1998 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THIS IS UNUSUAL FOR A VEHICLE WITH THIS MILEAGE. I ALSO FOUND THAT FORD HAD A RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK, PUT INTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN SEPTEMBER 1997. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACURED IN JUNE 1997. PERHAPS I HAD ONE ON THE BAD ONES PUT IN BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT. ANYWAY IT COST ME $667.00 FR THE REPAIR.*AK

ABS SYSTEM IS CONSTANTLY MALFUNCTIONING, BRAKES GIVE OUT, TRACTION CONTROL IS TURNING OFF AND ON. DRIVERS SIDE LOCK DOES NOT WORK WITH ALARM REMOTE.*JB

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK IS INOPERATIVE, CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ON AT ALL TIMES.*AK *TT

CAR STALLS AND CUTS OFF WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP - MAKING SHARP TURNS - WHEN COMPLETELY FILLING GAS TANK UP - AT THE HALF WAY POINT ON FUEL GAUGE

I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RECALLED IN 1998. I INFORM THE LOCAL DEALER OF OF THIS RECALL AND ASKED IF THIS PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED. HE STATED THAT THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS. I FEEL THAT SINCE I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS AT ANYTIME. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO GET FIXED. THE INFOMATION PERTAINING TO THIS IS: 97B17 (PROGRAM NUMBER) ISSUE DATE: FEB 98 RECALLM - FUEL GAUGE/SENDER ASSEMBLY." REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM: THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF YOUR VEHICLE MAY READ APPROXIAMATELY 1/4 FULL WHEN THERE IS VERY LITTLE FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK. THIS COULD CAUSE YOU TO EXPERIENCE THE INCONVENIENCE OF RUNNING OUT OF FUEL" I HAVE A COPY OF A LETTER THAT MY REPAIR MAN HAS GIVEN ME TO SEE IF THE DEALER SHIP WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE ONE VEHICLE AND HAVE THREE CHILDREN. I CAN'T RELIE ON THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. I AM AFRAID THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP ALL OF A SUDDEN AND THEN AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. MONICA MCCLUREP ALL OF

I OWE 3 WINDSTARS ALL THREE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH POWER WINDOWS NOT GOING DOWN.

THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING AS STATED IN RECALL # 97 V165 000. BUT, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH

FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND IT WAS RUBBING AGAINST TIRE SO BADLY THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL 01V1999000 REPAIRS ON COIL SPRING. A SHIELD WAS PUT AROUND THE SPRING. DRIVER DID NOT SEE A SPRING SHIELD AROUND COIL. DRIVER ONLY SAW A PLATE TO PREVENT TIRE FROM BEING PUNCTURED AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND FELT A VIBRATION AS THOUGH I MAY HAVE A FLAT TIRE,CHECKED AND THE TIRES WERE FINE SO I PROCEEDED FORWARD ONLY TO HAVE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL COLLAPSE INWARD, ALL 5 LUGS WERE SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF, THE SERVICE CENTER HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS OCCURRENCE, ONE MONTH TO THE DAY THE SAME THING OCCURRED AGAIN AND I WAS AGAIN CHARGED THE REPAIR COST AND NEW BOLTS AND LUGS WERE INSTALLED ALONG WITH THE TIRE BEING ROTATED TO THE BACK,THIS LASTED FOR 6 MONTHS AND THE LUGS BROKE AGAIN, I AM JUST NOW LEARNING THAT THERE ARE OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. LUG NUTS SHOULD NOT BE SHEARED OFF AS THOUGH A HOT KNIFE CUT THROUGH BUTTER. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS 2 YEARS OLD AND THOUGH I HAVE HAD NO OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS BUT THIS IS ONE THAT COULD COST ME OR MY CHILDREN OUR LIVES. *LA

DRIVER FRONT SEATBELT MALFUNCTIONING, PERSISTENT VIBRATION IN RT FRONT END AT 60-65MPH NOT CURED BY NEW STRUTS, SWAY BAR LINKS, SPRINGS ALIGNMENT, MULTIPLE WHEEL BALANCE. TS

DRIVERSIDE SEATBELT FELL APART IN MY HAND! THEN AFTER FURTHUR CHECKING , THE MIDDLE PASS SIDE BELT WAS STARTING TO FRAY. AFTER 20 DAYS OF NOT HAVING A SEATBELT THEY ARE FINALLY BEING REPLACED. VERY DISSAPOINTED IN FORD TAKING ITS SWEET TIME WHEN IT COMES TO THE SAFETY OF ITS OWNERS AND THERE FAMILIES.*AK

COURTESY LIGHTS WILL INTERMITTENLY WORK. THEY WILL COME ON WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, OR SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. *AK EXPERIENCING OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, DOOR CHECK LIGHT, AND SIGNAL LIGHTS OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE IS NOISY AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, THE SEAT BELT IS LOOSE, PASSENGER SIDE ARM REST IS LOOSE, AND THE BACK WINDOW WIPER IS INOPERATIVE. *TT

DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WILL LOCK AT TIMES, AND NOT LOCK AT OTHER TIMES. ALSO, INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL ILLUMINATE SHOWING THAT DOOR IS NOT CLOSED WHEN IT IS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

DOME LIGHT WILL AUTOMATICALLY STAY ON EVEN AFTER DOORS ARE CLOSED. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

1998 FORD WINDSTAR; FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO HAVE CONTINUOUS SHIMMY; PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK UNCOOPERATIVE UNLOCKING WITH REMOTE; ENGINE LIGHT OFF/ON OFTEN, DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A REASON; ELECTRICAL PANEL MALFUNCTIONING AFTER 104,000 MILES,(ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON, ABS LIGHT ON, TRAC LIGHT CONSTANT FLASHING, AND FUEL GAUGE NOT READING GAS IN TANK)

WE HAVE OWNED TWO FORD WINDSTARS, THE FIRST BEING A 1996, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT ON IT AT 63,000 MILES, THE VAN WAS 3 1/2 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME, WE THEN TRADED IT FOR A 1998 WINDSTAR AND AT 3 1/2 YEARS OLD AND ONLY 60,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT ON IT!*AK

RECALL 01 V 199 00/ FRONT COIL SPRINGS. SINCE RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE SNOW TIRES WERE NOT TO BE INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS*AK.

WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION SEAL SEPARATED FROM THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK TO EXHAUST PIPE, AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL CAME OFF, DEALER WAS CONTACTED.*AK. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF HER VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL 97V097000. *YD

ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER 2 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND STAYS ON. CAR HAS ONLY 29000 MILES AND HAS ONLY JUST GONE OVER 3 YEARS. *AK

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE FRONT LUG NUTS THAT HOLD THE TIRE IN PLACE FELL OFF FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF TIRES. PERSONAL MECHANIC REPLACED LUG NUTS AND STUDS. *AK *TT

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE FELL OUT TO THE GROUND. DEALER SAID SOMEONE REMOVED THE ENGINE BOLTS. *AK THERE WERE NO EXISTING BOLTS. (ENGINE SUPPORT HELD IN PLACE BY FRICTION ON THE THREADS UNTIL FINAL FAILURE) *SCC *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE STUDS ON THE HUB BROKE OFF, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL AND VEHICLE, CLAIM 25-5623-634

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE RIM BEGAN TO LEAK. THEN TWO WEEKS LATER, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RIM BEGAN TO LEAK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT IS UNABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM UNTIL NEW YEAR. ALSO, CONTACTED SEARS AND WAS TOLD THAT WELDING FOR RIMS IS UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. 10 SECONDS LATER THEY WILL COME BACK ON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM LOOK LIKE FORD KNEW ABOUT IT AS EARLY AS 1995 WITH SOME OF ITS OTHER VEHICLES. DOESN'T SEEM FAIR TO ME. *AK

THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THE "FRONT SUBFRAME SLEEVES WERE LOOSE; WELDING OF THE RADIUS ARM SLEEVES WAS REQUIRED. THEY STATED THIS PROBLEM WAS VERY COMMON FOR WINDSTAR AND EVEN TAURUS MODELS. IF SO, THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AND WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN THESE CARS. *AK

VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING, AND WHEN CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD THERE WAS A SMELL OF COOLANT SPRAYED ALL OVER VEHICLE, AND LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH ONTO THE GROUND. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. BUT PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. *AK

WAS DRIVING 25MPH WHEN SUDDENLY DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD AFTER GOING FROM WEST BOUND CROSSING TO EAST BOUND LANE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT REAR FRAME BOLTS HAD SHEARED OFF AND CAUSED FRAME TO SEPARATE.*AK

MOUNTING BRACKET OF RIGHT FRONT STRUT SNAPPED, RIGHT FRONT OF CAR COLLAPSED AND BENT SWAY BAR, WHICH GOUGED AND RUINED TIRE. OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT. IF WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. I STILL HAVE PART AND CAN E-MAIL PICTURE OF IT.*AK

NHTSA RECALL 01 V 199 000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 01S19/FRONT COIL SPRING: DEALER; PRESTIGE FORD; MOUNT DORA, FL; PHONE# 352/357-5522)IS NOT HONORIN RECALL AS OUTLINED. DEALER ONLY INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. ALSO, NO REPAIRS WERE NECESSARY. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER WILL FREEZE. BUT, TIRES ARE STILL SPINNING. IF TRAVELING AT 60 MPH SPEEDOMETER READS ZERO. CONSUMER FEELS THIS CAN BE UNSAFEIF HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW FAST VEHICLE IS GOING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V199000. DEALERSHIP ONLY EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR CORROSION, AND FAILED TO INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELDS AROUND COIL SPRINGS PER CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THESE 2 CONDITIONS SINCE DAY ONE. NOW THAT MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT, AND I'M NOT WORKING, THEY TELL ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. MY ABS SYSTEM IS TEARING AWAY AT MY BRAKE PADS. THE VEHICAL GRINDS TO A STOP. TO ME, THIS IS A SAFTY ISSUE, AS I HAVE A 13 MONTH OLD SON. I WOULD HATE TO APPLY MY BRAKES, AND THEY ARE NOT THERE. MY ABS LIGHT IS ON.....ALL THE TIME. I AM ON DISABILITY, AND HAVE GONE TO THE DEALER REGARDING THIS ISSUE. AS FAR AS THE REAR WIPERM, IT GOES ON WHEN I PUT THE VAN IN REVERSE.......WEATHER OR NOT THE FRONT WIPERS ARE ON.. OR NOT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR CHIME WILL GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY, INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AS WELL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. MR

HEADLIGHT COVERS TURNED CLOUDY. CONSUMER FIRST NOTICED THIS IN 2001. EVEN WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE SWITCHED TO BRIGHT THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY ENOUGH TO SAFELY SEE AT NIGHT.*AK

FORD IS SAYING ITS MY RESPONSIBILITY CAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS LAPSED BUT THE CAR IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK

WHILE IN MOTION, PASSENGER TIRE CAME OFF VEHICLE DUE TO LUG NUTS BREAKING OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLAM TO THE GROUND, SKIDDING INTO A VACANT LOT, HITTING A 2X4 BOARD, CLAIM 48-5214-929. *JG

INTERIOR LIGHTS IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT REMAIN ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER STATED THAT BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 01V99000 THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY CORRODE AND FRACTURE. RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE BY CONSUMER'S LOCAL MECHANIC. HOWEVER, WHEN CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM STATING THAT THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AFTER THE DATE OF THE RECALL LETTER (SEPTEMBER 2001), THERE WERE NO INDICATION THAT THE SPRINGS WERE BROKEN, AND THE RECALL ONLY COVERS THE SPRINGS IF THEY ACTUALLY FRACTURED AND THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT DONE BY A FORD DEALER. CONSUMER IS SEEKING SOME ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER. *TT *NM

6TH TIME IN 6 MONTHS LUGS: BOLTS HAVE SHEARED, NORMAL DRIVING W/ NO INCIDENT. WHEELS, HUBS, TIE RODS AND LUG BOLTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED W/ NO CHANGE IN REGULARITY OF EVENT. NO SUBSTANTIVE VIBRATION EXPERIENCED. MECHANICS HAVE ALL BEEN ADVISED OF HISTORY. COWLES FORD, C&J AUTO, D&B AUTO, AAA AND AND FIRESTONE HAVE SERVICED THE INCIDENTS. REQUESTED REVIEW ON TSB'S AND OTHER COMPLAINTS TO FORD - TO NO AVAIL. REAL SERIOUS - ONE TO FOUR LUGS HAVE SHEARED ON EACH INCIDENT; INVOLVED BOTH FRONT WHEEL ASSYS AND ONE REAR ASSY.*AK

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION KICKING WHILE AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT, BROKEN PISTON. *AK

TIRE BLEW UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *AK (TIRESIZE: P20570R15)

WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 40 AND 65 MPH SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD OF VEHICLE. DRIVER STOPPED VEHICLE, RAISED HOOD TO DISCOVER A FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED WIRING FOR TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

BRAKE HOSE LEAK CAUSED A SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF BREAKING POWER. AMAZINGLY, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE GASKET FAILURE WAS ATTENDED TO AT THE FIRST HINT OF A PROBLEM, SINCE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY FORD TAURUS ONE MONTH PRIOR.

I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE CURVING ROAD WITH THE BRIGHTS ON. WITHOUT WARNING THE LIGHTS WENT COMPLETLY OUT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE SWITCH BACK TO THE REGULAR POSITION AND THEY LUCKILY THEY CAME BACK ON. I WAS UNABLE TO GET A REPLACEMENT ON SATURDAY BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS DOING INVENTORY. THE SWITCH ALSO FAILED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES OVER THE WEEKEND WITH THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS AS WELL. I CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT SWITCH AND ASKED HIM IF THEY HAD BEEN REPLACING MANY OF THESE AND HE TOLD ME YES. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL HIM HOW IT TRIED TO KILL ME AND MY FAMILY. I HAVE METERED THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH AND IT SHOWS READINGS ALL OVER THE PLACE AS FAR AS RESISTANCE, IN EXCESS OF 400,000 OHMS AT TIMES. IT NEVER WOULD STAY COMPLETLY OPEN. I JUST WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS THAT THIS INTERMITTANT PROBLEM MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.*AK

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APROXIMATELY 65MPH AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN. POWER BRAKES AND STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER STATED IT WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE CAUSE.

TIE ROD END STARTED TO WEAR AND MADE A SQUEAKING SOUND WHEN MAKING A TURN. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *YH

WHEN A TURN WAS MADE OR THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE LOCATION OF THE NOISE WAS UNKNOWN, THEREFORE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB