1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF. *JS

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR AND MY ABS LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE MINUTE I TURN IT ON AND BEGIN MOVING THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. *TR

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN . MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES CRAZY ALL GAUGES JUST GO UP AND DOWN UNCONTROLLABLY. I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE OR HOW FAST I AM GOING AND MY ABS BRAKE LITE STAYS ON ALWAYS. AND MY FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM IS BENDING. *TR

FORD DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE DUE TO RECALL FOR SUBFRAME/AXLE RUST ISSUE. DEALER CLAIMED FRAME OKAY. WHILE DRIVING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME CAUSING CRASH DUE TO RUSTING OF MOUNTS. *TR

ABS LIGHT TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT ON CAUSE ABS HCU AND ECU BAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. CHECKED WITH FORD AND ON-LINE AND SEE THAT THE ABS LIGHT AND SYSTEM ARE BEING REVIEWED FOR POSSIBLE PRODUCT DEFECT. *TR

FORD RECALLED AND REPLACED THE REAR AXLE IN 2011 I BELIEVE. THEY DID A REPAIR ON THE FRONT AXLE ON A SEPARATE RECALL IN 2011 AS WELL. NOW THE FRONT AXLE IS RUSTING; SAME ISSUE THAT WAS HAPPENING TO THE REAR AXLE AND WHAT WAS SOMEWHAT REPAIRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. IF THE REAR AXLE WAS RECALLED FOR ABNORMAL RUSTING; IT WOULD APPEAR THE SAME MATERIAL WAS USED ON THE FRONT AXLE. FORD BOUGHT OUT MOST WINDSTAR OWNERS SO THERE ARE PROBABLY NOT AS MUCH DOCUMENTATION OF THE FRONT AXLE ISSUE AS THERE WERE WITH THE REAR. *TR

THE 1999 FORD WINDSTARS FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SUB FRAME (CHASSIS) MAJOR CORROSION-RELATED FRACTURES. FAILURE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF STEERING. IN ITS REPORT TO THE N.H.T.S.A. FORD SAID IT DID NOT CONCLUDE THAT THE LOW RATE OF REPORTED INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE CONTROL ARM INDICATED A GREATER SAFETY PROBLEM, BUT THE RECALL WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN ANYWAY TO CONFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AND TO ADDRESS ANY POTENTIAL VEHICLE OWNER CONCERNS. *TR

ABS LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY, ABS NO LONGER WORK AT THAT TIME. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON ICE. *TR

MY BATTERY HAS BEEN DYING DUE TO BAD SENSORS, WHEN I DID GET IT STARTED IT BECAME STUCK HIGH REVVING ,THE CAR ACCELERATED AND SMASHED INTO THE CURB IN FRONT OF ME, AND THE BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK SO EVEN WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO PUT IN REVERSE THE CAR WENT FLYING INTO THE CURB BEHIND ME, I FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP BY PULLING UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE. *TR

ABS LIGHT TURNED ON AGAIN AND GOES OFF WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. LIGHT INDICATED THAT ABS IS FAILED, BRAKES BECOME POOR UNDER THIS CONDITION. BRAKES DO NOT STOP WINDSTAR WELL WHEN LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT GOES ON IN THE CAR WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR END AXLE BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FIR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT A LOUD PITCH SOUND AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT MERGED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN), THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THAT WOULD BE DONE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RAISED THE HOOD. I AM FAMILIAR WITH AUTOMOBILES AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT OIL OR COOLANT SMOKE BUT AN ELECTRICAL BURN IN THE MAKING. I RAPIDLY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. AT THE HOUSE, I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND NOTHING HAPPENED,THEN DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 5 MILES AND THE SMOKE CAME BACK. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE HOUSE ( WAS VERY CLOSE) AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AGAIN. THE SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE ABS CONTROLLER. I HAVE DONE SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND DETERMINED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, SO I CALLED FORD. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. I THEN CALLED THE FACTORY HELP LINE AND ADVISED THEM OF THE SITUATION. THEY WANTED ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, PAY THE BILL AND SUBMIT IT FOR CONSIDERATION. I AM NOT INCLUDED TO DO SO, AS I AM AFRAID THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH FIRE. *TR

ABS LIGHT IS ON, HAS BEEN ON FOR THE PAST 4-5 YEARS THAT I AM AWARE OF. MY MECHANIC IS HAVING A HARD TIME TRACKING THE PROBLEM DOWN. THE ENGINE SEIZED, DESPITE REGULAR MAINT, REQUIRING A REBUILT ENGINE FROM FORD. *TR

DRIVING ALONG WHEN RIGHT FRONT STARTED TO VEER RIGHT AND WOBBLE. THESE MODELS ARE NOT SAFE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS YET, WILL NOT HONOR A RECALL WHICH AFFECTS THESE MODELS. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A CORROSION SUB FRAME BREAK ON 1999 FORD WINDSTAR'S AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED( MECHANIC WILL TESTIFY) TO MINE, THEY KEEP MAKING EXCUSES AND WILL NOT HONOR THE EXPENSES FOR THEIR FAULTY DESIGN. MY VEHICLE IS A 99 FORD WINDSTAR IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, NEW TIRES BATTERY,ETC. IT IS NOW SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE OF A FRAME BROKEN THRU BY CORROSION. THE FRONT RIGHT ALMOST PUT ME INTO THE DITCH ON THE WAY HOME. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH WAS IS OR SHOULD BE COVERED BY RECALL. FORD PREVIOUSLY RECALLED THE SAME MODELS 99-2003 FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER (RAPIDS FORD, WIS RAPIDS), THEY SAID THE RECALL NO LONGER APPLIES. HOW CAN THIS BE? THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR

BRAKE PEDAL LOW, I SEE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM SWITCH AT MASTER CYLINDER. MY WIFE DRIVE THE VAN ITS NOT SAFE. FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL . *TR

MY ABS AND TRAC OFF LIGHT ARE ON ALL THE TIME CAUSING 11 ABS FAULT CODES, C1185, 1198, 1194, 1254, 1256, 1250, 1242, 1214, 1210 1410, 1404. I HAVE CLEARED ALL THE CODES AND IN A 2 WEEK PERIOD THEY ALL SET AGAIN, ALL ARE RELATED TO THE 1185 (FAILED RELAY SOLDER JOINT) MODULE FAILURE. *TR

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES OFTEN WHEN ENCOUNTERING A BUMP ON THE ROAD, BUT USUALLY JUST RANDOMLY. LIGHT IS ALWAYS OFF WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED. INITIALLY THE LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON AGAIN FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, BUT OVER TIME THE LIGHT NOW ALWAYS COMES ON AFTER A FEW MILES. ABS DTC CODE IS C1185. *TR

MY 19YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING TO NEW JERSEY FROM INDIANA ON RT.70. WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL ATTEMPTED TO EXIT FOR A REST STOP WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BREAK THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. SHE HAD COMMITTED TO THE EXIT RAMP THANK GOD SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE BACK OFF THE RAMP JUST IN TIME TO MISS THE OVER PASS BARRIER. SHE HAD TO RIDE THE SHOULDER SHUTTING DOWN THE IGNITION ONCE SHE DID THAT SHE WAS ABLE TOB RESUE. SHE DID NOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN AND BUT THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A COLD START. I CHECK THE CODE AND DTCS FOUND WADE BANK ONE AND TWO LEAN FOUND A BAD PCV VALVE AND REPLACED IT. BUT WHEN READING THE CODES FOUND 9 ADDITIONAL CODES C1185 C1198 C1194 C1254 C1256 C1250 C1242 C1214 AND C1210. I THEN CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND CHECKED FOR RECALLS. FINDING 3 I FOLLOWED UP HAVING TWO BEING SERIOUS AND HAVING TO DO WITH SPEED CONTROL REAR SUBFRAME AND REAR SUPPORT. WHEN ASKING THE SERVICE ADVISOR WHAT THESE CODES MEANT HE HAD NO CLUE HE SAID AND WITHOUT A COSTLY SCANNER CHARGE THE TECH HAD NO IDEA. SO AS ALWAYS I HIT THE INTER NET ANDEASILY FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS . . . I WAS A SERVICE ADVISOR FOR HONDA FOR 5YRS AND A TECH FOR 10 PRIOR. I NEVER PUT MY CUSTOMERS LIFE ON THE LINE WTH? IS FORD TEACHING THESE MEN? I WILL HAVE TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THIS VEHICLE MYSELF BEING DISABLED THIS WILL NOT COME EASY. I DON'T TRUST THEM AT ALL ANYMORE. MY FAMILY'S LIFE IS TO IMPORTANT TO HAVE A MONEY HUNGRY COMPANY KILL THEM. AND ONCE REPAIRS ARE FINISHED I WILL SELL IT AND BUY A HONDA. YES HONDA IS NOT PERFECT BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE COMPANY EVER MISLEAD CUSTOMERS INTENTIONALLY AS THIS AND WHEN THEY MESSUP THEY COVER THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FIX IT RIGHT.UNREAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WAS SMOKING. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THAT HE DOOR WAS SMOKING DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REDUCE SPEED BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED HE BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR WAS THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

ABS WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON, DON'T KNOW IF BRAKES ARE WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

WE TOOK A TRIP TO CHATTANOOGA FOR THE WEEKEND. WHILE THERE WE WERE GOING TO DO SOME SHOPPING AND WE TURNED A CORNER AND THE WHEEL FLEW OFF. MY HUSBAND PAID FOR THE TOW AND OUR INSURANCE REIMBURSED HIM, AND MY HUSBAND PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. WE HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS RECALLS. VERY SCARY!! *TR

THE ABS LIGHT CONSTANTLY TURNS ON AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT REPEATS ITSELF EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. *TR

ALL THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGIN ERRATIC BEHAVIOR. THEY CLICK BACK AND FORTH INDEPENDENTLY. SOMETIMES THEY ALL JUST STOP WORKING, AND SOMETIMES THEY ALL JUMP BACK AND FORTH, BUT IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. *TR

ABS POWER RELAY OUTPUT CIRCUIT FAILED AND MY ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. WE THINK THE ABS IS INOPERABLE. *TR

BOUGHT THE VAN USED AND WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER PURCHASING IT THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON STAYS ON CAN NOT SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A TIRE REPLACEMENT WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED IN TWO PLACES. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 10V385000, 12V193000 OR12V195000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 178,000. *TR

THE ENGINE CARRIAGE IS RUSTED OUT, AND THE REAR AXLE IS CRACKED DUE TO RUST. THE MAIN ARM OF THE BALL JOINT IS COMPLETELY PULLED AWAY FROM THE FRAME BECAUSE OF THE RUST. I CONTACTED BAAB FORD IN REED CITY MICHIGAN, BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC I TOOK IT TO ORIGINALLY THAT THIS WAS A RECALLED PRODUCT. BAAB FORD TOLD ME YES IT IS A RECALL ISSUE, BUT NO THEY WONT FIX MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VIN DOESN'T COME UP AS ONE OF THE VEHICLES EFFECTED BY THE RECALL. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS THEY HAD ADVISED ME, FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME, MY VEHICLE ISN'T ON THE RECALL LIST, REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT IT HAS BOTH OF THE PROBLEMS THAT 1998 - 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WAS RECALLED FOR. THE VEHICLE SPEEDS UP WHENEVER IT HITS A BUMP AND ALSO PULLS TOWARDS THE CENTER LINE ESPECIALLY ON SLIPPERY ROADS OR WHERE LOSS OF TRACTION OCCURS. IT ALSO WEARS OUT TIRES EVERY 2 WEEKS. *TR

GAUGES RANDOMLY START SWINGING ALL OVER THE PLACE. TACHOMETER JAMMED INTO PARKING INDICATOR AND BOTH THE TACHOMETER AND PARKING NEEDLES ARE NOW BROKEN OFF. IT IS HARD TO TELL WHAT GEAR THE VAN IS IN WITHOUT COUNTING THE CLICKS. I AM GOING TO HAVE THE GAUGE CLUSTER REBUILT. I WILL DO THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION MYSELF TO SAVE MONEY. I WILL ALSO HAVE TO INSTALL A NEW SHIFT INDICATOR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS CAR, AND THOUGH IT IS QUITE OLD NOW, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRAME FRACTURED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

ABS LIGHT CAME ON. AND NOW IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V195000 (SUSPENSION) AND AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY DRIFT OUT OF THE INITIAL LANE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WAS NO FAILURE PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,811.

THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST YEAR. I HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND ALL SENSORS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TR

ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF A SNOW STORM. ABS LIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CODE C1185. PROBLEMS MOSTLY OCCUR IN COLD WEATHER. COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THE UNIT STOPPED WORKING WHILE STOPPING ON A SLIPPERY ROAD. *TR

THE SUBFRAME CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION. THIS HAPPENED IN THE FRONT END, INCLUDING A BRACE THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE. THIS WINDSTAR WAS PURCHASED IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, AND WAS DRIVEN THERE FROM 1999-2006. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE; HOWEVER, AFTER IT WAS INSPECTED THEY NOTICED THE SUB FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED TO CONTACT NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000. UPDATED 01/06/13*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE OVER DRIVE OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND BEGAN FLASHING. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V195000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OR A DEFECT PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ONE YEAR AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE EXHIBITED SEVERAL CRACKS. THE CONTACT WELDED THE DEFECTIVE AXLE HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

I HAVE HAD THIS VAN FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A YEAR NOW. AFTER PURCHASING IT I BROUGHT IT TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP AND HAD SEVERAL RECALL ISSUES ATTENDED TO, SUPPOSEDLY AT LEAST. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, RANGING FROM ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TO NEUTRAL SWITCHES TO TIE RODS AND MORE. I WAS THINKING OF GIVING UP AND GETTING A NEW VEHICLE, I CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP UP WITH REPAIR COSTS. THEN I BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER SHOP TO GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TAKEN CARE OF RECENTLY, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MANY OF THESE VANS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, INCLUDING THOSE IN MASSACHUSETTS, AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE VAN'S ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND OTHER ISSUES I HAD TOLD HIM OF. AFTER INSPECTING THE VAN HE SAID THE DEALERSHIP SHOULDN'T HAVE LET ME LEAVE WITH THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE IT EITHER, HE DEEMED IT UNSAFE. I HAVE USED THIS VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY WIFE, OUR FOUR KIDS, AND MANY OTHER FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ONCE HEARING THOSE WORDS A LITERAL CHILL RAN DOWN MY SPINE AT THE THOUGHT OF WHAT COULD'VE HAPPENED. I HAVE SENT EMAILS OF MY CONCERNS TO FORD THEMSELVES AND WAS REPLIED TO IN A COUPLE OF DAYS, I HAVE SINCE RESPONDED THREE TIMES AND I AM STILL AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THEM NOW ALMOST A MONTH LATER. I HAVE SINCE LEFT MY VAN AT MY SISTER'S AS MY HOUSE WAS MUCH FURTHER AWAY AND I DIDN'T WANT TO RISK IT. THE ISSUES I HAVE RESEARCHED ABOUT THIS VAN INCLUDE THE MENTIONED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AS WELL STEERING PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS AND MORE. I FEEL THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT ANY LONGER, ALSO WHEN NOTICING OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THESE ISSUES IMMEDIATELY. FORD KNOWS OF THESE PROBLEMS AS CASES RANGING IN TO 5 MILLION PLUS VEHICLES AFFECTED. *TR

ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AS ONE DRIVES. IT STAYS ON WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE BUT DOES NOT WHEN IT STAYS COLD OUTSIDE. WHEN LIGHT IS ON THERE IS NO ABS BRAKES. ONE WOULD THINK THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM OR A GROUND ISSUE. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. FORD DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS BAD, AND REPLACEMENT WOULD COST $1250, HOWEVER, I WOULD BE SAFE DRIVING IT WITHOUT THE REPAIR. THE REGULAR BRAKES WOULD STILL FUNCTION CORRECTLY, I JUST WOULD NOT HAVE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS 14 YRS OLD, I OPTED NOT TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AT THIS TIME. *TR

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. FORD DEALER SAID THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS FAILING, THAT IT WOULD WORK SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES NOT, UNTIL COMPLETE FAILURE. ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE EVEN IF THE ABS SYSTEM DID NOT FUNCTION. I HAD THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, THE FORD DEALER SEEMED RELUCTANT TO DO THEM, SO THEY DID NOT FIX IT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY VAN. AT FIRST THE LIGHTS BEEP UP FOR ENGINE AND THEN O/D AND THEN IT STOPS. THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE AND IT LOOK LIKE IT BURNS. AFTER THAT VEHICLE START BUT NOT TACKING GEAR. I FOUND OUT THAT TRANSMISSION WENT BAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT TRANSMISSION LETS GO. REVERSE WAS THE ONLY GEAR THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE IN. I HAD TO BACKUP OFF THE FREEWAY TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. MY WIFE JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE LAST MONTH FOR WORK BECAUSE IT HAD LOW MILES. NOW IT WILL COST US MORE TO FIX IT ($2500) THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. AND WE JUST SPENT A SMALL FORTUNE REPLACING EVERYTHING IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM BESIDES THE MASTER CYLINDER AND LINES. AFTER RESEARCH, APPARENTLY FORD WAS AWARE THIS TRANSMISSION HAD ISSUES BUT CONTINUED TO INSTALL THEM. THANK YOU FORD, I ENJOY TAKING IT UP THE KAZOO EVERY TIME I HAVE BOUGHT ONE OF YOUR VEHICLES. *TR