1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

FRAME RUST

STARTED THE CAR AND SMALL AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE ENGINE HOOD. THE ODOMETER IS NOW ALL DASHES, SPEEDOMETER STAYS AT 0, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS INOP. #10 FUSE BLEW. REPLACED AND SAME THING RECURS. *JB

THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN SINCE PURCHASE, BUT THEN RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS FINE, SHIFTS A LITTLE ROUGHLY INTO FIRST GEAR, BUT ALL OTHER PARTS ARE FINE. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED, AND THE LIGHT STILL FLASHES. *TR

I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I HEARD A LOUD SOUND. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE ENGINE JUST REVVED. I THOUGHT I RAN SOMETHING OVER DUE TO THE SOUND SO INSPECTED GOT OUT TO INSPECT THE CAR. I FOUND NOTHING. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND TURNED CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER SUTTON FORD IN MATTESON IL. THAT THE TRANSMISSION JUST BROKE AND WOULD COST ME $3000.00. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR LESS THEN 2 YEARS. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT JUST EXPIRED A FEW MONTHS AGO. MY OBD LIGHT WAS ON BUT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IT WAS A SENSOR. THEY COULD TURN IT OFF BUT IT WASN'T ANYTHING MAJOR. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'M SURE IT IS MAJOR. SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TIRES AT LEAST EVERY SIX MONTHS, MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR, ALTERNATOR REPAIR, AS WELL AS SPRING REPLACEMENT. OVERALL, I'VE PUT MORE THEN $3000.00 IN REPAIR NOT INCLUDING THE REPAIR OF THE TRANSMISSION I NOW NEED. I LOVED MY WINDSTAR BUT I AM NOW DISCOVERING THAT IT PUTS MY LIFE ENDANGER TO DRIVE IT. MY TWO KIDS WERE IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I FEARED SOMEONE WOULD HIT MY CAR. THE WORST PART ABOUT ALL THIS IS I AM UNABLE TO GET RID OF THIS CAR AS I STILL AM BUYING THIS CAR. I AM UNABLE TO REFINANCE THE DIFFERENCE. I WAS TOLD TO JUST SCARP THE CAR BY THE DEALER AND JUST GET ANOTHER CAR AS I AM EVEN MORE IN DEBT TRYING TO REPAIR THE CAR. I DON'T WANT TO RUIN MY CREDIT SO THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER SOLUTION. I HAVE NO INKLING HOW I'M GOING TO MANAGE TO GET 3000.00 FOR A NEW CAR AND PAY MY BILLS AND FIND AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD. I REALLY WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF FORD WOULD JUST DO THE RIGHT THING FIX MY TRANSMISSION. SPLIT THE COST. I DID DAMAGE MY CAR IN THE MIST OF ALL THIS AND JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE TO WORK UNTIL THE CAR IS PAID OFF.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD START, BUT THEN IDLE, STUTTER, AND STALL. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE OXYGEN SENSORS AND ALL THE HOSES WERE REPLACED, INCLUDING OTHER REPAIRS. THE TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $1,700. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE, BUT NO ERROR CODE DISPLAYED WHEN A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FAMILY MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED OF A FAILURE WITH THE VALVES AND INTAKE MANIFOLD, OF WHICH FORD WAS AWARE. THE FAILURE WOULD DETER OIL FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE VALVES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS LIGHT (YELLOW) AND TRAC OFF LIGHT (YELLOW) COMING ON WHILE DRIVING. *TR

WE WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY DUE TO OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. WE HAD 7 PEOPLE IN OUR VAN INCLUDING SMALL CHILDREN. LUCKILY, NONE OF US WERE INJURED, BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY WAS DEFINITELY THERE. AS WE WERE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT ABOUT 35 MPH THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND WE LOST ALL POWER. WE HAD NO BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. IT WAS EVIDENT WE WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP SO MY HUSBAND OPTED FOR THE DITCH. STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND WE HIT A STOP LIGHT ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH THE LEFT FRONT END OF THE VAN AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP ABOUT 4 FT. FROM A UTILITY POLE. THE VAN WAS DRIVING FINE WITH NO INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO LOSING ALL POWER SUDDENLY. WE HAVE IN THE PAST EXPERIENCED THE BATTERY LIGHT OR THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON WHEN IT WAS RAINING OR AFTER DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER BUT HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED LOSING ALL POWER UNTIL YESTERDAY. WE HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE CUTTING OUT AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR AWHILE AND THEN DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AT LOWER SPEEDS. IT SEEMS THAT WHEN YOUR DRIVING ON JUST CITY STREETS AT LOWER SPEEDS WE DON'T EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM, AND ALSO NOT TYPICALLY WHILE WE ARE ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (ALTHOUGH WE HAVE HAD IT CUT OUT A COUPLE TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY). IT SEEMS TO USUALLY OCCUR AFTER WE HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS FOR AWHILE AND THEN EXIT ON TO LOWER SPEED ROADS. THE ENGINE JUST SUDDENLY DIES. WE CAN TYPICALLY START IT RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN, BUT IT WILL CONTINUE TO DIE AND START BACK UP SEVERAL TIMES. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SUBFRAME FAILED AND FORCED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A FORD DEALER MADE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,000. UPDATED 01/02/08.*LJ UPDATED 12/12/07

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME IN REVERSE AT 35 MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE RACK AND PINION IS GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE AND THE CONTACT EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING AT THE BOOT REPLACEMENT AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST $600. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HIS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY, SO THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA TO THE CHEST AND ABDOMEN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A DISLOCATED HIP ON HER RIGHT SIDE AND BRUISING FROM THE SEAT BELT ON HER LEFT SHOULDER AND CHEST AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. HER ATTORNEY ADVISED HER NOT TO COMMUNICATE WITH FORD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

SUBJECT VEHICLE IS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN WITH 3.8 ENGINE; THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN OPERATIONAL SINCE JULY 15, 2007 DUE TO STALLING PROBLEM. AFTER REACHING OPERATING TEMPERATURE, IT MAY STALL AT ANY TIME. AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH YOU CAN MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BUT UNDER 35 MPH VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DUE TO ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BURNED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS. IN 2001, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V261000; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. FORD STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ALREADY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME LIABILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS TO THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

ON JULY 1, 2007 DURING THE OPERATION OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUTDOWN AT WHICH TIME THE SMOKE STOPPED. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS INSPECTED BY MYSELF AT THAT TIME AND I FOUND NOTHING THAT APPEARED ABNORMAL. RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE SMOKE DID NOT REAPPEAR BUT THE ODOMETER READINGS WENT TO DASHES, SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS INOPERATIVE. DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND PERFORMED A MORE DETAILED INSPECTION OF IT. THIS INSPECTION REVEALED A BLOWN FUSE, AS #10 OF THE INTERIOR FUSE BLOCK. THIS FUSE WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLES IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED ON, AGAIN SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE AND I DETERMINED AT THAT TIME IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CONNECTOR. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY AND THE CONNECTOR WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LOCATED ON THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. I FOUND THE CONNECTOR BOTH INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY WET WITH BRAKE FLUID. THE CONNECTOR SHOWED SIGNS OF OVERHEATING AS IT WAS PARTIALLY MELTED ON THE INSIDE. CLEANED ALL THE BRAKE FLUID FROM THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH CONNECTOR AND THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH ITSELF. I LEFT THE CONNECTOR DISCONNECTED FROM THE SWITCH AND TURNED ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS RESULTED IN NO SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONNECTOR WAS LEFT DISCONNECTED FROM THE SWITCH BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE USED UNTIL I HAVE PERFORMED OR FORD PERFORMS REPAIRS TO IT. I FOUND THAT FORD HAD RECALLED SEVERAL VEHICLES FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE WITH MY 1999 WINDSTAR BUT IT WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD HAVE DEVELOPED INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY FAMILY. I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT I AM A CERTIFICATED AIR FRAME AND POWER PLANT TECHNICIAN BY THE FAA AND HAVE WORKED IN THAT CAPACITY FOR 28 YEARS FOR FEDEX EXPRESS ON THEIR AIRCRAFT. *AK

THE ABS SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CAR OPERATING TEMP OR OUTSIDE AIR TEMP IS WARM. REPORTED TO FORD ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS & THEY TELL ME IT'S MY PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS PRODUCED A FAULTY PART WHICH HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED BY OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS ON FORD FORUM SITES ETC. APPARENTLY WHEN THE ABS BOARD GETS HOT, ONE OF THE ELECTRONIC PARTS SEPARATES CAUSING THE FAULT ERROR CODE. I THINK FORD HAS SOME RESPONSIBILITY WITH THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM! *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR. BEGAN LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM SCDS ONTO TRANSAXLE AND DOWN FIREWALL. SCDS HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL. ONCE I BECAME AWARE OF THE SCDS PROBLEM I FOUND BRAKE FLUID SPLATTERED ALL AROUND THE MASTER CYLINDER AREA OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONCURRENT WITH THE LEAKING FLUID, I NOTICED THE ABS LIGHT WOULD SOMETIMES COME ON, THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME ERRATIC, THE "O/D OFF" LAMP SOMETIMES FLASHED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFTEN NON-FUNCTIONAL. ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE ABS LIGHT NOW COMES ON ALMOST INSTANTLY, THUS I HAVE NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE SPEEDOMETER IS ALWAYS ERRATIC AND JUMPY, THUS IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL MY ACTUAL SPEED. THE CRUISE CONTROL TRIES TO FOLLOW THE BOUNCY SPEEDOMETER, AS THUS IS USELESS. *TR

MY FORD WINDSTAR 1999 HAS THE FRONT SPRING COIL FRACTURED CAUSING THE SPRING TO BARELY TOUCH THE TIRE AND EVENTUALLY WOULD DEFLATE THE TIRE. THIS FRONT SPRING COIL PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY THE RECALL FOR WINDSTAR 1997-98, BUT NOT 1999. THE RECALL FOR 1997-98 IS NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V199/FORD RECALL NO. 01S19. THIS RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO 1999 TOO SINCE IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE. HE PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND DROVE OFF WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. WHEN HE ARRIVED TO HIS DESTINATION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND RATTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS BURNT. AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM THE MECHANIC, THE FAILURE INTENSIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,500.

I AM WRITING TO YOU CONCERNING A COMPLAINT I HAVE AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I OWN A 99 FORD WINDSTAR. APPROXIMATELY 117,000 MILES. HE CRUISE CONTROL RECENTLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS AT FIVE STAR FORD NOW BEING REPAIRED. I HAVE A LETTER TO YOU DRAFTED, HOWEVER, IT WAS TO LONG FOR THIS FIELD. PLEASE CONTACT ME, AND I WILL FORWARD IT.*AK

FRONT SUB FRAME BROKE. *TR

MY TRANSMISSION ON A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IS LEAKING FROM THE BELL HOUSING ON THE TRANSMISSION, AS WELL AS SLIPPING THROUGH THE GEARS, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED WITHIN 50,000 MILES. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT FROM WHERE IT IS LEAKING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AFFECTED BY THE FLUID THAT IS ON IT AS WELL, CONSISTENTLY BURNING OFF AS IT GETS HOTTER. *TR

THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED AT ANY DEGREE OF INCLINE OR DECLINE HAS HAD REPEATED TENDENCIES NOT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. ON THIS OCCASION, I HAD THE VEHICLE ON RAMPS CHANGING MY OIL AND WENT TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO LEVEL IT OUT. THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO HAVE GOTTEN STUCK IN REVERSE AND NEITHER THE FOOT BRAKE NOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD STOP IT. IT WOULD NOT LET ME SHIFT INTO ANY OF GEAR UNTIL IT REACHED LEVEL GROUND. I HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION ON MAY 31, 2007 BECAUSE I HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING VERY ROUGH AND FEELING A JERKING SENSATION WHEN I SHIFTED FROM PARK TO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE. *TR

I HAVE HAD A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 WINDSTAR SE. THE INSIDE FAN GOES ON WHEN OPENING/CLOSING DOORS, LIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, MY MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS AND I HAVE HAD ABS PROBLEMS. WE'VE REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION THREE TIMES. I LOVE MY VAN, BUT IT HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE HORN ONLY WORKS ON OCCASION WHICH CAUSED ME TO BE BACKED INTO! *TR

THE REAR AXLE BEAM ON A1999 FORD WINDSTAR (87,032 MILES) CRACKED AND SNAPPED INTO, CAUSING BOTH WHEELS TO PITCH THE BOTTOM OF WHEELS OUTWARD RESULTING IN UNSTABLE VEHICLE CONTROL (AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT). ATER INSPECTION OF FAILED PARTS, I BELIEVE FORD HAS A MANUFACTURING PROCESS THAT CREATES STRESS RISERS IN THE PART THAT LEAD TO PREMATURE FAILURE. I HAVE THE PARTS AND CAN EMAIL A PPD FILE THAT SHOWS THE FAILURE SURFACES. THE DEALERSHIP TALKED TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND DID PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS DO NOT WANT TO PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH THEIR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE. I CONDUCT FAILURE ANALYSIS FOR A FORTUNE 100 COMPANY AND HAVE CONCERNS WITH THE SAFETY OF THIS PRODUCT. THE REPLACE PART IS MANUFATURED EXACTLY LIKE THE ORIGINAL FAILED PART.I DID FIND A REPORT ON THE INTERNET THAT DESCRIBES AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THE SAME FAILURE. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR. ABS LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH RANDOMLY. THIS INDICATES THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THROUGH RESEARCH, I HAVE NOTICED THAT PARTS NEAR A CIRCUIT BOARD ARE GETTING HOT CAUSING EXPANSION CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND FURTHERMORE THE BRAKE SYSTEM ISN'T FUNCTIONING THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED TO. I CARRY MY PRECIOUS FAMILY IN MY VAN. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS I AM REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 1999 WINDSTAR. BOTH TIMES IT JUST STOPPED WORKING,, BUT WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO SAFETY. NOW ON SECOND TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL AT A COST OF $1700 FOR HE FIRST TIME , AND 1$400 THE SECOND. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE.*AK

ONLY 28,000 MILES ON CAR DRIVEN BY ELDERLY FATHER A FEW MILES EVERY DAY FOR PAST 7 YEARS. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. PULLED FROM STOP ONTO STATE ROAD AT POINT WHERE A BLIND CURVE/NO SITE DISTANCE FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC-SPEED LIMIT 45 MPH. CAR JERKED FORWARD AND TRANSMISSION FAILED, NO FORWARD GEARS, LEAVING CAR SIDEWAYS ACROSS 2 LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. GOT CAR TO GO IN REVERSE TO GET OFF ROAD WHICH CREATED AN EVEN MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME AND ALL ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TOLD WILL COST $2,500 FOR RE-BUILT TRANSMISSION. FORD SENT STANDARD REPLY TO MY COMPLAINT SUGGESTING GO TO DEALERSHIP AND HAVE CHECKED OUT. AMAZING THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED OR ANYTHING BEEN DONE AFTER SEEING THIS AND NUMEROUS WEBSITES WITH SAME COMPLAINTS. SO MANY OF US LUCKY. HOW MANY DEATHS DOES IT TAKE BEFORE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN? HAVE BEEN A FORD OWNER FOR YEARS AND WILL NEVER, EVER BUY FORD AGAIN. *AK

IN MARCH, 2007, THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR DIED AT 106,653 MILES. I PAID $2,985.91 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN LEBANON, OREGON. IN MAY OF 2012, AT 174,000 MILES, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. THE FIRST REPAIR SHOP I TOOK IT TO TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEAD AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE IT. THE SECOND REPAIR SHOP I TOOK IT TO TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP WAS BAD AND THAT IT HAD PROBABLY DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD REPLACE THE COMPUTER CHIP AND SEE HOW LONG THE TRANSMISSION WOULD LAST BEFORE IT TOTALLY DIED. *TR

ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ECM IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE COMPUTER BOARD IS MOUNTED ON AN ALUMINUM PLATE WHICH EXPANDS FROM ENGINE AND SUMMER HEAT, CAUSING THE DASHBOARD ABS LIGHT TO COME ON AND POSSIBLY FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION WENT UP. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CONTROL ARM FELL OFF IN MARCH. CONSUMER AGAIN STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD FLATTENED. UPON CHANGING THE TIRE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT 116,948 MILES WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 119,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,948. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST INCIDENT LOST CONTROL NEAR INTERSECTION GOING 40 MPH AND INSPECTED VEHICLE FOUND TIRE BLEW OUT AND LEFT FRONT COIL IN TIRE. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED THE 2ND INCIDENT WAS IN A PARKING LOT GOING 10-15MPH AND TIRE BLEW OUT FOUND BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL IN TIRE. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED REPAIR INVOICES. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WEEK BEFORE THE FIRE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT OPERATING NORMALLY. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT SHE CHANGE THE PULLEYS IN THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HOWEVER, A FORD DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUS EOF THE PROBLEM. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOTIFIED, AND WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,152. *AK

I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR DOING 40 TO 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SOMETHING BROKE. A PASSER BY TRIED TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I ENDED UP HAVING TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. TURNED OUT THE PROBLEM WAS THE BRACKET THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CONNECTS TO SNAPPED OFF THE FRAME WITH THE CONTROL ARM STILL ATTACHED TO IT. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM IT PULLED THE DRIVESHAFT AWAY FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THEREFORE THIS IS GOING TO BE A COSTLY REPAIR BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE PIECE OF METAL DURING THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VAN. THEREFORE AT THE MOMENT I AM UNABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE AND WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I GET THE MONEY TO REPAIR IT. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED I WILL NOT BUY A FORD EVER AGAIN!! *JB

SPEEDOMETER GOING HAYWIRE, ODOMETER UP AND DOWN, OVERDRIVE FLASHING,BRAKE LIGHT ON, ABS LIGHT ON. '99 WINDSTAR A COMPLETE LEMON FROM 30,000 MILES ON. IN SHOP AT 34000 MILES FOR SIX WEEKS. PRESENTLY SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD CAUSED BY BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH. REPLACING THIS DATE. PREVIOUS QUOTE FOR REPAIR APPROXIMATELY $600.00. REPLACING MYSELF FOR $21.00. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A COMMON OCCURRENCE, AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE CATCHES ON FIRE. LUCKILY I CAUGHT THIS IN TIME TO PREVENT MORE SERIOUS DAMAGE. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT HAD A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 95000 MILES AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SLOW DOWN ,AND SHE WOULD FEEL A PULSATING VIBRATION. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON AT ALL TIMES, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE WEATHER HAS NOT BEEN A FACTOR WHEN THIS OCCURRED.. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT GIVE HER A REPAIR ORDER. *AK

ABS WARNING LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. IT WILL GO OFF FOR A WHILE THEN COME BACK ON. GOODYEAR SAID I PROBABLY NEED NEW COMPUTER CHIP THAT THE ABS ONE WAS DEFECTIVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT AND THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 169,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NOT ONLY DOES MY 99 WINDSTAR STALL AND JERK AND WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED PROPERLY BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AND THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON AFTER I START THE VAN AND STAY ON AS WELL. IF I DRIVE OVER 55 THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES. WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A LIGHT THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND THE VAN WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED AND THEN IT JERKS INTO GEAR. IF I AM AT AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR OR IT WILL MAKE A REAL LOUD NOISE AND JERK INTO GEAR. IF ANYONE ELSE WHO IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WOULD LIKE TO FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NOT ONLY DOES MY 99 WINDSTAR STALL AND JERK AND WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED PROPERLY BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AND THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON AFTER I START THE VAN AND STAY ON AS WELL. IF I DRIVE OVER 55 THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES. WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A LIGHT THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND THE VAN WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED AND THEN IT JERKS INTO GEAR. *TR

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR XL. AND THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF WHEN I PUT MY FEET ON THE GAS AND IT CAUSE THE VAN TO SHIFT IN GEAR VERY HARD. AND WHEN I GET OVER 55 MILES PER HOUR IT ALSO DOES THE SAME THING. IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY. THE VAN GOES INTO GEAR VERY HARD AND IT IS HARD FOR IT TO PICK UP SPEED WHEN I TAKE OFF. IT STALLS. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING A GENERAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTION PERFORMED BY A DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO INDICATE A FAILURE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V332000, REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

THE ANTILOCK BRAKES LIGHT STAYS ON,AND ABS DOES NOT WORK. FORD DID RECALL RELATED TO THE BRAKES FLUID CAUSING A FIRE, NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK.ABS IS A SAFETY ISSUE . THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL MORE PEOPLE DIE. RECALL THIS SHABBY WORKMANSHIP. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 30 MPH, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE, AND THE STEERING SHIFTED PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE, WHERE THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE STEERING AND FOUND THE STEERING WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ONTO A LIFT. THE SUBFRAME WAS FOUND TO BE RUSTED OUT AND HAD A FRACTURE. THE FRONT LEFT TIE ROD WAS BENT DUE TO THE FRAME FAILURE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE SUB FRAME SECTION SUPPORTING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AND THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SEATED IN THE DRIVER SEAT WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INCURRED MUSCULAR BACK INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB

MY 2-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S RIGHT HAND WAS CRUSHED IN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR OF OUR MINIVAN. HER HAND IS TOO SMALL FOR THE SAFETY SENSOR TO DETECT IT AND THEREFORE, THE DOOR LATCHED AND LOCKED WITH HER HAND BETWEEN THE BODY PILLAR AND THE DOOR. *JB

3 DEATHS. BET I'VE GOT YOUR ATTENTION NOW! I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FAILURES, AND MY VAN HAS THE SAME PERSISTENT PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN ENGINE DESIGN DEFECT AND THAT ALTHOUGH GASKET REPLACEMENT IS RECOMMENDED BY THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, IT SEEMS CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE PAID TO GET THE TSB FIX STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY HAVE SPENT OVER $5000 IN THE LAST TWO YEARS TRYING TO GET THE ISSUE RESOLVED. AT 103K, MY VAN'S BLUE BOOK VALUE IS MUCH LESS. THIS IS NOT EVEN TO MENTION WHAT I'VE SPENT ON EXTRA GAS AT TODAY'S HIGH PRICES DUE TO INEFFICIENT ENGINE OPERATION RESULTING FROM THIS DESIGN DEFECT. THE STALLING OF THE ENGINE WHICH IS BEING REPORTED BY A LOT OF CONSUMERS IS ALSO DUE TO THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF RUNNING THE VAN WITH THIS SAME DESIGN DEFECT. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE DOES DIE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ENGINES CUTTING OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. FORD SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT AT NO COST TO CONSUMERS. THERE ARE ENOUGH INDIVIDUALS ON THIS WEBSITE ALONE TO ORGANIZE INTO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, AND I AM JUST THE ONE TO TAKE THE LEAD ON IT. OF COURSE, I DO NOT PLAN TO KEEP THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GETTING TOO HOT AND BURNING UP MY ALTERNATOR. I PURCHASED THIS VAN IN 2000 AND HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR SIX TIMES (AVERAGING ONCE PER YEAR). THIS IS THE FIRST FORD VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I AM LESS THAN IMPRESSED. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. I HAVE OWNED DODGE CARAVANS AND CHEVROLET VEHICLES WHICH WERE DESIGNED PROPERLY AND GAVE ME NO WHERE NEAR THIS AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS. I AM GOING TO PURCHASE A DODGE CARAVAN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FOUND SIMILAR RECALLS # 01V261000 ABOUT THE VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A SKID. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME THAT HELD THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FRACTURED IN HALF. UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB

1999 WINDSTAR ,98K, COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WENT INTO REVERSE , BUT NOT INTO ANY FORWARD GEAR. I'VE METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE, NEVER TOWED. HAVE OWNED CARS FOR 30 YRS, NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THIS BAD. WILL NEVER BUY FORD AGAIN. *NM

WITHOUT WARNING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. MY DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR IS FULL. THE CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY BUT HAD NO RECENT BRAKE WORK COMPLETED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER COMPLETELY FAILED. THE PARTY THAT WAS STRUCK IS NOW CLAIMING INJURY. WE DO NOT KNOW THE SEVERITY OF THEIR INJURIES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOTICED THE BLACK CLIP ON THE SEATBELT OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS FRACTURED CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO BE INOPERABLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENTIRE SEATBELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.