151 of the 4,799 complaints about the 1995 Ford Windstar are about the suspension — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 118,000 miles.
151
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SUSPENSION
OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AND DOES NOT GO INTO GEARS AS IT SHOULD. ALSO HAVE RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE STRUTS--BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG. HAD TO REPLACE REAR AXLE ALREADY AND HAVE BEEN TOLD MY YEAR OF WINDSTAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10375441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OVER A BUMPY ROAD, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. SHE PLACED A SPARE ON THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO A SERVICE STATION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HER INSURANCE COMPANY EMAILED HER A LIST OF RECALLS THAT MAY HAVE APPLIED TO HER VEHICLE. FORD STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HER VEHICLE. THE EMAIL STATED THAT FORD WOULD OFFER A WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS FOR THE REPAIR OF THE COIL SPRINGS FOR HER VEHICLE. FORD STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
NHTSA complaint #10275855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
'95 WINDSTAR WAS DENIED ALIGNMENT DUE TO FRACTURED FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING. THE FRACTURE IS WITHIN THE 1ST COIL FROM BOTTOM, SO NOT NOTICEABLE UNTIL TECHNICIAN CASUALLY NOTICED IT. THE CRACK IS QUITE RUSTY WHICH WOULD INDICATE THAT IT'S BEEN BROKEN FOR A LONG TIME. WAS TOLD FORD WOULD REPLACE, BUT UPON CALLING, TOLD THAT FOR ONLY 10 YEARS (NHTSA ID: 01I007000) - EVEN THOUGH IT'S PROBABLY BEEN CRACKED FOR YEARS. FORD DEALER NOW WANTS $385+. IF CRACKS AGAIN, COULD PUNCTURE TIRE & CAUSE SUDDEN ACCIDENT. AMAZED THAT THIS IS NOT MANDATORY RECALL!!!
NHTSA complaint #10211514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. ON JULY 24, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED. AT THAT TIME, THE CONTACT LEARNED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS WERE CRACKED AND FAILING. HE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE NHTSA WEBSITE. HE DISCOVERED SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 01I007000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE TEN-YEAR FREE PERIOD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT HE HAD NEVER RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT IT WAS NHTSA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAIL OUT THE RECALL NOTICES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 235,000.
NHTSA complaint #10197536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
ON 6/28/06 I TOOK MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR [XXX] INTO A FIRESTONE AUTO SERVICE CENTER IN WEXFORD PA FOR REPLACEMENT OF A BROKEN RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR. AFTER CONDUCTING AN INSPECTION, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS RUSTED AND BROKEN. THAT IT HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE RIGHT COIL SPRING. I WAS ON VACATION IN THE PITTSBURGH, PA AREA AT THE TIME. MY RESIDENCE IS IN RHODE ISLAND. HAVING NO TIME TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION OF RECALLS, SAFETY NOTICES, OR FIND A FORD DEALERSHIP THAT COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE IN, I HAD FIRESTONE REPLACE BOTH COIL SPRINGS & STRUTS, ALONG WITH THE SWAY BAR. I RETURNED TO MY RESIDENCE IN RHODE ISLAND TODAY AN LEARNED FROM YOUR WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #01I007000 ISSUED ON JULY 12, 2001 FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. SPECIFICALLY THAT: "1995 -- 1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION." THE REMEDY LISTED ON YOUR SITE INDICATED THAT FORD WAS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE COIL SPRINGS FOR 10 YEARS FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE. I PURCHASED MY FORD WINDSTAR FROM RIZZO FORD AS A USED VEHICLE ON/ABOUT 3/7/1996. I CALLED FORD AT 1-866-46-7332 AS LISTED IN THE NOTES OF YOUR SITE AND SPOKE TO A "WALTER." HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WERE "NO OPEN PROGRAMS" LISTED FOR MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE USING THE VIN. THE PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WAS A FRACTURED FRONT COIL SPRING RESULTING FROM CORROSION. IT IS EXACTLY THE ISSUED DESCRIBED. I SAVED THE COIL SPRING AND FRONT STRUT. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10161162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE ARE ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS ON 4 OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING EVEN AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE. ON THE FOURTH VISIT THE MECHANICS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION AND DETERMINED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS WERE OUT DATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING COIL SPRINGS THEY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROTECTED UNDER WARRANTY ANY LONGER.
NHTSA complaint #10160905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE TIRES ROTATED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS CRACKED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01I007000, REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 03/03/06.
NHTSA complaint #10150339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
1995 WINDSTAR PURCHASED NEW ON JULY 14, 1994, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 100930 MILES ON IT. THE TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 600 MILES ON THEM. HAVE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. ALSO, HAVE HAD ALL RECALLS THAT I WAS MADE AWARE OF FIXED AT THIS DEALERSHIP. DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING FRACTURED, PUNCTURING TIRE WITH A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 4" LONG BY 1" HIGH AS IT WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED TO BE REPAIRED. COST TO BE WELL OVER $700.00, NOT INCLUDING THE COST OF A NEW FRONT TIRES. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND, AFTER EXPLAINING PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WOULD ONLY COVER THIS FOR A 10 YEAR PERIOD FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF WARRANTY, BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM AND THEREFORE FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. MY QUESTIONS ARE "HOW CAN THE INSTANTANEOUS FAILURE OF THE FRONT SPRINGS ON A VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENT PUNCTURING OF THE FRONT TIRES, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOT BE A SAFETY PROBLEM?"; "HOW CAN THE MANUFACTURER AND THE NHTSA BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND NOT NOTIFY THE VEHICLE OWNERS?"; "WHY ISN'T THERE A PROCESS TO APPEAL THIS OUTSIDE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S OWN CUSTOMER SERVICE ORGANIZATION?"; AND "IS THERE A PROCESS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM REEVALUATED AND FOLLOWED UP ON?".
NHTSA complaint #10147750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE FORD TO STAND BY THE EMAIL BELOW DATED JULY 11TH, 2005 FROM KRISTEN KINLEY OF FORD FCSD PUBLIC AFFAIRS 313-337-2786 KKINLEY@FORD.COM WHICH STATES THAT: I AM STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE 01M03 EXTENDED COVERAGE ON THE FRONT SPRINGS. I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT IF EITHER FORD, OR MY FORD DEALER WOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE MONEY I PAID OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO MY FORD DEALER ON MAY 7TH, 2005 TO HAVE THOSE FRONT SPRINGS REPLACED SINCE MS. KINLEY'S EMAIL DATED JULY 11TH, 2005 STATES THAT I AM "STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE 01M03 EXTENDED COVERAGE ON THE FRONT SPRINGS".THE FRONT SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE ON MAY 7TH, 2005 AT ED CARNEY FORD INC. 189 ROUTE #10 EAST HANOVER TWP, NJ 07936 PHONE: (973) 386-1771 FAX: (973) 386-9093 SALESCARNEY@EARTHLINK.NET ROBERT PINKUS RPINKUS@RESEARCH.ATT.COM PO BOX 2379 LIVINGSTON, NEW JERSEY 07039 ----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- FROM: KINLEY, KRISTEN (K.L.) [MAILTO:KKINLEY@FORD.COM] SENT: MONDAY, JULY 11, 2005 12:53 PM TO: PINKUS,ROBERT J (ROBERT) SUBJECT: FW: 1995 FORD WINDSTAR 2 DR GL PASSENGER VAN ROBERT, I CALLED OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER DIRECTLY. HERE'S WHAT THEY TOLD ME ABOUT YOUR '95 WINDSTAR. BRIEFLY... I DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS ON EACH OF THESE, BUT IF YOU PROVIDE THE RECALL NUMBERS (THOSE LISTED BEFORE THE DESCRIPTION BELOW) TO THE DEALER, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK IT UP IN THEIR DATABASE AND PULL UP THE SPECIFIC REPAIR PROCEDURES FOR EACH. HOPE THIS HELPS. YOU ARE STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE 01M03 EXTENDED COVERAGE ON THE FRONT SPRINGS 02S36 BRAKELINE - REPAIRED 6/20/02 97S88 HOOD SEPARATION - REPAIRED 12/6/00 98M01 HEAD GASKET - REPAIRED 11/22/99 THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION FOR THE OTHER FIELD ACTIONS KRISTEN KINLEY FCSD PUBLIC AFFAIRS 313-337-2786 KKINLEY@FORD.COM 1. SUSPENSION:I-BEAM:SOLID:FRONT SPRING:COIL RECALL NUMBER: 01I007000.
NHTSA complaint #10132625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES ON HER 1995 FORD WINDSTAR, THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 01I007000 ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE SPRING ON THE PASSENGER FRONT BROKE WHEN TURNING AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AT THAT TIME TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER ABOUT THE RECALL. WHEN SHE CALLED FORD, THEY TOLD HER IT WAS TOO LATE, THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY BOUGHT IN 1994 THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IN 2003, SHE RECEIVED NO NOTICE THERE WAS A RECALL. FORD DID NOT EVEN HAVE HER AS THE CURRENT OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC DID FIND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL WAS BROKE. THE TIRE WAS DAMAGED, AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SINCE 2003.
NHTSA complaint #10129071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
1995 FORD WINDSTAR - WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT END OF VAN DROPPED SLIGHTLY. HEARD SCRAPING AND GRINDING SOUNDS FROM FRONT RIGHT. REMOVED TIRE AND FOUND BROKEN COIL SPRING WITH SHARP POINT ABOUT 1 INCH ABOVE TIRE TREAD. MOUNTED SPARE TIRE, DROVE TO DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPRINGS UNDER FORD "SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN". THERE WAS NO RECALL IN EFECT FOR THESE DANGEROUS DEFECTIVE PARTS. DEALER KEPT OLD PART. FORD IS AWARE OF DEFECTIVE SPRINGS AND NOTIFIED OWNERS IN 2001 ABOUT "SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN". THEY SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE ALL OF THESE DANGEROUS SPRINGS REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE AND LENGTH OF SERVICE ON THE VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10116308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
1995 FORD WINDSTAR GL W/3.8L ENGINE - BROKEN FRONT STABILIZER BAR NEAR PASSENGER SIDE BUSHING CAUSED ERRATIC AND UNSTABLE STEERING RESPONSE, AND BODY ROLL. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD THE CAR BEEN DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH THE BROKEN BAR. BROKEN BAR SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CORROSION, AND DESIGN DEFICIENCY AS THE ORIGINAL PART, WHICH WAS ESSENTIALLY A BENT HOLLOW-CENTER PIPE, HAS BEEN REPLACED BY FORD WITH A SOLID-BAR TYPE DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10111929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. IT IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED! AS SOON AS ONE REPAIR IS COMPLETED (TWO TRANSMISSIONS, HEAD GASKET, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BRAKES, SUSPENSION), THEN ANOTHER ONE OCCURS. NOW, AS IN EVERY CHRISTMAS, THE "ENGINE LIGHT" IS ON AND THE CAR IS RUNNING SO POORLY THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN PULL THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WITHOUT IT CHOKING AND SPITTING, LOTS OF SMOKE, AND THE CAR IS ACTUALLY SHAKING!!! I KNOW IT IS ANOTHER HEAD GASKET AND I JUST CAN'T PAY ANYMORE MONEY INTO THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR AND IT CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE A FORD!
NHTSA complaint #10104453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE PARKED FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #10089497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WE WERE DRIVING OUR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND SLASHED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE WHICH CAUSED IT TO DEFLATE IMMEDIATELY TO THE RIM. WE WERE LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO STOP AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND NO ONE WAS HURT. WE PULLED THE TIRE OFF AND PUT ON THE "DONUT". THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKE AND JUTTING OUT LIKE A KNIFE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR AUTO MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BROKEN COIL SPRING AS WELL AS THE OTHER ONE (SINCE IT WAS RUSTED AND COMPRESSED). HE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE STRUTS AND BEARINGS SINCE WHEN THE COIL SPRING BROKE SOMETHING FLEW UP AND HIT THE BOOT WHERE THE BEARINGS ARE LOCATED. THAT WAS ON 7/13. SOMEONE TOLD US TO LOOK ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BROKEN COIL SPRINGS. WE SAW THAT THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I007000 REFERENCING COIL SPRINGS BREAKING AND TIRES DEFLATING ON 1995 FORD WINDSTARS. IT ALSO STATES THAT FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACEMENT TO A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OF SERVICE FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE. IT SAYS THAT THIS COVERAGE IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE AND IF EITHER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES DURING THE COVERAGE PERIOD NOTED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. I CALLED THE PHONE NUMBER LISTED FOR FORD...866-436-7332...AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE A RECALL. I'M WONDERING IF MY PARTICULAR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR WAS MADE AT A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURING FACILITY AND THAT IS WHY THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING COVERING THE VEHICLE. EITHER WAY...THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE AND DAMAGE HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE AND I AM A VERY CAREFUL DRIVER...I BABY MY VEHICLES. THIS FAILURE AND DAMAGE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME AND FORD SHOULD COVER MY VEHICLE. WE WENT TO OUR AUTO MECHANIC, NOT A FORD DEALERSHIP SINCE WE ARE SECOND OWNERS, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT FORD DEALERSHIP TO GO TO. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10082216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I ASKED THE SELLER AT FORD TO COMPLETELY SERVICE THE VAN BEFORE I WOULD BUY IT. HE SAID HIS MECHANIC WOULD. I CHECKED THE VAN OUT TWO WEEKS LATER, LOW ON OIL, NO BRAKE FLUID, TRANS FLUID VERY LOW, NO WATER HARDLY AT ALL IN RECEIVER, THEN THE STARTER WENT OUT, REPLACED IT NO GOOD, REPLACED SWITCH, NO GOOD, BRAKES GONE OUT, CAN'T KEEP FLUID IN SYSTEMS, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, EMISSION PROBLEMS, MECHANIC STALLS FOR THE HOUR AMOUNT, AND STILL CAN'T FIX/TEST II CODE. INSIDE LIGHTS DIM WHEN EXTRA. LIGHTS COME ON. IT'S A [XXX] PIECE OF JUNK AND THEY SOLD US A LEMON. I PAID OVER $4,000.00 CASH FOR IT, AND ALL THEY WANTED TO SO WAS SELL IT FOR MONEY. WHAT CAN I DO? IT HAS 72,000 ETC MILE AND NOW HAS 82,000. WE ARE BOTH DISABLED WITH TWO KIDS. WE HAVE BEEN SCREWED. I CAN GET THE FORD INFO ON THE FORD WINDSTAR 95 3.8 IT RATTLES, WATER RUNS OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE CONVERTER. I WANT TO SUE THEM, I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THE HELL WITH YOU, YOU BOUGHT IT AS IT WAS. FORD PRODUCTS ARE THE WORST AUTO'S ON THE MARKET. WE WANT REVENGE AND ALL OUR MONEY BACK NOW. [XXX]. WHAT IS NEXT A HEAD GASKET? I HEARD THAT COST OVER $1,600.00 TO FIX. AND THERE ARE ALOT OF THEM GOING OUT. FORD NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND IT'S PRODUCTS OR GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS. I HAVE HAD MY KIDS TOSSED TO THE DASH WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES BEFORE WE EVEN GET OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY. WE WEAR SEATBELTS, I WOULDN'T DARE RIDE IN IT. IT IS A DEATH TRAP TO ME.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10080551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
WHILE DRIVING A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT HOME. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10075725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
I OWN A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR THE PAINT IS BLISTERING OFF IN HUGE PIECES. FORD SAYS IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM , PAINT SHOULD NOT PEAL FROM A CAR LIKE THIS IT IS BLISTERING OFF IN SHEETS . I HAVE READ THAT FORD IS PAYING FOR PAINTING ONLY IF THE CUSTOMERS ARE REALLY LOUD ABOUT COMPLAINTS. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT HERE. THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE WITH DEFECTS AND RECALLS. ANYONE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS LAUGHS WHEN THEY HERE WHAT KIND OF CAR I OWN. 10 YEARS TO PAY IT OFF, 3 HEAD GASKETS LATER REBUILT TRANS ENGINE HEADS WARPED FROM FACTORY COILS SPRINGS BREAKING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS , PAINT LIFTING OFF THE VERTICAL SIDES, BRAKE PROBLEMS....THE LIST GOES ON AND NOW FORD NO LONGER LISTS THE WINDSTAR ON THEIR SITE. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE NAME TO FREE STAR I WONDER WHY?
NHTSA complaint #10063888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SEVERLY VIBRATED. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10061681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR WAS CORRODED AND SPLIT. DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR.
NHTSA complaint #10046574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURED PASSENGER FRONT TIRE, THIS WAS AFTER INSPECTION AT DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL NOTICE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED SPRINGS AND ONE TIRE. I REPLACED STRUTS AND OTHER THREE TIRES. NO WAY CAN A QUICK VISUAL INSPECTION ALLOW A TECH TO KNOW IF COIL SPRING IS LIKELY TO HAVE METAL FATIGUE/FAILURE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
ABS LOCKS AND VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 TRYING TO FIX BRAKING ISSUE. TONE RINGS, STRUTS, SUSPENSION, FRONT BRAKES, REAR BRAKES, BEARINGS, CV JOINTS, MASTER CYLINDER, AMONG OTHER REPLACEMENTS. OVER BUMPS, SMALL HILLS, STRAIGHT ROADS, ANYTIME COMING TO A STOP, VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO STOP COMPLETELY. HAVE PUMPED BRAKES AND FOUND THAT BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD AND LOUD, STILL DOES NOT HELP TO STOP VEHICLE. STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE AT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. BRAKE PEDAL ALSO KICKS BACK, SOMETIMES WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE, MAKES A LOAD GRINDING NOISE. CONTROLLING THE CAR BECOMES DIFFICULT AS LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE AND STEERING WHEEL ROCKING (ON DECENT OF SMALL HILL) COMBINED MAKE FOR A DEADLY COMBINATION. I AM BEING FORCED TO PURCHASE A BETTER VEHICLE, NOT EVER FORD AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10010475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT AXLE BROKE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10007194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
BROKEN SWAY BAR DETECTED DURING STATE SAFETY INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10000903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
RE:1995 FORD WINDSTAR VIN [XXX] THIS COMPLAINT RELATES TO DAMAGE INCURRED JUST PRIOR TO AN OFFICIAL RECALL NOTICE FOR COLLAPSE OF THIS VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND FORD'S REFUSAL TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DAMAGE INCURRED AND REPAIRS PERFORMED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER CARE RECALL LINE, AND WRITTEN TO FORD'S CEO WITH NO RESPONSE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FORD IS OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS WHICH RESULTED FROM A SITUATION UNDER WHICH A RECALL IS DECLARED, EVEN IF THEY WERE INCURRED PRIOR TO THE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT. ON JUNE 12, 2001 THE DRIVER FRONT END COLLAPSED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED TO THE GROUND AND LISTED TO THE LEFT. THE CAUSE WAS THE FAILURE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COILS, WHICH ACTED LIKE A HOOK AND COMPLETELY TORE THROUGH AND SHREDDED THE NEW TIRE I HAD JUST PUT ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE INCIDENT. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WAS BOOKED SEVERAL DAYS OUT SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FACILITY, BOCA TIRE WHO IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED THAT WE HAVE BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR SYSTEMS FIXED FOR SAFETY. ON AUGUST 24, 2001, THE STARTER FAILED AND WE WERE ADVISED IT IS LIKELY THIS WAS RELATED TO THE SUSPENSION CRASH. WE SUBSEQUENTLY HAD SUSPECTED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SHORTLY AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT WE RECEIVED A NOTICE OF AN EXTENDED COVERAGE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF THE 1995 WINDSTAR. I CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND EXPLAINED ALL OF THESE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS AND THAT IT SEEMS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT RELATED TO THE INITIAL FAILURE OF THE COIL SPRINGS AND THE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT END. WE INCURRED $1,380 IN REPAIRS. WE TURNED IN MY REPAIR RECEIPTS FOR "FORD REIMBURSEMENT REVIEW" AND RECEIVED A VERY SMALL AMOUNT WHICH NO ONE AT FORD COULD EXPLAIN (DID NOT JUST RELATE TO FRONT END ONLY REPAIRS, ETC). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10000642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE STABILIZER BAR SNAPPED CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL AND WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR THE REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. *JB *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8020327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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.