907 of the
19,460 complaints filed about the Ford Windstar
are about the throttle and cruise control —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2002.
907
Complaints
5%
Share of all complaints
55
Crashes
95
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
Manufacture Recall # 09S09 NHTSA Recall # 09V399000 Instrument cluster has become faulty. Details listed below. Overdrive (O/D) light will randomly start flashing for no reason ABS will randomly engage Parking brake light will randomly turn on Speedometer with become sporadic Transmission has trouble shifting gears due to tachometer becoming sporadic Vehicle will randomly try to die/stall out at a prolonged stop or while coming to a stop, even after all charging components have been replaces i.e. battery, alternator, drive belt, and cables.
NHTSA complaint #11655566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and Brake warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, there was smoke, and a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the ABS fluid had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that fluid had leaked from the Speed Control Deactivations Switch causing damage to the ABS Control Module connector. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 250,000.
NHTSA complaint #11599271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The gauges are acting crazy which causes the engine to jerk or the transmission and then it starts making the lights flicker in the interior and the gauges start sticking. It seems to make the overflow on the radiator to empty more because it is causing the sensors in the electrical for the parts to go crazy and run hot. Sometimes it only does it every so often but after getting the reserve hose on the power steering that connects to the reservoir to the coolant the battery was drained. Then going after getting it charged down the highway it caused the interior lights radio and seat and turn signals not to work when coming to a complete stop and it was idling the dashboard and all the lights were coming back on once given a guess it winded up not working again causing the battery to become hot or warm and acid you can smell in the air like rotten eggs. It is causing the overflow tank of the radiator to evaporate more or come out quicker and it is causing other component parts to react strangely which I'm afraid will cause a fire in the vehicle and the idling is not correct also on it now
NHTSA complaint #11495403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABS light, brake light came on. The seatbelt unhooks while I’m driving, I was told I had a cracked axle, the wheel bearing was very noisy, I’ve paid a lot of money to get things fixed. The labor was at a ridiculous amount on $25 parts. I’m wondering if I’ve paid to have parts fixed that were under recall. I fix one thing and then there’s another issue. Oil is leaking under the hood and I’m afraid it will catch fire so I’m scared to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11442670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while attempting to move the vehicle up her driveway, the vehicle began to accelerate uncontrollably. The contact was able to turn off the vehicle without shifting into the park. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,457.
NHTSA complaint #11434901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS WAS MY MOTHERS . NOW MINE THE SPEED ODOMETER JUST GOES EVERY WHERE SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL. AND IT DOES IT DOES SHOW THE RIGHT SPEED ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES THE SAME . AND WHEN THAT STARTED THE WINDOWS STOP WORKING TOO. ANY MORE NOR THE RADIO. THEY SAID ITS A MAIN CONTROL MOLECULE. I JUST DON'T KNOW I GOT A TICKET CAUSE IT SAID I WAS GOING 89 IN 65 WOW.. HELP
NHTSA complaint #11349136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE MY VEHICLE IN A SHOP TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRONT RESERVOIR OF THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS EMPTY. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, HE FOUND THAT THE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING AND BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING ON ALL THE COMPONENTS BELOW, I.E. TRANSMISSION, STEERING COMPONENTS, ETC. I LOOKED THE ISSUE UP ONLINE AND I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE WITH FORD. WHEN I CHECKED MY VIN FOR ACTIVE RECALLS, THE NHTSA WEBSITE STATES THAT THERE ARE NO UNRESOLVED ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11268118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERMITTEN THE SPEEDOMETOR DOES NOT WORK AT ALL OR DOES NOT SHOW THE CORRECT SPEED, OVER DRIVE LIGHT BLINK CONSTANTLY, CRUISE DOES NOT WORK AT LL. HAPPEN IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. HITTING A BUMP SOMETIME CORRECT SPEEDOMETER OR DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THIS CONTNUES TO HAPPEN ON A DAILY BASES
NHTSA complaint #11204177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WAS ON THE STREET DRIVING, LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON DASHBOARD VAN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, BLEW OUT, WAS DRIVING AGAIN VAN WAS ILDE UP REALLY BAD AND WHILE MY FEET WAS ON THE BRAKES IT STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND RAN INTO SOMEONE ELSE VEHICLE, AND ALSO VAN WAS ON THE ROAD STARTED RUNNING BAD BROKE DOWN ON A BUSY STREET ONCE I WAS PUSHED TO A SAFE LOCATION ALL MY FLUIDS WERE ON THE GROUND AND THE VAN WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD AND LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD WERE FLASHING.
NHTSA complaint #11120027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON THE RED BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON IT IS THROWING 9 CODE STARTING WITH C1185 AND 8 OTHER THAT ARE CONNECTED WITH THE FIRST CODE I AVE TRIED AND TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM MANY TIMES IT WILL NOT PASS A SAFETY CHECK. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND HIS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND VERY UNSAFE I KNOW IT CAN CATCH A FIRE AND ALSO THE BRAKES MAY LOCK UP.
NHTSA complaint #11096952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A 99 WINSTARR A FEW MONTHS AGO AND JUST RECENTLY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED DANCING, AND THERE IS NO POWER T THE RADIO OR THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER UNDERNEATH IT. I ALSO SPRUNG A TRANS LEAK AND FIXED IT BUT THE CAR SPUTTERS THEN SHUTS OFF AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT
NHTSA complaint #10957966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEED CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 372,000.
NHTSA complaint #10950368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SPEED CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE. THERE IS SMELL OF GAS WITH TANK FULL AND STATIONARY . THIS VEHICLE NOT DRIVEN OFTEN SO MAYBE A MONTH BETWEEN OCCURRENCES.
NHTSA complaint #10949174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE KEPT GAINING FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ALSO FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE SIDEWALK AND STRUCK TWO SMALL TREES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY TURNING THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND MUSCLE SPASMS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO SEIZE IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) AND 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,064.
NHTSA complaint #10935107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS REPLACED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
NHTSA complaint #10908693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT IDLED AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TP SENSOR AND MULTIPLE OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #10905866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS BACKING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN MY FORD WINDSTAR 2003 ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND I HAD TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BREAKS TO STOP THE CAR FROM RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES TO RELEASE THE ENGINE FROM REVVING DID IT STOP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE SAME DAY AND IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO STOP THE FORD WINDSTAR 2003 MODEL. IT COULD HAVE DONE A LOT OF DAMAGE EITHER TO ANOTHER CAR OR A PERSON. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE CORRECTED OR PUT ON A RECALL BASIS BEFORE OTHER PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE THE PROBLEM, CAN EITHER GET IT FIXED OR TAKEN OFF THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10889166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT WORK AT ALL, GO UP AND DOWN OR GET STUCK, INDICATING THE WRONG SPEED, WHILE IN MOTION, ALSO AT A STOP, IT WILL POP UP, HAPPENS ON CITY STREET AND ON HIGHWAY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT ISSUE WITH FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. TO ME THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AS I FIND IT DISTRACTING, HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I'M GOING. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE TODAY AND WHILE I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST, I COULD NOT SAY FOR CERTAIN THAT I WAS WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT. I'M CONTINUOUSLY LOOKING AT MY SPEEDOMETER, TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS TO SEE IF IT WILL DROP, BUT I CAN'T TRUST THAT THE SPEED READING BEFORE WAS CORRECT. I CAN BE DRIVING AND IT WILL POP RIGHT UP TO INDICATED 100MPH, WHEN I'M DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I GET ALERTS AND SIGNAL ALARMS FOR "LOW BRAKE FLUID", "CHECK ADVANCETRACK", MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND MY REAR BACK UP SENSORS DON'T WORK EITHER. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR NOT STAYING SHUT WHEN PARKED, I HAVE HAD THIS FEATURE DISABLED FOR SAFETY REASONS. IT WILL START TO CLOSE, REOPEN, START AGAIN, CLOSE PARTIALLY AND THEN REOPEN AGAIN, EVEN IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED IT WILL DO THIS. THESE ARE ALL ONGOING PROBLEMS, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE TIED TOGETHER. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT FOR PROBLEMS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT CODES COME UP UNDER DIAGNOSTICS BUT WHEN THE ACTUAL PARTS THEY ARE WARNING ABOUT LIKE THE ABS, LOW BRAKE FLUID ARE FINE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR AT A FORD DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE DOOR ISSUE AND WERE TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIGURE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10884432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.