1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

WE WERE STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT AT THE CORNER OF 7TH AVE. AND PIKE STREET IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, MY HUSBAND PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN HE DID THAT, WE HEARD A "THUNK" NOISE, AND THEN THE GEARS STARTED GRINDING AND THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. WE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO TACOMA TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITY.

JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT CAN GO WRONG WITH A CAR, I'VE EXPERIENCED IT AS THE OWNER OF THIS 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX. I'VE HAD TRANSMISSION WORK DONE, BRAKE WORK, REPLACED TIRES (TWICE IN 2 YEARS), REPLACE THE BATTERY AND THE STARTER. I CAME TO THIS SITE BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T START, WOULDN'T TAKE A JUMP, WOULDN'T MAKE A SOUND. I CALLED TO HAVE IT TOWED AND THE GENTLEMAN JIGGLED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR STARTED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME NO ONE COULD START IT. TESTING THE BATTERY AND PRIMARY PARTS FOR STARTING THE CAR PROVED THAT THESE PARTS WERE ALL FUNCTIONING NORMAL. A FEW HOURS AND $127.00 LATER (NOT INCLUDING THE COST OF TOWING THE VEHICLE) I'M TOLD THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE. IT IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $900.00 WITH A 90-DAY WARRANTY. RECOMMENDATIONS TO ME WERE TO GET RID OF THE CAR. "THIS PARTICULAR PART IN ALL FORD VEHICLES IS POORLY BUILT." I HAVEN'T DECIDED WHAT I'M GOING TO DO AT THIS POINT, HOWEVER, I FEEL PRETTY SURE MY DECISION WILL NOT INVOLVE STAYING WITH FORD. *JB

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF, PULLING THE AXLE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK......ACCORDING TO A FEW DEALERSHIPS THE SUBFRAME HAS HA DNUMEROUS PROBLEMS CAUSING THE MANUFACTURER TO ALTER THE MANNER IN WHICH THE TIE ROD IS MOUNTED ON THE WINDSTAR SUBFRAME WHEN THE TIE ROD FAILED RUSTING COMPLETELY OFF . VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN MAKING ALEFT TURN WHEN THE WHEEL SHIFTED AND BROUGHT VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. IF IT HAPPENED EARLIER IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT 55 WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. COST BY FORD WAS $1155.00. *AK

ON OCT 30, 2004 ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOKE TO DEALER LEAKING HEAD GASKET COSTING $459.00 NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED WHICH IS GOING TO COST 2398.00 TO FIX TWO MAJOR REPAIRS IN 2 WEEKS THIS IS CRAP FORD SO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH A RECALL. *AK

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD EGINES. WHEN IT IS COLD USUALLY A TEMPERATURE BELOW 20 DEGREES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS DON'T SEAL CORRECTLY, CAUSING A ENGINE ERROR IN THE COMPUTER. MY DEALER SAYS OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS THEY WILL FIX ABOUT 50 A SEASON AND ALREADY THIS SHORT SEASON THEY HAVE FIXED ABOUT A DOZEN INCLUDING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR.*AK

TRANSMISSION ON OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTS US 2500.00. CAR HAS ONLY 56,000 MILES ON IT.*AK

WHEN TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IT LAUNCHED FORWARD. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE LAUNCHING. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A GASKET KIT THAT WILL PREVENT THE INTAKE GASKET, GAS LEAK. *AK *SC

NO HEAT OR DEFROSTER FOR FRONT HALF OF VEHICLE, REAR HEATER WORKS FINE. THERE IS A BLENDING DOOR IN THE HEATER BOX ON THE FIREWALL THAT APPARENTLY HAS A SMALL MOTOR THAT OPERATES THE BLEND DOOR. THE MOTOR IS FINE. MECHANICS TELL ME THAT A SCREW THAT HOLDS THE BOX IN PLACE LOOSENS ALLOWING THE BOX TO WARP WHICH RUBS OR STOPS THE ROD ATTACHED TO THE MOTOR AND THE BLENDING DOOR FROM MOVING SMOOTHLY. MY MOTOR OPERATES FINE BUT HAS BROKEN THE ROD MAKING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN YOU OPERATE THE MANUAL CONTROL FROM COLD TO HOT. THE DOOR STAYS CLOSED IN THE COLD MODE, NO HEAT OR DEFROSTER. *JB

HAVE NOW REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING PUMP TWICE IN OUR 99 FORD WINDSTAR. FIRST TIME WAS AT 68,660 MILES, AND JUST REPLACED AGAIN AT 156,912 MILES. HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM AND WANTED NHTSA TO BE AWARE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE. *JB

THE PLASTIC LENS ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HEADLIGHTS HAVE CLOUDED (NOT DIRTY) WITH AGE. THE LIGHT EMITTED BY THEM AT NIGHT HAS DECREASED BECAUSE OF THAT. THAT HAS CREATED A SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. I CANNOT SEE AS CLEARLY OR AS FAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS WORRIES ME. FORD HAS DECLINED TO REPLACE THEM FOR FREE SAYING THEY HAVE NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I WORK FOR AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A FLEET OF FORDS. I HAVE SEEN THAT SAME PROBLEM IN THE OLDER FORDS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD REPLACE THE LENS FOR FREE. NO SUCH PROBLEM EXISTED IN CARS WITH GLASS HEADLIGHTS. THANK YOU!. *AK

AT 33,000 MILES, SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REBUILT AT A LOCAL SHOP FOR $2600 ... FORD CONTACTED, BUT REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT.*AK

AT APPROXIMATELY 79,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILED CATASTROHICALLY. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, AND PROCEEDED FORWARD WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, I FELT A VIOLENT FORWARD JOLT, THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER GO FORWARD, THOUGH IT WOULD REVERSE. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED, AND WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED, COSTING $1800 (AND THAT WAS WITH A DISCOUNT FOR BEING FREQUENT CUSTOMERS.) ALSO, THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING DAYS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN 2002. DEALER REPAIRED FREE, BUT INFORMED US THAT THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE O/D SWITCH RESTED ON THE ENGINE, WHERE NORMAL VIBRATIONS CAUSED IT TO WEAR THROUGH AND FAIL. THE TECHNICIAN CALLED IT A "DESIGN FLAW."*AK

THE POORLY MANUFACTURED ALUMINUM PISTONS IN THE TRANSMISSION FRACTURED AND DESTROYED OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE TRANSMISSION AT 99,000 MILES.*AK

FRONT HEATER DOES NOT WORK. I WENT ON WEB AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH SAME PROBLEM. EITHER HEATER DOOR BEHIND RADIO DOES NOT CLOSE OR GEAR THAT OPERATES DOOR BREAKS. REAR HEATER WORKS, BUT IN COLD WEATHER OR SNOWY WEATHER, ONE CANNOT SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB

THE VEHICLE'S A/C BLOWER MOTOR FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. *NM THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE'S BLOWER MOTOR AND FEELS THAT IF HE WAS NOTIFIED THE REPAIRS COULD HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE FIRE PREVENTED. *NM

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH 1999 FORD WINDSTAR ON SEVERAL OCCASION. *BF (TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE) THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EXISTED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED; ENGINE TROUBLE, VAPORIZATION LEAKS, AND A BROKEN GEAR. THERE WERE ALSO WORN FRONT BRAKES, STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK DUE TO THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *SC *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES. THE REPAIR SHOP CLEARED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM SHE WAS REFERRED TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER. THE DEALER CLEARED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE. AFTERWARDS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. SHE WENT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, AND SAID NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 04/06/06

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE GASKET INTAKE SEAL AND MANIFOLD VALVE COVER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WA COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING SEEN AT THE DEALERS. NO DIAGNOSE HAS BEEN GIVEN AT THIS TIME. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

DRIVING LOCALLY AT LOW SPEED, UPON ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ABRUPT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS, JUST A LOUD BANG AND THEN IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD AND HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALER WHERE THE VAN WAS PURCHASED AND SERVICED AT OFFERED NO RECOURSE AS I AM OUT-OF-WARRANTY! IN PROCESS OF GETTING ESTIMATES TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *AK

THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR DOES NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE REST OF THE DOORS DO UNLOCK. DURING AN EMERGENCY THIS COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM WHEN TRYING TO EXIT THE MINI VAN.*AK

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SUDDENLY SPURTS ANTIFREEZE FROM INTAKE VALVE GASKET. FORD DEALER NOTIFIED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8L V6 AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE WORK SINCE IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. ALSO, TOLD THAT "EXTENDED WARRANTY" FOR THE PROBLEM WAS EXPIRED. *AK

WHILE TURNING ON THE DEFOGGER OR HEAT IT FAILED TO COME ON. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, MECHANIC ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED, BUT THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR. *AK IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT HE BLEND AIR DOOR WAS BROKEN WHICH WOULD NOT ALLOW HEAT TO BLOW TROUGH ANY OF THE VENTS. *NM

RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. LEAKED FLUID UNTIL THERE NONE WAS LEFT. THIS CAUSED POWER STEERING TO FAIL. *AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HAVE NO WARNING AND NO STEERING. POWER STEERING FLUID WAS EVERYWHERE. IT TOOK MY WIFE AND I TOO TURN THS VAN INTO A PARKING LOT. UNFORTUNATELY I HAD MY 3 CHILDREN IN THIS VAN WITH ME. I HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION OR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I AM NOT EVEN SURE IF I SHOULD OR NOT. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYWAY TO KNOW IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER(S) GOT THE RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF.*AK

WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN OHIO WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. UPON EXITING THE FREEWAY WE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND BARELY ACCELERATED AND THE VAN HESITATED AND WE BARELY MADE A SLIGHT TURN INTO A GAS STATION WHEN THE VAN WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO GEAR. WE MANAGED TO NURSE IT INTO A PARKING SPOT AND PUT IT IN PARK AND THERE IS WHERE IT STAYED, UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA FROM MICHIGAN. THE VAN ONLY HAD 53091 MILES ON IT AND WAS MAINTAINED WELL. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A DEALER AND WERE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FAULTY SUN GEAR. UPON FURTHER QUESTIONING WE WERE TOLD THAT SOMETHING NOT WELDED PROPERLY JUST "BROKE LOOSE" AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

FIRST, THE O/D LIGHT FLASHED. A FEW DAYS LATER, WHIE DRIVING ON THE HIGWAY WITH ALL MY KIDS IN THE VAN, I SAW TONS OF SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE VAN. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SAW ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID POURING OUT UNDER THE FRONT END. I DROVE TO AN EXIT, CALLED FOR A RIDE HOME (IT TOOK TWO SEPARATE DRIVERS TO COME AND GET ME AND THE KIDS!) AND GOT THE VAN TOWED. THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH WENT, AND THEN CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS WELL--AT 74,000 MILES. EVERY GARAGE I CALLED SAID THAT THIS IS A BAD TRANSMISSION, AND THEY REPLACE/REBUILD IT ALL THE TIME. *AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A TURN, THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

FORD WINDSTAR XL 1999- FRONT END CLUNKING NOISES SERVICED 3-4 TIMES BEFORE IT WAS FIXED. REPEATED REPAIRS TO VARIOUS FRONT END COMPONENTS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE INCLUDING POWER STEERING PUMP, RACK & PINION, TIE RODS, U-JOINTS COSTING $2000 OR MORE. CONTINUE TO SUFFER FROM GROANING, NOISY, & STIFF STEERING. ALSO ONGOING ENGINE PINGING UPON ACCELERATION AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIRS. RANDOM POWER SLIDING DOOR FUNCTION. METALLIC RATTLING, JINGLING NOISES FROM UNDER CAR BOTH WHEN IDLING & DRIVING. *TR

WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE SIDE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS INJURED. *AK

TWO PROBLEMS OCCURRED IN ONE MONTH. FIRST, THE POWER STEERING WENT CRAZY. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS LEAKING AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. BUT I WAS NOT SURE BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW IF FORD DEALER WAS TRYING TO RIP ME OFF. THEN I TOOK IT TO CARX IN RACINE, WI TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. HE SAID SAME THING BUT HE CAN'T FIX IT BECAUSE HE HAD TO ORDER THE PART. THEN I DECIDED TO WAIT AND LEAVE. ABOUT 2 MILES LATER, THE TRANSMISSION BLEW UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT CAN'T DRIVE OR GEAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO TOWNE FORD INC. IN RACINE, WI. THE TOWNE FORD INC SAID THAT HE FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS ONE OF THE GEARS SNAPPED OFF THE METAL PART. THEY HAD NO IDEA WHY IT HAPPENED. SO, MY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION INSTEAD OF SEVERAL PARTS BECAUSE OF THE COST AND WARRANTY COVERAGE. BUT MY VAN ISN'T OLD YET. IT IS 1999 FORD WINDSTAR AND IT HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS STILL KIND OF NEW. WHY DID THE TRANSMISSION BLOW UP AT 50,000 MILES? WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY ON TRANSMISSION? BY MILES OR AGE? ALSO, WHY DID POWER STEERING GET LEAKING?*AK

POWER STEERING LEAKING AT STEERING RACK ON 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. APPROX. 63,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. INTIAL INQUIRY WITH MECHANIC; REPLACEMENT OF RACK. VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL REPAIRED, LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT DRIVING SPEEDS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. WHAT IS BEING DONE REGARDING THIS PREMATURE FAILURE?*AK

STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM VAN WHEN I TURN, RACK AND PINIONS GONE BAD, FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING AND TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEVER GET ANYTHING FROM THEM FOR REIBURSEMENT OF REPAIRS AND THAT THEY DON'T CARE WHAT THE NHTSA OR GOVERMENT SAY. I ONLY HAVE 36,000 MILES ON MY VAN EVEN THOUGH IT IS A 1999 WINDSTAR THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. FOR DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR REPUTATION OR PRODUCT OR CONSUMERS. *AK

CONSUMER WAS AT A RED LIGHT OF A MAJOR INTERSECTION, HEARD A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. TRANSMISSION LITERALLY EXPLODED FOR NO REASON AND NO WARNING. DANGER BECAUSE OF OUR LOCATION CAUSING TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. CAR ONLY HAS 55000 MILES ON IT. WE HAD THE TRANS REBUILT - STEEL PART EXPLODED. COSTING CONSUMER $2400. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO HELP OR ACKNOWLEDGE SAFETY PROBLEMS WHEN A CAR JUST DIES - COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS AND INJURY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO STOP OR DIE NEXT ON YOU. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW WITH MY FAMILY. SECOND TIME IN 4 MONTHS THIS CAR HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE AND INTERSECTION.*AK

SEATBELT ON PASSENGER SIDE (FRONT SEAT) OF 1999 FORD WINDSTAR RUBBED PLASTIC SLEEVE (WHERE SEATBELT RETRACTS DOWN INTO DOORPOST COVER) CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE PLASTICS EDGE CAUSING IT TO BE ROUGH AND JAGGED, WHICH CAUSED 1/4" OF FRAYING INTO THE EDGE OF THE SEATBELT WHICH CONTINUES TO CUT INTO THE BELT WITH EACH USE. THERE SEEMS TO MAYBE BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT WITH THE DESIGN. THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS A WARPED (NOT SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THAT) PLASTIC PIECE ABOVE THE BELT WHICH PUSHES THE BELT AWAY FROM THE EDGE OF THE SLEEVE (HARD TO DESCRIBE), MAKING IT NOT RUB AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE SLEEVE, SO NO PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT HAS DEVELOPED.*AK

01 V 261 000/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER: THE WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *JB

I LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE IN THE OUTSIDE LANE ON THE INTERSTATE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE EMERGENCY PARKING LANE WITHOUT INCIDENT, HOWEVER, WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE (NO GEARS AT ALL) IT COULD HAVE BEEN QUITE DANGEROUS ON A BUSIER STRETCH OF HIGHWAY. I WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION PUMP, SHAFT, VALVE BODY AND SEALS. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, WITHOUT WARNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *LA *JB

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BURST INTO FLAMES AROUND FOUR IN THE MORNING ON MAY 24, 2004. VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED SINCE THE AFTERNOON ON MAY 21 AS WE HAD GONE ON A CAMPING TRIP FOR THE WEEKEND.THE FIRE WAS THE HOTTEST BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT REALLY CAUSED THE FIRE IN MY FORD VAN. THEY DID STATE THAT IT LIKELY STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK

FIRST: WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE IN NC OUR VAN DIED. AFTER SAFELY PULLING OVER, CROSSING 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, WE HAD THE VAN TOWED HOME TO VA AND THE MECHANIC SAID HE CHANGES 7-8 TRANSMISSIONS A WEEK IN FORD WINDSTAR VANS. WE HAD FALLEN VICTIM TO THIS. WE STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE O/D LIGHT COMING ON AND HAVING TO ADD TRANSMISSION FLUID FREQUENTLY. SECOND: OUR VAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS DIM AND BLINK AT RANDOM. THE ALERT WILL ALSO COME ON SAYING ONE OF THE DOORS IS AJAR LEAVING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON AND DOORS UNLOCKED. IT WILL RANDOMLY CHANGE DOORS WHILE DRIVING. NOW THE REAR TURNING LIGHTS DO NOT FLASH, THE LOCKS DO NOT WORK, THE INTERIOR AND BACK EXTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT GO OUT EVEN WITH THE KEY OFF AND OUT. THERE WILL BE RANDOM BEEPING AND BUZZING NOISES. THE REAR HEAT/AIR TURNS OFF AND ON AT RANDOM EVEN WITH THE CONTROLS IN THE OFF POSITION. THERE IS A CLICKING UNDER THE DASH WHEN THE REAR HEAT OR AIR IS RUNNING. ON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC FOUND THE ALARM WIRES UNDER THE DASH BARE, UNHOOKED, AND EXPOSED. HE TAPED THESE HOPING IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT HAS NOT. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IS NOT REPUTABLE. IT IS A WELL KNOWN FACT IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY BREAK SOMETHING ELSE WHILE FIXING ANOTHER TO ENSURE A RETURN VISIT. WE HAVE TO TRAVEL 45-60 MINUTES TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY ARE SO BUSY BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE SERVICE FOR A LARGE RURAL AREA. FORD HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED PHONE CALLS OR LETTERS SENT TO THEM. WE FEEL STUCK WITH A LEMON! *TR

RECENTLY EXPERIENCE WIPER MOTOR/HARNESS CORROSION ON MY 1999 FORD WNSTAR WHICH HAS RESULTED IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. THE WIPERS FAILED WHILE MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS WERE DRIVING ON I-40 WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THEM TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAPITAL FORD DEALER AND THE WIPER FAILURE WAS ANALYZED AT A CHARGE OF $61.00 ON MAY 20, 2004.THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THE HARNESS AND MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $461.00. THE DEALER HAS BEEN LESS THAN HELPFUL IN EXPLAINING HOW CORROSION DEVELOPED. ON MAY 25, 2004 10:45 EST), I CALLED FORD MOTOR CORP. CUSTOMER RELATIONS (KURL 800-392-3673). I EXPLAINED MY SITUATION AND REFERRED TO RECALL # 01V26100. SHE STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO WARRANTEE/RECALL COVERAGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS WELL OUTSIDE THE 12 MONTHS/12,000. MILES. SHE FURHTER SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE IN 2001 AND THAT THERE WAS NO RELATIONSHIP TO MY CURRENT MALFUNCTION AND THE RECALL. LOGIC WOULD SUGGEST THAT A RECALL 2 YEARS AFTER MANUFACTURER DATE COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A PROBLEM/MALFUNCTION 5 YEARS LATER. PLEASE ADVISE BY WRITTEN NOTICE OF YOUR FINDINGS OR CONCLUSIONS. THANKS

ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

OVERDRIVE LIGHT WILL FLASH REPEATEDLY AFTER APPROXIMATELY DRIVING 20-25 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, RPMS INCREASE AND VAN ATTEMPTS TO LUNGE FORWARD. ALSO, WHILE PUTTING VAN INTO GEAR LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED COMPLETELY, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. FIRST OCCURANCE AT 61,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING FAMILY BACK FROM VACATION. 2ND OCCURANCE AT 63,000 MILES AND 3RD OCCURANCE AT 63,800 MILES. *AK

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO 25 MPH THE VEHICLE STOPPED GOING FORWARD. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO GO BACKWARDS, BUT NOT FORWARD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. *AK *NM

THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED REVEALED THE FAILURE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH AND THE STATOR. THE RECOMMENDED ACTION WAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, AT A COST OF $3,086.72. A TRANSMISSION SHOULDN'T FAIL AT 65,000 MILES. *NM

I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2000. THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE IT HAD TO BE RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEMS. WE NOTICED A HARD SHIFTING RIGHT AWAY AND INQUIRED ABOUT IT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE IT HAD A LARGE ENGINE AND WE WERE JUST NOT USED TO IT. WE DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS WHEN AT 60,000 MILES THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASING. WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. WE WERE LUCKY AND HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS AND COMPLAINTS FINALLY PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW 2 YEARS AND 30,000 LATER WE NEED ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION. THE VAN STARTING LURCHING WHEN STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT AND THEN TRIED TO STALL. WE HAS ALSO NOTED A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT END IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT. WE ALSO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE THE LIGHT COME ON AND NEVER GO OFF. THE A/C-HEAT, COMES ON WHEN YOU START THE VAN AND THE BLOWER IS IN THE OFF POSITION. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS, WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO LOCK WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN DRIVE, FINALLY LOCK ABOUT 50 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH ON THE VAN AND ALL THE PROBLEMS IT HAS I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD WILL NOT DO SOMETHING. I GUESS THE LIVES OF THE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN THAT DRIVES THESE VANS MEAN NOTHING TO THEM. I GUESS IT WILL TAKE THE DEATH OF SOMEONE'S CHILDREN AND A HEAFTY LAWSUIT TO FINALLY GET SOME ACTION. MY WIFE IS NOW AFRAID TO EVEN GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF OUR VAN SINCE IT HAS A TENDENCY TO HAVE ITS FAILURES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ( GUESS WE ARE GLAD IT HAS A FIVE STAR SAFETY RATING). WE WOULD GET RID OF IT BUT HAVE NOW FOUND OUT THAT IT HAS NO VALUE EITHER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. BLACK SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE . CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME BY POURING A QUART OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES. CONSUMER HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK