181 of the
19,460 complaints filed about the Ford Windstar
are about the equipment —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
10/16/15 BOUGHT VAN. 10/30/15 STOP HAD TOWED HOME.CALL DEALERSHIP HAD TOWED TO THERE PLACE. THEY RAN A RED WIRE FROM FUSE RELAY TO INSIDE OF DASHBOARD TOOK OVER A WEEK GOT IT BACK. NOT IN EVEN WEEK LATER TRANSMISSION START MESSING UP TOLD THEM WOULDN'T CHANGE GEARS. IT WENT OUT. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO FIX IT FILE COMPLAINT WITH (DMV) INVESTIGATOR GOT IN TOUCH WITH THEM AGREEMENT WAS THEY WILL HAVE IT FIX WE DONT PAY LABOR, WE JUST PAY FOR TRANS AND FLUIDS. HAD IT TOWED THEY BEEN HAD VAN YEAR. 10/2016 THEY FOUND TRANS COST 515.PAID THEM. THEN IN 11/2016 SAID RADIATOR WAS CRACKED WE HAD TO PAY 102.84 ANOTHER MONTH 12/26/2016 GOT VAN. ITS MESSED UP SMOKING BRAKES BURNT UP.THE SPEEDOMETER LINES UNDER VAN NOT CONNECT JUST HANGING DONT MATCH UP ONE BROKE AT THE END. THE ODOMETER NOT HOOK UP. TOLD THEM THEN CARRIED TO INSPECTION FAILED. MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT THEY LIED THE TRANS COST 250 THE GUY THAT WAS WORKING ON IT BUSTED RADIATOR BUSTED IT THEY DIDNT TELL US. THEY RESPONSIBLE .THE MILES HAVE BEEN ROLLED BACK.2 TIMES. 10/15/2015 SAYS 144448.NOW 01/02/17 SAYS 144208. THEY BEEN HAD A YEAR AND THE ODOMETER DISCLOUSUER STATEMENT WAS SIGNED BY THE LADY NOT ME ARE MY WIFE.SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T BUT DID. WANT GIVE US MONEY BACK AND THEY PUT ALL THE INVOICES IN HIS NAME AND DEALERSHIP NAME LIKE WE DIDN'T PAY FOR ANYTHING AND SHE STILL WANT GIVE ME A INVOICE FOR THE 515 FOR TRANS. THE MAN GOING TO TELL ME PUT IT UP FOR SALE CANT THEY MESSED IT UP AND TOOK ALL OUR MONEY WE ONLY GET PAID ONCE A MONTH. WANT OUR MONEY BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10954533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AN INTERNAL FIRE ERUPTED NEAR THE REAR AUXILIARY AIR CONDITIONING. THE CONTROLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WIRES AND THE COVERING WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT SMELLED STRONG PLASTIC FUMES IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE COVER AND WIRES MELTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,390.
NHTSA complaint #10865885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THEY HAD A RECALL IN 2011 WHERE THEY PUT SUPPORT BRACKETS ON THE REAR AXLES. MINE DID HAVE THE BRACKETS PUT ON AND RIGHT BEHIND THE BRACKET THE AXLE STILL BROKE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT 40 MPH WHERE WE ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR WITH CHILDREN INSIDE HER AND MY VEHICLE. FORD SAID THE BRACKETS ARE ONLY WARRANTIED FOR 12 MONTHS. THESE VANS DO NOT NEED BRACKETS THEY NEED NEW AXLES.
NHTSA complaint #10715920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 FORD WINDSTAR SEL WITH VIN [XXX], I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM IS DAMAGED AND HAS A RECURRING WARNING WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED WITH THE ABS / BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ON. THE PERSON I PURCHASED THIS VAN FROM (2ND OWNER) STATED THAT HE HAD ALL THE RECALLS COMPLETED ON THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER HE BELIEVED THAT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN FORD SAFETY RECALL 09S09 FOR THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM HAS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE ABS SYSTEM COMPUTER AND/OR ASSOCIATED HARNESS WIRING OR HARNESS CONNECTIONS. HE (2ND OWNER) DID NOT KEEP THE REPAIR ORDERS FOR ANY OF THE RECALL REPAIRS SO I DO NOT HAVE ANY RECORDS TO REVIEW. I BELIEVE THAT THE WIRE HARNESS, RELATED WIRE HARNESS CONNECTORS AND THE ABS SYSTEM COMPUTER ARE DAMAGED RESULTING FROM BRAKE FLUID LEAKING AND/OR CORROSION RELATED TO THE DEFECT FOUND IN FORD SAFETY RECALL 09S09. I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THIS RECALL FAILED TO PROPERLY REPAIR OR IDENTIFY COLLATERAL DAMAGE IN THE WIRE HARNESS AND ABS SYSTEM COMPUTER AS NOTED IN RECALL REPAIR PROCEDURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT REPAIRED AND THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED (NON-FUNCTIONING), I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. CURRENT OWNER: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10680091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABS/TRAC CONTROL DEACTIVATION ALARM/WARNING AFTER SHORT WARMUP. NO APPARENT BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYL SWITCH LEAKAGE. OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMP UPPER 70'S - MID-90'S F.
NHTSA complaint #10626972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE AT POSTED DRIVING SPEED LIMITS THE VEHICLES ABS, BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE CONTINUOUSLY COME ON AFTER DRIVING BEGINS. IT HAS BEEN ALSO NOTED THAT AFTER SEVERAL BRAKE SERVICE INSPECTIONS AND REPAIRS AT MAJOR AUTO REPAIR SHOPS, SUCH AS MIDAS, CARX , AND PEP BOYS. TECHNICIANS HAVE OBSERVED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEMS MAJOR COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE APPEARED TO HAVE FAILED DUE TO HIGH LEVELS OF CORROSION AND EASILY RUSTING PARTS SUCH AS BRAKE SHOES, PADS, WHEEL CYLINDERS, BRAKE DRUMS, BRAKE LINE HOSES AND CONNECTORS. EACH OF THESE REPAIR SHOPS HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIR/ REPLACEMENT OF MANY OF THESE VITAL COMPONENTS WOULD BE EXTREMELY COSTLY TO REPAIR AND COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURIES OR CREATE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION FOR THE VEHICLE'S OPERATOR AND OTHER DRIVERS IF NOT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLES BRAKES AND HARDWARE HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN THREE TIMES BY ASAE CERTIFIED /QUALIFIED MECHANICS AND THE BRAKE SYSTEMS WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY REMAIN ON DURING REGULAR OPERATION. THE REAR BRAKES ARE GRINDING AND WEARING THE BRAKE SHOES DOWN MUCH FASTER THAN THEY DID BEFORE EVEN AFTER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. CURRENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES BEFORE COMING TO A FULL STOP THE BRAKE PEDDLE MUST BE APPLIED AT A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST 30 SECONDS SOONER TO ENSURE A SAFE STOP. I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF CONCERN IN THE FAILURE OF THE FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND A THOROUGH INSPECTION OF THE ABS SYSTEM AND BRAKES INCLUDING ITS MAJOR COMPONENTS SHOULD BE INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR INJURIES TO THE VEHICLE'S OPERATOR AND TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
NHTSA complaint #10608387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN COMING ON MY DASH. THEY WILL GO OFF PERIODICALLY, AND THEN COME BACK ON. THE FIRST DATE THIS HAPPENED WAS IN 2010. I DRIVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. I TOOK IT TO THE AUTO SHOP RIGHT AWAY AND WAS QUOTED OVER $1,000 TO FIX IT. I ASKED WHAT THE PART DOES AND WAS TOLD THAT IT MOSTLY CONTROLS THE ABS SYSTEM. I ASKED HIM WHAT I COULD DO IF I DID NOT FIX IT, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD AFFORD THAT. HE SUGGESTED TO PUMP MY BRAKES WHEN BRAKING. THE SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A FAST STOP. I HAVE BEEN HEARING THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS SAME MODEL VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10557289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR VAN GEAR SHIFT PIN KEEP COMING UP AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP SO THEY CAN PUT THE PIN BACK IN 3 TIMES. MY GEARS DO NOT SHIFT RIGHT IT SHIFTS HARD. I BROUGHT THIS VAN BRAND NEW IN 2003. ALSO MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON THE AVIS FORD BODY SHOP SAID MY SENSOR IS RUSTED OUT, ALSO MY ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. I DON'T FEEL THESE THINGS SHOULD GO OUT. I HAVE HAD MANY FORD VEHICLE BRAND NEW FOR YEARS AND NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS. I STILL GOT TO GET THESE THINGS REPAIR. I ALSO HAD TWO FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORS PUT IN AND THE WIPES ARE STILL NOT RIGHT. IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE.
NHTSA complaint #10504594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
7/21/2011 BOUGHT VAN FROM PRIVATE PARTY. RECALL COMPLETED IN MARCH OF 2011 REGARDING BACK AXLE. ON 7/13/2012 8PM, MY 18YR OLD SON, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM LACROSSE PRACTICE, NEARLY KILLED. UPON PULLING OUT ONTO THE MAIN ROAD, HE LOST ALL CONTROLS, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES AND NO POWER. HE COASTED AND PRAYED IT WOULD STOP. I ARRIVED, WE CALLED AAA. FLATBED TO MY HOME DRIVER COULD NOT BELIEVE HIS EYES. THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN OUT. 7/16/12 CALLED FORD IN MICH AND SPOKE TO REP. TO BE TOWED 13 MILES AWAY TO ROUTE 23 AUTO AT OUR EXPENSE. REALLY? ROUTE23 WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH ME (THEY DID RECALL). WENT BACK AND FORTH THEN PER RT23 "IT WILL BE A MONTH UNTIL WE CAN LOOK AT IT" GETTING KNOW WHERE. 7/18-22 BORROWED FRIEND CAR FOR TOURNAMENT. 8/1/12 CALLED MAGARINO FORD AND WITH GREAT CONCERN HAD A FLATBED THAT NIGHT. THIS TOW TRUCK DRIVER COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. FLUIDS RACED OUT AND DOUBLE STABILIZED FOR ENGINE SLIDING DURING TRANSPORT. 8/2/12 MAGARINO CALLED 9AM, PICTURES SENT TO FORD AND AWAITING REPLY. 8/5/12 T/C FROM M STATING FORD REFUSES TO BUY BACK AND SENDING A SUBFRAME. YOU MEAN A RECALLED ONE? MAGARINO CAUGHT IN MIDDLE I QUESTIONED WHETHER HE WOULD PUT HIS CHILDREN IN THIS VAN. HE SOFTLY REPLIED, "NO" WHAT AM I TO DO, OUT OF WORK 2 YEARS, SINGLE PARENT WITH NO CAR TO FIND WORK. 8/8/12 I QUESTIONED FORD WHY THIS VAN EVER LEFT RT 23 AUTO, ACCORDING TO RESEARCHED PAPER A PART WAS WAITING ON. YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT UPON THIS FIXED AXLE NOBODY NOTICED THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED FROM INSIDE OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FALL OUT THE NEXT SUMMER NEARLY KILLING MY SON! BUT THEY SIGNED IT WAS FINE! REALLY? NOW WE HAVE CASE # 1373091992 8/10/12 PICKED UP VAN. BROKE= A/C, R-WINDOW, HEATER ENGINE, AIRBAG, BRAKE LIGHT ON, RUNS HOT STEERING= THUMPS MAKES NOISE (FULL FLUID) SKIP GEARS, SWAYS, BARELY CAN GET UP A HILL. 11YR OLD SCARED TO DRIVE IN IT
NHTSA complaint #10477821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABS LIGHT IS ON INTERMITTENT..../ /OTHER WARNING LIGHTS AND SENSORS ALSO GO ON AND OFF ALOT ! / /ALSO A/C AND SUSPENSION HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES TO PREVIOUS RECALLS..../ /MILEAGE NOW JULY 2012 - IS APPROX 73,400/
NHTSA complaint #10468089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKE, ABS BRAKE, CRUISE CONTROL, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS MY DASH LIGHTS ARE ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME WENT TO 3 MECHANIC THEY ALL CHECKED MY BRAKES, ABS AND COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM IT GOES ON WHENEVER IT WANTS STAYS ON FOR WEEKS THEN COMES BACK ON WHILE DRIVING THIS HAS BEEN DOING FOR OVER A YEAR. I EVEN PUT STICKERS OVER THE LIGHTS THAT I CAN SEE WHILE DRIVING. I STILL THINK THERE IS A ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM IT IS VERY ANNOYING. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE . I SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINT ABOUT SAME PROBLEM MY NIECE HAS ONE DOES THE SAME THING AND MY BROTHER IN LAW IN WEST VIRGINIA HIS IS DOING IT TOO SO I REALLY THING FORD NEEDS TO CHECK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE'S VAN CATCHES FIRE OR HURT SOME ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10454908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PRODUCT RECALL MADE ON PERSONAL VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2011 ( NOTIFICATION SENT ) HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS TURNED IN FOR REPAIR BECAUSE HOOD AND ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND OVERHEATING ! I WAS INFORMED THEN THAT THE CAR COULD BE POTENTIAL DANGER AND COULD RELATE IN VEHICLE DETACHMENT. I TURNED CAR INTO FORD DEALERSHIP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL APPEARS AND CAR CAN NOT PASS INSPECTION. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10390563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH RECENTLY REPLACED BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING MAY HAVE FAULTY SWITCH OR MASTER CYLINDER DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION CAUSING FLUID LEAK THAT IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE CAUSING FIRE OR SMOKE FROM 2002 WINDSTAR MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER WERE FAULTY.
NHTSA complaint #10390443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR OF MY 1990 FORD WINDSTAR HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. IT WAS RECALLED EARLY AFTER MANUFACTURE OF THE CAR AND REPLACED BY FORD, BUT THE REPLACEMENT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. INTERMITTENT IS DYSFUNCTIONAL. THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO OPERATE EVEN AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF! (CAUSED A FIRE, HAD TO HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HERE) AND THAT WAS THE REPLACED MOTOR. FORD REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT SINCE IT WAS ALREADY "REPLACED" UNDER THE RECALL. BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN PAYING PRIVATELY AND THE SAME PROBLEM. DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE MOTORS FORD IS USING ON THIS MODEL OR SOMETHING ELSE WRONG WITH THIS CAR THAT MAKES THE WIPERS DO THIS. CURRENTLY, NO INTERMITTENTLY ON THE WIPERS AGAIN. (THIRD MOTOR) THANK YOU FOR ANYTHING YOU CAN DO.
NHTSA complaint #10380046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INVESTIGATION: PE 10-026 DATE OPENED: 07/20/2010 INVESTIGATOR: [XXX] REVIEWER: [XXX] APPROVER: [XXX] SUBJECT: FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION FOUND THIS AFTER I HAD MY 2001 WINDSTAR AT THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SHOWED ME THIS PROBLEM MY VAN AT THIS TIME IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THEY ARE REPLACING THE REAR AXLE FOR A RECALL BUT THE SUBFRAME IS SO RUSTED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10378524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A/C SYSTEM WAS FOUND TO BE TOTALLY LOW ON FREON. AFTER REPLACING FREON, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE REAR AC LOW PRESSURE PIPE HAD A LEAK LOCATED NEXT TO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THIS AREA THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PIPE LEAK TO OCCUR, SUCH AS ANOTHER PIPE RUBBING AGAINST IT OR OTHER FORM OF FRICTION. IT IS ASSUMED THAT THE PIPE WAS STRUCTURALLY DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10372463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 3 YEARS I HAVE TO REPLACE MY TAILGATE WINDOW FOR MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. 2007 JULY, IT JUST SHATTERED WITHOUT ANY SIGN/ WARNING WHEN I WAS ON MY TRIP TO THE PROVINCIAL PARK. I REPLACED IT THINKING ABOUT I MAY BE THE 'LUCKY ONE'! LAST NIGHT AGAIN ON MY WAY TO OTTAWA AROUND KINGSTON ON HWY 401, IT STARTED FROM THE WIPER/ BRAKE LIGHT AREA AND SHATTERED. MY DAUGHTER WAS SO AFRAID BECAUSE SHE WAS SEATING AT THE BACK 2 TIMES IN A ROW!! I WAS QUESTIONING ABOUT THE OCCURANCE AND FREQUENCY??? I HAVE TO PAY $400 FOR EACH REPLACEMENT!!
NHTSA complaint #10371762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.