2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HE HIT A LARGE TREE. IT WAS A FRONT END COLLISION. BUT UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE AIR BAG LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY PRIOR ACCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED B Y THE DEALER TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT WHILE DRIVING. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON PRIOR TO AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR NINE DAYS, THEY HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.*AK UPDATED 11/16/2005 - THE MANUFACTURER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED IT TO DEPLOY AND REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM

BOUGHT 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IN JANUARY 2005 WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. IN AUGUST WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION( 46,000 MILES). THIS WAS $2000.00. THEN IN OCTOBER WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE(49,000 MILES) BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET. FORD QUOTED US $4800.00 FOR THIS AND SAID THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT HELP US DEFER THE COST IN ANY WAY. WE ENDED UP GETTING A USED ENGINE. *NM

ON 9-15-05 MY WIFE MADE A ROUND TRIP OF 70MI. THE NEXT DAY THERE WAS A LARGE POOL OF TRANSMISSSION FLUID ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. I HAD MY AUTO REPAIR CHECK OUT THE SOURSE OF THE LEAK,LOOKED LIKE A FRONT SEAL ON THE TRANSMISSION, I CALLED SUNLAND FORD WAS TOLD ITS WAS OUT OF WARRANTY,THIS VAN ONLY HAS 42,770 MI. THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSED THE TRANS TO OVER HEAT AND , BLOW THE SEAL, THE TRANMISSION SHOP SAID THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AT THIS MILEAGE,THE TRANS HAD BEEN SERVICED AT THE REQUIRED TIME ,WHEN THEY PULLED THE PAN IT WAS FULL OF STEEL SHAVINGS,I HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT AT A COST OF $ 1554 THIS IS REAL HARD WHEN YOU ARE RETIRED, I SENT FORD A LETTER W/ REPAIR INVOICE ON 9-24-05 THEY CALLED ON A FRIDAY ABOUT MONTH AFTER I SENT THE LETTER SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR MY PROBLEM, AND THAT IS THE WAY IT STANDS AS OF NOW ! I SEE ON THE COMPLAINT SEARCH THIS IS NOT THE ONLY COMPLAINT ,FOR TRANS PROBLEMS AND MORE, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO STAND BUY THEIR CLAIM OF "BUILT FORD TOUGH" SORRY I BOUGHT A FORD. *NM

I HAD MY INTAKE GASKETS REPLACE IN FEB 2005 TO AVOID ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS; I JUST THREW A ROD ON 9/7/05 IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH ONLY 80000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THE COST OF $4000. I JUST CHECKED THE BLUE BOOK VALUE - IT'S ONLY $9000. I'M IN AN UPSIDE DOWN SITUATION BECAUSE I STILL OWE ON THE CAR! I'VE READ ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT PREVENTING THIS PROBLEM - AND NOT CHANGING THE INTAKE GASKETS (WHICH SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER RECALL OR AT LEAST SEND A NOTICE!) SHOULD HELP KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING SMOOTH. THIS WASN'T TRUE IN MY CASE!*JB

THE PSD ON OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR OPENED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH OUR TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. WITH THE CAR OFF, PARKED AND CHILDREN IN THEIR SEATS, MY WIFE CLOSED THE PSD WITH DOOR BUTTON IN POST. DOOR WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. AFTER SEVERAL PUSHES ON THE OUTSIDE HANDLE, THE DOOR CLOSED WITH POWER AND ENGAGED. AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MINUTES THE DRIVER SIDE PSD TRIED TO OPEN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR OPENED HALF WAY. MY WIFE PUSH THE DOOR BUTTON ON THE CEILING AND IT BEGAN TO CLOSE AGAIN. THEN IT CLOSED AND REVERSED 3 TO 4 INCHES AND CLOSED AGAIN. THEN IT REPEATED THE 3 TO 4 INCHES CLOSED AND COULD NOT BE OPERATED. IT STAYED CLOSED UNTIL SHE REACHED HER DESTINATION (10 MINS). WHEN SHE STOPPED THE PASSENGER PSD OPENED ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVERS PSD WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL POWER OR MANUAL. THE CHILDREN LEFT THE VAN THROUGH THE PASSENGER PSD. WE TOOK THE CAR TO FORD THE NEXT DAY. THEY REPLACED THE DOOR SWITCHES AND CONTACT PADS AND THE POWER DOOR LOCK MOTOR ON THE STUCK DRIVER SIDE SLIDER DOOR. THE CAR WAS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY (57,000) AND WE PAID $556.44 FOR THE REPAIRS. BY SEPT 12, THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR WAS OPENING AGAIN BY ITSELF, THIS TIME WHILE IT WAS IN A PARK MODE. WE RETURNED THE CAR TO FORD, THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE A PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED REPLACING THE SLIDING DOOR HINGE, THEY THOUGHT THEY SAW WEAR. BUT THEY COULD NOT SAY IF THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE DID NOT COMPLETE THE SECOND REPAIR ($250) SINCE IT WAS A GUESS. WE HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED FOR THE RECENT REPAIR. THE DOORS WORKED POORLY SINCE WE FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR. THESE INCLUDED TWO WARRANTY SERVICES FOR THE SAME ISSUE OF PSD OPENING ON THEIR OWN OR NOT CLOSING ON 6/20/2003 AND 9/12/2003. WITH THE FIRST FORD REPLACED THE B-PILLAR SWITCHES AND THE SECOND COULD NOT DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. SINCE FORD HAS AGAIN BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM ON 9/12/2005 AND WE ARE NERVOUS ABOUT IT OCCURRING AGAIN WITH THE CHILDREN BEING HURT OR FALLING OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. *NM

WE PURCHASED A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR 04/2005, IN 09/2005 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE BRAKES FAILED & ENGINE SURGED. SUMMER OF 2006, IT HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH MY WIFE DRIVING, VERY SIMILAR TO THE FIRST INCIDENT. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACES A BRAKE SENSOR. IT HAPPENED AGAIN & THEY REPLACED ANOTHER BRAKE SENSOR. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME WE TOOK IT TO DEALER IN 07/2006 WHERE THE SAID THEY HAD TO ADJUST THE BRAKE SENSORS AND THAT EVERYTHING WAS SAFE. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, WE TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER IN AUGUST 2006 WHERE THEY HAD IT UNTIL 11/2006 TELLING US THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VAN. NOT FEELING SAFE WITH THE VAN TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO HAS HAD IT 11/2006 TILL PRESENT 03/2007. I HAVE TALKED WITH A NUMBER OF MECHANICS OUT SIDE FORD WHO HAVE SEEN THE SAME THING INCLUDING A FORD SALES WOMAN WHO HAD IT HAPPEN TO HER VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT PROBABLY IS SOMETHING IN THE ABS SYSTEM & THAT IT WOULD BE OVER $2000 TO REPLACE BUT NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM ( I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO WASTE) . I ALSO SEE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE. THIS PROBLEM IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE & SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY FORD. WE ARE PAYING & INSURING A VEHICLE, FOR 9 MONTHS THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HELP PLEASE!!!!!*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IT SURGED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TWO DEALERS, AND BOTH WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 90,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *AK

2001 FORD WINDSTAR, 80,000 MILES. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER SAYS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED REGARDING MOISTURE ENTERING AND CORRODING THE ABS SYSTEM. $2,845 TO REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN MANY WINDSTARS; THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE DAMAGE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM

I BOUGHT A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IN APRIL 2005. BY AUGUST, THE ABS BRAKE CAME ON. I PROMPTLY TOOK IT TO AL PACKER FORD AND THEY CHARGED ME $545.00 TO REPLACE THE BA CONTROL PLUS LABOR. WITHIN TWO YEARS (IN AUGUST) THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT MANY FAMILIES ARE HAVING A PROBLEM. IT GOES ON AND OFF FREQUENTLY, AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT A FIRE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS PIECE EVERY TWO YEARS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART. THANK YOU *TR

I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE WORK, PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. THE TRANSMISSION JUST DIED. NO WARNING IN ADVANCE. THE CAR IS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 51,000 MILES ON IT AND COST MY $ 3000 FOR A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. FORD STATED " NO WARRANTY" OVER 30,000 MILES SORRY. SHOULD THIS BE HAPPENING TO A VAN THAT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND THAT COST ME $27,000. THE GARAGE THAT INSTALLED MY TRANSMISSION STATED THAT THE PARTS MELTED TOGETHER AND WE WERE LUCKY IT DIDN'T START ON FIRE. *JB

DT: AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME. LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 7 DAYS. DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND IS OFFERED NO HELP. DEALER SAID THE CALLER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID SAME THING.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN FRONT END COLLISION ON AUGUST 2, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING 45-50 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE WHEEL DROPPED OFF ON THE PAVEMENT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE. HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND A LOCAL MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO AIRBAG SENSORS OR WIRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS, NOR HAVE THE AIRBAGS BEEN DEACTIVATED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY REFERRED HER TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO COME TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS IMPORTED FROM CANADA. *AK

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED: REAR WINDOWS NOT WORKING,HAD MOTORS REPLACED WORKED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS THEN INTERMITTENT THEN QUIT WORKING WITHIN 6 MONTHS. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH GOES ON AND OFF. A/C STOPS BLOWING FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS THEN RESUMES BLOWING. KEYLESS ENTRY WORKS SOMETIMES,SOMETIMES IT DON'T. SPEEDOMETER SLOWER THAN IT READS AND MILEAGE MAY NOT BE CORRECT. WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. INTERMITTENT SETTINGS ON WIPERS QUIT WORKING AND WHEN YOU TURN OFF WIPERS THEY STOP IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. I HAVE AN 88 YEAR OLD FATHER WITH NO LEGS AND THIS IS THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO DRIVE HIM AROUND IN. DO NOT FEEL SAFE!! *TR

DT: THE CALLER COMPLAINED ABOUT WINDSHIELD WIPER/MOTOR PROBLEM. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 01V261000 ON THIS ISSUE AND THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. DEALER SAID THE RECALL WORK WAS ALREADY DONE, AND THE CALLER HAD TO PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID THE WORK WAS DONE ON DECEMBER 7, 2001. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE CONTACT FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT SHUT OFF. THE RINGS IN THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. SHE ALSO HEARD A RUMBLING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE OPERATING NORMALLY; HOWEVER, AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING, THE CONTACT HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AFTER A NEW WINDSHIELD WAS INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE MOTOR WAS FOUND TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING ANTIFREEZE AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION HOSES WERE LEAKING. THE LEAK WAS REPAIRED. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD BUCK AND SHUT OFF. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. LASTLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD FISHTAIL OR WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER INCLUDED IN THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,056 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

ON JUNE 27TH 2005, I WAS DRIVING AND IT WAS RAINING HEAVY AND MY WIND SHEILD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, I COULD'NT SEE ANYTHING, SO I DROVE SLOWLY TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND I ALMOST HIT THIS LADY AND HER DAUGTHER WHO WAS CROSSING THE STREETS CAUSE I COULD NOT SEE THEM CAUSE THE RAIN WAS COMING DOWN SO HEAVY.

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON HIS VEHICLE BROKE PUNCTURING THE TIRE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS COMPONENT, BUT THE CONTACTS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. *JB

WHILE ON VACATION THIS PAST WEEK,MY WIFE, KIDS (5), AND MYSELF, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH WARNING NOR WERE THERE ANY SYMPTOMS TO INDICATE THAT OUR FAMILY VEHICLE WOULD LEAVE US STRANDED ON OUR FIRST FAMILY VACATION. WE PURCHASED A 2001 WINDSTAR SEL FROM UNIVERSITY FORD IN DURHAM, NC. WE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $1500, AND JUST WHEN THE VEHICLE BARELY SURPASSED THE 'EXPIRATION DATE', THE TRANSMISSION, JUST SUDDENLY QUIT. MY WIFE AND SON WERE EXCHANGING SANDALS AT THE LOCAL BEACH SHOP, AND WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE VAN, AND TRIED TO MOVE IT, THERE WAS NO GEAR AT ALL.......JUST PARK AND NEUTRAL, (THE TWO 'NO' GEARS). THEY WALKED 3 MILES IN 90 DEGREE WEATHER BACK TO OUR 'PLACE'. I HAVE CALLED THE UNIVERSITY FORD, AND SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS OUT BY LESS THAN 2500 MILES, I AM STUCK. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 78,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS BEEN SERVICED FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY WE HAVE OWNED IT. IT WAS BOUGHT 'SLIGHTLY USED', ONLY TO BE DRIVEN BEFORE BY A TOP SALESMAN/MANAGER, BEFORE WE PURCHASED IT. I HAVE A FAIRLY DECENT SIZED FAMILY AND AM MIDDLE CLASS, NOT RICH!! THE TRANSMISSION IS SUPPOSED TO BE $1500-$3000 TO REPLACE, AND I CANT AFFORD TO REPLACE AND REALLY DONT FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR A TRANSMISSION THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED, WITH NORMAL DRIVING, WELL INTO 100,000-150,000 MILES. I HAVE A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE THAT HAS ALMOST 215,000 MILES THAT HAS NEVER GIVEN ONE SECONDS TROUBLE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE SO MANY UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE AS MYSELF, THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE FROM YOUR DEPT. TO PLEASE CHECK INTO THE DURABILITY OF THE WINDSTARS TRANSMISSIONS, AS FORD, HAVE TOLD US (MYSELF AND OTHER DISGUSTED WINDSTAR OWNERS) THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FORD MAKING A DESIGN FLAW IN A TRANSMISSION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME IN READING THIS, I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE. WITH KINDEST REGARDS, I AM JOHNNIE WILKINS

WE HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINI-VAN. WE TOOK VAN IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. WIFE ALSO NOTICED THUMPING IN TIRE WELL. EGR REGULATOR WAS CHANGED FOR "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT, BUT THE THUMPING TURNED OUT TO BE TWO (2) BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRINGS!! HOW DOES A HIGHWAY DRIVEN MINI-VAN GET TWO (2) BROKEN SPRINGS? THAT WAS THREE (3) WEEKS AGO AND THE VAN IS STILL IN THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR THE REPLACMENT SPRINGS WHICH WE ARE TOLD ARE ON BACK ORDER. APPEARS TO ME THAT IF THESE SPRINGS ARE ON BACK ORDER, THERE MUST BE A PRETTY GOOD DEMAND FOR THEM. THE FACT THAT BOTH ARE SPRINGS BROKE WITH HIGHWAY USAGE INDICATES A POSSIBLE DESIGN PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. MAY BE A RECALL NEEDED HERE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 10/23/07 *TR

DT: THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THE OWNER WAS TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH NO POTHOLES OR BUMPS AT A SPEED OF 40-45 MPH. THE OWNER WAS GOING ONTO THE RAMP WHEN HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION. THE PASSENGER THOUGHT THAT THEY HAD BEEN SHOT BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON BEFORE DEPLOYMENT, BUT IT WAS ON NOW THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE OWNER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD AND THEIR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. FORD CUSTOMER AFFAIRS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THERE WAS 1 INJURY, BUT NOT LIFE THREATENING. THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH. THE AIRBAG BLEW THE SEAMS OUT OF THE SEATS AND FOAM HAD GOTTEN EVERYWHERE. THIS WAS GOING ON 3 WEEKS, AND THE CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOR FORD TO DETERMINE IF THEY WERE GOING TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. FORD DETERMINED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE. *AK *SC *JB

MY FORD 2001 WINDSTAR HAS HAD THE ABS/BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FOR FIVE YEARS NOW. I HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH IT. IS THERE ANY RECALL. *TR

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. NO ONE WAS AROUND THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.*AK

THE ABS AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HAD THE COMPUTER OR SOMETHING RESET A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON. BEEN DOING THIS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING AT 25-30 MPH HEARD A HEAVY CLUNKING NOISE, FELT THE STEERING WHEEL LOSE CONTROL OF THE WHEELS AND PULLED OVER ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WE REPLACED THE COIL SPRINGS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. *JB

VEHICLE SHOW BOTH BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY. APPARENTLY NO FAILURE TO EITHER. BRAKES WERE SERVICED IN 2005 AND 2010 WITH NO APPARENT FIX TO THE ABOVE LIGHTS. SUSPECT ECM FAILURE DUE TO HEAT AS SHOWN ON HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/ SHOWN AS PROBLEM #2 ON THE WEBSITE.

DURING PREPARATION FOR AN OUT OF STATE TRIP, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE VEHICLE HAD 59,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS FLUSHED AT 40,000. PREVIOUSLY, A WHINING NOISE HAD BEEN EVIDENT AND WAS SAID TO BE A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR THAT TRANSMISSION BY A FORD MECHANIC. A STOP INTO A LOCAL LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALER POPPED UP CODES RELATING TO A SOLENOID AND ANOTHER PART OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, THE TRANSMISSION PAN HAD NEEDLE BEARINGS AND METAL SHAVINGS EVIDENT. THIS LEAD TO THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION BEING REPLACED AT A COST OF $2800.00 OUT OF POCKET. AT THIS TIME, NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN FOUND FOR THIS PROBLEM.

REGARDING RECALL # 01V261000. MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR [XXX] WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. HOWEVER, I AM HAVING THE EXACT ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THIS RECALL. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MY VEHICLE IS THE SAME YEAR AS THE YEAR LISTED IN THE RECALL. IT SEEMS VERY ODD THAT I AM HAVING THIS ISSUE YET I SOME HOW MISSED THE RECALL WINDOW BY A SMALL MARGIN. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE AND I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD HAS NOT RESPONDED APPROPRIATELY. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR OPENED AS THE CONSUMER TURNED A CORNER. THE DOOR WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION FROM THE COMPUTER IT WAS AJAR. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATES THE AUTOMATIC DOOR ON HER VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. THE DOOR IS LOCATED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR WILL COME OPEN. SHE TRIED LOCKING THE DOOR TO KEEP IT CLOSED, BUT THIS DOES NOT WORK. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW PART, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS TRYING TO FIND A REMEDY TO THE DEFECT. *JB UPDATED 10/31/2006 - AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE DOOR THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT A FORD ENGINEER TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM COULD BE RESOLVED. THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DPFE SENSOR*NM

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIT UP. THEN THE ABS, ODOMETER, AND ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, AND THE ODOMETER WENT BLANK. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO APPLE VALLEY FORD, WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT ABS SYSTEM HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR SOMETIME WITH NO WARNING INDICATION , AND SHORTED OUT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE REPAIR BILL WAS $4500 AS THE FRONT ELECTRICAL MODULE WAS SHOT DUE TO THE LEAKAGE. DEALER AND FORD CORPORATION COULD NOT EXPLAIN CAUSE OF LEAK, WHY WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, WHY THE EXTREME DAMAGE OR WHY THE FRONT ELECTRICAL MODULE WAS LOCATED SO CLOSE TO THE ABS SYSTEM, THAT ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN. I QUESTIONED IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING OR LATENT DEFECT. REPAIR WAS BEING DONE AT THIS TIME. *AK

THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR DOOR OPEN INDICATOR SYMBOL ON THE DASH IS CONSTANTLY ON. ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. IN THE BEGINNING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF, DOOR OPEN BELL WOULD CHIME, AND DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING. NOW THE INDICATOR SYMBOL ON DASH STAYS ON AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOORS AND DOORS DO NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN DRIVING OFF. PROBLEM CANNOT BE LOCATED.*AK

SMELLED GASOLINE AND FOUND BOTH FUEL LINES SPRAYING GAS AT FRONT OF ENGINE. FUEL LINES APPEARED TO HAVE DISINTEGRATED. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP - DON CHALMERS IN RIO RANCHO, NM. DEALER REPLACED FUEL LINES FROM TANK TO ENGINE - HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM MICHIGAN. TOTAL COST $667.03 DEALER RETAINED PARTS. *JB

ON 3/22/05 I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH NO-ONE BEHIND MY VAN WHEN MY BACK LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDOW IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS TO EXPLODE IN MY VAN. (SEE COMPLAINT OF INCIDENT 10-23-04) THE ONLY COMMONALITY BETWEEN THESE EVENTS WAS THAT BOTH MORNINGS WERE COOL AND THE INSIDE OF THE VAN HAD BEEN WARMED FOR 20-30 MINUTES. THE DEALER AND GLASS REPAIR COMPANY ASKED IF THE FRAME HAD BEEN BENT IN THE PAST, BUT THIS VAN HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND -NOT EVEN A FENDER-BENDER.*AK

DT: CALLER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT CRUISE CONTROL BURNING UP. HE MIGHT HAVE HAD IT FIXED, BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW FOR SURE. CALLER SAID CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK, AND THEN THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK. DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THAT IS ALL THE CALLER THINKS THE DEALER DID.*AK CONSUMER FEELS VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN RECALL.*SB

VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SHEARED OFF, AND THE LUGS: NUTS WERE STILL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL, LUGS: NUTS, AND OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND THE ABS/BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH KEEP COMING ON.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SPRING BROKE AND TORE THROUGH THE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE.*MR A RECALL WAS ISSUED BUT NOT FOR THE CONSUMER'S MODEL OF VEHICLE. *NM

CONSUMER STATED THE POWER DOORS LOCKED ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IN AN EMERGENCY THEY WILL BE TRAPPED INSIDE . *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE FROM PARK. ONCE IT WAS PULLED OUT OF PARK IT MADE A LOUD BANG. *NM

THIS IS A 2001 VEHICLE. AFTER WARRNATY EXPIRED WE HAVE INVESTED ALMOST $2000 IN REPAIRS AND THINGS CONTINUE TO BREAK.*JB

1) 2001 WINDSTAR MINIVAN STALLED AT LOW IDLE WHILE MAKING A TURN. 2) DRIVER NEARLY WRECKED DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL MORE TIMES WHILE MOVING BEFORE REPAIR WAS DONE. 3) DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS BAD FUEL INTAKE GASKETS WHICH WERE REPLACED. PROBLEM PERSISTED UNTIL IAC VALVE WAS CLEANED. MY CONCLUSION IS THAT THE IAC VALVE IS TO BLAMED, AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING.*AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE, RESULTING IN A CRASH. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH TRANSMISSION LOST POWER. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 100,205 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT STRUT BEARINGS AND STRUTS AT 75,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 100,000. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS AT 69,000 MILES. AND THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AGAIN AT 100,000. I HAVE HAD OVER $2,500 IN REPAIRS IN THE TIME FRAME OF ONE YEAR, NOT INCLUDING 4-WHEEL BRAKE JOB. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT 82,000 MILES AND TOLD THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I WAS AGAIN HEARING THE "BAD STRUT NOISE". AT THIS TIME THE 1 YR, 12,000 MILE WARRANTY WOULD HAVE PICKED UP THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE STRUTS. I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD ONGOING STRUT AND TIE ROD PROBLEMS. *NM

WHILE DRIVING A COLLISION OCCURRED.UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT ENGAGE. *AK

I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND WAS HIT DIRECTLY IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I WAS DRIVING A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THAT HAD SIDE AIRBAGS. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HEAD HIT THE DRIVER WINDOW AND BUSTED IT. THANKFULLY, I ONLY RECEIVED A CONCUSSION. FORD IS NOW SAYING TOO BAD. THEY TRIED TO TEST IT BUT SAID DUE TO SOME COMPUTER INF. BEING LOST THAT THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO SAY THAT THE AIRBAG WAS WORKING RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THEM FOR 3 WEEKS NOW AND THEY HAVE JUST BEEN GIVING US THE RUN AROUND. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY HIT WASN'T HARD ENOUGH WHAT WOULD IT HAVE TAKEN. MY VAN WAS TOTALED. *JB

POWER SLIDING DOORS ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR EITHER POP OPEN OR JAM CLOSED. WHEN JAMMED, THE DOOR IS NEITHER LOCKED OR UNLOCKED AND WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. LUCKILY, THIS WAS DISCOVERED BEFORE SERIOUS INCIDENT. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE IF THERE WERE AN EMERGENCY AND I COULD NOT GET TO MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT VIA EITHER SLIDING DOOR. *JB

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 2001 WINDSTAR PASSENGER REAR AUTOMATIC DOOR SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. THE DOOR WOULD CONSTANTLY CLOSE AND REOPEN. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. MOST RECENTLY THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY AND HAS BEEN RATTLING. THE PROBLEM NOW IS THE DOOR HAS CLOSED AND LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN. MY FORD DEALER NEEDS TO PRY IT OPEN WITH SOME DEVICE JUST TO CHECK THE PROBLEM. MINIMUM COST FOR THIS IS $250.00. I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH A JAMMED DOOR BECAUSE I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN. IF I EVER NEEDED TO GET THEM OUT IN AN EMERGENCY I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS OF THIS NATURE. FORD DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND DISMISSED IT AND ME. I THINK FORD SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER AND I THINK THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR FREE. AN AUTOMATIC DOOR MALFUNCTIONING SEEMS LIKE A RECALL SITUATION TO ME EVEN IF THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON WHOM ITS HAPPENED TO SO FAR THERE MAY BE OTHERS.*AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS TURNING THE CRUISE CONTROL ON IN THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR.*MR *SB