1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

BOUGHT THE VAN IN SEPT. 2002 WITH 55,000 MILES, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN A WEEK OF HAVING IT. TOOK IT BACK TO CAR LOT WHERE WE BOUGHT IT, THEY TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER, COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING EXCEPT THAT IT CAME UP A LEAN CODE THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PUT GAS CAP ON THE RIGHT WAY. THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. KEPT DEALING WITH LIGHT ON TO THIS DAY. MAY 2003 HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, GOT IT BACK STARTING HAVING SAME PROBLEMS,TOOK IT BACK THEY SAID THEY FORGOT TO REPLACE A WIRE, STILL HAVING PROBLEMS TO THIS DAY WITH TRANSMISSION IN FACT OCT. 2010 HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED THEY SAID SHAVINGS FOUND IN MOTOR WILL NEED TRANSMISSION REPLACED AGAIN. DOME LIGHTS FLASH ALL THE TIME. THE GAUGES GO HAYWIRE ALL THE TIME, PEG FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. HAD THAT REPLACED AND DID IT AGAIN. TOOK IT IN FOR RECALL DEC. 28,2010 CRACKED REAR AXLE STILL AT DEALER. NOW JUST HEARD THAT THE RECALL FOR SUB FRAME WILL GET PAPERS IN FEB. GUESS IT WILL BE THERE LONGER. OUR DUMB MISTAKE WE BOUGHT ANOTHER WINDSTAR IN SEPT. 2010 A 2003 ALL WE COULD AFFORD, THAT HAS PROBLEMS WITH ABS LIGHT. TOLD OVER $800 TO FIX. WE NEED TWO NEW CARS, DON'T FEEL SAFE IN EITHER.

THE VALVE ON THE RACK AND PINION STEERING DRIED OUT AND NOW LEAKS. THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED NOW AT A COST OF $600. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT IS THE 4TH WINDSTAR HE HAS SEEN WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY LOGGED IT IN BUT ARE DOING NOTHING FOR ME AT THIS TIME.*AK

RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHIN 50,000 MILES BY DEALER. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

I TOOK MY VAN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THE REASON WHY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE A GASKET IS CLOGGED AND IT NEEDS TO BE UNCLOGGED. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $625 BUT I COMPLAINED. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT BE HAVE ANY KIND CAR PROBLEM BECAUSE I ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS. I GAVE THEM A TRADE IN A 1995 BUICK SKYLARK WITH 80000 MILES THAT VEHICLE NEVER GAVE ME ANY TROUBLE AND I HAD THAT CAR FOR 18 MONTHS. I FEEL RIPPED OFF. I GAVE GOOD BROTHERS FORD $500 DOLLARS DOWN AND A GOOD TRADE IN VEHICLE THAT I DIDNT GET THE ESTIMATED BLUE BOOK COST AND A CHECK FOR $15,000 WHICH EVERY TOTALED $16966.NOW EIGHT MONTHS LATER I HAVE TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS SITUATION

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID CONSTANTLY LEAKS DIMINISHING ABILITY TO PROPER CONTROL VEHCILE WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE STEERING "SHIELD" FAILED CAUSING THE FLUID LOSS. MR

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND.*AK

THERE IS A SHARP METAL PIECE THAT STICKS OUT OF DRIVER'S SEAT, CUTTING CONSUMER WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

MOST RECENT INCIDENT - ENGINE STALLED WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHEN REDUCING FROM HIGHWAY SPEED TO ~25 MPH DUE TO TRAFFIC CONJESTION ON NORTH SIDE OF CHICAGO AFTER DRIVING ~45 MINUTES IN 95 DEGREE WEATHER WITH AIR CONDITIONING OPERATION. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. ILLINOIS DOT PUSHED VEHICLE TO SHOULDER. AFTER TOTAL WAIT ~20 MINUTES, ENGINE RESTARTED. DROVE WITH AIR CONDITIONING OFF AND HEATER ON FULL THROUGH REMAINING CONGESTION (~45 MINUTES). DROVE REMAINING TRIP (TOTAL OF 3.5 HOURS) WITH NO FUTHER INCIDENT. PRIOR OCCURRENCE ON 07/29/02. SIMILAR WEATHER/DRIVING CONDITIONS. AFTER 2.5 HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, EXITED TO SIDE ROAD. VEHICLE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER EXIT. RESTARTED AFTER 15 MINUTES. NO REPEATED INCIDENT IN REMAINING 15 MINUTES OF DRIVE. RETURN TRIP HAD NO INCIDENT. PRIOR INCIDENT IN NOVEMBER, 2001. IN COOL WEATHER, SEVERAL SHORT ERRANT TRIPS - VEHICLE STALLED. RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL HOUR WAIT. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. NO FAILURE CODES DETERMINED, NO DIAGNOSIS OF REASON FOR ENGINE FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BOTH REAR DOORS HAVE FAILED TO OPEN. ONE TIME ONE OF THE REAR DOORS SPONTANEOUSLY AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND HAD A CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN FIXED EACH TIME BY DEALER UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT PROBLEMS REAPPEAR EVERY TIME.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SLOWED TO MAKE A TURN AND STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN, MAKING AN AWKWARD SOUND. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANMISSION FAILURE AT 29,131 MILES.

WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20MPH FRONT PAX WHEEL CAME OFF.*AK CONSUMER STATED ALL 5 LUGS SNAPPED AT THE ROTOR, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, INDICATING THAT THE LUGS WERE LOOSE.*JB

INTERMITTENTLY THE TURN SIGNALS (LEFT AND RIGHT) FAIL TO INDICATE THE DIRECTION THE VEHICLE WILL BE TURNING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REPLACED THE DASHBOARD COVER WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE ODOMETER ALSO STICKS AND ONCE THIS HAPPENS ALL THE OTHER GAUGES STICK AS WELL. THERE ARE NO A RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLES VIN NUMBER. *MR *NLM

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN VEHICLE STALLS. IT IS HARD FOR CONSUMER TO KEEP CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEEL LOCKED UP. VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HAS A PIECE OF METAL THAT HAS PIERCED THROUGH THE SEAT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, AND SEAT WOULD BE PATCHED UP. METAL IS DANGEROUS AND TEARS CLOTHES UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

I WAS JUST OVER MY WARRANTY IN JULY/2002 ON A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 31,000 MILES. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH MY THREE KIDS THE VAN STALLED. THE TRANSMISSIONS FAILED?

BOTH SLIDING DOORS ON OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, DO NOT OPEN WITH THE ELECTRIC DOOR OPENER AND THE LEFT SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR IS DETERIORATING THE SAME AS THE LEFT SIDE. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF SOMEONE WERE IN THE CAR AND NEEDED TO GET OUT QUICKLY FOR ANY REASON. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN REMOVING FEET FROM GAS PEDAL VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF AND LOSE POWER STEERING. RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

THE REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM AT THE PRESENT TIME IS INOPERATIVE. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO FORD 5 OR 6 TIMES FOR REPAIR. IT SEEMS TO FAIL AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT 1 TIME WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND BACKED INTO A VEHICLE THAT WAS PASSING BEHIND ME WHICH I DIDN'T SEE. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL OTHER TIMES WHEN I RELIED ON THE SENSOR TO WARN ME IF SOMEONE WAS WALKING BEHIND THE VAN ESPECIALLY SOMEONE THAT IS SHORT, I'M UNABLE TO SEE AND DEPENDED ON THE REVERSE SENSOR TO WARN ME. EACH TIME I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE REPAIR DEPT TOLD ME THAT IT IS POORLY DESIGNED. AS SOON AS THE WIRES TO THE SYSTEM GOT WET IT WOULD FAIL. THEY CHANGED THE HARNESS AND IT WOULD WORK UNTIL IT GOT WET. *TR

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

I HAVE FOUND TOO MANY PERSONS ON THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW UNABLE TO ALIGN VEHICLE.DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AT A LIGHT ENGINE REVS AND VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 1999 WINDSTAR HAS FAILED PREMATURELY. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. I AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE ME REGARDING COMPLAINTS FILED BY OTHER FORD CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU.*AK

I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT HE TRANSMISSION STILL SLIPS. THE LAST VAN I HAD DID THE SAME THING IT WAS A 1998 WINDSTAR. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND IN 3 MONTHS I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE THING REBUILT. *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*768017

ENGINE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEED OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN. VEHICLE BEEN TO A DEALER ONCE, AND ON THREE OCCASIONS AT A REPAIR SHOP, BUT PROBLEM STILLOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

RACK AND PINION STEERING COMPONENT IS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID, RESULTING IN LOSS OF EASE IN CONTROL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE DIED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO REPLACED THE VALVE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE VALVE COVER WAS REPLACED. *SLC

2 AMERI-GS60 TIRES FAILED ON OUR FORD WINDSTAR WITHIN 2 MONTHS. FIRST INCIDENT IN MID APRIL. FRONT DRIVER SIDE TREAD SEPARATED AT 55MPH. OUTSIDE TEMP APPROX 70 DEGREES. TIRE REMAINED INFLATED LONG ENOUGH TO REACH NEARBY DISCOUNT TIRE. THEY REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE AND KEPT TIRE. SECOND INCIDENT ON SAME VEHICLE ON 6/8/2002 AT 75MPH ON DRIVER REAR TIRE. OUTSIDE TEMP APPROX 75 DEGREES. THREW TREAD AND TIRE WENT FLAT SENDING VAN OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS LANE OF TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE. NO ACCIDENT, BUT DEPARTING TREAD RUINED WHEEL WELL, BUMPER, AND REAR FENDER. ALSO LODGED PIECE OF TREAD ABOVE GAS LINE AND PULLED GAS FILLER SPOUT PARTIALLY THROUGH THE FENDER AND BROKE OFF GAS CAP. NO INJURIES. I HAVE REMAINDER OF TIRE AND PORTION OF TREAD. COST $120 TOW PLUS YET TO BE DETERMINED (MY GUESS $1500-$1800 DAMAGE) AS WELL AS COSTS (IF ANY) OF REPLACING OTHER 3 AMERI-GS60 TIRES THAT I REFUSE TO LEAVE ON CAR AFTER FIRST 2 FAILURES!*AK

WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH HEARD A WHINING NOISE. DEALER DETERMINED FIRST AND SECOND GEARS HAVE GONE OUT. TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*AK

FIRE UNDER HOOD: PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: INTERIORS LIGHTS COMING ON AND STAYING ON, DEALERS UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM OR DUPLICATE. RADIO TURNING ON AND CHANGING STATIONS, COMPONENTS ON ITS OWN. REPLACED ON 03/06/2000. SLIDING DOORS OPENING WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND REFUSING TO CLOSE. DEALER UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE. COMPUTERIZES KEYS NOT WORKING IN IGNITION ON TWO OCCASIONS. SYSTEM BEING REPROGRAM BOTH TIMES. AM SIDE OF RADIO NOT WORKING AT NIGHT FIVE DAYS BEFORE FIRE. NOTED THAT WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF, AM WORKS, BUT WHEN TURNED BACK ON NOTHING BUT STATIC. 2) TRANSMISSION: SEVERAL OCCASSIONS IT WOULD HARDLY PULL UP A HILL, OTHERS THE CAR WOULD STAY AT ONE SPEED ALTHOUGH MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. EXTRA BRAKING WAS NEEDED TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN OR STOP. 3) COMPUTER MODULE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL WORKED ERRACTIC THROUGH 08/16/2002. 4) SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER PERFORMED ERRACTIC UNTIL RELACED TO INCLUDE MILEAGE DOUBLING FOR ANY MILEAGE DRIVEN ON A GIVEN DAY. 5) SUSPENSION PROBLEMS: SPINDLE CONNECTING ROD REPLACED 03/07/2002, STRUTS AND BALL JOINTS REPLACED 05/29/2002, AND LOWER ARMS AND TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED 06/07/2002.*AK

EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING WHILE MAKING A TURN IN A PARKING LOT. I NEARLY STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, ALL WHILE MAKING LOW SPEED SHARP TURNS. MY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THE BEARING IN THE POWER STEERING PUMPS FAILS CONTAMINATING THE POWER STEERING FLUID WHICH THEN CAUSES THE FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR. MY OWN RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG ALL FORD VEHICLES USING THIS TYPE OF PUMP. LOSS OF STEERING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SHARP TURN IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK

1999 FORD WINDSTAR *PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**765507

DURING ROUTINE SERVICE MECHANIC NOTICED HEADGASKET HAD BLOWN OUT. PART WAS REPLACED. ON 10 AUGUST 2002, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME.*AK

ALL 4 TIRES CRACKED BETWEEN THE TREADS AND WERE DELAMINATING. *AK

BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT BACKS FAILED IN A REAR END COLLISION. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

POWER STEERING WENT OUT BRIEFLY IN DEC. OF 2001. I THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO MOISTURE ON THE BELTS. STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN, BRIEFLY ON MAY 10, 2002. AGAIN, I THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO WET BELTS. STEERING BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD GRINDING,WHINING SOUND ON MAY 12, 2002. WE HAD OUR VAN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE WERE TOLD THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING SEALS UNDER THE VAN. ESTIMATED COST; $700.00. I FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT FITS THE DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROBLEM. DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE AGAINST FORD? OUR VAN IS BARELY OUT OF WARRANTY. CAN YOU HELP US? OUR FAMILY OF SIX COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE STEERING COULD HAVE GONE OUT COMPLETELY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. JEAN MARIE SMITH. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND THAT BECAME WORSE AS CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE STEERING COULD HAVE BEEN LOST, HOWEVER THE STEERING DID GO OUT BRIEFLY IN DEC AND MAY, ALSO THE STEERING COLUMN WAS WORKED ON NOV 16, BUT CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE 2 PROBLEMS WERE NOT RELATED, ALSO THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO BE PILLAR MOLDING WARPED.*JB

HEADLIGHT SWITCH BROKE OFF WHILE TURNING ON LIGHT SWITCH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *YH

TRANSMISSION, SLIDING DOOR, DRIVER DOOR, RACK AND PINION, STEERING PUMP, INTAKE MANIFOLD, FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER LINK, WORLD'S FASTEST DECLINING VEHICLE VALUE, WORLD'S WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SATISFACTION REPRESENTATIVES.*AK

RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE, AND IT BECAME REAL HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AT 55 MP AND, BRAKE PEDAL FELT NORMAL. ABS SYSTEM NEVER KICKED IN. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, WENT INTO DITCH AND ROLLED OVER. PASSENGER SUFFERED 11 FRACTURES/ DRIVER MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES. THEN, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WENT INTO DITCH AND ROLLED. REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBELT LATCH PLATE BROKE, AND PASSENGER SUFFERED 11 FRACTURES/ DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK IT APPEARS THE SEAT BELT ON THE SECOND ROW CAPTAINS CHAIR DID HOLD DURING PART OF THE ROLLOVER BECAUSE OCCUPANT HAD MARKS FROM THE SEAT BELT *YH

TOTAL FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION OCCURRED AT 35 MONTHS/48,000 MILES - FORD'S RESPONSE "TOUGH LUCK"!*AK

CONSUMER APPLIED ACCELERATOR AT INTERSECTION ENGINE REVVED, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. DEALER REBUILT TRANSMISSION. IN JULY 2002, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AT START UP, AGAIN TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT.*AK

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS STEERING MOMENTARILY LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK