This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My rear axle broke and then my door ajar constantly goes off even when doors are closed. The axle broke rear drivers side leaving me stranded. I was driving in town 20 mph.
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?!
Regarding Ford Motor Company safety recall notice 15S27: Ford Motor Company is refusing to repair my rear axle which fractured due to a poorly designed axle that has been the subject of numerous recalls, including the installation of axle reinforcement brackets (which had been done and later inspected at phil's Ford in port jervis, NY - winter of 2015). I was told the bracket reinforcement repair had been properly installed, however the axle still broke on 8/17/17 while I was driving at 65 mph on the interstate - an incredibly dangerous situation! the break occurred at and within the reinforcement bracket. Eventually, someone will be hurt or killed because of Ford's neglect to fix this problem. The more I see of Ford's resistance to take care of this safety issue the greater my concern is for other drivers (of a van designed for families with children) who are unaware of the danger they are in due to the company's neglect. They are telling people that their Windstar vans are safe to drive after the bracket reinforcement repair. They are not safe to drive. My local Ford dealership (healey brothers Ford in goshen, NY) is refusing to honor the earlier recall, Ford Motor Company customer relations is refusing to honor the earlier recall claiming that the offer to repair my vehicle has expired.
I needed the starter replaced, my brakes, 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 flickers
The front subframe to which the engine and steering components are mounted is rusted to an extent that a dangerous accident could occur. Ford has issued recalls for the 1999 through 2003 models for this problem. Since my Windstar has the same problem as issued for the later models, I believe it should receive the same remedy. Since complete failure of the subframe has not yet occured, it is not possible to state whether it will occur whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion
- Arnold, MD, USA
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1998 Ford Windstar van with sub frame rotted right thru. Because it is one year older than recall Ford will not take care of it. Does not care about hurting or killing their customers.
Took vehicle in to a mechanic for repair work. When mechanic placed the vehicle on the lift, he noted that the subframe that cradles the engine and transmission and serves as the attachment point for the front suspension was extremely rusted. The corrosion has caused large and numerous holes in the subframe. He stated that the vehicle is unsafe to drive in its current condition and would not work on the vehicle because it was unsafe. He stated that the engine could actually fall though the subframe, or the subframe could brake at the suspension connection points causing loss of control of the vehicle.
Failed component is unknown. However, a recall notice from Ford arrived in mid-December, over a month after fire occurred, stating that the speed control system needed modification. Additional recall information accessed online states that the speed control deactivation switch could cause a vehicle fire. On November 3, 2010, the van began to smoke, driver parked it, turned engine off and opened hood. He saw small fire near the windshield area of engine, ran to get help and within 2 minutes returned to find engine fully engulfed in flames. The vehicle has since been junked (prior to receiving recall notice) because fiberglass hood melted into engine and water damage caused from fire department assistance totalled the vehicle.
I have a 1998 Ford Windstar in which I recently had to replace an oil pan because the mechanic told me that it had warped and was causing an oil leak on the exhaust system. No one has ever heard of a faulty oil pan is there anyone else with this problem?
My heating was working intermitently so I brought the vehicle to crown Ford in lynbrook to diagnose the problem. I was told that the head gasket needs to be replaced. The radiator also needs to be replaced due to the head gasket leaking into it. Cost for the repair would be approximately $2300. There was a recall on previous years vehicles and there are many tales of woe regarding this problem posted on the web. I don't believe Ford has fixed this problem sufficiently for the vehicles produced after 1996.
When we purchased the van, we also bought a diamondkote warranty, for 499.99$ and told at the time of purchase that is was a good warranty.we then found out that we should not have been sold the warranty and plaza Ford Lincoln will not honor it, we can't even get a refund, so we spoke to someone at diamondkote and this person told us that we should not have been sold the warranty and have been trying to get a refund ever since, either from plaza Ford Lincoln or diamondkote. I had intentions of suing Ford Motor Company two years ago when my husband took my two daughters to halifax, because my 8 year old had cancer at the time, she had a appointment at the I.w.K hospital and it was by the grace of god that thay were not killed when the front suspention spring broke in which case my husband lost steering. I spoke to a lawyer who sadly told, because there was no death or injury there was nothing he could do, well my 8 year old who is now cancer free was so scared, she still gets very scared to get in a vehicle. I could go on but for now this is just the begining. I am going to pursue the matter of the diamondkote warranty further, and possibly more.we have had alot of vehicals before but never a Ford with as much trouble as this has been.
I purchased my 1998 Windstar with approx 20,000 km on it in 1999. Just after the warranty expired (at 60,000 km) I noticed 2 large bubbles in the paint on the two front doors. I took the car to the Ford dealership where they agreed to pay 80% of the cost of repainting. This was not entirely agreeable to me but I felt I had no choice. My vehicle how has 86,000 km on it and the paint is peeling on the roof and around the sliding door. I have contacted Ford Canada but have not heard back from them as yet. Other problems encountered include having to replace a motor for the power windows, the fan mechanism (the blower would not move off of defrost), a leaking brake cylinder as well as what I would consider standard maintenance such as brakes, tires. I am also having intermittent problems with the electrical system eg. The warning bell signalling that the lights have been left on or the keys are in the ignition goes off for no reason. This then prevents me from being able to lock the vehicle.
The first item listed under other was for a power steeringn leak, which ended up being a power steering rack that needed to be replaced. My car had just gone out of warranty, so a portion was paid for by Ford. I also had to get a front end alignment when the new rack was put in. The next day I drove it and it was making the same noise as before. I returned to the dealer where it was determined that they also need to replace the return hose for the power steering. They said they missed that and didn't charge me anymore. My service advisor is an extremely nice and understanding person. August 2003 problems with the rear brakes and master cylinder. The car is not at a Ford dealer. That repairis $615. I have more problems, but these are the two big ones and the brakes are the current issue.
A/C Oct. 99 $168.98, Dec. 99 $134.40 suspension July 01 $664.61, Dec. 99 $515.85, Jun 01 $61.78, body Jun 01 $443.61 other cd player Jun 01 $19.50 and $366.86 turn signal Jan 02 $161.04 dome light Jan 02 $84.02 Jan 02 $89.72 door Oct 99 $134.52, Mar 03 $285.07 steering Sept.02 $258.82, Mar. 03 $569.32 computer controls Sept. 00 $106.02 engine Jan 02 $784.75 coolant smell (found front cover gasket leaking) Sept. 02 $85.95 (told throttle body worn out, sold me update computer software, seams to run better) currently in shop for check engine light and A/C system intermittent. Mechanic found engine problem, says main bearings or crankshaft bad, possibly due to coolant in oil system from January 02 problem
This van has all the defects and complaints listed on thegovt. Recalls the NHTSA site and others ihave too much info to put on this site if there is anyone I can send my complaint to please let me know iam putting it back into the shop again ive been thru a nightmare along with trying to assure my 4 kids that they were safe in this van thankyou angela wallace and by the wat the dealer that sold me this van will not cooperate at all
Some type of computer chip failed that enable the vehicle to shift gears. Vehicle was taken to dealership and was repaired at no cost to me. We were told by the service advisor that a recall was done on the part. However I was never notified, the amount of the repair was unknown. Now the paint is falling off & rusting everywhere! started to rust on top of the van roof then paint started "chipping" on the roof side, was small at first then one day we had a lot of rain and all of the sudden at the end of the day I noticed a lot more paint missing. I take excellent care of my vehicle and this is not usual for any of my cars.
I bought this van because of the clean condition of it. I have the 3.0 ltr engine which has been excellent. The transmission so far is ok. Steering is a dangerous mess with almost everything new and 3 alignments. If you take your eyes off the road even for a second you can end up in a ditch. My wife & I both went off the road in a 1 month span. We both have excellent driving records. The front end seems ok to Ford. Something serious is wrong with the steering. Won"T let my wife drive it anymore. Has a little vibration that you cannot get rid of. Sending this to you because I called Ford and they said there was no safety recall or any steering issues with that van. Had a service bulletin in front of me at that time stating there was. But that is not the problem. Ford denied the all of the above. Am afraid to sell to someone because I think someone will get hurt. Don"T know why Ford keeps putting in the same bad parts year after year. I have had all the dome light problems and door locks etc. They will still say no problems. Bought it used at a good price thinking it was a bad tire causing the problems. If accident occurs will seek damages
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sedan, KS, USA