1998 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

HAD THE RECALL FOR THE CRUISE,A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, THE RECALL WAS DONE ON 11/25/2009, RECALL # 09S09, AFTER 11 DAY AND ONLY 146 MILES THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

I WENT TO FORD DEALERSHIP IN DEC 09 RECEIVED INSPECTION ON RECALL # O9S09 AND 09SO9H ONLY. NOW HERE IN FEB. 2012 THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION,RIGHT FRONT TIRE WHEEL MAKES ALTO OF NOISE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING STRANGE NOISE IS HEARD WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS,FORD SAID MY VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SERVICE IT IS DUE . I BELIEVE THEY ARE WRONG ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS THE RECALLS REPORTED ARE MY PROBLEMS I HAVE PAPER WORK PROVIDING THEY ONLY RAN TEST ON RECALL #O9S09 AND 09S09H MY CAR IS IN SERIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS HERE IN ILLINOIS.UNDER THE ORIGINAL OWNER FORD STATED THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FURTHER REPAIR. FORD DEALERSHIP ROBERTS MOTORS 4350 ALBY ALTON IL 62002. *TR

THE BRAKE FLUID CONTINUES TO LEAK, TODAY I WAS DRIVING AND HAD NO BRAKE FLUID, I HAVE NOTICED SOME SMOKING UNDER MY VAN AFTER THE VAN IS TURNED OFF. I HAD TO REMOVE A FUSE DUE TO LIGHTS NOT TURNING OFF ALSO, THE CHILD BUILT IN RESTRAINTS PLASTIC IS BROKEN, (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=1998, MAKE=FORD, MODEL=WINDSTAR). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE PARKING HE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR, AND THEN SAW FLAMES INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED TO CALL NHTSA BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 184,347.

WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS THAT I COULD SEE, THE REAR AXLE ON MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE IN HALF WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE.SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND CALL ME FOR HELP. THE REAR WHEELS WERE TILTED INWARD SO MUCH THAT WE HAD TO HAVE THE AUTO TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE THE REAR AXLE AND RELATED PARTS WHERE REPLACED. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ALMOST 9 MONTHS AGO, AND EVERY SINCE THEN I AM RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THIS AUTO ANYWHERE NEAR A HIGHWAY. BECAUSE THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE VERY SOUND. WE SIMPLY USE THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AROUND TOWN. ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I FEEL I NEED TO REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT, IS BECAUSE I NOTICED AN INVESTIGATION THAT HAS BEEN INITIATED FOR 1999 AND LATER WINDSTARS. BECAUSE WE HAVE A 1998, I FELT THIS INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL WITH THIS INVESTIGATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V199000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT:SPRINGS: COIL SPRINGS). THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY HEATED AND SPRAYED PENETRATING OIL ONTO THE SWAY BAR IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE BAR TO COMPLETE THE RECALL BUT THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN DOING SO. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR LINKS WOULD NEED TO BE CUT OUT IN ORDER TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS AND THE REMOVAL COSTS OF THE SWAY BAR LINKS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY COULD NOT OVERRIDE THE DECISION MADE BY THE DEALER AND PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

I HAVE A 98 FOR WINDSTAR GL. ON OCT 9TH I WAS COMING BACK FROM WORK AND THE REAR OF THE CAR KEPT FISH TAILING / SLIPPING TO ONESIDE AND AS WELL AS THAT NIGHT WHEN I HAD TO TAKE MY SON TO THE HOSPITAL AND BACK. ALMOST LOST CONTROL COMING BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL. I DID NOT GET IN THE CAR AT ALL THAT 10TH CAUSE OF THAT. ON OCT 11TH 2009 I WAS BACKING OUT FROM MY PARKING SPOT IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. AS I BACKED UP AND AS I PUT IT IN DRIVE I HEARD A LOUD BANG LIKE I BACKED UP INTO A CAR. GOT OUT TO SEE MY BACK TIRES BENT IN. I PULLED UP SLOWLY AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT AND SAW THAT MY REAR AXEL ASSY SPLIT IN HALF. MY MECHANIC NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE IT. I SEARCHED THE WEB TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS BUT THERE WASN'T ANY BUT FOUND A BUNCH OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM FROM 98 TO 02 WINDSTARS ESP. WHILE DRIVING. SO MY VAN STILL SITS. I THINK THEIR SHOULD BE A RECALL THE REAR AXEL ASSY SPLIT IN HALF. NOTHING WAS DONE YET PART IS GOING TO COST 400 DOLLAR AND TO GET IT INSTALLED WILL COST AS MUCH. PART WAS AVAILABLE THROUGH FORD. BUT LOOKING FOR PART IN JUNK YARD FOR THE VAN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WIND STAR. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 52 MPH THE RPMS INCREASED TO FOUR. SHE DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE, THEN THERE WAS AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CENTER WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE CITY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. HE SPECULATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. SHE WILL RECEIVE A REPORT IN TEN DAYS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED BECAUSE IT WAS A CRUISE CONTROL FIRE THE MANUFACTURE WAS RESPONSIBLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN REAR AXLE BROKE. WE WERE RETURNING HOME. WHEN WE RETURNED I WENT ONLINE TO CHECK HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THIS VAN WAS NOT THE ONLY 98 TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM.*TR

1998 FORD WINDSTAR, 3.8 ENGINE. I HAVE PROBLEMS IT STARTED STALLING WHEN I STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP, SUDDENLY THE CAR STOPPED. ALSO WHEN IT WAS IN THE PARKING . MECHANIC MADE THE TUNE-UP BUT STILL DOING SO, NOW IT IS DOING A WHITE CLOUD OF STEAM, IF I ACCEL, IT COMES WORST, SHOULD I WAIT FOR A RECALL OR IT'S A NORMAL PROBLEM? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR LEFT AXLE WAS BROKEN. SHE NOTIFIED A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT HE WOULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AT HER RESIDENCE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS FOR THAT YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS WAITING FOR A REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104000.

1998 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING OUT UNDER THE MOTOR. *TR

1998 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A GATE IN THE CLOSED TOLL BOOTH LANE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0724-91

1998 FORD WINDSTAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED AT DENTIST. FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AND THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED. *TR

1998 FORD WINDSTAR CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ONTO CONNECTORS BELOW CAUSING A FIRE AND SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

ON JULY 6, 2009, MY FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN BURNED UP. I WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP SUPPER WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I WENT ON, PICKED UP SUPPER, AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. IMMEDIATELY SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING. I PULLED AROUND THE CORNER IN THE PARKING LOT, PARKED AGAIN, AND POPPED THE HOOD. THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE IN THE ALTERNATOR AREA. I TOOK MY TODDLER OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN INTO A STORE TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE, THE CAR WAS DESTROYED AND A TOTAL LOSS. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED AND GIVEN TO MCDONALD'S TOWING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT, BUT THAT IT LOOKED LIKE POSSIBLE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING PLASTIC ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH WAS MELTING AND SMOKING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN, BUT HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000.

1998 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION FAILED. NO WARNING, NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO FAILURE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY TIRE CAME OFF OF MY CAR. ALL OF THE LUGS TO MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BROKE. I CALLED A MECHANICAL SHOP THAT OWNS THEIR OWN WRECKER. THEY REPAIRED THE WHEEL, WHICH INCLUDED ROTOR, LUG WORK. MY VEHICLE WAS ALSO DAMAGED IN THE BODY. THE FENDER , THE DOOR,THE PARTS ALL AROUND THE AREA WHERE THE TIRE FLUNG OFF. I HAVE DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE EXISTS A RECALL ON VEHICLES THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AS MY VEHICLE. *TR

ON JUNE 13TH, 2009, MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN CAUGHT FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE AND DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL OF THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL RELATING TO ELECTRICAL FIRES UNDER THE HOOD. I WANT FORD TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE AND THE LOSS OF MY VEHICLE. ABOUT 5500 HUNDRED DOLLARS. *TR

1998 WINDSTAR VAN WAS PARKED IN THE FRONT YARD KEY OUT OF IT I WAS INSIDE I HEARD A NOISE LOOKED OUT THE ENGINE PART WAS ON FIRE I WAS MOVING MY PERSONAL THINGS I LOST EVERYTHING I OWN I LEFT EVERYTHING IN THE VAN INCLUDING MY PURSE W/ MY MONEY AND ID INSIDE. *TR

THE ABS ENGAGES ON DRY PAVEMENT UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. THE ABS LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. MY MECHANIC CHANGED TWO OF THE ABS SENSORS TO NO AVAIL. AFTER THE ABS LIGHT REMAINED ON, I BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER. THEY CHANGED THE LEFT FRONT ABS SENSOR. THE ABS LIGHT WENT OUT, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS UNDER NORMAL BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT. I AM SORRY I DID NOT LEAVE IT ALONE WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AS THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE ABS NOT WORKING THAN WORKING IMPROPERLY. I GREW UP ON VEHICLES WITHOUT ABS. *TR

1998 FORD WINDSTAR MY BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. *TR

DINGING FROM FAULTY SWITCH WHILE DRIVING - INTERFERES WITH DRIVERS CONCENTRATION AND EMERGENCY WARNING SIRENS AND HORNS. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. IT FIRST STARTED WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CATCHING ON FIRE AND CAUSING WIRES UNDER MY HOOD TO BURN... NOW FOR THE LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR..THE SENSOR ON THE DASH WOULD SHOW THAT THE DOOR WAS AJAR(NOT CLOSED) I COULD TAKE THE BATTERY CABLE OFF FOR A WHILE AND THE DOOR LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. NOW I HAVE HAD TO REMOVE ALL THE BULBS IN THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VAN TO KEEP MY BATTERY FROM RUNNING DOWN THIS MORNING I GET UP AND MY BATTERY IS DEAD AND ACID FROM THE BATTERY IS ALL OVER THE POST AND CABLE WIRES. I TALK TO MY MECHANIC HE SAYS THIS IS DUE TO SOME PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HE SAID HE HAS HAD TO WORK ON SEVERAL WINDSTARS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMSOME KIND OF SENSOR FAULT DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT OBSERVED RED LIQUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, SHE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V097000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION), BUT WAS UNAWARE IF HER VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR IF PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 124,528. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM CRUISE CONTROL RESET SWITCH, FLUID DRIPPING ON WIRING AND CONTROLLER SWITCH FOR TRANSMISSION. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE POTENTIAL WITH THE BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ON ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CONTACTS THAT HAVE CONSTANT 12 VOLT SOURCE. THIS SAME DESIGN HAS CAUSED DEATHS DO TO FIRES..... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE TECHNICIAN FURTHER STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILURE WAS LINKED TO BRAKE FLUID INGRESSED INTO THE ABS MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND AN INVESTIGATION NUMBER PE08035 FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED WITH NO RECALL ISSUED, BUT HE BELIEVES THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD HAVE LED TO A RECALL. THE MECHANIC REPLACED A VEHICLE SPEED DEACTIVATION SWITCH TO STOP THE LEAKING; HOWEVER, THE ABS MODULE STILL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,818.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SENSOR ON THE SLIDING DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BEEPING SOUND DOES NOT TURN OFF. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR AND DOME LIGHT DO NOT DIM. THERE IS A SWITCH THAT NEEDS TO BE BYPASSED OR REWIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR THESE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. SHE HAS RESEARCHED OTHER CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

I HAVE (HAD) A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR THAT TRANSPORTS NOT ONLY MY OWN THREE CHILDREN BUT TWO OTHER CHILDREN FROM TIME TO TIME. AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE ONE DAY THE REAR OF THE MINI-VAN MADE A HORRIBLE SOUND. I LOOKED OUT THE DOOR AND SAW MY REAR TIRE IN A VERY PRECARIOUS POSITION. AFTER FURTHER REVIEW I NOTICED THAT WHAT ONE WOULD THINK COULD NEVER HAPPEN, SURE AS '!@#$% DID, THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF. I DID SOME SEARCHING ON THE NET AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT ALONE. FORD SAYS IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM (UNTIL SOMEONE'S FAMILY DIES) BECAUSE IT IS PAST THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY. THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE AXLE AND NOT ESCAPE. THIS EVENT CAUSES THE AXLE TO RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT. NOT VERY HAPPY HERE, BUT REALLY DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE GET HURT OR KILLED!!!!!!!! *TR

WE COLLIDED WITH A 1989 CHEVROLET TRUCK DRIVEN BY AN INTOXICATED DRIVER WHO PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF US IN A 45 MPH SPEED ZONE. WE WERE IN OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. OUR CHILDREN, AGES 18 AND 13 WERE SEATED IN THE QUAD SEATS BEHIND THE FRONT SEATS, AND ON IMPACT, BOTH SEAT BELTS FOR THEIR SEATS CAME UNDONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DRAMATICALLY ACCELERATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY AND A CRASH WERE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND NO ERROR CODES WERE PROVIDED FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 03-06-09 *BF UPDATED 03/09/09*JB

THE MASTER CYLINDER SPEED CONTROL PRESSUER SWITH LIKING BRAKE OIL. *TR

MY VEHICLE IS HAVING INTERMITTENT BRAKING PROBLEMS DUE TO THE ABS/ECM FAILURE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE OFTEN BRAKES NORMALLY BUT OCCASIONALLY BRAKES JERKY- STOPPING POORLY AT BEST. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AS WELL. MY MECHANIC THOUGHT THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I NOW SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AMONG WINDSTAR VEHICLES, AND AS IT IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL BE DONE TO REPAIR THESE ERRANT VEHICLES? IN THIS ECONOMY, I HAVE LITTLE MONEY FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PART! I AM A VERY CAREFUL DRIVER AND I LEAVE A GOOD DEAL OF BRAKING DISTANCE JUST IN CASE MY BRAKES ACT UP. AT LEAST UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO FIX THEM - OR FORD RECALLS MY CAR AND DOES THE RIGHT THING. *TR

THE SENSOR PART #SW-6351 GET FIRE UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER.5/7/08- IT APPEARS THE NHTSA IS STARING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING A CAUSING FIRES! THIS IS CERTAINLY GOOD NEWS AND I'M SURE WILL SAVE LIVES. IF YOU HAVE A OLD DEACTIVATION SWITCH THAT LEAKED, PLEASE DO NOT THROW IT AWAY, WE MAY NEED TO COLLECT A FEW! *TR *GEM

LEAK FROM ABS SYSTEM CAUSING SEVERE SMOKING. *TR

1998 WINDSTAR, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, COMPLETE OVERHAUL , $1700.00 DOLLARS, THE VAN WAS BOUGHT FOR MY MOTHER, SHE'S 81 , THE VAN WAS THOUGHT TO BE DEPENDABLE AND LEFT HER ON THE ROAD. MECHANIC SAID THE PLANETARY GEARS WERE SHOT, NEW GEARS AND TORQUE CONVERTER, COMPLETE OVERHAUL. THE VAN WAS OWNED BY MY MOTHER IN LAW , BOUGHT NEW , WHEN SHE PASSED AWAY I GAVE IT TO MY MOTHER, TWO WOMEN DRIVERS, OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE, SO THERE WAS NO ABUSE TO THE VAN, ALWAYS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE,,,WHAT GIVES... *TR

ABS FAULT LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT. CRUISE CONTROL INOP. *TR

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND HEARD A LOUD CRASH TYPE OF SOUND. CHECKED THE CAR AND FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN IN HALF. *TR

MY WIFE ATTEMPTED TO START 1998 FORD WINDSTAR WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO ISSUE FROM BENEATH THE HOOD. SHE IMMEDIATELY REMOVOVED HERSELF AND DOG WHEREUPON THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND SUBSEQUENTLY EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES BUT EVERYTHING FOWRWARD OF THE FIREWALL WAS MELTED DOWN. THE WINDSHIELD HAD EXPLODED AND THE INTERIOR SUFFERED SMOKE DAMAGE. EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF THE FIREWALL WAS AN ENTIRE LOSS. THIS REPORT IS FILED AFTER LEARNING THAT NHTSA IS INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATION OF MORE THAN 130 OTHER REPORTS OF A SIMILAR NATURE. WE WISH TO LEARN IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE OR CLASS ACTION SUIT AVAILABLE TO US. *TR

I BOUGHT A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR 3.0 L IN 1999. IN 2002 I RECEIVED A RECALL TO INSTALL FRONT SHIELDS OVER THE COIL SPRING SO I DID. YESTERDAY THE FRONT COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE AND BROKE THE STRUTS AS WELL. WHEN CALLING FORD, THEY INFORM ME THAT THEY CAN NOT TELL ME WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED, JUST THAT THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY ISSUED THE WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS FROM MANUFACTURER DATE EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL DID NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL 3-4 YEARS AFTER MANUFACTURE DATE AND I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECOMMENDED CURE TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH CAUSED THE ABS AND CRUISE CONTROL TO STOP WORKING. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN SV, I AVE SOME TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I HAVE TO HAVE A WHOLE TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL DONE. I FOUNT OUT THAT ALOT OF THE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS SUFFERED THE SAME. WHAT WE HAVE FOUNT OUT IS THAT THAT MODEL OF VANS HAVE DEFAULT TRANSMISSIONS IN THEM. I WANT TO KNOW IF I COULD AT LEAST HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED OR TO KNOW ANY INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRES. SHE FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE A SERIOUS CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 168,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE CAR. *TR

I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET ON MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. IT ACTED LIKE THE ENGINE REVVED UP A COUPLE OF TIMES THEN SMOKE STARTED ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH. NOW THE TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK AND THE VAN ISN'T PERFORMING WELL. *TR

I OWN AN 1998 WINDSTAR 3 LITER ENGINE. ON APRIL 16,2008 I PARKED MY CAR (NOSE DOWN HILL) DURING A RAIN STORM. LATER THAT EVENING I NOTICE THE RUNNING LIGHTS WERE ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I THEN UNHOOKED THE BATTERY. THE NEXT MORNING I JUMP STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT BRIEFLY TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY AND NOTICED A SMELL OF HOT OR BURNING WIRES. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED POOLING WATER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AFTER THE ENGINE DRIED COMPLETELY THE SMELL WENT AWAY. WHILE NO FIRE RESULTED I WAS EXTREMELY CONCERNED. I READ THE STORY CONCERNING YOUR INVESTIGATION OF THE WINDSTAR AND THOUGHT IT RELEVANT. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SCRAPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE AREA. THE SOUND STOP SHORTLY AND A SIX INCH LONG CURVED ROD OF METAL HAD FALLEN OUT ONTO THE ROAD WAY. THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD CRACKED AND A PIECE OF IT HAD COME LOOSE AND EVENTUAL FELL OUT UNDER THE VEHICLE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE COLLAPSED SPRING HAD NOT DAMAGED THE TIRE OR THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED TO REPLACE THE BROKEN COIL SPRING AND INSPECTION FOR FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR

TWO WEEKS AGO OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN, WITH 220,000 MILES ON IT, CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED, AND WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. WE HAD BEEN CAREFULLY FOLLOWING THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. DURING THE WEEK BEFORE THE FIRE, WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT ALWAYS TURNING OFF WHEN WE EXITED THE VAN. *TR

WE HAVE FINALLY GOT FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES ON THE 1990-2000"S FORD WINDSTARS I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR ( EVEN THOUGH I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY LOCAL DEALER THAT THEY WILL ONLY BE PUTTING ON THE HARNESS FOR THE SWITCH WHEN I TOLD THEM I HAD ALREADY HAD MY SWITCHED REPLACED ABOUT A YEAR AGO FOR A BRAKE FLUID LEAK THEY INFORMED ME THEY WOULD NOT CHECK MY ABS SYSTEM FOR DAMAGE UNLESS I PAID FOR THEM FOR THE SERVICE. THE SERVICE TECH SAID "QUOTE" ( HOLD ON NOW WE ARE ONLY PUTTING ON THE HARNESS ANYTHING ELSE WILL COST EXTRA) ALL THERE GOING TO DO IS PUT IN THE HARNESS I GUESS ANY OTHER DAMAGE DONE BY THESE SYSTEMS WILL JUST HAVE TO BE JUST SHOVED UP OUR TAIL PIPES !!!! EVEN THOUGH THE CCDS SYSTEM IS THE CAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS...THIS SEEMS TO BE THE WAY OF DOING BUSINESS FOR FORD I HAVE ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE ALSO WITH THIS VAN LIKE ,DOOR LIGHTS SIGNAL ALWAYS ON EVEN IF THE DOORS ARE SHUT THE DOOM AND INSIDE DOOR LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME....WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR IT PUTS OUT COLD AIR ONLY THOUGH THE DEFROST SWITCH AND THEN UNDER THE BACK SEAT IT BLOWS HOT AIR INSTEAD ..WHEN I DRIVE FOR A FEW MILES AND TURN THE VAN OFF IT SOUNDS LIKE A POPPING NOISE FROM THE BACK AROUND THE MUFFLER MY MEC. SAYS THAT THE MUFFLER TAIL PIPE SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL IS NOT WORTH A FLIP HE SAYS YOU COULD NOT GIVE HIM ONE OF THESE VAN"S THERE A PIECE OF JUNK THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THERE OWN COME ON PEOPLE LOOK AT ALL THE SIGNS ABOUT THE FORD WINDSTARS LIKE MY DADDY USE TO SAY THIS IS A FIRE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HAPPEN I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN'''''. *TR