2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COVER WAS NOT PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF THE RECALL AND DETERMINED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD BE CONTACTED FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RECALL WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE AND NO OTHER SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO STATED THAT THE RECALL PERTAINED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COVER AND THE PRIOR RECALL WORK THAT HAD BEEN DONE ON THE VEHICLE WAS FOR THE ADDITION OF SILICONE OVER THE MOLDING HOLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WOULD NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH RECOVERY WORK TO THE RECALL.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATION SENSOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED THE CONTROL MODULE SWITCH AND THE COMPONENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED IN THAT AREA AND EXTINGUISHED BEFORE IT COULD SPREAD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS THIS PROBLEM ON THREE DIFFERENT MODELS AND FOR THE SAME COMPONENT WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS ON OR OFF. THIS VEHICLE WAS OFF THE DAY THE FIRE INCIDENT.*AK UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM

2 YEARS AGO MY CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING. ONE MORNING MY WIFE STARTED THE VAN AND SMOKE POURED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WE TOOK IT TO A SHOP IN ALVIN TEXAS. THEY REPLACED A FRIED SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND WOULD NOT REIMBURSE MY LOSSES. AT THE REPAIR SHOP THEY STATED IT IS THE SAME SWITCH THAT IS UNDER RECALL IN THE OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I STILL HAVE THE SWITCH AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO NEXT. ANY SUGGESTIONS FROM THE NHTSA WOULD BE GREATLY HELPFUL. *NM

ABS CONTROL MODULE UNDER DRIVERS SEAT WHICH IS RIGHT NEXT TO A FUEL LINE BURNED UP. ALSO INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE FROM BRAKES THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WORK NORMAL. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE BACKING SLOWLY OUT OF DRIVEWAY. WE HEARD A LOUD "SNAP" FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. UPON INSPECTION, WE SAW THE COIL SPRING HAD CRACKED IN TWO PIECES. FORD WINDSTARS HAD A RECALL FOR 1997 AND 1998 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. MAY BE A RECALL NEEDED HERE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL #01V207000 DUE TO THE VIN HOWEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL ONNECTOR WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE PART IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM FURTHER INCIDENTS OF FIRE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT.

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS, BRAKES ARE FINE ACCORDING TO MECHANIC. FORD RAN A DIAGNOSTIC 7/10/2013 AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ABS MODULE AT A COST OF $1061. IF THE BRAKES ARE FINE WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT OF A MODULE THAT IS WIDELY KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE AND SADLY CAUSING MY VAN TO NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS AND NOW I HAVE NO WAY TO CONTINUE GOING TO WORK. THANK YOU FORD, YOU PUT A DEFECTIVE PART IN MY VEHICLE AND FORCE ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE IT AT MY EXPENSE SO I CAN GET THROUGH INSPECTION. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN NOR WILL I FIX THIS AT MY EXPENSE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A FORCED RECALL ON THIS COMMON DEFECTIVE ISSUE. *TR

CAR EMISSIONS LIGHT CAME ON. THEN WHEN FILLING UP, GAS BACKS UP AND SPEWS OUT PAST NOZZLE. CAN'T GET CAR TO ACCEPT GAS. *JB

2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX - FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE - DEALER PERFORMED TEST CODE 1185 BRAKE / ABS WARNING LIGHTS HAVE BEEN OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS, JUST RECENTLY THEY ARE COMING ON REGULARLY SO THAT A DEALER COULD IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. *TR

IN MY FORD WINDSTAR 2001 THE YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND RED BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON AFTER FEW MINUTES WORM WEATHER OR AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES IN COLD WEATHER. LOOKS LIKE THE FAULT IS RELATED TO THERMAL EXPANSION IN THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 2006 AND IS GETTING WORSE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I PRESSED MY BRAKES TO STOP AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO BRAKES UNTIL I PUMPED MY BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES. WHILE DOING THIS MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. MY O/D LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH ODOMETER. AND MY A/C STOPPED WORKING. WE STOPPED TO WORK ON IT AND FOUND FUSE NUMBER 10 WAS BLOWN. WE REPLACED FUSE. WHEN WE TURNED TO KEY TO START THE MOTOR BLUE SMOKE CAME UP FROM MOTOR AREA AND FUSE INSTANTLY BLEW. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE SENSOR UNDER MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID INTO ELECTRICAL HARNESS. HAVE NOT FIXED SENSOR YET. *JB

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (2B264) LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER (BEHIND THE AIR FILTER) OVER TIME DEVELOPS A LEAK. THIS CAUSES A SHORT AND A FUSE TRIP, FUSE #10 IF THE ENGINE IS ON. THIS LEAK ALSO CAUSES BRAKE FLUID TO WICK DOWN TWO WIRES TO THE ABS BRAKE MODULE (2C219). THE FLUID ACCUMULATES ON THE (ALWAYS ON) POWER CONNECTORS FOR THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH ARE POWERED BY FUSES 101 AND 102 AND ARE BOTH 40 AMP. THE FLUID ATTRACTS MOISTURE, ROAD SALT AND LEADS TO A FIRE WHEN THE FLUID AND MOISTURE ACT AS CONDUCTOR BETWEEN THE HOT LEADS AND GROUND. THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF OTHER FORD RECALLS, JUST NOT THE WINDSTAR VAN YET. THIS SWITCH WILL CAUSE CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS, SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *TR

ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON, ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL ARE DISABLED. LIGHTS CAME ON MORE FREQUENTLY IN SUMMER MONTHS THAN IN WINTER MONTHS. I'VE HEARD THESE PROBLEMS MAY BE A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

ON MY FORD WINDSTAR 2001 THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON MOSTLY WHEN IT IS WARM. I HAVE DIAGNOSTIC DONE AT HAROLD ZIEGLER FORD AND THEY DETERMINED THE PROBLEM IN THE ABS ECM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHES ON AND OFF FOR 5-10 MINUTES. AFTERWARDS, IT STOPS FLASHING AND REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL ONLINE FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THEY STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,893.

CONSTANT ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INDICATION AFTER START UP OF VEHICLE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT AT 7MPH A SNAPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FRONT COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ROAD SALT CORROSION. THE FRONT COIL SPRING IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. 08/02/06 UPDATED. *TT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A GASOLINE ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE HOOD WAS OPENED FOR INSPECTION. THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE FAILED WHERE THE PLASTIC LINE CONNECTS WITH THE STEEL LINE. AS A RESULT, FUEL SPRAYED ONTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL LINE WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. UPDATED 06/12/06. 8JB

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. ALL DUE TO "INTAKE PROBLEMS" (PER THE FORD CERTIFIED MECHANICS WHO WORKED ON IT). THE LAST MECHANIC WHO WORKED ON IT SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF INTAKE SYSTEM THAT FORD HAD TO CHANGE TO A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SYSTEM. AT $80-100 JUST TO RUN THE COMPUTER CHECK EACH TIME AND $300-500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM EACH TIME I CAN'T AFFORD TO OWN A FORD ANYMORE. *NM

FOIA REQUEST ANY REPORTS, NOTICES COMPLAINTS/ INFORMATION, MFG VIOLATIONS, WARNING/ REGULATORY LTRS RE ELECTRICAL AND/OR AIR BAG FIRES IN 2004-2004 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. *TS THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER DIED AND THE SON WAS INJURED WHEN THEIR VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT COME ON MOST OF THE TIME AND I'M SURE THIS MEANS MY BRAKING SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IT HS BEEN OCCURRING WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR MANY YEARS AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS LATER IT IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. FORD NEEDS TO STEP-UP AND FIX THIS ISSUE. A.S.A.P. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS HEADING SOUTH COMING TO A GREEN LIGHT AND A CAR HEADING WEST RUN A RED LIGHT AND I HIT HER IN THE SIDE GOING ABOUT 45 MPH . AFTER HITTING THE CAR I CONTINUED THROUGH INTERSECTION AND HIT STEEL GUTTER AND WENT OVER THAT AND HIT HEAD ON INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

WE OWN A FORD WINDSTAR (2000) WITH 68000 MILES, THIS MORNING AS MY WIFE WAS LEAVING FOR WORK THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE CUTTING THROUGH THE TIRE SIDE WALL. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY TO CONTROL THE VAN OR TO SAFELY STOP. THE SPRING COIL WAS RESTING ON THE TREAD AND THE TOTAL SUSPENSION DROP WAS SO LOW THAT I HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE JACK UNDER THE FRAME RAIL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IT WAS PARKED AND WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPEN, FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V388000, REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL AND VIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ON THE VEHICLE AND THE WIPER/WASHER MOTOR WAS GETTING HOT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V261000, REGARDING THE WIPER/WASHER MOTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 4/11/2006 - *NM

I WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON A DRY ROAD THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 21, 2006, AT ABOUT 40 MPH. A CAR TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND STRUCK THE FRONT OF MY CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE FRONT SUSTAINED DAMAGE SEVERE ENOUGH TO TOTAL THE CAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID INFLATE, THOUGH THE DAMAGE ON THAT SIDE WAS LESS. I WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. DESPITE WEARING MY SEAT BELT, MY STERNUM WAS FRACTURED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE ADJUSTABLE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL PUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THIS ACCELERATION CONTINUED FOR A NUMBER OF SECONDS. THEN, THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. SUBSEQUENTLY THE O2 LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, PER THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS HAPPENED ON A WINDING TWO LANE ROAD WHY CONTACT'S WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 01V207000 REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER.*AK

I WAS AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR JERKED A LITTLE AND WHEN I GAVE IT THE GAS TO GO , IT WOULD NOT HARDLY MOVE. IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET IT TO MOVE, VERY SLOWLY. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. HE HAS CHECKED IT OUT AND SAYS THE REVERSE GEARS WERE MELTED TOGETHER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE THEN WENT OUT OF CONTROL; GOING INTO A DITCH, ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, AND FINALLY STOPPING IN ANOTHER DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM RUSTED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 04/17/06

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 42 MPH, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED. THERE HAD BEEN NO COLLISION AND NOTHING WAS RUN OVER. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SIGN AS TO WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ALTHOUGH, THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN, THE CONTACT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 3/28/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WAS NOT CLICKING CLOSED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE VEHICLE ONLINE, AND WAS CONCERNED AT THE AIR BAG RECALL INFORMATION THAT WAS DISCOVERED. THERE WERE TWO NHTSA RECALLS , #00V270000 AND # 00V412000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. *AK

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE TEMP IS HOT OUTSIDE, TURN ENGINE OFF, AND BACK ON GOES OUT FOR A WHILE, THEN COMES BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM BUT FORD SAYS IT IS NOT A RECALL. OR I CANNOT FIND A RECALL. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS WILL STAY ON WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF TEMPORALLY WHEN THE KEYLESS ENTRY IS PRESSED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLIES. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT. THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED REPLACING THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THEY DID NOT INSPECT THE AIR BAGS. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - THE CONSUMER DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPAIR THE AIRBAG SO THE TECHNICIAN AT THE BODY SHOP REMOVED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FUSE. *NM

1) NONE. 2) MULTIPLE OCCASIONS FAILURE OF THE BRAKES OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICAL CAME TO A COMPETE STOP. CAR SHUTTERS AT 40,50 AND 60 MPH. SEVERAL MIS-ACCIDENTS OCCURED. THESE WERE DIVERTED AS OUR HABITS WERE ALTERED TO STOP A MINIMUM 10 FEET FROM TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL 10-15 MPH LESS THAT POSTED. 3) REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPLETE BREAK SYSTEM, PADS, CYLINDERS, LINES, ROTORS AND ALL COMPUTERS TO INCLUDE FUSES. ALL FACTORY PARTS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED THE NOISE INCREASED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT NEEDED REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NORMALLY DOES NOT NEED PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE.

AT ABOUT 8:30 AT NIGHT, I WAS AT HOME ALONE AND HEARD STRANGE THUMPING AND HISSING NOISES OUTSIDE MY LIVING ROOM WINDOW. I WENT OUTSIDE TO INVESTIGATE AND DISCOVERED FLAMES BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN, WHICH WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY FOUR FEET FROM OUR WOOD FRAME HOUSE. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE 4:00 PM. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911, AND NEIGHBORS HELPED CONTAIN THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE WHILE WE WAITED FOR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL TO ARRIVE. IT TOOK FIREMEN A GOOD 20-30 MINUTES TO FULLY EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES, WHICH DISINTEGRATED THE ENGINE, WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD AREA. THANKFULLY THE FIRE DID NOT SPREAD TO OUR HOUSE. ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS WHO HELPED THAT NIGHT IS A FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN. HE SAID THAT IN HIS OPINION THE FIRE WAS UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. SINCE OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THOSE RECALLED FOR THAT PROBLEM, WE HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF WARNING THAT OUR CAR MIGHT SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY ON A COOL JANUARY NIGHT. NOW THAT'S IT'S TOO LATE, AND AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, I RECOGNIZE SOME SYMPTOMS THAT LINE UP WITH SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE: 1) A FEW WEEKS AGO MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. WE ADDED BRAKE FLUID AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. 2) FOUR DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE, I TRIED TO USE MY CRUISE CONTROL IN A 30 MPH ZONE AND IT WOULDN'T WORK. THAT SPEED MAY HAVE BEEN TOO SLOW TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT IT HAD WORKED BEFORE. 3) TWO DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH. AT FIRST I WAS CONCERNED, BUT IT CLEARED UP AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC AND ONTO THE HIGHWAY. AFTER THAT IT RAN AS USUAL. I'M GRATEFUL THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED BY THIS MASSIVE SYSTEM FAILURE. *JB

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STAY ON IN MY 2001 WINDSTAR. I HAVE BEEN ON A WEBSITE THAT INCLUDES INFORMATION WITH OVER 5 THOUSAND PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AT THE DEALER BEFORE AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. *TR

ABS LIGHT (AND BRAKE LIGHT) GO ON INTERMITTENTLY ON OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. *JB

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM PICKING UP THE KIDS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ROLL BACKWARDS TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD THE TRANSMISSION FAILED 5 MINUTES EARLIER, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN TURNING OFF A BUSY STREET AND COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH TWO KIDS IN THE CAR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE OF THE TOURQUE CONVERTER AND VALVE BODY DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE ROD LEADING INTO THE VALVE BODY. THE VAN HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT. THE REPLACEMENT WILL COST $3,000. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD GO AT THIS POINT IN THE CARS LIFE. *NM

ONSET OF DULL "KNOCKING" NOISE IN RUNNING ENGINE AT IDLE; SOUND SIMILAR TO CONNECTING-ROD OR PISTON WRIST-PIN BEARING KNOCK, BUT DOES NOT INCREASE IN SEVERITY OR FREQUENCY AS ENGINE SPEED CHANGES. SIMULTANEOUS SIGNIFICANT VARIATION IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED (+/- 200 RPM @ 1,000 RPM IDLE), AND ROUGH TRANSITION TO CRUISING SPEED. DEALERSHIP "FOUND" THAT THE INTERNAL PLATE OF THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD COME LOOSE AND WAS SHIFTING TO PRODUCE SOUND. DEALERSHIP SPECULATES THAT THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED AIR / VACUUM LEAKS, COMPROMISING ENGINE IDLE. OWNER DEDUCES THAT DEALER WAS FAMILIAR WITH SIMILAR VEHICLE PROBLEMS EFFECTING OTHER WINDSTARS. AT MINIMUM, THE "KNOCK" COULD TRIGGER EXPENSIVE- AND UNNECESSARY ENGINE REPAIRS. AT WORST, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MALFUNCTION COULD CAUSE LOSS-OF-POWER OR ENGINE INABILITY TO OPERATE, TRIGGERING ACCIDENT. A LIKELY SIDE-EFFECT WILL BE THE REDUCTION IN ENGINE OPERATING EFFICIENCY / INCREASE IN FUEL CONSUMPTION, AND COMPROMISES IN ENGINE EMISSIONS PERFORMANCE. SITUATION BEARS SIMILARITIES TO FORD TSB SEP 01, 2001 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 625749: "MAKE : FORD MODEL : WINDSTAR YEAR : 2001 MANUFACTURER : FORD MOTOR COMPANY SERVICE BULLETIN NUM : 15213 DATE OF BULLETIN: SEP 01, 2001 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 625749 COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE SUMMARY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A CONNECTING-ROD KNOCK OR LIFTER NOISE. *TT". *NM

ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. *JB

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND IT WAS SNOWING. I STARTED TO SLIDE ON ICE. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I SLID OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE SHOULDER AND IMPACTED WITH A DRAIN PIPE INTO A DITCH. NEITHER OF MY DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND AS A RESULT MY MOUTH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED 18 STITCHES. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS CLAIMED A TOTAL LOSS. *JB

I WAS DRIVING ON A SNOW/ICE COVERED ROAD ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. THE ROAD WAS NOT PLOWED. I LOST MY BRAKES AND STARTED TO SLIDE SIDEWAYS DOWN A HILL. I TRIED TO STEER THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST. I WAS PETRIFIED. I FINALLY CAME TO A STOP MY BUMPER HIT A DRAIN PIPE. ALL AXLES WERE BENT. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE WINDSTAR WAS TOTALED. I RECEIVED 18 STITCHES IN MY MOUTH. MY TOP TEETH BIT THROUGH MY BOTTOM LIP. I HAVE A SCAR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I FILED COMPLAINTS AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES AND AS ALL THESE OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAYING I NEVER RECEIVED AN ANSWER. I WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *TR

ON 11/20/05 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 P.M. A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF MY VAN. THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVERS FRONT LEFT AT THE HEADLIGHT SECTION OF THE VEHICLE. MINOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE INCIDENT CAUSED INJURY TO MY WIFE. THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY BUT THE PASSENGERS DID. THIS CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO BREAK MY WIFE'S WRIST IN 2 PLACES. AT THE SAME TIME THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT LOCKED BUT THE PASSENGERS DIDN'T CAUSING MY WIFE TO GO FORWARD. BOTH OF US WERE WEARING OUR SEAT BELTS. THIS SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM SINCE EVERYTHING HAPPENED BACKWARDS. AT THIS TIME NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THE VAN BUT FORD CUSTOMER AFFAIRS IS SUPPOSE TO BE CONTACTING ME. *JB

WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING IN COLD WEATHER THE FRONT END MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE. THE STRUTS WHERE REPLACED UNDER THE 36.000 MILE WARRANTY BUT STARTED MAKING THIS LOUD NOISE AGAIN LAST FALL OF 2005. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY KEEP PUTTING ON BAD STRUTS THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT.*JB

THE MINIVAN IS EQUIPPED WITH A BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT. THIS BUTTON ENABLES YOU TO SHIFT OUT OF OVERDRIVE WHEN YOU DO NOT WANT THE VEHICLE TO BE IN OVERDRIVE MODE. ABOUT THIS TIME THE FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX WOULD BLOW. REPLACED THE FUSE A NUMBER OF TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THE FUSE MAY LAST FOR 5 TO 10 MILES AND THEN IT WOULD BLOW. TRIED A LARGER AMP FUSE BUT IT WOULD ALSO BLOW. TRANSMISSION WILL LEAVE THE OVERDRIVE ONLY IF YOU ACCELERATE GOING UP A HILL. *TR

AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WE HAD THE CODES READ. P0171 AND P0174. RUNNING LEAN ON RIGHT SIDE AND LEFT SIDE. RESEARCH SHOWS MANY OTHERS ON MESSAGE BOARDS ALL AROUND THE WEB WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE SAME AVERAGE MILEAGE (50,000). DEALERS WANT OVER $600 TO FIX THE ISSUE. WITH SO MANY USERS EXPERIENCING THIS DESIGN FLAW, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND THE FIRE WENT OUT. HE THEN DROVE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED AS A RESULT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD WERE BURNED. THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM

CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING AND STARTING TO SMOKE LIKE IT COULD CATCH ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. SENSOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. *JB