1998 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

STEERING WHEEL LOCK, KEY LOCKED IN STEERING COLUMN

DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK BROKE AND CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE UPWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

VARIOUS PROBLEM WITH POWER LOCK LOCKING BY ITSELF/WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY/DOME LIGHT NOT OPERATING, AND DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYING ON. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEMS STILL REOCCURRING. *AK POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH FAILURE OF POWER LOCKS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOME LIGHT, DOOR AJAR LIGHT, DOOR AJAR SWITCH, LIFT GATE DOOR AJAR SWITCH, BATTERY SAVER RELAY INOPERABLE, AND WASHER LIGHT ILLUMINATING. BRAKES NOISY AT TIMES, DEALER STATED THIS WAS DUE TO BRAKE DUST. POWER STEERING IS NOISY WHEN TURNING BACK AND FORTH, DEALER REPLACED TIE ROD END. SLIDING DOOR RATTLES WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS, DEALER ADDED FOAM TAPE TO BACK SIDE OF PANEL, DRIVER DOOR RATTLES, SLIDING DOOR HARD TO OPEN AT TIMES, DEALER LUBED SLIDING HINGES AND LATCH. DEALER REPLACED SHOCKS DUE TO RATTLING NOISE WHEN RIDING OVER BUMPS. DRIVEBELT REPLACED. MAF SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO HESITATION. WINDOW GUIDE DID NOT FIT TIGHT. *SLC

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE IS STALLS AND CUTS OFF. *AK

VEHICLE JUMPS OUT OF GEAR BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED FROM INSIDE WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WITH NO PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STALLES WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH. ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. *AK

PRIOR TO THE TOTAL FAILURE, THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE COMPONENT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS OR ABOUT TO FAIL.

NE LAMP LIGHT ON- AL MAROONE FORD ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR 4 TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE. 5TH TIME SVC ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, THE VAN BROKE DOWN WITH A BLOWN ENGINE. FLUID LEAKED INTO OIL, CAUSING GASKET TO BLOW THROUGH ENGINE BLOCK. FORD WILL NOT ADMIT PAST PROBLEM

TRANSMISSION FAILED @ APPROX. 24,000 MILES WITHOUT WARNING, HAD TO BE TOWED, TOOK 3 WEEKS FOR DEALER TO REPLACE, TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN WITH APPROX. 49,000 MILES, UNABLE TO GET OUT OF 1ST GEAR, DROVE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR - TRANSMISSION HAS NEVER SEEMED RIGHT ON THIS CAR - AT A REGUARLY SCHEDULED SERVICE APPOINTMENT WE SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION, THEY SAID IT WAS FINE AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED - UPON REVIEW OF THE OTHER REPORTED COMPLAINTS RE: TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE 98 WINDSTAR,I DO NOT FEEL I DRIVE A RELIABLE CAR - I HAVE ALSO HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE - THEY STARTED SMOKING WHEN DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS - I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH POWER WINDOW LOCKS AS WELL AS PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKAGE *AK

REAR AXLE BROKE, WITH 4 REPAIR ATTEMPTS TO THE POWERTRAIN. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN. HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN A CRASH. ALSO HAPPENED IN REVERSE. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 3 TIMES, AND THOUGH IT WAS THE LEAKING BATTERY ACID WHICH WAS CAUSING CAUSING THE DEFECT. *AK

IN DECEMBER 98, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION BEING IN NEUTRAL CONDITION AFTER COMING TO A STOP. DEALER COULD NOT DUPPLICATE PROBLEM. ALSO, ON APRIL 19, 99, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. FOUND BULLETIN #972213, DATED 97 WHICH DEALT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

HAD ALREADY REPLACED TRANSMISSION TWICE. WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT VEHICLE STALLED. .CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

ONGOING PROBELM WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS /ROTORS ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

LUG NUTS BROKE OFF OF RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND HUB OF WHEEL/BRAKE DRUM, RESULTING IN TIRE FALLING OFF OF VEHICLE AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

THE LEFT WHEEL LUGS: NUTS BROKE OFF OR SHEARED OFF WHICH MAY CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. OCCURRED TWICE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH 2 LUGS: NUTS CAME OFF, AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER TOOK OFF THE HUB CAP AND NOTICED THAT TWO OF THE LUGS: NUTS CAME OFF, AND THE OTHER THREE WERE COMING OFF. THE STUDS SHEARED OFF INSIDE THE LUG NUTS. *AK

TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSOR FAILED CAUSING ERRATIC SHIFTING.

TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO GEAR WHILE IN PARK, ALMOST HITTING A SMALL CHILD.. TRANS STUCK IN PARK, VEHICLE HAD TO TOWED TO DEALER. FORD INSISTED NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH IT WAS LOOKED AT MORE THAN ONCE. TOOK VEHICLE IN AGAIN AND WAS INFORMED IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND WOULD COST 2600.00 BECAUSE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT.*AK

BRAKES KEEP STICKING,-AND IT FEELS AS IF THE CALIPER HANGS UP WHEN CONSUMER PUTS ON BRAKES. *AK

NO SUMMARY

VIBRATION FROM REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL DUE TO 4 LUG NUTS FALLING OFF WHEEL, WHEEL WAS BEING SECURED BY 1 LOOSE LUG NUT.

WHILE DRIVING VAN STALLS WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING. THIS CONDITION ALMOST CAUSED TWO REAR END CRAHSES. THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR THIRD TIME. WAS REBUILT AFTER SECOND TIME. SLIPPING AND BANGING 4 MONTHS LATER.

I AM SO SCARED TO DRIVE OUR VAN- I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. THIA VAN SHOWED BE CONSIDERED A LEMON- OR FORD SHOULD REPAIR IT. WE PURCHASED THE VAN CAUSE WE HAD ANOTHER LITTLE ONE ON THE WAY(MAKING 4 KIDS) IN THE PAST WE HAD OLD VECHILCLES. WE DECIDED TO SPEND THE $$ AND HAVE A RELIABLE VECHICLE SINCE WE HAVE 4 KIDS AND TRAVEL AROUND TOWN ALOT. FIRST MY AIR CODTIONER GOES OUT IN JULY, 99 (ELECTRICAL- NO POWER TO IT). WE DID NOT HAVE THE $ TO FIX. THAN IN AUGUST,99 WE STARTED EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT NEUTRAL CONDTION AFTER DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP. HAD TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION- DUE TO A FAULTY CLUTCH PISTON THAT FORD KNOWS IS CAUSING PROBLEMS IN AX4S WINDSTAR 3.8L. ENGINE - STALLS USUALLY WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS O TURNS OR COMING TO A STOP. SCARED TO DEATH THAT SOMESONE WILL RUN INTO ME. STEERING- VECHILE PULLS TO THE RIGHT SO BADLY THAT IN SECONDS I AM IN ANOTHER LANE. HAVE HAD IT RELIGHNED. THE OTHER SEROIUS PROBLEM IS I WILL START VAN OR HAVE FOOT ON BRAKE AND IT ITERMITTALLY ACCERATES IN SURGES ON ITS OWN. MY FOOT IN NOT NEAR THE GAS- I AM SO SCARED TO DEATH THAT I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF IT RESULTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. I AM SO SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VAN AND IT IS ONLY A 98". WHAT AM I TO DO. I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT FOR AND ACIDENT OR DEATH TO SOMEONE. PLEASE HELP!! I NEED SOME ADVICE. I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON VAN- BUT YET WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY WHEN FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VANS- WHAT DOES IT TAKE - DEATH!!! I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSEING THESE PROBLEMS. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP TAKING THEM TO MECHANICS AND NOT GETTING IT FIX. SHOULDN'T FORD HAVE TO TAKE THIS PIECE OF CRAP BACK-PLEASE HELP!!

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS FAILED TWICE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. EACH FAILURE RESULTED IN A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION FROM THE FORD DEALER. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND TWO TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE FROM FORD DUE TO THE UNRELIABLE PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD CONSUMER HOTLINE THAT IT IS NOT THEIR POLICY TO REPLACE A VEHICLE, ONLY TO REPAIR OR FIX AS NEEDED.

THE AMP TO THE RADIO AND CD KEEPS BURNING OUT AND THE LAST TIME IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT'S BEEN FIXED (AGAIN) BUT I'M STILL SCARED TO DRIVE IT. MY VAN STINKS LIKE ELECTRICAL BURNT TRANSFORMER. THEY SAID THEY FOUND A SHORT, BUT I WONDER??? ALSO, WHY IS MY EXHAUST PUTTING OUT SO MUCH BLACK SOOT ON MY VAN? I CLEAN IT OFF AND EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT, IT BECOMES ALL SOOTED UP AGAIN. MY LEFT TIE ROD WENT OUT TOO. IS THAT NORMAL FOR SUCH LOW MILEAGE? I'M VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED, REPLACEMENT FAILED ALSO.

WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, VEHCILE ACCELERATES.

WHENEVER STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED, LEFT OR RIGHT IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT DEAL OF NOISE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS & WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE TIE ROD. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT WAS THE RACK & PINION THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CAR DOWNSHIFTED TO A LOW GEAR CAUSING THE RPM'S TO RACE AND THE CAR TO LURCH. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF BUSY HIGHWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. FORD DEALER REPLACED MAP SENSOR AND REBUILT/REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. FORD COMPANY PAID ALL BUT $200 AS PART OF THEIR "CUSTOMER GOODWILL PROGRAM". I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND IF SO, I WOULD LIKE MY $200 REFUNDED TO ME. THE TIE ROD ENDS FAILED RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD. EVEN THE DEALER ALLUDED TO THE FACT THAT THEY WERE PROBABLY FACTORY DEFECTS, THAT THEY SHOULD NOT GO BAD THEN. THE 'OPEN DOOR SENSOR' STAYS ON EVEN THOUGH ALL OF THE DOORS ARE CLOSED. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. IT MAY HAPPEN TWICE A DAY AND THEN NOT HAPPEN FOR DAYS. THE AUTOMATIC DOORLOCKS HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE ABOUT 40,000 MILES. I HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK/UNLOCK THE SLIDING DOOR. AND TO TOP OFF ALL OF MY PROBLEMS, LAST WEEK I HAD A MOUSE IN MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT! THE DESIGN OF THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT LETS YOU LOOK RIGHT INTO THE ENGINE, AND A MOUSE GOT IN THERE AND CHEWED UP MY MAPS AND CLEAN PAPER NAPKINS. I AM NOT HAPPY! AND THAT WILL BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF I AM DRIVING AND SOMEONE OPENS MY GLOVE BOX! I BET YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD THAT ONE! MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE TRANSMISSION. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NANCY

WHEN DRIVING DOWN A SLOPE AND APPLYING BRAKES, THE BRAKES WILL GO STRAIGHT FLOOR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY DOWNSHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR. AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. THIS HAPPENED, 3 TIMES AND HAD VEHICLE HAD BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG, OR TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

EVERY 3,000 MILE FRONT TIE ROD END BREAKS WHICH MAY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. BEEN REPLACED 3TIMES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUS EOF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

I BOUGHT THIS VAN IN FEB OF98 AND HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END I HAD IT IN THE SHOP TWICE AND THE FIRST TIME IT HAD TO HAVE NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND NEW TIRES THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR.THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT IT ATE UP TWO MORE TIRES.THEY SAID IT HAD TO BE THE TIRES. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND THEN ON FEB 99 THE BRAKES WENT OUT AGAIN.I ALSO TRIED TO WORK WITH COLLEGE FORD. MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO TRADE THE VAN IN ON A TOYOTA CAMERY BECAUSE WE WERE NOT SAFE IN THE VAN AND FORD DID NOT WANT TO HELP US IN ANY WAY. WE PAID $25000.00 FOR A SAFE VEHICLE BUT GOT A LEMON AND NO HELP. $5500.00 OUT OF MY POCKET TO LEASE THE CAMERY AND ALL THE PAYMENTS FOR THE VAN JUST WASTED.I JUST THANK GOD WE WERN'T KILLED.( DOT NUMBER: P215 TIRE SIZE: 70R15 97S )

WHEN VEHICLE STARTS TO PICKUP SPEED AFTER MAKING A TURN, IT WOULD HAVE A STRONG JERKING MOTION, LIKE HAVING A TOW CHAIN ATTACHED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE ANY TYPE OF TURN VEHICLE JERKS REAL HARD AND STALLS. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING, AND LOST CONTOL. HIT A GUARDRAIL, AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE CONSUMER WAS TRAUMATIZED, AND DIDN'T REMEMBER ANYTHING.

NAR 03/05/2003 THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH MOVING THE COLUMN SHIFT FROM ONE SHIFT TO ANOTHER. *CB

THERE ARE TWO SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES THAT WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE WITH OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY "NEUTRAL" AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIMES. THE EFFECT OF THIS IS THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN INTO AN INTERSECTION AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL DISENGAGE AND THE RPM OF THE ENGINE WILL RACE. AT THIS POINT THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT ENGAGE AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS WITH A JOLT, SCREECHING THE TIRES. IN SOME CASES WE HAVE HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED, WE HAD ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AND IT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN EVERY FEW HUNDRED MILES. FORD HAD TO PLACE A "FLIGHT RECORDER" IN THE VEHICLE TO VERIFY THAT IT WAS HAPPENING. FORD REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN EARLY 1999. WE BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AGAIN IN THE SUMMER OF 2000 AND FORD HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP A TOTAL OF 12 TIMES WITH THE SYMPTOM MANIFESTING ITSELF MULTIPLE TIMES IN BETWEEN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ALMOST CONTINUALLY SINCE JULY 15TH, 2000 AND IS STILL THERE AS OF THIS SUBMISSION. IF IT WERE NOT FOR EXTREME DEFENSIVE DRIVING AND ANTICIPATION OF THE PROBLEM THAT HAS HELPED US AVOID AN ACCIDENT SO FAR. HOWEVER, WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CAR DELIVERED TO US THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED AND WE CONTINUALLY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS ALSO REOCCURRING AND DEALS WITH THE ABS BRAKES CONTINUALLY GOING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. WHEN THEY ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT THE STOPPING POWER OF THE CAR IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS IS GREATLY IMPAIRED. THE BRAKES ARE SELF-ADJUSTING BUT CONTINUE TO BE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT BY FOUR DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY READJUST THE BRAKES THAT ONLY CORRECTS THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO GO OUT ADJUSTMENT AND FORD DENIES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.

TRANSMISSION SHUTTER & HARD SHIFT B/T 1-2 GEARS -TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE - FORD ADVISES NO FIX AT THIS TIME - PROBLEM WORSE AND NOW IS GOING INTO A NEUTRAL LIKE POSITION EARRATICALLY WHEN GOING 40-60MPH. ALSO VERY HARD DOWNSHIFT (LIKE IN DRIVE2) WHEN GOING DOWNHILL - PROBLEM STILL EXISTS

01/04/1999-- !998 FORD WINDSTAR HAD APPROX 95% BRAKE FAILURE WHILE WIFE AND KIDS WERE DRIVING.NO WARNING OR NOISE,JUST "MUSHY PEDAL" STOPPING VEHICLE AT LAST INCH OF BRAKE PEDAL MOVEMENT. AUTOFAIR DEALER SERVICE MGR EXPERIENCED THE CONDITION. REPAIR WAS TO REPLCE MASTER CYLINDER. 01/18/1999--THE SAME BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE SAME DISCRIPTION OF BRAKE PEDAL.CONDITION OF BRAKES WAS EXPERIENCED BY DEALERSHIP AGAIN AS WELL. REPAIR WAS TO CHECK ALL LINES FOR LEAKS AND BLEED THE AIR OUT OF THE LINES. NO REASON GIVEN AS TO HOW THE AIR GOT IN THE SYSTEM. (REMEMBER MASTER CYCLINDER REPLACED 13 DAYS PREVIOUS). 01/28/1999(SUNDAY) DRIVING HOME FROM CHURCH, TRAVELING APPROX 25 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN CAUSING ME TO GO PAST THE ROAD I WAS GOING TO TURN INTO,NO TRAFFIC. THIS WAS WITHOUT WARNING,NOISE OR WARNING LIGHTS..01/29/1999 AUTOFAIR SAID TO BRING IT BACK IN AGAIN FOR REPAIR. THEY KEPT IT FOR APPROX 3 WEEKS AND COULD NOT GET THE BRAKES TO FAIL AGAIN IN 300 MILES OF DRIVING. THEY WERE UNABLE TO MAKE A PROPER REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM USING THEIR WORDS, BUT HAD TO GIVE ME MY CAR BACK FROM ORDERS FROM FORD REGIONAL REP MIKE HOLT WHO SAID EVEN THOUGH FORD AUTOFAIR SERVICE MGR HAD EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAD NOT "REPAIRED" THE PROBLEM, (THEY ONLY BLED THE BRAKES, NO CAUSE WHY THIS HAPPENED) AND THAT THE PROBLEM HAD CORRECTED ITSELF JUST AS FAST AS IT HAD OCCURRED, THE CUSTOMER SHOULD HAVE THE AUTO BACK. WE, ALONG WITH THE SERVICE DEPT AND THE VP IN CHARGE OF FORD AT AUTOFAIR FORD HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THIS CAR AND THAT THE BRAKES WILL NOT FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY AGAIN POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY TO OCCUPANTS/BYSTANDERS OR OTHER DRIVERS.

THE EXHAUST WAS EMITTING BLACK SMOKE. THE TAIL PIPE HAD BLACK SOOT INSIDE. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC CUT TAIL PIPE ON SIDE. ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS, IT WOULD RUN IT UNDERNEATH VAN & THEN TURN DOWN. ITS AN ENGINE MANIFOLD DESIGN FLAW.

VAN STARTED TO MAKE LOUD GRINDING NOISES WHEN TURNING WHEELS AND ALSO GETTING HARD TO TURN. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS TOLD BY SERVICE DEPT. THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VAN. AS I WAS LEAVING I SPOKE TO ANOTHER EMPLOYEE THERE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS SUCH A PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR VAN. I THEN REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM I THEN TOOK IT TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND THE PRICE TO FIX IT WAS ABOUT 1000.00 I WAS NOT ABLE TO AFFORD IT SO I HAVE DRIVING IT , HOWEVER NOW THE VAN WILL SOMETIMES SHUT OFF WHEN YOU PROCEED TO MAKE A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. I HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE IT FIXED AT OUR EXPENSE. I FEEL THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT CAME FROM THE FORD MOTOR CO. I ALSO TOOK IT TODAY 1-4-2000 TO SEE IF THE DEALER WOULD LOOK AT IT BUT WAS TOLD BY A MAN NAMED JERRY IN THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING .*AK

OUR ENTIRE FAMILY (TWO ADULTS, TWO CHILLDREN BOTH UNDER AGE 10) WERE IN THE CAR WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED, AND COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED. WE HAD JUST EXITED THE OUTER LOOP OF THE WASHINGTON, D.C. CAPITAL BELTWAY AND WERE IN THE PROCESS OF SLOWING TO A STOP AT THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP, WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD THUD FROM OUR TRANSMISSION. WHEN WE STARTED AGAIN THE CAR SEEMED TO HESITATE. IT WENT ANOTHER TWO BLOCKS AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED IN THE CAR, LEAVING US IN THE RIGHT LANE IN AN INTERSECTION WITH NO WAY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE GEARS WORKED. OUR CAR SPENT 12 DAYS IN THE DEALERSHIP BEING FIXED. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM IF THIS OCCURS WHILE SOMEONE IS ON THE HIGHWAY (AS WE ALMOST WERE), AND I FELT I SHOULD REPORT IT. I HAVEN'T YET CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS, BUT I PLAN TO. *AK

WE HAVE BEEN TO ARBITRATION ON THIS DEFECT. WE HAVE THE 25 G. GAS TANK AND FORD SAYS THE MISREADING IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE WAY IT IS.

VEHICLE HAS A BAD SEAL ON THE FUEL CAP. VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED AT STATE. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ANTI LOCK BRAKE TRANSDUCER FAILED. MJS

TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED WHILE GOING 60-65 MPH. *AK