEELING AND HEARING THIS WHIRLING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. A FEW TIMES THE CAR ALMOST CUT OFF AT A STOP LIGHT, BUT I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT CONTINUED RUNNING. AGAIN, THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL FOR A WINDSTAR. I NOW SEE WHY THERE ARE NO NEW WINDSTARS. I JUST WANTED IT NOTED THAT THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH POHANKA AND TED BRITT FORD, TO NOT AVAIL. POHANKA EVEN OFFERED ME A CHEVROLET MALIBU, PLUS MORE MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET, AS A REPLACEMENT. I WANTED A VAN, NOT A CAR.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SPRING BROKE AND TORE THROUGH THE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE.*MR A RECALL WAS ISSUED BUT NOT FOR THE CONSUMER'S MODEL OF VEHICLE. *NM

ON 3/22/05 I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH NO-ONE BEHIND MY VAN WHEN MY BACK LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDOW IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS TO EXPLODE IN MY VAN. (SEE COMPLAINT OF INCIDENT 10-23-04) THE ONLY COMMONALITY BETWEEN THESE EVENTS WAS THAT BOTH MORNINGS WERE COOL AND THE INSIDE OF THE VAN HAD BEEN WARMED FOR 20-30 MINUTES. THE DEALER AND GLASS REPAIR COMPANY ASKED IF THE FRAME HAD BEEN BENT IN THE PAST, BUT THIS VAN HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND -NOT EVEN A FENDER-BENDER.*AK

ON 10/22/04 I DROPPED MY CHILD AT SCHOOL, AND EXITING THE PARKING LOT THE LEFT REAR SIDE WINDOW OF MY 2001 WINDSTAR VAN EXPLODED. I WAS IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. ON 3/22/05 I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH NO-ONE BEHIND MY VAN WHEN MY BACK LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. THE ONLY COMMONALITY BETWEEN THESE EVENTS WAS THAT BOTH MORNINGS WERE COOL AND THE INSIDE OF THE VAN HAD BEEN WARMED FOR 20-30 MINUTES. *AK

VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SHEARED OFF, AND THE LUGS: NUTS WERE STILL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL, LUGS: NUTS, AND OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE PASSENGER WENT TO THE DOCTOR THE NEXT DAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S BODY SHOP. *AK THE PASSENGER SUFFERED FROM HEADACHES, NECK PAIN, BACK PAIN, AND SHOULDER PAIN. THE DEALER DID NOT ASSUME ANY REPONSIBILITY. *TC

BACK PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR OPENS UNINTENDED AND DOES IT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ON. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH TRANSMISSION LOST POWER. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND WAS HIT DIRECTLY IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I WAS DRIVING A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THAT HAD SIDE AIRBAGS. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HEAD HIT THE DRIVER WINDOW AND BUSTED IT. THANKFULLY, I ONLY RECEIVED A CONCUSSION. FORD IS NOW SAYING TOO BAD. THEY TRIED TO TEST IT BUT SAID DUE TO SOME COMPUTER INF. BEING LOST THAT THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO SAY THAT THE AIRBAG WAS WORKING RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THEM FOR 3 WEEKS NOW AND THEY HAVE JUST BEEN GIVING US THE RUN AROUND. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY HIT WASN'T HARD ENOUGH WHAT WOULD IT HAVE TAKEN. MY VAN WAS TOTALED. *JB

1) 2001 WINDSTAR MINIVAN STALLED AT LOW IDLE WHILE MAKING A TURN. 2) DRIVER NEARLY WRECKED DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL MORE TIMES WHILE MOVING BEFORE REPAIR WAS DONE. 3) DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS BAD FUEL INTAKE GASKETS WHICH WERE REPLACED. PROBLEM PERSISTED UNTIL IAC VALVE WAS CLEANED. MY CONCLUSION IS THAT THE IAC VALVE IS TO BLAMED, AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING.*AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE, RESULTING IN A CRASH. *AK

WHILE DRIVING A COLLISION OCCURRED.UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT ENGAGE. *AK

SINCE ABOUT TWO MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR HAS REPEATEDLY MALFUNCTIONED. THERE ARE THREE SEPARATE PROBLEMS. THE FIRST AND MOST COMMON IS THAT THE DOOR WILL CLOSE, ONLY TO INSTANTLY OPEN AGAIN. ANY OF THE THREE BUTTONS USED TO CLOSE THE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM. ON THESE OCCASIONS, IF WE ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE DOOR MANUALLY, IT WILL NOT LATCH AT ALL. USUALLY AFTER 20+ ATTEMPTS THE DOOR WILL LATCH PROPERLY. SLIGHTLY LESS COMMON IS THE SECOND PROBLEM, WHEN THE DOOR WILL REFUSE TO UNLOCK. THE LOCK BUTTON CAN'T BE PULLED UP, AND THE BUTTONS ON THE KEY FOB OR DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. AGAIN, THIS PROBLEM ONLY PERTAINS TO THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR. THE THIRD AND MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THAT, ON HALF A DOZEN OR SO OCCASIONS, THE DOOR HAS SPONTANEOUSLY OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THE MOST RECENT OCCASION WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS EXITING A HIGHWAY AND TRAVELING AT ABOUT 35 MPH, IN APPROXIMATELY 25 DEGREE WEATHER, WITH AN INFANT IN THE SEAT BY THE DOOR. ON THESE OCCASIONS THE DOOR WILL ALSO EXHIBIT THE FIRST NOTED PROBLEM, REFUSAL TO REMAIN CLOSED. TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS HAVE MADE THE REPAIRS AUTHORIZED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT BEYOND THAT HAVE STONEWALLED. ONE DEALERSHIP REFERRED THE PROBLEM TO THE "REGIONAL REP", BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

PROBLEMS WITH SIDE SLIDING DOORS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN BOUGHT TO THE DEALER'S ATTENTION 6 TIMES. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. *BF *NM

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD TWICE. AS A RESULT, TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE GAVE NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS BROKE CAUSING THE CASE TO CRACK. *TC

VEHICLE'S BACK END SWAYED LEFT AND RIGHT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THE BOLT WAS REPLACED AND A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE LOWER REAR TIGHT SIDE BOLT WAS NO GOOD. THE CONUSMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. TESTS FOUND VACUUM LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. LOWER AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE REPLACED. IDLE SPEED CONTROL WAS REPLACED. THE BRAKES SQUEAKED . WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE IDLES HIGH. *TC

POWER SLIDING DOORS ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR EITHER POP OPEN OR JAM CLOSED. WHEN JAMMED, THE DOOR IS NEITHER LOCKED OR UNLOCKED AND WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. LUCKILY, THIS WAS DISCOVERED BEFORE SERIOUS INCIDENT. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE IF THERE WERE AN EMERGENCY AND I COULD NOT GET TO MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT VIA EITHER SLIDING DOOR. *JB

DRIVING ON US 60 AND LOOP 101 WHEN THE SIDE AIR BAG LOCATED IN DRIVERS LEFT SIDE OF SEAT EXPLODED. THERE HAD BEEN SOME WOOD PALLET DEBRIS APPROXIMATELY SCATTERED ON THE ROAD 100 HUNDRED YARDS BEHIND THE POINT OF THE AIR BAG ACTIVATION. ANALYSIS FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP SHOWS THAT SOME SMALL OBJECT IMPACTED ONTO THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE CENTER POST ABOUT 6 INCHES UP ON THE FRAME POST. I THINK THAT THIS AREA IS OF IMPACT IS UNPROTECTED FROM SMALL OBJECTS DETONATING THE AIR BAG IN A NON EMERGENCY CONDITION. (EXAMPLE) GRAVEL ROADS ANY SMALL ROCK COULD TRIGGER THE AIR BAG. THIS CONDITION MAY HAPPEN ON ANY ROAD FROM OBJECTS TOO SMALL TO BE OBSERVED. THE ONLY DAMAGE NOTED IS SOME PAINT SCRAPED FROM FRAME. DEALER PUT THE CAR ON HOIST AND THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO SEE THE IMPACT AREA. IT IS ACTUALLY ABOUT 6 INCHES ABOVE THE BOTTOM OF CAR FRAME. MECHANIC SAID THE AREA WAS 6 INCHES FROM THE SENSOR. I AM NOW DEALING WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO GET THE AIR BAG AND SEAT REPLACED. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. I DO HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE AREA IMPACTED BUT FEEL THE SENSOR IS NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTED FROM FALSE EXPLOSIONS. *NM

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 100,205 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT STRUT BEARINGS AND STRUTS AT 75,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 100,000. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS AT 69,000 MILES. AND THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AGAIN AT 100,000. I HAVE HAD OVER $2,500 IN REPAIRS IN THE TIME FRAME OF ONE YEAR, NOT INCLUDING 4-WHEEL BRAKE JOB. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT 82,000 MILES AND TOLD THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I WAS AGAIN HEARING THE "BAD STRUT NOISE". AT THIS TIME THE 1 YR, 12,000 MILE WARRANTY WOULD HAVE PICKED UP THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE STRUTS. I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD ONGOING STRUT AND TIE ROD PROBLEMS. *NM

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 2001 WINDSTAR PASSENGER REAR AUTOMATIC DOOR SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. THE DOOR WOULD CONSTANTLY CLOSE AND REOPEN. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. MOST RECENTLY THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY AND HAS BEEN RATTLING. THE PROBLEM NOW IS THE DOOR HAS CLOSED AND LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN. MY FORD DEALER NEEDS TO PRY IT OPEN WITH SOME DEVICE JUST TO CHECK THE PROBLEM. MINIMUM COST FOR THIS IS $250.00. I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH A JAMMED DOOR BECAUSE I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN. IF I EVER NEEDED TO GET THEM OUT IN AN EMERGENCY I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS OF THIS NATURE. FORD DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND DISMISSED IT AND ME. I THINK FORD SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER AND I THINK THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR FREE. AN AUTOMATIC DOOR MALFUNCTIONING SEEMS LIKE A RECALL SITUATION TO ME EVEN IF THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON WHOM ITS HAPPENED TO SO FAR THERE MAY BE OTHERS.*AK

OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR'S TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ONLY MOMENTS BEFORE AND SAID "CHECK TRANSMISSION". MY CONCERN IS TWO FOLD. FIRST, THEIR WAS NOT ADEQUATE TIME TO RESPOND WHEN THE "CHECK TRANSMISSION" LIGHT APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN. LUCKILY MY WIFE WAS JUST PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A SIDE STREET AND WAS GOING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. SECONDLY, THE VAN HAS ONLY 55,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. THIS IS NOT THE NORM FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. *AK

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR REMAINED ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG AND SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE IN THE HARNESS. THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE LEFT FRONT SEAT CONSOLE AND AIR BAG MODULE TO GET AT THE LOOSE WIRE. THEY RECONNECTED IT. THIS COST ME $256.34 WITH TAX. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND ANOTHER PERSON THAT SEEMED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DID. I WONDER IF THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AND A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE WITH ALL FORD WINDSTARS?. *JB

THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO DRIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS. UPON PRESSING THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE AUTOMATIC DOOR IT DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. CONSUMER HAS TO PUSH THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE TO CLOSE IT COMPLETELY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE DEALER HAD DONE NOTHING ,BUT PUT A BAND AID ON IT. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *TC

THE DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT BELT UNRAVELED. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A TEAR BETWEEN THE RETRACTOR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SEAT BELTS WAS NOT A LIFE TIME WARRANTY. *JB *SC

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH CHILDREN INSIDE. WHEN ONE OF THE CHILDREN EXITED THE VEHICLE IT WAS ON FIRE. CONSUMER REMOVED THE SECOND CHILD AND NOTICED THAT FIRE SPREAD FROM THE DASHBOARD TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

(1) I HAD VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING ON THE VAN STARTING ABOUT 4 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT WITH. NOTHING REALLY LEAD UP TO THE FAILURES. (2) BRAKES WOULD FAIL FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT WAS USUALLY AFTER I WOULD HIT A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE LIGHTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES. I WOULD FEEL AS THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WOULD KICK ON FOR NO REASON. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RECOVER UNTIL THEY WERE RELEASED AND PRESSED AGAIN. SEVERAL TIMES I WOULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE IF THEY WERE IN FRONT OF ME. (3) I SENT MANY COMPLAINTS TO FORD, THE DEALERSHIPS, ETC. THERE POLICY WAS IF THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM THEN THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. I COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM EITHER. THIS WOULD JUST HAPPEN OUT OF THE BLUE. I HAVE HAD WITNESS IN THE VAN WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FORD DENIED TWO DEALERS FROM WORKING ON THE VAN (EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY) BECAUSE THE DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE SHOCKS AND TIRES ON THE VAN. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE THEN. I DID EVERYTHING I COULD THINK OF TO HAVE SOMEONE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. TALKED TO FORD, DEALERS, FILLED OUT SIMILAR FORMS ON AUTO SAFETY WEBSITES, ETC. I AM TRULY DISAPPOINTED THAT NO ONE EVER LOOKED INTO THIS PROBLEM. IF THIS IS HAPPENING ON OTHER FORD WINDSTAR'S THEN THERE ARE SOME VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. *NM

BOTH SLIDING DOORS DID NOT CLOSE FULLY. THE DOORS WOULD SHUT AND POP BACK OPEN EVEN WHEN LOCKED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS BUT ONLY PROVIDED A TEMPORARY FIX. THE FAILURE STILL EXIST. AT 50,000 THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR BECAUSE IT CONTAINED A LEAK. *JB

THE CONSUMER COULD SEE THAT THE CRACKS WERE STARTING TO APPEAR ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY HUSBAND HAD AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH OUR CAR WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, AND THE SEAT BELTS DIDN'T HOLD HIM IN PLACE. HIS CHEST IS REAL SORE ,AND HE GOT WHIP LASH. HE IS GOING TO THE DOCTOR. ON THE VEHICLE THAT HIT HIM THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

QUESTIONS: MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSING US TROUBLE LATELY. TWO MONTHS AGO, THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR HALF AN HOUR, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD MUZI DEALER, HOWEVER, THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT, SO I CALLED FORD CORPORATION CONCERNING THE ISSUE OF SAFETY, AND WE AGREED THAT I CO-PAY $100.00 TO REPLACE THE CAM-SENSOR, WHICH THEY SAID WOULD SOLVE. *JB THE PROBLEM. TWO WEEKS AFTER REPLACING THE CAM-SENSOR, HOWEVER, MY CAR STOPPED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. THE CAR WAS LATER TOWED TO MUZI FORD DEALER AND FIXED AGAIN. TODAY, AROUND 5 P.M., THE ENGINE STOPPED ABRUPTLY AGAIN WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO CARS BEHIND HIM, OR OUR CAR MIGHT HAVE BEEN RUN INTO AND OUR FOUR-YEAR-OLD SON IN THE BACK SEAT WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. SINCE THE FORD DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, WE REQUESTED FOR A PARTIAL REFUND OR AN EXCHANGE. HOWEVER, FORD CORPORATION REFUSED BOTH OPTIONS AND IS IGNORING OUR CALLS. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR ENTIRE FAMILY; IF THE ENGINE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, WE COULD ALL BE KILLED. *JB

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TEST, FAILURE CODE 2290 WAS FOUND. AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE/SOME WIRES, AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN RECALL 00V270000 AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK

TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH OF JULY DURING A TRIP TO MAINE MY PUMP SEAL ON MY TRANSMISSION BLEW AND I HAD TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED IN THE VAN. THE VAN WAS JUST OVER 3 YRS OLD AND THE MILEAGE WAS JUST AT 51,000 THE MECHANIC AT THE REPAIR SHOP SAID AT THIS MILEAGE THIS PROBLEM NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED, AFTER PHONE CALLS TO MY DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT THE VAN NEVER SHOULD HAVE NEEDED A TRANSMISSION AT THIS TIME AND THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED MY $1800.00. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 58,000 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES). $3000 TO REPLACE. I ONLY HAD WINDSTAR FOR 2 YEARS. PURCHASED IN NOV. 2002 WITH 11,000 MILES ON IT. POWER DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED TO LOCK SINCE PURCHASE. THEY MUST BE MANUALLY PUSHED DOWN ($300 TO FIX). *AK

WHILE PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY, WITHOUT IGNITION RUNNING, ON A RAINY, 60-DEGREE DAY, REAR WINDOW EXPLODED FOR NO REASON. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT OR THE DRIVEWAY, AS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. IT WAS QUITE AN EXPLOSION, AS THE LARGEST PIECE OF GLASS WAS THE SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR.*AK