1995 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING. ALSO AIR BAG BLEW WHEN CAR WAS IDLING AND NO ONE IN THE CAR FORTUNATELY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND NO LONGER RESTRAIN THE PASSENGERS. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NO LONGER SAFE AND THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST $400. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. ON JULY 24, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED. AT THAT TIME, THE CONTACT LEARNED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS WERE CRACKED AND FAILING. HE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE NHTSA WEBSITE. HE DISCOVERED SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 01I007000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE TEN-YEAR FREE PERIOD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT HE HAD NEVER RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT IT WAS NHTSA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAIL OUT THE RECALL NOTICES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 235,000.

* CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING OVER 24 MONTHS AGO. * CONSISTENT LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID OVER TIME. * FIRE DISCOVERED UNDER HOOD WHEN RETURNING HOME. FIRE LOCATED UNDER BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES. OTHER VEHICLE MODELS WITH THE SAME SWITCH HAVE BEEN RECALLED. SEE HTTP://WWW.SAFETYFORUM.COM/FORDCRUISECONTROL/ *DEALERSHIP IS ORDERING PARTS TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK

'95 WINDSTAR WAS DENIED ALIGNMENT DUE TO FRACTURED FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING. THE FRACTURE IS WITHIN THE 1ST COIL FROM BOTTOM, SO NOT NOTICEABLE UNTIL TECHNICIAN CASUALLY NOTICED IT. THE CRACK IS QUITE RUSTY WHICH WOULD INDICATE THAT IT'S BEEN BROKEN FOR A LONG TIME. WAS TOLD FORD WOULD REPLACE, BUT UPON CALLING, TOLD THAT FOR ONLY 10 YEARS (NHTSA ID: 01I007000) - EVEN THOUGH IT'S PROBABLY BEEN CRACKED FOR YEARS. FORD DEALER NOW WANTS $385+. IF CRACKS AGAIN, COULD PUNCTURE TIRE & CAUSE SUDDEN ACCIDENT. AMAZED THAT THIS IS NOT MANDATORY RECALL!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER DRIVING NINE MILES WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ACTIVATED, FUMES AND FLAMES RELEASED FROM THE GAS TANK, AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL LEAKAGE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188,186 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. UPDATED 02-14-08. *KB

PURCHASED THE VAN USED IN 2004. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, ALTHOUGH PERIODICALLY THEY MADE A NOISE AND WOULD STIFFEN UP, THEN THE PEDAL WOULD GO SLACK AND THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. THE MUFFLER FELL OFF AND WAS PUT BACK ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ON, WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER IT ONLY SHOWED CODES FOR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THEN IT STARTED OVERHEATING AND A BIT OF WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE VAN DIDN'T HAVE MUCH POWER AND WOULD STALL OUT WHILE EMITTING A THICK CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE. MECHANIC SAYS NOW THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN. *JB

TL*- THE FRONT TRANSMISSION SEAL ON HIS 1995 FORD WINDSTAR FAILED AND STARTED A FIRE, SPREADING OIL ALL OVER. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING REBUILT. THIS WAS THE SECOND FORD WINSTAR THAT THE CONTACT HAD PURCHASED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD AT LEAST FIVE VEHICLES PER YEAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. IT WAS TOWED HOME WHERE THE BRAKE LINES WERE INSPECTED. THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH FIRESTONE TIRE COMPANY. A DEFECTIVE TIRE BLEW ON MY SON'S FORD VAN. THE THREAD SEPARATED COMPLETELY. MY SON WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME ON THE FABRIC OF THE STILL INFLATED TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED FREE BY THE LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE TIRE. WHEN THE TIRE BLEW, THE FLYING RUBBER THREAD CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR WAS DESTROYED, FRONT BUMPER WAS LOOSENED PLUS OTHER MINOR COSMETIC DAMAGE. DAMAGE WAS $281.36. I WENT TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER RIGHT AFTER THE INCIDENT BECAUSE I WASN'T COMFORTABLE DRIVING WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE. I HAD THE DAMAGE REPAIRED QUICKLY BECAUSE DRIVING WITHOUT A SIDEVIEW MIRROR IS A HAZARD AND THE BUMPER WAS LOOSE WHICH IS DANGEROUS. AFTER THE DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TIRE REPLACED, I SENT A LETTER TO FIRESTONE ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE DAMAGE. I DISCOVERED I SENT THE LETTER TO THE WRONG DIVISION OF FIRESTONE. I FINALLY FOUND WHO AT FIRESTONE TO CONTACT ABOUT PAYING FOR THE DAMAGE AND THEY SAID THEY NEEDED THE DEFECTIVE TIRE BEFORE THEY COULD CONSIDER REIMBURSEMENT. OF COURSE, THE TIRE WAS LONG GONE. NOTHING WAS SAID TO ME AT THE TIME ON TIRE REPLACEMENT OF ANY REQUIREMENT TO RETAIN THE DEFECTIVE TIRE. CULPABILITY FOR THE DAMAGE HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED WHEN THE TIRE WAS REPLACED FREE BY THE LOCAL DEALER. ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006, I SENT COPIES OF THE FIRESTONE WORK ORDER FOR THE TIRE REPLACEMENT, TWO ESTIMATES FOR THE DAMAGE AND PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE ALONG WITH MY REQUEST FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF $281.36. AS OF THIS DATE, FIRESTONE HAS NOT SEEN FIT TO RESPOND TO MY LETTER. I FEEL THAT THEIR REQUIREMENT TO SHIP THE DEFECTIVE TIRE IS JUST A SHAM TO AVOID ANY LIABILITY AND THAT THE DETERMINATION BY THE LOCAL DEALER THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT PROOF. THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE AGENT HANDING THIS MATTER IS: BFNT, LLC 1102 APPLETON NASHVILLE, TN 37210 THE REFERENCE NUMBER OF MY INCIDENT IS 840173. *NM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON OUR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. ALSO, THE ANTI BRAKE LOCK SYSTEM KEPT TRYING TO INCORRECTLY ENGAGE. WHEN TAKEN INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WE WERE TOLD THAT WE HAD 3 BAD SENSORS. TWO BRAKE SENSOR AND 1 CHECK ENGINE SENSOR WERE FAULTY AND WOULD NEED REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD THE WORSE CASE SCENARIO WAS THE BRAKES WOULD WEAR OUT DUE TO THE ANTI LOCK MECHANISM TRYING TO ENGAGE AND THE VAN MY STALL DUE TO THE OTHER FAULTY SENSOR. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THESE SENSOR ARE REPLACED OFTEN. WE FELT THAT 3 FAULTY SENSORS IN ONE 11 YEAR OLD VAN WAS EXCESSIVE, ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THIS WILL COST US A TOTAL OF AROUND $300 TO REPAIR. *NM

ON 6/28/06 I TOOK MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR [XXX] INTO A FIRESTONE AUTO SERVICE CENTER IN WEXFORD PA FOR REPLACEMENT OF A BROKEN RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR. AFTER CONDUCTING AN INSPECTION, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS RUSTED AND BROKEN. THAT IT HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE RIGHT COIL SPRING. I WAS ON VACATION IN THE PITTSBURGH, PA AREA AT THE TIME. MY RESIDENCE IS IN RHODE ISLAND. HAVING NO TIME TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION OF RECALLS, SAFETY NOTICES, OR FIND A FORD DEALERSHIP THAT COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE IN, I HAD FIRESTONE REPLACE BOTH COIL SPRINGS & STRUTS, ALONG WITH THE SWAY BAR. I RETURNED TO MY RESIDENCE IN RHODE ISLAND TODAY AN LEARNED FROM YOUR WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #01I007000 ISSUED ON JULY 12, 2001 FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. SPECIFICALLY THAT: "1995 -- 1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION." THE REMEDY LISTED ON YOUR SITE INDICATED THAT FORD WAS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE COIL SPRINGS FOR 10 YEARS FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE. I PURCHASED MY FORD WINDSTAR FROM RIZZO FORD AS A USED VEHICLE ON/ABOUT 3/7/1996. I CALLED FORD AT 1-866-46-7332 AS LISTED IN THE NOTES OF YOUR SITE AND SPOKE TO A "WALTER." HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WERE "NO OPEN PROGRAMS" LISTED FOR MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE USING THE VIN. THE PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WAS A FRACTURED FRONT COIL SPRING RESULTING FROM CORROSION. IT IS EXACTLY THE ISSUED DESCRIBED. I SAVED THE COIL SPRING AND FRONT STRUT. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

TIRE DEFECT. MY WIFE WAS ALMOST IN A ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF AN EXPLOSION OF ONE TIRE. *JB

1995 WINDSTAR BURNED DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURER EQUIPMENT. *NM

1)MY VAN WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND THE TIRES WERE WORN. 2) I TOOK MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR TO FIRESTONE TO HAVE NEW TIRES PUT ON AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE. THEY INSTALLED THE TIRES AND TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DO THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN IN TWO. THEY ALSO STATED IT WAS BAD CRAFTSMANSHIP BECAUSE THE BAR IS A HOLLOW METAL TUBE INSTEAD OF A SOLID PIECE. THEY ALSO SAID I NEEDED BOTH INNER TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED BECAUSE THE LACK OF CONTROL FROM THE SWAY BAR PUT STRESS ON THEM AND DAMAGED THEM. 3) TIRES WERE REPLACED AND I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $400 FOR THE SWAY BAR AND $300 FOR THE TIE ROD ENDS AND ALIGNMENT. *JB

TOOK CARE OF TWO PATIENTS INJURED BY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OF 1995 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER VEHICLE STRUCK A SMALL DOG. NO DAMAGE TO EXTERIOR OF VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS WAS AN INAPPROPRIATE DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY. *JB

STOPPED AT DINER TO EAT LUNCH AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES MY VAN WAS IN FLAMES. FIRE STARTED UNDERHOOD ON DRIVER SIDE. OFFICIALS STATED THAT CAUSE WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL WIRING AT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. CALLED FORD AND GO NO HELP. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE ARE ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS ON 4 OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING EVEN AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE. ON THE FOURTH VISIT THE MECHANICS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION AND DETERMINED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS WERE OUT DATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING COIL SPRINGS THEY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROTECTED UNDER WARRANTY ANY LONGER.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RECALLED 1995 WINDSTAR FOR "RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE CORROSION." BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED ON OUR WINDSTAR, VIN [XXX], ON MARCH 29, 2006 WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A SMALL SHUDDER AND THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA, AND ALTHOUGH I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE STOP SIGN WITHOUT STOPPING, I DID NOT COLLIDE WITH ANYTHING, AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE USING THE HAND BRAKE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED, AND THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE CURRENT FORD RECALL. *JB UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE TIRES ROTATED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS CRACKED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01I007000, REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 03/03/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE BLEW A HEAD GASKET. THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE AND WATER COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE #1 PLUG WAS FULL OF WATER AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 03/22/06. *JB

MY WIFE WAS LEAVING CHURCH IN THE PARKING LOT, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. HI. MY NAME IS [XXX]. I AM THE UNLUCKY OWNER OF A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE WINDSTAR HAS A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE HEAD GASKET MOUNTING, THAT CAUSES PREMATURE GASKET FAILURE(SERVICE BULLETIN #00M09). WELL MY WINDSTAR BLEW THE HEAD GASKET ON JANUARY 15TH, OF 2006. THE VAN ONLY HAS 76,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. I MADE 3 CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO RISER FORD, IN HOT SPRINGS, AND 2 CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPT' AT FORD MOTOR CO. EACH TIME THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. I INTENT TO TAKE THIS ALL THE WAY. I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFECTIVE PART REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

1995 WINDSTAR PURCHASED NEW ON JULY 14, 1994, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 100930 MILES ON IT. THE TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 600 MILES ON THEM. HAVE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. ALSO, HAVE HAD ALL RECALLS THAT I WAS MADE AWARE OF FIXED AT THIS DEALERSHIP. DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING FRACTURED, PUNCTURING TIRE WITH A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 4" LONG BY 1" HIGH AS IT WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED TO BE REPAIRED. COST TO BE WELL OVER $700.00, NOT INCLUDING THE COST OF A NEW FRONT TIRES. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND, AFTER EXPLAINING PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WOULD ONLY COVER THIS FOR A 10 YEAR PERIOD FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF WARRANTY, BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM AND THEREFORE FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. MY QUESTIONS ARE "HOW CAN THE INSTANTANEOUS FAILURE OF THE FRONT SPRINGS ON A VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENT PUNCTURING OF THE FRONT TIRES, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOT BE A SAFETY PROBLEM?"; "HOW CAN THE MANUFACTURER AND THE NHTSA BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND NOT NOTIFY THE VEHICLE OWNERS?"; "WHY ISN'T THERE A PROCESS TO APPEAL THIS OUTSIDE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S OWN CUSTOMER SERVICE ORGANIZATION?"; AND "IS THERE A PROCESS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM REEVALUATED AND FOLLOWED UP ON?". *JB

TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED BY A FORD DEALER IN 1997 WITH A $400 DEDUCTIBLE. TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN IN 2002 AND WAS REBUILT. THE VAN IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR MORE TRANSMISSION WORK AT THE COST OF $1995. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THIS CREATED A HAZARDOUS CONDITION FOR MY CHILDREN AND I. THE COST OF REPAIRS THIS TIME WILL EXCEED $2000 AT AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TCP PREVIOUSLY. I PUSH FOR A RECALL AND FOR FORD TO OFFSET THE COST OF SEVERAL TRANSMISSION OVERHAULS.*AK

WHEN BRAKING SEVERELY TO AVOID COLLISION FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. THERE WAS NO COLLISION AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NO INJURY. SUBSEQUENTLY, ALL SEVEN SEAT BELTS WERE TESTED BY OWNER BY VIOLENTLY JERKING. ALL SEVEN SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK WHEN JERKED. LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS. *NM

I HAD THE TREAD SEPARATE FROM THIS TIRE ON OUR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR VAN WHILE GOING THROUGH ATLANTA, GA. 10/18/05. THE FLYING DEBRIS BENT THE MUFFLER UP INTO THE BACK RIGHT QUARTER PANEL OF OUR VAN AND CAVED IN THE WHEEL WELL. THE INERTIA SWITCH WAS TRIPPED SO THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. WE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. *JB

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2005 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE ABS BRAKES. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. *AK

FORD WINDSTAR 1995-TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETE FAILURE. HIT GAS AND WAS UNABLE TO GO IN ANY GEAR. TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITY SAID FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY ALUMINUM PISTON, REPLACED WITH STEEL. ALSO FACILITY REPORTED FORD SUGGESTS OVERFILLING TRANSMISSION WITH FLUID SO SUFFICIENT FLUID IS AVAILABLE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS OVER $2000. *NM

DT: WHILE DRIVING A MONTH AGO THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER SMELLED PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL BURNING. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THERE WAS A PLUG NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THAT PLUG ALONG THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONSUMER CALLED HIS BROTHER AND CONSULTED AN AUTOMOBILE REPAIR MANUAL AND DISCOVERED THIS WAS PART OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. DETERMINED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD BE DISCONNECTED AND THEY DID SO. THE CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE SITTING ABOUT SEVEN TO EIGHT HOURS BEFORE DISCONNECTING THE SWITCH AND DRIVING HOME. THE CONSUMER NOTED THAT CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH QUIT WORKING A FEW MONTHS PRIOR. SINCE DISCONNECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THE VEHICLE LOST A LOT OF BRAKE FLUID. THE CONSUMER HEARD ABOUT THE FORD RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE THE SAME CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED FORD AT THIS TIME. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE BODY DAMAGE, THERE WERE NO FLAMES, BUT ONLY SMOKE, AND NO FIRE.*AK

DT: 1995, FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE GAS TANK AND VEHICLE WAS LEAKING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE. THIS HAPPENED SUDDENLY IN HOT WEATHER. THIS STARTED AUGUST 3, 2005. RECALL 99V30900 WAS ISSUED CONCERNING GAS TANK LEAKS, BUT MANUFACTURER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER FOUND THIS PROBLEM HIMSELF, THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT INSPECTED THIS VEHICLE.*AK

1995 FORD WINDSTAR HAD A BURNT CIRCUIT AFFECTING THE BACKUP LIGHTS, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR *SC THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL REPAIRED DUE TO EXPENSE REASONS. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES ON HER 1995 FORD WINDSTAR, THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 01I007000 ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE SPRING ON THE PASSENGER FRONT BROKE WHEN TURNING AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AT THAT TIME TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER ABOUT THE RECALL. WHEN SHE CALLED FORD, THEY TOLD HER IT WAS TOO LATE, THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY BOUGHT IN 1994 THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IN 2003, SHE RECEIVED NO NOTICE THERE WAS A RECALL. FORD DID NOT EVEN HAVE HER AS THE CURRENT OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC DID FIND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL WAS BROKE. THE TIRE WAS DAMAGED, AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SINCE 2003. *JB

UNRESPONSIVE HAND-BRAKE, LOCKED IN SET POSITION WITH DASH BOARD BRAKE ERROR LIGHT LIT. CAN NOT CLEAR PROBLEM AND FRANCHISED DEALER, MAROONE, AND FORD HAVE NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY. 1995 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 74,000 MILES AT FAILURE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JUNE 3, 2005 AND THE ODOMETER READ 59,000 MILES. CONTACT RAN A CAR FAX REPORT, AND IN THE YEAR 2000 THE REPORT WAS SHOWING 100,300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION, HEAD GASKET, AND FUEL INJECTION BROKE. SHE SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AND STATED WHEN THEY SOLD THE VAN FOR SOMEONE ELSE THEY WOULD TRY TO GET CONTACT MONEY BACK. *AK

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REBUILT/REPLACED. AT 80,000 MILES. I DO NOT TOW WITH THE VEHICLE NOR DID I ABUSE IT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP FOUND BITS OF METAL IN FLUID. *NM

TIE RODS WERE REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. THEY NEED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING.

DT: CONSUMER HAS 1995 WINDSTAR. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS COMING ON. THIS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY. IT WAS MAYBE SIX MONTHS BEFORE BRAKE FLUID HAD TO BE ADDED THE SECOND TIME. THEN IT GOT TO WHERE THE FLUID HAD TO BE ADDED ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. WHEN CONSUMER ADDED BRAKE FLUID THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DAUGHTER'S AUTO MECHANICS CLASS, WHERE SHE FOUND THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DECELERATION SWITCH BURNED OFF OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. CONSUMER HAD PROBLEM REPAIRED WITH WHAT THE FORD DEALER CALLED A REPLACEMENT PART. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS SAFE.*AK

I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE FORD TO STAND BY THE EMAIL BELOW DATED JULY 11TH, 2005 FROM KRISTEN KINLEY OF FORD FCSD PUBLIC AFFAIRS 313-337-2786 KKINLEY@FORD.COM WHICH STATES THAT: I AM "STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE 01M03 EXTENDED COVERAGE ON THE FRONT SPRINGS". I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT IF EITHER FORD, OR MY FORD DEALER WOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE MONEY I PAID OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO MY FORD DEALER ON MAY 7TH, 2005 TO HAVE THOSE FRONT SPRINGS REPLACED SINCE MS. KINLEY'S EMAIL DATED JULY 11TH, 2005 STATES THAT I AM "STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE 01M03 EXTENDED COVERAGE ON THE FRONT SPRINGS". THE FRONT SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE ON MAY 7TH, 2005 AT ED CARNEY FORD INC. 189 ROUTE #10 EAST HANOVER TWP, NJ 07936 PHONE: (973) 386-1771, FAX: (973) 386-9093, SALESCARNEY@EARTHLINK.NET, BEST, ROBERT PINKUS, 973 360-8411 RPINKUS@RESEARCH.ATT.COM PO BOX 2379 LIVINGSTON, NEW JERSEY 07039 ----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- FROM: KINLEY, KRISTEN (K.L.) [MAILTO:KKINLEY@FORD.COM] SENT: MONDAY, JULY 11, 2005 12:53 PM TO: PINKUS,ROBERT J (ROBERT) SUBJECT: FW: 1995 FORD WINDSTAR 2 DR GL PASSENGER VAN ROBERT, I CALLED OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER DIRECTLY. HERE'S WHAT THEY TOLD ME ABOUT YOUR '95 WINDSTAR. BRIEFLY... I DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS ON EACH OF THESE, BUT IF YOU PROVIDE THE RECALL NUMBERS (THOSE LISTED BEFORE THE DESCRIPTION BELOW) TO THE DEALER, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK IT UP IN THEIR DATABASE AND PULL UP THE SPECIFIC REPAIR PROCEDURES FOR EACH. HOPE THIS HELPS. YOU ARE STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE 01M03 EXTENDED COVERAGE ON THE FRONT SPRINGS 02S36 BRAKELINE - REPAIRED 6/20/02 97S88 HOOD SEPARATION - REPAIRED 12/6/00 98M01 HEAD GASKET - REPAIRED 11/22/99 THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION FOR THE OTHER FIELD ACTIONS KRISTEN KINLEY FCSD PUBLIC AFFAIRS 313-337-2786 KKINLEY@FORD.COM. *NM

I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE FORD TO STAND BY THE EMAIL BELOW DATED JULY 11TH, 2005 FROM KRISTEN KINLEY OF FORD FCSD PUBLIC AFFAIRS 313-337-2786 KKINLEY@FORD.COM WHICH STATES THAT: I AM STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE 01M03 EXTENDED COVERAGE ON THE FRONT SPRINGS. I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT IF EITHER FORD, OR MY FORD DEALER WOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE MONEY I PAID OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO MY FORD DEALER ON MAY 7TH, 2005 TO HAVE THOSE FRONT SPRINGS REPLACED SINCE MS. KINLEY'S EMAIL DATED JULY 11TH, 2005 STATES THAT I AM "STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE 01M03 EXTENDED COVERAGE ON THE FRONT SPRINGS".THE FRONT SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE ON MAY 7TH, 2005 AT ED CARNEY FORD INC. 189 ROUTE #10 EAST HANOVER TWP, NJ 07936 PHONE: (973) 386-1771 FAX: (973) 386-9093 SALESCARNEY@EARTHLINK.NET ROBERT PINKUS RPINKUS@RESEARCH.ATT.COM PO BOX 2379 LIVINGSTON, NEW JERSEY 07039 ----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- FROM: KINLEY, KRISTEN (K.L.) [MAILTO:KKINLEY@FORD.COM] SENT: MONDAY, JULY 11, 2005 12:53 PM TO: PINKUS,ROBERT J (ROBERT) SUBJECT: FW: 1995 FORD WINDSTAR 2 DR GL PASSENGER VAN ROBERT, I CALLED OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER DIRECTLY. HERE'S WHAT THEY TOLD ME ABOUT YOUR '95 WINDSTAR. BRIEFLY... I DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS ON EACH OF THESE, BUT IF YOU PROVIDE THE RECALL NUMBERS (THOSE LISTED BEFORE THE DESCRIPTION BELOW) TO THE DEALER, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK IT UP IN THEIR DATABASE AND PULL UP THE SPECIFIC REPAIR PROCEDURES FOR EACH. HOPE THIS HELPS. YOU ARE STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE 01M03 EXTENDED COVERAGE ON THE FRONT SPRINGS 02S36 BRAKELINE - REPAIRED 6/20/02 97S88 HOOD SEPARATION - REPAIRED 12/6/00 98M01 HEAD GASKET - REPAIRED 11/22/99 THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION FOR THE OTHER FIELD ACTIONS KRISTEN KINLEY FCSD PUBLIC AFFAIRS 313-337-2786 KKINLEY@FORD.COM 1. SUSPENSION:I-BEAM:SOLID:FRONT SPRING:COIL RECALL NUMBER: 01I007000. *JB

1995 FORD WINDSTAR - WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT END OF VAN DROPPED SLIGHTLY. HEARD SCRAPING AND GRINDING SOUNDS FROM FRONT RIGHT. REMOVED TIRE AND FOUND BROKEN COIL SPRING WITH SHARP POINT ABOUT 1 INCH ABOVE TIRE TREAD. MOUNTED SPARE TIRE, DROVE TO DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPRINGS UNDER FORD "SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN". THERE WAS NO RECALL IN EFECT FOR THESE DANGEROUS DEFECTIVE PARTS. DEALER KEPT OLD PART. FORD IS AWARE OF DEFECTIVE SPRINGS AND NOTIFIED OWNERS IN 2001 ABOUT "SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN". THEY SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE ALL OF THESE DANGEROUS SPRINGS REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE AND LENGTH OF SERVICE ON THE VEHICLES.*AK

DEFECTIVE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR WITH RECURRENT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. *BF THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE KNOCK FOR THE 3RD TIME WHICH WAS DUE TO A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. *JB

MAIN ENGINE BEARING FAILED AT 96,000 MILES AND TOOK THE TRANSMISSION ALONG WITH IT. TOTAL COST WAS $12,000. SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY; CUSTOMER PAID ONLY THE DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSE. ONLY THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS REPLACED. OTHER PARTS; HEAD GASKET, SPARK PLUGS ETC WERE NOT. WHICH EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE FOLLOWING FAILURE: THE ENGINE AGAIN BLEW A HEAD GASKET AT 40,000 MILES. LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE, NO HEAT, WINDOW DEFROSTER FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL CRASH ETC. CUSTOMER FINALLY HAD TO JUNK 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. NO SATISFACTION FROM DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *NM

1995 FORD WINDSTAR GL W/3.8L ENGINE - BROKEN FRONT STABILIZER BAR NEAR PASSENGER SIDE BUSHING CAUSED ERRATIC AND UNSTABLE STEERING RESPONSE, AND BODY ROLL. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD THE CAR BEEN DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH THE BROKEN BAR. BROKEN BAR SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CORROSION, AND DESIGN DEFICIENCY AS THE ORIGINAL PART, WHICH WAS ESSENTIALLY A BENT HOLLOW-CENTER PIPE, HAS BEEN REPLACED BY FORD WITH A SOLID-BAR TYPE DESIGN. *AK

DT: TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE SERVICED IN FEBRUARY 2005. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER MOTOR MOUNT WAS BAD. THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REPLACED. 3 DAYS LATER THE NEW MOTOR MOUNT FAILED. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND IT WAS REPLACED. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AFTERWARDS, BUT CURRENTLY THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE AGAIN. *AK FRONT MOTOR MOUNT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT *NM

SLIDING SIDE DOOR ON 1995 FORD WINDSTAR CAME OFF THE TRACK AND FELL OFF THE CAR.*AK

NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. IT IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED! AS SOON AS ONE REPAIR IS COMPLETED (TWO TRANSMISSIONS, HEAD GASKET, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BRAKES, SUSPENSION), THEN ANOTHER ONE OCCURS. NOW, AS IN EVERY CHRISTMAS, THE "ENGINE LIGHT" IS ON AND THE CAR IS RUNNING SO POORLY THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN PULL THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WITHOUT IT CHOKING AND SPITTING, LOTS OF SMOKE, AND THE CAR IS ACTUALLY SHAKING!!! I KNOW IT IS ANOTHER HEAD GASKET AND I JUST CAN'T PAY ANYMORE MONEY INTO THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR AND IT CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE A FORD!

HEAD GASKET FAILURE. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT HAD BEEN RECALLED - I NEVER GOT A NOTICE AND AM NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. ESTIMATE OF $1800 TO REPLACE. READING OTHER POSTS, T APPEARS THIS IS NOT A DEFINITE PERMANENT SOLUTION. MY VAN ONLY HAS 97,000 MILES ON IT.*AK

I PURCHASED 4 BRAND NEW TIRES FOR MY FORD WINDSTAR VAN BACK AT THE END OF JULY 2004. I HAD ONE REAR TIRE TOTALLY SEPARATE FROM THE RIM AND SHRED. I WAS CHARGED MY ROAD HAZARD FEE TO REPLACE THE TIRE. AGAIN THIS PAST SUNDAY MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM AND TOTALLY SHREDDED. I WAS GIVEN A NEW TIRE A NO CHARGE THIS TIME, HOWEVER THE SEPARATION WAS SO BAD THAT BY THE TIME I GOT THE VAN STOPPED MY RIM IS NOW CRACKED IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACES. *JB

VEHICLE LOST POWER AND COMMENCED TO MAKE A HISSING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC REPLACED TWO VACUUM HOSES THAT DISINTEGRATED FROM THE EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHILE BRAKING AT 35 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE METAL BRAKE LINE LOCATED BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE BODY RAIL ERUPTED DUE TO CORROSION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK