1998 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

BRAKE MALFUNCTION, DISPLAY OF "SERVICE ENGINE SOON". *TR

MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR HAS BROKEN BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT COIL SPRINGS. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, MY ABS AND REGULAR BRAKE LIGHT WON'T GO AWAY EVEN AFTER SERVICING. MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND STAYING LIT FOR DAYS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE. SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE, CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND FOUND THAT IT WAS VERY HOT AND SMELLED LIKE BURNED RUBBER. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, THERE WAS AN ENGINE FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V097000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04-08-08 *BF UPDATED 04/08/08 *TR

MALFUNCTIONING CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

REPETITIVELY FAILING ABS BY CRACKED ABS RINGS(FOUR TIMES) OR FAULTY ABS SENSOR *JB

NO PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSTAR BEFORE THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNATTENDED WHEN THE OWNER WAS ALERTED BY OTHER RESIDENTS THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. THE SMOKE WAS WHITE IN COLOR AND COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT AREA OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE FIRE HAD MADE ITS WAY THROUGH THE FIRE WALL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT EVIDENT BY THE HEAVIER BURNING IN THAT AREA THERE IS A V-PATTERN NOTED ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE RADIATOR POINTING TO THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE. THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE BREACHED THE FIRE WALL AT THE AREA WHERE THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS AND STEERING COLUMNS COME THROUGH INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CAUSE WAS RULED UNDETERMINED. *TR

UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE TREAD OF TIRE OF MY TIRE CAME OFF DOWN THE BELTS, THE TIRE MADE THE VEHICLE HARD TO DRIVE AND COULD OF CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY @ 55 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRE. *JB

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON JUNE 18, 2007 I REALIZE THE ABS LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON. I CHECK THE FUSES AND RELAYS COULDN"T SOLVE THIS ISSUE. WHEN I LIFTED UP THE HOOD I NOTICE LEAKING FROM DEACTIVATION SENSOR UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER. I ASSUME THE MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT ON ME SO I REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER DIDN"T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I WAS FURIOUS MEANING THE VEHICLE I OWN AND I DEPEND ON THIS VAN TO GO TO WORK AND HOME. WHEN BRAKE IS LEAKING DOWN UNDER THE ABS ECM IT CAN CAUSED FIRE BUT I DON'T WANT TO CHANCE IT ME STILL THIS VAN. I DON'T WANT TO EXPERIENCE TRAGEDY OR ANYONE WHO MUST GO THROUGH THIS. SO, I LEFT THE VAN IN GARAGE UNTIL I GET FUNDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I ALSO REPLACE THE ABS ECM TWICE BUT IT IS STILL BURNING OUT MY ABS MODULE. OR WE NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE TO FORD DEALERSHIP IM SURE OTHER VICTIMS EXPERIENCE SAME THING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING WHEN YOU KNOW BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM MASTER CYLINDER. PLEASE FOR SAFETY ISSUES INVESTIGATE THIS WINDSTAR 98 LX MODEL. *TR

ABS BRAKE LIGHT (YELLOW) HAS BEEN ON FOR ATLEAST THE LAST 5 YEARS. MY ABS BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. MY MECHANICS HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT NO LUCK, WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A USED BUT FUNCTIONAL ABS BRAKES FOR MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR BUT HAVEN'T HAD MUCH LUCK. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR THROWING PERSISTENT SES LIGHT P0740. THIS WAS COMMON WITH ALMOST MOST WINDSTARS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE MANIFOLDS/GASKET. ROUGH RIDE AND STALLING AT DANGEROUS POINTS. *AK

BRAKE LIGHTS AND ABS LIGHTS KEEP ON AND OFF I HAVE 98 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME, MY CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY STEPPING ON THE GAS. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE VERY BUSY ROAD I WAS ON AND SINCE I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR, I DECIDED TO HIT A TREE, HOPING THE CAR WOULD STOP. IT DID NOT. IT WENT OVER A CLIFF, AFTER KNOCKING THE TREE DOWN. I WAS VERY BADLY INJURED AND REMAIN DISABLED. THE CAR WAS A FORD WINDSTAR 1998. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAS BEEN MANY ACCIDENTS LIKE THIS WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR BUT FORD NEVER DID A RECALL. I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD AND TOYOTA USE THE SAME MANUFACTURER FOR SOME OF THEIR PARTS. MY CAR STILL EXISTS IF IT NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND ONE PERSON WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE CRASH, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

1998 FORD WINDSTAR - FAILURE OF BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH; CAUSED ALL BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT OF MASTER CYLINDER, AND SUBSEQUENT BRAKE FAILURE. NO ACCIDENT CAUSED (FORTUNATELY), COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS OR FATAL. WIFE NOTICED THAT SHE COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE JUST BEFORE ENTERING THE FREEWAY; USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP AND DRIVE THE WINDSTAR HOME. I DISCOVERED MASSIVE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED ONTO THE SURROUNDING AREA, AND THE #30 FUSE FOR CRUISE CONTROL, AND ABS HAD BLOWN. *JB

1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. FRONT PASSENGER LUG BOLTS. ALL FIVE LUG BOLT FAILED WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE MILEAGE 33300. NO NOTICE BEFORE FAILURE. NO SHAKING OR VIBRATIONS. 60 MPH AT TIME OF INCIDENT. ALL PARTS SAVED. REPLACED 5 LUG BOLTS, 5 LUG NUTS, ROTOR. *TR

A FAULTY BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION! SWITCH IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID! *TR

THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DIMLY AND STAYED ON. I TOOK THE 1998 WINDSTAR TO A MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID IN THE ABS MODULE THAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS SITUATION COULD CAUSE A FIRE. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MECHANIC AND THE FORD SERVICE TECHNICIANS AT TWO FORD SERVICE CENTERS THE ABS SYSTEM VALVES WHICH CONTAINED BRAKE FLUID SAT ON TOP OF THE ABS MODULE AND WERE SOMEHOW CONNECTED. THIS DESIGN, APPARENTLY COULD LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID GETTING INTO THE ABS MODULE. I HAVE ASKED FORD REPEATEDLY IF THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE ABS MODULE COULD CAUSE A FIRE, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A STRAIGHT ANSWER FROM THEM. MY CONCERN WAS THAT THIS SITUATION COULD CAUSE A FIRE SHOULDN'T IT BE MADE KNOWN TO OWNERS OF THE FORD WINDSTARS OR ANY VEHICLE WITH THIS PARTICULAR ABS SYTSEM DESIGN? *AK

FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE IN HALF INSIDE BUSHING NONE OF THE AUTO TECHS COULD FIND THE PROBLEM FOR THE PART 2 YEARS (NOT EVEN DURING NY STATE INSPECTIONS) SO THEY PAST THE VAN ANYWAYS UNTILL FINALLY ONE GAVE A TUG ON THE PASSANGERS SIDE OF THE BAR AND IT CAME OUT OF THE BUSHING IN THEIR HANDS THE TECH SAID HE NEVER SAW A BAR BREAK LIKE THAT BEFORE AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE FOR HAVING TO GET THE WHEEL HUBS LOWERBALL JOINTS &TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED TWICE IN ONE YEAR ALONG WITH THE TIRES ON THE FRONT OF THE VAN SO THE VAN SITS IN THE DRIVE WAY UNTILL IT CAN GET FIXED (FINDING THE BAR IS THE HARD PART)DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT LOCATE ONE NOW WHAT???? ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APRESHIATED ALSO THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANNY 4 TIMES ONCE ABOUT EVERY 12000-17000 MILES AND ONE OF THE TRANNYS ONLY LASTED FOR 325 MILES BEFORE THE VAN DIED ON THE NY STATE THRUWAY ON OUR WAY TO CANADA FROM SYRACUSE,N.Y. THEN IT TOOK THE 5 WEEKS TO FIX THE VAN AND GET IT BACK TO ME SO HOW COULD I BE SURE THAT THE BREAKING OF THE SAWY BAR WAS NOT CAUSED FROM THE TECHS REMOVING THE UNIT X AMOUNT OF TIMES???????????ALONG WITH THE TIE RODS,WHEEL HUBS,ECT.*AK

FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE IN HALF INSIDE BUSHING NONE OF THE AUTO TECHS COULD FIND THE PROBLEM FOR THE PART 2 YEARS (NOT EVEN DURING NY STATE INSPECTIONS) SO THEY PAST THE VAN ANYWAYS UNTILL FINALLY ONE GAVE A TUG ON THE PASSANGERS SIDE OF THE BAR AND IT CAME OUT OF THE BUSHING IN THEIR HANDS THE TECH SAID HE NEVER SAW A BAR BREAK LIKE THAT BEFORE AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE FOR HAVING TO GET THE WHEEL HUBS LOWERBALL JOINTS &TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED TWICE IN ONE YEAR ALONG WITH THE TIRES ON THE FRONT OF THE VAN SO THE VAN SITS IN THE DRIVE WAY UNTILL IT CAN GET FIXED (FINDING THE BAR IS THE HARD PART)DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT LOCATE ONE NOW WHAT???? ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APRESHIATED. *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 1998 FORD WINSTAR AT 35 MPH ON JUNE 26, 2005 THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE AND FELL TO THE GROUND, THE VEHICLE RAN OVER THE TIRE. ON JANUARY 15, 2007 THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE FELL OFF AND WENT BEHIND THE VEHICLE THEN HIT A FENCE ACROSS THE ROAD. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WENT INTO THE GROUND AND THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND ONCE AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. *AK

I JUST FOUND OUT THAT MY HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN ON MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. I READ UP ON THIS AND SAW THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FORD AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM NOR DO THEY OFFER YOU A SOLUTION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. *JB

STEERING RACK FAILURE. *JB

FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE ABS LIGHT AND THE TRACKING LIGHT HAVE AUTOMATICALLY LIT UP, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO BRAKE PROBLEMS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL UNEXPECTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

I WAS DRIVING OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR NORTHWOODS EDITION FROM THE SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT ON 12-24-06 WHEN THE VAN BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE SMOKE CAME INTO THE CAR AS I TURNED ON THE HEATER. I PULLED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED 911. WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR WAS FULLY ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. I BELIEVE THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE RIGHT FRONT NEAR THE DASHBOARD,THE FIRE CAME THROUGH THE FIREWALL AT THAT POINT, AND THAT IS WHERE THE SMOKE STARTED AND THE FLAME FIRST CAME OUT AND WHERE THE MOST INTENSE DAMAGE IS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR IS TOTALED AND WE ARE NOW WITHOUT A MUCH NEEDED VEHICLE. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR STATED THIS WAS THE THIRD FORD WINDSTAR IN THIS AREA TO BURN LIKE THIS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKS BRAKE FLUID, WHICH CAUSES HIM TO CONSTANTLY ADD MORE FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT OPERATE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUSES BLEW OUT IN THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPDATED

CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACE 3 TIMES. AGAIN IT IS SHOT. THIS CAUSES THE VAN TO STALL AND HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH IDLE. CAUSES TO STALL USUALLY WHILE STOPPED, SOMETIMES HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION. ALSO: HAD TO PULL ABS FUSE DUE TO PEDAL NOT DEPRESSING. WORKS EXCELLENT WITHOUT ABS. ALSO:TRANSMISSION DOESN'T UPSHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGH SPEEDS/RPM'S. HAVE TO LET OFF GAS AND REPRESS FOR VAN TO SHIFT TO NEXT GEAR. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNED. THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 97V165000 REGARDING THE STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR DUE TO THE VIN, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT HOOD UNLATCHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. THE HOOD BLEW OFF, AND WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD NEARLY CAUSING INJURIES.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A BURNING SMELL WAS PRESENT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. UPON INSPECTION, THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND OF THE DRIVEWAY. UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING OUT OF THE SERVO COVER OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND FAXED A COPY OF THE NHTSA RECALL #97V097000. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE SERVO COVER AND THERE WERE NEVER ANY VEHICLES REPAIRED AT THAT DEALERSHIP ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA RECALL. WHEN THE DEALER WAS ASKED TO FIX THE VEHICLE BASED ON THE RECALL, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE INFORMATION MEANT NOTHING TO THEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO EXPRESSED THAT THEY COULD NOT AUTHORIZED REPAIRS FOR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE NHTSA RECALL. *NM

THURSDAY OCT. 5, 2006 AT 7:00 PM, MY VAN WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT AT MY SON'S HIGH SCHOOL WHERE IT CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY WINDSTAR VAN. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR THE FIRE TO EXTINGUISH ITSELF, AND THEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. *AK

EVEN THOUGH THE VAN I JUST PURCHASED DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE A RECALL ON IT I HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO COMPLETE LEAKING OUT OF ALL THE BRAKE FLUID THROUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, THE DUAL MASTER CYLINDER IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THIS BUT IT DIDN'T. THE SWITCH ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE FACT THAT THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE SEEPING ALLOWED ALL THE FLUID TO LEAVE AFTER ONLY THREE WEEKS OF DRIVING. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAD MECHANICS CHECK IT OUT AND THE SWITCH IS THE SAME TYPE THAT IS CAUSING THE FIRES. I HAVE TO WONDER IF THE LEAKING DRIPPING ON TO HOT MOTOR PARTS COULD CAUSE THE FIRES AS WELL AS SOME ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD DUE TO THE BRAKE FLUID EATING THROUGH PLASTIC AND RUBBER . I TRULY REGRET PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE BEFORE RESEARCHING. I MAY BE ASKING THE DEALER TO TRADE ME INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE JUST DUE TO NOT WANTING TO DIE AT AN EARLY AGE DUE TO FORDS LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL IT IS A SHAME THAT ANY MANUFACTURER CAN BUILD ANY PIECE OF JUNK WITHOUT REGARDS TO END RESULT AND ONLY WORRYING ABOUT THE PROFIT OF SELLING AND THE FACT THAT RISK MANAGEMENT AFTER THE FACT OF WAITING FOR MANY TO BE EFFECTED BY DEATH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE TO HAVE A RECALL FORCED AND FIXING A BAD DESIGN ONCE PRESSED TO DO SO. I FEEL THE MASTER CYLINDERS WHOLE SAFETY IS IN THAT ONE CHAMBER IS MOST LIKELY FUNCTIONAL UNDER MOST SYSTEM FAILURES OF WHEEL CYLINDERS , HOSES, ETC BUT HAVING A PART DIRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE FRONT CHAMBER AND WITH THE COMMON LIKELIHOOD OF REAR WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE AT SOME POINT COULD LEAD TO TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE LIKE I EXPERIENCED. THE FACT THAT THIS MASTER CYLINDER IS HIDDEN FROM EASY VIEW DOES NOT ALLOW THE OWNER TO EASILY VISUALIZE A LEAK AT THIS PART. WHY IS BRAKE FLUID NEEDED TO ACTUATE A DEACTIVATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULDN'T A SWITCH (ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL) PLACED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM ACTIVATING IT A SIMPLER WAY OF MAKING THIS HAPPEN. *JB

1998 WINDSTAR JERKS WHEN DOWN SHIFTING. *TS *NM

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR THAT I HAVE OWNED SINCE NEW, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED FUNCTIONING. I DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH ON THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND WAS CAUSING THE LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE FOLLOWED THAT FORD HAS A MAJOR RECALL ON THESE SWITCHES ON MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES DO TO ENGINE FIRES. MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL, BUT FLUID IS LEAKING INTO THE SWITCH. I HAVE UNPLUGGED THE SWITCH TO PREVENT THE POTENTIAL FIRE, BUT FORD SAYS THAT THESE SWITCHES DO NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM OF EARLIER SWITCHES, I DISAGREE AS THERE IS THE SAME INDICATION OF FAILURE AND LEAKING FLUID. THEY ARE JUST WAITING FOR MORE FIRES BEFORE THEY ACT....*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING THE ABS AND PARKING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEALER MECHANIC REPLACED SOME FUSES AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THERE WAS A RECALL #06V286000 PERTAINING TO THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

THE BRAKES SUDDENLY STARTED FAILING AND THE BRAKE PETAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR LIKE A DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACES 3 TIMES AT 2 DIFFERENT SHOPS BECAUSE THEY WERE SURE IT WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THEY THOUGHT PERHAPS IT WAS A DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT. THE DEFECT ENDED UP BEING THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU). IF YOU DO AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR WINDSTAR HCU, YOU WILL FIND WINDSTAR REVIEWS RATING THEIR BRAKES AS SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS SPECIFICALLY STATING "AN OCCASIONAL PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE IS FAILURE OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU). THE COST TO REPAIR THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT IS ESTIMATED AT $975.00 FOR PARTS, WITHOUT TRACTION CONTROL, AND $1,200.00 FOR PARTS, WITH TRACTION CONTROL, AND $162.50 FOR LABOR." THIS PROBLEM ALSO AFFECTS THE 1997 WINDSTAR. HTTP://AUTOS.MSN.COM/RESEARCH/VIP/RELIABILITY.ASPX?YEAR=1998&MAKE=FORD&MODEL=WINDSTAR AND HTTP://AUTOS.MSN.COM/RESEARCH/VIP/RELIABILITY.ASPX?YEAR=1997&MAKE=FORD&MODEL=WINDSTAR THIS IS POTENTIALLY A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL IF IT IS BAD ENOUGH THAN IN AUTO REVIEWS THEY CITE IT AS A PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTARS. *NM

ENGINE OIL FOUND IN COOLANT. TIMING COVER GASKET FAILURE. LOUD ENGINE KNOCK FROM REAR VALVE BANK- POSSIBLE WRIST-PIN/LOWER INTAKE GASKETS/VALVE PROBLEMS. *NM

1998 WINDSTAR LUG NUTS SHEARED OFF. *TS THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE LUG NUT SHEARING OFF. THE VEHICLE LANDED ON IT'S WHEEL. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING STEERING FAILURE EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. HE HEARS LOUD, SQUEAKY NOISES EVERYTIME HE TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V165000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

ON 4/16/06 I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND FELT SOMETHING STRANGE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE TIRE WAS FLAT AND FOUND NOTHING NOTICEABLE. I CONTINUED ON MY WAY DROVE ABOUT ONE MORE MILE WHEN ALL FIVE LUGS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF. THE TIRE DAMAGED THE FENDER AND DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED AND REPLACED THE LUGS. HE COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON FOR THE LUGS TO BREAK. 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. *NM

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR IN WHICH I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE AN OIL PAN BECAUSE THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT HAD WARPED AND WAS CAUSING AN OIL LEAK ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD OF A FAULTY OIL PAN IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WITH THIS PROBLEM?*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR SIX HOURS, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED. ALSO, THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE TIRE AND DETERMINED THE CONTACT OVER INFLATED THE TIRE, RESULTING IN THE TIRE EXPLODING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TIRE, BUT REFUSED TO GIVE THE DAMAGED TIRE BACK TO THE CONTACT. THE TIRE WAS SIZE: P21570R15. THE BRAND NAME WAS AN ALL SEASON COOPER DOMINATOR.

VEHICLE HAS A DANGEROUS RACK AND PINION INPUT SHAFT STEERING GEAR. THIS IS COVERED UNDER RECALL 97V-165000, HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY SEVERAL TIMES THEY REFUSE ALL RESPONSIBILITY IN CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD REFUSES TO TAKE ANY AND ALL CORRECTIVE ACTIONS. NHTSA WAS USELESS IN HELPING THE SITUATION. *JB

1998 FORD WINDSTAR. 2 DRIVER SIDE WHEEL LUG BOLTS BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. BOTH STUDS SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACED BOTH STUDS FROM FORD PARTS AND 3 WEEKS LATER 1 OF THE NEW REPLACEMENT LUG BOLTS BROKE OFF. *NM

INTERIOR LIGHT AS WELL AS BEEPING NOISE RINGING NONSTOP WHILE ALL DOORS ARE SHUT CORRECTLY. DASH LIGHT ALSO STAYS ON COMPUTER ISSUE WITH SYSTEM. *TR

POWER STEERING RETURN LINE FROM RACK TO COOLER RUBBED ON FRAME OF 98 FORD WINDSTAR UNTIL A HOLE RESULTED IN LOSS OF MOST PS FLUID. DRASTIC LOSS OF FLUID OCCURRED DESCENDING BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS. WINDSTAR HAD ABOUT 125,000 MILES, AND THE DAMAGE TO THE HOSE WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM NORMAL INSPECTION. FLUID SPRAYED OVER HOT ENGINE PARTS BUT DID NOT IGNITE. *JB

FOUND LOT OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. LEFT AT REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR SHOP CALLED AND MENTIONED THAT IT IS HEAD GASKET DAMAGE. THE REPAIR SHOP ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HAS SEEN LOT OF SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH 3.8 L FORD WINDSTAR GL MINIVANS. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO SINCE IT MIGHT COST ABOUT $2,000 TO FIX. *JB

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND VAN WAS RUNNING ROUGH. DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFORD RUNNER CONTROL VACUUM MOTOR WAS STUCK. VAN WOULD OVERHEAT IF NOT REPLACED. *NM

MY HEAT WOULDN'T COME ON SOMETIMES, THEN THE HOT LIGHT CAME ON. HAD IT IN THE SHOP 2 TIMES, EVERYTIME SAID IT WAS FINE, ONLY CHANGING OUT TEMP GAUGE. DEC 2005 3RD TIME TOOK IT IN, SAME PROBLEM ONLY OIL LIGHT WOULD ALSO FLICKER AT LOW IDLE PULLING INTO PARKING SPOT. TOOK IT BACK IN AND TOLD THEM THEY HAD TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, IT HAD BEEN GOING ON TOO LONG. TOLD THEN HEAVY RESIDUE ON OIL CAP, COULD SEE DARK MARKS AROUND EXHAUST PIPE. LOOSING RADIATOR FLUID SLOWLY. I AM NO MECHANIC BUT ALL I RESEARCHED SHOWED HEAD GASKET. TO MAKE STORY BRIEF, THEY TOLD ME SAME DAY ALL WAS OK, COMPUTER READ FINE. I TOLD THEM I WAS NOT SATISFIED AND TO KEEP TESTING. TOOK 3 DAYS, THEN THEY CALL ME TO SAY THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED. OF COURSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD ENDED 2 WEEKS BEFORE. THEY CLAIMED I HAD BEEN DRIVING IT WITH NO OIL AND TRIED TO GET ME TO BUY A NEW ENGINE! I HAD BEEN CHECKING THE OIL MYSELF, NEVER RAN LOW. OIL PAN THICK WITH GUNK. I HAD IT IN FOR ALL REG MAINT, WHY WOULD IT HAVE GOTTEN THAT BAD? $3200.00 LATER I HAD NEW HEAD GASKET WATER PUMP, OIL PUMP, AND VARIOUS SEALS AND HOSES. PICKET IT UP, FOLLOWING DAY HAD IT BACK FOR NOT WANTING TO START, ROUGH IDLE. ANOTHER $175.00 LATER I GOT IT BACK. UNHAPPY TO KNOW THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE AND MY 98 WINDSTAR, FELL IN THE AGE/MILES TIME FRAME FOR THE ISSUE. KNOWING THAT ONE VAN HAD THIS ISSUE THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOW FROM ALL MY DESCRIPTIONS WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. IF FOUND 2 WEEKS EARLIER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. OIL LIGHT STILL FLICKERS NOW AND THEN WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPOT. I WILL NEVER BUT A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. COMPANY WAS UNWILLING TO WORK WITH ME, GIVE ME ANY BREAKS. *NM