202 of the
19,460 complaints filed about the Ford Windstar
are about the tires —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TIRE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED LILLISTON FORD AT (888) 397-9172 (833 N DELSEA DR., VINELAND, NJ 08360) AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED WITHOUT A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA complaint #11097917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DOT# PLX05JHR4007, M6X05JHR2008/0708 GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORTRED 225/60R16 TIRES. SEPARATED BY SPLITTING ON FIRST SEMI RIM/TREAD GROOVE. IMPROPER DESIGN TO HAVE GROOVE THERE. TREAD GROOVES TODAY ARE NOW CLOSER TO CENTER OF TIRE BECAUSE OF THE LESS FLEXING COMPARED TO THE ASSURANCES RIM GROOVE TOO CLOSE TO THE RIM. IT SPLITS AND SEPARATES. BAD DESIGN FLAW. TIRES IN QUESTION HAVE 8 AND 9/32 OF TREAD REMAINING.
NHTSA complaint #10902028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WINDSTAR FORD 2002 TIRES THEY JUST KEEP GOING DOWN VERY QUICK NO HOLES HAD A BLOW OUT AN WRECKED INTO A TREE WITH THESE TIRES BAD TIRES ENDED UP SEAT BELT CUT MY NECK AN SEAT BELT CUT MY 1 YEAR OLDS TESTACLES
NHTSA complaint #10862703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WINDSTAR FORD 2002 TIRES THEY JUST KEEP GOING DOWN VERY QUICK NO HOLES HAD A BLOW OUT AN WRECKED INTO A TREE WITH THESE TIRES BAD TIRES ENDED UP SEAT BELT CUT MY NECK AN SEAT BELT CUT MY 1 YEAR OLDS TESTACLES
NHTSA complaint #10862703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SIDEWALL SPLIT ON BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA SE 200, SIZE 215X70R15, DOT # WBM3 E20 0210. MILEAGE ON TIRE 39K, STILL GOOD TREAD DEPTH. I STILL HAVE TIRE IF ANY AGENCY WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT. DIDN'T TAKE IT BACK TO BRIDGESTONE B/C FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10679723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
I DIDN'T HAVE A CRASH I NOTICED THAT MY ABS BRAKE AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS STAYING ON AND A SHORT TIME AFTER I STARTED HEARING A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END EVERY TIME I SLOW AN IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE SUDDEN STOPS AND AT TIMES MY SPEEDOMETER STARTS FLICKERING BACK AND FORTH AS WELL AS MY CRUISE CONTROL IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE. I HAVE LIMITED DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN WHICH I PURCHASED DUE TO FEELING IT IS NOT IN A SAFE MANNER FOR MY CHILDREN TO BE IN. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SHOPS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS THAT TOLD ME THESE AREAS ARE COMMON TO GO OUT ON THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE AND THAT THERE IS POSSIBLE RECALL. I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY VAN WITH OUT WORRYING IF I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME TO A STOP WHEN NEEDED AS WELL AS NOT KNOWING IF I COULD POSSIBLE BREAK DOWN OR SOMETHING BREAK IN THE FRONT END WHILE I AM DRIVING AT SOMEWHAT HIGH SPEEDS. THANK YOU AND HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE SOON IN REGARDS TO THIS SITUATION!
NHTSA complaint #10584716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCOMFORTABLE AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEED; THEREFORE, I STARTED INVESTIGATING TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. 1ST I FOUND ONE OF THE REAR SHOCKS WAS VERY BOUNCY, THE REAR TIRES WERE NOT STRAIGHT AND BOTH REAR TIRES WERE WEARING ON THE INSIDE. REPLACED BOTH REAR SHOCKS. THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THE REAR TIRES WERE STILL NOT STRAIGHT. NEXT I WENT TO MIKE NAUGHTON FORD DEALERSHIP AND TALKED WITH A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT I NEEDED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND HAVE THE REAR CAMBERS SHIMMIED SO THAT THE WHEELS WOULD BE STRAIGHT AT A ESTIMATE COST OF $200.00, THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE. LAST NIGHT (10-13-2013), I JACKED THE VEHICLE UP TO LOOK UNDER TO SEE HOW DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO PERFORM THE WORK MYSELF. I DECIDED THAT I WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO FORD AND PAY THEM TO DO THE WORK. I WAS JACKING THE VEHICLE UP TO REMOVE THE JACK STANCE AND BOTH TIRES FELL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. I LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT HAPPENED AND FOUND THE AXLE HOUSING BENT/BROKEN IN HALF. IT APPEARS THAT IT HAS BEEN CRACKED/BROKEN FOR SOME TIME BECAUSE THE INITIAL BREAK WAS RUSTY. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FOLLOW-UP WITH THE FORD DEALER YET - I BELIEVE THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MIGHT BE CLOSED TODAY (COLUMBUS DAY) BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REACH ANYONE BY PHONE.
NHTSA complaint #10547844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TOURING TIRES DOT LOT IDENTIFIER: MDXO JD1R 4109 SIZE: P225 60 R16 PURCHASED AT SAM'S CLUB, DECEMBER 2010. I GOT FOUR (4) OF THESE TIRES ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR VAN, ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. EARLY IN 2011, FORD HAD MY VAN FOR SIX (6) MONTHS (FIXING SEVERAL FORD RECALLS WITH AXLES AND SUSPENSION) SO THE TIRES DIDN'T GET MUCH MILEAGE UNTIL LATER IN 2011. IN 2012, I HAD ONE OF THE TIRES SEPARATE INTO CHUNKS ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE, EXCEPT THE TIRE WAS HISTORY. I HAD IT REPLACED WITH ANOTHER TIRE OF THE SAME TYPE/MODEL. IN JULY OF 2013, I HAD TWO (2) MORE OF THE TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE "CUPPING" AND OUT OF ROUND. I HAD THE VAN CHECKED FOR CAMBER, CASTER, AND TOE-IN, AND IT WAS UP TO FACTORY SPECS. NO ALIGNMENT NECESSARY AND TIRES WERE MAINTAINED WITH CORRECT PRESSURE. TODAY, (09/05/2013) I AM HAVING THE 4TH TIRE REPLACED, BECAUSE IT IS BECOMING "OUT OF ROUND" AND "CUPPING" (I BELIEVE). THIS FAILURE CAUSES A VIBRATION THAT YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE. THE LAST TIME SAM'S CLUB REPLACED THE TIRES (JUST TWO MONTHS AGO IN JULY 2013) THE INSTALLER SAID THAT THEY "HAVE HAD A LOT OF THESE TIRES SPONTANEOUSLY DESTROY THEMSELVES", AND THEY OPTED TO PUT GOODYEAR ASSURANCE "FUEL MAX" TIRES ON, IN LIEU OF THE DISCONTINUED "TOURING" MODEL. I CHECKED GOODYEAR'S WEBSITE, AND THE "TOURING" MODEL IS IN FACT, NOT DISCONTINUED. MAYBE SAM'S CLUB JUST STOPPED GETTING THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE TIRED OF REPLACING THEM? IF SAM'S CLUB HAS NO CONFIDENCE IN THE TOURING MODEL (AND IS OPTING TO REPLACE THEM WITH THE FUEL MAX MODEL) I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THAT THE LAST TOURING MODEL TIRE (REPLACED IN 2012) MAY DESTROY ITSELF, AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10542050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE, RIM, AND ALL LUGNUTS JUST FLEW OFF. I WENT INTO A DITCH. MAJOR DAMAGE. I AM DISCOVERING THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VANS AND I PLAN TO SUE FORD.
NHTSA complaint #10472831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A HIGH WATER SPOT AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR THE FAILURE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION AND CONTRIBUTED THE TIRE AND WHEEL FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR: AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #10397030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2003 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND TWO SAFETY RECALLS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE INSPECTIONS AND REPAIRS WERE NOT CONDUCTED IN A TIMELY, EFFICIENT, AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE FINALLY RECEIVED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE AXLE INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THE AXLE WAS CRACKED IN THREE PLACES. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND THEREFORE, IT WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER FOR OVER A MONTH. THE CONSUMER STATED HE THEN RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL RELATING TO THE SUBFRAME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER REGARDING THE SECOND RECALL AND WAS INFORMED THEY WERE AWARE OF IT AND HE WOULD BE CONTACTED WHEN THE REPAIRS FOR THE SECOND RECALL HAD BEEN COMPLETED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A VOICE MAIL FROM THE DEALER STATING THE PARTS FOR THE AXLE HAD ARRIVED. HOWEVER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE ENGINE HAD AN OIL LEAK, THE SWAY BAR LINK WAS BROKEN IN THE FRONT, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS BADLY WORN ON THE INSIDE AND THE LEFT REAR SHOCK WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10393237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR WITH STAR FIRE FLITE LINE IV ALL WHEEL DRIVE TIRES SIZE 215 /70 R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD PEELED OFF OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH LESS THAN 18000 MILES ON THE TIRES. THE TIRE DISTRIBUTOR TOLD THE CONTACT THAT TIRES ONLY LAST FIVE YEARS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10366444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OCCURRENCE: 12 OCTOBER 2010. TRAVELING I-95 WASHINGTON,DC/SUITLAND, MD. VEHICLE: FORD WINDSTAR, 2001. SPEED : 60-65 MPH. TRAFFIC : DENSE. FAILURE OF DEFECTIVE PART : REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN TWO PARTS WHILE TRAVELING ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY, NORTHBOUND. EXPLOSIVE SOUND , LOTS OF SMOKE, EXTREME CONSTERNATION/FEAR OF HEART ATTACK EXPERIENCED BY MY WIFE AND I ( MY WIFE HAS A DANGEROUS HEART CONDITION "IHSS") AT OCCURRENCE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON HAZARD FLASHERS. MANAGED TO MANEUVER ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO HIGHWAY SHOULDER SAFELY!! THANK GOD FOR THE ALERT FELLOW TRAVELERS BEHIND US!!! IF WE WERE HIT BY ANY 18-WHEELERS ON THE HIGHWAY, I WOULDN'T BE WRITING THIS COMPLAINT NOW!!! CONCERN FOR OUR SAFETY WAS SHOWN TO US BY FELLOW TRAVELERS; PARTICULARLY, MD TRAFFIC SAFETY PERSON, WHO SHOULD BE COMMENDED BY HIS SUPERIORS FOR HIS PROFESSIONAL AND UNDERSTANDING ACTIONS!! HE LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE AND SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE; AND HE SAID THAT WE WERE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE!!! VAN WAS TRANSPORTED BY PROFESSIONALS TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I FIRST BECAME AWARE THAT A RECALL NOTICE WAS IN FORCE FOR MY VEHICLE!!! AT THIS POINT, I BECAME GREATLY DISTURBED THAT I HAD NO PREVIOUS NOTIFICATION OF THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THAT MY WIFE, GRAND CHILDREN, ETAL WERE TRAVELING IN POTENTIAL ROLLING COFFIN! IN MY OPINION, THIS SEEMS TO BE CRIMINAL; PARTICULARLY IF GREATER PROFIT MOTIVES MIGHT BE INVOLVED! I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT INFERIOR MATERIALS WERE NOT USED IN THIS REGARD!! I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VAN WOULD HAVE TO REMAIN AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP UNTIL FORD MOTOR COMPANY DECIDES HOW I WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SAFE VEHICLE , SINCE NO REPLACEMENT AXLES WERE AVAILABLE. (NB ; I HAVE NO IDEA WHATEVER OTHER DAMAGE EXISTS AS A RESULT OF THIS AWFUL FAILURE! I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT A DUPLICATE AXLE REPLACEMENT TO REPLAY THIS HORRIFIC CATASTROPHE! IN MY WIFE'S DELICATE CONDITION, I CANNOT EXPECT HER TO TRAVEL IN THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE! JUSTICE!!!
NHTSA complaint #10362334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1998 FORD WINDSTAR, LOST THE RETREAD OF LEFT REAR TIRE, DROVE OFF RIGHT SIDE OFF ROADWAY AND STRUCK THE DITCH. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0432-91)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10
NHTSA complaint #10354261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE SPORT, 20,000 MILES ABS, BRAKE, & TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS COME ON AFTER FIRST STARTING CAR AND RUNNING FOR A WHILE.. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WITH ALL 4 NEW TIRES EQUALLY FILLED AT 35PSI. JUST BOUGHT THIS VAN. TRANSMISSION SLIPS, HAD IT DRAINED AND SERVICED 1 MONTH AGO WITH NO PROBLEM REPORTED.
NHTSA complaint #10352538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RE: 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN HAVING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS/ BRAKE LIGHT /TIRE GAUGE BEING DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING . HAVE HAD THE VAN IN SEVERAL TIMES TO BE REPAIRED & PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #10345563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WITH FEWER INCIDENCE OF LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ALTHOUGH ALL TIRES PRESSURE READS 32PSI WHEN COLD JUST HAD SCDS SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL AND WAS TOLD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10340876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY GIVING MY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST THE REAR PARKING SENSORS DISENGAGE WHEN IN REVERSE. WHILE DRIVING THE ABS, BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON THE DASHBOARD. I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT DOES, BUT THE VEHICLE DOES THEN NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKES DON'T SEEM TO BE WORKING PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10314974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.