221 of the
19,460 complaints filed about the Ford Windstar
are about the doors, latches and locks —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SLIDING DOOR LATCH AND LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,292. UPDATED 02/03/17
NHTSA complaint #10937208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SLIDING DOOR LATCH AND LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,292. UPDATED 02/03/17
NHTSA complaint #10937208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD PERIODICALLY LOCK AND NOT UNLOCK. THE FAILURE ALTERNATED BETWEEN EACH REAR SLIDING DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000. ....UPDATED 06/18/12
NHTSA complaint #10458918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE REAR SLING DOOR HAS DOOR LATCHES LOCKS LINKAGES PROBLEM IT DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY THE DOOR LATCHES DO NOT LATCH AND LOCK ALL THE WAY CLOSE MAKE IT UNSAFE THAT THE DOOR COULD OPEN AT ANY TIME FROM 0 TO 75 MPR IT'S A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR AND I CALLED FORD AND ASK ABOUT THE REAR AXLE RECALL AND DID NOT WANT TO FIX MY REAR AXLE AT ALL OR ANY OF THE RECALLS THAT IT HAS.
NHTSA complaint #10458278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABS MODULE DOES NOT WORK, AND SHOWS A CONSTANT ALARM LIGHT. COST TO REPAIR IS $2K DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND HAVE TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. COST TO REPAIR IS $500/LOCK POWER STEERING UNIT CONSTANTLY NOISY, HARD TO STEER VEHICLE. NO REPAIR COST KNOWN. DOOR OPEN LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON. NO REPAIR COST KNOWN. INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN DOORS ARE OPENED. NO REPAIR COST KNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10457099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REPEATED FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT OF VARIOUS PARTS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING WIPER MOTOR, REAR WIPER MOTOR, FUEL PUMP, FUEL PUMP FUSES, ALTERNATOR, REPEATED REPLACEMENT OF BATTERY, REPEATED REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND LIGHT SOCKETS AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, REPEATED FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT OF ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS, REPEATED REPLACEMENT OF COIL WIRE, REPLACEMENT OF EGR VALVE. CONSTANT STALLING OF VEHICLE IN RAIN OR HUMID WEATHER. VEHICLE STALL WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS IN USE. ROUGH IDLE AND STALLING WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND ENGINE IS RUNNING. ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN CONSTANT AND ONGOING DESPITE REPEATED REPLACEMENT OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SINCE DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER OF 2000.
NHTSA complaint #10408858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WINDSTAR VAN DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING. RIGHT PASSENGER SLIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK/ UNLOCK HAVE TO DO IT BY HAND. LEFT REAR PASSENGERS DOOR SLIDE OPEN IT SELF AFTER I SHUT IT. WILL LOCK IT SELF. I CAN PULL THE LOCK UP AND IT WILL LOCK IT SELF AGAIN. THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK HAVE TO USE KEY.. KEYLESS REMOTESTOP WORKING. PLUS BATTERY . STILL NOTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10398876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR DOOR LATCH ON PASSENGER SIDE LOADING DOOR IS BROKEN. DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE TO RELEASE PASSENGERS FROM REAR SECTION OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10379636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2001 WINDSTAR HAD BEEN MAKING A SCRUNCHING NOISE EACH TIME I WENT OFF A CURB. I TOOK IT TO A TIRE PLACE AS THAT'S WHEN I FOUND THE CRACK IN THE AXLE IN AUGUST 2010. THE TIRE DEALER DIDN'T MAKE THAT KIND OF REPAIR SO I CALL FORD DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN AND THAT A RECALL HAD JUST BEEN ISSUED. MY CAR SAT FOR SIX MONTHS. ON 1/26/2011 THE DEALER CALLED AND SAID MY AXLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND THAT I COULD PICK THE CAR UP. I COULDN'T PICK IT UP THAT DAY. ON 1/27/11 I HEARD THE NEWS STATE A NEW RECALL AND I LOOKED IT UP. TURNS OUT MY CAR IS INVOLVED IN THAT RECALL TOO. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND I COMMUNICATED TO THEM THAT I DO NOT WANT THAT VEHICLE BACK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING FOR THREE YEARS OR MORE. SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE I HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH SENSORS AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AFTER HAVING ONLY AROUND 78,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I COMPLETED ALL MAINTENANCE ON MY VEHICLE AS SUGGESTED BY FORD, YET I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS. I CALLED FORD ON 1/27 AND TOLD THEM I DO NOT WANT THE VEHICLE BACK. THEY SAID A BUY BACK ISN'T BEING OFFERED FOR THIS RECALL AT THIS TIME. IT MAY BE OFFERED WHEN THE LETTER IS DISTRIBUTED. I STILL DO NOT WANT THIS VEHICLE BACK. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND I CANNOT TRUST THAT THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10379479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN DRIVER SLIDING DOOR WONT OPEN AND DOOR LOCKS WONT CROSS OVER AT TIMES CAUSE SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY CHILD IF THERE WAS A FIRE OR SOMETHING NOBODY COULD GET OUT THAT DOOR IV SEEN NUMEROUS ISSUES ON-LINE WITH OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THERE DOOR AND DOOR LOCKS ON THERE 2002 WINDSTAR I HOPE SOMEONE WILL LOOK IN TO THIS ORDER A RECALL OF THE BAD PARTS OF THE LOCKS AND LATCHES.
NHTSA complaint #10379446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HAS BEEN HAVING MECHANICAL FAILURES FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS. WE HAVE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENERS SIDE OF THE CAR THAT NEITHER OUR LOCAL MECHANIC NOR FORD COULD FIX. WE REPLACED SHOCKS AND MOST RECENTLY THE TIRE RODS ON 9/24/10. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRONICAL "BUGS" INCLLUDING ABS LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF FOR 2 YEARS REQUIRING MULTIPLE FUSE CHANGES AND ELECTRICAL TESTING. OUR TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 2009 AT 59,000 MILES. THE POWER LOCKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS DO NOT OPEN REMOTELY OR WITH POWER LOCKS, ONLY KEY OR MANUAL LIFTING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PERSON INJURIES, WE HAVE SPENT A FORTUNE TO KEEP THIS CAR RUNNING IN WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS SAFE MANNER.
NHTSA complaint #10376993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD ALSO OPEN AND SHUT INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE FAILURE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
NHTSA complaint #10375452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT GO ON AND STAY ON, ALONG WITH MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALSO STAYING ON AND FINALLY, MY SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER WORKS ABOVE 40 KM PER HOUR. ALL OF THESE HAPPENED EXACTLY THE SAME TIME. I TOOK IT INTO FORD AND THEY ARE SAYING I NEED A NEW ABS MODULE BUT AFTER READING ABOUT THEIR ABS RECALL ISSUES AND MUCH WRITTEN ABOUT HOW THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON, I AM INCLINED TO THINK FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. HENCE MY COMPLAINT TO YOU GUYS.
NHTSA complaint #10373759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE BOUGHT OUR 2003 WINDSTAR IN AUGUST OF 2006 USED FROM A CAR LOT. IN THE SPRING OF 2008 THE LOCKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF WE ARE PARKED OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HEAR THIS AWFUL SOUND. SHORTLY AFTER THAT I NOTICED LEAKING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE IN THE FRONT BEHIND THE TIRE AND THEN THE STEERING WAS MAKING A NOISE AND BEGINNING TO TURN HARD. WE ENDED UP REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THEN IN OCTOBER 2009 WE ENDED UP REPLACING THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT. WE HAD A MECHANIC FRIEND OF OURS COME AND TAKE A LOOK TO HAVE IT DONE CHEAPER. WE THEN FOUND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR WAS ALSO GOING OUT. SO WE HAD IT PARKED AND REPLACED THE RADIATOR IN JANUARY OF 2010 AND LEFT IT PARKED BECAUSE WE COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE TIME. IT HAD ROUGHLY 13X,XXX MILES ON IT WHEN IT FAILED. WE FINALLY BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE AND REPLACED THIS IN FEBRUARY OF 2010. WE HAVE JUST REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER OF 2010. WE HAVE NOW TAKEN IT IN FOR THE RECALL AND FOUND OUT THAT IT HAS 3 CRACKS IN IT. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS EXTRA MONEY TO CHECK THE SUBFRAME SO I AM WAITING FOR OUR MECHANIC FRIEND TO TAKE A LOOK AND SEE WHAT OTHER SURPRISE WE MAY HAVE. ONCE WE FIND OUT I WILL BE REPORTING BACK ABOUT THE SUBFRAME IF IT ALSO HAS AN ISSUE. WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE WE STILL OWE $5600 ON THIS AND HAVE ALREADY PAID SO MUCH FOR THIS OVERPRICED VAN ON TOP OF ALL THE MONEY WE PUT IN TO IT. WE ARE BEGINNING TO BE SCARED TO DRIVE THIS WITH OUR CHILDREN IN IT WHEN IT EVENTUALLY GETS FIXED. PLEASE HELP, WHAT ELSE IS GONNA GO WRONG!!! THE DATE IS NOT EXACT BUT APPROXIMATE.
NHTSA complaint #10365598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR AND HAD RECALL 09S09 PERFORMED AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP LAST NOVEMBER AND NOW MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. ALSO FOR THE LAST 6-8 MONTHS MY (YELLOW) ABS AND (RED) BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF ON MY DASH. MY POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE WORKS ONLY WHEN IT WANTS TO AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CAN BE ROLLED DOWN FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT HAS TO ROLLED UP FROM THE DRIVER SIDE. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE REAR DOOR LOCK BUZZES EVERY TIME THE DOORS LOCK WHICH IS EVERY TIME I PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10365349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL AT THE SPEED IT WAS MOVING WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED; HE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW IT DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE; THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. FURTHERMORE, THE LOCKS ON THE REAR SLIDING DOORS DID NOT FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10362258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORD VEHICLES SHOULD NOT ONLY BE RECALLED FOR REAR AXLE RUST. THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A RECALL FOR RUST THAT CONSTANTLY OCCURS AROUND THE REAR WHEEL WELL PANELS. THE RUST APPEARS TO START FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR SIDE PANEL ON THE WINDSTAR. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS OCCURRING ALONG WITH THE REAR AXLE RUST. THE SLIDING SIDE DOORS HAVE A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH CLOSING COMPLETELY WHEN ANY OF THE CONTROL BUTTONS WERE USED. THE DOORS WOULD REOPEN OVER AND OVER. REPEATED VISIT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM WHICH SEEM TO INVOLVE THE PULLEY SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10361840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN SEPTEMBER 2009 THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT MY WINDSTAR TOLD ME THE ABS MODULE IS BAD AND THAT I NEED A NEW ONE AND HAVE TO GO TO THE FORD DEALER DIRECTLY AND PAY AROUND $800.00 AND HAVE IT RESET BY THEIR COMPUTER. THIS HAS COST ME LOTS OF MONEY BECAUSE I ALREADY SPENT $600.00 ON REAR BRAKES BECAUSE OF NOT KNOWING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTAR.ALSO, IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN 2007, THE LOCKS ON THE VAN DON'T WORK. SOMETIMES IT LOCKS BY REMOTE AND SOMETIMES THE LOCKS ALL WORK, BUT, THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS IS A PAIN. NOW, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COMING ON AND I HAVE HAD VARIOUS MECHANICS TRY TO RESET THE LIGHT AND IT WILL COME BACK ON AGAIN AND AGAIN! I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS ON THIS VAN TO HAVE IT IN SHAPE, BUT ALWAYS SOMETHING ARISES. DESPITE THE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH IT AND USE IT ALL THE TIME, BUT WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT DONE. I WISH FORD TO FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS TYPE OF VAN HAS AND SO I WON'T HAVE TO SPEND HUNDREDS, AGAIN, OR I WILL HAVE TO GET RID OF IT, WHICH IS A SHAME BECAUSE I REALLY LOVE THE TV, EVEN THOUGH THE SCREEN GIVE ME PROBLEMS AND THE VCR NO LONGER WORKS.
NHTSA complaint #10357044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY 2002 WINDSTAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT STAY CLOSED UNLESS I GET OUT OF THE CAR AND PUSH ON IT. ALSO , IT WILL NOT STOP IF AN OBJECT IS IN THE WAY AND WILL OPEN WHEN THE FUELING DOOR IS OPEN. I SEE MANY REPORTS OF THIS ON THE WEB SITES. YOU SHOIULD PROBABLY HAVE SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THESE INCIDENTS. YOUR OTHER REPORTS TEND TO BLAME THE OWNERS OF THE CARS. THE DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE TIME. IF YOU NEED SOMEONE COMPETENT TO INVESTIGATE THESE INCIDENTS GIVE ME A CALL.
NHTSA complaint #10354038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. IT FIRST STARTED WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CATCHING ON FIRE AND CAUSING WIRES UNDER MY HOOD TO BURN... NOW FOR THE LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR..THE SENSOR ON THE DASH WOULD SHOW THAT THE DOOR WAS AJAR(NOT CLOSED) I COULD TAKE THE BATTERY CABLE OFF FOR A WHILE AND THE DOOR LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. NOW I HAVE HAD TO REMOVE ALL THE BULBS IN THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VAN TO KEEP MY BATTERY FROM RUNNING DOWN THIS MORNING I GET UP AND MY BATTERY IS DEAD AND ACID FROM THE BATTERY IS ALL OVER THE POST AND CABLE WIRES. I TALK TO MY MECHANIC HE SAYS THIS IS DUE TO SOME PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HE SAID HE HAS HAD TO WORK ON SEVERAL WINDSTARS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMSOME KIND OF SENSOR FAULT DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10332084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.