2002 Ford Windstar complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THE PASSANGER INCURRED INJURIES HOWEVER THE EXTENT OF INJURIES HAVE NOT BEEN COMFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS FOR REPAIRS. THROUGH A DIAGNOSTICS ANALYSES OF VEHICLE THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A CATALYST CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY HOWEVER THE REASON HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED YET. THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT HAS BEEN SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER SO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CAN COLLABORATE ON THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

2 TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS WE HAVE TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER IN OUR 2002 WINDSTAR AND THE CAR HAS LOST POWER AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE COMPRESSOR FAILED AND SEEMED TO SEIZE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER AND THE CAR TO STALL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AND EACH TIME THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THIS TIME THE REPAIR COST MORE THAN $1100. THE FAILURE CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER IN THE CAR AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL, THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND BRAKES BECAME DIFFICULT DUE TO LOSE OF ENGINE POWER. *JB

THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON THE 2002 FORD WINDSTAR IS DEFECTIVE. I'VE HAD IT INTO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY FIX IT BUT NOTHING EVER CHANGES. IT SOMETIMES TAKES TWO OR THREE PULLS ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO ENGAGE IT- IRRITATING IF YOU'RE PARKING ON A HILL AND UNSAFE IN A REAL EMERGENCY SITUATION. *NM

EMERGENCY BRAKE SOMETIMES ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING OR BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING. THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON WHEN THIS OCCURS. DEALER CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM AFTER AT LEAST THREE ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SOMETIMES POPS WHEN ENGAGED ALSO - AS IF THE CABLE SNAPPED OR SLIPPED. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE LEVER DOWN AND RESET IT. *NM

WHINING NOISE IN POWER STEERING. I TOOK TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BUT LESS THAN 10000 MILES LATER THE WHINNING STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION (AND CHARGED ME $800. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE WHINE IS BACK AND I KNOW IT IS THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *JB

RED BRAKE LIGHT AND YELLOW A.B.S. LIGHT ILLUMINATE. DIAGNOSIS: A.B.S. MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. *NM

FRONT LEFT LEAF SPRING BROKE AND DISLODGED FROM BASE THEREBY PIERCING FRONT TIRE CAUSING A BLOWOUT WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. FORTUNATELY,WE WERE NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN BLOWOUT OCCURRED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10MPH, THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF THE BRAKES WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH WIRING MELTED WHICH ALLOWED LEAKAGE OF ALL THE BRAKE FLUID. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THIS FAILURE WAS RELATED TO 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 VIN. THE MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH DUE TO A POSSIBLE FIRE RISK AND ADDED MORE BRAKE FLUID. NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE.

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. IT HAD 53,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE DAY I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IT WAS RAINING AND HAD NO REASON TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AND ASSUME THE CAR HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE NEXT DAY AFTER PURCHASE I TRIED ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW AND WAS UNABLE. I LEFT A MESSAGE WITH THE SALES DEPT. NOW THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THIS. SINCE THIS DAY I HAVE EXPERIENCED VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (LIGHTS SHUTTING OFF, DOORS NOT WANTING TO LOCK/UNLOCK, ABS BRAKE LIGHTS ON, GAS ON EMPTY ALTHOUGH I HAVE A FULL TANK) I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR STATES THERE IS A $100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. I FEEL AS THOUGH I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THIS, YOU SOLD THIS CAR TO ME UNSAFE. I WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT KNOW THE LIGHTS WERE INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF/ON. SO I SAID YOU GUYS ARE SELLING CARS THAT ARE NOT THOROUGHLY CHECKED PRIOR TO SELLING. MANAGER TOLD ME THEY JUST DIDN'T KNOW. BUT AT THE SAME TIME IS UNWILLING TO TAKE CARE OF REPAIRS. I INFORMED THESE PEOPLE OF THIS PROBLEM THE VERY NEXT DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. IS THIS CONSIDERED A LEMON OR WHAT? *NM

I WAS DRIVING 55 AROUND 8:45 PM ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY, THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A SOUND LIKE AN EXPLOSION AND I FELT PAIN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE. I DID NOT BRAKE, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PULLED OVER AND TURNED ON THE OVERHEAD LIGHT. MY FACE AND EAR HURT AND MY EARS WERE RINGING, I LOOKED TO MY LEFT AND FOUND THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG THAT DEPLOYED, WHICH WAS WHAT HAD CAUSED THE RINGING IN MY EARS AND THE PAIN IN THE SIDE OF MY FACE. I CALLED 911 AND A NY STATE TROOPER RESPONDED. HE LOOKED IN THE ROAD AND AT THE CAR AND DETERMINED THAT I DID NOT HIT AN ANIMAL, THAT THERE WAS NO LARGE DEBRIS IN THE ROAD THAT I MAY HAVE HIT, AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO NEW DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE- ESPECIALLY THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE ONLY EXPLANATION IS THAT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN. WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, IT TORE OPEN THE FABRIC OF THE DRIVERS SEAT AND FOAM STUFFING FROM THE SEAT EXPLODED OUT AND ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE MINIVAN. TODAY I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER FROM WHOM I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE HOW THE DAMAGE WILL BE REPAIRED. FORD WANTS ME TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND HAVE MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAY FOR THE REPAIR, BUT I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MECHANICAL DEFECT ON FORD'S PART AND THAT FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM FURTHER. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP JUST KEPT TELLING ME THAT AIRBAGS JUST DON'T DEPLOY ON THEIR OWN, BUT AFTER LOOKIN

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THE SECOND ROW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BECAME DISLODGED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SPRAINED BACK. THERE WAS A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE SECOND ROW SEAT, BUT BECAUSE IT WAS REAR FACING THE CHILD WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 03V459000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK INN THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. WATER CAME THROUGH THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE AREA ALONG THE TOP CORNER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION WHERE SHE WAS REFERRED TO A GLASS REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THE ENTIRE FRONT WINDSHIELD WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD WIGGLES TO THE TOUCH. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE CRACKS OR BLEMISHES. NO EXPLANATION WHY THIS HAPPENED. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS AT THIS TIME. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 7- 14-05 AND HEARD A CRASH UNDERNEATH THE CAR, AND THEN HEARD A THUMP. . PULLED OVER, THE TIRE WAS RIPPED OPEN. THE COIL SPRING ON THE RIGHT HAND PASSENGER'S SIDE BROKE IN HALF AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW.OUT. SHE HAD TO GET A NEW COIL SPRING AND BOUGHT A NEW TIRE. *AK

TOTAL ELECTRICAL BREAK DOWN COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THIS OCCURS AND WON'T STAY ON( ENGINE) BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A MONTH AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE

DOOR LOCKS ARE ACTIVATED AND CONTINUOUSLY ACTIVE THEMSELVES, LOCKS OPEN AND CLOSE AND CHIMES FOR DOOR AJAR APPEARS ON INSTRUMENTATION PANEL. LIGHTS ON THE MIRRORS LUMINATE DUE TO CAR RECONGINIZING SYMTOM OF OPEN DOOR, DRAINING BATTERY. THIS PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED WHILE ON AN 8 HOUR DRIVE HOME FROM CANADA, WAS BROUGHT TO FORD, THEY CHANGED THE FRONT PASSENGENER SENSOR CLAIMING CAR WAS FIXED AFTER 2 DAYS IN THE SHOP. 5 DAYS LATER WHILE ENROUTE TO NC, THE SAME PROBLEM AROSE, LOCKS OPENING AND SHUTTIING AND CAR CHIMMING CONSTANTLY. CAR WAS FLATBEDDED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN NORTH CAROLINA. CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED, AGAIN, AFTER 3 DAYS IN THE SHOP. TEN MILES BBEFORE REACHING MY DESTINATION 65 MILES AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP , SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, AFTER THE REAR SLIDING DOOR SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THIS FORD. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AT FIXING, FORD MOTOR CORPORATION, HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. NOW SECURITY ALARM, IS ACTIVATED DUE TO DOOR LOCKS OPENING AND CLOSING.

DURING THE SUMMER OF 2003 WHILE DRIVING ONE EVENING, THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR SHATTERED (BELIEVING IT TO BE CAUSED BY HOOLIGANS, THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED). THE REAR WINDOW WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER-RECOMMENDED GLASS INSTALLERS USING THE OEM RECOMMENDED PARTS. APPROXIMATELY 18-MONTHS AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDOW, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HATCH. THIS REPLACEMENT WAS MADE BY THE DEALER. THIS EVENING (7/14/05), WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE REAR WINDOW AGAIN SHATTERED.

DT: THE CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE WITH GEAR SHIFT IN PARK AND ENGINE TURNED OFF WITH NO OCCUPANTS INSIDE. THE CAR ROLLED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND DOWN SLIGHT INCLINE IN DRIVEWAY STRIKING CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS. EMS AND POLICE WERE CALLED. NO INDICATIONS AS TO WHAT HAPPENED BUT OFFICER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND DID NOTE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND WAS IN PARK. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET HOWEVER THERE IS AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE DEALER TOMORROW. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT AND AN INSURANCE CLAIM AS WELL. CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW HOW THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. *CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE DEALER INFORMATION AFTER DECIDING TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT, WILL ADD LATER.* *NM

DT: THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ON, CHECKED ALL DOORS TRYING TO OPEN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE HANDLES, AND HAVE CLEANED THE CONNECTIONS. ALSO, CHECKED THEM TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO DEBRIS, AND LIGHT WAS STILL ON. HAD AN ISSUE LAST YEAR, CLEANED IT, AND IT WENT OFF, BUT NOW IT WAS ON. *AK.

TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN MADE ABNORMAL NOISES FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE FOR INSPECTION, AND THEY ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO TIRE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH ALIGNMENT. ALSO, TRANSMISSION NOISE PERSISTED,AND VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP. AGAIN NOTHING WA S FOUND WRONG ON INSPECTION WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO RETURN LATER FOR MORE COMPLETE EXAMINATION. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2005 TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED ACCELERATING THE ENGINE TO 3200 RPMS WITH A SPEED OF 70 MPH. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE LEFT INTO A LEFT TURN LANE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH AN ILLEGALLY PARKED TRUCK AND TRAILER. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING. THE DRIVER, MY SON , WAS TRAPPED IN THE WINDSTAR MINI VAN DUE TO A COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT FRAME. AFTER A DIFFICULT EXTRACTION BY THE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT MY SON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK VOQ RETURNED NO SUCH STREET. PHONE DISCONNECTED.

WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED HEAVILY. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE FRONT ROTORS/PADS, BUT THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK HAD TO CHANGE WIPER BLADES ONE WEEK LATER, THEY WERE ROTTEN. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, HAD TO DRIVE IN 2ND GEAR ALL THE TO THE DEALER, ALSO HAS A STRONG CLUNKING WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE INTO ANY GEAR. *BF

WHILE PULLING INTO AN INCLINED DRIVEWAY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO TAKE OFF AND RAN INTO STEEL FRAME OF A DOOR, THE VEHICLE FRONT WHEEL WAS STILL SPINNING UNTIL THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOW TO THE DEALER. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *NM

THE BRAKE LIGHT IS ON. DEALER CAN'T FIND ANY DEFECTS WITH THE BRAKES OR WHY THE LIGHT STAY ON.*AK SINCE PURCHASED VEHICLE ON AT LEAST 25-30 OCCASIONS THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL REMAIN ON WHEN STARTING CAR AND GOING IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY/GARAGE. WHEN HAND BRAKE NOT ENGAGED LIGHT STAYS ON. SQUEAL IS HEARD FROM REAR OFTEN, UNTIL STOPPING AND PUTTING IN DRIVE. STAYS ON FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET UNTIL STOPPING. *BF *NM

CRUISE CONTROL CAN ACCIDENTALLY BE ENGAGED AND THERE IS NOTHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO ALERT YOU THAT IT IS ON. ON 3 SEPERATE OCCASSIONS I TOOK MY WINDSTAR FOR SERVICE. I WENT TO, 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS NEITHER ONE COULD FIND THE IDIOT LIGHT TELLING YOU THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. FINALLY THE SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID IN THE BOOK THAT COMES WITH THE WINDSTAR " THERE MAYBE A LIGHT OR WORDING TELLING YOU THAT THE CRUISE CORTOL IS ON." THE KEYWORD IS MAYBE. I'VE HAD 2 NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

A CAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JANUARY 9, 2004. CAR WAS HIT BEHIND, AND THE BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. VAN WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP TWICE TO FIX LIGHT. THEY CAME TO THE DECISION THAT A CODE NEEDED TO BE PUT IN AND COULD ONLY BE DONE AT FORD. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO FORD 4 TIMES, AND THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. FIRST THEY PUT IN CODE. 2 WEEKS PASSED THEN LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. VAN TAKEN BACK TO FORD. IT WAS RELEASED TO US. AFTER ABOUT 5 WEEKS LIGHT CAME ON. THEY PUT IN THE CODE AGAIN. LIGHT CAME BACK ON AS SOON AS WE GOT TO THE DRIVEWAY. WE WENT TO FORD AGAIN, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MODULE. THEY REPLACED THE MODULE AND A WHOLE NEW AIR BAG SYSTEM IN JULY. THE REPLACEMENT WAS DONE TWICE DUE TO THE FIRST AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE, THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON THE NEXT MORNING. A COMPLETE NEW SYSTEM PLACE IN THE NEXT DAY. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN THEN WENT OUT. THEY SAID IT WAS OKAY. LIGHT IS BACK ON NOW (MARCH 2005). NOW FORD IS TELLING US THAT A NEW MODULE HAS TO BE PLACED IN BECAUSE IT HAS BURNT OUT. ALSO FORD NEEDS TO FIND OUT WHAT IS BURNING OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM? OVER $500 WORTH OF WORK TO BE DONE AND NOW NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY FROM JULY 2004? WE ARE NOT SURE IF THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. AND WE HAVE SMALL CHILDREN TO TRANSPORT IN THE VEHICLE. SPOKE TO FORD DEALER IN OUR AREA. NO HELP.*AK

BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED PARTIALLY, WHILE DRIVING OVER A RAIL ROAD BETWEEN 10-15 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO IMPACT, THEREFORE A SENSOR MUST OF MALFUNCTIONED. THE SENSOR AND BLACK BOX HAS BEEN SENT TO THE FACTORY FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. *NM

POWER SLIDING DOORS OPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. POWER DOORS DO NOT RELEASE WHEN PERSON IS IN THE WAY. POWER DOORS DO NOT CLOSE AND OPERATE TO SPECIFICATIONS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED BY EXTREME FORD IN OVERLAND PARK, KS NUMEROUS TIMES. THERE CONTINUES TO BE ISSUES SURROUNDING THIS PROBLEM. POWER DOORS HAVE ALSO CHIPPED REAR GLASS FORD HAS REPLACED GLASS ONCE ALREADY. **AK UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS INITIALLY REPLACED 11/17/2003 AT 27,000 MILES. NOW I AM AT 44,000 MILES, 14 MONTHS LATER AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS. THE DEALER AND FORD REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT. THE SYMPTOMS WERE A LOUD WHINING SOUND DURING SLOW SPEED ACCELERATION AND WHINING WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT SLOW SPEEDS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT, BUT FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT END DOES NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT AND FRONT TIRES WEAR OUT VERY UNEVENLY AND QUICKLY.*AK

1) WE WERE DRIVING HOME FROM TULAS,OK AFTER THE THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. PULLED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. OPENED THE POWER DOORS.) THE RIGHT SIDE POWER DOOR TRAPPED MY DAUGHTERS RIGHT LEG WHEN IT WAS OPENING AND DID NOT SENSE THERE WAS RESISTANCE. THE DOOR BROKE HER FEMUR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. BACK WINDOW ON PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK SOMETIMES. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH WILL START GOING ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES AT NO SPECIFIC TIME. WHEN TURNING ON THE TURN SIGNAL THEY WILL GO ON OFF FREQUENTLY. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THIS HAPPENS VAN HAS SHUT OFF TWICE. POWER LOCKS SOMETIMES WILL NOT WORK. INTERIOR LIGHTS SOMETIMES WILL NOT WORK. ALL THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN WHEN VAN REACHED 30,000 MILES AND WARRANTY RAN OUT. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CO-OPERATIVE BECAUSE WE CHOSE TO TAKE OUR VAN ELSEWHERE FOR REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENCE. DEALER ALSO TOLD ME THAT FORD WOULD NOT HELP BECAUSE I DIDN'T HONOR THEM WITH MY MAINTENCE. I AM REALLY FRUSTATED. MY HUSBAND IS AN ELECTRIAN AND ALSO OWNED HIS OWN AUTO SHOP FOR YEARS. HE SAY'S THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TRACE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING SERIOUSLY ENJURED OR LOSS OF LIFE FOR FORD TO REALIZE THAT THERE IS A DEFINATE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN MY VAN. I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND CAN'T GET ANY WHERE WITH FORD. *AK

CONSUMER STATED UPON BEING IN A PARKING LOT FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD UNBUCKLED CHILD SAFETY SEAT, GOT OUT, AND CLIMBED UP TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. MOTHER DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT WHILE SHE TALKED ON HER CELL PHONE. HOWEVER, THE CHILD WAS HANGING HIS HEAD OUT OF THE WINDOW AND HIS KNEE WENT DOWN ON THE BUTTON, MAKING THE WINDOW CLOSE ON HIS NECK. CHILD HAD TO BE TAKEN THE HOSPITAL. *AK

MY WIFE ENTERED THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR. AFTER STARTING THE CAR, SHE HEARD A LOUD "POP". THEN FELT A COOL BREEZE AND NOTICED THE REAR WINDOW WAS MOSTLY GONE. A SEMICIRCLE IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDOW HAD BLOWN OUT. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS HANGING INSIDE THE VAN. THE WINDOW HAD NOT BEEN CRACKED OR SCRATCHED AND THERE WAS NO ICE ON IT. THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 45 DEGREES.*AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT WHERE I RAN INTO A MOTORHOME THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH AND HIT AT A SLIGHT ANGLE BUT DIRECT HIT TO THE REAR DUAL WHEELS THAT ACTUALLY DISLODGED THE AXLE OF THE MOTORHOME. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. IT HAD SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END INCLUDING THE DRIVER'S SIDE HALF OF THE BUMPER. THE IMPACT BUCKLED THE ROOF OF MY WINDSTAR MINI-VAN. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT APPARENTLY FAILED AS MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO MY FACE. THE STATE TROOPER SAID HE SAW MY TEETH MARKS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CRACKED. IF I DID NOT HAVE A BRUISE ON MY LEFT SHOULDER AREA THAT SHOWED THE SEATBELT ACTUALLY CAUGHT FOR AN INSTANT AND THEN RELEASED ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL THE TROOPER SAID HE WOULD HAVE CITED ME FOR NOT WEARING A BELT. I HAD UNBUCKLED MY BELT TO GET MY HANKY TO TRY AND STOP THE BLOOD FLOW FROM MY FACIAL INJURY IS WHY IT WAS NOT ON WHEN THE TROOPER ARRIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED SO NO REPAIR WAS ATTEMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NATIONWIDE EVALUATION CENTER IN COLUMBUS, OH WHERE THEY SAID THEY WOULD HOLD IT UNTIL OCTOBER 28 IN CASE ANYONE WANTED TO INSPECT IT. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER IN DETROIT MICHIGAN AND THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED INVESTIGATION WHY THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I RECEIVED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND A FACIAL LACERATION THAT WENT FROM OUTSIDE TO INSIDE.

WHILE DRIVING, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE WAITING IN LINE TO MOVE FORWARD AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CONSUMER HAS HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE JUMPED, AS RESULT, THE CONSUMER HAD A FRONT COLLISION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY 6000 MILES. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED AND CLOSED ON ITS OWN. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE FOUR TIMES ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DOOR. *AK

ON NUMEROUS OCCATIONS WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS APPLYED THE CABLE TENSION WILL RELASE WHEN LEAVER REACHES NEAR FULL TRAVEL. THE TENSION WILL RELEASE WITH QUITE A SNAP, WELL THE LEAVER WILL REMAIN AT FULL UPWARD TRAVEL. WHEN YOU PUT THE LEAVER BACK DOWN AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE IT WILL USUAL WORK THE SECOND TIME. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE, BUT DID AJUST THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE TENSION. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ASLO ON OCCATION THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT DISSENGAE FULLY WITH THE LEAVER FULL DOWN. THE LATEST FAIURE OCCERED WHEN A FRIEND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS DISENGAED BUT AFTER TEN MINUTES OF DRIVEING THE BRAKES STARTED SMOKING AND THE DRIVER REPORTED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AT THAT TIME. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE LAWRENCEVILLE NJ POLICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE FAILURE LOCATION. UPON MY RETURN HOME A WEEK LATER I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOTICABLY WEAK AND METAL ON METAL CAN BE HEARD FROM THE REAR DRUMS. THE CAR WILL BE GOING TO THE DEALER TOMORROW TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED.*AK

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE CONSUMER ALMOST INJURED HER SON. *SC *JB

WHEN COMING TO A STOP SIGN ENGINE STALLED. LOST STEERING AND BRAKES. USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VAN. STUCK IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. VAN WAS STILL IN DRIVE. PUT VAN IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO START VAN FINE. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAME ON. DEALER CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG.*AK

ENGINE ACCELERATES/RACES WHILE BACKING UP AND GOING FORWARD AT VERY LOW SPEED LIKE GOING INTO A PARKING SLOT. SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN BRAKE IS USED TO KEEP SPEED LOW.*AK

WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD UPPER AND LOWER GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED 13000 MILES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO ALSO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN WHICH THE FAILURE CODES WERE 171 AND 174 . THE MECHANIC CHANGED 4 02 SENSORS, AND DID A TUNE UP. ALSO, MECHANIC A CONTACTED DEALERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE, WHO SENT THEM A FAX STATING IF THESE CODES APPEARED IT WAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE MIL LAMP, AND DIDN'T CHANGE THE O2 SENSORS BECAUSE THIS WASN'T WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD GO TO THE VACUUM LIGHT ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND IF THE FUEL PRESSURE ON THE MANIFOLD WAS LOSE DUE TO OIL CONTAMINATION THEN THE VACUUM LINE SHOULD BE REPLACED, AND A NEW DESIGNED LH SERVICE COVER SHOULD BE INSTALLED OR THERE COULD BE A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AGAIN, IN WHICH THE FAILURE CODE INDICATED A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK

BRAKES FAILED FIVE TIMES WITHIN ONE YEAR. *AK

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXTENDED BEYOND THE VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE BLADES ARE NOT STATIONARY AND NEED TO BE TIGHTENED REGULARLY. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM DURING A WINTER STORM, THE WIPERS WORKED FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WIPER ARM AND BLADES STARTED MOVING TO THE LEFT OF THE WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY OFF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS DISTORTED THE CONSUMER'S WIFE'S VISION. *SC *JB

INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WE HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE 17 MONTHS, SEVERAL MONTHS OF WHICH IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP. THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR HAS BEEN 'RE-ALIGNED' ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE REAR WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FAILS TO WORK ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. POWER DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR FAILS TO WORK REGULARLY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN! IN THE EVENT THAT I NEED TO GET TO MY KIDS QUICKLY, AND THE DOOR DID NOT UNLOCK, THERE COULD BE SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP, IN WRITING, IN MARCH 2003 AND AUGUST 2003. CURRENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP SHOWED NO URGENCY IN WORKING WITH US TO GET US OUT OF THE VEHICLE THAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FILING A CLAIM WITH FORD TO TRY TO GET RESOLUTION. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAN BE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TRACE, AND CAN OFTEN TIMES LEAD TO FIRES, OR WORSE, FATALITIES.*AK

WHILE WAITING AT GREEN LIGHTAND WITHOUT ANY WARNING REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. *AK *MR

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AUTOMATIC REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR UNDER MY FEET AS I DRIVE, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I HEAR A LOUD METAL NOISE AND I CAN FEEL THE VIBRATION. IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN THE NOISE BUT IT SOUNDS MOST LIKE A LOW SOUNDING POP. IT GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M TURNING OR GOING OVER A BUMP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE BOLTS ON THE SUB FRAME WERE LOOSE AND HAD TO BE TOURIST. THEY HAVE HAD TO DO THIS TWICE NOW AND MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT. I FIRST NOTICED THE NOISE IN JANUARY OF 2003 AND MY CAR PROBABLY HAD ABOUT 16,000 MILES ON IT THEN. *CB

I OWNED A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR WOULD, UPON CLOSING, SLIDE BACK OPEN FREQUENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP CONSTANTLY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. FINALLY, WE TRADED IN ON A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WITHIN 1 WEEK OF PURCHASE THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR BEGAN SLIDING BACK OPEN UPON CLOSING - AND WOULD JERK BACK ONCE CLOSED. WE HAVE HAD IT WORKED ON 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. IT CLOSES NOW, BUT HAS A RATTLE IN IT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN THE WEATHER CHANGES IT MAKES LOUD NOISES WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. ONCE IN A WHILE, UPON COLD START, THE CD PLAYER WILL CONSTANTLY ROTATE BACK AND FORTH - WHILE RADIO IS ON OR OFF-UNTIL I TURN CAR OFF AND OPEN DRIVER DOOR. WHEN PARKING, I CAN OPEN DRIVER DOOR, PUSH LOCK BUTTON, THEN PUSH UNLOCK BUTTON - GET OUT AND CLOSE DOOR. THE SECURITY SYSTEM WILL FLASH, INDICATING ACTIVATION. KEEP IN MIND, THE CAR IS UPLOCKED. IF I OPEN A DOOR, THE HORN WILL BEGIN BLOWING. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE HAD OUT FILL OF FORD. THIS IS A COMPANY CAR AND THE ENTIRE MANGEMENT STAFF IS FED UP.