1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

AWFUL NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WITH TENDENCY TO STALL. TOWED TO LEE MYLES TRANSMISSIONS, WITH DIAGNOSIS OF A SEPARATED 1/2 DRUM ASM EPC SOLENOID. REPAIR COST $2148.03 MINUS $180.28 PLUS TAX FOR A TRANSMISSION COOLER WITH LABOR. *NM

THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL WERE DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. *NLM. *AK *TS *JB

WHILE THE CONSUMER MADE A TURN THE POWER STEERING PUMP MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

CONSTANT TRANSMISSION SHUDDER DURING UPSHIFT. UNLIKE THE TSB DEALING WITH SHUDDER WHILE CORNERING, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ALL THE TIME. MECHANIC INDICATES THAT LIKELY CAUSE IS FAILURE OF THE PISTON IN THE FOWARD CLUTCH. A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN WINDSTARS. CONSEQUENTLY, IT CAUSES INSUFFICIENT ACCELERATION FORM A STOP MAKING CROSSING INTERSECTIONS UNSAFE.

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE ROTATED. MECHANIC ROTATED THE ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ONLY MOVE IN REVERSE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING FLUID STARTED TO LEAK WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *NLM

THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT ON MY VAN. LUCKILY I WAS AT HOME IN MY DRIVEWAY. CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO COMPLAINTS AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. SO I AM HAVING TO HAVE IT FIXED MY SELF. THE VEHICLE IS 4 YEARS OLD, I PERSONALLY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE PUMP SHOULD BE BAD.

WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VAN IN FOR REPAIR FIVETIMESIN ONE YEAR. THE FIRST MONTH WE HAD IT THE HEAD WAS REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT FOR NOW THE FIFTH TIME. I ACTUALLY LOST CONTROLOF THE VEHICLE DUE TO BEINGUNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING. MY HUSBAND HAS TO DRIVE ME EVERYWHERE BECAUSE ONLY HE CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. EACH TIME WE TAKE IT FOR REPAIR WE ARE CHARGED A DEDUCTIBLE AND I CAN NOT DO THIS ANYMORE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A LEMON. MARSHALL MIZE FORD IN CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE IS WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF 2001. THEY ALSO HAVE PERFORMED ALL SERVICE ON THIS VEHICLE. FORD HAS NOT BEEN UNDERSTANDING OF WHY MY PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN LATE, BUT WHEN YOU ARE HAVING THESE KINDS OF ISSUES SUCH AS ELECTRICAL, TRANSMISSION, AIR CONDITIONING, AND ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS, IT DOES NOT TAKE A GENIUS TO FIGURE OUT WHY A WOMAN WITH A FAMILY WHO DEPENDS ON THIS VEHICLE AS RELIABLE, SAFE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION IS HAVING DIFFICULTY. MAYBE IF THEIR PRODUCT WAS OF BETTER QUALITY, MY CHILDREN WOULD BE IN A SAFE VEHICLE, AND FORD WOULD GET THEIR MONEY ON TIME.

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. *NLM...*AK

ENGINE REVS UNEXPLAINABLE, CAUSING UNEXPECTED AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE. EXTREME BRAKE APPLICATION NEEDED TO STOP VEHICLE DURING INCIDENTS. HAS OCCURRED IN EXCESS OF 20 TIMES SO FAR DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. FORD DEALER UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.*JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *JB THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED, AND ALSO THE WIRES WERE BURNT. PH *JB

AS MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUR FORD WINDSTAR INTO THE DRIVEWAY, A SPRAY OF HOT OIL CAME FROM THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND HIT ME ON THE RIGHT LEG NOT SERIOUS BUT TURNED MY LEG RED FOR A SHORT TIME. APPEARS TO BE POWER STEERING FLUID AS SHE FINISHED BACKING UP THE VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE CAR WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE GROANING NOISE. HAVE ADDED A COUPLE OF OUNCES OF POWER STEERING FLUID INTO THE RESEVOIR. WILL DRIVE OR MAYBE HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP.*JB

HORN IS VERY HARD TO ACTIVATE. I SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY FILED THIS COMPLAINT, BUT I DON'T SEE ANY ACTION TAKEN. FORD HAS SOLD A CAR WITH A USELESS HORN, WHICH MUST BE IN VIOLATION OF SOME SAFETY REGULATION. *TT

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO DOWN SHIFT. *NLM

SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB

SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE BEING DRIVEN BY A FORD DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER REPLACING A DEFECTIVE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD. VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 32621 MILES. WHILE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT ENVOLVED, THE SUDDENESS OF THE FAILURE OF A MAJOR DRIVE COMPONENT PRESENTS THE HAZARD POTENTIAL THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. AN INTERNET SEARCH HAS REVEALED SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR PREMATURE AND SUDDEN FAILURES ON THIS VEHICLE AND OTHER MODEL VEHICLES THAT USE THE TRANSMISSION FOUND IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED IN ORDER TO BRING IT INTO THE FEDERAL DATA BASE IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF A RECALL OF THIS TRANSMISSION IS WARRANTED. I HAVE THE REPLACED COMPONENTS AND WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT THEM FOR TEST AND ANALYSIS IF THIS AGENCY IS INTERESTED.*AK

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB

THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE DEALER STATED THE RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. HOWEVER, THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2001 BY THE DEALER. *JB

PURCHASED USED 11/15/02. UPON 2ND ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WAS ADVISED THAT I HAD A TRANS. LEAK PAN GASKET. TOOK THE VAN TO DEALERSHIP (NEMER FORD) WHERE PURCHASED, ADVISED THEM THAT THE VAN WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY IN ADDITION TO THE GASKET NEEDING REPLACEMENT.THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE GASKET DID NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND SERVICED, I AGREED TO THIS SERVICE. THERE WAS STILL SLIGHT SHUDDERING WHEN SHIFTING, BUT NOT LIKE IT WAS. UPON TAKING IT IN FOR THE 3RD ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, I ADVISED THEM THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE SHUDDERING GETTING WORSE, BUT NOW THE O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE RPM'S ARE JUMPING AROUND. ALSO TOLD THEM THAT WHEN YOU INITIALLY START THE VEHICLE THERE IS A MOMENTARY GRINDING NOISE. PICKED UP THE VAN AND RETURNED IT FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUES 19 DAYS LATER. I HAVE YET TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AS WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING ALL OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUES, WITH THE ADDED TWISTS OF INTERIOR LIGHTS COMING ON WHEN WE HIT BUMPS AND TURNING OFF WHEN WE HIT THE NEXT BUMP, WHEN USING THE RIGHT HAND TURN SIGNAL, UPON STRAIGHTENING OUT FROM THE TURN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL COMES ON ALL BY ITSELF, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST THERE IS AN ODOR THAT CAN ONLY BE COMPARED TO RAW SEWER COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD, NOT SULFER, BUT SEWER. TO DATE THE SOLENOID HAS BEEN REPLACED, AS HAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER, (WITH MUCH RESISTANCE FROM THE WARRANTY COMPANY) I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT THE FORD CORPORATION IS UNAWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS, AS I AM CLEARLY NOT THE ONLY CONSUMER DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, TIFFANY M. SANCHEZ

WE PURCHASED THE 1999 WINDSTAR IN DEC 1998. FROM THE FIRST WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP, WE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER CHANGED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. PROBLEMS WERE AS FOLLOWS: LOUD CLUNKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, WHILE FOOT PRESSING FIRMLY ON BRAKE PEDAL; TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN DOWN SHIFTING GOING AROUND CORNERS; AS A PASSENGER I FELT AS IF THE WHOLE CAR WAS LUNGING CAUSING DIZZINESS TO MOTION SICKNESS (DID NOT OCCUR WHILE I WAS DRIVING); HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN FIRST & SECOND; REAR WINDOW WIPER FAILED; POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED WHICH CAUSED THE RACK & PINION SEALS TO FAIL, WHICH RESULTED IN A NEW RACK INSTALLED; EGR VALVE RUBBER BOOT KEPT POPPING OFF UNTIL I PLACED A SMALL HOSE CLAMP TO HOLD IT IN PLACE; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON EVERY SINCE 15,000 MILES; O/D BUTTON NEVER WORKED; O/D LIGHT FLASHED REPEATEDLY MINUTES PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT. NOW THE FORD DEALER SAID I NEEDED A NEW UPPER PLENUM, EGR VALVE, PFE, VALVE COVER GASKET, BATTERY CABLE AND THIS WAS FOUND WHILE CHECKING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM TO FORGET IT! $3K IS ENOUGH TO SPEND ON A FIVE YEAR OLD CAR! THIS IS ALL I CAN THINK OF AT THIS POINT.

TRANSMISSION IS PRIMARY ISSUE HAS SHIFTING PROBLEM AT LOW SPEED, HAS OVER 8 TSB ON THE ISSUE AND HAS NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEM THE OTHER ISSUES ARE CLEARLY COMMON FOR THIS MODEL AS WELL, BUT THIS TRANSMISSIONAND FORDS LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THEIR SERVICE AND DEALERS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR, CAN MOVE LEVER BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE.

1999 FORD WINDSTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MILES HAD UNEXPECTED TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. VEHICLE LURCHED "LIKE IT HAD HIT A BOX" WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN. VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED TO CHECK FOR ANY DEBRIS; NONE FOUND. UPON RE-ENTERING VEHICLE, IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN FORWARD IN "DRIVE." VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE DRIVEN IN "REVERSE" GEAR. VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE TRANSMISSION BY SAME FORD DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER 2002. TWO OF OUR IN-LAWS ALSO OWN 1999 FORD WINDSTARS, ONE OF WHOM IS NOW ON IT'S THIRD TRANSMISSION, AND THE OTHER IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING OCCASIONAL "SLIPPING" OF THE TRANSMISSION DURING ACCELERATION. *NLM

COOLANT LEAKING FROM ENGINE BLOCK. VAN NEVER OVER HEATED. FOUND OUT THIS HAPPENS OFTEN TO THE 3.8 L ENGINE....THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS..SHOULD CHANGE FROM ALUMINUM TO STEEL OR ANOTHER METAL THAT WONT CRACK OR WARP SO EASILY. *JB

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AT 42,000 MILES, FORD WINDSTAR- MANUFACTURE WOULD NOT ASSIST IN REPAIRS, CAUSED FAMILY TO BE STRANDED IN REMOTE AREA. HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSTAR. *JB

1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION AS WELL AS THE HEATER PIPE AND UPPER INTAKE SEALS.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD TO GIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL AND/OR SHIFT LEVER TO GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. *NM

TRANSMISSION FAIL-FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON. STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND WHEN I PUT FOOT ON GAS TO GO IT JUST RACED THE ENGINE. GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. NO FOREWARNING AND ONLY 33,000 MILES ON A LIGHTLY DRIVEN CAR! CALLED FORD DEALER AND CORP. AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING. FROM WHAT I READ THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND HAD I PULLED INTO TRAFFIC THIS MORNING AND LOST IT I WOULD BE WRITING THIS FROM A HOSPITAL!!! I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO FORDS ATTENTION! I WILL BE OUT OF ALMOST 2500 WHEN THIS IS OVER....MONEY IN THESE TIMES THAT I CANNOT AFFORD! *NLM

A SHARP PIECE OF METAL WAS PROTRUDING FROM THE DRIVER SEAT BACK (LEFT SIDE AT HIP LEVEL). *NLM *SCC

HEATER BOX DOOR, PLASTIC? LOCKED IN A/C MODE NO HEAT OR DEFROST CAPABILITY. DEALER SAID NEEDS TO REPLACE BOX TO FIX LITTLE DOOR - PLENUM ? BLEND DOOR / $1000 NEED DEFROST MECHANISM IN NEW ENGLAND FOR COLD WEATHER. FAILURE ON HIGHWAY A DISASTER WAITING TO KILL SOMEONE. *LA

THE OIL GASKET SHIFTED FROM ITS "SPECIFIED" LOCATION WHICH CAUSED AN EXTREME OIL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE. *JB

WE PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2002. THE DASH LIGHTS, ESPECIALLY THE ODOMETER AND RADIO BLINK. THEY WILL DIM AND BRIGHTEN, DIM AND BRIGHTEN. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC PATTERN. IT IS A RANDOM THING. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THERE IS A SHORT IN THE WIRING OR SOMETHING. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS TODAY, BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTHS. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING RECALLS RELIGIOUSLY TO SEE IF THIS WAS ONE OF THEM. ALSO THERE IS RUST UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CARFAX REPORT DID NOT SHOW ANY WATER DAMAGE TO THIS VEHICLE. IT ALMOST APPEARS LIKE THIS PIECE DID NOT GET PAINTED. *JB

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE MIDDLE ROW SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND PARTICLES FROM THE BAG CAUSED INJURIES TO THE CHILD OCCUPANT. *JB

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK ON HIGH SPEED OR IN COLD WEATHER. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY HEAT AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT WAS A NEW PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING A FIRE WAS OBSERVED BY THIRD PARTY MOTORIST. THE FIRE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WORLD FORD IN PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA, FOR AN INITIAL ASSESSMENT. ACCORDING TO WORLD FORD, THE VEHICLE SHOWED HEAVY TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE, BUT NO OBVIOUS SIGN OF FIRE OR FIRE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO PERMIT FORD TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE PENDING EVALUATION/INSPECTION BY NHTSA INVESTIGATORS TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF FIRE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED TO OBVIOUS TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *NLM *CB *JB

CAR WENT "CLUNK" THEN WOULDN'T ENGAGE TRANSMISSION WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. HAD VAN TOWED TO DEALER; TRANSMISSION REPLACED -- HAD TO EXTRACT A BROKEN BOLT FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *NM

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED INTO PIECES, WITHOUT IMPACT.*JB

1999 WINDSTAR SE - STEERING PROBLEMS, REPLACED STEERING "RACK" IN MARCH 2003, IS ALREADY GOING OUT AGAIN. REPUTATION OF BAD "RACKS", SO BAD OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER KEEPS THEM IN STOCK. ABOUT 52,000 MILES.*AK

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SEL 3.8L V6 - BLOWN GASKETS. *JB

THE HORN IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO ACTIVATE IN AN EMERGENCY AND EVEN NOT IN AN EMERGENCY.

I AM HAVING LOTS OF TROUBLES WITH 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT FROM DEALER (LEW WEBB FORD, GARDEN GROVE). 1. CURRENTLY MY VAN HAS MANIFOLD LEAKAGE. THIS HAS OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FORD DEALER FIXED MY TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE. THE PRICE QUOTED IS $1200 OUT OF WHICH I HAVE TO PAY $540. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT LOTS OF MONEY IN MAINT & REPAIRS. BEFORE THIS I HAD TO TAKE MY VAN TO DEALER FOR FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE AT 37000 MILES. FRONT & BACK BRAKES AT 37000 MILES. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. COUPLE OF RECALLS. CURRENTLY IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 50600 MILES ON ODOMETER AND I HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING TO & FRO WITH DEALER. FOR THE CURRENT PROBLEM DEALER HAS OFFERED ME 55% IN ASSISTANCE. BUT MY PROBLEM IS I AM WASTING LOTS OF TIME, MONEY & ENERGY TO HAVE ALL THIS PROBLEMS FIXED. I WOULD PREFER TO HAND THIS VAN BACK TO DEALER OR ATLEAST GET MORE ASSISTANCE FROM DEALER OR FORD COMPANY. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF ANY FURTHER ACTION I SHOULD TAKE. MY PHONE NUMBER IS[XXX]. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE PROPERLY.*JB

1999 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 63,000 MILES TRANSMISSION FAILURE

STEERING RACK REPLACEMENT (COVERED UNDER WARRANTY). REPAIR OF LEAK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD (NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY).

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED @ 71,000 MILES, 3 1/2 YR OLD VEHICLE. REVERSE STILL WORKED, FORWARD GEARS ACTED AS THOUGH IN NEUTRAL.

I HAVE MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE AND MAINTAIN MY VEHICLES RELIGIOUSLY AS I LIKE TO KEEP THEM AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. WE HAVE A '99 FORD WINDSTAR AND AT 30,800 MILES THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION. SHE DESCRIBED IT AS A LOUD "BANG" AND THEN IT WOULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY ADVISED WE HAD WORN OUT THE "CLUTCHES" AND THE TRANSMISION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD JUST DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ON A SKI TRIP VACATION THE WEEK BEFORE AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SLIP OR HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, SOMETHING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BROKE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND LEFT MY WIFE AND KIDS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE WEB AND VERIFYING THROUGH SOME CONNECTIONS I FOUND THAT THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND IT USUALLY OCCURS BETWEEN 30K TO 50K MILES. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO MAKE US PAY SINCE IT WAS 800 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY BUT AFTER MUCH DELIBERATION THEY AGREED TO "LET" US PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND GAVE US A REBUILT TRANSMISION. WE HAD THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES PREVIOUSLY FOR TRANSMISSION RECALLS AND PERFORMANCE ISSUES. WE NEVER TOW ANYTHING WITH OUR VAN AND MY WIFE MAINLY DRIVES AROUND THE AREA TO WORK AND TRANSPORTING OUR CHILDREN. WHERE MY WIFE WAS STRANDED WAS ON TOP OF A HILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A 6 LANE HIGHWAY INTERSECTION AND NOT ONLY DO I FEEL THIS IS A QUALITY ISSUE PERPETUATED ON FORD CUSTOMERS BUT A SAFETY ISSUE ALSO AS WAS DEMONSTRATED AT THIS TIME.

POWER STEERIN RACK IS LEAKING FLUID. AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP ($335+), BECUASE IT BURNED OUT DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE RACK, ( LEAKING FLUID THROUGH THE RACK, SYSTEM COULDN'T MAINTAIN SYSTEM PRESSURE) I AM NOW FACED WITH HAVING TO REPLACE THE RACK AT A COST OF OVER $600.

1999 FORD WINDSTAR RACK AND PINION FAILURE COULD NOT TURN VEHICLE CAME VERY CLOSE TO A COLLISION THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT ALSO THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING POWERSTEERING FLUID WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD! FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD ABOUT THE PREMATURE FAILURE AND THEY DONT SEEM TO CARE THAT SOMEONE COULD LOSE THIER LIVES OVER FORD PUTTING VEHICLES WITH FAULTY PARTS ON THE ROAD.

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL.*JB

VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING A RECURRING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONDITION. DEALER REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AT OUR EXPENSE (AT 48,000 MILES). CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. VEHICLE IS NOW STALLING WHEN STOPPED OR AT SLOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS PARKING. ENGINE HAS A KNOCK/RATTLE AT OPEN THROTTLE. AT 53,000 MILES I FEEL AS THOUGH THE ENGING IS STARTING TO COME APART.