1998 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 1998 FORD WINDSTAR AT 85,000 MILES. *AK

CURRENT MILEAGE APPROX. 55,800. . ON A RECENT TRIP TO CAPE MAY, NJ (APPROX. 150 MILES FROM OUR HOME IN BAYSIDE, NY ),THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE CAR DIED ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER/ SERVICE STATION, CHAPMAN FORD (JUNE 31,2003), WHERE IT IS BEING SERVICED CURRENTLY. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT EVALUATE THE DAMAGE UNTIL JULY 2,2003, WHERE HE STATED THAT A ROD BROKE CAUSING A PUNCTURE IN THE OIL PAN THEREFORE CAUSING A LOSS OF FLUID AND A SEIZE OF THE ENGINE. AT LEASE INCEPTION, WE TOOK AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH FORD HEMPSTEAD WITH INTERSTATE WARRANTY SERVICES. THIS WARRANTY COMPANY ORDERED A COMPLETE TEAR DOWN OF THE ENGINE TO FIND OUT WHY THE ROD BROKE, WE AGREED KNOWING THAT IT WAS DUE TO NO NEGLECT ON OUR PART, THE TEAR DOWN DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL JULY 10TH AND WAS EXAMINED ON JULY 11TH BY AN INSPECTOR HIRED BY INTERSTATE. THE CLAIM IS NOW BEING DENIED, EVEN THOUGH WE SUPPLIED THEM WITH ALL THE DOCUMENTATION THEY REQUESTED ON THE UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CAR. THEIR CLAIM IS THAT THE LAST MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGE, FILTER AND LUBRICANTS) WERE NOT DONE. WE HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE THAT MONAHAN FORD, FLUSHING, NY DID THIS MAINTENANCE ALONG WITH OTHER WORK IN JANUARY. ALSO, HEMPSTEAD FORD, HEMPSTEAD, NY, DID SERVICE ON THE CAR APRIL 2003 FOR THE EXACT HESITATION IN ACCELERATION THAT WE EXPERIENCED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE ENGINE SEIZED. UNFORTUNATELY MONAHAN FORD WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AND WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT OUR CAR WAS NOT KEPT IN GOOD CONDITION WHEN DOCUMENTATION PROVES IT WAS IN TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS WITHIN A SIXTH MONTH PERIOD. I NOW AM FACED WITH A $5000.00+ BILL TO REPAIR A CAR THAT WAS KEPT WELL AND HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I AM BEING FORCED TO FILE SUIT WITH MONAHAN FORD FOR FRAUDULENT SERVICE AND FILE SUIT WITH HEMPSTEAD FORD FOR FAILURE TO CORRECTLY ANALYZE THE CAR'S PROBLEM.

CONSUMER STATES HAS A POWER TRAIN PROBLEM FROM THE TRANSAXLES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUED, NUMBER #98-15-19. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED AND COST ME $1900 TO FIX. *AK

I PURCHASED A 1998 WINDSTAR VAN FROM THE FORD DEALER LOCATED IN CORNING CA. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT PASSING SMOG FOR THE OXY SENSOR. AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS NEVER WORKED RIGHT. THE TURBO THING IS BAD. WHEN I WENT TO TRADE IT IN I FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CANADA. AND THESE THINGS WERE PART OF THE RECALLS REPORTED TO YOU. BUT, FORD OF CORNING SAID THEY DID NOTHING TO THIS VAN BEFORE SELLING IT TO ME. I FOUND 14 THINGS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. I ACTED UP A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. BUT I WAS ON AWARE OF MY RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER. ALSO, I WAS NOT SURE WHAT OMS MEANT. THE VAN IS STUCK IN FOLSOM,CA AT AAMCO TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. FINANCED THROUGH FIRESIDE BANK. FORD OF CORNING SAID THEY DID NOTHING TO THE VAN BEFORE I PURCHASED IT BUT CLEANING IT. *NM

1998 FORD WINDSTAR I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED TWICE WITH ONLY 47K MILES. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND TALKING TO REPAIR GARAGES THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH WINDSTAR VANS. *NLM

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING LEFT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. *AK

WHILE IN MOTION, THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. SIZE P215/70R14, DOT 30913URBW16895-1, ORIGINAL TIRES WITH 10,000-15000 MILES ON THEM. *AK THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD EXPLODED. THE CONSUMER WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE LEFT PASSING LANE WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SAW THE TIRE WAS NOT DEFLATED AND THE TREAD WAS TIGHTLY WRAPPED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION, THE OTHER BAD EXPERIENCES WITH THE TIRES. ONE HAD BLOWN OUT THROUGH THE TREAD AND THE SECOND TIRE DEVELOPED A BULGED THAT CAUSED A WOBBLE IN THE STEERING. *SCC *JB

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE VEHICLES RIGHT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF. *NLM

FORD 1998 WINDSTAR POWER TRAIN FAILURE. IN JAN 1999, I PURCHASE A USED 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. ALSO PAID FOR A 72 MONTH/60,000 PREMIUM CARE EXTENDED WARRANTY. IN 2000, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ALMOST CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER THAT I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK MORE THAN 5 TIMES STATING THAT THE NEW REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE TRANS WOULD SLIP COMING OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND BANG INTO 2ND GEAR. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR WOULD STALL WHEN DOWNSHIFTING COMING OFF AN EXIT. THE DEALER, SPRINGFIELD FORD, STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ON JULY 18, 2003 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. AS A DISABLED INDIVIDUAL THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WITH MY FLASHERS ON, I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD AND SAFELY PACK IT. THIS SEEMED STRANGE THAT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SPRINGFIELD FORD ON JULY 18, 2003. THE DEALER CALLED AND SAID THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND IT WOULD COST $3000.00 TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. I SPOKE WITH FORD AND THE MANAGER AT SPRINGFIELD FORD. THEY STATED THAT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JUNE OF 2003. I BELIEVE THAT MY WARRANTY IS IN EFFECT THRU 2005. THIS VEHICLE HAS 47,000 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE THAT A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS CREATED A MAJOR SAFTY ISSUE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. AS OF TODAY FORD HAS NOT OFFERED TO FIX MY CAR, OFFER ME A LOANER CAR, OR OFFER ANY RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. AS A DISABLED INDIVIDUAL, THIS VAN IS MY MAIN TRANSPORTATION AND FAMILY CAR. I AM STILL WAITING FOR FORD TO OFFER TO FIX MY CAR, DESCRIBE THE FAILURE, AND PROVIDE A SOLUTION. AT THIS POINT I BELIEVE THAT THE ENTIRE POWER TRAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH OEM CERTIFIED NEW PARTS INSTALLED AND PAID BY FORD MOTOR CO. THANK YOU L *PH

I PURCHASED MY 1998 WINDSTAR WITH APPROX 20,000 KM ON IT IN 1999. JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED (AT 60,000 KM) I NOTICED 2 LARGE BUBBLES IN THE PAINT ON THE TWO FRONT DOORS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY AGREED TO PAY 80% OF THE COST OF REPAINTING. THIS WAS NOT ENTIRELY AGREEABLE TO ME BUT I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE. MY VEHICLE HOW HAS 86,000 KM ON IT AND THE PAINT IS PEELING ON THE ROOF AND AROUND THE SLIDING DOOR. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CANADA BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM AS YET. OTHER PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED INCLUDE HAVING TO REPLACE A MOTOR FOR THE POWER WINDOWS, THE FAN MECHANISM (THE BLOWER WOULD NOT MOVE OFF OF DEFROST), A LEAKING BRAKE CYLINDER AS WELL AS WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER STANDARD MAINTENANCE SUCH AS BRAKES, TIRES. I AM ALSO HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EG. THE WARNING BELL SIGNALLING THAT THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN LEFT ON OR THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION GOES OFF FOR NO REASON. THIS THEN PREVENTS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO LOCK THE VEHICLE.

OUR '98 FORD WINDSTAR (3.8L) HAS JUST EXPERIENCED A MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM; IT DRIVES ALONG JUST FINE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 M.P.H. AND THEN BANG -- THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM OVER DRIVE INTO SECOND (OR FIRST!) GEAR. THIS SENDS THE ENGINE FROM A CASUAL 1,500 R.P.M. TO A DANGEROUS 5,500 R.P.M., AND MAKES FOR SCARY AND DANGEROUS HIGHWAY DRIVING. FORD (KACHEL FORD IN SHILLINGTON, PA) SAYS THAT THE VALVE BODY OR POSSIBLY THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE BAD, BUT I HAVE UNCOVERED LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY SAME, AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEING USED IN THE WINDSTAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS IMMEDIATELY. CONTACT ME AT ONCE IF YOU WOULD LIKE FULL COOPERATION -- I AM WILLING. *NLM

CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS AND LOCKS BECAUSE OF THE DOOR AJAR MONITOR. HAVE TO USE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO ENTER BECAUSE DRIVERS DOOR NORMALLY SETS IT OFF, AND HAVE TO UNPLUG BATTERY TO LET SYSTEM RESET, SO BATTERY DOES NOT GO DEAD WHICH NORMALLY TAKES A COUPLE OF DAYS. LOCKS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN WHILE DRIVING. DOOR AJAR WILL ALSO ACTIVATE WITH THE OTHER DOORS ON ITS OWN WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. EVERYTIME I WANTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, IT WOULD STOP AND THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING UNLESS IT WAS HAPPENING AT THE TIME. *AK

ON 5/22/03 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN FEELING THAT THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE DROPPED AND HEARD SOME OF THE WORST NOISES I HAD EVER HEARD. UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME (SLOWLY) MY HUSBAND CAME HOME AND TOOK OFF THE TIRE. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING OVER THE STRUT HAD COLLAPSED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. WE PAID OUT OF OUR POCKETS TO GET THE VEHICLE FLAT BEDDED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE PARTS HAVE BEEN ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND IT'S BEEN OVER A WEEK. I AM PERSONALLY IN JEOPORDY OF LOOSING MY JOB BECAUSE I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO WORK 1/2 DAY.(1 VEHICLE LEFT, 2 WORKING PARENTS WITH 3 KIDS) NOW I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE TIRE ON THAT SIDE IS DAMAGED AND CAN NOT BE TRUSTED TO BE DRIVEN ON, AND THE VAN NEEDS A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. FORD IS SAYING THIS IS NOT COVERED AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE 6 DAYS AFTER THE SPRING COLLAPSED. IT IS FOR SPRING SHIELDS, AT THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER TOLD ME THE SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSTALLED SO THAT IF THE SPRING COLLAPSES IT DOESN'T DAMAGE THE REST OF THE FRONT END AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IS THIS ALL FORD IS RESPONSIBLE TO DO? THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE VANS ON THE ROAD THAT ARE A POTENTIAL DANGER. THEY KNOW THAT THESE SPRINGS ARE A HAZARD AND THEY DON'T COVER TOWING, REPLACE OR REPAIR OF TIRES ETC THAT GET DAMAGED DUE TO THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. MY TIRE IS ONLY 1 MONTH OLD. I JUST REPLACED IT. THEIR ONLY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE NO ONE GETS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PART ON THEIR VAN. WHY ARE THEY ABLE TO SAY THE GET THE 5 STAR SAFETY RATING FROM THE GOVERNMENT, THAT MAKES PEOPLE THINK THESE VEHICLES ARE SAFE. MY COLLAPSED DOING 50 MPH GOING HOME FROM MY MORNING RUN AS A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER. I HAD JUST DROPPED MY SON OFF TO DAYCARE 10 MINUTES BEFORE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH WORSE INCIDENT. *AK

THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN ANY SPEED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. *NLM SPOKE WITH CONSUMER 10/16/07 , WAS TOLD TO DISREGARD COMPLAINT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TRADED. *LJ

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A KICKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE LOSING TRANSMISSION FLUID.*AK TRANSMISSION JERKED AND SEEMED TO KICK MORE ON TURNS AND ACCELERATION. ON ONE OCCASION, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER THE ENGINE WHICH RESULTED IN SMOKING. TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *PH *JB

HEAD GASKET BLEW. NEVER RAN HOT. ALWAYS SERVICED ON TIME. TALKED TO OWNER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO IN TURN HAD ME TALK TO THE SERVICE MGR. HE TOLD ME HE WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING FORD WOULD DO ABOUT IT. HE NEVER CALLED ME BACK, SO I CALLED HIM AFTER A WEEK. HE SAID HE LEFT A MESSAGE ON MY ANSWERING MACHINE. I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWERING MACHINE...THEN HE TELLS ME THE ONLY PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.8 ENGINES WAS IN THE T-BIRDS, NOT THE WINDSTARS. BY THIS TIME I HAVE ALREADY LOOKED ON THE NET AND SEEN THE PROBLEMS ARE WITH THE WINDSTARS AS WELL. HE THEN TELLS ME TO COME IN AND TALK WITH THE OWNER. I HAD ALREADY TAKEN OFF WORK TO DO THIS. I NOW HAVE THE VAN AT MY MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. I WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY A FORD PRODUCT. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT IF FORD IS PRODUCING A FAULTY PRODUCT, THEY SHOULD TAKE THE BLAME WHEN IT TEARS UP. I KNOW FROM THE NET THAT THEY DID A REPAIR, OR TRADE IN ALLOWANCE ON SOME YEARS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT STOPPED THIS PROGRAM IN 1998. THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL. I THINK THEY TRIED TO JUST IGNORE IT AND SEE IF IT WOULD GO AWAY!

REAR SWAY BAR BROKE IN HALF ON LOW SPEED TURN IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A FREEWAY EXCHANGE OR OFF RAMP THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A ROLLOVER AND POSSIBLE DEATH!

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR THE EARLIER MODELS. *JB

I HAVE A 98 WINDSTAR MINI VAN . AFTER THE MINIVAN HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR AWHILE AND YOU GO TO STOP IT WILL GO DEAD OR WHAT YOU CALL STALLS. SO AFTER I CRANK IT BACK UP AND TRY TO TAKE OFF AGAIN IT WILL STALL AGAIN. SO THEREFORE I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO TRAFFIC COMING,BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN SOME CLOSE CALLS OF ME AND MY CHILDREN GETTING INTO A WRECK DUE TO THIS PIECE OF $#*$.THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF, SO MY HUSBAND HAD TO TAKE THE LIGHT BULBS OUT: ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN OR UP. THIS THING IS SO BAD I WISH JIMM SKINNER FORD WOULD HAVE JUST KEPT THE PIECE OF $#*$. *NM

FUEL TANK COLLAPSED. AS A RESULT, THE 22 GALLON TANK CAN ONLY TAKE IN 13 GALLONS.*AK

REAR AIR WILL NOT WORK. *JB

MY 1998 WINDSTAR CAUGHT FIRE TODAY. THE FIRE APPEARED TO START IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK COMPONENT. THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS DESTROYED, THE WINDSHIELD MELTED AND CRACKED AND THE CEILING AND DASHBOARD MELTED. THE ENTIRE VAN IS SMOKE-DAMAGED. THE VAN HAD SEVERAL AUTO-LOCK, INSTRUMENTATION AND DOOR AJAR PROBLEMS WHICH HAD BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *NLM

1. FORD SENT RECALL NOTICE (01S19/01M03) IN SEPTEMBER, 2001. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE (11/7/01) AND THE RECEIPT INDICATES THAT SAFETY SHIELDS WERE INSTALLED 'TO PREVENT A FRONT SPRING FAILURE FROM PUNCTURING THE FRONT TIRES'. THE NOTICE ALSO STATED THAT 'WHAT FORD WILL DO FOR YOU': "FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL ALSO PAY FAR ANY REPAIRS DIRECTLY RELATING TO THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF YOU VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE (PARTS AND LABOR)." IT WAS AT THAT TIME (2001), THE OWNER RECEIVED AN 'EXTENDED COVERAGE TRANSFERABLE WARRANTY NOTICE' ON THE FRONT SPRINGS FOR 10 YEARS FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE". 2. THE SPRINGS MAY HAVE FRACTURED AT A LATER DATE, OR WERE BROKEN AT THAT TIME AND NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD VERY LOW FRONT GROUND CLEARANCE. BECAUSE OF THE LOW GROUND CLEARANCE AND THE INSTALLED SHIELDS, THE SPRING FAILURE WAS NOT NOTED EVEN WHEN NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED. RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN 2009, AFTER A FRONT BREAK LINE FAILURE, THE OWNER INQUIRED ABOUT CHECKING FOR BROKEN FRONT SPRINGS UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE FROM 2001. THAT IS WHEN HE LEANED THAT THE SAFETY RECALL ISSUE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE "SHIELD INSTALLATION". THIS ACTION APPARENTLY ALSO REMOVED THE VIN FROM THE SAFETY RECALL DATA BASE. THUS, ASSUMING THAT THIS IS NO LONGER A SAFETY ISSUE, THE OWNER CONTINUES TO DRIVE THE LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE (LESS THAN 100,000 MILES). 3. THE COST OF REPLACING THE SPRINGS WAS ESTIMATED AT $400 TO $600 DOLLARS BY THE DEALER AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTION IS BEING TAKEN AS APPARENTLY THIS IS NO LONGER A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WAS PURCHASED ON 10/16/97, WITH FIVE MILES ON IT. 4. IS THIS VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE AS THERE ARE NEARLY 100 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT WEB SITE? 5. AS THIS VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY IN THE CLUNKER PROGRAM, IS SPRING FAILURE A LEMON LAW ISSUE? *TR

POWER TRANSMISSION ON 98 FORD WINDSTAR FAILED. *JB

THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. *JB

WHEN TILTING THE STEERING WHEEL WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

LOSS OF FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FENDER. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THE WHEEL IN QUESTION SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF INAPPROPRIATE CLAMPING FORCE TO THE ASSEMBLY. IT ALSO APPEARED THAT THE LACK OF CLAMPING FORCE WAS THE RESULT OF AN UNDER TORQUED WHEEL OR A WHEEL AND A BRAKE ROTOR COMBINATION THE WAS INAPPROPRIATELY SEATED. THE REAR WIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS INOPERATIVE. *NLM *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL LUG NUTS SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO COME OFF. *JB,,,EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING TIRE, WHEEL, LUGS:NUTS AND BODY DAMAGE TO DOOR AND FRONT FENDER FROM SKIDDING ON WHEEL AFTER TIRE FELL OFF. COULD NOT OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING (60,000 MILES ON VAN). *JB

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ENGINE LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING , LEAVING THE CONSUMER WITHOUT POWER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM. *AK

RELIABILITY ISSUE: 1998 FORD WINDSTAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 33,000 MI, THEN THEIR REPLACEMENT FAILED AFTER ANOTHER 65,000 MI, THEN THE $2700 REBUILD FAILED AFTER ANOTHER 29,000 MILES. THIS IS GARBAGE!!! *NLM

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND NO WARNING FRONT LEFT SPRING COIL CRACKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FALL TO THE GROUND. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 97 V 165 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

DOOR AJAR BELL AND LIGHTS DO NOT GO OUT, LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY IN PASSENGER REAR DOOR. DOORS CLOSE FINE BUT BELL AND LIGHTS PERSIST AT ALL TIMES. FUSE HAD TO BE REMOVED FOR NIGHT DRIVING AND TO PREVENT A DEAD BATTERY. I CANT HEAR THINGS AROUND ME OUTSIDE DUE TO DOOR AJAR BELL. BELL TONE IS LOUD AND CAUSING HEADACHES. *JB

WE OWN A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE CAR WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD WE TOOK IT IN TO HAVE A FRAYED SEAT BELT REPAIRED. I HAVE THE PAPERWORK FOR THIS REPAIR. WE THEN HAD A BABY AND INSTALLED A FIVE POINT HARNESS CAR SEAT IN THAT SEAT POSITION. THE CAR SEAT REMAINED THERE FOR FOUR YEARS, (REMOVED ONLY WHEN SO FILTHY IT HAD TO BE CLEANED), THUS THE SEAT BELT REMAINED LOCKED IN POSITION AND WAS NOT PULLED OUT OR RETRACTED DURING THAT TIME. THAT BABY IS NOW OLD ENOUGH TO NEED A BOOSTER SEAT (WHICH UTILIZES THE SEAT BELT DIRECTLY). WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF STARTING TO USE THE BOOSTER SEAT DAILY WE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS ONCE AGAIN FRAYING. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL REPAIR PLACE (WITH THE PAPERWORK FROM THE FIRST REPAIR) AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY TOLD US THAT SINCE THE FIRST REPAIR WAS AT 7138 MILES AND THE VAN NOW HAS 89,123 MILES ON IT THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *NLM

PAINT IS FLAKING FROM ROOF AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. PROGESSIVELEY GETTING WORSE.

PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF VAN INTEROR REMAIN ON PANEL SHOWS DOOR OPEN WHEN ITS NOT AND THE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OUT UNTIL YOU REACH ABOUT 20MPH TRY DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THIS.

THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED.*JB

I PUCHASED MY VAN ON 2/24/02 WITH 55K ON IT FROM CAVALIER FORD IN CHESAPEAKE ,VA. THE VAN WAS TAKEN BACK TO CAVALIER FORD IN CHESAPEAKE, VA. ON 2/12/03 BECAUSE OF A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT AREA WHEN BREAKS ARE APPLIED AND SOMETIMES WHILE TURNING. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED SEVERE CRACKING IN SUB FRAME WHERE RIGHT STRUT ROD ATTACHES. THE MECHANIC HAS NEVER SEEN ONE DO THIS AND SAID I COULD LOSE MY STEERING IF IT CRACKS ALL THE WAY WHILE I AM DRIVING. HE SAID COULD BE MANUFACTUER DEFECT. EST. COST FOR REPAIRS $3,000.00. I ONLY HAVE 65K ON THE VAN AND HAVENT EVEN HAD IT A YEAR YET. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF VAN BEING IN A WRECK. THIS IS NOT COVERD UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRENTY . HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER WINDSTARS AND WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST THAT I CAN DO? L.J. VA. BEACH,VIRGINIA

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. MR SCC

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ONE YEAR, OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR (VIN [XXX]) IS IN NEED OF REPAIR TO CORRECT A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE TWO SERVICE BULLETINS THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THIS DEFECT (BC3150970219 AND 0156). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AT 45,000 MILES ON 1998 FORD WINDSTAR GL,TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. HAD TO TURN VEHICLE OFF FOR A WHILE THEN IT WOULD SHIFT. HAD TO STOP APP. 6 TIMES TO TRAVEL 8 MILES.

AFTER STOPPING A MY VAN, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT TURN OFF AND THE DASHBOARD SHOWS AN OPEN DOOR ALTHOUGH ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. THE BEEPING NOISE INDICATING THE DOOR IS OPENED CONTINUES TO MAKE NOISE. THE DOORS NO LONGER LOCK. THIS CONDITION CONTINUED EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. THE DEALER SAID TO JUST REMOVE THE INTERIOR BULBS OR JUST PULL THE FUSE. WHEN THE DEALER PULLED THE FUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER WORKED AND THE CAR COULD NO LONGER GO OUT OF PARK BUT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE DEALER SAID I MUST START THE CAR WITH GEAR SHIFT HALF WAY BETWEEN PARK AND NEUTRAL. THE DEALER SAID THIS IS A VERY UNIQUE PROBLEM AND IS CAUSED BY SOMETHING THAT I DID. I STATED THAT'S ABSURD. THE FORD DEALER MECHANIC THEN SAID IT MUST BE ONE OF SENSORS PROBABLY THE DRIVERS DOOR. NOW I SEE THERE ARE OTHERS THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *JB

POWER STEERING PUMP, STEERING CONTROL SYSTEM AND RACK DEFECTIVE HAS TO BE REPLCED, RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED ALREADY WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES

THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN.*JB

DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH IN MODERATE TRAFFIC, ENGINE SLOWED, OIL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A SPUTTERING SOUND AND WHITE SMOKE BILLOWED FROM THE TAIL PIPE. VEHICLE DECREASED SPEED RAPIDLY, ENDANGERING THREE CHILDREN. ENGINE DIAGNOSITC PROVED BLOWN HEAD GASKET.