1995 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

ON MARCH 4TH WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE, MY 95 WINDSTAR VAN LOST ALL POWER AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE DEFECT, THAT OF A HEAD GASKKET, WAS UNDER A RECALL BUT I WAS NVER NOTIFIED BY FORD NOR BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO IS ALSO SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH THIS INFORMATION. FORD WILL NOT FIX MY VEHICLE AND HAS NO DESIRE TO MAINTAIN SAFETY ONT HE ROADS BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY MANY STORIES OF WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS OR WORSE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! THANK YOU

CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT THE TROUBLED HEAD GASKET. DEALER COMMENTED THAT THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THE MILLAGE CAN'T EXCEED 60K. I TOLD THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER RECALL ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "EYE BURNING GASES WHEN DEPLOYED" THE DEALER COMMENTED THE RECALL, BUT AGAIN THE MILLEGE OF THE VEHICLE COULDN'T EXCEED 50,000. AT NO TIME DID I RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. ALSO, I'M NOW HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION "PARK SELECTION". IT WON'T RELEASE OR DIS-ENGAGE.

VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. YH

FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN INHERRENT DESIGN FAULT WITH THE 1995 BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES AND CALIPERS REPLACED APPROX EVERY 8,000 MILES SINCE NEW AND NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I AM TOLD THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH IT OR REPLACE THE VAN. FORD SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR DESIGN FLAWS. *AK

I WOULD LOVE TO HERE A RESPONSE. THANKS. NO DEFECTS MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE GOING BAD, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND OIL LEAKING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE OF EXTENDED WARRANTY OF HEAD GASKETS. THEY WENT 5 DAYS AFTER 12/31/98. DEALERSHIP PAID FOR THE REPAIR, BUT NOW ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKETS. *AK

COOLANT LEAKAGE IS CAUSING ENGINE HEAD GASKE/TIMING BELT AND WATER GASKET TO FAIL. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THE COOLANT LEAKAGE. *AK

THE HEAD GASKETS BEGAN TO FAIL ON APRIL 12,1999, RESULTING IN THE OVERHEATING OF OUR ENGINE. ALTHOUGH FORD ISSUED A LETTER TO US LAST JUNE REGARDING THE PROBLEM THEY WERE HAVING WITH HEAD GASKETS RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE, THEY CLAIM WE CANNOT BE COMPENSATED FOR OUR EXPENSES BECAUSE WE MISSED THE CUTOFF TO THEIR NO CHARGE COVERAGE BY 3 MONTHS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD REALIZED THAT THIS PRODUCT WAS FAULTY, AND WE WANT FORD TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE COST TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE WILL BE $3200.00. WE FEEL THAT FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING AND COMPENSATING FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY KNEW WOULD OCCUR. *AK

APRIL, 1998 AT 34,000 MILES CAR TAKEN TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS A SLIGHT OIL LEAK. KEPT CAR OVERNIGHT AND THEN FOR A FEW MORE DAYS. REPLACED NUMEROUS SEALS AND GASKETS. VALVE COVER GASKET, ETC. ONE YEAR LATER, APRIL, 1999 AT 47,000 MILES CAR BROUGHT IN AGAIN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND UNEXPLAINED ENGINE COOLANT LOSS. DEALER ADVISED THAT HEAD GASKET MUST BE REPLACED. *AK

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CRACKED RINGS. MJS

CONSUMER HAS A BAD ENGINE HEAD GASKET THAT IS CAUSING OIL LEAKS AND OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

BLOWN HEAD GASKETS AROUND JULY, 1998 WHICH FORD PAID FOR. THEY CHARGED ME AROUND $900 TO FIX A LEAK TO THE TIMING COVER THAT I THINK WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAD GASKETS. WHILE IT WAS IN THE SHOP, I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHILE ROUNDING CORNERS AND IT "JERKS" INTO GEAR AFTER STOPPING AT LIGHTS/SIGNS. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITENTLY AND REMAINS ON AND DIAGNOSTICS ARE NOT CONCLUSIVE, THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS "DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEM". I'VE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES SQUEAKING AND BEEN TOLD IT'S "BRAKE DUST" BUT I'M NOT CONVINCED.

HAVE QUESTIONED THESE ITEMS WITH DEALER ALWAYS WITH NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN. TALKED ABOUT WHETHER I NEEDED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF WARRANTY RENEWAL AND WAS NOT TOLD OF ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, OR ANY OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE BY FORD. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

TAILGATE LOCK FAILED, REPLACEMENT FAILED ALSO. MJS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

HEAD GASKET BLOWN, AS PER NOTICE 98M01. NLM

THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHILE THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON, AND VEHICLE CAN BE STATRED WITHOUT THE KEY. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

RIGHT FRONT SUB FRAME TO CONTROL ARM BUSHING INNER SLEEVE ROTATES IN SUBFRAME MOUNTING BRACKET. THE SEPARATION ON THE FRONT OF THE BUSHING INNER SLEEVE WEARS ON THE MOUNTING BRACKET, EVENTUALLY ENLARGING THE MOUNTING HOLE AND WEARING THE METAL THICKESS AWAY. THE RESULT IS A CLUCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END BECAUSE OF THE NOW LOOSE LOWER CONTROL ARM. NHTSA ITEM #'S SB036893 AND SB045761 REFERENCE THE COMPLAINT BUT NOT THE REAL PROBLEM. IF THE FRONT BRACKET FAILS TOTALLY AT SOME POINT, THE VAN WILL LOSE ITS RF SUSPENSION AND STEERING. ALSO CAUSES THE VAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ALIGN THE FRONT END BECAUSE OFF APPROXIMATELY NOTICABLE TOE VARIATION ON THERE RIGHT WHEEL. FORD DEALER MECHANIC SAYS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. JUST TIGHTEN THE BOLT AND HOPE FOR THE BEST OR REPLACE THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP BECAUSE THERE WAS A LEAKY ENGINE HEAD GASKET THAT BLEW. DEALER SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN PROCEEDING FROM A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE HESITATES OR JERKS. THIS PROBLEM OCURRS DUE TO A FORWARD ALUMINUM CLUTCH. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN. A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT COMPAIGN WAS ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE FOR THE CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKETMALFUNCTIONED. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED MANUFACTRURER'S WARRANTY, BUT IT HAS EXPIRED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS IN A SIDE FRONTAL ACCIDENT AT 50 MPH WHICH LEFT VEHICLE SPINNING. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND OVERHEATED. ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

ENGINE ROD IS KNOCKING, CAUSING MOTOR TO LOCK UP. A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE; VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILED. NLM

FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

WE PURCHASED THE VAN WITH 42,00 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PREFORMED SINCE APRIL 1998: BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED, ROTORS WERE WARPPED BECAUSE OF HEAT, WE BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VAN TO COVER COST OF REPAIRS INCLUDING ELECTRICAL TO FIND OUT IT COVERS ZIP. A SENOR IS CONSIDERED A COMPUTER CHIP AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, THEN AFTER THE 90 DAY WARRANTY WAS UP THE SENOR IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DOOR SENORS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE TURN SIGNAL/CURSE CONTROL SENOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ABOUT AN AVERAGE OF EVERY TWO MONTHS IN THIS CAR AND IT COSTS US AT LEAST $180.00 EACH TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED. I JUST HAD THE VAN IN TO CHECK OUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND HAVE THE CAR SMOGED THE FIRST WEEK IN JUNE 1999 THEN TWO AND A HALF WEEKS LATER AS I WAS DRIVING HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, FUMES COME IN THROGH THE VENTS AND CAR STARTS CUTTING OUT. HAD TO WAIT TIL THIS WEEK TO TAKE TO SHOP SO I COULD AFFORD TO FIX IT AS THE SHOPS DON'T TAKE PAYMENTS. CONTACTED THE 1800 # FOR FORD AND THEY SUGESTED I TRADE THE CAR IN. I STILL HAVE 2.5 YRS TO PAY ON THIS PIECE OF FORD. THIS CAR HAS BEEN DOWN TOTALING 8.6 MONTHS SIN THE LAST 15 MONTHS. I FIND THAT THE SENORS ARE A MAJOR DEFECT IN THIS VAN, MAYBE SOMEONE SHOULD CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM HERE. ALSO HAD TO TAKE VAN IN FOR A RECALL ON HEADGASKET. I AM FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A BACK UP CAR OR I WOULD HAVE LOST MY JOB DUE TO THIS CARS COST AND REPAIRS TO ME, NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO MAKE THE PAYMENT BUT ALSO THE COSTLY REPAIRS. THIS TIME IT IS COSTING ME OVER $700.00 TO FIX AND IT HAS ONLY BEEN OUT OF THE SHOP LESS THEN A MONTH.

ENGINE HEAD GASKET ALLOWING OIL AND ANTI-FREEZE TO GO INTO ENGINE, CAUSING A POTENTIAL ENGINE FAILURE. CONSUMER WANTS FORD TO COVER THE COST OF HEAD GASKET REPAIRS SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AFTER DECELERATION AND STOPPING, AS WELL AS INTERMITTENT FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED CRACKED FORWARD PISTON. PERSONNEL AT DEALERSHIP REMARKED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG '95 WINDSTARS AND IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW. ALSO COMMENTED THAT THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 53K MILES. *AK

AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AFTER RUNNING OVER A PIECE OF TIRE IN THE ROAD, CAUSING BOTH AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHEN CONSUMER OPENS SLIDING SIDE DOOR OR DRIVES OVER A BUMP, SLIDING DOOR WILL FALL OFF HINGES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES. *AK *ML

AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. DEALER STATES THAT THIS OCCURS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITHIN DIAGNOSTIC MODULE AND THE CLOCK SPRING. *AK

HEAD GASKET BLEW, COOLING FLUID (ANTI-FREEZE) LEAKED DOWN INTO THE OIL GALLEY AND CONTAMINATED THE ENGINE OIL AND RESULTED IN DESTROYING THE BEARINGS (ROD,MAIN & CAMSHAFT), CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BE REBUILT. *YC

THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE VERY UNCLEAR. THERE ARE 5 HEADREST POSITIONS, BUT ONLY 4 CAN BE USED WITH A HARNESS. THERE IS NO WARNING TO INFORM PARENTS NOT TO USE THE 5TH HEADREST POSITION WITH HARNESS, ONLY FOR USE WITH BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER. IT ONLY IMPLIES IT BY SAYING THAT THE CHILD SHOULD USE THE BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER IF THE CHILD'S SHOULDER ARE ABOVE THE SLOTS IN THE FOURTH POSITION. HOWEVER, THAT CAN BE CONSTRUED AS THE 4TH TODDLER POSITION, WITH THE LOWEST BEING AN INFANT POSITION. THERE MUST BE A SPECIFIC WARNING IN THE INSTRUCTIONS BOTH IN THE HARNESS ADJUSTMENT SECTION AND THE BELT-POSITIONING SECTION AND PREFERABLY ON THE SEAT ITSELF. IT IS DANGEROUSLY UNCLEAR.

SPLIT FROM TOP OF GAS TANK IS CAUSING GAS TO LEAK. REPLACEMENT OF GAS TANK IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *AK

PASSENGER SIDE SIDEVIEW MIRROR CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE OUTSIDE HALF SEPARATED FROM THE HOUSING AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE OWNER'S DRIVEWAY.

AT 56,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION IS PREMATURLEY WEARING OUT, IT WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS. DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAULT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE NEEDLE ON THE SPEEDOMETER JUMPS AROUND AFTER DRIVING 30MPH. DEALER HAS REPLACED SPEEDOMETER ONCE BEFORE. PROBLEM EXISTS AGAIN. *AK

MUFFLER WAS MAKING LOUD NOISES WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE SITTING AT STOP. DEALER IS REPLACING THE EXHAUST WHICH WAS REPLACED ONC EBEFORE. *AK

HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND AT 42,300 MILES ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD DID NOT ADMIT FAILURE OF ENGINE DUE TO HEAD GASKET, AND OWNER HAD TO PAY $3700 FOR REBUILT ENGINE.

ENGINE HEAD GASKET CRACKED CAUSING FAILURE. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THE HARD GASKETS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *YC

IE98-080; WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDTIONING ON, THE AIR CONDITIONER CUT OFF. ALSO, ENGINE OPERATED ERRATICALLY AND WHITE SMOKE COME FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. DEALER HAS REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET AND OTHER PARTS. ENGINE OVERHEATED VERY QUICKLY.

FOWARD CLUTCH PISTON WITHIN TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HESITATE AND WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO FIRST GEAR RIGHT AWAY. *AK

CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. OIL WAS CHANGED WHEN DEALER NOTICED OIL LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. DEALER ALSO NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVVERTER, CAUSING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

MY SLIDING DOOR ON THE SIDE OF MY FAMILY OWNED VEHICLE HAS FALLEN OFF! IT HAS HAPPENED ON TWO SEPERATE OCCASIONS, BUT NOBODY CAN FIGURE OUT WHY. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK , AND WOULD LIKE HELP CLARIFYING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE FIVE SMALL CHILDREN, AND IF THIS CAR WAS SAFETY TESTED AS A FAMILY VEHICLE, THEY MADE SOME SERIOUS ERRORS. YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. JUST SO YOU KNOW THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT, AND WE WERE SLIDING THE DOOR OPEN ON ONE OCCASION, AND SLIDING IT SHUT ON THE OTHER.