83 of the
4,799 complaints about the 1995 Ford Windstar are about the
steering — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
65,000 miles.
1)MY VAN WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND THE TIRES WERE WORN. 2) I TOOK MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR TO FIRESTONE TO HAVE NEW TIRES PUT ON AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE. THEY INSTALLED THE TIRES AND TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DO THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN IN TWO. THEY ALSO STATED IT WAS BAD CRAFTSMANSHIP BECAUSE THE BAR IS A HOLLOW METAL TUBE INSTEAD OF A SOLID PIECE. THEY ALSO SAID I NEEDED BOTH INNER TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED BECAUSE THE LACK OF CONTROL FROM THE SWAY BAR PUT STRESS ON THEM AND DAMAGED THEM. 3) TIRES WERE REPLACED AND I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $400 FOR THE SWAY BAR AND $300 FOR THE TIE ROD ENDS AND ALIGNMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10164450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belleville, MI
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE RODS WERE REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. THEY NEED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10121412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesFarmington Hills, MI
STEERING
AT 146,00 MILES I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT I WILL HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER HEAD GASKET REPAIR DONE (THAT WOULD MAKE IT THE THIRD TIME THIS PART HAS FAILED) TO SAVE THE CAR...I WILL NOT DO IT, AS IN FEBRUARY, I SPENT OVER $750 TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPAIRED FOR BRAKE FLUID COVERING THE SHOES OF THE BRAKES, CAUSE BY BRAKE LINE CORROSION (JUST AS IN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE CORROSION THAT WAS A NATIONAL RECALL!!!!) BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE REARS
NHTSA complaint #10070152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesSammamish, WA
STEERING
THE ENGINE WAS THE MAIN PROBLEM DUE TO THE HEAD GASKET RECALL. IN JULY,2000, WE ARGUED WITH FORD ABOUT A BAD ENGINE RUNNING FOR WHICH WE HAD JUST PAID OVER $300 TO EVALUATE BY AN OUTSIDE REPAIR SHOP. AFTER ABOUT 6 WEEKS WE RECEIVED OUR CAR BACK WITH A NEW LONG BLOCK PAID FOR BY FORD, INCLUDING A RENTAL VAN FOR THE TIME IN THE SHOP. IN JANUARY 2001 THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AGAIN AND WE WERE CHARGED $81.45 TO CHECK IT OUT AND REPLACE A WIRE BAD ON CYLINDER 6 WHICH WAS MISFIRING. THREE MONTHS LATER IN APRIL 2001 THE CAR RAN ROUGH AGAIN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON (HAPPENED FOR YEARS INTERMITTENTLY SINCE WE OWNED THE CAR). THE NEW LONG-BLOCK HAD ANOTHER BAD HEAD GASKET REINSTALLED PER THE SECOND FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER. AFTER NEARLY ANOTHER MONTH WE HAD THE SECOND NEW LONG-BLOCK IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. NOW LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND 40,000 MILES LATER, FOLLOWING THE 110K SERVICE OF RADIATOR FLUSH AND OIL CHANGE AT 113,098 MILES THE ENGINE RAPIDLY LOST OIL AND IS MISFIRING AND BURNING OIL. FORD'S POSITION ONCE AGAIN IS THAT THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12K MILES. ON A SMALLER NOTE, THE BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT NUMEROUS TIMES AND WE HAVE REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS. THE POWER STEERING HAS PERFORMED VERY POORLY. WE CHANGED THE FLUID IN 2000 AND THEN THE FORD SERVICE CENTER AND THEY REPLACED THE OUTER TIE RODS AND RESET THE ALIGNMENT. WITHIN MONTHS IT WAS GOING OUT AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY. MOST OFTEN WHEN STARTING OUT THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND YOU MUST MANUALLY STEER THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10070168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bedford, MA
STEERING
BRAKE WORK X2 TRANSMISSION X2 ALL BELTS TIRE & SUSPENSION WORK LUGS ON WHEELS NOT PROPERLY REPLACED ,IT ALMOST FELL OFF STILL PAYING ON VEHICLE WHILE IT SITS IN ASHLEY FORD PARKING LOT W/ DEAD TRANSMISSION I AM UNABLE TO PAY CLOSE TO $2000 FOR REPAIRS
NHTSA complaint #10070357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troutdale, OR
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1995 FORD WINDSTAR, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, ELECTRICAL GREMLINS, POWER STEERING BOX FAILURE, ENGINE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10046957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,349 milesVoorhees, NJ
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
ENGINE FAILED TWICE DUE TO A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. ALSO, ORIGINAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REBUILT. ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER, TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION. ANOTHER TWO YEARS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND WAS REBUILT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK THE RECALLED ENGINE BLEW AND THE MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD THEY STATED THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT NOW BUT WOULD NOTIFY THEM LATER AND MAYBE THEY COULD HELP. CONSUMER HAD TWO WINDOWS THAT DIDN'T GO UP OR DOWN - REPLACED $412.34. BOTH TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10040795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesBuffalo Grove, IL
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE TIE ROD'S BROKE WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. *JB THE CONSUMER TURNED THE CORNER AND THE HANDLING HAD BECOME IMPOSSIBLE. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE POINTING INWARD AS THOUGH THE RIGHT FRONT WERE TURNING LEFT AND THE LEFT FRONT TURNING RIGHT. *SCC. ALSO THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE SERPENTINE BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10018225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesBuffalo Grove, IL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE TIE ROD'S BROKE WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. *JB THE CONSUMER TURNED THE CORNER AND THE HANDLING HAD BECOME IMPOSSIBLE. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE POINTING INWARD AS THOUGH THE RIGHT FRONT WERE TURNING LEFT AND THE LEFT FRONT TURNING RIGHT. *SCC. ALSO THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE SERPENTINE BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10018225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesBuffalo Grove, IL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
THE VEHICLE LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID, WHICH RESULTED IN THE RACK AND PINION FAILING. *JB RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10018227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naperville, IL
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
FRONT STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. FRONT END ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. CASTER AND CAMBER RESET. THERE IS A SQUEALING NOISE FROM FRONT END WHEN TURNING, DEALER REPLACED OUTER TIE RODS AND RIGHT CONTROL ARM.
NHTSA complaint #567485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Overland Park, KS
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A STARTING PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRANK BUT THE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RATTLE AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPEEDOMETER, DEALER STATED THAT THE OUTER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED REPLACED AND ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILED TIE RODS WERE NOT USED ANYMORE DUE TO A LUBRICATION DEFECT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #567260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buffalo Grove, IL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
REPLACED RACK AND PINION STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #766223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IL, IL
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
DURING RIGHT TURN, LOST STEERING CONTROL. AFTER STOPPING, RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS POSITIONED FOR SHARP LEFT TURN, AND LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS POSITIONED FOR A RIGHT TURN. RIGHT FRONT OUTER TIE-ROD FAILED. BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT TIE-RODS WERE REPLACED. THESE ARE SEALED UNITS AND CAN'T BE LUBRICATED. I SUGGEST THAT FAILURE WAS DUE TO LUBRICANT BREAKDOWN OR LOSS OVER THE YEARS, A SERIOUS DESIGN AND SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #765918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WENT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE INNER TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITHT HIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #765707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagon, MN1 injured
STEERING
EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS CORRODED, AND IS CAUSING FUMES TO ENTER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED TWICE AND WAS REPLACED. HEAD GASKET FAILED AND WAS REPLACED; ALSO THE INTERNAL LEAKS FROM HEAD GASKETS IN VEHICLE CORRODED FLEX PIP AND EXHAUSTING INTO VEHICLE. ENGINE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE OUTER RIGHT AND LEFT TIE RODS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. AIR FILTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. PCV VALVE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD CONTINUES EXHAUST LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE, CAUSED SOME SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEM TO THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #8015530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, IL
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
A CLICKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8011227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, IL
STEERING
THE STEERING SYSTEM SQUEALS AND CREEKS CONSISTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #785611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lorain, OHCrash
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH ON A CITY STREET COVERED WITH ABOUT ONE [1] INCH OF WET SNOW. THE STREET CURVED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT, I STARTED TO MAKE THE TURN BUT THE VAN BEGAN TO SLIDE STRAIGHT AHEAD. I SLID FOR ABOUT 20 FEET BEFORE BUMPING THE CURB ON MY RIGHT SIDE. THE VAN THEN WENT OVER THE CURB , WENT ABOUT ANOTHER 10 FEET AND STRUCK A NARROW [6-INCH] UTILITY POLE HEAD ON.I WAS HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS PREPARING FOR THE SLIGHT IMPACT.I WAS QUITE SHOCKED WHEN BOTH AIR BAGS EXPLODED. MY HANDS WERE BRUISED SLIGHTLY BUT NOTHING SERIOUS. THE VAN WAS NOT DAMAGED EXCEPT FOR A SMALL[2-INCH] SPLIT IN THE TOP, NOT FRONT OF THE PLASTIC BUMPER. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP, MULLINAX FORD, IMMEDIATELY. THEY LOOKED AT THE VAN AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A COLLISION THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THEY CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. AT MY REQUEST TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPLACE THE AIR BAGS FOR ME AT NO COST. FORD RESPONDED BY STATING THAT AS LONG AS THERE WAS A COLLISION THEY NOT REPLACE THEM AT NO COST. I LATER MADE A CALL TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RECIEVED THE SAME RESULTS. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED, AND FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE BORN THE EXPENSE [$1500.] OF REPLACING THE AIR BAGS.I DON'T KNOW ALL OF THE FACTS CONCERNING AIR BAGS BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY SHOULD DEPLOYED AT THAT SPEED.PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANY RECOURSE THAT I MAY HAVE. THANK YOU, [XXX].*AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #757711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loveland, OH
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #756871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, IL
STEERING
THE STEERING SYSTEM SQUEALS AND CREEKS CONSISTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #785611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, IL
STEERING
STEERING SYSTEM SQUEALS AND CREEKS.
NHTSA complaint #562219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Macomb Township, MI
STEERING:LINKAGES
WHEN TURNING WHEELS IN EITHER DIRECTION THERE WAS A LOUD RUBBING SOUND. DEALER STATED BOTH FRONT TIE RODS NEEDED REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #886941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallmadge, OH
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windham, ME
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
STEERING FEELS STIFF DUE TO STEERING RACK FAILURE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Cruz, CA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE TIE RODS WERE BAD. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Cruz, CA
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE TIE RODS WERE BAD. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dekalb, ILCrash1 injured
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT ON 8/8/2000, SEVERAL PROBLEMS AFTER VEHICLE WAS RETURNED ON 10/10/2000, PROBLEMS STILL NOT FIXED! NEED HELP ASAP. THANK YOU .
NHTSA complaint #735459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
HAD LEFT FREEWAY & NOTICED A NOISE. PULLED OVER, STOPPED VEHICLE & TURNED IT OFF. RESTARTED VEHICLE & NOISE BECAME LOUDER. WHILE GOING UPHILL, ENGINE FELT SLUGGISH & WAS DRAGGING. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP & MECHANIC INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS THAT INNER TIE ROD HAD BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #872292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND SOME CLUNKING AS VEHICLE SLOWED FROM 65 TO 35MPH. DEALER SAID THAT INNER TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #868282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.