1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING THRU AN INTERSECTION, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED HARD ITSELF, AND THE VAN WAS UNDRIVABLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED THRU AN HAD BROKE OFF FROM ITS MOUNTING POINT. HE SAID THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW FROM FORD, AND THAT HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL WINDSTARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO RECALLS YET, AND FORD WILL NOT HELP, YET. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. COINCIDENTLY ALL THE OTHER WINDSTAR MOUNTS BROKE IN THE SAME EXACT PLACE. THE MECHANIC HAS QUOTED US $750.00 TO REPLACE WITH A USED PART AND $1300.00 FOR A NEW PART. SO FAR ALL OF THE USED PARTS ARE ROTTED (RUSTED THRU), IN THE SAME PLACE AS MINE AND NOT WORTH USING. IF WE CANNOT FIND A QUALITY USED PART SOON, WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE WITH NEW. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR, REAR AXLES ASSEMBLY, REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN TWO. FOUND WHILE INSPECTING LEFT REAR TIRE ASSEMBLY WHICH HAD TURNED INTO VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING WHY WHEEL AD TURNED INWARD, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE AXLE ASSEMBLY HAD SNAPPED IN TWO AND WAS HANGING ON THE GROUND. FORD DEALER(SARAT FORD-AGAWAM,MA) STATED THE DEALERSHIP REPLACES REAR AXLES ALL THE TIME, MECHANIC STATED HE HAS REPLACED 3-4 AXLES HIMSELF. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BROKEN AXLE WAS THE SECOND AXLE ON THE VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK THE TWO PIECES OF THE AXLES AND DISPOSED OF THEM. PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE BROKEN AXLE ALONG WITH RECEIPTS FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE POWER STEERING DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT THE WARNING WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AT THE ENGINE MOTOR ROD. THE ENGINE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

1999 FORD WINDSTAR, PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY & PROCEEDED TO DRIVE DOWN STREET, CAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL & TIRE ON RIGHT REAR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RUBBING FIRE WALL. THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT, GOT OUT & LOOKED, NO FLAT BUT WHEEL WAS BOWED IN. I TURNED AROUND & WENT BACK HOME, PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY & GOT UNDER VAN. THE REAR AXEL WAS CRACKED. CALLED TO GET ANOTHER AXEL TO REPAIR VAN & WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES I CALLED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT VAN. CALLED FORD DEALER & WAS TOLD THAT THEIR WAS NEVER A RECALL ON IT.IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING FAST & THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED MYSELF & OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I AM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT MYSELF FOR NOW BECAUSE I AM FIXING MY VAN MYSELF, BUT THEIR ARE A LOT OF THESE VANS ON THE ROAD & MOST OF THEM ARE PROBABLY DRIVEN BY WOMEN WITH KIDS IN THE VAN & I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THEM IF THIS HAPPENED TO THEIR VAN. I COULD NOT AFFORD A NEW AXEL SO I BOUGHT A USED ONE AT A JUNK YARD, MY CONCERN IS IF THEIR IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART HOW LONG BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I MAY NOT BE AS LUCKILY NEXT TIME. PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR, 118K MILES. VAN HAS UNSTABLE STEERING AND NOISE IN RIGHT REAR WHEEL AREA. WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED AND TAKING IT TO REPAIR SHOP, THE NOISE GETS LOUDER AND MY SON FOLLOWING ME REPORTS REAR TIRES BECOMING MISALIGNED. RIGHT TIRE IS SMOKING AND TIRE FRAGMENTS ARE EVIDENT. REPAIR SHOP REPORTS THAT REAR AXLE IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. RIGHT TIRE ALSO NEEDS REPLACED. I HAVE ASKED FOR OLD PARTS TO BE SAVED FOR MY PERSONAL INSPECTION. AFTER SOME WEB BROWSING (CARCOMPLAINTS.COM), I HAVE FOUND SIMILAR FAILURE EVENTS FROM OTHER FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS MOSTLY FROM NORTHERN MIDWEST AND NORTHERN EASTERN STATES, I.E. WINTER STATES. ALL COMPLAINTS OBSERVED WERE FOR WINDSTARS OVER 10 YEARS AND / OR 100K MILES. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR CRACKED AXLE IN CALIFORNIA. HAD FORD REPLACE THE AXLE----THIS WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL NOTICE 6 MONTHS AGO. AS IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY, WE ARE AMAZED THAT CALIFORNIA WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A COLD WEATHER STATE (POOR DESIGNATION, GIVEN THAT CARS MOVE). WE FREQUENTED LAKE TAHOE (CALIF), SIERRA NEVADAS (CALIF), AND NEVADA (HAVE TO CROSS THRU SNOW TO GET THERE) IN OUR FAMILY'S MINIVAN. OUR REPAIR IS ALREADY PAID FOR & VAN SOLD (THIS SCARED US) SO MY MEMO IS NOT FOR MY FAMILY, BUT FOR EVERYONE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. PLEASE RECONSIDER & ADD CA TO YOUR RECALL. *TR

ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND TRACTION CONTROL RANDOMLY DISCONNECT RESULTING IN LOSS OF TRACTION AND UNANTICIPATED SKIDDING. *TR

MY ABS LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND IS NOW ON CONSTANT,MY BRAKES WORK BUT NOT THE GREATEST. MY AIR BAG LIGHT WILL START TO FLASH AND THEN COME ON CONSTANT ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE LIGHT USUALLY STAYS OFF BUT WILL DO THIS AT RANDOM. I HAVE HAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE I HEAR A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHILE MAKING TURNS. WE HAVE REPLACED MOST OF THE FRONT END AND STILL HAVE THE ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT IDLING REAL FAST THEN DOWN TO NOTHING IT BUCKS AND SPUTTERS WHEN PLUGGED INTO A COMPUTER IT SAYS THE VEHICLE RUNS LEAN SO WE REPLACED THE O2 SENSORS AND THINGS AND IT DID NOT HELP. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT ALL MOST OF THE TIME HOWEVER I NEED TO GET TO AND FROM WORK AND THE SCARY PART IS I HAVE TO HAUL MY CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY PERSON I CARE FOR AROUND IT . VERY DISAPPOINTED FORD[XX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CHASSIS RUSTED OUT AROUND MTR MOUNTS: CAR MAKES NOISE AND STEERS CROOKED: I JUST FOUND OUT WHY BUT, IT'S BEEN DOING IT FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. *TR

RUSTED OUT SUB FRAME. IT COST ME $1,150.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR WITH A USED ONE. NOT HAPPY. TRANNY SLAMS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR; IT STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT IN 2001, THEY FIXED IT. THEN IT STARTED AGAIN IN 2006 WHEN IT HIT ABOUT 80,000 MILES. I STOPPED DRIVING IT FOR AWHILE AFTER FIGHTING OVER IT WITH THE MILLER FORD DEALER THEN FINALLY GOT THE MONEY TO REPAIR THE SUB FRAME. NOW I JUST DRIVE IT AND USE 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE OD LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. *TR

MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS WERE GETTING OFF I-696 TO MOUND IN OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WHEN THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED. THE VAN SWERVED AND THEN ROLLED 3 TIMES. THE VAN CAME TO A REST UPSIDE DOWN AND WHEN THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IT WENT THROUGH THE GAS TANK AND COVERED OUR BABY IN GASOLINE. THIS HAPPENED ON 1-21-2010. I'VE BEEN READING OF THE SAME FAILURE ON OTHER WINDSTARS AND DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU. THE VAN WAS TOTALLED. *TR

THE SUB FRAME ON OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE AT THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE BREAK OCCURRED JUST AS MY WIFE HAD LEFT THE HIGHWAY AND WAS FORTUNATELY TRAVELING ONLY ABOUT 20MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER AND IT COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE ROAD, AS THE HALF SHAFT HAD PULLED OUT OF THE TRANSAXLE. MY WIFE LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN TO GET ASSISTANCE, AND BY THE TIME THE TOWING SERVICE THAT WE CALLED HAD ARRIVED, THE LOCAL POLICE HAD THE VEHICLE REMOVED FROM THE ROAD DUE TO ITS LOCATION. WE THEN HAD IT TOWED FROM THE POLICE IMPOUND TO OUR GARAGE. AN ESTIMATE OF $1200 WAS GIVEN BY OUR SHOP BUT I FELT THAT IT WAS TOO MUCH TO SPEND ON THIS REPAIR. WE TOWED THE VEHICLE HOME AND I REPLACED THE K-FRAME MYSELF, AND HAD IT ALIGNED BY OUR FORD DEALER. IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE THAT MANY OF THE FRAMES IN THE SALVAGE YARD HAD A SIMILAR RUSTED CONDITION IN THE SAME LOCATION. THE FRAME I LOCATED HAD BEEN REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, STILL HAD FRESH PAINT AND PART NUMBERS ON IT. IT WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN A STRAIGHT-LINE, DECELERATING SCENARIO AT SLOW SPEED AND NO ONE WAS HURT. IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THE CASE AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR WITH TURNS. IT IS ALSO RELEVANT TO NOTE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD RECENTLY PASSED ITS ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION, AT A FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THIS FRAME WEAKNESS WAS NOT DETECTED. *TR

THE ABS CONTROLLER FOR THIS VEHICLE HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THIS MODEL. THE CAUSES ARE EITHER POOR SOLDERING ON OR DAMAGE FROM FLUIDS TO THE CONTROLLER'S BOARD. WITHOUT ABS, THE VEHICLE IS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS SAFE AND I'VE EXPERIENCED FIVE INCIDENTS WHERE I AND MY PASSENGERS NARROWLY ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURY DUE TO FORD'S AND THE NHTA'S UNWILLINGNESS TO RECTIFY THIS FLAW. *TR

1. SUB-FRAME WAS BADLY RUSTED OUT. IT BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE FRONT TIRES DISENGAGED. 2. THE ROCKER PANEL ON THE LEFT SIDE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS BADLY RUSTED OUT AND IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION ANYMORE. THERE IS SOME RUST ON THE RIGHT ROCKER PANEL ALSO. ALL OF THE RUST IN UNDER THE VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. 3. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON LAST YEAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) OCTOBER 2009 AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 55-65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ABNORMALLY SURGING AND LOSING BRAKE FLUID. IN MAY 2010, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT RELATIVELY LOW, UNKNOWN SPEEDS WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO TWO YARD FENCES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM WAS DISCONNECTED. THERE WERE TWO MORE FAILURES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NEVER ANY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENTS PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 113,000. UPDATED 07/26/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/07/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STATE INSPECTED WHEN THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,109.

MY REAR AXEL IS BROKEN ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. HAPPENED JANUARY 1ST 2010, ATLEAST THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED IT. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON ICE! CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN BABIED. NO HISTORY OF ABUSE. THIS IS A FACTORY ISSUE AND IN READING HUNDREDS (LITERALLY) OF THREADS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. COULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN HAD THEY BEEN IN THE CAR. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FEEL UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

THE SUBFRAME ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR RUSTED OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 20 09. WHENEVER WE MADE LEFTHAND TURNS WE WOULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE. I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO BE SERVICED IN 2004. THE SERVICE TECH COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER 3 MORE TIMES BETWEEN 2004 AND 2009, EACH TIME A DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE WITH RESULTING EXPENSE. THE SUBFRAME WAS FINALLY DETERMINED TO BE THE PROBLEM. AS I INDICATED IT WAS REPLACED ON1/2/2009 AT A COST OF $1014.75. *TR

OUR FAMILY WAS IN OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX 3.8L V6 WHEN WE WERE LOOSING CONTROL OVER THE REAR END OF OUR VAN. WE THOUGHT WE HAD A TIRE PROBLEM. WE DROVE TO THE TIRE STORE. THEY SHOWED US THAT OUR REAR AXLE HAD ALMOST BROKEN COMPLETELY IN HALF. WITH SOME RESEARCH, WE FOUND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY FAMILIES AND WE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. THANK GOD WE MADE IT TO THE SHOP IN TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, HE HEARD A BANG NOISE, AND THEN HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULT STEERING. HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE BENT INWARD. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY HAD CRACKED. HE WAS WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO BE SHIPPED FOR REPAIRS. HE HAD NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 148,000.

FORD WINDSTAR SEEMS TO HAVE A DESIGN THAT IS A DEFINITE HAZARD WITH THE REAR AXLE MEMBER. THE STAMPED REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY WILL FAIL AFTER 100,00 MILE BY CRACKING AND FAILURE IS QUICK TO COME. THERE ARE NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF IT FROM 1996 TO PRESENT, I HAVE A 1999 AND MY WIFE KEPT TELLING ME ABOUT A RUBBING SOUND SHE HEARS WHEN TURNING INTO THE ALLEY AND I COULD NOT TRACE ANYTHING DOWN. I THEN TURNED OUT OF OUR ALLEY AND THEN IT BROKE 95% THROUGH. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT AT FIRST AND THEN FOUND THE CRACK IN THE AXLE ASSEMBLY. PRAISE GOD I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 65 MPH. I AM WAITING TO GET INTO THE MECHANICS 12-30-2009 AND WILL CAST AROUND $1000 PARTS, LABOR AND TOW AND 2 NEW TIRES. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING WHEN WE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASH AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN WE STOPPED AND LIFTED UP THE HOOD THERE WERE FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE IS WHAT WE THINK IS A SENSOR UNDER MASTER CYLINDER IT WAS ON FIRE. *TR

ON DECEMBER 17, 2009 WE TOOK OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IN TO THE CERRITOS FORD DEALERSHIP IN CA. WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS BEING RECALLED (RECALL # 09S09) AND AS IT TURNED OUT THE VAN WAS LEAKING AND THEY REPLACED THE LEAKING SWITCH AND HARNESS. BEFORE THE WORK WAS EVEN DONE, I TOLD THEM THAT WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABS LIGHT THAT WAS ON OUR DASHBOARD. THE RECALL SUMMARY STATES THAT THE "WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE." ON OUR INVOICE, THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO NOTE OUR CONCERN REGARDING THE ABS AND NEVER STATED WHETHER OR NOT THEY INSPECTED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR. ALTHOUGH I AM AWARE THAT THERE COULD BE OTHER FACTORS CAUSING THE ABS LIGHT TO SHOW UP, I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT FULLY COMPLETED. I AM AWARE THAT THE ISSUES WE ARE HAVING COULD RESULT IN A CAR FIRE. I JUST WANT CONFIRMATION THAT THE INSPECTION WAS DONE AND IF THE CONNECTOR NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED, THAT FORD TAKES CARE OF IT WITH NO OUT-OF-POCKET FROM ME. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT CERRITOS & FORD CO. DIRECTLY. I WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED ALTHOUGH THEY CANNOT SAY WHETHER OR NOT THE INSPECTION OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR WAS PERFORMED. THEY SAID I COULD PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY COULD DETERMINE IF THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE ABS THAT WERE A RESULT OF FRAUD OR POOR WORKMANSHIP. EITHER WAY, ALL OF THIS WILL COST ME A LOT OF MONEY FOR SOMETHING I ASKED TO HAVE TAKEN CARE OF AT THE TIME I BROUGHT THE VAN IN FOR THE RECALL. I'M REALLY FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AS WELL AS OTHER ISSUES PERTAINING TO THIS VAN THAT I BELIEVE ARE RECALL RELATED. OUR TAIL-LIGHTS WON'T WORK DESPITE NEW BULBS, OUR BRAKES SOMETIMES SPUTTER AND DON'T ALWAYS STOP IMMEDIATELY. WE'VE HAD 4 CLOSE CALLS RELATED TO OUR BRAKES AND I WONDER HOW MUCH OF THIS IS RECALL-RELATED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED. PRIOR TO THE INSPECTION NO SYMPTOMS WERE PRESENT. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT AN OF EXPENSE $1500.00. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. HE STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 116,000.

AFTER A COUPLE OF INSPECTIONS AND LOTS OF CLUNKING NOISES AND ALIGNMENT ISSUES, MY MECHANIC (AND A MECHANIC FROM ANOTHER SHOP) SUGGESTED STRONGLY THAT I REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME/ENGINE CRADLE. THE FRAME WAS RUSTING/ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT AT BOTH FRONT ENDS NEAR AND AROUND THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND THE SUBFRAME BOLTS (ATTACHING TO THE UNIBODY FRAME). THERE WAS ALSO SOME ROT OCCURRING BELOW THE AREA THAT A/C WATER CONDENSATION DRIPS. THE FRAME WAS REPLACED SOON AFTER ... AVOIDING DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIR WAS MADE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE OLD PART WAS TOSSED BEFORE I COULD ASK THE MECHANIC TO SAVE IT FOR ME. *TR

THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP COMPLAINT, REGARDING FORD RECALL 09S09, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WAS SERVICED ON 11DEC09. THE VEHICLE'S ABS DASH LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON, INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM TURNED OFF. LATELY, THE ABS LIGHT IS COMING ON MORE FREQUENTLY, WITHIN MINUTES OF START-UP AND A SHORT DRIVING DISTANCE (WITHIN A MILE AWAY OF THE PREVIOUS STARTING POINT). AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ABS BRAKING CAPABILITY OR TRACTION CONTROL CAPABILITY (AS THE TRACTION CONTROL TURNS OFF ALONG W/ THE ABS SYSTEM). THE RECALL SERVICE WAS COMPLETED BY PERFORMANCE FORD, 11910 W. DODGE ROAD OMAHA NE 68154. AT THIS TIME, WE ARE CONSIDERING ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP, AS WE BELIEVE THE FORD DEALER FAILED TO ADEQUATELY REPAIR THE RECALL AND HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY PUT OUR FAMILY AT RISK. THE DEALER INSPECTION FOUND THE FOLLOWING UPON INITIAL REPAIR: FOUND SWITCH LEAKING WITH NO HEAT DAMAGE. INSPECT SERVO SWITCH NO HEAT DAMAGE AND NO HEAT DAMAGE TO ABS CONNECTOR APPLIED GREASE TO BOTH CONNECTORS OK AFTER REPAIR. PLEASE PRESS FORD TO HAVE THEIR DEALERS COMPLETE THE RECALL AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT COMPLETING THE WORK AS PROMISED. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR, CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF SUB FRAME CAUSING VEHICLE TO COME TO A DEAD STOP AND FRONT END TO DROP. THERE WAS NO WARNING EXCEPT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT A LITTLE. TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HAD TO REPLACE SUB FRAME. THE BRACKET WHERE THE CONTROL ARM SHOULD BE WAS COMPLETELY GONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE....IT WAS STILL TOGETHER AND INTACT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. YOU LOSE TOTAL CONTROL AND CANNOT STEER THE VEHICLE. *TR

RECENT NEWS REPORTS HAVE LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM: THE REAR AXEL OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE IN HALF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ONTO I-93, NORTH OF BOSTON, ON DECEMBER 5, 2009. FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE SKIDDED TO A STOP ON THE ON RAMP JUST BEFORE MERGING WITH FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. THE WINDSTAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE, THEN DONATED TO CHARITY ON DECEMBER 7, 2009. TWO PEOPLE WERE IN THE VAN, HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE STRUCTURAL FAILURE. *TR

I AM FILING A COMPLAINT ON THE ABS LIGHT IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE SPORT. THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT BOTH COME ON SPORADICALLY AS I DRIVE THE VAN. THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE INDICATES THIS IS A FAILURE OF THE ECM, WHICH CAN CAUSE GREATER DISTANCE TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY STOP. I ALSO OWN A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX, WHICH HAS THE SAME ABS LIGHT INDICATION. DURING A FULL SPEED (75 MPH) EMERGENCY STOP IN DECEMBER OF 2009 WITH MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX, I SKIDDED ON THE INTERSTATE AND LOST CONTROL, ENDING UP ON THE LEFT-LANE SHOULDER BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE 1999 WINDSTAR ALSO HAD SPORADIC ABS LIGHT INDICATIONS (6 MONTHS) UNTIL THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY BEGINNING IN LATE 2006. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE FORD WINDSTAR HAS THIS ISSUE REGULARLY. IN FACT MY FIANCEE IS CONSIDERING BUYING ANOTHER 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX AND THE ABS LIGHT IS ALSO CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED IN THAT VAN AS WELL. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE MORE THAN A MERE COINCIDENCE. *TR

I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR 1999 WITH ABS LIGHT COMES ON. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD FOR RECALL OF A SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AS IT POSES A LEAK IN BRAKE FLUID WHICH MAY CAUSE FIRE. I WENT TO DEALER CLOSE BY AND HE SAID HE CHANGE THE WIRE HARNESS AND AS FAR AS THE ABS LIGHT DIAGNOSIS HE CHARGE ME $46.95 AND COME UP WITH A CODE C1185WHICH PINPOINT TO ABS MODULE FAILURE AND HE GAVE ME ESTIMATE TO REPLACE IT ~$800. AFTER I WENT BACK HOME AND LOOKING AT THE SAFETY REPORT AND OTHER REPORT FROM CUSTOMER LIKE ME I UNDERSTAND THE RECALL . SO I DID CALL THE DEALER 'S SERVICE AND EXPLAIN TO HIM WHY HE DID NOT TELL ME THAT THERE IS A LINK BETWEEN ABS AND THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND BRAKE FLUID LEAK , HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY SUCH PROBLEM AS WELL AS NO LETTER FROM FORD EXPLAIN THE SUCH CONNECTION HE PROMISE ME TO LOOK AT IT MORE CAREFUL NEXT DAY AND I WAIT TO HEAR THE NEWS BUT NO SATISFACTION AS HE COMES UP THAT THE ABS MODULE FAILURE IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL SWITCH . SO I DECIDE TO CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WITH ALONG DISCUSSION THEY DENIED ME THE RIGHT TO FIX THE ABS MODULE OR TO DEAL WITH MY PROBLEM OR T LEAST GIVE ME BACK THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES FOR THE ABS LIGHT I FEEL THERE IS A COVER BY FORD SERVICE TO DENIED ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE LEAK TO THE ABS MODULE OR CONNECTOR AND THEY FIGHT SO HARD ON ALL LEVELS TO DENIED SUCH RIGHT PLEASE HELP IN INCLUDING THE STATEMENT OF CHECKING THE ABS MODULE AND CONNECTOR WITH THE RECALL ONCE FOR GOOD AND STOP THEM FROM MANIPULATE THE SAFETY ORDER FOR THE RECALL. *TR

NOISE ON MINIVAN HUSBAND LOOKED FOR REASON AND FOUND AXLE CRACKED, WENT AND REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER USED WINDSTAR AXLE AND PAID FOR IT.*TR

THE LANCASTER FORD DEALER PERFORMED A RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE SUBFRAME RUST ISSUE IN A SATISFACTORY MANNER. HOWEVER THE LEFT SIDE ROCKER PANEL WAS RUSTED BUT THEY DIDN'T REPLACE IT. NOW IT IS COMPLETELY GONE. I AM WRITING TO SEE IF FORD REPLACED THE ROCKER PANELS ALSO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN NOVEMBER OF 2010 FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION FOR AN ABNORMALLY EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT HE WAS AWAITING THE NECESSARY PARTS TO ARRIVE IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. MOST RECENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION F A THIRD RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE CONTACT EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION FOR THE EXTENSIVE LENGTH OF TIME THE DEALER HAD BEEN WAITING ON THE RECALL PARTS AND HAD POSSESSION OF HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

1999 FORD WINDSTAR, MILES 84,000. UNDER NORM DRIVING CONDITIONS, R2 VALVE COVER FELLED HAD A HOLE INSIDE IT ALONG WITH GASKETS IN R2 PLATNIUM. I HAD TO BUY FROM FORD THE GASKETS SET AND R 2VALUE COVER AND THE BOLTS WHICH ARE SPECIALLY MADE BUY THEM. ONE WOULD BELIEVE THAT FORD DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH IN THE BOLTS TO HOLD THE PLATNIUM IS PLACE THAT ALLOW THE AIR LEAK TO TAKE PLACE IN THE VALVE COVER AND PLATNIUM. I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS ON HAND. *TR

THE THROTTLE CABLE OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR FRAYED AND CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO STICK. THE FRAYED OUTER PART OF THE WIRE CAME OFF LEAVING SHARP METAL ENDS THAT ALLOWED THE CABLE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE PLASTIC SHEATH. HAD TO BE PULLED OUT BY HAND. NO INJURY OCCURRED BUT COULD HAVE IF ON THE HIGH WAY. *TR

ABS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ARE ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

JUST BOUGHT A 1999 WINDSTAR AND ABS LIGHT GOES ON ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTING ENGINE AND DOES NOT GO OUT -- IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IS IT DANGEROUS -- THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. *TR

WHILE CORNERING AT 20 MILES PER HOUR, MY 1999 FORD WIND STAR GAVE OUT A LOUD METAL CRACKING NOISE. THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE ASSY. HAD SNAPPED EXACTLY WHERE EVERYONE WHO HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME THING ON LINE DID. THIS IS NOT COINCIDENCE NOR FROM THOSE, ROTTEN DENYING REPS OF FORD, TELLING US THAT THIS IS FROM JACKING UP THE CAR USING THE IMPROPER POSITION ON THIS AXLE. GO TO THE ACTUAL FORD SERVICE MANUAL AND YOU WILL SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON DOING A LOT OF REAR END WORK USING THIS REAR AXLE HOUSING AS A JACKING POINT ( CENTER OF HOUSING ASSY. ). I WORK FROM THESE EXPENSIVE FACTORY MANUALS. FORD HAS A DEFECTIVE PART AND REFUSES TO ADMIT IT. ANYONE WITH BASIC MENTALITY CAN UNDERSTAND. THIS IS ABOUT MONEY, NOT SAFETY. I WOULD NOT BLAME ANY MAN THAT WOULD LOSE HIS FAMILY DUE TO THIS NONSENSE DENIAL FROM GETTING A GUN AND SHOOTING THESE '!@#$%. THEY DON'T SEEM TO GIVE A'!@#$% ABOUT THEIR FAULTY PARTS NOR FAMILIES. SO FAR I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANYONE DYING IN A CRASH, BUT I'LL BET IT WILL HAPPEN, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THE WIRES BEHIND THE MOTOR STARTED A FIRE, NO REPAIRS WERE DONE. *TR

SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GAUGES INTERMITTENTLY GO 'HAYWIRE' - SWEEPING BACK AND FORTH FOR UP TO 20 SECONDS AT A TIME. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR FRONT SUBFRAME ROTTED OUT, CRACKED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WHEN A LOUD POPPING NOISE SOUNDED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IN OPERATION; AND UPON REACHING THE DESTINATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT "A FRAME" COMPLETELY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE "A FRAME" WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

REAR AXLE 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY REPLACED WITH ONE FROM JUNKYARD AND THAT ONE HAS CRACKED ALSO IN SAME PLACE APPROX 4/1/10 WELDED THAT PART. *TR

INTERMITTENT ABS WARNING LIGHT. ALREADY HAD VEHICLE SERVICED FOR RECALL 09V399000, BUT CONTINUE TO GET INTERMITTENT ABS WARNING LIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL BUT THE RECALL DID NOT PERTAIN TO THE FAILURE THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,055.

THE BRAKE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER (BEHIND THE AIR FILTER) DEVELOPS A LEAKING AND "ABS" LIGHT TURN ON IN THE DASHBOARD IN MY 1999 WINDSTAR SE VAN SINCE ON SEPT. 29, 2009, THEREFORE MPH IS NOT WORKING ON SPEED-O-METER AND MILEAGE GETS BLANK LIKES "---------". ALSO HEAT & A/C FAN MOTOR IS WORKING FINE BUT HEAT AND A/C DID NOT OPERATE AS WELL. CRUISE CONTROL HAS ALSO QUIT. *TR

THE CAR STARTED PULLING REALLY HARD TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL AND ALMOST AN ACCIDENT. THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE RUSTED IN ONE SPOT ON THE SUBFRAME WHERE IT JOINS THE FRAME AROUND THE MOUNTING BOLT. THIS IS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BROKEN LOOSE AND THERE IS SUBFRAME/CONTROL ARM AND OTHER DAMAGE. DEALER SAID WHEN A JOB LIKE THIS IS DONE THERE IS USUALLY A SNOWBALL AFFECT WITH THE DAMAGE. ATLEAST $2000. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION JUST PU IN LAST YEAR. CAR IS ONLY GOOD FOR SCRAP NOW. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TWO KIDS AGES 3 AND 5 THAT WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME.*TR