1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

1999 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE, ABS BRAKE STAYS ON, CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER WENT OUT. FUSE BLEW AND CONTINUES TO BLOW. FORD HAS A REDESIGNED BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH, BUT WILL NOT SAY IT IS A RECALL. *TR

ABS LIGHT KEEPS ON TURN OFF AND ON, TACKING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. REPLACED BRAKES TWICE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESET THE BATTERY IN HOPES THAT IT WAS A DEFECT. TWO WEEKS LATER, SMOKE WAS PRESENT UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AND AIR CONDITIONING FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALLS LISTED; HOWEVER, FORD STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. CURRENTLY, THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE08035) FOR THE DESCRIBED FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED DUE TO RUST DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140000. UPDATED 12/30/10. *LJ UPDATED 04/06/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR FRAME SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED, NEARLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE TIE RODS FAILED AND THE TIRES ARE NOW FACING INWARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS EXCESSIVELY RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF THE REAR FRAME. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THEN REAR AXEL CRACKED IN HALF WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY...I STILL DO NOT KNOW HOW MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO DO THAT AS THERE WAS SO MUCH "SMOKE" (FROM THE METAL RUBBING THE ROAD AND THE TIRES RIDING AT AN ANGLE) AND IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE AND WE HAD TO GET OVER 2 LANES. PART WAS REPLACED AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST ONE THE MECHANIC HAD SEEN. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED SPRING 2008 BUT I JUST READ ON THE INTERNET OF THE PENDING INVESTIGATION AND HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN WHERE TO REPORT IT. WHEN WE REPORTED IT TO FORD, THEY JUST TRIED TO GET US TO WANT TO BUY A NEW CAR FROM THEM. ALSO, WE TOLD FRIENDS OF OURS THAT HAVE A 2000 WINDSTAR TO WATCH OUT FOR THE SHAKING AND TO GET IT CHECKED. WELL SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THEY BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE SHAKING AND TOOK IT IN AND THE MECHANIC SAW THAT IT WAS READY TO BREAK AND REPLACED IT BEFORE ANY HARM WAS DONE. THANK GOD WE WERE ALL UNHURT...THE NEXT PEOPLE MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY! WE NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

STARTED HEARING A FUNNY NOISE (RUBBING OR SQUEAKING) ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE (1999 FORD WINDSTAR). MECHANIC SHOWED ME WHERE THE SUB-FRAME HAS RUSTED AND SPIT APART. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS LITERALLY SEPARATING FROM THE BACK END. HE SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN AND RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL FORD. FORD WAS NO HELP AT ALL. SAID "SORRY", BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MADE NO EFFORT WHATSOEVER TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT WITH THIS, BUT THERE DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE BEEN IF I CONTINUED DRIVING THIS. *TR

ABS LIGHT ON, SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER DO NOT WORK, LEAK FROM MASTER CYLINDER VISIBLE ON CONNECTORS BELOW IT. *TR

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, 3.8L ENGINE. ABS BRAKE LIGHT ON, NO SPEEDOMETER, NO ODOMETER, NO AIR CONDITIONING. TOOK TO A REPAIR SHOP, THEY FOUND FUSE #10 WAS BLOWN. REPLACED THE FUSE AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME UP FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER AREA, HE REMOVED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION PLUG FOR THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. THANKFULLY THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE MY WIFE AND CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, SO NO ONE WAS INJURED. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET OF SEVERAL WINDSTARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND BELIEVE FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

WE HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, ABS LIGHT ON, DOORS WONT UNLOCK, ODOMETER DOESN'T WORK, NOW BLINKERS ARE NOT BLINKING LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF, HAD TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY. WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS. WE HAVE AN ELECTRICAL MESS. *TR

HI I JUST SAW THAT YOU WERE INVESTIGATING WINDSTAR RUST ISSUES. TWO YEARS AGO, IN 2008, OUR 1999 WINDSTAR STARTING MAKING WEIRD NOISES WHEN I WENT OVER CURBS OR TURNED THE WHEEL. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE FRONT FRAME AND AXLE HAD RUSTED. IT WAS A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX. THEY SAID IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I DID NOT WISH TO FIX IT (SINCE IT WOULD COST AS MUCH TO FIX AS THE VAN WAS WORTH) AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND DID NOT RECOMMEND I LEAVE WITHOUT FIXING IT. SO WE TRADED IT IN (EXPLAINING FULLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT) WHEN WE PURCHASED A VAN FROM THE HONDA DEALERSHIP DOWN THE ROAD. I JUST SAW THAT YOU WERE INVESTIGATING RUST ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH WINDSTARS AND THOUGHT I WOULD PASS THIS INFO ALONG. THANKS *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN BOTH ENDS OF THE ENGINE CRADLE ROTTED AWAY CAUSING IT FAILED INSPECTION AND CALLING FOR THE ENTIRE ASSY. TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE FOR THE PART AND LABOR ALMOST $1,000.00. THIS PART IS A VERY MAJOR PART OF THE VEHICLES UNDER STRUCTURE AND SHOULD NEVER ROT LIKE THIS. WHEN AND IF ONE OR THE OTHER, OR BOTH SHOULD BREAK OFF THE ENTIRE WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE WILL CAUSE IT TO DROP ONTO THE PAVEMENT POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH. *TR

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS AN ISSUE WITH FUSE #10 BLOWING WHICH AFFECTS THE SPEEDOMETER (DOES NOT WORK) AS WELL AS A/C WHICH ONLY BLOWS HOT AIR. THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON AND MUCH MORE INSTRUMENTATION IS INOPERABLE INCLUDING CRUISE CONTROL. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE ON A HIGHWAY IN COLORADO. MY HUSBAND AND I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE MANUAL. WE REPLACED FUSE #10 AND ALL WORKED FINE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THEN THE FUSE BEGAN BLOWING EACH TIME I TURNED ON THE CAR. WE BOUGHT SEVERAL EXTRA FUSES AS WE WERE GETTING READY TO DRIVE TO OUR NEW HOME IN ARIZONA. THIS WAS JULY 11, 2008. THE CAR RAN FOR 12 HOURS ON A NEW FUSE WITH NO PROBLEM. WE STOPPED AND RESTED FOR THREE HOURS AND CONTINUED OUR ROAD TRIP ON JULY 12TH. THE FUSE BLEW WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND SEVERAL NEW FUSES NEVER GOT IT TO WORK AGAIN. I HAD TO DRIVE THE LAST LEG (FOUR HOURS) OF MY TRIP WITH NO A/C (DESERT CLIMATE) AND WORST OF ALL NO KNOWLEDGE OF HOW FAST I WAS GOING. THAT WAS SCARY. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC IN TUCSON, AZ AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD SOME RECALL ISSUES AND THAT I SHOULD GO TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. I LOOKED UP RECALLS AND FOUND A WEBSITE WITH FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES. APPARENTLY, THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL FOR THEM AT THIS TIME. THEY STATE IT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. I HOPE SO AS I SPENT $1300.00 ON A/C AND HEATER PROBLEMS LAST WINTER. MY VAN HAS 115,000 MILES ON IT AND I NEED IT TO LAST ME LONG ENOUGH UNTIL I GET A NEW JOB IN ARIZONA. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU. *TR

ABS LIGHT, O/D LIGHT IN DASHBOARD COMING ON. WHEN VEHICLE PURCHASED AS USED CAR THESE ITEMS SHOWED UP ON THE DRIVE HOME AFTER PURCHASE. VEH HAS BEEN IN TO FORD DEALERSHIP GARAGE 4 TIMES. BRAKES WERE WORKING FINE AT THAT TIME. 3 MONTHS LATER BRAKE LIGHT COME ON. CHECK AND FIND THAT BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING FROM MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. ONE BEING THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (2B264) LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER. UPON REMOVING THIS PLUG I FOUND BRAKE FLUID IN THE CONNECTION. LOOKING BELOW I FOUND BRAKE FLUID ON THE WIRING HARNESS BELOW THE SWITCH AND ON THE METAL PANEL, WHERE IT HAD ACTUALLY BEGAN TO RUST. BELIEVE THIS HARNESS IS THE POWER STEERING WIRING. BRAKE PEDAL IN CAB NOW GOES TO THE FLOOR BEFORE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THERE IS A HISSING SOUND WHEN THIS IS DONE. BELIEVE THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER AS WELL AND HAS DESTROYED THE GASKET IN THERE AS WELL. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. THANKFULLY ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT CONSIDERING I TRANSPORT MY 3 CHILDREN AND WIFE IN THIS VAN. *TR

DRIVING IN THE 93 SOUTHBOUND TUNNEL NEAR EXIT 23 THE REAR AXLE OF MY VEHICLE SNAPPED IN HALF. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET, FORD REFUSES TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT CURRENTLY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V261000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

I HAVE A 99 FORD WINDSTAR WITH THE VIN # INCLUDED IN THE SUPPOSED RECALL, BUT WHEN I WROTE FORD THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT IN THAT LIST- IT STARTS WITH 2. MY VAN HAS BEGUN TO BURN UNDER THE HOOD AND SMOKE SMELLING LIKE WIRING ON FIRE. A FIRE HAD NOT ACTUALLY STARTED. DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT DOES AND SOMEONE DOES FOR THEM TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY VAN? IT IS AT THE SECOND SERVICE STATION BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST MY FORD DEALERSHIP, WITH GOOD REASON. I HAVE IT IN FOR THE SECOND WEEK AT A SECOND SERVICE STATION WITH NOTHING TO DRIVE. HOW DO I GET THIS DONE EXPEDITIOUSLY? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS SURFACE RUST ON THE VEHICLE, BUT NOTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THE AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGES AT THIS TIME. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ

I WAS RECENTLY DRIVING WITH MY SON IN A 1999 WINDSTAR WHEN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HOUSING BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE AND WE WENT ALL OVER THE ROAD. IF ANYONE HAD BEEN COMING THE OTHER WAY WE WOULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. EVERY MECHANIC WHO HAS LOOKED AT THE BROKEN HOUSING SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE, EVEN ON MUCH OLDER VEHICLES, AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. MOST OF THE MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO FEEL THAT A FAULTY WELD CAUSED THIS STRUCTURE FAILURE, AND THAT IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED WITHOUT INSTALLING AN ENTIRE NEW SUB-FRAME. THE FORD DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE VAN, AND THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AT THE FORD HEADQUARTERS, SAID THAT CONSIDERING THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY FROM RUST. IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR SUCH A DEFECT ON THE 1999 WINDSTAR, THAT THIS IS MY PROBLEM. IN MY OPINION, I INTERPRET THIS TO MEAN THAT FORD CONSIDERS IT ACCEPTABLE FOR THE STRUCTURE OF THEIR PRODUCTS TO HAVE A USABLE LIFE OF LESS THAN 10 YEARS. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THINK OF HOW MANY OF OUR LIVES ARE AT STAKE ON A DAILY BASIS BECAUSE OF 9 + YEAR OLD FORDS ON THE ROADS. MY WIFE IS DRIVING A 2002 FORD TAURUS. IS MY FAMILY SAFE IN IT? THIS PROBLEM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH A LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON MY PART. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS. SO WHO IS AT FAULT? I HAVE PHOTOS WHICH SHOW THE BREAK, AND CAN SEND THEM TO YOU IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. ALSO, I STILL HAVE THE WINDSTAR SITTING IN MY YARD, SO IF YOU NEED TO INSPECT THE STRUCTURE FAILURE, YOU CAN DO SO. *TR UPDATED AND ADDED PICTURES ON 07/23/08. *KB

ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED AND BROKE APART. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STARTED HER VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE. AFTER DRIVING A BLOCK OR MORE AT 2 MPH, WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT OF THE HOOD. SHE JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SOMEONE ELSE INSPECTED UNDERNEATH HER HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING MELTED AND COULD BE UNHOOKED. HE PROCEEDED TO UNHOOK IT AND DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 114,000.

APRIL 2008 LOST FUEL PUMP, AND GUAGE FOR GAS LEVEL HAD FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT AND FILTER REPLACED BUT GAUGE DIDNT COME BACK IT STAYED ON AS A LOW FUEL LIGHT PERMANENTLY. BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OR EXCESSIVE USE BY BRAKING SYSTEM HAD TO FILL ABOUT ONCE WEEKLY BRAKES THOUGH THEY HAD BEEN REPLACED WOULD JUST GO OUT WITH NO WARNING ABS LIGHT WASNT INDICATIVE DUE TO FACT ITS LIGHTING UP AND STAYING LIT WAS ERRRATIC. REPLACED BRAKING SYSTEM AND FRONT END COMPONENTS (LINKAGE PINS GONE, ROTOR THAT HAD GOTTEN VERY HOT AND POSSIBLY STARTED ON FIRE DUE TO BRAKES GOING OUT AND HEAVY BREAKING NEEDED TO AVOID ACCIDENT DEATH HAD TO PUMP BRAKES RAPIDLY TO TRY TO STOP SOMETIMES UNABLE TO STOP BRAKE PEDAL WOULD STICK ON HARD PUMPING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR LOCK ENGAGED AND UNABLE TO ENGAGE. *TR

ABS LIGHT COMES ON MORE AND MORE OFTEN. STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE ELIMINATES THE PROBLEM FOR A WEEK OR TWO. *TR

OUR ABS LIGHT CONTINUE TO BE ON AND WE HAD BROUGHT IT TO THE MECHANIC SEVERAL TIME, HOWEVER WE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS ON SINCE THE BRAKES WAS ALL NEWLY CHANGED. I FOUND OUT THROUGH RESEARCHING AND THE FAILURE OF OUR SPEEDOMETER, MILEAGE COUNTER AND AC CONTROL DIED ON US YESTERDAY, 08/05/08 WHILE DRIVING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN CAUSE A LEAK AND SHORT OUT FUSE 10. SURE ENOUGH WE HAD ONE. THUS I AM WRITING TO INFORM OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED TO SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS. AND WHAT SCARES ME THE MOST IT CAN CAUSE FIRE ESPECIALLY I HAVE 2 CHILDREN ONE OF WHICH IS A TODDLER AGE WHO SITS IN A CAR SEAT THAT COULD GET CAUGHT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

I WAS PREPARING TO TURN OVER THE OWNERSHIP OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN TO MY SON. AFTER GOING OVER THE VEHICLE AND CHECKING THE FLUID LEVELS, I REMEMBERED THE FACT THAT THE VAN HAD USED AN INAPPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID OVER THE PAST MONTHS. I CHECKED THE BRAKES, LINES, CALIPERS, ETC TO FIND THE TROUBLE. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE AREAS I SHOULD SEARCH BECAUSE I HAD A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT MY E150 VAN WARNING OF POSSIBLE FAILURE AND DANGER OF FIRE FROM A CRUISE CONTROL CUTOUT SWITCH MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. I CHECKED THE FUSE BOX ON THE WINDSTAR BECAUSE MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD FAILED, I SAW A BLOWN FUSE BUT THE FUSE BAX DID NOT HAVE WHAT THE FUSE CONTROLLED PRINTED ON IT. I REPLACED THE FUSE AND STARTED THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY, I SAW AND SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. BECAUSE THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR SERVICE UNLESS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PANEL ASSEMBLY, I REMOVED THE ASSEMBLY AND SAW THAT THE WIRING TO THIS SWITCH ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER HAD BURNED. I REMOVED THE SWITCH AND IT WAS SO BURNED THAT IT FELL APART IN MY HANDS. THE SEAL IN THE SWITCH HAD FAILED AND ALLOWED THE BRAKE FLUID TO CONTACT THE SWITCH CONTACTS AND ALSO LEAK OUT. I REPLACED THE SWITCH AND WIRING AT MY EXPENSE BECAUSE THE SWITCH WAS NOT ON FORD'S RECALL LIST EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND SWITCH AS IN THE E150 WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL. *TR

BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING DOWN WIRES CAUSING FUSES TO BLUE ALONG WITH OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS. *TR

SUBFRAME GAVE OUT, ENGINE DROPPED AND CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME.I HAD JUST EXITED A HIGHWAY GOING 55MPH. I WAS DRIVING THE TO CAR TO ATTEND A WORK RELATED EVENT EARLY EVENING. I DROVE PAST THE ENTRANCE AND PROCEEDED TO TURN AROUND ON THE ROAD. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION THE VAN LOST POWER. I STOPPED BEING ABLE TO STEER AND BRAKE. I TURNED HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A TURN LANE AND FORTUNATELY THERE WAS VERY LIMITED TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. THE CAR CAME TO A FULL STOP ON ITS OWN AND THERE WAS A LOUD SCRAPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. THE TOW DRIVER STATED THE " SUBFRAME HAD GIVEN AWAY AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. IT REQUIRED A FLAT BED TRUCK TO TOW. MY MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE SUBFRAME HAD COLLAPSED . THE COST TO FIX WAS PROHIBITED AND I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY RESPONDED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THAT TIME. THE CAR REMAINED IN THE DRIVEWAY IN THE EVENT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR OVER ONE YEAR. I FINALLY DECIDED TO DONATE THE CAR HAVING NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I WAS CONTACTED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM IN 2011 I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED BY THE DELAYS OF THE MANUFACTURER TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ME OF THE RECALL IN A TIMELY FASHION. *TR

WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION THERE WAS A CLUNK FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. WHEN MOVING OFF FROM A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SUDDENLY 2"-3" OFF OF CENTER, DOWN TO THE RIGHT. DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE VAN. MECHANIC CAME TO INSPECT AND FOUND THE SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY HOLDING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED, IT HAD CRACKED THROUGH AND NO LONGER HELD THE WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. HE RECOMMENDED NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DANGER OF THE OPPOSITE SIDE FAILING AND CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE, EXTREME REPAIRS AND POSSIBLE INJURY IF OCCURRING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR LESS. THE DEALER ONLY CAUTIONED AGAINST POSSIBLE EXHAUST SYSTEM DAMAGE IF THE OTHER SIDE FAILED. THIS WAS NOT BOLTS OR NUTS RUSTING, THE MAIN SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY DEVELOPED A CRACK AND SEPARATED. I AM HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, ESTIMATED COST $1200 - $1400 DEPENDING ON THE DIFFICULTY OF REMOVING THE ASSEMBLY'S BOLTS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS PART FAIL ON A VEHICLE. 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS ATTEST TO THIS. I HAVE SEEN VEHICLE FRAMES IN JUNKYARDS 20 YEARS OLD STILL INTACT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS PART OF A VEHICLE THAT IS DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS ONLY SHOULD EVER FAIL IN AVERAGE USE. I WILL SAVE THE PART IF YOU DESIRE. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE AND ON WWW.MYCARSTATS.COM. *TR

I OWN A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE MILEAGE ON MY CAR IS 98,000. TWO MONTHS AGO MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT SWITCH OFF, THEN MY ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AS WELL AS MY SPEEDOMETER. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN MANY FORD WINDSTARS AND WOULD NOT EVEN WORK ON IT DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROBLEM. HE SAID WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKS CAUSING SOME KIND OF ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH ENDS UP BEING VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. IN MY RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. IT SEEMS LIKE THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK IS A DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY WIFE NOTICED EXCESSIVE BOUNCING OF THE REAR END WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD HER DRIVE IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND SURE ENOUGH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS BOUNCING LIKE CRAZY. THE DEALER FOUND A SEVERE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE AND REPLACED IT ALONG WITH BOTH REAR SHOCKS AND REAR TIRES. THIS OCCURRED IN FEB. OF 2008. *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY VALVE COVER, AND THE ENGINE NEEDED AN UPPER INTAKE AND DRIVER SIDE VALVE COVER. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $500. THE DEALER DID NOT EXPLAIN THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, WHEN THE VALVE COVER DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY, IT CAUSES OIL TO LEAK INTO THE MOTOR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,946.

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATES INTERMITTENTLY (IT MIGHT BE FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN WILL SUDDENLY COME ON). WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF, THE ABS SEEMS TO RESET AND THE LIGHT WILL BE OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. THE CODE IS C1185. MY MECHANIC WANTS TO REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC PUMP AND EHCU ($1000) THE VEHICLE IS A FORD WINDSTAR 1999 SE 125,000 MILES. *TR

ABS LIGHT ON DASHBOARD KEEPS COMING ON.. 1999 FORD WINDSTAR... NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES.. JUST LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON....IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM... THANKS. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SUBFRAME RUSTING AND HAVING TO BE REPLACED. VAN FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A HOLE IN SUBFRAME DUE TO RUST. TOTAL COST PAID OUT OF POCKET IN 2008 $1240.56. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. RECEIVED FOLLOWING CODES. C1185 C1194 C1198 C1210 C1214 C1242 C1246 C1250 C1254. *TR

PAINT PEELING OFF 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WITH JUST OVER 68K MILES. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY BEEN TOLD THAT MY WINDSTAR IS IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD IT IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS. I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1000.00 IN REPAIRS AND NOW MY TRANSMISSION JUST DROPS. WHY DO I HAVE TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION IN A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES? I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT THIS IS COMMON IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT FORD IS GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS. I AM NOT HAPPY! *TR

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED ON HIGHWAY. SUDDEN HOT SMELL COMING FROM VEHICLE. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY UNDER POWER, NO APPEARANCE OF SMOKE, FLUID, OR OTHER ISSUE. ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENTER HIGHWAY AND FOUND THAT VEHICLE WOULD GO FORWARD WITH SELECTOR IN "N"-NO OTHER GEAR POSITIONS WORKED. VEHICLE MOVED TO SAFETY OFF HIGHWAY (FORD DEALERSHIP). COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER MOVING TO DEALERSHIP. NOTE: THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE. ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 2001 WITH FORD REBUILT TRANS BY FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR

I HAVE 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE ODOMETER, JUMPING I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING, NOW MY GAS HAND AND TEMP. CONTROL IS DOING THE SAME THING. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR A YEAR AND HALF. I HAVE HAD IT TO TWO DIFFERENT GARAGES. NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND THE DOOR IS OPENED, THE DOORS AND WINDOWS SOMETIMES CONTINUE TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWO OR THREE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO FIND OUT IF A SAFETY RECALL WAS AVAILABLE, BUT HE WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V351000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH) WAS THE RECALL IN QUESTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT TURNED ON AND WON'T GO OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIR AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. *TR

I OWN A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A DEALER, AND IT HAD LESS THE 40,000 MILES ON IT. IN THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION, THE FRONT SPRINGS, STRUTS, TIE RODS AND POWER STEERING PUMP. I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $1,000 ON REPAIRS IN THE PAST YEAR. I NOW AM TOLD THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. BECAUSE OF ALL THESE ISSUES, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY VAN FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN WHO NEED TO BE DRIVEN TO SCHOOL AND OTHER EVENTS, AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DO SO WHEN NEEDED DUE TO THE CONSTANT ISSUES WITH THIS VAN. I HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND KNOW THAT THIS IS A RECURRENT, CONSISTENT ISSUE FOR THESE VANS. FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD TO PAY MONEY FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR - FRAME NEAR PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AXLE IS RUSTED OUT. DRIVER'S SIDE NOT EFFECTED. *TR

I AM SEEING AN INTERMITTANT YELLOW ABS LIGHT COME ON ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE 3.8 LITER. IT COMES AND GOES, AFTER SEEING THE PICTURES OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN AND THAT MY INDICATIONS ARE SYMPTOMATIC OR THIS I HAD TO REPORT IT. THE BRAKES ARE STILL WORKING AND THE LIGHT DOES NOT REMAIN ON CONTINUALLY. I WILL TAKE IT IN TO HAVE IT FIXED AND WAIT FOR YOUR FINDINGS. *TR

THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING FOR ABOUT THE PAST 6-9 MONTHS. THEY WILL COME ON AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES (WHEN CONDITIONS DON'T WARRANT THE USE OF ABS BRAKES) AND WILL STOP WORKING ALTOGETHER AT OTHER TIMES. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NOT WORKED FOR ABOUT THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF AND THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING DOWN UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER IN MY ENGINE-ALL OVER WIRES. THE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ARE CAUSING UNNECESSARY WEAR AND TEAR ON MY BRAKES MAKING CONSTANT REPLACEMENT A NECESSITY. I HAVE DISCONNECTED THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM IN MY VAN IN ORDER TO PREVENT A FIRE OR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BRAKES THAT WOULD ENDANGER MY FAMILY. *TR

I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR A FEW MONTHS AGO. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. IN FACT, I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN HALF OF WHAT I PAID FOR THE VEHICLE IN REPAIRS IN ONLY 2 MONTHS. THE REASON FOR MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE MOST RECENT REPAIRS HAVE INVOLVED ITEMS THAT I FEEL ARE EXTREME SAFETY CONCERNS. 1- THE POWER DOORS ON MY VEHICLE TO NOT LOCK/UNLOCK PROPERLY, MAKING IT UNABLE TO OPEN THE SLIDING DOORS. THIS WAS LOOKED AT BY THE FORD MECHANIC TODAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DOOR LATCHES WERE BAD AND WERE "BURNING UP" THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE REASON, BUT ALSO LATELY, MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON MY DASH AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN, TWO OF THEM IN CAR SEATS AND UNABLE TO GET THEM SELVES OUT OF A CAR. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN SUCH AS AN ACCIDENT OR AN EMERGENCY SITUATION THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY CHILDREN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I AM PAYING TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AT THE TUNE OF AROUND $1,000.00 WHICH I THINK IS A REAL RIP OFF, DUE TO FORDS POORLY MANUFACTURED VEHICLE. 2. MY BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY VAN. I CHANGED THE BULB AND TESTED IT, AND DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I THEN NOTICED THAT MY REAR TAIL LIGHT IS NOW NOT WORKING. I HAD THIS CHECKED OUT BY THE MECHANIC TODAY, AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE REAR ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS GOING TO COST ME NEARLY $600 TO FIX. I'M NOT SURE WHAT WOULD CAUSE SUCH A THING TO FAIL, BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN, WHERE LIGHTS COME INTO PLAY. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. I'M BEGINNING TO WONDER IF FORD IS IN THE AUTO MAKING/SELLING BUSINESS, OR THE SERVICE BUSINESS. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THEY ARE POORLY MANUFACTURING VEHICLES ONLY PROVIDING JOB SECURITY FOR THE MECHANICS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION. ANY HELP IN REMEDYING THIS AND GETTING FORD TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *JB

FREQUENT ABS AND TRAC WARNING LIGHTS AFTER VEHICLE WARMS UP. ALMOST ALWAYS OFF INITIALLY. *TR

(1) STARTED VEHICLE AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN FOUND AND RECALLED IN MANY OTHER FORD MODELS. (2) HAD CRUISE DISCONNECTED AND TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPLACED (3) FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT SINCE MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. SERVICE TECH DID SAY THE SWITCH WAS BURNED UP. *TR