1998 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

JUST AN ANGRY CITIZEN WHO HOPES THAT MAYBE YOU CAN STEER ME IN A PROPER DIRECTION. I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH CALIFORNIA TO SANTA CRUZ FOR VACATION. I OWN A 1992 MAZDA EXTENDED CAB 4X4 AND WAS THE LAST OF FOUR CARS IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN WHICH A BRAND NEW LOOKING (I DON'T KNOW THE ACTUAL YEAR) BLEW A TIRE (OR LOST FRONT WHEEL) AND FLIPPED. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALLED AND IT WILL COST ME THOUSANDS TO REPLACE SINCE MY INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER ALL DAMAGES. POLICE FILLED OUT REPORTS, PEOPLE TAKEN AWAY IN HELICOPTERS.... YET MY INSURANCE COMPANY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANY POLICE REPORTS. DO I HAVE ANY RIGHTS TO PURSUE AS THE CONSUMER? SHOULDN'T FORD OR THE INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE MINIVAN PAY FOR MY LOSSES? I DON'T MEAN TO SOUND SELFISH OR COLD SINCE MANY PEOPLE WERE HURT, BUT I AM CURRENTLY BEING PARTIALLY COVERED BY MY INSURANCE FOR LOSSES THAT WERE NOT OF MY FAULT.*AK

DOOR OPEN INDICATOR STAYS ON, CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHT TO STAY ON. EVERY OTHER 1998 FORD I KNOW HAS SAME PROBLEM (7 VEHICLES). NIEGHBOR HAS HAD THIER VAN (98) WORKED ON 4 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. DEALER NOT HELPFULL. FORD HAS BLINDERS ON, ACTS AS IF THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THOS PROBLEM. ALL I WANTED IS FORD TO SAY THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM, AND THEY WERE WORKING ON A SOLUTION. FORDS INTEGRITY IS IN QUESTION WITH ME.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK. ALSO, PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE SINCE TRANSMISSION FILTER HAS BEEN CHANGED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER NOTED THAT TRANSMISSION SHIFT GEAR IS SLIPPING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

CONSUMER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES WITHIN 51,000 MILES. FORD WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PREMATURE FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION.*AK

VEHICLE IS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ALMOST STOP, RPM'S WILL REV HIGH. MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A TSB. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

FIRST THE INTERIOR LIGHT STAY ON AND BLINDS DRIVER AT NIGHT THE DASH LIGHTS FOR DOOR OPEN SHOWS ALL 4 DOOR ARE OPEN BUT THEY ARE CLOSED. IN ADDITION THE SPARE TIRE HOIST WILL NOT GO UP AND BEING THAT THIS PART IS NOT USED BUT FOR EMERGENCIES AND PROPER STORAGE OF AN EMERGENCY ITEM I FEEL THE PART SHOULD LAST FOR MANY YRS.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE BY APPLYING FORCE TO BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKES DID NOT REPSOND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATION, CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED, CRUISE CONTROL CEASED OPERATION BUT HAS NOW BEEN REPAIRED, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY TECHNICIAN THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITH WRONG PART. *JB

WHILE SITTING IN VEHICLE AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION FRONT SPRINGS BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

I HAVE BASICALLY HAD EVERYTHING THAT COULD GO WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE.. GO WRONG. IT HAS BEEN IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SEAL AROUND DRIVERS SIDE DOOR (AIR FLOWS IN). THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR CONTINUALLY GOES ON AND THE DOME LIGHT COMES ON(MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP. THE DOME LIGHT THEN STAYS ON CAUSING BATTERY TO DIE. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TO BLINK HAVE HAD IN SHOP THEY SAY THEY REPLACED A SENSOR. AS SOON AS MY WARRANTY WAS UP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN(COST ME OVER $400.00) WHEN EITHER WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN ABOUT 3 INCHES(AS SOONA S IT HITS THAT POINT) A BUZZING SOUND WILL OCCUR. I HAD A HUGE GASH ON THE INTERIOR OF MY RIGHT TIRE(NO KNOWN CAUSE) I BELIEVE THE VAN WAS 3 MONTHS OLD AT THIS TIME.... HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. I HAVE HAD WORK DONE SEVERAL TIMES ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. INCLUDING THE BEARINGS REPLACED.... A SENSOR RING THAT HAD BROKEN IN HALF, TIE-ROD... I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE, WE BOUGHT THIS BECAUSE IT WAS CONVIENT TO TOTE AROUND 3 CHILDREN BUT THE FACT THAT I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ALOT OF TIMES INS'T VERY CONVENIENT AT ALL. I AM AMAZED THAT IT HAS MADE IT THIS FAR (90,000) THE BACK HATCH SEEMS TO HAVE SOME ELECTRIAL PROBLEMS AS WHENEVER IT IS OPENED IT WOLL SET OFF THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND WHEN CLOSED IT NEVER GOES OFF.. FOR SOME REASON IT HAS PERIODS OF TIME THAT IT WILL STAY ON FOR WEEKS AND THEN WHEN THAT STOPS THE WINDOW BUZZING STARTS. I AM NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND AM VERY TIRED OF SINKING MONEY INTO A VAN THAT WE APID WELL OVER 30,000 FOR. WHY IS SOMETHING SO EXPENSIVE........... SUCH A MONEY PIT????? I FEEL I GET NO RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERS. THEY SEEM TO BE ABLE TO WORD IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY WHEN THEY FIX SOMETHING AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK IN TO BE RE-FIXED.. ALTHOUGH IT DOES THE SAME THING??? I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO DO MORE RESEARCH ON VEHICLE MANUFACTORS WHEN BUYING OUR NEXT FAMILY VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO DISAPPOINTED. PLEASE SEND RECALL INFORMAT

I PURCHASED THE EVENFLO MEDALLION CARSEAT (MODEL #2541113P1, MANUFACTURED 25FEB00). MY 16 MONTH OLD SON IS ABLE TO UNCLASP THE CHEST BUCKLE. I HAVE TO TO STOP EVERY FEW BLOCKS TO RELATCH IT. I CONTACTED EVENFLO ABOUT MY PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BUCKLE HAD BEEN CHANGED ON THE NEWER MODEL AND THEY WOULD SEND ME THE NEW BUCKLE. BUT, IF I USE THIS BUCKLE AND IT DOES NOT HOLD, EVENFLO WOULD ASSUME NO LIABILITY SINCE I HAD ALTERED THE HARNESS. THEY SAID THIS BUCKLE HAD NOT BEEN TESTED ON MY MODEL CARSEAT SO THEY WOULD NOT GUARANTEE ITS SAFETY ( EVEN THOUGH THEY OFFERED TO GIVE IT TO ME, INTERESTING DON'T YOU THINK?). I WAS TOLD BY THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REP THAT THE BEST THING TO DO WOULD BE TO BUY A NEW SEAT. THIS SEAT COST ABOUT $100, AND I PURCHASED IT BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT A FIVE POINT HARNESS WAS THE SAFEST. I TRULY CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER SEAT ( ALTHOUGH I WILL BUY ONE IF IT IS MY ONLY RECOURSE). PLEASE ADVISE ME ON MY NEXT STEP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH SEVERE VIBRATIONS OCCURS, CAUSING SAFE HANDLING OF VEHICLE TO BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK CONSUMER STATES LOCAL DEALER HAS TRIED VARIOUS THINGS SUCH AS TIRE BALANCING, ALIGNMENT AND CHANGING ALL FOUR TIRES BUT NOTHING HAS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM, LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM AND THEY DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO TO CORRECT IT. *JB

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHEN DECELERATION AND ALSO AT ACCELERATION. OCCURS MOST OFTEN WHEN TURNING. LEFT MY FAMILY OF FIVE ALONG WITH 2 OF THEIR FRIENDS STALLED IN INCOMING TRAFFIC. OTHER STALLING EVENTS ALSO REQUIRED OTHER DRIVERS TO TAKE ACTION TO AVOID HITTING FRONT OR REAR OF VEHICLE. DEALER PERFORMED PCM REPROGRAMMING IN ACCORDANCE WITH TSB 98-25-6 AND CORRECTED STALLING PROBLEM. WHILE WIFE REPORTED STALLING INFREQUENTLY WHEN UNDER WARRANTY, THE STALLING FREQUENCY INCREASED TO 1-2 TIMES A DAY AFTER TRANSMISSION SERVICE BY DEALER AT APPROX 47,000 MILES. I AM HAPPY THAT THE CAR IS NOW FIXED BUT FORD HAS NOT OFFERED TO PAY FOR REPROGRAMMING WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTARS. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ITEM. THREE OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE OCCURED WITH THIS CAR IS GOODYEAR INVICTA TIRE SEPARATION (TIRES REPLACED PRIOR TO FAILURE); POWER STEERING PUMP FLUID CONTAMINATION; AND NOISY TIE END RODS. TIRE REPLACEMENT PRORATED. POWER STEERING FLUID FLUSHED AT MY EXPENSE. TIE END RODS REPLACED UNDER BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE STALLING PROBLEM AS A SAFETY RECALL. I AM STILL TRYING THRU FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR CORRECTING THE STALLING ASSOCIATED WITH TSB 98-25-6.*AK (TIRESIZE: 21570R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 21570R15 )

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. TECHNICIAN SERVICE STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, VEHICLE RIDES EXTREMELY ROUGH, AND AT TIMES IS HARD TO CONTROL. DEALER STATES THAT PROBLEM OCCURS WITHIN RACK AND PINION. *AK

WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY THE COIL SPRING BROKE. ALSO, SPRING PUNCTURED LEFT FRONT TIRE, AND BLEW TIRE COMPLETELY OUT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

THE ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS , TWICE DUE TO CONTROL MODULE FAILURE, AND SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO CRACKED SENSOR RINGS AND SENSORS. I HAVE JUST HAD THE MODULE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND 3 DAYS LATER THE ABS LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. THE LAST TIME IT FAILED, MY BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE ON DRY PAVEMENT, ALTERNATELY LOCKING UP AND DISENGAGING, I NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLISIONS. I HAVE NOTICED MANY SIMILAR REPORTS AND WONDER WHEN A RECALL IS GOING TO BE ORDERED. ADDITIONALLY I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERE BINDING AND GRINDING IN THE STEERING, PARTICULARLY IN COLD WEATHER OR WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT. A FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER FEELS THE PROBLEM IS PROBABLY DUE TO RACK AND PINION PROBLEMS. I AM TOLD BY FORD THAT MY VEHICLE NOT COVERED UNDER NHTS RECALL 97V165001. AGAIN I NOTICE MANY OTHER SIMILAR REPORTS . WHEN IS NHTSA RECALL 97V165001 GOING TO BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE OTHER PRODUCTION DATES.L. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILS TO STAY IN LOCKUP MODE WHEN TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SLIPS AND VIBERATES WHENEVER YOU REACH A SLIGHT UPGRADE *AK

RACK AND PINION STEERING MAY HAVE A DAMAGED INPUT SHAFT BEARING FROM A SERVICE BULLETIN OWNERS LETTER # 97S85 .ALSO, BULLETIN WAS GIVEN BY THE DEALER. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT FORD STATED NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNTIL THERE WAS A RECALL.*AK

MY PROBLEM IS WITH NHTSA DEFINITION OF A PROBLEM (DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TOO BRIGHT IN THE DAYTIME) AND FORD'S FIX OF THE PROBLEM(DISABLE THE LIGHTS).

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP OR TURN--THERE IS A DOWNSHIFT/SHUDDER--IF I AM DRIVING IN OVERDRIVE. OUT OF OVERDRIVE, IT DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT. REF. 99-18-4 I HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIMES AND ALL THEY DO IS CLEAN THE FUEL INJECTORS. (TIRESIZE: P215/70R15)

RECEIVED RECALL 97V165001 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR. WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL IN RIGHT OR LEFT IT WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE LIKE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF POWER STEERING FLUID. BUT VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY FULL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED OTHER CONSUMERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

I WENT TO PURCHASE 2 NEW TIRES AFTER AN AVERAGE ROAD HAZARD BLOWOUT AT COSTCO FOR MY FWD WINDSTAR W/ ANTILOCK BRAKES. THEY REFUSED TO PUT THE NEW TIRES ON THE FRONT, EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES NOT BEING REPLACED HAD GOOD TREAD WEAR REMAINING. THEY SIGHTED AN ARTICLE ON THE COUNTER AND A HANDOUT FROM MICHELIN STATING IT WAS THEIR "POLICY" TO PLACE THE TIRES ON THE REAR. THIS MAKES NO SENCE!. IT APPEARS TO BE A PLOY TO SELL MORE TIRES BY LEAVING OLD TIRES ON THE FRONT WHERE THEY WEAR FASTER, EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE NEW TIRES BY LETTING THEM WEAR LESS ON THE REAR, AND DECREASING POSSIBLE TIRE LIABILITY BY HAVING THE NEW TIRES NOT CONTROL (STEER) THE VEHICLE! DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT THIS PRACTICE IS SAFER OR IS IT A MARKETING PLOY THAT IS OUT OF CONTROL??.

WHEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITH COOLER WEATHER CONDITIONS THE ENGINE NEARLY STALLS OUT WHEN STOPPING. THIS AFFECTS THE POWER BRAKES AND THE POWER STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. COMPLAINTS TO DEALERS AND FORD CUSTOMER CARE HAVE NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. PROBLEM DEVELOPED AFTER INSTALLING A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AT 30,000 MILES. FORD CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AFTER AT LEAST FOUR TRIPS TO THE SHOP. THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED UNDER THE LEMMON LAW AND REPLACED BUT WAS NOT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN, A YEAR LATER, CONSUMER RECEIVES RECALL 01S19 REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CORRODING, POSSIBLY CAUSING TIRE DAMAGE, CONSUMER DOES NOT WANT THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. *SLC

WHILE PARKED FOR ONE DAY, ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 23-C025-105. *SLC

WHENEVER VEHICLE IS SHIFTING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR IT WOULD JERK. PROBLEM HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS, 20-25MPH. CAN MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAD BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS, AND EACH TIME WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS TORQUE CONVERTER. *AK

RECALL 01I007000; MOISTURE AND CORROSION AFFECTING FRONT COIL SPRINGS. ALSO, CAN AFFECT STRUT BEARINGS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED ALL THEY HAVE TO DO WAS TO PUT SHIELD AROUND AND CHECK COIL SPRINGS.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER , BUT DEALER HAS NOT HONORED RECALL AS OF YET.*AK

WHILE PARKED FOR A DAY INSIDE OF INSURED'S GARAGE, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 23-C025-105. *JG

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, AND LURCHING FORWARD, PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR DEALER TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. *TT

WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING ON BRAKES THE PEDAL CONTINUES TO MERGE TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. MECHANIC DOES NOT KNOW WHY BRAKES ARE MALFUNCTIONING. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT UPON RECEIVING A SAFETY RECALL FOR SPRING COIL REPLACEMENT, RECALL #01V199000, CNSUMER CALLED THE DEALER TO ASK IF SHE COULD ORDER THE SPRING COILS TO HAVE THEM READY FOR THE APPOINTMENT, DEALER TOLD HER THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE, CONSUMER MADE APPOINTMENT AND WENT TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE RECALL REMEDY, DEALER TOLD HER THAT A SPRING COIL REPLACEMENT WAS UNNECESSARY IN NASHVILLE, INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THE RECALL INSTRUCTION FROM FORD THEY INSTALLED PROTECTIVE SHIELDS WHICH CAUSED CRUNCHING SOUNDS OVER THE SMALLEST BUMP, WHEN TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT THE TIRE MADE SOUNDS OF HEAVY FRICTION, CONSUMER BELIEVES THE TWO TIRE BLOW OUT THAT SHE HAS EXPEREINCED HAS SOMTHING TO DO WITH THE SHIELDS THAT WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLE, AND THE DETERIORATION OF THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE CONSTANT FRICTION AND RUBBING, HOWEVER, CONSUMER NEEDS THE SHIELDS TO BE REMOVE AND THE PROBLEM TO BE CORRECTED AS QUICKLY AS TRUE TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL SPECIFICATION AS POSSIBLE. *YD

THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE FRONT COIL SPRINGS-MAY 2000. (REASON UNKNOWN) IN SEPTEMBER, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS REPAIR, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT ISSUE REIBURSEMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $228.17. THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND AND FEELS THAT FORD WOULD RATHER STAY BEHIND THEIR DEALER, THAN TO STAND BEHIND THEIR CUSTOMER. (THOUGH SATISFIED W/THE VEHICLE, BUT UNSATISFIED W/THE TREATMENT. *SCC

DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR FAILES TO LOCK FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLES. *AK

ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO I STARTED TO NOTICE A NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. OVER TIME IT GRADUALLY BECAME LOUDER AND MORE FREQUENT. WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL GARAGE , THE NOISE WOULD NOT INITALLY BE PRESENT. FINALLY IT BECAME MORE PRESENT AND THE LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE TIE RODS AND THAT FORD WAS KNOWN TO FREQUENTLY HAVE THAT PROBLEM. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE FIXED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. AT THAT TIME I HAD ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON T HE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT THE MECHANIC SAID. THEY REPAIRED THE CAR AND CHARGED ME FOR THE REPAIR SINCE THEY CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE CAR (HIDDEN OR OTHERWISE) SINCE I HAD PRESSED THIS POINT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND LATER WITH HIS MANAGER. NOTE: I HAD PREVIOUSLY SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEB SITE REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT DOES SEEM THAT TIE RODS SHOULD NOT BE FAILING AT 38-40,000 MILES. AND, THAT ULTIMATE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS CRASHES AND INJURIES.*AK

AT 35 THOUSAND MILES POWER STEERING WENT OUT. MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING PUMP AT 38-39 THOUSAND MILES, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. MECHANIC RESEARCHED PROBLEM, FOUND OUT THAT TIE ROD END RODS WERE TOO TIGHT, PUTTING EXTRA STRAIN ON POWER STEERING. *AK

CONSUMER POSSIBLY EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE WHEEL STUDS BREAKING OFF.(CLAIM#38-J687-126)*JB

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, BRAKES COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. PEDAL COMPLETELY WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO FORCE. STILL NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE.*AK. THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE FAILING OF THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. *JG

VEHICLE WAS LOSING ANTI FREEZE , AND ENGINE WOULD KEEP GETTING CLOSE TO OVERHEATING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED HEAD GASKET.*AK

THE VAN STALLED, OR "CUT OUT" WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS, OR WHILE AT LOW RPM'S. WE TOOK THE VAN BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY CONTACTED FORD. FORD SEEMED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND DIRECTED THE TYPE OF REPAIR TO BE MADE, ACCORDING TO WHAT WE WERE TOLD. I GAVE THE DEALER A NEWS ITEM ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM FORD HAD IN CALIFORNIA WITH MILLIONS OF CARS STALLING, AND THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL IN CALIFORNIA. "STALLING" IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED MY VAN IN THE FIRST PLACE ( RATHER THAN EXPOSE ME AND MY FAMILY TO INJURY) AND FORD SHOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR ( WHICH AMOUNTED TO ABOUT $500). IF THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IF THEY AGREED TO FIX THE PROBLEM IN CALIFORNIA, WHY SHIFT THE COST OF REPAIR TO ME?*AK

STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION FAILED. *MJ

WHILE DIVING AND MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS STEERING WHEEL WILL MAKE A LOUD NOISE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MECHANIC STATED BOLTS ON RACK AND PINION STEERING ARE COMING LOOSE.*AK

CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERS IN REGARD TO RECALL 0110077000, IGNITION CONTROL . ALL DEALERS WERE REFUSING TO PROVIDE SERVICE IN REGARD TO THESE RECALLS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE VEHICLE HAD NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE NOISE WAS DUE TO TIE ROD END FAILURES. *YH

FATIGUE FAILURE OF WIRE SPRINGS WHICH STIFFEN STALK, AND LIE NEXT TO WEBBING. SHARP ENDS OF BROKEN SPRINGS ABRADED AND WEAKENED WEBBING- CONCERN FOR BELT FAILURE UNDER CRASH LOADS. SAME FATIGUE FAILURE SEEN ON LEFT AND RIGHT SEATS.*AK

FUSE CONTROLLING ONBOARD COMPUTER AND INGNITION SYSTEM FAILS RANDOMLY WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE STALLS AS A RESULT AND ALL POWER TO BRAKES AND STEERING IS LOST AS WELL. THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES SINCE THE MIDDLE OF MAY 2002. TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS, INCLUDING A FORD DEALER (KERRY FORD, 165 KEMPER ROAD, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45246 (513)671-9900). NONE CAN REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. KERRY FORD SAID ALL THEY CAN DO IS START REPLACING PARTS (AT THE COST OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS) BASED ON THEIR BEST GUESS AND HOPE IT FIXES THE PROBLEM. I'VE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. PLEAS THAT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS INVOLVED FALL ON DEAF EARS. FRANKLY, WE DO NOT HAVE SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO PUT INTO THIS CAR HOPING THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. MOREOVER, I CAN'T SELL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT DISCLOSING THIS PROBLEM AND PUTTING SOMEONE ELSE'S FAMILY IN DANGER. WE ARE LEFT WITH A CAR THAT IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND WORTH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THE MANUFACTURER IS UNRESPONSIVE. WE HAVE NOWHERE TO TURN. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.*AK

OWNER DIDN'T REALIZE THAT EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE DIDN'T RELEASE COMPLETELY. ONCE SHE DID REALIZE THATOWNER RELEASED IT. A 1 1/2 LATER, LOST BRAKES COMPLETELY WHILE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOILING IN MASTER CYLINDER. ALSO,EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS INTEGRATED WITH HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE COOLANT FLOWING THROUGH THE CYLINDERS CAUSED A MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEM. *YH

VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS CHECKED TO SEE IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. MALFUNCTION CAUSED VEHICLE TO SPEED UP AND MISS JUDGE TURNING WHICH INTERFERED WITH DRIVING ABILITY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK