2001 Ford Windstar complaints

I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IN OCTOBER 2001. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT IN DECEMBER 2003. I ONLY HAVE 46,640 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS COST ME $2158 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS WITH THIS FEW OF MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION STARTING CHANGING REALLY HARD AND STARTING MAKING LOUD CLUNKING NOISES WHEN SHIFTING. IT BEGAN TO START SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT HELPED ME AT ALL AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN INFORMED OF MY PROBLEM. THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS ALSO BEEN NOTIFIED. I THINK FORD MOTOR SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS FOR THESE VEHICLES THAT HAVE FAILED FOR THOSE OF US WHO TRUSTED THESE TO BE RELIABLE FAMILY VEHICLES. GO TO WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG AND SEE ALL THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOR THE FORD WINDSTARS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED JUST SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. FLOOR TO SEAT SAFETY LATCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO RECALL IN DECEMBER 2003. WINDSHIELD HAS CONSTANT CRACKLING NOISE AS I AM DRIVING. *LA

CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC FOUND EXCESSIVE METAL IN THE PAN AND ON THE MAGNET. MECHANIC SUGGESTED REMOVAL OF THE TRANSMISSION FOR INSPECTION. *AK

TODAY I HAD THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON AND DROVE MY FORD WINDSTAR HOME AND PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE. ABOUT ONE HALF HOUR LATER WE HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION AND FOUND THAT THE REAR WINDOW HAD BLOWN OUT. IT SMELLED LIKE IT HAD BEEN BURNED.*AK

WE PURCHASED OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 24,000 MILES ON IT. ONE WEEK AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VAN THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT GO OFF. WE TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. SHORTLY AFTER THAT INCIDENT THE REAR HEAT AND A/C WOULD NOT OPERATE. WE TOOK THE VAN TO THE LOCAL DEALER AGAIN AND THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY TRIED TO FIX IT BUT IT CAME BACK ON. THEY CHARGED US FOR THAT VISIT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON WE NOW HAVE AROUND 70,000 MILES ON THE VAN. WHEN THE VAN HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 35,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHUDDERING. THE VAN WOULD SHAKE ALL OVER DURING DRIVING. RECENTLY I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THERE IS A LEAK AROUND THE PASSENGER DOOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VAN. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I BRAKE THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IT IS OR HOW TO FIX IT. NOW THERE IS A LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE AUTOMATIC POWER STEERING FLUID PUMP. IT IS SO LOUD THAT IT CAN BE HEARD EVEN WHEN THE RADIO IS TURNED ON. IT USED TO BE LOUD WHEN I TURNED A CORNER OR ONTO ANOTHER STREET BUT NOW IT IS LOUD WHEN I AM SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE VAN THERE WAS A FOUL ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTING SYSTEM. I ASKED THE SERVICE TECH AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS BUT HE DID NOT KNOW WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING. WE STILL HAVE AN ODOR EVEN AFTER CHANGING THE FILTER TWICE FOR THE VENT SYSTEM. WE ARE VERY UNHAPP

OVER THIRTY SEPARATE WARRANTY REPAIRS OVER TWO YEARS. FAULTY ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS (KIDS COULDN'T EXIT), TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, FRONT-END DEFECTS WITH LOUD THUMPING NOISES AND SEVERAL BODY PROBLEMS. MOST NOTABLE BODY PROBLEMS ARE WIND NOISE AND WATER LEAKAGE THROUGH DOORS AND WINDOWS. MOST RECENTLY, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED (@ 37,000 MILES). FORD HAS ALL ALONG REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEMS. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY HAVE AGAIN SAID THEY WILL NOT DOING ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE IS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE TO OPERATE.*AK

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 45,000 MILES. OUR TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH A COMPLETE REBUILD TO BE DONE. 2,100.00. MY BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD'S DEALERSHIP WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP US IN GETTING A LOANER CAR AND WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THESE SHOULD NOT BE FAILING SO SOON.*AK

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN. IT HAS BEEN RUNNING POORLY EVEN AFTER AN EXPENSIVE TUNE-UP, WITH POOR ACCELERATION, HEAVY SHIFTING, MISSING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND IT HAS STALLED THREE TIMES. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ISOLATOR BOLTS THAT HOLD DOWN THE PLASTIC BOWL ON THE MANIFOLD. DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, THE FUEL REGULATOR, VACUUM HOSE, L.H. VALVE COVER, PORT O-RINGS, AND ISOLATOR BOLTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO HAD TO REPROGRAM THE PCM, CLEAN THE EGR PORTS AND THERE WAS ALSO A DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. THE TOTAL BILL CAME TO $656.00 ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES ON IT. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT SINCE I FOUND OUT THE ISOLATOR BOLTS HAVE BEEN RE-DESIGNED AND UPDATED INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL ONES.*AK

WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK

2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX 40,000 MILES WE HAD TO REPLACE THE "WORN OUT" (STATED BY FORD MECHANIC) RACK AND PINION STEERING, PUMP AND RESERVOIR FOR A COST OF US$ 1,100.00. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE WITH OTHER 2001 WINDSTAR OWNERS AND FOUND SEVERAL CASES OF THIS EXACT SAME REPAIR. THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY CANNOT HAVE AN EFFECTIVE LIFE OF 40K MILES, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SERVICE FOR FORD TO MAKE GOOD ON. *NLM

VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE GEAR AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WOULD COST 1800-2000 MILES. *JB *NM

MIDDLE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK RECLINED FORWARD WITH SO MUCH FORCE THAT THE SEAT HINGE CONNECTOR ALMOST SEVERED CONSUMER HANDS. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED STITCHES.*AK THE CONSUMER WAS CLEANING THE VEHICLE AND PRESSED THE SEAT LATCH. WHEN THE LATCH RELEASED THE SEAT IT CAME FORWARD WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE SEAT HINGE CONNECTOR ALMOST SEVERED HER FINGER. THE CONSUMER HAD TO GET 5 STITCHES IN HER LEFT INDEX FINGER. THE CONSUMER CURRENTLY HAS NO FEELING IN THAT FINGER. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING AROMA. THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE THE SMELL, AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SPEAKER WAS ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH TURN SIGNALS ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR.*MR (NAR)

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. DEALER SAID WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED BECAUSE OF WATER DAMAGE AND CORROSION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENTLY ENGINE WOULD STALL, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND REPLACED DIFFERENT PARTS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK

WHEN CLOSING PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE A CHILD WAS GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE SLIDING DOOR CAUGHT THE CHILD'S RIGHT ARM WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM

THE ACCELERATOR JAMMED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE BACKWARDS AND STRUCK SOME BOULDERS.*MR *TS *JB

CONSUMER NOTICED ANY SPEED VEHICLE WOULD STALL DUE TO ANTI THEFT DEVICE. *AK

VECHICLE ACCELARATION WHEN FOOT IS OFF GAS. PUMPING GAS PEDAL DID NOT STOP THIS ACTION. PUMPING BRAKES OR PRESSING HARD ON BRAKES DO NOT STOP ACTION. ONLY PLACING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN SHIFTING BACK INTO DRIVE STOP THIS ACTION. WAS ON MERRITT PARKWAY IN CT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE FOR THIS VECHILE. *AK

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STARTER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STARTER, AND SOME INTERIOR DAMAGE WAS DONE. CONSUEMR WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND SHE FELT THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE STARTER. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALLS. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR CAME OPEN. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKES ENGINE STARTS SURGING AND SHAKING. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

THE CONSUMERS CHILD STUCK HER FINGER INSIDE OF THE A SMALL HOLE IN THE CONSOLE AND A SAW HAD TO BE USED TO GET THE CHILD'S FINGER OUT OF THE HOLE. *NLM *CB *JB

REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS FAILED WITH ONLY 3,000 MILES ON VEHICLE.*AK

POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE. TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) SYSTEM FAILURE. TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM FAILURE. *TT

WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVING TO THROW IT NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE.B PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 55 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION YET NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT COMES UNDONE. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT THAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING AND NOTIFIED OUR FORD DEALER (WINNER FORD, CHERRY HILL, NJ) ABOUT ON OUR 25000 SERVICE. THE SERVICE REP TESTED THE SEAT BELT LATCH WITH A TESTER AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE SEAT BELT LATCH BECAUSE FORD WOULD CHARGE THEM FOR THE PART. HE SAID THEY WOULD CHECK IT AGAIN IF WE HAD ANY MORE PROBLEMS. WE CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BELT LATCH COMING UNDONE WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO AMOUNT OF TUGGING THAT WILL CAUSE IT TO FAIL, THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. WINNER FORD HAS NOT SENT OUT OUR SERVICE SHEET WITH THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM REPORTED ON IT. IT HAS BEEN SINCE 4/17/2003, AND THEN AGAIN SERVICING ON 4/24/2003 AND NO PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALER WITH THE PROBLEM REPORTED BY ME AND NO REMEDY FOR THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM. *JB RQ04011.*PCO

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A HILL, AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SURGE FORWARD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

THE HOOD OF THE SUV IS PARTIALLY MADE OF CHROME WHICH RATTLED AT HIGH SPEEDS. *NLM

AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR SEAL HAD TO BE INSTALLED, THE SEAT BUCKLES AND REAR WIPER MOTOR COVER WERE REPLACED, THE ABS FAILED, AND RIGHT BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD ILLUMINATED, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, SPEED SENSOR AND BRAKE SENSOR FAILED. *PH *JB RQ04011.*PCO

I HAD MY VAN FOR 1 YEAR. RECENTLY, THE INNER TIE ROD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY WORN OUT WITH JUST 56,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD THIS DONE BECAUSE THE VANS STEERING HAD A LEAN TO IT. IT WOULD FEEL LIKE THE LEFT TIRE WAS LEANING WHEN I WOULD GO THROUGH A TURN. AT NORMAL SPEEDS, I HAVE EVEN HAD THE VAN LURCH TO THE RIGHT ABOUT 3 FEET WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A CURVE. I AM PUTTING IT BACK IN THE SHOP, BECAUSE MY MECHANIC CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. WE LOOKED TODAY(04-01-03) AND WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL, THE ENTIRE RACK WILL MOVE. IT MOVES BEFORE THE TIRES EVEN MOVE. A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE TO SAY THE LEAST. DEFINITELY NOT WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM A $27,000 DOLLAR VAN WITH MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT. *JB

TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH WRONG SIZE BY 2 SEPARATE DEALERS CAUSING TIRE SENSOR LIGHT TO BE ON . AFTER OVER 25 SERVICE VISITS PROBLEM DISCOVERED .DEALER SENT HOME WITH KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM "WOULD NOT CORRECT PROPERLY" 4 DAYS LATER ACCIDENT RESULTED. *NLM

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT TO COME OFF TRACK AND THREW THE SEAT INTO THE AIR. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

THE DOME, AND DOOR LIGHTS CAME ON UNEXPECTEDLY AND IMPAIRED CONSUMER'S VISION. *JB

THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED.*JB

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. AFTER I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, THE SEAT BELT POPPED OFF. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE, THE SEAT BELT REMAINED LOCKED AND UNUSABLE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *NLM RQ04011.*PCO

THE RIM ON THE VEHICLE SEPARATED.*JB

THE RIM CRACKED INTO THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO LEAK AIR. *JB

THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS EMISSIONS, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM.*JB

ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC WAS COMPLETE, IT WAS DETERMINED TO REPLACE THE EGR VALVE & SENSOR. VAN HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION IN NC DUE TO "NOT READY" REJECTION SINCE THE ABOVE MENTIONED REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MINIVAN HAS BEEN AT THE FORD MOTOR DEALERSHIP FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS, AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AN ENGINEER FROM THE FORD DETROIT OFFICE WAS SENT TO RALEIGH, NC TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM, AND CAUSE STILL UNDERTERMINED. SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS MAIN COMPUTER CHIP. WIRES LEADING TO SENSORS HAVE BEEN CHECKED. DEALERSHIP IS AT A LOSS, AND CAUSE OF PROBLEM STILL UNKNOWN. MEANWHILE, WE HAVE A VEHICLE UNABLE TO PASS NC INSPECITON.

THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS ON 3 OCCASIONS.*JB

THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE NO LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE.*JB

TURNED ON REAR DEFOGGER-WINDOW SHATTERED

THE DASH SHORTED OUT. CAUSING THE HEATER, FAN, AND RADIO TO STAOP WORKING. I HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE VAN IN FOR THE EARLIER RECALL AND THE SEAL WAS REPLACED. THEN IT SHORTED AGAIN AND THIS TIME I HAD TO PAY FOR IT.

I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON EDMUNDS.COM (TOWN HALL) FROM OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS. I'M CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY WITH THESE DOORS FAILING. I AM GOING BACK TO MY FORD DEALER FOR A SECOND VISIT TO HAVE THEM FIX A PROBLEM THAT IS OF GRAVE IMPORTANCE TO MY FAMILY AND FAMILIES OF WINDSTAR OWNERS. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE THIS MATTER MORE SERIOUSLY AND PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS WITH THESE DOORS FAILING TO WORK PROPERLY. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER IS APPRECIATED. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770812

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVE WAY REAR WINDSHIELD BROKE. TS. *AK

WE HAVE LEASED A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND HAVE HAD IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS, TAKING OUT 15,000 MILES PER YEAR. SEVERAL DAYS AGO, WE COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR AFTER WE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. WE FINALLY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AT OUR EXPENSE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN "BLOWN." (ONLY AFTER 40,000 MILES.) WE FELT THAT OUR SAFETY WAS AT STAKE, SINCE NO WARNING SIGNS WITHIN THE VAN, TOLD US THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTED AND WE WERE AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SOME SERIOUS INJURIES.