2000 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT 29000 MILES IN OCTOBER 2001. SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED JUNE 2000 WITH 56000 MILES ON THE CAR AND ONLY 27000 MILES ON THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION. FORD HAS OFFERRED TO PAY 50% OF THE REPAIR COST FOR THE FIRST TRANSMISSION. I TOLD THEM I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE BOTH TIMES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE QUALITY OF THE TRANSMISSION AND FORD'S OFFER TO ONLY PAY 50% FOR AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THEIR TRANSMISSION.

RIGHT FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE VAN, I HAVE HAD ONE ISSUE OR THE OTHER. HERE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES. 1. TIRES - MY NEW VAN HAD BUMPS ON ALL 4 TIRES. EVERY TIRE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WOULD BURST ON DRIVING. THEY WERE GENERAL TIRES. I WENT TO FORD MANY TIMES AND OPENED A CASE WITH THEM ALSO TO NO AVAIL. AFTER 12,000 MILES, I DECIDED TO BUY 4 NEW TIRES MYSELF FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AT MY OWN EXPENSE. 2. AT 15,000 MILES, I HAD TO GET MY FRONT BRAKES CHANGED AS THEY HAD REACHED THEIR END OF LIFE. 3. AT 15,000 MILES, I ALSO HAD TO GET MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AS WELL AS DROP PAN CHANGED AS THEY WORN OUT 4. AT 30,000 MILES, I HAD TO GET MY FRONT BRAKE PADS AGAIN CHANGED (THESE WERE ALSO WORN OUT). WHAT IS SURPRISING IS THAT MY REAR BRAKES ARE FINE 5. AT 30,000 MILES, I ALSO HAD TO GET MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AS WELL AS DROP PAN CHANGED AS THEY WORN OUT 6. AT 40,000 MILES, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOR WHICH I HAD TO GET THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM CHANGED AS WELL AS HAD MAJOR ENGINE WORK DONE TO REMOVE THE LIGHT. THE BILL WAS IN A FEW THOUSAND, AND I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID TO GET IT ALL FIXED 7. AT 45,000 MILES, I HAD TO GET FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES AGAIN. 8. AT 45,000 MILES I ALSO HAD TO GET MY FRONT TIE RODS CHANGED AS THEY WERE SQUEAKING 9. MY AUTOMATIC DOOR SENSOR HAS NEVER WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT THE VAN. IF YOU SHUT THE DOORS USING THE ELECTRONIC DOOR OPENERS, AND IF SOMETHING IS IN THE WAY, IT WILL STILL SHUT THE DOOR TRAPPING THE ITEM, RATHER THAN REVERSING THE PROCESS. 10. MY DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEATS HAVE JUST FAILED, AND I AM YET AGAIN FACED WITH A LARGE EXPENSE. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN

BOTH SLIDING DOORS FAILED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THEY DIDN'T WORK AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED FOUR TIMES, AND PROBLEM CONTINUED. *AK THE RADIO QUIT , THE DIRECTIONAL SWITCH HAD BROKEN, THE POWER DOORS/SWITCHES FAILED VARIOUS TIMES, AND THE DOOR UNLATCHED WHILE PARKED AND IN MOTION. *SCC *JB

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN ON A HILL. VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. *JB

THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND LODGED AGAINST THE TIRE. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND THE CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK *PH THE MECHANIC STATED THE COIL SPRING HAD RUSTED AND CRACKED. *JB

WHILE SITTING AT STOP LIGHT, WENT TO PROCEED, NO ACCELERATION--TRANSMISSION WENT. TOWED TO DEALER, NOT UNDER WARRANTY--$2700 LATER FORD REPLACED WITH A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION--3 YEARS, 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. SAYS TO ME THAT FORD KNOWS SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE SINCE THEY DIDN'T REPLACE WITH A REBUILT ONE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED THE $2700 AND THE COST OF THE RENTAL CAR NEEDED FOR 7 DAYS.3 YEARS WITH THIS VAN, 3RD YEAR OF PROBLEMS--1ST YEAR-TIE RODS, 2ND YEAR-FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM, 3RD YEAR-REPLACE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE HELP.*AK

2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX PARK ON SLIGHT INCLINE, NO KEYS IN IGNITION OR BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. 2 YEAR OLD KNEELING ON DRIVERS SEAT, PULLED DOWN ON GEAR SHIFT LEVER, TRANSMISSION RELEASED AND VEHICLE ROLLED 100 FT AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. I TOOK POSSESSION OF THE LEASED VEHICLE 8/30/2000, I FOUND A REPAIR WAS MADE FOR THE EXACT CONDITION 8/28/2000 AFTER VEHICLE REPAIR HISTORY REPORT WAS RUN. *NLM

2000 FORD WINDSTAR, 47,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. ONE ITEM DIAGNOSED IS A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SPACER. FORD SERVICE SAYS INTAKE MANIFOLD SPACER IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. A)INTAKE MANIFOLD IS COVERED FOR 7 YEARS, 70,000 MILES IN CA B)INTAKE MANIFOLD IS IN TWO PIECES, UPPER AND LOWER. THE SPACER IS WHAT GOES BETWEEN BOTH PIECES OF INTAKE MANIFOLD. C)YOU CANNOT USE ONE PART OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WITHOUT THE OTHER, YOU MUST HAVE THAT SPACER, THEREFORE IT IS PART OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD UNIT. IN ADDITION, TSB 01-20-5 WAS ISSUED FOR WINDSTAR YEARS 1997-2001 STATING THAT THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THAT'S FIVE YEARS THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM. *JB

I COMPLAINED OF A RATTLING NOISE SOUNDING LIKE CHAINS UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VAN , STARTING FROM 7,700 MILES TO THE PRESENT. EACH TIME TAKING IT IN AND BEING TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, TO THEM FIXING SOMETHING AND THE NOISE STILL BEING THERE. I STATED TO THEM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE VAN WAS NOT RIDING RIGHT. I COMPLAINED OF A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. AGAIN, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE BRAKES WHERE ALWAYS RUBBING AND THEY REPLACED THE PADS. I WAS TOLD SEMI-METALLIC PADS MAKE NOISES. THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER, BECAUSE I COMPLAINED THAT UPON ACCLERATION THE VAN WOULD MAKE A PINGING NOISE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS COMBUSTION WITH THE GAS. I FOLLOWED THERE RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT WHAT GAS TO USE, AND OTHER THINGS TO DO. IT STILL CONTINUED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING ELSE ABOUT IT. I OWNED A '98 WINSTAR AND NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS AND IT DID NOT DRIVE THE WAY MY 2000 DID. RIGHT NOW THE VAN IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE, WITH A BROKEN TRANSMISSION AND I CANNOT GET HELP FROM FORD.I LEASE THE VAN AND I REFUSE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS ON A VAN, THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPOSIBLE FOR. MY LEASE IS ALMOST OVER AND THEY SHOULD BACK THEIR PRODUCT UP. I PUT ALOT OF EXTRA MONEY IN THIS VAN TO KEEP IT WELL MAINTAINED. I FEEL FORD SHOULD HELP ME.

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FORD 2000 WINDSTAR EXPERIENCED TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING OF ANY KIND. THE VEHICLE HAD 39000 MILES! IT WAS NEVER USED IN ANY HEAVY-WEIGHT SITUATIONS AND NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. MY WIFE USED IT TO DRIVE THE KIDS AROUND TOWN AND TO DO THE GROCERY SHOPPING. FORD HAS REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND THIS VEHICLE. MY REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE WENT ALL THE WAY TO DETROIT. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES WERE RUDE. THE COSTS FOR TOWING AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WERE $2149.58.*AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 43,000 MILES AND LESS THAN 3 YEARS. *JB

FOR SOME REASON, THE FIRST TIME, ON 10 MAY 2003, THE ENGINE RACES AT ABOUT 3500 - 4000 RPM, AT A STOP SIGN AND STILL MAINTAINING. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED VAN SPEEDS VERY, VERY QUICKLY, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE IN FRONT. ALSO, IN IDLE, THE ENGINE RMPS ARE BETWEEN 3500 - 4000 RPM. *NLM

THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A DOOR SENSOR AND AS A RESULT A CHILD WAS ALMOST PINNED BY THE SLIDING DOOR. *NLM

THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, BUT WENT INTO REVERSE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FAILURE PER DEALERSHIP. *JB *SCC *JB

SECOND FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN 2240 MILES. *NLM

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 42,000 MILES IN 09/01 AND WAS REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 81,000 MILES IN 05/03 WAS TOLD WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED (ONLY GOOD FOR 24,000 MILES). I HAD TO PAY $2900 TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN A CAR WITH LESS THEN 100,000 MILES SEEMS VERY EXCESSIVE TO ME. WAS TOLD BY AT LEAST 6 DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS THAT FORD WINDSTAR'S WAS THE NUMBER 1 AUTO THEY REPLACED TRANSMISSIONS ON. SEVERAL SHOPS TOLD ME FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE RECENTLY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND VANS MADE AFTER 02/03 HAD THE DEFECT FIXED BUT FORD WAS NOT PUTTING A RECALL ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. *NLM

WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TOT HE FLOOR. *NLM

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. *NLM

THE AUTOMATIC OPENING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS NO SENSORS TO DETECT A PERSON IN THE WAY OF THE DOOR. THE DOOR CLOSED ON MYSELF WITHOUT AUTOMATICALLY RELEASING. IF A CHILD WAS THERE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS INJURY. *NLM

BLOW OUT OF GOOD YEAR INTEGRITY TIRE. *LA CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TWO BLOW OUTS WITH GOODYEAR TIRES. CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW WHO TO BLAME FOR THE BLOW OUTS, GOODYEAR OR FORD FOR EQUIPPING A VAN WITH A ONE PLY POLYESTER CORD IN THE SIDEWALL. *PH *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. *JB

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. RIDING ALONG AT CONSTANT VELOCITY IT WOULD KNOCK LIKE YOU ARE GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. WITH A FEW THOUSAND MILES WE TOOK THE VAN INTO THE DEALER REPORTING A "CLUNK" AT ABOUT 10 MPH. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM. AT 40,000 MILES NOW THEY SAY I NEED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. NOT KNOWING I HAD PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT THE VAN IN WE TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CLUNK AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM. MY NEIGHBORS WHO BOUGHT THE SAME VAN FROM THE SAME DEALER THE SAME DAY ALSO HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO WITH ABOUT 39,000 MILES. HER VAN JUST QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. *JB

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO INTO REVERSE GEAR. *NLM

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, DUE TO A FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER. *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. *JB THE CONSUMER'S SON PUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND PULLED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING STARTED. THE CONSUMER WAS PULLED AND DRAGGED BEHIND THE VEHICLE APPROX. 30 FEET. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES WITH ROAD RASH. HIS CLOTHES WERE RIPPED TO SHREDS. AT THAT TIME, FORD HAD DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *PH *JB

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTION. THEY WILL SOMETIMES FAIL TO CLOSE OR OPEN WHEN ACTIVATED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SOMETIMES FAILS TO CLOSE COMPLETELY AND THE OPEN DOOR LIGHT ON THE DASH REMAINS ON. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SOMETIMES MAKES A RATTLING SOUND AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE A TIGHT SEAL. *JB

1ST OCCURRANCE FEB 2002 -ABS LIGHT CAME ON, CLUNK NOISE FROM FRONT BRAKES, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR BUTDID NOT STOP VEHICLE EALER REPLACED RT CRACKED RING GEAR. IN FEB 2003 - SAME SCENARIO BUT LEFT SIDE . *AK IN CHECKING INTERNET SITES, FOUND NUMEROUS (1 SITE, MYCARSTATS.COM HAD 30+) COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING-THIS IS DANGEROUS. MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THEY HAD TO HIT AN OBSTACLE TO STOP THEIR VEHICLE. IS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 FORD WINDSTAR BEING "INVESTIGATED", HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE TO GET ACTION???

I HAVE HAD THIS VAN SINCE 2003, FROM DAY ONE THE ABS LIGHT HAS CAME ON WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS BUT THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN IT CAME BACK ON. NOW I HAVE REPLACED AT MY COST THE ROTORS AND THE CALIPERS AND NUMEROUS BRAKE JOBS BUT NOTHING FIXES IT. SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES THE VAN DOES NOT STOP!!!! BUT INSTEAD MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND YOU FEEL A SKIP THROUGH THE BRAKE PAD. WHEN IT IS PUT ONTO THE COMPUTER FOR THE ABS SENSORS NOTHING SHOWS UP AND THE DEALER JUST RESETS THE LIGHT. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD THERE ARE THREE NEIGHBORS THAT HAVE THE SAME MAKE,MODEL AND YEAR AND ARE HAVING THIS AND NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THESE VANS AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT! *TR

WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 FORD WINDSTAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY AFTER PICKING MY SON UP FROM SCHOOL, SHE NOTICED THAT AT LEAST 3 CARS HAD PASSED HER WITH THEIR WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON DURING A PERFECTLY CLEAR DAY. SHE LOOKED OUT THE BACK WINDOW AND COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. WE LATER FOUND OUT THE HOT ENGINE COOLANT WAS SPRAYING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE AND SPRAYING ONTO THE TRAILING CARS CREATING A VISIBILITY HAZARD. THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET ON THE WINDSTAR. THIS COULD HAVE HAD A VERY SERIOUS IMPACT ON OTHER DRIVERS OR MY WIFE DUE TO A LACK OF VISIBILITY DUE TO THE ENGINE COOLANT SPRAYING OVER THE WINDSHIELDS OF OTHER VEHICLES. FORD MOTOR COMPANY UNDER WENT A HUGE RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2000 FOR HEAD GASKET FAILURES IN SEVERAL VEHICLES FOR MODEL YEARS 1996-1999. FORD CLAIMS THEY RESOLVED THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKETS, BUT CONSIDERING I HAD A FAILURE AT LESS THAN 50,000 MILES THAT WARRANTED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT I DON'T BELIEVE THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED. *JB

WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS ON OUR MINIVAN SINCE THE ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE. WHEN USING THE REMOTE OR INTERIOR BUTTONS TO CLOSE DOORS, THEY FREQUENTLY MALFUNCTION. WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE THE DOORS, SOMETIMES THERE IS JUST A CLICKING NOISE AND THE DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE AT ALL. OTHER TIMES, THE DOOR CLOSES AND THEN IMMEDIATELY POPS RIGHT BACK OPEN. OFTEN WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE THE DOORS MANUALLY, THE DOORS FAIL TO LATCH. OTHER TIMES, THE DOORS GET STUCK IN AN OPEN POSITION AND WE ARE UNABLE TO CLOSE THEM, EITHER MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, OR THEY SIMPLY STATE THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM. THIS PAST SUMMER THE "MOTOR" WHICH OPERATES THE DOOR CLOSING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THE MOST RECENT EVENT OCCURED ON 2/3/03. THIS TIME THE SLIDING DOOR CAME OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ONCE AGAIN CLAIMED THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS VEHICLE DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.

THE REAR BENCH SEAT OUTBOARD BELT BUCKLE HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE IT DID NOT SECURELY LATCH. THIS WAS THE 4TH OUT OF 7 BELT BUCKLES THAT CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BECAUSE OF LATCHING PROBLEMS. *TS *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE "OVER DRIVE" LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THE TRANSMISSION IS NO LONGER WORKING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH

PURCHASED NEW TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLE AT 38500 MILES DUE TO TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE THAT DAMAGED TRANSMISSION BEYOND REPAIR. NEW FORD FACTORY TRANSMISSION INSTALLED IN DECEMBER REQUIRED REBUILD IIN JANUARY OF 2003 AFTER ONLY 1500 MILES.

THE HORN BUTTON IS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE AND PUSH. IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BLOW THE HORN IN TIME TO HELP AVOID A BAD SITUATION. I SELECTED A DATE BELOW BECAUSE IT IS REQUIRED. THISIS NOT AN ACTUAL EVENT DATE. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.

2000 FORD WINDSTAR WITH POWER SLIDING DOORS HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WHERE THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR WILL REOPEN AFTER IT HAS CLOSED. FORD HAS LOOKED INTO THE PROBLEM, CHANGED PARTS, SENT AN ENGINEER, ETC. IT STILL HAPPENS. CONTINUOSLY CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AFTER MY DEALER HEARD NOTHING FROM REGIONAL (WHICH WAS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS NOW DIRECTED) CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING, BECAUSE REGIONAL IS OVER THEIR HEADS. MY DEALER TOLD FORD AND I HAVE TOLD FORD THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN GEAR AND MOVING IN REVERSE. CANNOT GET ANY HELP. WHERE CAN I GO? ALSO, THE FIRST TIME I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM AND HAD IT TAKEN TO THE DEALER WAS OVER A YEAR AGO.

THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR VEHICLE, A 2000 FORD WINSTAR SEL, WENT ON US WHILE DRIVING THE ON A BUSY SIX LANE ROAD. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE 68,000 MILES ON IT. HOWEVER, I'VE PRODUCED MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP WHICH CLEARLY SHOW WE'VE FOLLOWED FORD'S MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS; INCLUDED HAVING THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP (AT 42,000). THIS SEEMS TO BE ONE EXAMPLE IN A LONG LINE OF FORD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHEN WILL THE NHTSA, OR ANOTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY, FINALLY STEP IN AND CONFRONT FORD? TS

HAVE HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SINCE 40,000 MILES. HAVE ALREADY DONE THE OVERHAUL FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT STILL COMES ON AND OFF DAILY FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS. REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATION SWITCH 2 YEARS AGO, BUT I GUESS THE LEAKING FLUIDS HAVE DESTROYED MY ECU. ALSO HAVE CLEANED AND CHECKED ALL WHEEL SENSORS WHICH HAS NOT HELPED AT ALL. I USED TO BE A FORD MAN, BUT AFTER THESE PROBLEMS AND $$$ SPEND, I'M VERY CAUTIOUS OF FORDS NOW! *TR

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE INDICATION LIGHT FLASH SPEED DROP AND OVER DRIVER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED TECHICIAN NOTICE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACE TRANSMISSION IS ON THE THIRD REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

I WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE WHEN MY 2000 WINDSTAR VAN MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE AND SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I TURNED THE VAN OFF FOR A MINUTE OR SO THEN RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO PROCEED FORWARD BUT THE VAN STARTED GOING IN REVERSE INSTEAD. I HAD TO HAVE THAT WINDSTAR WITH APPRXIMATELY 43,000 MILES TOWED HOME BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. CUSTOMER SERVICE TO NO AVAIL. ALL THEY COULD TELL ME WAS THAT THE VAN HAS MORE THAN 36,000 MILES SO THEY WE'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENSE OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE VAN IS AT A FORD DEALER AT THIS VERY MOMENT. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE COST TO REPLCE THE TRANSMISSION WILL EXCEED $2000.00 . I NOW KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FORD WINDSTAR 2000 TRANSMISSIONS PLEASE HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME ONE DIES.

12/02 ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - HAD TO HAVE UPPER PLENUM GASKET, O-RINGS, VACUUM ELBOW AND VALVE COVER WITH GASKET REPLACED FOR $600.00. 4/03, CAR LESS THAN 3 YRS. OLD BUT WITH 44K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BLEW: WELD BROKE ON THE "DRUM OVER THE PLANETARY GEAR". SO WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36K MILES BUT WINDSTAR STILL UNDER 3 YRS. OLD. I EXPECT A CAR TO LAST AT LEAST 3 YEARS BEFORE ANYTHING THIS EXPENSIVE HAPPENS. WANT FORD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND EXTEND WARRANTY TIL WINDSTAR IS PAID FOR IN 2005.

ON 12-13-02 I WAS TOLD BY MILE ONE WHERE I PURCHASED MY WARRANTY TO HAVE MY VAN TOWED TO A FORD DEALSHIP BECAUSE IT HAD A MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN.THE SERVICE MANAGER JOHN LOCKET SAID THAT THE VAN HAD WHAT HE CALLED AN INTERMIX IN THE ENGINE,HE SAID THAT COOLANT AND THE OIL HAD SOMEHOW MIXED TOGETHER.I ASKED HIM WHAT CAUSED THAT TO HAPPENED AND HE SAID THAT IT COULD BE A BLOWN HEADGASKET OR A CRACKED CYLINDERHEAD. I CALLED HIM ON 12-23-02 AND HE SAID TOLD ME THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE COULDN'T TELL WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS SO I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE MY PERMISSION FOR THEM TO BREAK DOWN THE ENGINE AT MY OWN EXPENSES AND I WAS TOLD THE SAMETHING BY MILE ONE,I AGREED.I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER SAM STEWARD OF KIA OF GLEN BURNIE WHERE I PURCHASED THE VAN AND HE AGREED TO CALL AND SPEAK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER JOHN LOCKET AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP.HE TOLD HIM THAT HE WOULD HAVE EVERYTHING WORKED OUT AFTER CHRISTMAS. MR.STEWARD TOLD ME TO KEEP IN TOUCH AND TO LET HIM KNOW IF I NEEDED ANYMORE ASSISTANCE.I CONTACTED HIM AGAIN THE FIRST PART OF JANUARY AND I TOLD HIM THAT THEY STILL COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM SO I MADE A CONFERENCE CALL TO MR. LOCKET WITH MR.STEWARD'S PERMISSION. MR.LOCKET EXPLAINED TO MR.STEWARD AND MYSELF THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE MY PERMISSION TO HAVE THE ENGINE PULLED OUT TO HAVE THE BLOCKED CHECKED TO SEE IF IT IS CRACKED I AGREED AGAIN. MR.STEWARD ASKED MR.LOCKET WHY WAS IT TAKING SO LONG TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID THAT HE WAS SHORT ON HELP.I SPENT OVER 1200 DOLLARS ON A RENTAL VAN AND HAD TO CATCH RIDES WITH FRIENDS TO AND FROM THE BABYSITTERS AND WORK.I AM STRESS OUT AND I FEEL LIKE MILE ONE DO NOT WANT TO HONOR THE WARRANTY.I WAS TOLD TODAY BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER JOHN LOCKET THAT I HAD TO PAY A 1000 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE AND THEY WOULD PAY THE REST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE IS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SO WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY A 1000 DOLLAR DEDUCTABLE.

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS SELF-SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOCKED GARAGE WITH ALL DOORS LOCKED. PH

MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR HAD TO HAVE A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEN IT HAD ONLY 44,000 MILES DUE TO A DEFECT CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO RUN TOO LEAN. THE CODE WAS 0171. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE TO REPLACE A PART OF THIS NATURE WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY THIS MANY MILES ON IT AND ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

WHEN MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR HAD ONLY 43,000 MILES ON IT THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING. INITIALLY IT WOULD NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSING AND WOULD POP BACK OPEN. SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL NOT EVEN OPEN ALL THE WAY ON ITS OWN. IT WILL OPEN ABOUT 12 INCHES THEN STOP, AND STILL WILL NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSING.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING NOISE WHICH WAS SLIGHT AND IRREGULAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED. *JG

STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A MOANING NOISE. DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF THE NOISE ,AND DOESN'T THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. BUT INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HE SHOULD HAVE IT CHECKED FREQUENTLY. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS.*AK

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED WITH NO WARNING. UPON FAILURE, DEBRIS SHOT UP INTO TRANSMISSION. INTERNAL DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSIN WAS SO SEVERE THAT WE HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 38,500 MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT.

I WENT OUT AND STARTED THE VAN SO IT COULD WARM UP AND THEN WENT IN TO GET MY DAUGHTER READY FOR HER DENTIST APPOINTMENT. THE VAN HAD WARMED APPROXIMATELY 25 MIN WHEN WE GOT IN. I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND NOTICED THERE WAS FROST ON THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW, NOT A LOT JUST ENOUGH TO DECREASE MY VISIBILITY, SO I TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROSTER. APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE DOWN THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND FOLLOWED BY GLASS SHATTERING, CAUSING ME TO SLAM THE BRAKES AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I THEN REALIZED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE GLASS HAD SHATTERED OUT. FORTUNATELY NO OTHER CARS WERE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME AND NO ONE WAS INJURED JUST FRIGHTENED. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH A GENTLEMAN THERE. I WAS TOLD HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING THAT IT WOULD BE UP TO THE DEALER AS TO WHETHER THEY WOULD REPLACE IT OR NOT. I THEN CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND SPOKE WITH A GENTLEMAN THERE WHO SAID HE WOULD CONTACT THE SERVICE MANAGER AND GET BACK WITH ME. HE PHONED LATER THAT DAY AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE WINDOW, I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT DONE MYSELF. SO I DID. I DECIDED TO DO SOME INVESTIGATION ON THIS MATTER AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME 2000 WINDSTAR'S CONCERNING THE BACK GLASS, AND MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS WHO HAD THEIRS TO SHATTER OUT AS WELL. SOME FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR CO. TO TELL THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND ASKED TO BE REIMBURSED THE MONEY FOR THE BACK GLASS AS I FELT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL AND IF THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE US FOR THE GLASS BECAUSE OURS DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON IT. I HAVE ALSO FILED A CLAIM WITH THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD AND I AM WAITING ON THEIR DECISION. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO. FORD DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. DEALER WON'T PROVIDE DETAILS OF THE COMPONENT FAILURE ONLY THAT THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED. THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE AT THE REQUIRED INTERVALS FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BUT CLAIMS BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE TRANS CASE DRAINED BY THEM AT 30,000 THAT THE UNIT FAILURE IS MY FAULT. MY '95 WINDSTAR HAD THE TRANSMISSION FAIL AT 50,000 MILES. SEEMS LIKE A PATTERN I SHOULD LEARN FROM. DT

POP/LOUD HITTING SOUND IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING SLOW AND HITTING A BUMP OR DIP IN HI-WAY. TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP IN NEVADA, MO. AND THEY SAID THAT IS IT MADE THAT WAY A STOP IF YOU HIT SOMETHING THAT IT WILL NOT TEAR UP SOMETHING ELSE...I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE THAT. ALSO, DUST, COMING IN ALL OVER INSIDE THE 2000 WINDSTAR AND YOU LITTERALY HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO BREATHE. THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS FOR PASSENGERS IN BACK OPENS VERY SLOW AND SOMETIMES WONT OPEN WITHOUT FORCE. TS