2000 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 180000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED OVER EIGHT TIMES AND CRASHED INTO A HIGHWAY SIGN. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE REAR AXLE FAILURE CAUSES THE CRASH TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE REAR AXLE ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THEY MAILED A LEGAL NOTICE ABOUT NOT DISCLOSING THE INFORMATION SINCE HE WAS HE GOING TO FILE A LEGAL CLAIM. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD PICTURES OF THE CRASH. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED AND IMPAIRED VISIBILITY. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V261000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 136,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTS THE VEHICLE, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUTOZONE AND ADVANCE AUTOPARTS AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE NEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR A SERVICE SHOP. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. HE DISCOVERED THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF

WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ODOMETER, SPEEDODOMETER (NOT WORKING), ABS BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON AND #10 FUSES KEEPS BLOWING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWERVED SIDE TO SIDE SO HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE THEN NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOLD HIM THAT IF THE FAILURE BECAME A RECALL, HE COULD BE REIMBURSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 89,000.

2000 WINDSTAR ABS PROBLEM WITH DTC 1185 RETRIEVED FROM ABS MODULE. PROBLEM OCCURS MORE WHEN HOT. ABS LIGHT ON ONLY. *TR

SUDDEN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. *TR

BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT OF THE CONNECTOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BRAKE CYLINDER AND CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT (STARTED SMOKING), NOW THE ABS LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND FUSE # 10 KEEPS BLOWING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER WERE DYSFUNCTIONAL AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. BRAKE FLUID ALSO LEAKS UNDERNEATH THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED BY A DEALER. THE POWERTRAIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM KISTLER FORD IN TOLEDO. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS BEEN UP TO DATE WITH THE MAINTENANCE WORK ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS. ON MARCH 12, 2008 I WAS TRAVELING ON HOLLAND-SYLVANIA ROAD NEAR CENTRAL AVENUE IN TOLEDO, OHIO WHEN MY REAR AXLE BROKE. THIS IS A HEAVY TRAFFIC AREA AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MIDAS MUFFLER. MIDAS REPLACED THE AXLE WITHIN SEVERAL DAYS AT A TOTAL COST OF $912.69. ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THIS ISSUE REMEDIED WITH FORD AND KISLTER FORD WERE DENIED FOR WANT OF WARRANTY. FORD MECHANICS HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT WHICH THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. *TR

DIAGNOSTIC CODES P0171/P0174. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S AIR BAG HOTLINE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,650.

I HAVE HAD 2 TAIL-LIGHT RECEPTICLES FAIL AND "BURN" OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE RECEPTACLE, AGAIN. *TR

WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH OUR WINDSTAR AND UPON RESEARCH THROUGH THE INTERNET FOUND THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS STOPPED WORKING FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE PERIODICALLY COME ON AND THEN WENT OFF. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL BE WORKING FINE AND THEN DROP TO ONLY 20 MPH EVEN THOUGH WE ARE EXCEEDING THAT SPEED. IT WILL THEN JUMP BACK TO THE PROPER SPEED AND THIS PROCESS WILL CONTINUE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

I HAVE A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX WHICH HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE ABS SYSTEM, THE ODOMETER, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL TO STOP FUNCTIONING. I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH LEAKS FLUID ONTO THE ABS SYSTEM AND CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. FORD APPARENTLY IS AWARE THAT THIS DEFECT EXISTS IN 1999 THROUGH 2003 WINDSTARS BUT TO DATE HAS NOT INITIATED A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ALL OF US WINDSTAR OWNERS. *TR

PRESSURE SENSOR ON THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED TAKING OUT THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, ABS AND CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

I NOTICED THAT THE REAR END OF THE CAR WAS "BOUNCING" AS I WENT AROUND A CORNER. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES WERE BOWING OUT AT THE BOTTOM. I PUT THE CAR UP ON A JACK TO INVESTIGATE AND SAW WHERE THE REAR AXLE HAD SEVERED HALF WAY THROUGH IN TWO DIFFERENT SPOTS. RUST WAS VISIBLE AT ONE LOCATION. THE WORSE OF THE TWO SEVER POINTS WAS ON WHAT APPEARS TO BE ON A VERTICAL SEAM IN THE METAL. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT IT HAPPENED TO ME AS I WAS RUNNING TO THE STORE JUST PRIOR TO MY WIFE TAKING OUR THREE DAUGHTERS TO BALLET - FOR WHICH SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE. I HAVE NOW SEEN AT LEAST 4 OTHER COMMENTS OF THE SAME ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY. *TR

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE 4 HOURS AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED. THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS AND HAS COST MY FAMILY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIME AND MONEY WITH NO RESOLUTION FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THIS WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS LEAK HAS CAUSED MY CRUISE CONTROL TO FAIL, AND NOW I HAVE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AND A DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF NHTSA IS LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. MY CAR IS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

HAD FORD DEALER REPLACE RECALLED SWITCH. STILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH ABS LIGHT ON. CRUISE CONTROL STILL DOESN'T WORK. STILL USING UP A LOT OF BRAKE FLUID. *TR

JAN 7, 2008, MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WAS HIT BY CAR THAT RAN A REDLIGHT. IT HAD SIDE AIR BAGS THAT I PAID EXTRA FOR AND THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING. FUSE #10 IN OUR VAN BLOWS CONSTANTLY. THAT TURNS ON THE ABS LIGHT, AND TURNS OFF THE ODOMETER AND OTHER THINGS ON THAT FUSE. AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS ON THAT ONE LITTLE FUSE. I READ THIS WEBSITE: WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO AND IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE THE PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE ABS LIGHT WERE FLASHING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE ABS LIGHT AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WERE FAULTY AS WELL AS A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. A YEAR AFTER THE FUSE WAS REPLACED, THE ABS LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AGAIN AND THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO BEGAN TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,545 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

2000 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING THE POTENTIAL OPERATING PROBLEM WITH THE REAR AXLE RECALL.*TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AFTER SHE HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE REAR AXLE. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLAMMED INTO AN ICE BANK. WHEN THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE REAR WHEELS WERE EMBEDDED INTO THE SIDE OF THE VAN AT A BIZARRE ANGLE. THE CONSUMER WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED AS SHE TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.*JB

BEFORE WE BOUGHT THE VAN WE NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK WE ASKED THE CAR DEALER ABOUT IT HE WAS VERY VAGUE (SURPRISE) SAID THE BRAKE WAS A SENSOR THING IN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WIGGLE IT AND IT WOULD GO AWAY PLUS THE CC WAS PROBABLE A FUSE THING. SO WE BOUGHT IT ANYWAYS (WE REALLY NEEDED IT) THEN THE ABS LIGHT KEPT COMING IN WE GOT NEW BRAKES TH AT HELPED FOR ABOUT A DAY THEN EVERYTHING STARTED TO LIGHT UP AGAIN WE TOOK IT FOR INSPECTION ASK ABOUT CC FOR AN UPCOMING TRIP MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A LEAKING BRAKE LINE AND WOULD ORDER THE PART. HE PUT ON THE NEW PART AND SAID TO CHECK ABOUT A RECALL SO I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIRE HAZARD AND THEN WAS LED HERE TO REPORT WHAT HAD HAPPENED WITH OURS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

HELLO I REPORTED THE ABS CONDITION WITH INCREASED BRAKING A WHILE BACK I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE BUT SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD CONTINUED ISSUES WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE NOT WORKING ON MY VAN I TOOK THE CAR TO STEPHENS AUTO IN DANVILLE WV FOR THE RECALLS ON THE AXLES AND HAD THEM CHECK ON THE ABS LIGHT STAYING ON ALSO I HAVE READ ON AN INTERNET COMPLAINT SITE WHERE THE COMPUTER CONTROL BOARDS IN THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAVE SODDER CONNECTIONS BROKEN IS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS I ASK THAT YOU HAVE FORD RECALL AND REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED DRIVING ONE OF THESE VANS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THE WIPERS AND WIPER PARK FUNCTION WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. AS OF NOVEMBER 23, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V261000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: MOTOR). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT, A MECHANIC, WAS REPAIRING HIS VEHICLE, HE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUSE BECAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. AS SOON AS HE REPLACED THE FUSE, HE SMELLED BRAKE FLUID BURNING AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING AND THE BRAKE FLUID SHORTED OUT THE WIRING. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FORD WINDSTARS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS AT THE SUBFRAME OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING OR PRIOR SYMPTOMS. THE VEHICLE IS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 95K MILES. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE THE DRIVER WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A CURB WHEN THE CONTROL ARM MOUNTS BROKE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SWING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVE AXLE TO PULL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION WHERE IT WAS EXAMINED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO IN TURN INSTRUCTED ME TO CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY DIRECTLY. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT IN THE AREA AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM MOUNTS. FORD HAS REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. A SEARCH OF THE NHTSA COMPLAINT DATABASE REVEALED 12 OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR FAILURES WITH 1998-2001 WINDSTARS. (ODI #S: 10152076, 10103097, 10152712, 10138539, 10183135, 10171784, 10173473, 10153590, 10200106, 10005872, 761511, 10172459) THERE APPEARS TO BE A TREND RELATED TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION LEADING TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE REAR PORTION OF THE SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ONE POSSIBLE FACTOR COULD BE THE PLACEMENT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM AND THE TENDENCY FOR CONDENSATION TO DRIP ON THIS PORTION OF THE FRAME WHENEVER THE SYSTEM IS IN COOLING OR DEFROST MODE CAUSING ACCELERATED CORROSION. THIS IS A SEVERE FAILURE THAT IS PREMATURE, NOT EASILY DETECTABLE, POTENTIALLY FATAL, AND WILL LIKELY OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AS THESE VEHICLES AGE. I STRONGLY URGE THE NHTSA TO CONDUCT AN ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION REGARDING THIS FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. AS OF NOVEMBER 6, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE ADDED BRAKE FLUID TO THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT LOCATED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE END OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKE FLUID DESTROYED THE WIRING FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN ON I-5 SEATTLE WASHINGTON, FAILURE MODE IS SIMILAR TO PRIOR RECALL # 01V261000. IT APPEARS THAT THE RECALL IMPLEMENTED IN 2001/2002 WAS EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR WIPER MOTOR WAS ALREADY DAMAGED. THE DEALER REPAIRED WIPER BY REPLACING DAMAGED MOTOR AND WIRING HARNESS. CORROSION WAS EXTENSIVE. AS IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL IT LOOKS LIKE HEATING MAY HAVE OCCURRED. WIPER FAILED AND LEFT BLADE STUCK IN A POSITION THAT OBSTRUCTED DRIVERS VIEW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID LEAKED INTO THE WIRING HARNESS AND CRUISE CONTROL MODULE, WHICH CAUSED A SHORT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEAR A SUDDEN THUMP THEN A DRAGGING SOUND, I PULLED OVER AND FOUND THAT THE BACK AXLE HAD BROKEN IN HALF. *TR

REAR AXLE NEARLY SEVERED AT TWO LOCATION BOTH ~ 17 INCHES IN FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRES ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007. ~75 -80 % OF CIRCUMFERENCE OF AXLE WAS CRACKED THROUGH WALL AND AXLE MATERIAL WAS BEGINNING TO YIELD. VERY SIMILAR TO A NHTSA COMPLAINT # 10190132. HAD 74, 440 MILES AT TIME OF DISCOVERY OF THIS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. CAR WAS NEVER USED FOR TRAILING OR CARRIES ANY HEAVY LOADS JUST OUR YOUNG FAMILY. CAR HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND GARAGED KEPT. HAD BEEN HEARING A FAINT METAL GRINDING SOUND THAT I HEARD AND KEPT INSPECTING UNDER CARRIAGE. ALSO, HAD NOTICE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THAT REAR END FELT SPONGY. HAD REPLACE REAR SHOCKS AND WAS SURPRISED THAT THIS STILL DID NOT CORRECT SPONGINESS FEEL. METAL GRINDING SOUND WAS NOTICEABLE WHEN BACKING OUT DRIVEWAY WITH SLIGHT DRIVEWAY INCLINE. WHEN I WOULD APPLY BRAKES AT END OF DRIVEWAY WOULD HEAR A METAL CLICK SOUND. FINALLY WITH HIGH POWER LIGHT INSPECTION CRACKS WERE DISCOVERED. I HAVE FULL POWERPOINT PRESENTATION ON THIS ISSUE WITH DIGITAL PICTURES IF NHTSA WOULD LIKE THIS DETAILED INFORMATION. HAD BROUGHT DOCUMENTATION TO MY FORD DEALER AND SPENT TWO WEEK GOING THROUGH THEIR FORD REP. BEFORE THEY AGREED TO COVER THE $1700 REPLACEMENT OF REAR AXLE. ONCE AGAIN THEY HAVE A KNOW QUALITY DEFECT AND THEY TRY NOT TO DEAL WITH THIS EVEN THOU THIS COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE CAUSING POTENTIAL DEATH. HAD I NOT DISCOVER THIS AND AXLE FRACTURE AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS NEEDS SERIOUS ATTENTION AND ACTION TO SAVE LIVES ... *TR

ABS LIGHT FREQUENTLY COMES ON, AND SOMETIMES GOES OFF. SOMETIMES, BRAKING IS HARD. *JB

ON AUG. 18, 2007, I WAS GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY NEAR MY HOME WHEN MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND WOULD NO LONGER DRIVE. I HAD IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC WHO TOLD US IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND HAD TO BE TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. AFTER INSPECTING IT WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN LEAKING FLUID FROM THE RESERVOIR INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND HAD THE SENSOR SYSTEM WORKED I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT 8 WEEKS EARLIER AT A LOW COST, HOWEVER THE SENSOR, WHICH WAS GOOD, WAS NOT READ BY THE MAIN SYSTEM AND WE HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS A PROBLEM. WE HAD NO VISIBLE LEAKAGE BECAUSE IT WAS WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF AND BURNED THE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE SPECIALIST TOLD US WE WERE LUCKY WE WERE OFF THE FREEWAY BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT HAD THE TRANSMISSION GONE OUT WHILE DRIVING. I REPORTED IT IT TO FORD WHO HAVE REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT SO WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION TO BE REBUILT, A COST OF MORE THAN $1900 NOT INCLUDING TOWING AND RENTAL CAR. THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST ALSO SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 1999-2000 FORD WINDSTAR, WHICH IS THE MODEL VEHICLE I HAVE BECAUSE IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NOTHING I DID, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES AND I THINK FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THE SENSORS THAT WOULD HAVE ULTIMATELY SAVED ME A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY. IT TOOK 2 WEEKS TO FIX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE SWITCH THAT GOES INTO THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A FIRE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,000.

ABS LIGHT IS ON, # 10 FUSE KEEPS BLOWING, CRUISE CONTROL, SPEEDOMETER, AND ODOMETER DO NOT WORK. NEW FUSE IN WORKS FINE THEN THE FUSE BLOWS AGAIN. *TR

ON JULY 5, 2007 MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR CAUGHT FIRE WITH MY WIFE AND 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS OVERWHELMINGLY OBVIOUS THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

FIRE UNDER HOOD. WIRE DAMAGE, ABS AND CRUSE CONTROL SYSTEMS ALSO AFFECTED. *JB

DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK VIA THE FOB OR INTERNAL ELECTRONIC CONTROLS DUE TO BAD LOCK ACTUATORS. HAD DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR REPLACED ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO (UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY), BUT NOW BOTH SLIDING DOORS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE SLIDING DOORS TO NOT HAVE A KEYED ENTRY SYSTEM SO THE DOORS MUST BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE BY PULLING UP ON THE LOCK KNOB. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE SEAT BELTS IN HER VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE. SHE FOUND A SAFETY RECALL ON THE INTERNET AND CALLED THE FORD DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT IS NOT A FORD RECALL. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT AND TWO REAR SIDE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT WORKING. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BACK REAR TIRE WAS TILTED INWARD AND THE AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE TO WELD THE AXLE TOGETHER. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE AXLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 10/13/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN DUE TO A CRACK. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 10/14/10

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR ANY ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AXLE EXHIBITED A CRACK. THE TECHNICIAN WELDED THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WITH THE IDENTICAL FAILURE PERTAINING TO THE REAR PASSENGER AXLE BEAM. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

I HAVE HAD TO FIX THE ABS TWICE AND I AM DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM AGAIN THIS WOULD BE THE THIRD TIME I ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS LOCKS I HAVE TO HAND LOCK MY VAN. *TR

ABS LIGHTS GOING OFF AND ON WHEN DRIVING. FORD 2000 WINDSTAR. *TR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO SHEARED OFF SUN GEAR IN AX4S TRANSMISSION. FAILURE OCCURRED AS VEHICLE WAS BEING ACCELERATED FROM A DEAD STOP INTO HEAVY CROSS TRAFFIC. ALL FORWARD GEARS INOPERATIVE AS VAN THEN SLOWLY CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF CROSS TRAFFIC. AFTER A BIT OF PANICKING TO FIGURE HOW TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC WE FOUND THAT THE REVERSE GEAR STILL FUNCTIONED. PULLED VEHICLE WITHOUT ACCIDENT OUT OF TRAFFIC.*JB

WHINING NOISE FROM POWER STEERING. REPLACED PUMP ON 5-18, STILL NOISY. FOUND OUT ON 5-21-07 THAT RACK AND PINION WAS BAD, ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK INTO BELLOWS BOOTS ONE OF WHICH BURST, SPRAYING FLUID ALL OVER DEALERSHIP. VAN COULD NOT BE DRIVEN SINCE BOOT WILL FILL UP WITH FLUID AGAIN, SPRAYING IT ON BRAKE ROTOR. DEALER WANTED $900 TO REPLACE RACK AND PINION. CHECKED ON VARIOUS WEBSITES. THIS SEEMED TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH FORD. *AK