1998 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

COOPER TIRE RADIAL TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY TO MURFREESBORO TO VISIT RELATIVES WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED. THERE WAS MUCH DAMAGE TO MY VAN INCLUDING BODY AS WELL AS FUEL LINE. NOBOY WAS INJURED BUT IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. IT HAPPENED ON INTERSTATE 24 JUST BEFORE MONTEAGLE MTN. I DRIVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. I REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A TEMPORARY AND DROVE BACK TO WALMART AT KIMBALL EXIT TO GET NEW TIRES. BECAUSE OF THE FUEL LINE DAMAGE, I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VAN AGAIN UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT FIVE OR TEN MILES ,IF THE CONTACT GOES TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN OR STOP, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. THIS OCCURS WHILE DECELERATING. HE STATES THAT EVERYTHING WORKS FINE WHILE HE IS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT JUST WHEN HE GOES TO STOP THAT HE HAS THE PROBLEMS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC , AND THEY REPLACED THE IDLE CONTROL ,AND CLEANED THE INJECTORS. HOWEVER, VEHICLE STILL HAS THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. IT WILL START BACK UP AS SOON AS IT STALLS WHEN HE PUTS IT IN PARK. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 100 TIMES. VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. IT STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND IT WOULDN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME AND NOW IT IS DOING ALMOST EVERY TIME YOU SLOW DOWN. HAS CAME VERY CLOSE TO CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HEAD GASKET FAILED . AS A RESULT, A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE WAS PRODUCED. *AK *SC *JB

MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR HAD A FAILURE OF THE FRONT LEFT LEAF SPRING. THE RESULTING DAMAGE WAS AT LOW SPEEDS BUT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. IN DEC 2001 I HAD THE RECALL BY FORD ACCOMPLISHED TO INSTALL A GUARD ON THE LEAF SPRINGS. THIS GUARD WAS INSTALLED TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE. THIS FIRST RECALL WAS A "SAFETY RECALL" AND THE FIX FOR THAT RECALL WAS INEFFECTIVE. THIS SHOULD BE A FULL OUT SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THESE SPRINGS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. IT SHOULDN'T TAKE A DEATH TO CHANGE THE POLICY ON THESE SPRINGS. I BELIEVE THIS FAULT TO BE MORE RELATED TO A MATERIAL DEFECT THEN A RUST OR CORROSION PROBLEM. I HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES ON MY WINDSTAR AND I INSPECT IT PERIODICALLY FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE. THESE SPRINGS HAVE LITTLE OR NO REST NOR DID THE SPRING AT THE POINT OF BREAK. WITHOUT DETAILED INSPECTION MICROSCOPES A MINUET CRACK COULDN'T BE SEEN WITH THE EYE. THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS NOTED IN THE COMPLAINT SECTION WITH OVER 77 COMPLAINTS. JUST THINK OF THE PROBLEMS THAT AREN'T REGISTERED ON THIS SITE. I'M ONLY CONCERNED FOR THE UNSUSPECTING FAMILY WHO HAS NO IDEA THAT THESE SPRINGS WILL FAIL IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. FORD WILL ONLY REPLACE THEM IF THEY BREAK. THEY WILL BREAK AS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I FEEL THE SAFETY COUNCIL SHOULD REVISIT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SOME VIDEO OF THE DAMAGE TO MY SPRINGS AND TIRE FOR PROOF IF THERE IS ANY NEED FOR SUCH EVIDENCE IN AN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION. LET ME RESTATE MYSELF THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT IS BEING OVERLOOKED. DON'T LET THIS PROBLEM KILL SOME BEFORE MORE ACTION IS DONE. ONE DEATH FROM THIS PROBLEM IS TOO MUCH. THESE VANS CARRY OUR CHILDREN ON A DAILY BASIS AND A WHOLE FAMILY COULD BE LOST IN JUST ONE ACCIDENT.*AK

I HAVE REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TWICE AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP ONCE ON MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND WITH OUT ANY WARNING REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SNAPPED OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM BROKE. *AK

CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS AND LOCKS BECAUSE OF THE DOOR AJAR MONITOR. ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED AND DOOR ALARM MONITOR REMAINS ON WHICH CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON AT ALL TIMES. HAVE TO REMOVE #29 FUSE JUST TO GET INTERIOR AND DOME LIGHTS TO SHUT OFF, EVEN AFTER IGNITION IS OFF AND KEY REMOVED. OTHERWISE BATTERY WILL DIE AS LIGHTS DO NOT GO OFF AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. DRIVING WITH DOME LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ON IS A VERY BIG SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. HOWEVER REMOVING THIS FUSE ALSO RESULTS IN LOSS OF ELECTRIC WINDOW FUNCTION WHICH SHOULD ALSO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AT LEAST FOUR YEARS. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, IT WOULD STOP FOR A SHORT WHILE AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY ACT UP AGAIN. I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND PURCHASED IT NEW IN 1998. I FEEL THESE PARTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE CORRECTLY TO BEGIN WITH AND/OR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO BE REPAIRED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD.*AK

SURGING, LACK OF POWER, STALLING, NO START CONDITION

AT APPROXIMATELY 57,600 MILES MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR DEVELOPED AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL GARAGE AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A LEAK AT THE TIMING COVER GASKET. I HAD THIS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1453. TWO WEEKS LATER, AS I WAS DRIVING TO A BASEBALL GAME, MY CAR BEGAN TO STALL. IT WAS HARD TO START, AND THE OIL LIGHT WAS FLICKERING WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND THERE WAS A LOUD RATTLE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS NORMAL, NO RATTLING SOUNDS FROM THE ENGINE,ETC. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY LOCAL GARAGE. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE RATTLING NOISE AS COMING FROM THE LOWER BEARINGS, THE ENGINE BEARINGS WERE FAILING AT 57,800 MILES!!!! I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE WINDSTAR AND ASKED THEM IF THERE WERE ANY OPEN PROGRAMS ON THE ENGINE, SINCE WHEN THE TIMING COVER GASKET HAD FAILED, I HAD SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE( IT WAS). THE FORD DEALER WAS NO HELP, I THEN CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE NO HELP. I THEN WROTE A LETTER TO WILLIAM CLAY FORD AND HE HAD A BLAINE YUNG CALL ME ON 5/8/2004. MR. YUNG WAS ALSO NO HELP, QUOTING THAT THE WARRANTY WAS 3 YRS./36,000 MILES. MEANWHILE I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AT A COST OF $4200, NEW REMANUFACTURED ENGINE, TUNE-UP, ETC. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEFECT ON THE TIMING COVER GASKET WHICH CAUSED THE ORIGINAL ANTIFREEZE LEAK, LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAUSED THE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN ME AT LEAST TO 120,000 MILES BEFORE I NEED TO REPLACE AN ENGINE. I HAVE OWNED MANY OTHER CARS AND HAVE GOTTEN AT 150,000 MILES OUT OF THEM BEFORE I HAD TO DO ANY MAJOR REPAIRS (ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION). I FEEL FORD SHOULD BACK THEIR PRODUCTS AND OWN UP TO THIS DEFECT. *LA

DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON, DOOR AJAR BELL RINGS CONTINUALLY WHEN PARKED OR DRIVING UNDER 17 MPH, INTERIOR WILL NOT GO OFF, PROBLEM SEEMED TO COME AND GO BUT NOW IT SEEMS TO BE HERE FOR GOOD. UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. *JB

THE HEAD GASKET ON MY 1998 FORD WINSTAR 3.8L ENGINE HAS FAILED AT 90,000 MILES, WELL SHORT OF WHAT I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED. IT APPEARS THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR OLDER 3.8L ENGINES WHICH HAVE HAD HEAD GASKET FAILURES, BUT NOT FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. I AM REGISTERING THIS COMPLAINT IN THE EVENT THAT OTHER FORD OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TWO YEARS AGO FOR COIL SPRING RECALL REPAIRS. A SPRING SHIELD WAS PUT INTO VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE TIRES FROM BEING PUNCTURED. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH COIL SPRING PUNCTURED A TIRE. RECALL REPAIRS DID NOT WORK, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK

THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED A WHILE AGO TO INSTALL A PROTECTIVE SHIELD BETWEEN THE COIL SPRINGS AND THE TIRE, SO THAT IF THE SPRING FAILED THE TIRE WOULD NOT BE DAMAGED. THIS MODIFICATION DID NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED. WE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE SPRING AS WELL AS THE SHIELD WHICH SHREDDED THE TIRE AND DAMAGED A BRAKE LINE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THEIR RECALL, THIS IS A REPREHENSIBLE ACT ON THEIR PART.*AK

WE HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR, THE DOOR SWITCH, IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN THE DOORS ARE SHUT, THE LIGHT SHOWING THE DOOR OPEN, THE DOOR LOCKS WILL UNLOCK, AND THE IN SIDE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON. I HAD NEW REAR DOOR LOCKS REPLACED, MY WIFE SAFETY IS A FACTOR IF YOU LEAVE THE INSIDE LIGHTS ON, THE BATTERY WILL FAIL, IF YOU TAKE THE FUSE OUT, THEN THE WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK.*AK

TRANSMISSION ON VAN WENT WITHOUT WARNING, STRANDED THE COMPLAINANT IN A PARKING LOT. VAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THSI WAS THE THRID MAJOR REPAIR TO THIS VEHICLE (REPAIRS COSTING MORE THAN $1,000 EACH). PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE IN APRIL 2001- HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT, CURRENTLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES. JUST AFTER THE DEALER WARRANTY EXPIRED THE VAN HAD PARTS REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION, THEN PARTS REPLACED IN THE DRIVE TRAIN (EXPENSIVE). ENTIRE RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENT FOLLOWED. THE REAPIRS WERE DONE WITHING 18 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. EVEN AFTER HAVING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND RIVE TRAIN REPLACED, THERE IS STILL A GROWLING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IDLES AT A STOP SIGN. VEHICLE ALSO HAS ERRATIC SHIFTING WHEN ROUNDING CORNERS AT LOW SPEEDS (CLUNKING SOUNDS AND VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN VAN DROPS INTO GEAR)- ALL OF THIS EVEN AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED! WHAT A LEMON! *AK

CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

PASSENGER MIRROR GLASS JUST FELL OUT. INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT SHUT OFF WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN GEAR.*AK

A VIBRATION BEGAN SUDDENLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. AFTER GETTING RAPIDLY WORSE, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF OF MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR AT 45 MPH WHEN THE LUG BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE GROUND. I RETRIEVED THE WHEEL AND FOUND ALL FIVE LUGS, WITH THEIR LUG NUTS STILL ATTACHED, CAPTURED BETWEEN THE HUBCAP AND THE WHEEL. THE POLICE OFFICER WHO RESPONDED REPEATEDLY STATED THAT HE WAS AMAZED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL OVER AND THAT I WAS LUCKY THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK

LUGS NUTS KEEP BREAKING OFF. HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 2 TO 3 THOUSAND MILES. USUALLY 2 TO 3 LUGNUTS BREAK OFF EACH TIME. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. WAS TOLD TO MENTION MENTION THAT THERE IS AN ONGING INVESTIGATION GOING ON WITH THIS. THE INVESTIGATION # IS 3983673 - ACTION # EA03004.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED LUGS AND NUTS POPPED OFF. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED.*AK

LAST YEAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED AGAIN. I HAD THE VAN IN THE GARAGE AGAIN IN DECEMBER TO REPLACE THE PUMP ON THE TRANSMISSION AFTER IT BLEW APART AND LEFT ME STRANDED WHEN IT WOULDN'T GO INTO ANY GEAR. AFTER 10 DAYS THE VAN WOULD MOVE AGAIN. NOW AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND. THE VAN IS FAMOUS FOR DOWNSHIFTING FROM OVERDRIVE INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY FLASHING AND NOT WORKING. *JB

ENGINE RAMPED UP BY ITSELF DURING HIGH-SPEED DRIVE. *JB

HEATER ON CAR WASN'T WORKING, SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. ADVISED THAT WINDSTARS WITH 3.8 ENGINES SEEM TO EXPERIENCE HEAD GASKET FAILURE WHEREIN COOLANT IS EITHER BEING BURNED OR MIXING WITH OIL AND WILL CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. ADVISED TO CONTACT FORD, NHSTA AND LOCAL DEALER. *AK

FUEL TANK COLLAPSE ON 1998 WINDSTAR DEALER WANTS $1300 DOLLARS TO REPLACE FUEL TANK AND ALL RELATED COMPONENTS. DEALER SAYS THIS IS BECAUSE THERE IS A VACUUM INSIDE TANK CREATED BY THE FUEL PUMP. PERFECTLY RUNNING VAN THAT HAS BEEN KEPT UP MAINTENANCE WISE IS NOW INOPERATIVE DO TO STALLING. *AK

PAINT BEGAN PEELING OFF LIFTGATE, ROOF AND SIDE DOOR IN MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZE STRIPS AND HAS CONTINUED TO WORSEN, REVEALING THE WHITE PRIMER BELOW. THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE PAINT ADHESIVE. THE CONTRAST IN TONE BETWEEN THE DARK BLUE PAINT AND LARGE UNEVEN PATCHES OF WHITE PRIMER IS DISTRACTING TO OTHER DRIVERS, SINCE IT LOOKS SO ODD, AND HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE ENTIRE MINI-VAN NEEDS TO BE REPAINTED. I NOTE THAT 4 OF THE TOTAL OF 6 COMPLAINTS OF STRUCTURAL DEFECTS REPORTED TO NHTSA TO DATE FOR THIS VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR , NOT INCLUDING THIS ONE, ARE ALSO FOR PEELING PAINT ON UPPER SURFACES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. (INCIDENT DATE ONLY INDICATES THE TIME AROUND WHEN I FIRST OBSERVED THE PROBLEM.)*AK

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR STATION. THE DRIVER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE FROM THE LEFT WHEEL. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT STRUTS AND COILS SPRINGS NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER 01-I-007-000 *JB

THE WARNING SOUND THAT A DOOR IS AJAR WILL CONTINUALLY GO OFF EVEN WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SECURELY SHUT. I HAVE HAD THIS REPLACED TWICE AT MY OWN EXPENSE AND IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. IT WILL EVENTUALLY RESET ITSELF AFTER DAY OR MORE. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM AND I AM JUST GETTING TIRED OF IT. IT HAS HAPPENED AFTER I HAVE REPLACED THE SWITCHES, AND FUSES. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM. *CB

SEE 10053790 *TC

CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR THAT GOT STRONGER AS TIME PROGRESSED. A BLACKISH COLOR SMOKE CAME FROM THE VENTS. THEN, THERE WERE FLAMES FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE.*AK *TC

I CURRENTLY OWN A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAVE HAD THIS VAN FOR TWO YEARS. I BOUGHT IT WITH 38000 MILES ON IT AND NOW HAVE 66000 MILES ON IT. UP TILL ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I HAD NO PROBLEMS AS I HAVE LOVED THIS VAN. BUT I DID RUN INTO A PECULIAR PROBLEM THAT SEEMS THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THIS VAN AS I HAVE CHECKED NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND WEB POSTS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS MY FRIENDS THAT HAVE FORMERLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE. THE DOOR AJAR CENSOR INSIDE THE DOORS WEAR, CAUSING THE COMPUTERS TO RECOGNIZE THE CAR DOORS TO BE SHUT. THIS EMITS A BEEPING SOUND THAT STEADILY BEEPS TILL YOU RISE ABOVE 15 MPH. ALSO, THE LIGHTS STAY ON AND SINCE FORD BUILT THESE VANS ALL THE SAME WAY, YOU CANNOT SIMPLY FIX IT WITHOUT SPENDING AT LEAST 500 DOLLARS IF YOUR LUCKY. ALSO, ANOTHER PROBLEM HAS RISEN JUST RECENTLY. MY TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED TO SLIP. I EXPECTED NORMAL WEAR-AND-TEAR, BUT IT SEEMS THAT WHEN YOU REACH A CERTAIN THRESHOLD, AS MANY OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED ONCE HITTING 65000 MILES ON THIS PARTICULAR VAN, THE TRANSMISSION GOES COMPLETELY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND AN AWARENESS TO FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN THEIR NEWER VANS, IF A PROBLEM EMERGED AND TO FUTURE BUYERS OF THIS YEAR OF VAN. THIS HAS COST ME OVER 2500 DOLLARS AND I MUST ADMIT, IS NOT WORTH IT. THIS VAN IS BY FAR THE WORST INVESTMENT I HAVE EVER MADE, AND I DO NOT RECOMMEND BUYING ONE. THANK YOU.*AK

HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY INTERIOR LIGHTS AND SENSOR SHOWING THAT YOUR DOOR IS OPEN DOES NOT TURN OFF. EVEN ALL THE DOOR ARE CLOSED. SOMETIMES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS GO OFF BUT THE BEEPING NOISE DOES NOT STOP.*AK

DOOR AJAR LIGHTS COME ON EVEN WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SECURELY CLOSED. THE LIGHTS CONTINUE EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. EVENTUALLY, SOMETIMES AFTER A DAY, THE LIGHTS GO OUT ON THEIR OWN.

PURCHASED A 1998 WINDSTAR ON 11/20/01. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ONLY FOUR MONTHS LATER, AT ONLY 44,000 MILES. THIS VAN CURRENTLY HAS A BUSTED HEAD GASKET AND IS INOPERABLE AT ONLY $64,000.00 MILES. THESE ISSUES WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL ARE QUITE COMMON AND WIDE-SPREAD. FOR MOTOR COMPANY IS QUITE AWARE. BOTH PROBLEMS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND PROPERTY DAMAGES. THEY ARE EXCESSIVE AND EXTRAORDINARY. *LA

OUR 1998 FIRD WINDSTAR ENGINE SIEZED

HEAD GASKET FAILURE LEADING TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. *JB

1998 FORD WINDSTAR. ABS PUMP HAS FAILED AND BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THERE WAS NO BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH TO DENOTE A PROBLEM AND NOTHING COMING UP WHEN TESTS WERE RUN ON COMPUTER. ALL MECHANICS THOUGHT IT WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER AND AS A RESULTS I HAD 5 PUT ON THE VAN FROM CHRISTMAS 2003 TO PRESENT. CALLED FORD DIRECTLY AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOTE THE PROBLEM, BUT NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CANNOT DRIVE MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE AS AFRAID OF HAVING ACCIDENT IN RESULT OF PUMP NOT FUNCTIONING. COST JUST FOR PUMP IS $2200.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. VERY UPSET THAT FORD WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND ATTEMPT TO HELP.*AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN SHE MADE A SUDDEN STOP, HER 5 YEAR OLD CHILD'S SAFETY SEAT CAME FLYING TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT THE SAFETY SEAT ACTUALLY CAME LOOSE FROM THE SEAT BELT. THAT THE CHILD SUSTAIN SOME MINOR INJURIES (2 BUMPS ON THE HEAD) BUT NEVER CAME OUT OF THE GRACO SEAT BECAUSE IT REMAINED FASTENED. *NM THE SEAT WAS ORIGINALLY POSITION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THIRD ROW BENCH SEAT. *NM

AT 112,000 MILES, MY FORD WINDSTAR HAS DEVELOPED A HEAD GASKET LEAK INTERNALLY WHICH HAS RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE THAT NOW REQUIRES COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE 2 PROFESSIONAL REPAIR SHOPS DIAGNOSIS AND BOTH AGREE THAT IT NEEDS AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR THE REASONS STATED ABOVE.*AK

1998 FORD WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET FAILURE WITH VEHICLE JUST OVER WARRANTY COVERAGE STATUS. NORMAL MAINTENANCE RECORD AS WELL AS DRIVING TECHNIQUES/HABITS. *NM

SINCE APRIL 2001 I HAVE HAD MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR IN THE SHOP NINE TIMES TO REPLACE FRONT WHEEL STUDS THAT HAD SHEARED OFF. MY HOMETOWN MECHANIC AFTER REPLACING STUDS ON THE RIGHT FRONT FIVE TIMES FINALLY SUGGESTED WE REPLACE THE WHEEL BECAUSE SEVERAL OF THE HOLES APPEARED OVAL INSTEAD OF ROUND. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM ON THE RIGHT BUT SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS OF STUDS SHEARING OFF ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN CINCINNATI, OH, I HAD TO REPLACE (IN THE LEFT FRONT) 3 STUDS AND AT THAT TIME HAD A NEW WHEEL PUT ON. AFTER DRIVING FROM CINCINNATI TO ATLANTA GEORGIA I AGAIN WAS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN CONYERS GEORGIA WITH THREE MORE BROKEN STUDS (ON THE LEFT FRONT) AND THIS TIME THEY ALSO REPLACED THE HUB ASSEMBLY. NOW AFTER OVER $1300.00 IN REPAIRS MY WINDSTAR IS AGAIN IN THE SHOP HAVING BROKEN STUDS REPLACED ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. BY THE WAY NONE OF THE FORD DEALERSHIPS WOULD ADMIT EVER HEARING OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.*AK

EXTENSIVE PEELING OF PAINT ATOP OF VAN EXPOSING SURFACE THUS CREATING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE REQUIRING EXPENSIVE REPAIR.*AK

WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RIM ON OUR 1998 WINDSTAR'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL THREE TIMES DUE TO RIM BREAKAGE AND SUBSEQUENT TIRE DEFLATION. TWO DIFFERENT TIRE REPAIR SHOPS REPORTED SEEING THIS PROBLEM FREQUENTLY IN FORD WINDSTARS. THE FORD DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED DENIED ANY PROBLEM OR RESPONSIBILITY. *LA

WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR ON THE HIGHWAY, I SMELLED SMOKE. I PULLED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD THINKING AT FIRST THAT I HAD A BROKEN FAN BELT OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND FLAMES COMING FROM THE AREA OF WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I USED MY CELL PHONE TO CALL FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, A MOTORIST STOPPED TO ASSIST ME IN PUTTING OUT THE FIRE WITH WATER.*AK

CONSUMER NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING DOWN FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM BRACKET RUSTED.*AK

THE CONSUMER HAD TO REFILL THE VEHICLE WITH COOLANT FLUID OFTEN DUE TO ENGINE OVERHEATING. *AK

FORD WINDSTAR TENSION PULLEYS ON THEIR SERPENTINE BELTS ARE DEFECTIVE. *LA

1998 WINDSTAR DEFROSTER BLEND DOOR FAILURE, WHICH CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD TO ICE UP AND WE ARE UNABLE TO SEE. IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM AND FORD WANTS $1000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEATING UNIT.*JB

VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP VEHICLE, ONE OF CONSUMER'S FINGERS WAS SEVERED, AND THREE BADLY INJURED. THIS OCCURRED WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR TO ENTER THE MOVING VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER SPENT NINE DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL AND HAS TO GO FOR TREATMENT ONCE A WEEK. *PH

IHAVE A FORD WINDSTAR MIN VAN IT IS A 1998 GL AND MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE ONLY HAD IT THREE AND A HALF YEARS WE BOUGHT IT AT BEST FORD IN NASHUA NEW HAMPSHIRE. WE BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT WE WERE OVER BY 600 MILES SO THEY WOULDNT HONOR IT. COME TO FIND OUT THERE WERE TWO OTHER MINI VANS WINDSTARS THE SAME TYPE AND AGE IN THE SHOP GETTING TRANSMISSION WORK DONE. THIS SHOULD OF NEVER HAPPENED TO US AND I THINK THE COMPANY OUGHT TO REIMBURSE US FOR THIS EXPENSIVE FIX THERE IS OBVIOUSLY PROBLEMS WITH THESE MIN VANS TRANSMISSION GOING TO EARLY . I HOPE I GET SOME RESULTS ON THIS ITS REDICULOUS WE ARE NOT EVEN DONE PAYING ON IT YET KAREN ROY. *AK