1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

AVOID THE DEER AND SLID OFF ROAD AND HIT A TREES. THE AIR BAGS ON BOTH SIDES DID NOT RELEASE. THE SPEED THAT THIS HAPPEN WAS AT 40MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS $8600 DAMAGE TO IT. THE SEATBELT WAS BEING USED, BUT THE AIR BAGS I BELIEVE SHOULD OF STILL WORKED.

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR WITH ONLLY 55,OOO. I STOPED AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN I HIT THE GAS I HEARD A THUD AND THE VAN WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I ONLY HAD REVERSE. I HEAR THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE OF WINDSTAR VANS

SUDDEN LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL, RACK AND PINION LEAKAGE SEAL FAILURE. NEED TO REPLACE RACK AND PINION BEFORE LEAK DAMAGES PUMP. REPLACE RACK AND PINION. *NM

I DROVE MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX WITH MY MOTHER AND MY FAMILY (MY 2 CHILDREN, MY NEPHEW AND MY DAUGHTER'S FRIEND) TO ERIE, PA TO VISIT MY SISTER'S FAMILY FOR 2 DAYS, THEN TO SPLASH LAGOON FOR 2 DAYS. THIS WAS A 230 MILE TRIP, EACH WAY, FROM MY HOME IS ELMIRA, NY. WE ARRIVED THERE WITHOUT INCIDENT. ALL FLUIDS WERE CHECKED BEFORE WE LEFT AND WERE IN PRIME CONDITION. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WE GOT IN OUR VEHICLES TO GO SEE THE 15 MILES OF BEACHES ALONG LAKE ERIE. ABOUT A MILE DOWN THEIR ROAD, WE WENT TO CROSS A 4-LANE HIGH-WAY, WHEN MY VEHICLE STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE, ALMOST KILLING ALL OF US BECAUSE TRAFFIC WAS COMING FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. MY VEHICLE WOUDN'T MOVE FORWARD NO MATTER WHAT. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, ABRUPTLY, WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE NOTICE, WHATSOEVER! AFTER MUCH ONLINE RESEARCH, I SOON REALIZED MY UNFORTUNATE SITUATION ISN'T UNIQUE TO FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS! THIS "SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE" IS VERY COMMON. WE COULD HAVE ALL BEEN KILLED. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW HAD TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE BACK TO HIS HOUSE IN REVERSE, AS THAT WAS THE ONLY GEAR THAT WORKED. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE FLUIDS WERE CHECKED AGAIN, AND ALL WAS STILL FULL AND IN GOOD CONDITION (WE SAVED THESE), HOWEVER, HE THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THE FILTER MIGHT NEED TO BE CHANGED, SO HE DID SO, REPLACING THE USED TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH BRAND NEW. KNOWING WE SHOULD NOT HAVE WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE FOR RISK OF VOIDING THE $1,948.00 EXTENDED SERVICE WARRANTY I PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE (LESS THAN 3 YEARS AGO), WE DECIDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BEFORE IT WAS FINALLY REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 627927 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,306. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF AND DIDN'T IDLE PROPERLY. UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB

PARK TO REVERSE INJURY. *JB

DT: WHILE THE CALLER'S SON WAS DRIVING BOUT 65 MPH THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE SUB FRAME, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THAT IS WHEN THE TIRE CAME LOOSE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR FREE. MANUFACTURER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO HELP FOR FREE. *AK

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR ARE STOPPING HALFWAY THROUGH THE CYCLE AND I PHYSICALLY HAVE TO GET OUT OF MY CAR AND PUSH THEM SO THEY RETURN TO THE BASE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT FORD TOLD ME SINCE IT WAS ALREADY PERFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN.

I OPENED ELECTRONIC SLIDING DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN TO LOAD THE CAR FOR A WEEKEND TRIP. I KNEELED IN THE DOOR OPENING TO POSITION THINGS IN THE BACK SEAT. WITHOUT WARNING THE DOOR BEGAN TO SHUT ON ITS OWN. BEFORE I COULD JUMP OUT OF THE CAR, IT HAD MY CALVES STUCK IN THE DOOR. IT DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY OPEN AS I WAS INFORMED IT SHOULD HAVE WHEN IT HIT MY LEGS. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE DOOR OPEN AND ALLOW ME TO ESCAPE. MY RIGHT CALF WAS INJURED, THOUGH IT DID NOT BREAK THE SKIN, I HAVE A LARGE BRUISE FROM THE DOORS IMPACT APPROX. 2 INCHES HIGH AND 4 INCHES LONG. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (TED BRITT FORD IN FAIRFAX VIRGINIA) WHERE I PURCHASED MY VAN AND CARRY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR IN FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS, ALL RELATED TO THE DOORS MALFUNCTIONING OR OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS AN INJURY DUE TO THE DOOR FAILURE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY STILL IN THE SHOP FOR THIS MALFUNCTION. **ABOUT THE NUMBER OF FAILURES LISTED BELOW: I AM UNCERTAIN IF I SHOULD INDICATE ONE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN AN INJURRY OR THE MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE DOORS OPENING, REFUSING TO OPEN, OR REFUSING TO CLOSE THAT PROCEEDED THIS LAST INCIDENT. I WLL INDICATE ONE FAILURE, MEANING THIS LAST ONE. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL IF I SHOULD INDICATE ALL THE DOOR FAILURES WE HAVE INCOUNTERED TO DATE. **I AM ALSO A BIT CONCERNED AS THE REPAIR DEPARTMENT AT TED BRITT FORD IN FAIRFAX, WHERE MY VAN IS REGULARLY SERVICED, INDICATED THAT HE BELIEVES IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE DOOR TO SHUT WITHOUT MY HAVING DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE IT. I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN I COULD NOT HAVE ACCIDENTALLY CLOSE THE DOOR. I AM CONCERNED THEY MAY NOT CHECK OUT THIS PROBLEM ADEQUATELY AND JUST DECIDE IT WAS OPERATOR ERROR. I REMINDED THEM OF THE MULTIPLE OTHER DOOR FAILURES AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I ALSO LET THEM KNOW THE LIGHTS IN THE VAN (THAT COME ON WHEN YOU OPEN A DOOR), GO ON AND OFF WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS AS I AM DRIVING.

1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN:: CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I REMEMBERED SEEING A SPECIAL ON CNN-TV RECENTLY ABOUT FORD F150 AND EXPLORER VEHICLES CATCHING ON FIRE. SUSPECTED CAUSE WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CUT-OUT SWITCH LOCATED ON THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. SO I DECIDED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD SEE RELATED TO MY PROBLEM. I FOUND THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT'S MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM FRONT OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SOAKED WITH BRAKE FLUID. APPARENTLY THE SWITCH'S SEAL FAILED CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK THRU THE SWITCH INTO THE POWER CONNECTOR AND RUN DOWN THE WIRING. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUGHT MY VEHICLE ON FIRE BECAUSE A LIQUID ACROSS A 12 VOLT POWER CONNECTOR TO GROUND IS A HIGH RESISTANCE SHORT TRANSLATING INTO HEAT = FIRE. I TOOK SOME PICTURES WITH A DIGITAL CAMERA AND CAN E-MAIL THEM IF YOU'RE INTERESTED. IN THE MEAN TIME I DISCONNECTED THE POWER CONNECTOR AT THE CRUISE CONTROL CUT-OUT SWITCH FOR SAFETY. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON A 1999 FORD WINSTAR ? I HAVE A 1999 FORD F150 TRUCK ALSO AND IT HAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CUT-OUT SWITCH MOUNTED ON THE END OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER EXCEPT IT'S ON THE TOP. I ALSO DISCONNECTED IT TO BE SAFE. I CALLED FORD AND A NEW SWITCH COSTS ABOUT $15.00 BUT NONE ARE AVAILABLE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO KICK THE ROCK OFF FORD BEING IN TOTAL DENIAL OF THE PROBLEM. IT'S QUITE EASY TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY KEEP SAYING THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING IT ??? IF I CAN GET A NEW SWITCH I CAN ALSO SEND THE DEFECTIVE ONE TO SOMEONE TO EVALUATE. THIS IS BASIC ELECTRONICS AND NOT A MYSTERY. THANKS,

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE # 10 FUSE KEEPS SHORTING OUT. THE SHIFTER CAN BE SHIFTED WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE ON POSITION. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS FUSE CONTROLS THIS SAFETY FEATURE ALONG WITH OTHER THINGS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. A GARAGE TOLD THE CONSUMER THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.*AK

STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE THEN JUMPED INTO GEAR VIOLENTLY. I MANAGED TO GET TEH VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND GEARSHIFT IN PARK. I MOVED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO DIFFERENT GEARS AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR HAD A HISTORY OF NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO ANY GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED ON A INCLINE. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO DOWNSHIFTED HARSHLY WHEN DECELERATING TO COAST THROUGH A TURN. BOTH ISSUES WERE REPORTED TO THE DAN WACHTEL FORD IN ATHENS, AL THAT SERVICES THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED AND HAD THE FILTER CHANGED TWICE, THE SECON ONLY 8000 MILES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. DEALER REPORTS THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I PURCHASED AN 5 YEAR/70,000 EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR, BUT OF COURSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I AM LOOKING AT A $2800 REPAIR BILL. I LOOKED AT THE FORD SERVICE BULLETINS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS THROUGH THIS SITE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A HISTORY OF THE SAME TYPE OF OCCURRENCES WITH THE WINDSTAR AND THE TRANSMISSION. SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM DEALER AND FORD SINCE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED, HAS LOW MILEAGE CONSIDERING IT IS 6 YEARS OLD AND HAS A HISTORY OF SUCH EVENTS.

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKING BETWEEN TWO VEHICLES AND I NEED TO PROCEED SLOWLY AND WITH CAUTION, MY ENGINE HAS A SUDDEN, MOMEMENTARY SURGE OF APPROXIMATELY 500 RPM EACH TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS DUE TO THIS SUDDEN MOVEMENT WHEN STOPPED FOR PEDESTRANS TO PASS IN FRONT OF ME, I HAVE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD, THEY LOOK AT ME LIKE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO RUN THEM DOWN. AS OF THIS DATE, I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT IS DOING THIS.

PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRIC MIRROR DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. WHEN SWITCHED TO RIGHT OR LEFT, THE MIRROR GOES DIAGONALLY UP OR DOWN, ALSO WHEN SWITCHED UP AND DOWN. THE WIRING, SWITCH AND MIRROR WERE CHECKED. THE MIRROR IS NEW, BOUGHT FROM FORD. *JB

ABS LIGHT ALMOST CONSTANTLY ON IN MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX, 3.8 LITER. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR 135,000 MILES. USED FOR SALES. MASTER CYLINDER (ABS) LIGHT ON AND SHORT AT LINE RUNNING INTO MASTER CYLINDER. PULLED FUSE AFTER BLOWING SEVERAL. AFFECTED PART OF DASH (SPEEDO, AND ODOMITER) AND CRUISE NOW DOES NOT WORK. HAD MY SON CONFIRM WERE SMOKED WIRE WAS WHILE PUTTING IN NEW FUSE AND WATCHING UNDER HOOD WITH MY SON STARTING VAN. NOTE: SAME PROBLEM AS SEE IN NEWS REPORTS ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS BUT WINDSTAR WAS NOT LISTED. MY MECHINIC DOES NOT DO WIRING BUT HE DID POINT OUT TOSTED HARRNESS AND CONNECTION AT MASTER CYLINDER.

DT: FORD WINSTAR 1999 FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. *AK

1. 99 WINDSTAR, FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE, 71,000 MILES, SPRING FRACTURED SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY 2. UNABLE TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT PARTS, NO ESTIMATED DELIVERY TIME FOR BACKORDERED SPRINGS FROM FORD 3.NO SOLUTION FROM FORD OTHER THAN WAIT

CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES ON IT'S OWN THEN DOES NOT RESTART WHEN I TRY TO RESET IT

UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A STOP VEHICLE ACCELERATED, RESULTING IN UNWANTED AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION

DT: REAR BLOWER MOTOR IN THE REAR OF VAN SMELLED LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND THEN STOPPED WORKING. THERE WAS A RECALL ON EXACT MODEL, 1999, FORD, WINDSTAR. THE OWNER'S MALFUNCTIONED PART WAS NOT PRODUCED WHERE THE OTHERS WERE, SO SHE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE BLOWER HAS NOT WORKED FOR A MONTH. THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE BLOWER. THE OWNER TOOK THE VAN TO A SERVICE STATION, AND THE SERVICE STATION INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, ON EXACTLY WHAT SHE SHOULD BRING TO FORD FOR VEICLE TO BE FIXED. THE SERVICE ADVISED THE OWNER TO GO TO FORD FOR THE RECALL. SHE THEN TRIED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH FORD, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT. THE OWNER TRIED TO CONTACT FORD. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR THAT THE AIR HAD BEEN ON. AND THAT WAS WHEN THE BURNING ODOE SHE SMELLED AND THE BLOWER STOPPED WORKING.*AK

ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF ALONG WITH OVERDRIVE LIGHT. *TR

ON 5/1/05 MY WIFE DROVE THE VAN TO WORK WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT WORK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. SHE THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FORM UNDER THE DASH. SHE HAD A FRIEND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY (THAT ACT PROBABLY SAVED THE VEHICLE FORM CATCHING FIRE). I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO CLAIR FORD IN SACO, ME. CLAIR FORD TOLD ME THE WIPER MOTOR BURNED OUT DUE TO SOME KIND OF SHORT CIRCUIT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT TELL WHAT CAUSED THE SHORT CIRCUIT. ON 5/20 I READ ABOUT A RECALL FORM FORD FOR WIPER MOTORS BURNING UP. I CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA E-MAIL AND A WOMAN CALLED ME A FEW DAYS LATER AND SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS INVOLVING WIPERS AND FORD WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I THEN RESEARCHED THE NHTSA WEB SITE IT SHOWED ME THAT FORD HAD RECALLED THE WIPERS IN 2001 UNDER RECALL NUMBER 01S25. *JB

HEAD GASKETS ON MY FORD WINDSTAR 3.8 LITER ARE LEAKING COOLANT AT 83.9K MILES. HAD A 1994 FORD TAURUS WITH SAME PROBLEM. HAD TO JUNK CAR AT 70000. THAT WAS 20000 AFTER I HAD IT FIXED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME AT 38000. FORD HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS 3.8 V-6 BUT DON'T WANT TO ADMIT IT.*AK

OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS 51,000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. YESTERDAY (4/8/05) WHILE DRIVING KIDS HOME FROM SCHOOL THE VAN MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND WOULD NOT GO INTO FORWARD OR REVERSE. WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO SHOULDER. WE REPLACED BATTERY A MONTH AGO, AND WHILE DRIVING OVER THE BAY BRIDGE (MARYLAND) EASTER SUNDAY OUR HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS BEGAN TO DIM AND VAN SEEMED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL. BY THE TIME WE DROVE 4 MILES TO HOME ALL LIGHTS WERE OUT AND CAR WAS SPUTTERING, WOULDN'T START. WE THEN REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. THE O/D LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING. INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON SPORADICALLY AS WELL AS DOOR AJAR LIGHT WHEN ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. INTERIOR LIGHTS SOMETIMES DON'T COME ON WHEN VAN IS PARKED AND DOORS OPENED. NO RHYME OR REASON TO THIS. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE DUE TO ABNORMAL WEAR. WE ARE GETTING QUOTES OF BETWEEN 1,600 AND 2,800 FOR TRANSMISSION. ALSO WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHERE MIRROR WAS REATTACHED AFTER IT FELL OFF. WHEN WE WERE JUST OVER 3 YEARS AND AT AROUND 25,000 MILES, ALL DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ALSO WHILE DRIVING ON BAY BRIDGE. TOOK VAN TO DEALER (BOB BELL IN GLEN BURNIE, MD) AND THEY SAID THEY'D HAVE IT DONE THAT DAY BUT KEPT IT A WEEK. I THREW A FIT AND GOT A LOANER - A TIN CAN ON WHEELS. FORD EVENTUALLY COVERED SOME OF THE REPAIRS THROUGH A 'SPECIAL PROGRAM.' I CANNOT BELEIVE THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THESE PIECES OF GARBAGE WITH THE NUMBER OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES I SEE ON THIS WEBSITE. NHTSA SHOULD FORCE FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS NONSENSE AND PAY FOR THESE OUTRAGEOUS FAILURES. WE ALSO HAVE A FORD PICKUP AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT. HENRY MUST BE ROLLING OVER IN HIS GRAVE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, MOVING AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH, THE FUSE (10)CONTROLLING THE SPEED CONTROL MODULE, ABS MODULE, BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID, POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, ETC. ETC. BLEW. INSTANTLY, I HAD NO SPEEDOMETER, ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND MY REAR A/C BEGAN BLOWING ON ITS OWN. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED #10 FUSE AND IT HAS BLOWN REPEATEDLY. SINCE THIS PAST FRIDAY, I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT MY CRUISE CONTROL IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. I HAVE DONE THE RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND FROM MY FELLOW FORD LEMON OWNERS, THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURANCE. I WILL BE REPLACING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND/OR BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH (WHICH IS LOCATED BY THE MASTER CYCLINDER; WHICH COMMONLY SEEMS TO HAVE A SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT DUE TO THE WONDERFUL JOB FORD DID DESIGNING THEIR VEHICLES. *AK

UPDATING COMPLAINT 10116674 - MECHANIC INFORMED US THE PLANETARY ASSEMBLY HAS CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED AND SAYS THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR SUCH A LOW-MILEAGE VEHICLE. HE STATED THERE MUST BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. HE WILL SAVE ALL RUINED PARTS - TOTAL WILL BE ABOUT $2,300. WILL FORD HAVE THE INTEGRITY TO STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCTS? WILL NHTSA FORCE A RECALL DUE TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF FAILURES ON THESE VANS? *AK THE CONSUMER STILL DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM FORD. THERE WAS A PLANETARY ASSEMBLY PROBLEM WITH THE CONSUMERS 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. AT 51K MILES, THE PLANETARY ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER, SUN GEAR, SOLENOID AND THE REVERSE DRUM. *SC *JB

1999 FORD WINDSTAR CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR

1999 FORD EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH RACK AND PINION SYSTEM, AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM. *MR ALL OF THE HOLD DOWN BUTTONS WERE STRIPPED OUT AND STRIPPED IN THE GEAR HOUSING CAUSING GEAR FAILURE. *SC *JB

THE ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND IT IS INTERMITTENTLY. WE HAVE HAD THE ABS CHECKED AND TOLD IT IS FINE, BUT IT MAKES NO SENSE THAT THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN ONGOING FOR THE LAST 4 OR SO YEARS. *TR

CAR ONLY HAS 72000 MILES. HAD CAR AT DEALERSHIP FROM MARCH 17- MARCH 24 FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS. THEY REPLACED A TIE ROD, 2 CONTROL ARMS FOR $1100 AND WHEN THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE STEERING RACK. CAR WAS STILL NOT RIGHT - HAD APPT TO BRING BACK IN ON FRIDAY APRIL 1ST. ON MARCH 30TH, I WAS ACCELERATING AT A STOPLIGHT AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABRUPT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. (WHEN WE GOT IT BACK FROM THE DEALER IT HAD A VIBRATING ISSUE BUT WE DID NOT HAVE WARNING THIS WAS COMING) JUST A HUGE BANG AND THEN IT WOULDN'T MOVE. THE POLICE HAD TO HELP ME REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE INTERSECTION AND ASSIST WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN. IT HAD TO BE TOWED AT MY EXPENSE $70. WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60K. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR ESTABLISHMENT (DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE DEALER) - WILL BE $2200 TO REBUILD ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. WILL BE CONTACTING MANUFACTURER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE FORWARD GEARS BECAME INOPERABLE. *AK

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE GEARS WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND WAS REPLACED. *AK *SC

VEHICLE FAILED EMISSIONS DURING A ROUTINE SAFETY INSPECTION. CONSUMER STATED HE DID NOT SMELL ANY FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 63,000 MI. MECHANIC INFORMED US THE PLANETARY ASSEMBLY HAS CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED,TOTAL WILL BE ABOUT $2,500 FOR A REBUILT TRANS. PREFORMED ALL MAINTANCE FOR THE TRANS. AT 40,000 MI. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. WILL FORD HAVE THE INTEGRITY TO STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCTS? WILL NHTSA FORCE A RECALL DUE TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF FAILURES ON THESE VANS? PS. FORD SAYS NO TO ANY HELP. I EVEN OFFERED TO PAY FOR LABOR IF THEY PAID FOR THE TRANSMISSION. STILL NO.

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION IN MY WIFE'S 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE BROKE WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE IN MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING EVALUATED FOR REPAIR COST.*AK

WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKES VERY HARD TO STOP, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND THROTTLE CABLE WAS DISCOVERED TO BE DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND HAD TOO MANY MILES.*AK THE THROTTLE STUCK, CAUSING SEVERELY DAMAGED TO BRAKES. CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT FORD DID RECALL ON 932 OF ITS 1999 AND 2000 MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *BF *NM

WHEN MY WINDSTAR PASSES THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER, POWER STEERING IS LOST FOR 5 TO 10 SECONDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS NEGOTIATING A CURVE AND ENTERS WATER DURING THE TURN THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE CONTROL WHICH WOULD PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM STAYING WITHIN HIS/HER LANE AND CAUSING A HEAD ON COLLISION OR EXIT THE ROAD SURFACE. *JB

3.8L V6. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, LEAN CODE. HAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS REPLACED AT MY COST IN OCT 03 AT 70K MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN IN FEB 05 AT 90K MILES. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AGAIN. AT MY COST AGAIN. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS DOES NOT FEEL IT'S A PROBLEM.*AK

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM, NO LEAK. HAD SPEED SENSOR REPLACED AND WHILE THERE HAD FLUID FLUSHED AND CHANGED. THE DAY AFTER RETURNING HOME WITH VEHICLE NOTICED SMALL AMOUNT OF FLUID ON CARPORT. RETURNED TO DEALER WITHIN 2-3 DAYS. WAS TOLD THAT MAYBE SOME FLUID HAD SPILLED WHILE CHANGING. SEVERAL DAYS LATER NOTICED MUCH MORE FLUID ON CARPORT. RETURNED TO DEALER. NOW THEY SAY THE TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL WAS CRACKED. IT WAS NOT LEAKING AT ALL BEFORE BEING SERVICED. THIS SEAL JUST MYSTERIOUSLY DECIDED TO LEAK IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED?

I WAS STOPPED AT A 4-WAY STOP, STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I THEN HAD NO FORWARD GEARS, BUT REVERSE STILL WORKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHO INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW (REMANUFACTURED) TRANSMISSION AT $2500. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 43,423 MILES AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED. I CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER, BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE OR "GOODWILL" BECAUSE THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAD EXPIRED. THE NUMBER OF 1999 WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION FAILURES REPORTED AT NHTSA AND OTHER WEBSITES APPEARS TO BE INORDINATELY HIGH. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 56,000 MILES AND THE SECOND TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED WITH 39,000 MILE ON IT. FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING. THERE IS NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ON THEIR PART THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH 1999 WINDSTAR TRANSMISSIONS. AFTER MUCH INTERNET RESEARCH< I SAY THERE IS ! *JB

WE OWN A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WE BOUGHT IT IN NOVEMBER OF 2001. WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER DOORS. WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP TO GET FIXED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT HAVE NEVER HAD THEM WORKING RIGHT. THE DOORS VERY RARELY SHUT TIGHTLY AND WHEN THEY DO THEY POP OPEN WHILE IN DRIVE. ON A FEW OCCASIONS THE DOORS HAVE OPENED COMPLETELY. I WORRY THAT MY CHILDREN MIGHT GET SERIOUSLY INJURED IF THIS IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. HAS ANYONE ELSE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS?*AK

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IN MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR CAME ON. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, MY COOLANT WAS DISAPPEARING, IT WAS BEING SUCKED INTO MY ENGINE DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE LOCKED UP DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION (COOLANT MIXING WITH OIL). I REPLACED THE ENGINE. THE VAN HAD A 3.8L 6 CYLINDER ENGINE MADE IN CANADA. *JB

RECALL # 01 V 262 000/AUXILIARY A/C BLOWER MOTOR WIRING: CONSUMER UNABLE TO GET THE DEALER TO HONOR THIS RECALL SINCE JANUARY 1, 2005. *JB

THE LATCHES ON THE VEHICLE ARE DEFECTIVE. THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT LATCH WILL NOT OPEN. THE LATCH ON CD STORAGE WILL NOT WORK EITHER AND THE LATCH ON THE HATCHBACK IS ABOUT READY TO BREAK...IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WANT TO OPEN. *JB

INTERIOR LIGHTS TURN ON AND/OR FLICKER WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION. ALL DOORS CLOSED TIGHT. THE LIGHTS MADE IT HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. FORD SAID THEY WOULD NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED, ABS LIGHT ON. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR OTHER ISSUES, THEY CHECKED THE ABS SYSTEM, SAID A NEW ECM WOULD FIX IT... $300 PART!!!! THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THE WINDSTARS. *TR

CONSUMER STATES DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FUEL RAIL FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE. *AK......THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY EUGENE PALMER FOR EMPLOYER ASCENT MEDIA OF PALM BEACH, FL. AT LEAST TWO 1999 HAVE HAD THIS FUEL PROBLEM. *AK