1995 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THEY FAILED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, TECHNICIAN STATED BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT ON SEPT 9, 2003. *AK

MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR GASKET HAS BLOWN FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE LAST TIME IT BLEW IN 2001, FORD FINALLY REPLACED MY ENGINE, AFTER FIGHTING FOR 2 MONTHS, AS THE FAULTY PART BLEW THE ENGINE. FORD ALSO AT THIS TIME EXTENDED THE "OWNER NOTIFICATION" GASKET PROBLEM (#98M01) FROM 60,000 TO 100,000. NOW,ONLY 2 YEARS LATER, THE GASKET HAS BLOWN AGAIN, AND FORD AGAIN REFUSE TO CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY AS MY ODOMOETER READS 103,000, ONLY 3,000 MILES OVER THE CUT-OFF, BUT MY ENGINE IS ONLY 2 YERS OLD. THIS PART IS THE PROBLEM AND FORD PUT IT IN AND FORD SHOULD FIX IT. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED. WAS BLOCKED TESTED BY AAA SERVICE CENTER, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA. WAS INFORMED THAT IS WILL COST ME BETWEEN $1500 AND $2000.00 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM.

CASE 1 MY FAMILY WAS COMING HOME FROM VACATION WHEN THE ENGINE BLEW WHILE WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY. SMOKE CAME UP FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WE WERE FORCE TO STOP THE VAN ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY. THANKS TO A NEARBY TRUCK DRIVER WHO STOPPED BEHIND US, WE WERE ABLE TO CALL SOMEONE AND GET TO SAFETY. IT TOOK A LOT OF NEGOTIATION FOR ME TO GET FORD TO TAKE CARE OF THIS MATTER, BUT THEY FINALLY DID. NOW AGAIN ON OUR RECENT TRIP TO GA ON 08-28-03 WHILE DRIVING HOME, OUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE TRANSMISSION BLEW. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED ALL OUT AND ON THE BACK OF OUR VAN TOO. IT ALSO STARTED SMOKING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND FROM THE TAILPIPE. WE WERE INFORMED BY FREEDOM FORD IN NORFOLK VA THAT WE HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. OUR CHECK LIGHT HAS COME ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND DESPITE THEIR ACTION IT STILL KEEPS COMING ON. IN ADDITION, OUR OVERDRIVE LIGHTS BLINK, OUR CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK, THE DOOR ADJAR LIGHTS STAYS ON AT TIMES EVEN WHEN THE DOORS ALL LOCKED AND CAUSING THE INSIDE INTERIORS LIGHTS TO STAY ON, OUR GEARS DO NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND GETS STUCK BETWEEN GEARS AND UPON ACCELERATION IT SOMETIMES HESITATES, REPAIRED COOLANT LEAK FROM TIMING COVER GASKET AND FRONT CRANKSHAFT SEAL, COIL IGNITION, THE AIR CONDITION WHEN ON MAKES THESE STRANGE NOISES, ETC. REPLACED. WE ARE VERY DISSATISFIED WITH FORD WINDSTARS AND HAVE SPENT MORE MONEY ON REPAIRS THAN WHAT IT WAS WORTH. WE EVEN STILL OWE ON THE VAN. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALLL OR A REFUND. THIS IS NOT A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED. THANKS AND GOD BLESS.

FORD WINDSTAR 95 SHIFT LEVER PRDNL DOES NOT MATCH GEAR. WHEN IN PARK CAR ROLLS HAVE TO FIND D OR R BY MOVING SHIFT LEVER. SOMETIME HAVE TO PUT LEVER IN TO PARK TWICE OR THREE TIMES BEFOR IT CATCHED AND CAR STARTS. WHEN THE CAR ROLLS BACK AND KILLS SOMEONE IT WILL GET FORDS ATTENTION. ALSO REPLACED HEAD GASKET ENGINE AND HEAD GASKET AGAIN. TRANNY SENSOR, DOOR AJAR SENSOR. WHAT A CAR MARK HERSHKOWITZ

WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT BECAUSE HEAD GASKET BLEW, CAUSING COLD AIR TO COME OUT OF THE HEATER. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK

MY 1995 WINDSTAR HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILED HEAD GASKET. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS 108,000 MILES ON IT. GIVEN THE KNOWN HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE, ENGINE AND COMPONENT, I FIND IT UNBELIEVABLE THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A SERVICE CAMPAIGN THAT WOULD COVER THIS REPAIR FOR THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. OR DOES FOR EXPECT THAT THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY LAST 100,000 MILES? *JB

ENGINE HAS BEEN SPUTTERING, FLASHING OVERDRIVE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. REAR PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS WON'T OPEN, RADIO CONSOLE STARTED TO GET REAL HOT AND THEN WENT OUT. ENGINE CONTINUES TO SPUTTER AS THOUGH ITS SKIPPING A GEAR, AND OVERDRIVE LIGHT CONSTANTLY BLINKING.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING . VEHICLE WAS FORCED TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. INDEPENDENT SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK

FORD WINDSTAR: HEAD GASKET FAILED.

WHILE DRIVING, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR WAS CORRODED AND SPLIT. DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR. *AK

MOST HEADLIGHT LENSES 5 YEARS OR OLDER ARE TURNING YELLOW BECAUSE OF UXRAYS AND OXIDATION. BECAUSE OF THE MATERIALS THERE ARE MADE OF THE AMOUNT OF LUMS ABLE TO PASS THROUGH ARE REDUCED BY MANY FACTORS. MANUFACTURES REPLACEMENT COSTS SHOULD BE CONTROLLED BECAUSE OF THE MATERIALS USED. THTHER MORE THESE UNITS WHICH HOUSE THE LAMPS CAN COST IN THE HYNDREDS OF DOLLARS. MANY VEHICLES ARE TRAVELING THE ROADS WITH BAD LENSES BECAUSE OF THE HUGE COSTS FOR THE PRODUCT. ALL THESE MANUFACTURES, CHARGE 10+ TIME THE COSTS OF MANUFACTURE; THEY HAVE JACKED UP THE PRICE SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONIES FOR REPLACEMENTS. THESE REPLACEMENTS PARTS SOLD ARE USERY. I BET MANY ACIDENTS ARE CREATED BECAUSE OF POOR LIGHT EMETING FROM THESE UNITS. THEIR ARE SEVERAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE TO THESE PRODUCT PRODUCERS. I SUGGEST THEY GO BACK TO GLASS, OR MAKE THE OUTER COVERS REPLACABLE BUY THE OWNER AT GOOD PRODUCT COST.*AK

IT'S US AGAIN!!! ON OUR VACATION TO GA, ABOUT 250 MILES OR LESS, OUR ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. WE WENT TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER IN LUMBNGTON, NC AND HAD AN ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC DONE. THE FORD DEALER WAS SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. CODES P1150, P1151, AND ANOTHER CODE. HOWEVER THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WHILE IN GA AND THEN WENT OFF. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP BACK IN NC AND HE STATED THAT WE SHOULD BE OKAY AND SHOULD MAKE IT BACK HOME SAFELY. ON OUR WAY BACK HOME THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AGAIN AROOUND NC-VA AND S NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, NOR DID THE ENGINE OVERHEAT AND IT WAS DRIVING OKAY. WE DECIDED TO PULL OVER AT A REST STOP AND THATS WHEN THE CAR HESITATED TO MOVE AND THEN SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE TAILPIPE AND UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND LEAKED OUT ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID INCLUDING ALL OVER THE BACK DOOR AND WINDOWS WAS GREASY FROM THE LEAK. . THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCE. THEE VANS ARE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THESE VANS. WE HAVE PUT MORE MONEY INTO THIS VAN THEN I CAN IMAGINE IN A LIFETIME. THESE INCIDENTS HAS ALSO CAUSE US UNNECCESARY STRAIN. IN ADDITION, OUR DOOR AJAR LIGHTS COMES ON, CRUISE CONTROL DON'T WORK, OUR GEARS DO NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY AND GETS STUCK BETWEEN GEARS, OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING WHEN WE TRY TO USE IT, THE AIR CONDITIONER MAKES STRANGE NOISES WHEN USING IT AND DRIVING,ETC. IT JUST DOES NOT WORK. I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THIS VAN AND WOULD APPRECIATE A REMEDY AND PROMPT SOLUTION. THIS IS OUR ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND WE STILL OWE MORE THAN WHAT THE VEHICLE IS WORHT. PLEASE HELP US AND CONTACT ME WHEN YOU HAVE RECEIVE THIS. THANKS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SOMETHING BEING DONE TO TAKE CARE OF US FORD WINDSTARS OWNERS. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUR EMERGENCY EXPENSES,TOW CHARGES TO FREEDOM FORD FROM EMPORIA, VIRGINIA. WE ALSO HAD OUR OIL CHANGED BY FREEDOM FORD BEFORE WE LEFT AND A 15 POINT MULTI INSPECTION DONE. *AK

ON THE DATE INDICATED BELOW WHILE TRAVELLING WITH MY CHILDREN (THE YOUNGEST ONLY 18 MONTHS OLD) AND MY MOTHER TO VISIT RELATIVES IN LEONARDTOWN MD, APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS FROM MY HOME, MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY, SHORTLY AFTER EXITING THE FT. MCHENRY TUNNEL, WHICH WAS VERY CROWDED. I HAD THE VAN CHECKED BEFORE I LEFT FOR MY DESTINATION, PARTICULARLY THE TRANSMISSION FLUIDS AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. I WAS STRANDED BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR OVER 2 HOURS, BUT CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY BECAUSE IF THIS VAN HAD STALLED IN THE TUNNEL, WE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH ONLY HAS 73,400 MILES. I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING AT AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE OF $2,000.00 AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS VAN, WHICH HAS CONSISTENTLY GIVEN ME PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FORD COMPANY, BUT HAVE NOT YET HEARD FROM THEM. I HAVE FILED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH FORD REGARDING THE 1995 WINDSTAR (WHICH VARIOUS FORD EMPLOYEES HAVE TOLD ME IS ONE OF THE WORST VEHICLES EVER MADE) AND THE COMPANY DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE VAN IS INDEED A LEMON. I PAID GOOD MONEY FOR THIS VAN, AND EXPECT TO LAST A LITTLE LONGER THEN IT HAS. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO REVIEW THIS COMPLAINT. *AK

ON JUNE 18, 2001 WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP TO VISIT RELATIVES THE CAR OVERHEATED AND MR. JOHN CAMPBELL FROM BOB BENNETT FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN COLUMBIA, SC PERFORMED THE WARRANTY WORK TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. HE REPLACED THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS. *AK ON DECEMBER 4, 2002 THE CAR AGAIN OVERHEATED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE LOCAL TOLL WAY AND WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO GREENWAY FORD IN ORLANDO, FL. MR. JOSH KNOWLES RECEIVED THE WORK ORDER TO IDENTIFY WHY THE CAR OVERHEATED. ACCORDING TO INVOICE C50990 MR. KNOWLES PRESSURE TESTED THE SYSTEM AND NO EXTERNAL LEAKS WERE FOUND. HE TEST-DROVE THE VEHICLE AND LET THE VEHICLE RUN. NO REASON COULD BE FOUND FOR THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND THE COOLANT TO LEAVE THE SYSTEM. THE CAR CONTINUED TO SHOW TEMPERATURES ABOVE NORMAL BUT WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE ON THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. WE MODIFIED OUR DRIVING HABITS TO SHORTER TRIPS AROUND TOWN AND THIS ABATED MUCH OF THE RAISED TEMPERATURE PROBLEM. ON AUGUST 23, 2003 WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR AGAIN OVERHEATED AND WE AGAIN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO GREENWAY FORD. MR. BRAD JOHNSON RECEIVED THE WORK ORDER TO IDENTIFY WHY THE CAR OVERHEATED. ACCORDING TO INVOICE C85933 THE MAIN HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED AND REPAIR WOULD REQUIRE A NEW OR REBUILT ENGINE. WHEN I INQUIRED WITH MR. RON KREMER, SERVICE MANAGER, ABOUT THE WARRANTY FROM THE PREVIOUS TIME THIS HAPPENED HE INFORMED ME SINCE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN OVER 24,000 MILES AND OVER 24 MONTHS HAD PASSED THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATING AND/OR LOSS OF COOLANT IN 3.8L ENGINES IS A WELL-KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM. THE MITCHELL REPAIR INFORMATION COMPANY PUBLISHED THE ISSUE OF COOLANT MAY LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKETS AND/OR THE VEHICLE MAY OVERHEAT IN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN DATED MARCH 2, 1998 PERTAINING TO 3.8L ENGINES IN 1995 FORD WINDSTARS.

AFTER FILLING UP WITH GASOLINE AT A GAS STATION, I WENT TO A NEARBY GROCERY STORE. AFTER ABOUT A HALF HOUR IN THE STORE, UPON RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE I NOTICED A VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. TO MY HORROR I NOTICED THAT THE GASOLINE WAS ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT COMING FROM UNDER MY VAN. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY HUSBAND, WE HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDANT REPAIR FACILITY. THEY DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN MY FUEL TANK AND THEY REPLACED THE TANK. I BEGAN TO LOOK INTO WHETHER THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL TANKS, BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH COULD EASILY HAVE LED TO SOMEONE BEING INJURED OR POSSIBLY LED TO FATALITY. WHEN I LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT IT ONLY APPLIED TO VEHICLES IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS, I NOTIFIED FORD THAT I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY FUEL TANK OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL REGIONS. WHEN I FELT THAT I WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH WHAT WAS GOING ON I WROTE A LETTER TO THE FORD COMPANY. I HAVE NOT HEARD A REPLY FROM THEM REGARDING A POSSIBLE UPDATE TO THE RECALL #99R33 *AK.

STALLS AT STOP, SLIPS, THEN SHIFTS HARD IN TO GEAR. SPOKE TO TWO PERSONS IN THE TRANSMISSION SHOP THEY BOTH AGREE THAT IT'S FORD COMPANY'S PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SEE AT LEAST SIX VANS A MONTH WITH SAME PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION STALLING. *LA

OUR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. WHEN HIT, THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTH RECLINED FROM THE IMPACT. ALSO, ONE OF THE REAR SEATS TWISTED ON ITS BASE. ALL THREE PASSENGERS SUFFERED SPINAL INJURIES.*AK

THE TRANSMISSION TORE UP IN OUR VAN AT THE END OF 2000 AND HAS FAILED AGAIN. WHEN IT TORE UP THE 1ST TIME, WE WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SINCE WE ONLY HAD 60 DAYS LEFT THE COMPANY REFUSED TO PUT IN A NEW AND PUT IN A REBUILT. NOW WE HAVE TO FIX IT AGAIN. WE HAVE BEEN LUCKIER THAN ALOT OF CUSTOMERS THAT I'VE RESEARCHED, BUT WE ARE STILL GETTING A RAW DEAL WITH OUR VAN AND WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY! WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF ARGUING OUR MESSAGE TO THE FORD CO. BUT CAN TELL IT WILL BE A FAILURE ALSO. AND OUR HEAT QUIT THIS PAST WINTER AND NOW THE AIR IS OUT. WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS.

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET.*MR THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT TWICE*TS *JB

THE VAN BEGAN MAKING A "STATIC/PING-PING" SOUND. WHILE VAN WAS SHUT OFF THE HEAD LIGHTS REMAINED ON WITH SWITCH OFF. THE VAN BEGAN SMOKING WHILE OFF. FIRE BEGAN TO CONSUME THE VAN WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE FIRE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *PH

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING, THE LEFT REAR AXLE SNAPPED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *SCC THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. *JB

MY FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A CRACK AND BEGAN LEAKING. THE TANK WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. I CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT A RECALL (99R33). THE DEALER SAYS REPLACEMENT OF THE TANK IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD TO GET CLARIFICATION SINCE THEIR WEBSITE SAYS I AM INCLUDED WHEN I ENTER MY VIN NUMBER INTO THEIR RECALL SEARCH FEATURE.

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING ABS BRAKES FAILED ,CAUSING THE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

1995 FORD WINDSTAR'S TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME (THIS IS NOW THE THIRD TRANSMISSION) WITHIN 97,000 MILES. FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE EXISTENCE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH HAS IMPACTED MY FAMILY IN OVER $5,000 FINANCIAL COSTS, IN ADDITION TO POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE.

FIRST OF ALL WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPAIRED ON OUR VAN TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT TOOK THE DEALERSHIP ALMOST 3 MONTHS. NOW WHEN WE ARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH, TRANSMISSION SLIPS BACK INTO 2ND GEAR AND MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. THE TACHOMETER GROWS UP AND DOWN. SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT EVEN GO OUT OF 2ND TO ACCELERATE. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE THIS IS A VERY "SAFE" VEHICLE TO HAVE ANYMORE. AND ALL THE DEALERSHIPS STATE THERE IS NO RECALL. HOWEVER MANY OF THE PEOPLE WE KNOW WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

1995 WINDSTAR LX TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND HEAD GASKET FAILURE THREE WEEKS APART. *AK

FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FORD WEBSITE SHOWS THAT MY CAR IS SUBJECT TO RECALL 99R33, FAULTY FUEL TANK MOUNTING. THIS IS A REGIONAL RECALL FOR SOUTHERN STATES WITH HIGH TEMPERATURE. I AM IN TENNESSEE AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL NOTIFICATION SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH TENNESSEE HAS HIGH TEMPERATURTES LIKE ALABAMA THAT IS INCLUDED AND I HAVE VACATIONED EACH SUMMER IN ALABAMA.

FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK AND A SERVICE STATION DETECTED A STRESS CRACK NEAR THE MIDDLE STRAP OF THE TANK SIMILAR TO WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 99R33. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SUPPORT TO HAVE THE TANK REPLACED ACCORDING TO RECALL 99R33. I WAS TOLD TO GO TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED FORD RECALL HOTLINE AND THEY DENIED THE REPAIR ON THE GROUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BOUGHT IN ONE OF THE HOT STATES DECRIBED IN RECALL 99S33. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I WAS PLANNING TO DRIVE TO MISSISSIPPI AND AS SUCH I HAVE MET THE RECALL CONDITION BUT I WAS STILL TURNED DOWN. I BELIEVE THAT THE CRACK OCCURED BECAUSE OF POOR ASSEMBLY BY FORD AND THAT FORD SHOUL REPAIR ANY WINDSTAR THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM NOT JUST THOSE IN THE HOT STATES.

IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET IS DEFECTIVE. WE OWN A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR, AND AT ONLY 72000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OFF AND WE NOW HAVE ENGINE DAMAGE. FORD TOLD US THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING EVEN THOUGH THERE IS WELL DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE (TSB 94-9)(OOMO9) THAT THE HEAD GASKETS ARE DEFECTIVE ON THE 1995 FORD WINDSTARS. FORD TOLD US THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE OWNED THE VAN 9 YEARS THAT WE DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE FORD HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT PROGRAM BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD THE VAN TOO LONG. THIS IS LUDICROUS! ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

MY 2 MAIN PROBLEMS ARE MY TRANSMISSION & TIMING GEAR COVER. THE TRANMISSION IS VERY HAZARDOUS. MINE IS SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEAR. I HAVE BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET THAT ON SOME OF THE TRANSMISSIONS THEY HAVE BEEN SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. I SURE DON'T WANT TO HAVE THAT SURPRISE. I'M DISABLED & NEED MY VAN TO HAUL MY POWERCHAIR WITH ME WHEN I GO TO THE DOCTORS OFFICE. I WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I TALKED TO A MECHANIC & HE SAID IF IT GOES IT WILL LEAVE ME ON THE ROAD. I THINK THIS VAN IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD. FORD KNOW THEY WERE HAVING HEAD GASKET & TRANSMISSION TROUBLE ON THE 1995 WINDSTAR WHY DON'T THEY TAKE CARE OF THERE PROBLEMS. THEY KNOW THEY HAD BAD GASKETS ON THE HEADS,TIMING CHAIN COVERS,& TRANSMISSIONS BUT THEY STILL WENT WITH THE CHEAPER GASKETS THAT LEAK. I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STEP IN & MAKE THEM PAY FOR THOSE REPAIRS BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET KILLED LIKE THAT FORD POLICE CAR THAT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR & RAN OVER SOME PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN MN. A FEW YRS. AGO. WHATS IT GOING TO TAKE? A FEW MORE THOUSAND PEOPLE TO GET KILLED BEFORE THEY FIGURE THAT THERE TRANSMISSIONS ARE NO GOOD.

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM A FORD DEALER WITH 86000.MILES ON IT AND WE PUT 14000,ON IT AND IT BLEW A HEAD GASKET, WE ARE RETIRED ON A FIXED INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD EXTRA BILLS LIKE THIS, WE COULDN'T EVEN AFFORD A NEW CAR. SO WE ARE STUCK WITH A CAR THAT WE ARE AFRAID OF. WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS WAS A ONE OWNER CAR AND THAT THERE WERE VERRY FEW PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.

TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS IS THE 4TH TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION THAT WILL BE INSTALLED WILL BE THE 5TH TRANSMISSION. FORD HAS CONTINUED TO INSIST THAT THERE IS NOT AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE TRANMISSION IN THES MODEL ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN 634 COMPLAINTS/INVESTIGATIONS LODGED WITH THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND SAFETY BOARD.

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON HER VEHICLE, TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, BECAUSE FORD WOULD NOT HONOR RECALL NOTICES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE. HER AUTOMOBILE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED. SHE STATED THAT WIIRES WERE COMPLETELY MELTED. AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT THE FIRE CHIEF STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE FIRE STARTED BECAUSE OF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS STRANDED IN JEROME, IDAHO, AND FORD WILL NOT ASSIST HER IN GETTING TO HER DESTINATION AFTER NOT HONORING RECALL. *AK

CONSUMER STATES ENGINE IS LEAKING COOLANT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR, VIN # [XXX], BOUGHT IN NOVEMBER 2000 FROM KOON'S STERLING, VA, HAS A LEAKING FUEL TANK. THE LEAK IS IN THE VICINITY OF THE MIDDLE STRAP AND FUEL LEAKAGE OCCURS WHEN THE TANK IS HALF FILLED. HOWEVER, THERE IS A FUEL ODOR ALL THE TIME AND THIS ODOR HAS BEEN THERE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF A REGIONAL RECALL 99R33 BY FORD IN 1999 AND IT SHOULD, THEREFORE, BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BY FORD. HOWEVER, WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER THEY GOT IN TOUCH WITH A FORD REPRESENTATIVE WHO TOLD THEM THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED IN THE REGIONS WHERE THE RECALL WAS DIRECTED AND FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR IT FREE OF CHARGE. I'D LIKE THE NHTSA TO GIVE ME AN OPINION ON THE MATTER. THANKS.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THE 4TH TRANSMISSION IN 1995 FORD WINDSTAR REPLACED BY FORD.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING HEAD GASKET BLEW, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE APPLYING GEAR INTO DRIVE VEHICLE HESITATES AND VIBRATES. *AK

SMOKE STARTED COMING HEAVILY OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND VEHICLE STALLED OUT.*MR SERVICED DEALER DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN OUT, DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *CB

THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A FAULTY RIM WHICH CAUSED TO TIRE TO LEAK AT THE WELD AND GO FLAT. THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL THE RIMS WITH STEEL RIMS. *AK *CB *NLM

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN AKRON OHIO,I HAD THE TAC DROP AND THE ENGINE QUIT. IT THEN CAME BACK ON,(THE ENGINE). SO STOP AT DAUGHTER TO PICK UP SUM FURNITURE TO TAKE TO DAYTON. AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE 71 TOWARD COLUMBUS,OHIO I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND PUT FUEL IN THE VAN. I CONTIUNE DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT A REDUCE SPEEDAND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND I HAD I ANALIZED BY AUTOZONE AUTOPART STORE NEAR MY HOME SAID BANK ONE RUNNING LEAN,THEN THE VAN DIE ALL TOGHTER,SO I TOE IT TO MY HOME AND BROTHER AND I TOOK THE BELT OFF THE ENGINE AND THE PULLEY AND VIBATION DAMPER FELL OFF OF THE ENGINE. THE VIBATION DAMPER WAS SHEARED OFF FROM THE ENGINE.WHAT WOULD CASE THIS TO DO THIS?THE CAM SHAFT HAS THE REST OF THE VIBATION DAMPER STILL ON IT . WHAT WOULD CAUSE THIS REBUILT ENGINE TO DO THIS ?*AK

THIS IS IN REFERANCE TO ODI NUMBER 10030637 I HAVE DRAINED THE OIL OUT OF THE ENGINE AND HAVE FOUND ALUIMUM SHAVINGS IN THE OIL, THIS IS A REBUILT ENGINE WITH JUST 45,797 MILES ON IT AND I HAD THIS PROBLEM FO A WHILETHIS IS A LEMON OF A VECHEIL AND I HOPE THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL FIX THIS ENGINE AS I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE TO CHANGE THE OIL WHEN NEEDED AT ABOUT 3,000 MILES EVERY TIME AND IT ONLY HAD 50 MILES ON THE REBUILT ENGINE ON IT SO I THINK THAT 45,797 MILE IS NOT ENOUGH MILAGE TO NEED A ENGINE TO DO THIS.WS. *AK

1995 FORD WINDSTAR GAS TANK RUPTURED.*MR THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT GAS FUMES WERE PERMEATING HER ATTACHED GARAGE AND HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED. THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED ORIGINAL RECEIPT FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS ONLY PARTIALLY REIMBURSED. *PH *NLM

BRAKE LIGHT COME ON FREQUENTLY. DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON OCCASIONALLY CAUSING INTERIOR LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON EVEN WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SHUT. DASH LIGHT QUIT WORKING. TOOK TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE ASHTRAY LIGHT, DISCONNECTED ASHTRAY LIGHT AND DASH LIGHTS STARTED WORKING AGAIN. ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON. TOOK TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT VACUUM HOSE WAS OFF THE EGR VALVE. MECHANIC PUT VACUUM HOSE BACK ON. PROBLEM RECURRED 3 DAYS LATER BUT THIS TIME NOT VACUUM HOSE. BELIEVE THE PROBLEM TO BE EGR VALVE ITSELF. ENGINE SURGES/MISSES CONSTANTLY. DID A TUNE UP, REPLACING PLUGS WIRES, ETC.. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS ESPECIALLY AFTER VEHICLE IS RUN FOR A WHILE. OFTEN SHIFTS HARD DURING ACCELERATION. HAVE DONE TRANSMISSION SERVICE, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DO NOT TAKE OFF HARD FROM STOPS. *JB

THE HINGE AND RUNNER OF THE SLIDING DOOR BROKE, RESULTING IN THE BACK SIDE OF THE DOOR FALLING OFF THE CAR.

BRAKE WORK X2 TRANSMISSION X2 ALL BELTS TIRE & SUSPENSION WORK LUGS ON WHEELS NOT PROPERLY REPLACED ,IT ALMOST FELL OFF STILL PAYING ON VEHICLE WHILE IT SITS IN ASHLEY FORD PARKING LOT W/ DEAD TRANSMISSION I AM UNABLE TO PAY CLOSE TO $2000 FOR REPAIRS

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE #99R33, IN MARCH, 2003, BUT WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DID NOT LIVE IN THE AFFECTED AREA. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ACTING AS THE RECALL SUGGESTED. THE VEHICLE LEAKED GAS FROM THE GAS TANK. WHEN CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND HAD GONE BACK THERE, GAS WAS ON THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER WANTED THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. *AK THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *SCC

CONSUMER STATES THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS FAILING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK