1998 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

PAINT IS PEELING ON ROOF, AND SIDES OF THE VEHICLE

FORD INSTALLED IMPROPER SIZE FUEL TANKS WHICH CAUSED THE WIRE IN THE FUEL TANK TO CHAFE AND SHORT OUT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING. *PH THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. *NM

I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN WHEN WE STRUCK A DEER GOING 55 MPH. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES TO MY RIGHT EYE, INCLUDING A TRAUMA INDUCED CATARACT. SO FAR VISION HAS NOT RETURNED AND I'M WORRIED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *LA

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIME AND IS GOING AGAIN. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO?*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RELEASE FROM THE RETRACTOR. *AK

RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES AT DEALER FOR A COST OF $1,500, AND IT FAILED AGAIN. STEERING RACK SHOULD NOT MALFUNCTION IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, BOOT LEAKS CAUSED POWER STEERING PUMP TO MALFUNCTION. *AK

CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. I TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISOR I HAD A COOLANT LEAK. WHEN THE MECHANIC DID THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST HE SAID THE LEAK WAS AT THE VALVE COVERS AND INTAKE. THE GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A PRICE OF OVER $900. IT APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM OF THE 1998 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE DEFECT WARRANTY. MY WINDSTAR HAD JUST OVER 50,000 MILES ON WHEN THIS DEFECT HAPPENED. *AK

HOOD AREA WAS BENT AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO LEAN UNEVENLY. THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE WAS POORLY DESIGNED. *AK

ON OCTOBER 1, 2003 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 23,956 MILES. IT NEUTRALIZES AT 10 MPH OR HIGHER. CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I COULD BRING IT IN FOR REPAIR. THEY WOULD NOT COOPERATE WITH PROVIDING ME THE NAME AND MEANS OF CONTACTING THE ZONE REP. REPAIR COST AT $1800.00 WITH TRANSMISSION SHOP.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *LA

1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. VAN WOULD NOT GO FORWARD UNTIL I DOWN SHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT FOUND A PROBLEM CODE AND NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DAILY CUT OFFS OCCUR ON PULLING UP MY STEEP DRIVEWAY AND COMING TO A STOP. *LA

VEHICLE BLOWS FUEL PUMP FUSE AND STOPS RUNNING. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN 3 INSTANCES ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. *AK

SUDDEN POWER STEERING LEAK. MAIN LEAK FROM LOW PRESSURE HOSE, BUT FOUND THAT RUSTED HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FITTING ALSO LEAKING A BIT; AND SEAL(S) OF RACK & PINION LEAKING INTO DUST BOOT(S). HAD TO REPLACE HOSES & RACK/PINION AT 81,000 MILES -- 98 WINDSTAR. *JB

THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO THE REPAIR SHOP. INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET, IN WHICH THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $1,500 (CANADIAN). FORD WAS NOTIFIED BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND TO COMPENSATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT?S NOT COVERED IN ITS EXTENDED WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH ITS WARRANTY IS FOR SEVEN YEARS OR 160,000 KM. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS GEARS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE. *AK

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR, AND ITS FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER IT WAS SAID THAT THE FUEL TANK COLLAPSED AT THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH CAUSED THE LEAKING. *LA

VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. ENGINE DEVELOPES A ROUGH IDLE AT STOP WHILE DRIVING AND HAS ON OCASSIONS STALLED COMPLETELY. NOT IN WARRANTY AT PRESENT TIME. TAKEN TO INDEPENDANT REPAIR SHOP AND DIAGNOSED WITH FORD TSB 01205. REPLACE MANIFOLD GASKET AND BOLTS, ETC. FORD MOTOR NEEDS TO ISSUSE RECALL ON THE PROBLEM ASAP.

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITHOUT WARNING CONSUMER SMELLED GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK THE SEAL BETWEEN THE GAS TANK AND THE FUEL PUMP FAILED BECAUSE THE GAS TANK COLLAPSED. THE GAS TANK WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER. THE FUEL GAUGE ACCURACY PROBLEM THAT WAS CORRECTED WHEN THE NEW GAS TANK WAS INSTALLED. *SCC

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 65,000 MILES. CHECKED WITH DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS FROM FORD. I LOOK AT THIS WEBSITE AND FIND NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THERE SHOULD BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE MY MONEY REFUNDED FOR THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. *LA

RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEM WITH IT. I ADDRESSED THE SELLER, AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO WARRANTY, AND SO THAT I SHOULD JUST TAKE THE VEHICLE AND TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM BY MYSELF. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I FEEL I WAS USED BECAUSE I AM POOR, AND WAS DESPERATE FOR A VEHICLE. OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM THEM HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ACTIONS CAN BE TAKEN TO CORRECT THE MATTER ANY LONGER. I HAVEN'T GIVEN A PAYMENT FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS, BECAUSE I HAVE HAD TO FIX THE VEHICLE. MAINLY TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALSO HAD STEERING WHEEL PROBLEMS, AND TIRE PROBLEMS. *LA

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. HEAD GASKET IS NOT A SERVICE ITEM AND SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD 3.8L ENGINE.

MASTER CYLINDER AND HC UNIT WERE REPLACED IN JANUARY OF 2003, IN THE SHOP FOR 6 WEEKS. ON 9/19 BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. RESULT HITTING A PARKED CAR. TOLD BY DEALER THAT SAME 2 PARTS WERE AGAIN BAD.*JB

CONSUMER STATED WHILE PARKING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED STEERING FITTING WAS RUSTED WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEEERING FLUID TO LEAK. THE HOOD WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN. THE DEALER LUBED THE LATCH. *AK *TS *NLM

THE FRAME THAT HOLDS THE FRONT STRUT ROD CRACKED AND CAUSED THE RIGHT WHEEL TO WOBBLE. *AK

1998 WINDSTAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE OVER CATALYTIC CONVERTER SIMILAR TO 1996 FORD WINDSTAR RECALL 4/3/02 02V101000. LOCAL MECHANIC WITH KNOWLEDGE RECALL ON 1996 WINDSTAR CONTACTED BROCKPORT FORD (CLOSEST DEALER) FOR INFORMATION ON REPAIR AND IF ANY SPECIAL MATERIALS WERE AVAILABLE TO REPAIR. THE MECHANIC WAS TOLD THERE WANSN'T ANYTHING AVAILABLE. THROUG MY OWN RESEARCH ON YOUR WEBSITE AFTER REPAIR ON 9/3/3, 1996 RECALL DESCRIBES SPECIFIC REPAIR FOR THE 1996. ARE AND FORD SURE THE SAME RECALL ISN'T NECESSARY ON OTHER MODEL YEARS? UNDER OTHER CONDITIONS, OUR FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN DEVESTATING TO MY WIFE AND 4 CHILDREN!!!!*AK

MY WINDSTAR VAN, AT 58,000 MILES, HAD A PREMATURE CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY I-84 EAST. THIS EVENT PUT MY YOUNG CHILDREN AND MYSELF IN DANGER ON THE SIDE OF THE BUSY HIGHWAY DUE TO THE SMOKE AND STEAM COMING FROM THE VEHICLE THAT WE HAD TO RAPIDLY EVACUATE. MY VAN WAS OUT OF MY SERVICE FOR OVER ONE FULL WEEK AND HAS A REPAIR PRICE TAG OF JUST UNDER $2,800. I HAVE REQUESTED FORD TO PAY THE FULL COST OF THIS REPAIR THROUGH ONE OF THEIR "SPECIAL" PROGRAMS. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE DEFECTS OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS (I AM GLAD I DON'T OWN A 1995 WINDSTAR!) AND MUST BE MADE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR NOT USING QUALITY TRANSMISSION UNITS ON THESE VEHICLES. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WIND STAR. IN 8-03 HIS WIFE WAS MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND ASCENDING TURN AT 15-20 MPH AND THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SHEARED OFF. ALL FIVE LUGS:BOLTS BROKE OFF. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 9-13-05 AFTER IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY FORD. SHE WAS MAKING A SLOW ASCENDING TURN WHEN ALL OF THE FIVE LUGS:BOLTS BROKE OFF AGAIN.*AK *JB

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH WITH ONLY 47,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *LA

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THEN, VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. CONSUMER HAD MADE CONTACT WITH DEALER. *AK

POWERTRAIN FAILURE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT DROPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN WOULD NOT RESPOND. FAMILY MECHANIC INSPECTED VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP..$2000. LATER TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED..IF THIS IS SUCH A "KNOWN ISSUE" WITH THESE VEHICLES WHY DOESNT FORD DO SOMETHING TO COMPENSATE THEIR CUSTOMERS? I USED TO BE A FORD GAL BUT NOT ANYMORE!!!*AK

THERE IS PEELING PAINT ON MOST OF THE TOPMOST SURFACES OF THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE LIFT GATE, ABOVE AND AROUND THE TOP OF THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR, AND ALONG THE LUGGAGE RACK. THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE PRIMER LAYER.*AK

WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VAN, WE ALSO BOUGHT A DIAMONDKOTE WARRANTY ,FOR 499.99$ AND TOLD AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THAT IS WAS A GOOD WARRANTY.WE THEN FOUND OUT THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD THE WARRANTY AND PLAZA FORD LINCOLN WILL NOT HONOR IT, WE CAN'T EVEN GET A REFUND, SO WE SPOKE TO SOMEONE AT DIAMONDKOTE AND THIS PERSON TOLD US THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD THE WARRANTY AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A REFUND EVER SINCE,EITHER FROM PLAZA FORD LINCOLN OR DIAMONDKOTE. I HAD INTENTIONS OF SUING FORD MOTOR COMPANY TWO YEARS AGO WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK MY TWO DAUGHTERS TO HALIFAX, BECAUSE MY 8 YEAR OLD HAD CANCER AT THE TIME, SHE HAD A APPOINTMENT AT THE I.W.K HOSPITAL AND IT WAS BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT THAY WERE NOT KILLED WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENTION SPRING BROKE IN WHICH CASE MY HUSBAND LOST STEERING. I SPOKE TO A LAWYER WHO SADLY TOLD, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DEATH OR INJURY THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO,WELL MY 8 YEAR OLD WHO IS NOW CANCER FREE WAS SO SCARED, SHE STILL GETS VERY SCARED TO GET IN A VEHICLE. I COULD GO ON BUT FOR NOW THIS IS JUST THE BEGINING. I AM GOING TO PURSUE THE MATTER OF THE DIAMONDKOTE WARRANTY FURTHER,AND POSSIBLY MORE.WE HAVE HAD ALOT OF VEHICALS BEFORE BUT NEVER A FORD WITH AS MUCH TROUBLE AS THIS HAS BEEN.

THE FIRST ITEM LISTED UNDER OTHER WAS FOR A POWER STEERINGN LEAK, WHICH ENDED UP BEING A POWER STEERING RACK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR HAD JUST GONE OUT OF WARRANTY, SO A PORTION WAS PAID FOR BY FORD. I ALSO HAD TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WHEN THE NEW RACK WAS PUT IN. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE IT AND IT WAS MAKING THE SAME NOISE AS BEFORE. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEY ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE RETURN HOSE FOR THE POWER STEERING. THEY SAID THEY MISSED THAT AND DIDN'T CHARGE ME ANYMORE. MY SERVICE ADVISOR IS AN EXTREMELY NICE AND UNDERSTANDING PERSON. AUGUST 2003 PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES AND MASTER CYLINDER. THE CAR IS NOT AT A FORD DEALER. THAT REPAIRIS 615.00. I HAVE MORE PROBLEMS, BUT THESE ARE THE TWO BIG ONES AND THE BRAKES ARE THE CURRENT ISSUE.

MY 1998 WINDSTAR HAS 89,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETEY BROKE APART, WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. NO SLIPPING OR ANYTHING. SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, THE VAN JERKED LIKE WE HAD BEEN HIT IN THE REAR BY SOMEONE DOING 80 MILES PER HOUR. IT IS GOING TO COST ME $1800.00 TO HAVE IT REBUILT. I KNOW NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ARE FILED WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION ON FORD TRANSMISSIONS. I WANT TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT.*AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP, WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE ENGAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE IN THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER.*AK THE REAR BRAKES WERE DESTROYED BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *TS *JB

WHILE DRIVING LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE AND ROLLED INTO THE PATH OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH STRUCK THE TIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MR *NM

WHILE TRAVELING ON OHIO TURNPIKE FRONT LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF VEHICLE, CROSSED THE MEDIAN, AND HIT A CAR TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH TURNED RIGHT AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

I FILED A COMPLAINT ON 2/10/03 (ODI # 10005590) RELATING TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID IN OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE DEALERSHIP, AT THAT TIME, USED A REPAIR KIT (RATHER THAN A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT) FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR. IN EARLY AUGUST, 2003, THE REPAIR KIT FAILED AGAIN AND WE HAD NO POWER STEERING FLUID LEFT AT ALL. THREE FAILURES IN A CRITICAL SAFETY DEVICE IN 18 MONTHS VERY CLEARLY INDICATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S REMEDIAL PLAN IS INADEQUATE AND A RECALL IS NECESSARY. *NLM

WHILE STEERING, THIS VEHICLE TENDS TO ALMOST JUMP WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING AROUND ANY TYPE OF CORNER. I HAVE TO OVER COMPENSATE SO AS NOT TO VEER TOWARD THAT DIRECTION. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. CONSEQUENTLY, I HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC TO GET HIS EVALUATION?*JB

HEADLIGHT POWER REDUCED DUE TO HAZY LEN'S. *JB

FAILED HEAD GASKET IN 3.8L ENGINE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE ABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION AT 32,000 MILE DUE TO WORNOUT BUSHING. THEN AT 74,000 MILES NOISE WAS DUE TO RADIUS ARM SOCKETS THAT NEEDED TO BE WELDED. THE PROBLEM STARTED AT 74,000 MILES BUT WAS NOT FOUND AND FIXED UNITL 82,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. I FEEL THIS VEHICLES FRONT SUSPENSION IS DEFECTIVE BASE ON REPAIRS NEEDED IN 80,000 MILES OF HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING. FORD HAS BRUSHED ME OFF WORKING THROUGH THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE CHANNELS! I AM THE ORIGIONAL OWNER.

IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS WE HAVE HAD THE WHEEL BOLTS ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BREAK OFF SIX TIMES. THE LAST TIME, THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE WHEEL. THAT WAS DONE IN MAY 2003 AND NO PROBLEM SINCE WITH THAT WHEEL BUT ITS ONLY BEEN TWO MONTHS. NOW IN JULY 2003 WE HAVE HAD THE BOLTS BREAK ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TWICE! ON JULY 22 2003, WE HAD A NEW WHEEL AND ALL FIVE BOLTS REPLACED ON THE LEFT FRONT. ONE WEEK LATER THE VAN IS AGAIN AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THREE BOLTS HAVE BROKEN ON THE NEWLY REPLACED LEFT FRONT AGAIN.

FORD INSTALLED A FORD TAURUS TRANSMISSION IN THE WINDSTAR FROM THE FACTORY. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE LAWSUIT STAGE TO MAKE FORD REPAIR THE FACTORY DEFECT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AGAIN. TOWN EAST FORD IN MESQUITE, TX FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DECIDED TO EAT THE $1000.00 PLUS REPAIR BILL AFTER THEY DISMANTLED THE TRANSMISSION AND DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. THEY NOW WANT TO GIVE ME THE RUNAROUND AND SHIFT THE BLAME TO THE USED DEALERSHIP KINGDOM AUTO WORLD IN ARLINGTON TEXAS WHERE I BOUGHT THE LEMON FROM. FORD IS CLEARLY RESPONSIBLE AND I WILL SUE THEM DEARLY FOR THEIR RUNAROUND AND POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.

I BOUGHT THIS VAN BECAUSE OF THE CLEAN CONDITION OF IT . I HAVE THE 3.0 LTR ENGINE WHICH HAS BEEN EXCELLENT. THE TRANSMISSION SO FAR IS OK. STEERING IS A DANGEROUS MESS WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING NEW AND 3 ALIGNMENTS. IF YOU TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD EVEN FOR A SECOND YOU CAN END UP IN A DITCH. MY WIFE & I BOTH WENT OFF THE ROAD IN A 1 MONTH SPAN. WE BOTH HAVE EXCELLENT DRIVING RECORDS. THE FRONT END SEEMS OK TO FORD. SOMETHING SERIOUS IS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. WON?T LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT ANYMORE. HAS A LITTLE VIBRATION THAT YOU CANNOT GET RID OF. SENDING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL OR ANY STEERING ISSUES WITH THAT VAN. HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN IN FRONT OF ME AT THAT TIME STATING THERE WAS. BUT THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. FORD DENIED THE ALL OF THE ABOVE. AM AFRAID TO SELL TO SOMEONE BECAUSE I THINK SOMEONE WILL GET HURT. DON?T KNOW WHY FORD KEEPS PUTTING IN THE SAME BAD PARTS YEAR AFTER YEAR. I HAVE HAD ALL THE DOME LIGHT PROBLEMS AND DOOR LOCKS ETC. THEY WILL STILL SAY NO PROBLEMS. BOUGHT IT USED AT A GOOD PRICE THINKING IT WAS A BAD TIRE CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. IF ACCIDENT OCCURS WILL SEEK DAMAGES

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT FRONT BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES SQUEAKED FOR A LONG TIME UNTIL THEY WERE REPLACED. ALSO, FRONT COIL SPRING PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND A TERRIBLE NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE STOPPED, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER DID AN ALIGNMENT, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT FRONT COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT VACUUM MOTOR SWITCH FAILS. HE ALSO STATES THAT THE RUBBER DIAPHRAM FAILS ALL THE TIME. THIS PART OF THE AUTO IS SUPPOSE TO BE WORKING IN RELATIONS WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.*AK

I AM SEEKING ACTION TO ALLEVIATE THE COST OF MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 1998 3.8L V6 FORD WINDSTAR GL. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, MY WINDSTAR HAS DISPLAYED REOCCURRING AND EXTENSIVE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE FRONT END, BRAKES, AND ENGINE THAT HAVE RESULTED INCREASING AMOUNTS OF TIME AND MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS. FROM RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT OUR DIFFICULTIES ARE NOT AN ISOLATED EVENT, AND ARE IN FACT A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 1998 WINDSTAR, AND ARE THE SAME PROBLEMS FOUND IN THE 1995 WINDSTAR. THE MOST RECENT EVENT WAS THE REQUIREMENT TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER PROVIDED THIS SERVICE WHICH COST $1500.00 IN PARTS AND LABOR. UPON COMPLETION OF THE REPAIRS THE VAN WAS NOT ROADWORTHY, A NEW SHORT BLOCK WAS NEEDED DUE TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FAULTY HEAD GASKET. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED OVER $6000.00 FOR THIS JOB. IN ADDITION TO THE MOUNTING REPAIR COSTS, I AM FORCED TO RENT A CAR SO THAT WE HAVE TRANSPORTATION WHILE WE CONSIDER OPTIONS WITH OUR WINDSTAR. MY WINDSTAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON THESE DAYS TO HAVE VEHICLES OPERATE THIS LONG BEFORE REQUIRING THE FIRST TUNE-UP. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THIS VAN, I HAVE SPENT THE TIME I HAVE OWNWD THIS VEHICLE AND A LOT OF MONEY TAKING MY WINDSTAR INTO SERVICE CENTERS TO HAVE INFERIOR PARTS, SUCH AS THE PLASTIC TIE-ROD ENDS AND BRAKES, REPLACED MANY TIMES. I HAVE ALSO SPENT A FORTUNE ON RENTAL CARS WHILE OUR WINDSTAR SAT UNSERVICEABLE. WE HAVE BORN THIS COST WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT INVESTING MONEY IN REPAIR WOULD RESULT IN SAFE, RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR FAMILY. WITH THIS MAJOR REPAIR, THE MONTHS OF EXHAUSTIVE DIAGNOSIS AND TRIAL REPAIR JOBS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT ARRISE, THE MULTIPLE TIE ROD END REPLACEMENTS, AND BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIRS, I FEEL THAT I AM ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *AK