401 of the 19,460 complaints filed about the Ford Windstar are about the fuel system — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.
401
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
4
Crashes
12
Fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BRAKES CONTINUALLY HAVE FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENTS. PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE AND AFTER NEW BRAKE PADS AND BRING BLED.THROTTLE IDLE SENSOR CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. NOW THEY JUST STAY ON. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT,IF ANY RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED OR ANY OPTIONS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11230128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY MINI VAN LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER WHILE I'M DRIVING AND EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE STARTER IN THE CAR, IT STILL TURNS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. THERE'S RUST COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR, I SMELL A BURNT SMELL WHEN I'M DRIVING. I'M HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES, MY CAR STOPS WHEN IT WANTS TO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, .. IT MAKES NOISES WHEN I'M TURNING, I HAVE RUST COMING FROM UNDER MY CAR. THE SIGNAL LIGHTS FLICKER. WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WASHER, SEAT BELT, AND DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF. WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING THE WIPER BLADES STOP WORKING, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS IS CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO SHIMMY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. NOW WHEN I TURN MY WHEEL TO THE LEFT, IT MAKES THIS LOUD NOSE. WHAT IS THAT?!
NHTSA complaint #11090769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND GAS GAUGE IS SHOWING EMPTY WHEN THERE IS 10 GALLONS OF GAS IN THE TANK. I HAVE TRIED TO RESET IT BUT THAT DOESN'T WORK. PLEASE RECALL THIS AND FIX THEM. I DO A LOT OF TRAVELING AND I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS.
NHTSA complaint #11042601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY MINI VAN LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER WHILE I'M DRIVING AND EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE STARTER IN THE CAR, IT STILL TURNS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. THERE'S RUST COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR, I SMELL A BURNT SMELL WHEN I'M DRIVING. I DON'T KNOW HOW MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL, SO MANY THINGS IS WRONG WITH THE VAN, ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER.. PLEASE HELP ME
NHTSA complaint #11013112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A VISIBLE CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V309000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL PART THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE VEHICLE WAS NOT VISIBLE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000.
NHTSA complaint #11000366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL I SMELL GAS OFTENFROM INSIDE THE CAR, BREAK LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN ENGINE LIGHT WONT GO OFF I HAD A TRANSMISSION PUT INY CA\-
NHTSA complaint #10939610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
JUST A FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING MY 1999 WINDSTAR, IT LEAKS FUEL FROM THE FITTINGS (FOR THE FUEL LINES) ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. I AM A MECHANIC AND THIS IS NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN. THE FITTINGS HAVE A SEAM THAT HAS OPENED UP BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP. THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS AND A LARGE PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD. I BELIEVE FORD GOT OVER ON THE NHTSA AND THE AMERICAN CONSUMER. TYPICALLY THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BEFORE THEIR MANUFACTURING FLAW IS DISCOVERED. ALSO, THERE WAS A RECALL ON DIFFERENT YEAR MODELS AND ONLY IN CERTAIN STATES. I DON'T SEE HOW "WHAT STATE YOU LIVE IN" HAS TO DO WITH A SPLIT IN PLASTIC ON THE TOP OF YOUR GAS TANK. I WILL UPLOAD PICTURES OF THE FLAWS ON THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK FITTINGS.
NHTSA complaint #10907054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.
NHTSA complaint #10778214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE ENGINE FREEZES UP AND SHUT DOWN WHEN DRIVING. HAD TO CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP AND PUT IN A NEW AC COMPRESSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10777831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
PURCHASED NEW IN 2003. THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND YET WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT WE HAVE TO EAT THE FINANCIAL BILLS INSTEAD OF FORD. FROM SENSORS FAILING, TO INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHING AT US, AND THE VEHICLE SPUTTERING WHILE WE DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. FORD KNOWS THAT THE 1999- 2003 WINDSTAR HAVE SERIOUS SAFETY AND ELECTRICAL FAILURES, YET THEY DO NOT WANT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. FORD WOULD RATHER PASS ON THEIR PROBLEMS ONTO THE CONSUMER AND AT THE CONSUMER'S COST. 2013 AT OUR COST OF $1,000.00+ WE REPLACED THE COIL ASSEMBLY PACK, EGR SYSTEM WITH BRACKETS, OXYGEN SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS, AND WIRES. NOW WE ARE REPLACING THEM AGAIN. THE ABS SYSTEM, THE TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL ALL INTERWOVEN AND ALL FAILED IN 2009 AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT IS NOT IMPORTANT BY THE DEALERSHIPS. WE PLACED OUR OBD SCANNER ON OUR VEHICLE AND THIS IS WHAT WE PULLED. P0302, P0305, P0316, C1235, C1185, C1198, C1194, C1254, C1246, C1250, C1242, C1214, C1210, C1103, C1410, C1404, B1318. WE WERE TOLD BY MANY "SERVICE DEPARTMENTS" A WHILE BACK THAT THESE CODES WERE NOT IMPORTANT. THEY CLEARED THE CODES EVERY TIME. THEIR RESPONSE TO THESE CODES WERE TO CLEAR THEM EVERY TIME. WHY ARE WE HAVING TO REPLACE THE COIL ASSEMBLY PACKS, WIRES, EGR SYSTEM WITH BRACKETS, OXYGEN SENSORS,AND PLUGS SO OFTEN, WHEN WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THESE PLATINUM PLUGS AND WIRES SHOULD LAST 150K? WE HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS VEHICLE YEARS AGO. FORD SHOULD COMPENSATE US FOR OUR TROUBLES, INSTEAD THEY INCREASED OUR FINANCIAL BURDEN, AND FORD SHOULD HAVE PLACED US INTO A SAFER VEHICLE ALL AT THEIR COST. THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE. WHEN IT FAILS, WE HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS TO GET IT REPAIRED AT OUR COST. FORD SHOULD TAKE ON THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WHEN THEY KNOW THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS THESE ISSUES. MAJOR REPAIRS= 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, AND NOW 2015.
NHTSA complaint #10702303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES COMING FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER A MONTH AGO AND THE CONTACT WAS STILL WAITING FOR THE RESULTS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V309000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10689631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V309000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10621936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN UPDATED 12/18/2014
NHTSA complaint #10618774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TRANSMISSION STARTED LEAKING FLUIDS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND STARTED SLIPPING TO WHERE I COULDN'T GET HOME WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #10615378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WE HAD OUR LEFT REAR TIRE BLOW OUT AND IT TORE OFF OUR FUEL FILLER PIPE. I IMAGINE THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF THE RIM HAD SPARKED IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10595443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. IT WILL STALL OUT WHEN STOPPED. THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART. IT IS NOT ANYTHING THAT PERTAINS TO A TUNE UP OR OIL CHANGE OR TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE RADIATOR GOT LOW A;LITTLE BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED EDITION BUT MINE WAS NOT IN THIS RECALL. I FEEL THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE FIXED BECAUSE IT HIS A SAFETY HAZARD. PLUS THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD, WHICH CAUSES MY TIRES TO GO BALD. FORD WILL NOT FIX THE LIFE THREATENING SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10552786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 19YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING TO NEW JERSEY FROM INDIANA ON RT.70. WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL ATTEMPTED TO EXIT FOR A REST STOP WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BREAK THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. SHE HAD COMMITTED TO THE EXIT RAMP THANK GOD SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE BACK OFF THE RAMP JUST IN TIME TO MISS THE OVER PASS BARRIER. SHE HAD TO RIDE THE SHOULDER SHUTTING DOWN THE IGNITION ONCE SHE DID THAT SHE WAS ABLE TOB RESUE. SHE DID NOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN AND BUT THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A COLD START. I CHECK THE CODE AND DTCS FOUND WADE BANK ONE AND TWO LEAN FOUND A BAD PCV VALVE AND REPLACED IT. BUT WHEN READING THE CODES FOUND 9 ADDITIONAL CODES C1185 C1198 C1194 C1254 C1256 C1250 C1242 C1214 AND C1210. I THEN CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND CHECKED FOR RECALLS. FINDING 3 I FOLLOWED UP HAVING TWO BEING SERIOUS AND HAVING TO DO WITH SPEED CONTROL REAR SUBFRAME AND REAR SUPPORT. WHEN ASKING THE SERVICE ADVISOR WHAT THESE CODES MEANT HE HAD NO CLUE HE SAID AND WITHOUT A COSTLY SCANNER CHARGE THE TECH HAD NO IDEA. SO AS ALWAYS I HIT THE INTER NET ANDEASILY FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS . . . I WAS A SERVICE ADVISOR FOR HONDA FOR 5YRS AND A TECH FOR 10 PRIOR. I NEVER PUT MY CUSTOMERS LIFE ON THE LINE WTH? IS FORD TEACHING THESE MEN? I WILL HAVE TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THIS VEHICLE MYSELF BEING DISABLED THIS WILL NOT COME EASY. I DON'T TRUST THEM AT ALL ANYMORE. MY FAMILY'S LIFE IS TO IMPORTANT TO HAVE A MONEY HUNGRY COMPANY KILL THEM. AND ONCE REPAIRS ARE FINISHED I WILL SELL IT AND BUY A HONDA. YES HONDA IS NOT PERFECT BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE COMPANY EVER MISLEAD CUSTOMERS INTENTIONALLY AS THIS AND WHEN THEY MESSUP THEY COVER THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FIX IT RIGHT.UNREAL.
NHTSA complaint #10552478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY WINDSTAR HAS ABOUT 155,000 MILES ON IT AND A 25 GALLON TANK. ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO IT CUT OFF ON THE INTERSTATE IN FRONT OF A TRACTOR TRAILER WITH MY DAUGHTER DRIVING. IT HAD JUST TRAVELED ABOUT 200 MILES AND IT WAS RAINING HARD. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND ALL HE REPORTED WAS THE FUEL PUMP FUSE BLEW. THE SECOND EVENT WAS ON VACATION AND AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 175 MILES. AGAIN IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN. I FIGURED IT WAS MOISTURE RELATED AND LET IT SIT THREE DAYS AND THE IDLE CLOSE TO 1/2 HOUR. FINALLY I DROVE IT ABOUT 45 MINUTES AND IT SEEMED FINE SO WE DROVE HOME. AGAIN AT ABOUT 150 MILES AND HEAVY RAIN IT BLEW THE FUSE ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME. AFTER TWO MORE FUSES WE MADE IT HOME. I USED AN AIR COMPRESSOR AND AIR NIBBLER TO CAREFULLY CUT AN ACCESS HOLE IN THE FLOOR OF THE VAN. MY DAUGHTERS CHRYSLER COMES WITH AN ACCESS POINT FOR FUEL PUMP SERVICE. NOW MY VAN HAS ONE TOO. THE ORIGINAL PUMP WAS IN THE TANK. THE WIRES EXPOSED TO FUEL WERE CHAFFED IN 5 SPOTS AND ARCING AT THE PUSH IN CONNECTOR. THE ARCING WAS DUE TO A CRIMP ON A HOSE CLAMP RUBBING THE WIRE NEAR THE PUSH IN PUMP CONNECTOR. THIS RUBBING MAY HAPPEN DUE TO OTHER STORIES I'VE READ ABOUT WHERE THE TANK COLLAPSED FROM VACUUM IN THE TANK. SHAME ON THE PEOPLE WHO DESIGNED THIS PUMP, TANK AND THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. BY THE WAY I'M A QUALITY ENGINEER AT AN ENGINE FACTORY. I EXPECT A FUEL PUMP TO WEAR OUT -- NOT SHORT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10533315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10524125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.