1998 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DEPARTED (I.E. FELL OFF) THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH ON A PAVED ROAD. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON A SOFT SHOULDER AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL FIVE STUDS HOLDING THE WHEEL ON WERE SHEERED OFF. THE WHEEL ITSELF WAS NOT DAMAGED, HOWEVER MAJOR BODY DAMAGE WAS MADE TO THE WHEEL WELL AND FRONT DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED (EXCEPT FOR THE BODY DAMAGE) AT THE COST OF $1300, REPLACING THE ROTOR, BRAKE, SPINDLE AND STRUT. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE SEAT BELT STRAPS ARE RIPPING APART. TWO OF THE STRAPS HAVE COMPLETELY RIPPED. ONE OF THE STRAPS IS FRAYING. EACH OF THE SEAT BELTS IS LOCATED IN A DIFFERENT ROW. TWO OF THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK

1998 FORD WINDSTAR. PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE SLOWING TO ALMOST 1 KM/H (LUCKILY). ALL 5 STUDS SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACED ALL STUDS FROM FORD PARTS AND 3 WEEKS LATER 2 STUDS SHOWING. VERY SCARY, STILL WORKING ON PROBLEM. *NM

VEHICLE LOSS COOLANT GRADUALLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I NEVER SAW ANY LEAKS UNDER THE VEHICLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CAR WAS ABRUPTLY PULLED OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, BUT WE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE BURNING SMELL, WE ALSO HAD BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO EVALUATE BUT HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CULPRIT. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON OCT19TH AND SPRAYED COOLANT AND STEAM WHICH WAS THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS A PHYSICAL INDICATION THAT THERE TRULY WAS A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP AT MY EXPENSE TO REPAIR THE HEAD GASKET, INTAKE MANIFOLD AND TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET.

DT: THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 15 MINS BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DOORS LOCKED, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE RUNNING ON THEIR OWN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND HAD TO CUT THE BATTERY CABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE KEYS WERE LEFT INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE CONSOLE IN BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT SEATS. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORTS OF FIRES ON WINDSTARS. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND CALLER FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY WILL GET BACK TO HIM. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND IT WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CALLER DID NOT KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE.*AK *NM

ON 4/12/02 59,173 MILES. WINDSTAR HAD ABS & BRAKE LIGHT ON. DISC BRAKES REPLACED AND ROTORS MACHINED. 2/26/04 82,240 MILES ALL ABS SENSORS,DISC BRAKES,BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR/FLOAT ASSEMBLY REPLACED,ROTORS MACHINED. 95,487 MILES BRAKE LIGHT ON. 3/05 CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF. ABS LIGHT FLICKER ON & OFF. DEALER SAID NOT WORTH MONEY TO FIX. 9/04/05 FIRE UNDER BATTERY TRAY. VAN OFF 2 TO 3 MINUTES. DEALER SAID CRUISE CONTROL MODULE IGNITED FIRE. BRAKE FLUID LEAKED INTO IT. THE ABS PUMP OVERHEATED WIRE CAUSED LEAK. OUR VAN IS NOW AT CHAPMAN FORD AWAITING OUR APPROVAL TO REPAIR PROBLEMS AT A COST OF $2200.00. WE ARE NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE AND DON'T WANT TO APPROVE REPAIRS WITHOUT TALKING TO SOMEONE FROM YOUR OFFICE. PLEASE RESPOND AND LET US KNOW WHAT OUR NEXT STEP SHOULD BE. WE ARE A ONE INCOME FAMILY SO GETTING A NEW VEHICLE IS NOT AN OPTION. YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *NM

TRANSMISSION WAS SLOW GOING INTO GEAR,WAS VERY NOISY AND WOULD NOT SHIFT IT FINALLY LOCKED UP IN GEAR AND WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS TOWED IN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. THE VAN HAS ONLY 46,000 MILES ON IT. A 30,000 DOLLAR CAR SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS. *JB

CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED & TURNED ON CAUSING VEHICLE TO BEGIN TO SPEED UP. I WAS IN THE WAL-MART PARKING LOT, WHEN MY VAN SUDDENLY REVVED UP & RACED TOWARDS 2 PEDESTRIANS. I FIRST TRIED THE REGULAR BRAKE - NO LUCK, SO I THREW THE VAN IN PARK & TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I WOULD TURN THE VAN ON AGAIN THE RPMS WOULD JUMP UP IMMEDIATELY TO 4000+. I HAD TO BE TOWED IN. I DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT ALL DURING THE TRIP SO I (AS WELL AS THE REPAIR SHOP) WAS SURPRISED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE WAS THE CULPRIT. *JB

MY 98 FORD WINDSTAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE A CHEVY TAHOE RAN A RED LIGHT AND T-BONED THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VAN. UPON IMPACT THE SIDE DOOR OF MY VAN FLEW OFF AND ENDED UP 15 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS (MY WIFE AND OUR 5 CHILDREN) SO NO ONE WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. OUR SON WHO WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH MULTIPLE LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM

FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING UP A LOW GRADE AND COMING TO A STOP. VAN STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD AFTER REMOVING FOOT FROM BRAKE AND WHEN IT FINALLY MOVED FORWARD THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NO SPEEDOMETER. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR. MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER PASSING A SEMI ON THE FREEWAY. PASSED DOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND WHEN PULLING BACK INTO RIGHT LANE VAN LOST ALL FORWARD POWER AND SPEED. SPEEDOMETER ONCE AGAIN DROPPED TO 0. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER BUT AS YET HAVE NOT HAD IT LOOKED AT BY DEALER. SAID TO BRING IT BACK ON THE WEEKEND.

WE WERE ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME ON OUR RETURN TRIP FROM OHIO TO IOWA WHEN, WHILE ACCELERATING OUT OF A REST AREA, STEERING COLUMN BEGAN SHAKING VIGOROUSLY. WE BEGAN TO SLOW FROM 60-65MPH AND MERGED INTO THE RIGHT LANE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING AROUND 50MPH THE RIGHT FRONT END DROPPED AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BOUNCED OFF INTO A FIELD. WE RETAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER WITHOUT INJURY. UPON EXAMINATION, THE TIRE STUDS HAD ALL BROKEN CLEAN OFF. ALL EXCEPT TWO WERE LOST. THE TWO HAD A LOCKING MECHANISM. THE DAMAGE DUE TO THE COLLISION WITH THE ROAD AFTER THE WHEEL FELL OFF WAS COVERED BY OUR INSURANCE, THOUGH TECHNICALLY THE INITAIL MECHANICAL FAILURE DID WAS NOT, THOUGH SINCE THE STUDS WERE PART OF THE ROTOR WHICH WAS DAMAGED THEY WERE REPLACED WITH THE ROTOR. THE PARTS DAMAGED AND REPLACED INCLUDE THE ROTOR, FRONT BRAKES, CONTROL/STABILIZING ARM, RIGHT FENDER AND PASSENGER DOOR.

I HAD THREE OF THE FOUR SUBJECT TIRES SEPARATE ON THREE DIFFERENT INCIDENTS. THE FIRST TORE OUT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR CAUSING $950 DAMAGE (JULY 2004). AT THIS POINT WE REPLACED BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE SECOND (LEFT REAR SEPARATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED) JULY 1, 2005. AND THE THIRD SEPARATED A WEEK LATER ON THE RETURN TRIP HOME (JULY 9, 2005). THE TIRES WERE MASTERCRAFT P794 205-70-15 SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE TREADS WERE BRAND NEW AND NO VISUAL WARNING SIGNS WERE AVAILABLE. NO YEAR GIVEN MASTERCRAFT P22575R15 - TIRES:TREAD/BELT : HTTP://RECALLS.JUSTIA.COM/AUTO-CONTENT-5303.HTML

DT: CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND THE FUEL PUMP HARNESS MELTED. DEALER TOLD CONTACT SHE WAS LUCKY THE VEHICLE DID NOT BLOW UP ON HER. THIS HAPPENED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEN VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP.*AK

MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING INSIDE. I TOOK IT TO A LES SWABB TIRE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE REASON FOR THE NOISE WAS A CRACKED RIM, ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG. THEY SAID THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN, VERY DANGEROUS. IT COSTED ME $45.00 TO REPLACE THE RIM. THEY SUGGESTED TO LOOK INTO OTHER REPORTS. ON YOUR WEB SITE I FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 RIMS. THEY SAID IF THIS CRACKED ALL AROUND MY TIRE WOULD OF FELL OFF. SCARY THOUGHT FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAYS,ETC. I CALLED FORD TO REPORT THIS AND REQUESTED THEM TO REPLACE ALL 4 RIMS. THEY REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONCIBILITY FOR THIS. TRIED TO BLAME IT ON MY TIRES AND MY DRIVING. TIRES ARE ALL NEW AND DRIVING SHOULDN'T CRACK THE RIM LIKE IT DID. I THINK IT IS SAD THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED NOR CARE THIS COULD CAUSE A FATAL CRASH. I AM GOING TO CALL KING 5 NEWS. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY VAN NOW. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, DANGEROUS. PLEASE MAKE FORD TAKE RESPONCIBILITY FOR THIS, BEFORE A FATAL CRASH IF HAS NOT HAPPENED ALREADY.

1998 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE, HEAD BOLTS STRETCHED CAUSING COOLANT LEAK INTO ENGINE, HEAD GASKET WAS NOT BLOWN SO WYNN'S SERVICE CONTRACT WILL NOT PAY FOR $1800 REPAIR. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR EXPENSE, I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 80,000 MILES.

THE REAR BRAKE LINE ABOVE THE SPARE TIRE WAS RUSTED AND BLEW APART WHEN MY WIFE HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW FOR A TURNING VEHICLE. THIS LINE IS IN A VERY BAD SPOT. IT IS NOT VISIBLE AND THERE IS THE GREATEST CHANCE TO HOLD MOISTURE THERE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT.

VAN WILL STALL WHEN DECELERATING INTO A TURN, OCURRS 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 84,000 MILES COSTNG $1,700 TO REPAIR. VAN WOULD VIBRATE AND STUTTER WHEN ACEELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. HAD VAN TO DEALER 3-4 TIMES FOR STALLING PROBLEM, THEY CLAIMED THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.

SERVICE BULLETIN #01205 OR NHTSA #625715 I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR GL 1998 I ONLY HAD IT TURN OVER TO 70,000 AND MY ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND I'M GETTING TROUBLE CODE PO 171 AND I'M ALSO NOTICE THAT FUEL GAGE DON'T NOT GO TO THE FULL MARK AND I HAD TO HAVE ALL 4 H2O SENCER REPLACE AND NOW MY ODEMETER AND TRIP METER QUIT WORKING AND I ONLY HAVE 72,000 ON MY VAN IS THERE SOMETHING I CAN DO WITH THESE VECHILE PROBLEMS THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE WITH SUCH LOW MILES I JUST BOUGHT THE VAN IN AUG 2004 WITH ONLY 56,000 ARE ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS ON THE RECALL LIST . PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP REPAIRING MY VAN THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL PROBLEM.THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME

DT: WHILE PARKED ON THE STREET, SOMEHOW IN THE NIGHT, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IGNITED ON THE LEFT PASSENGER SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT LOCATED AT THE SECOND ELECTRICAL OUTLET. IT WAS SO HOT IT MELTED THE CAR SEAT AND PANELING NEAR THE ARMREST. THE GLASS DIDN'T BREAK BUT PAINT TO OUTSIDE OF CAR IS PEELING OFF. CENTER AND CONSOLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE WENT OUT SOMEWHERE NEAR THE FRONT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *TT

UPON BEING IN A PARKING LOT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A MECHANISM UNDER THE SEAT. CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND BROKE, PUNCTURING THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE COIL SPRING REPLACED ONCE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY DROPPED. ALSO, THERE WAS A BRAKE FAILURE. TWO NHTSA RECALLS REGARDING FRONT COIL SPRINGS, RECALLS 01I007000 AND 01V199000 WERE ISSUED.*AK

1998 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2 1/2 YEARS AGO. *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DRIVE GEAR POPPED OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND NOT MOVE. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK

I PURCHASED MY VAN FROM MY GRANDFATHER'S ESTATE. ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2005, I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. I WAS TRAVELING FROM A SCHOOL FUNCTION WHERE I TEACH WITH MY SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN THE VAN. MY VAN SEEMED TO HAVE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 183 HEADING NORTH TOWARD CEDAR PARK WHERE I LIVE. I COULDN'T MAKE THE LIGHT AT THE JUNCTION OF 620 TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, SO I WENT PAST THE LIGHT AND TURNED INTO THE CONSTRUCTION AREA JUST NORTH OF THAT INTERSECTION. I HAD ALREADY CALLED MY HUSBAND TO MEET ME BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE VAN. WHEN I PULLED IN, I POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW SMALL FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SECTION UNDER THE HOOD. I DROPPED THE HOOD AND GRABBED MY DAUGHTER FROM THE CAR. I THEN CALLED 911 AND THEY DISPATCHED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHILE I WAITED, I PULLED A BOTTLE OF WATER FROM THE VAN, POPPED THE HOOD AND SPRINKLED WATER ON THE FLAMES. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUND ME, THE FIRE WAS SMALLER. THEY FINISHED PUTTING OUT THE FIRE AND TOLD ME THAT I PROBABLY SAVED MY VAN BY SPRINKLING WATER ON IT. IT APPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL AND NEAR THE AREA WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS LOCATED. I WAS IN TEARS BY THE TIME MY HUSBAND ARRIVED AND IT WAS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. I AM GRATEFUL THAT WE WERE NOT INJURED, BUT AM FURIOUS THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED MY VAN. I DID HAVE IT REPAIRED AT COMPUTER AGE AUTOMOTIVE IN CEDAR PARK AND MY INSURANCE AGENT IS RYAN WITH STATE FARM WHOM I DID SUBMIT THE CLAIM. I WAS TOLD THAT STATE FARM DOES NOT HAVE PLANS TO PURSUE FORD. I DON'T WANT ANOTHER FAMILY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A EXTREMELY BAD SITUATION.

THE TRANSMISSION ON A 98 FORD WINDSTAR FAILED AFTER ONLY 74482 MILES. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT A SIGNIFICANT COST. *NM

WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. THE DRIVER HAS DIFFICULTY MAKING TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DECELERATING INTO A TURN. IT ALSO SHUTS DOWN MOMENTARILY (VEHICLE "BUCKS") OR FULLY (STALLS COMPLETELY) DURING NORMAL DRIVING, INDEPENDENT OF SPEED. THE LATTER PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE COMMON THAN THE FORMER! CONSEQUENCE: SEVERAL NEAR-MISS REAR-END COLLISIONS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN REPLICATED BUT COULD NOT PROPERLY REPAIR THE PROBLEM(S). THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. *NM

CONSUMER STATED EXCESSIVE FUEL WAS LEAKING . DEALER INDICATED THAT TOP OF THE FUEL TANK BROKE APART. *AK

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V165000; FORD ISSUED A STEERING GEAR RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN, BUT HAD SAME GEAR STEERING PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *AK

HEARD NOISE FROM ENGINE AND LOST TRANSMISSION POWER. CAR COASTED. WHEN I GOT OUT THERE WAS A LOT OF TRANSMISSION OIL ON THE GROUND. TOWED TO FORD OF UPLAND, (CALIF) . I WAS SHOWN THAT THE LOW/INTERMEDIATE SERVO COVER WAS BLOWN TO THE SIDE. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS FOUND ONE RECALL FOR 98 WINDSTAR. ACCORDING TO FORD MOTOR CO REP. MY VEH WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER 3/1/97 NAMELY ON 11/26/97 BUT FORD REP SAID IT COULD BE THE SAME PROBLEM, AS OF NOW HE NOTED MY COMPLAINT AND SAID I SHOULD CALL YOU, (NHTSA) YOU MAY BE ABLE TO CHECK FURTHER INTO THIS. THANKS *JB

FOUR OF FIVE LUGS:NUTS DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE WHEEL TO VIBRATE AND ALMOST DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECKUP AND REPAIRS. *AK

CONCERNED ABOUT FUEL TANK FILLER HOSE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON STATES LOOSE FUEL CAP. FUEL CAP HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. PROBLEM PERSISTS. IS THERE A 1999 RECALL ON WINDSTAR FUEL TANKS? WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL? WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

FORD WINDSTAR IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT WHICH IS CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. *MR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND WOULD ACTIVATE 80% OF THE TIME. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSORS WERE THE PROBLEM ON ONE OCCASION AND ON ANOTHER, THE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE THIS. *SC

TOOK VAN IN TO HAVE ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND COOLANT REPLACED. REPAIR SHOP SAID THE HEAD GASKETS WERE GONE. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY SAID SORRY BUT NO HELP WAS AVAILABLE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. BILL TO REPAIR ESTIMATED AT 1400 USD. VAN HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND GIVEN GOOD SERVICE. DON'T THINK HEAD GASKETS SHOULD LEAK AT 76000 MILES.*AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL97V165000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BOX FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK *NM

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BLOWN HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. ANTI- FREEZE WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL, CAUSING WHITE EXHAUST FUMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM OVER THE PHONE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER IT WILL COST $1500.00 TO REPAIR. THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

MY HEATING WAS WORKING INTERMITENTLY SO I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO CROWN FORD IN LYNBROOK TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE RADIATOR ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING INTO IT. COST FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $2300. THERE WAS A RECALL ON PREVIOUS YEARS VEHICLES AND THERE ARE MANY TALES OF WOE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM POSTED ON THE WEB. I DON'T BELIEVE FORD HAS FIXED THIS PROBLEM SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER 1996.*AK

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VENTS AND FROM THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND SAW FLAMES. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. ONCE STOPPED, AIR BEGAN TO SEEP OUT. WHEEL WELD ALONG WITH THE BRAKE LINE WERE SEVERED. CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL 00T011000,CONCERNING THIN LINER. *AK

RECALL 01V199000 CONCERNING FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THIS RECALL A POPPING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED OR APPLYING BRAKES. *AK

WITHOUT WARNING, THE SPEEDOMETER WENT FLAT AND THE ENGINE STAYED IN LOW GEAR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON WHEN I WAS TRYING TO DRIVE UP A STEEP HILL. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HE PUT A LITTLE EXTRA TRANSMISSION FLUID IN IT. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. WE TOOK IT THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A OIL & AIR FILTER CHANGE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH. WE ONLY MADE IT A FEW MILES UNTIL IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. WHEN WE HAD IT CHECKED AT THE SHOP, WE WERE TOLD IT ALSO HAS A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT. WE CALLED A "TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST" AND WERE TOLD BY THE DESCRIPTION, IT SOUNDED LIKE THE SPEED SENSOR HAD GONE OUT. WE HAD THIS VAN CUSTOM-BUILT, NO ONE ELSE HAS EVER OWNED IT. IT CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 94,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS HAD REGULAR MAINENTENCE AND HAS NEVER BEEN IINVOLVED IN A COLLISION. HAS FORD RECALLED ANY OF THIS, IT SEEMS MORE THAN THE REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR?*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH OCCUPANTS STARTED SMELLING SMOKE THAT WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. WITHIN SECONDS OF PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE MARSHALL COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE BECAUSE THE FRONT OF THE VAN WAS SEVERELY BURNT. *AK....*AK

I HAD A METALIC GRINDING NOISE WHEN I STEERED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT TIE ROD ENDS WERE BINDING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY VAN LUBRICATED AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THESE TIE RODS HAVE NO GREASE FITTING FOR LUBRICATION. I VIEW THIS AS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF LEFT UNATTENDED.*AK

THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND WAS HARD TO TURN. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A RECALL, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED FOR THE RACK AND PINION. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

THREE (3) ABS SENSORS HAVE GONE BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE OWNERSHIP. EACH SENSOR COST $175.00 WITH LABOR TO REPLACE AND VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE FOR 1/2 DAY. *LA

BOTH FRONT TIE-RODS TOTALLY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 50,000 MILES. *LA

DOOR ACTUATORS FAILED IN THIS MINIVAN IN 2000. IN 2001 THE RELAY SWITCHES WERE REPLACED AND IN 2002. NOW IN 2004 THEY SAY I NEED TO REPLACE THE DOOR ACTUATORS AGAIN. AS A RESULT THE DOORS DO NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY EVERYTHING MUST BE DONE MANUALLY. *NM

A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SWAY BAR BROKE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, AND BOTH INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR WITH ABOUT 100,000 MILES ON IT. THE ENGINE IS GOOD, BUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT SUDDENLY SHIFTS TO LOW GEAR AND JERKS. INITIALLY, THIS WOULD HAPPEN OCCASSIONALLY, BUT NOW IT HAS REACHED A POINT THAT IT DOWN SHIFTS VERY OFTEN ESPECIALLY WHEN RUNNING AT SLOW SPEED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATES A LOT. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE PASSENGERS EXPERIENCE A VERY STRONG JOLTING FORWARD LIKE AS IF SOMEBODY STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AT HIGH SPEED. *JB A VISIT TO MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC REVEALS THAT THIS EXPERIENCE IS VERY COMMON AMONG FORD TRANSMISSIONS ON VARIOUS CARS. IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1,500 - $2,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION.

THE DOOR OPEN/CLOSE INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINED ON. *AK SOMETIMES THE LIGHT REMAINED ON FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT A YEAR. *NM