2000 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

THE ABS ECM MODULE HAS BEEN DAMAGE FROM LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THERE IS NO ABS WORKING AND THE ABS LIGHT IS ON. IT APPEARS TO BE THE RESULT OF A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND AS EXTREME POTENTIAL TO CATCH FIRE. I KNOW OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM....IT MUST BE CORRECTED (RECALLED) FOR OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS. *TR

REAR END SHAKING DUE TO REAR AXLE BEAM CRACK. REAR AXLE BEAM HAS NO RUST .THE CRACK WAS ALL THE WAY THROUGH ALMOST SPLIT IN HALF. *TR

MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, BUT ALL OF MY SENSOR LIGHTS HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG; JUST SAID IT WAS A BAD SENSOR. THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING. LAST WEEK MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME AND I ALMOST HIT A SCHOOL BUS. I TOOK THE VAN IN AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BREAK LINE CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSED EVERYTHING TO FAIL THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED BY FORD. WE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL THEY SAID THEY ONLY RECALLED THIS PART ON F150S. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THE MECHANIC SAID. WE HAD TWO FUSES TO BLOW THE HORN WON'T WORK; THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS GOING HAYWIRE. THE THING THAT CONCERNS ME THE MOST IS THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT THEY SAY IT IS ALL RELATED. WE ARE HAVING IT REPAIRED NOW. WHEN I LOCKED UP MY BRAKES I BALLED TWO BRAND NEW TIRES SO NOW I HAVE TO BUY TWO NEW TIRES THAT ARE LESS THAN 4 MONTHS OLD, BECAUSE FORD REFUSES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, HAD TO REPLACE O2 SENSOR ON MACHINE. THIS CAUSES A BRAKE PAD FAILURE. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS, BUT CAUSES THE BRAKES TO SQUEAL. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR 2 TIMES. *TR

WE HAD OUR BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING FLUID WHICH HAS CAUSED OTHER PARTS ON OUR VEHICLE TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE FOUND OUT BY RESEARCHING THAT THIS PART HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SEVERAL VEHICLE FIRES. AND I JUST WANT TO REPORT THAT I ALSO HAVE THE BAD OR DEFECTIVE PART ON MY VEHICLE AND IT SCARES ME TO THINK THAT MY VAN COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AT ANY TIME.. .THE PART WAS RECALLED ON SEVERAL OTHER FORD VEHICLES BUT NOT ON MINE.. I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX SPORT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, THE ODOMETER DISPLAYED ONLY DASHES. AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH, WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AS A LEAKING BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH XW7Z 9F924 BA. SWITCH WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH #10 FUSE AND ALL PROBLEMS RESOLVED. INTERNET RESEARCH PROVIDE THE LINK TO THIS SITE FOR REPORTING. *TR

ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER THE VAN IS DRIVEN AND WARMED UP I LOSE BRAKING. I PURCHASED THE VAN USED IN OCT 2008, AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE WHOLE TIME. A MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE CONTROL MODULE AND THAT IT HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY ON THIS MODEL 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE BRACKET THAT SUPPORTS THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM FAILED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,000.

FORD WINDSTAR 2000 ABS ECM FAILURE. ABS LIGHT COMES ON. ANY RECALL NOTICE? *TR

SENDING UNIT UNDER FRONT OF BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS. CORRODED WIRING HARNESS OF TRANSMISSION CAUSING ERRATIC OPERATION AND A WARNING MESSAGE ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE OR A LOCKED UP TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. *TR

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (2B264) LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER (BEHIND THE AIR FILTER) OVER TIME DEVELOPS A LEAK. THIS CAUSES A SHORT AND A FUSE TRIP, FUSE #10 IF THE ENGINE IS ON. THIS LEAK ALSO CAUSES BRAKE FLUID TO WICK DOWN TWO WIRES TO THE ABS BRAKE MODULE (2C219). THE FLUID ACCUMULATES ON THE (ALWAYS ON) POWER CONNECTORS FOR THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH ARE POWERED BY FUSES 101 AND 102 AND ARE BOTH 40 AMP. THE FLUID ATTRACTS MOISTURE, ROAD SALT AND LEADS TO A FIRE WHEN THE FLUID AND MOISTURE ACT AS CONDUCTOR BETWEEN THE HOT LEADS AND GROUND. THIS SWITCH WILL CAUSE CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS, SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *TR

FIRST INDICATION WAS THE ABS LIGHT, THEN THE #10 FUSE BLEW LOSING THE ODOMETER, A/C, ETC. TURNS OUT THE BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID CAUSING THINGS TO SHORT OUT. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THAT SWITCH, CABLE AND SOME PARTS ON THE ABS. *TR

CRACK IN REAR AXLE. *TR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR,,FAILURE OF BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ONTO WIRING HARNESS, DANGER OF FIRE.*TR

FAILURE OF 2000 MODEL YEAR FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE. COMPONENT IS CRACKED ALONG IT'S CIRCUMFERENCE AT A PLACE NOT NEAR ANY WELD OR ATTACHMENT. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND CURRENTLY IS AT 98K MILES. THERE IS NO OBVIOUS CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, WHICH WAS NOTICED DURING NORMAL OPERATION, VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. OWING TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE, VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. VIN IS NOT CLOSE AT HAND, BUT AVAILABLE. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. MY PROBLEM IS TYPICAL OF WHAT HAS LIKELY ALREADY BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER OWNERS. THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT WERE INDICATORS THAT THE WIRING IN MY CAR HAD DETERIORATED DUE TO A LEAK IN THE HOSE. I KNOW THIS IS AN EXISTING PROBLEM ALREADY REPORTED BY MANY WINDSTAR OWNERS. *TR

ABS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER RUNNING AND CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING IN MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE SWITCH IS LEAKING BREAK FLUID IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

BACK IN 2008 I WAS INVOLVED IN A FENDER BENDER (ABOUT $6,000 IN DAMAGES) WHEN MY ABS FAILED CAUSING ME TO SLIDE INTO ANOTHER CAR. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS MINOR ISSUE, BUT HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD IT'S A MAJOR ISSUE WITH MANY OWNERS. I'VE FOUND THAT THE RECALL (09S09) DOES NOT ADDRESS ALL THE UNDERLYING ISSUES AND THE FORD DEALER WILL NOT FIX ALL OF THE ISSUES. ADDITIONALLY I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL FORD DEALER THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN ITEMS ON MY VAN FOR ABS. WHEN I INQUIRED WHAT THAT MEANT, THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ON RECALL FOR ABS ON MY VEHICLE. I HAD NEVER HAD ANYTHING DONE TO THE ABS, SO IT WAS NOT BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY FIXED. A WEEK AGO, I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM; I WAS ONLY GOING 40 MPH. I CONSTANTLY HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED BECAUSE I HAVE TO PRESS THEM HARD TO WORK. THE REAR BRAKES ARE ALMOST NEW, AND THE FRONT (PADS AND ROTORS) ARE NEW SO THE BRAKES SHOULD WORK BETTER THAN THEY DO. SINCE THERE ARE MAJOR REPORTS OF PROBLEMS, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. *TR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR ABS LIGHT/SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING. ABS LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK. *TR

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON I-94 IN JACKSON, MI, ON OUR WAY FROM ANN ARBOR, MI, TO CHICAGO, IL ON FRIDAY 9/19/08 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 AM. GOING 70 MPH, IN THE RIGHT LANE (OF TWO), THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN VEERING OFF THE PAVEMENT ONTO THE GRASSY SHOULDER. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. WE SHEARED OFF A ROAD SIGN, WHICH IN THE PROCESS, PENETRATED OUR RADIATOR, AND WITH ME DEPRESSING THE BRAKE FULLY, WE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP OFF THE HIGHWAY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 75 YARDS. WE LATER LEARNED THAT THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM HAD SNAPPED OFF OF THE FRAME, THEREBY RENDERING THE VAN UNSTEERABLE. FORTUNATELY, WE WALKED AWAY FROM THIS FRIGHTENING INCIDENT, BUT THOUGHTS OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN REMAIN WITH US. OUR INSURANCE ADJUSTER DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION, AS I HAVE DISCOVERED IN A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE IN HAVING EXPERIENCED THE TERROR OF A DEFECTIVE CONTROL ARM ON A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY HIS CHILDREN THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. HE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND NOTICED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER ON THE FIREWALL WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 169,000.

I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED IN NHTSA ODI NUMBER 10242689 A FAILURE OF THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAUSING A DANGEROUS LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE WIRES BELOW. THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN SEVERAL OTHER MODELS OF FORD VEHICLES WITH THE SAME YEAR RANGE (BUT NOT THE WINDSTAR) AND WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON WITHIN SECONDS OF DRIVING. AS A FOLLOW UP, I HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED BY THE DEALER BUT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE LEAKING FLUID HAD ALSO DAMAGED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. *TR

NOTICED CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK IN JULY 08, NOT SURE FOR HOW LONG AS I DO NOT USE THIS FEATURE. STARTED TO LOSE BRAKE FLUID ABOUT A YEAR AGO, ADDED BRAKE FLUID ON 9/14/08. 9/16/08 ABS LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED ON. ODOMETER & SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. DECIDED TO CHECK RECALLS AND COMPLAINTS, WAS AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT YET NO RECALL. MILEAGE WAS 81,000+. NO ABS BRAKES AND NOT KNOWING YOUR SPEED ARE SAFETY ISSUES. I HAD A 95 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH FORD BOUGHT BACK FROM ME DUE TO EQUIPMENT FAILURES AT 45,000 MILES BUT I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER WINDSTAR. FORD SHOULD PROVIDE A RECALL AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS. I PLANNED TO DRIVE THIS CAR FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS, NOW WHAT AM I GOING TO DO. THIS CAR REQUIRES NEW BRAKES ALMOST EVERY YEAR. THERE IS DEFINITELY ENGINEERING PROBLEMS THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING. I HAD A HUGE REPAIR BILL AT THE FORD DEALER ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO, I THINK IT WAS THE REAR AXLE. *TR

I WAS PARKED ON A STREET IN MY TOWN WHEN SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE HOOD OF MY VAN. I DROVE TO NEAREST MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH HAD BURNED AND WAS SPREADING. MECHANIC REMOVED PIECE (IT IS IN MY POSSESSION). HAD TO HAVE VAN REPAIRED BY FORD BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOT ON RECALL LIST (I HAVE A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN). I FEEL FORD SHOULD ADD MY MAKE AND MODEL TO THE LIST OF RECALLED VEHICLES. THEY SHOULD ALSO REIMBURSE ME FOR REPAIRS AND DAMAGES. *TR

ABS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY, TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AT A LOCAL SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST A MALFUNCTIONING SENSOR, BUT THAT ABS WAS STILL FUNCTIONING. RECENTLY ABS LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON AGAIN ON A DAILY BASIS. THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AT THE MASTER CYLINDER. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE AND THAT MY ABS SYSTEM WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION. THE DEALER MENTIONED THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS SWITCH AND CLEAN THE WIRES FOR SEVERAL FORD VEHICLES IN MY YEAR RANGE, BUT NOT THE WINDSTAR. A QUICK SEARCH FOUND VOLUMES OF OTHER WINDSTAR OWNER COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING THIS VERY DEFECT. *TR

LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM SWITCH UNDER MASTER CYLINDER, LEAK RATE IS INCREASING WITH TIME. SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOUND ON INTERNET. *TR

WE RECEIVED THIS VEHICLE AS A GIFT, ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO AFTER THE VEHICLES ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEAT STOPPED WORKING. IT KEPT BLOWING THE FUSE FOR THIS. WE HAVE CHANGE THE FUSES MULTIPLE TIMES SOMETIMES WE GET IT IN, TURN ON THE CAR IT WILL BLOW OR PUTTING IT IN DRIVE AND IT WILL BLOW. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THE VAN STARTED SMOKING AND WE SMELLED SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. WE HAD 3 OF OUR 4 KIDS WITH US, IT REALLY SCARED US. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE LOCATED THE PROBLEM FINALLY, IT IS A FAULTY SWITCH --APPARENTLY FORD NEVER RECALLED THESE VEHICLES THE BRAKE FLUID DRIPS ON TO THE SWITCH WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND DRIPS ON TO THE WIRES, WHICH CAUSES THE FUSE TO BLOW AND CAN CAUSE A FIRE (THE MECHANIC HAS KNOWN OF TWO BURNING TO THE GROUND). WHY SHOULD WE PAY $95 HR FOR LABOR PLUS PARTS WITH A JOB THAT TAKE 4-5 HOURS TO DO?! THIS IS SOMETHING VERY DANGEROUS!! I HEARD THEY HAVE A KIT TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IF YOU AREN'T MECHANICAL WHY SHOULD BE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT?! I FEEL SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THE MECHANIC TOLD US A RECALL HAS BEEN ON THESE BUT WHEN WE CALLED THE DEALER THEY TELL US NO RECALL IS ON OUR PARTICLE VAN. ANY WEBSITE THAT HELPS YOU REPAIR THESE SHOWS AND TELLS ABOUT THE COST INVOLVED AND THE HUGE RISK OF FIRE! CAN SOMETHING BE DONE? WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX THIS. THANKS! *TR

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I HAD IT DIAGNOSED WITH CODES P0171, AND P0174, ENGINE TOO LEAN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM THE FORD DEALER, AND OTHER MECHANICS I CALLED THAT IT IS A COMMON THING ON FORD WINDSTARS, AND THAT IT'S NOT A IF IT WILL HAPPEN PROBLEM, IT'S A WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN PROBLEM. IT'S A DESIGN FLAW IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS, WHICH PRICES RANGING FROM $800 TO $1500 TO REPAIR. FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL ON ALL WINDSTARS AND HAVE THESE PROBLEMS FIXED FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS AT NO CHARGE. *TR

ABS LIGHT COMES ON, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT COME ON. *TR

BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LOCATED UNDER MASTER CYLINDER HAS LEAK THAT CAUSES SHORTS AND FUSE #10 CONTINUALLY GOES OUT. FIRE HAZARD, SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK, A/C GONE OUT, ETC. THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING W/ THESE VANS ALL OVER THE PLACE - HUNDREDS OF INTERNET POSTS CONFIRM. *TR

71,000 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN NEED OF BEING REBUILT. FREQUENT PROBLEM ACCORDING TO INTERNET SEARCH. FORD SHOULD RECALL. *TR

SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING. ABS LIGHT CAME ON. TIRES HAVE SQUEALED AROUND CORNERS. NO CRUISE CONTROL. SAW WEBSITE ON COMMON,POORLY ENGINEERED PROBLEM. RECOMMENDED THAT NHTSA BE NOTIFIED. HOPEFULLY FORD WILL REPAIR AFTER RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. HER SISTER HAD THE SAME VEHICLE WITH THE IDENTICAL FAILURE SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR. THE CONTACT DESCRIBED THE ISSUE TO HER AND WAS ADVISED TO VISIT HER MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN A CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE BEAM, WHICH SHOULD NEVER OCCUR. HE FURTHER STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO EITHER A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE OR THE STEEL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

LOUD THUNK SUDDENLY THEN CAR WOULDN'T GO FORWARD,TRANSMISSION NO GOOD HAD IT REBUILT 92000 MILES,CIGARETTE LIGHTER /POWER POINT FUSE CONSTANTLY BLOWING,ODOMETER/SPEEDOMETER FUSE BLOWING TWICE SO FAR,ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOING ON. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX AND IT HAS 83,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS KEPT UP WELL AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF IT AND WILL COST ABOUT $2000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE IT. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTARS. *TR

BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH BURNT OUT WHILE DRIVE ONLY THREE MILES FROM HOME. BRAKE FLUID BEGAN TO LEAK OUT AND CREATED SMOKE AND FUMES. TOOK VAN TO REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE SWITCH AND INFORMED ME OF THE DEFECT ON OTHER FORD MAKES, BUT SAID THAT CURRENTLY THE 2000 WINDSTAR WAS NOT ON THE LIST. AUTO SHOP HAS OLD PART, BUT MAY HAVE THROWN IT OUT BY NOW. *TR

OUR VAN HAS 86000 MILES ON IT. THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THREE WEEKS LATER WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VAN, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE VAN WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE, WILL EASE FORWARD IN NEUTRAL AND IS JERKY IN DRIVE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND WENT OVER A MINOR DIP WHEN I HEARD A THUMP IN THE FRONT END. I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE HIT SOMETHING AND PULLED OVER. THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND AND I LOOKED UNDER THE VAN TO FIND NOTHING OBVIOUS. SINCE THEN WE OCCASIONALLY HEAR A GRINDING NOISE WHEN WE HIT A BUMP. I FINALLY NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED. *TR

WINDSTAR BROKEN REAR AXLE STRIKES AGAIN. WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO DINNER WITH RETIRED FORD EMPLOYEE AND HIS LOVELY WIFE. WE WERE IN DEARBORN ON MICHIGAN AVENUE WHEN BAD NOISES, AND SMELLS CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VAN. WE PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED A TOTALLY BROKEN AXLE COVER. MY HUSBAND WORKS IN STEEL. IF WE HAD BEEN ON THE SOUTHFIELD AS WE HAD PLANNED AND THIS HAPPENED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS RESULTS NOT ONLY FOR US BUT WE COULD HAVE PLACED OTHER FAMILIES IN DANGER AS WELL. BOTH MEN. THE POLICE WHO STOPPED TO HELP AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AGREED THAT AXLES DON'T JUST BREAK. *TR

RESEARCHING PROBLEMS WITH MY VAN I RAN A SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS OR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS FOR MY CURRENT PROBLEM: A LEAKING RACK AND PINION. WHILE SEARCHING I RAN ACROSS A SITE (HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/) REGARDING THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (2B264). I EXPERIENCED THE SYMPTOMS (WITHOUT THE FIRE) OF THE SWITCH LEAKING AND NOW HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS LIGHT STAYING ON AND THE DEALER I TOOK THE VAN TO TOLD ME THE ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE BRAKE SWITCH SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT LIKE IT SHORTED OUT. I ASKED THE SERVICE REP AT THE TIME IF THERE WERE ANY TSB'S OR RECALLS AND I WAS TOLD NO. I REPLACED THE SWITCH AND HAVE HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS BUT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. THE SWITCH WAS WEEPING FLUID BUT FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS NEARLY PUMPED OUT OF FLUID. THINKING ABOUT IT HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER RAN OUT OF FLUID AND THE ABS MODULE RENDERED INACTIVE FROM THE DRIPPING BRAKE FLUID THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN FIRE. *TR

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (2B264) LEAKS. *TR

MINIVAN CAUGHT FIRE AS RESULT OF TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. DRIVING ON A SHORT EXCURSION (ABOUT 50 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) WITH GIRL SCOUTS THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS NOT CLEAN OR CLEAR AS NORMAL. AS THEY APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP THE TRANSMISSION OVER-DRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WHEN THE VEHICLE PULLED AWAY FROM THE STOP IT WAS NOT ABLE ACCELERATE ABOVE 45 MPH AND APPROXIMATELY HALF MILE FROM THE STOP THE DRIVER WAS ALERTED OF FIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE BY PASSING DRIVERS. THE MINIVAN DRIVER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO EVACUATE PASSENGERS AND CALL FOR HELP. WHEN THE VAN WAS STOPPED AND ITS ENGINE TURNED OFF THE FIRE SUBSIDED WITH LITTLE DAMAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT ABSORBENT TO DRY OIL DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE IN THE AREA BEHIND THE FRONT WHEELS. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD FAILED. AS OF 8/13/08 IT IS THERE WAITING FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE COMPUTER ON THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED "FUEL ERROR". THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH HAD SHORTED OUT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE WIRES, WHICH CAUSED THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT. IF THE REPAIRS ARE NOT PERFORMED, IT COULD CAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT WORK. IN ADDITION, A FIRE COULD POSSIBLY OCCUR BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING, AS WELL AS THE POWER SEATING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,000.

MY WIFE WAS AT A STOP SIGN ON AN INCLINE, PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO TURN AND EXPERIENCED WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A CRASH. THE VAN WOULD NOT GO FORWARD, ONLY REVERSE. SHE COASTED BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL, WE GOT A TOW TRUCK AND WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP (AFTER BUSINESS HOURS). THEY CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION BASICALLY EXPLODED ON THE INSIDE. ONE SITE I HAVE VISITED HAS 41 COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE, YET FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT THE "DESIGN FLAW" IN THE 2000 WINDSTAR VAN TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

ABS LIGHT IS ON 5 MINUTES AFTER YOU START THE ENGINE. *TR

THE PROBLEM I WILL BE HAVING VERY SOON LOTS OF OTHERS HAVE ALREADY HAD. IT IS WITH THE 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. MY O/D OFF LIGHT ON DASH IS FLASHING. UPON RESEARCH THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM. FORD WILL NOT RECALL IT. IT IS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION THAT THEY ARE USING. I HAVE ONLY HAD MY WINDSTAR FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. IT WAS RUNNING FINE TILL THE PAST WEEK OR TWO. MY TRANS WILL GO OUT. LOTS OF PEOPLE KEEP REPLACING THE TRANS JUST TO HAVE IT GO OUT AGAIN W/O WARNING FOR MOST. I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY ALMOST EVERYDAY. I HAVE 4 KIDS WITH ME. IF MY TRANS GOES OUT AND I AM ON THE HIGHWAY...THAT COULD BE FATAL. FORD DOES NOT THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HOW COULD THAT NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE? TONS OF COMPLAINTS ARE BEING MADE ABOUT THE TRANS THEY ARE USING ON THEIR VEHICLES. NOT JUST THE WINDSTAR EITHER. ACCIDENTS COULD HAPPEN FROM THIS. DO PEOPLE REALLY HAVE TO GET INTO ACCIDENTS AND DIE BEFORE IT IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE? WHY NOT PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE? *TR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR VAN BROKEN REAR AXLE, HAD TO COMPLETELY INSTALL NEW REAR AXLE DEALER PART ONLY ALE BROKE COMPLETELY IN HALF! VAN CREAKED LIKE IT WAS BROKEN FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN HAD REAR SHOCKS REPLACED AND AXLE BROKE. I HAVE PICTURES AND THE ORIGINAL PART. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 FORD MODEL SEL - MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TOO FORD TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED SINCE I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE (INTERCONTINENTAL WARRANTY SERVICES -IWS - 1-800-333-3028) IWS FIRST AGREED TO COVER THE REPAIRS TO THE BURNED OUT WIPER MOTOR. FORD (305-266-3000) CALLED IWS TO GET AN ADDITIONAL CABLE TO BE COVERED AS WELL SINCE THE PINS THAT WERE ATTACHED TO THAT CABLE WHERE ALSO ATTACHED TO THE WIPER MOTOR AND BROKE OFF. THEY GOT CORRODED WITH WATER AND RUST BUILD UP. IWS THEN DECIDED TO REJECT COVERAGE SINCE WATER DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED IN THEIR POLICY. I SPOKE WITH IWS AND THEY GAVE ME RECALL #01S25 AND ADVISED ME FORD WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE REPAIRS. I CALLED FORD BACK AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT NO RECALLS SHOW UP FOR MY VIN#. HOWEVER, I FIND THAT THE SAME ISSUE OF THIS RECALL IS AFFECTING MY VEHICLE AS WELL AND FEEL IT NEEDS TO BE COVERED BY FORD OR IWS. WWW.CUSTOMERSASKFORD.COM PER MIKE (AT FORD, NO RECALL SHOWS UP FOR MY VIN#). I CHECKED ON THE FORD WEBSITE AND WAS ADVISED THAT NO RECALL SHOWS FOR MY CAR. *TR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION LEAKING. IT STARTED INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN BECAME MORE SERIOUS. LEAVING A STREAM AND TRAIL OF TRANSMISSION FLUID IN MY GARAGE, MY DRIVEWAY AND THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TELL ME I NEED A COMPLETE REBUILD. I HAVE RECEIVED A SECOND OPINION WHICH IS THE SAME AS THE FIRST. THE LOWEST REPAIR COST IS $2200. AFTER RESEARCHING FOR SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR, I AM AMAZED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL (TOO MANY) COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS CANNOT BE COINCIDENCE. IF THE TRANSMISSION DESIGN FORD PROVIDED IN THESE VEHICLES IS NOT RELIABLE, FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND REPAIR THESE ISSUES UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT HAS LONG EXPIRED. CHRYSLER REALIZED THEY HAD AN ISSUE AND REVISED THEIR WARRANTIES TO 10 YEARS AND 100,000 MILES. FORD NEEDS TO FOLLOW SUIT. *TR