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.
The contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle and the brake and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 02V101000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 37,000.
My speedometer and odometer stopped working a couple of days ago on my 1995 Ford Windstar. I got on the internet and found the recall having to do with the ABS brake light. I understand that my car could catch fire when unattended. We have been losing brake fluid for some time. When the area in question for the recall under the brake master cylinder was inspected, there was indeed fluid leaking. We have also had an ABS light on the dash lighting for some time. My husband has just been adding brake fluid, but now the light doesn't even light. I don't know about the cruise control not working. My mechanic will look at it before Ford does.
- Orting, WA, USA
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Severe corrosion of brake lines. One line has already corroded to the failure point resulting in total brake failure. Further investigation shows all brake lines are suspect. Ford has skimped to save money by not using stainless or coated lines on this vehicle and the result is a vehicle which may in a panic stop have total failure of the brakes. Unfortunately I cannot justify the cost of replacement so the vehicle is still being driven with this condition. Photos are available.
The contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. While driving at any speed, the ABS light would illuminate on the instrument panel and brake fluid would leak. The contact also noticed that the cruise control switch worked inconsistently. She discovered that the cruise control deactivation switch had melted. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 152,000.
During brake test at motor vehicle division the pedal went to the floor. All brake fluid emptied from the reservoir. Further investigation showed rear brake lines are severely corroded and the line to the left rear brake had failed due to the corrosion. The hole was located in the 90 degree bend at the brake drum. Luckily the vehicle could be safely stopped however, the potential for injury was great if this had occurred in a traffic situation.
Brakes failed on 1995 Ford Windstar. - rear brake line has corroded badly. There is absolutely no excuse for safety related components to be manufactured with material that can corrode. If airplanes can safely fly after 30+ years of service. Why can't auto manufacturers be required to install corrosion resistant components for safety critical systems"??"
: the contact stated while traveling 30 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle did not respond. The vehicle stopped when the parking brake was depressed. It was towed home where the brake lines were inspected. There was corrosion on the undercarriage of the vehicle, including the brake lines. The vehicle has not been seen by a mechanic, but the manufacturer was alerted.
Consumer has 1995 Windstar. Consumer says that the brake light was coming on. This happened frequently. It was maybe six months before brake fluid had to be added the second time. Then it got to where the fluid had to be added about once a week. When consumer added brake fluid the light would go off. Also cruise control did not work. Consumer took vehicle to daughter's auto mechanics class, where she found that the speed control deceleration switch burned off of the master cylinder. Consumer had problem repaired with what the Ford dealer called a replacement part. Consumer wanted to know if the replacement part was safe.
Brake work X2 transmission X2 all belts tire & suspension work lugs on wheels not properly replaced, it almost fell off still paying on vehicle while it sits in ashley Ford parking lot w/ dead transmission I am unable to pay close to $2000 for repairs
The engine was the main problem due to the head gasket recall. In July,2000, we argued with Ford about a bad engine running for which we had just paid over $300 to evaluate by an outside repair shop. After about 6 weeks we received our car back with a new long block paid for by Ford, including a rental van for the time in the shop. In January 2001 the engine was running rough again and we were charged $81.45 to check it out and replace a wire bad on cylinder 6 which was misfiring. Three months later in April 2001 the car ran rough again and the engine light was back on (happened for years intermittently since we owned the car). The new long-block had another bad head gasket reinstalled per the second Ford dealership service center. After nearly another month we had the second new long-block in less than one year. Now less than 2 years and 40,000 miles later, following the 110K service of radiator flush and oil change at 113,098 miles the engine rapidly lost oil and is misfiring and burning oil. Ford's position once again is that the warranty was only for 12 months or 12K miles. On a smaller note, the brakes have gone out numerous times and we have replaced rotors and pads numerous times with no improvements. The power steering has performed very poorly. We changed the fluid in 2000 and then the Ford service center and they replaced the outer tie rods and reset the alignment. Within months it was going out again intermittently. Most often when starting out the power steering goes out and you must manually steer the vehicle.
At 146,00 miles I was just informed that I will have to have another head gasket repair done (that would make it the third time this part has failed) to save the car...I will not do it, as in February, I spent over $750 to have the rear brakes repaired for brake fluid covering the shoes of the brakes, cause by brake line corrosion (just as in the right front brake line corrosion that was a national recall!!!!) but there was no recall for the rears
I have owned this van since 1999. Since I have owned it we have had nothing but problems with it. I have had the rotors turned, and replaced at least 3 times, and they need it again. I have had the head gasket replaced 3 times and one of them times was at 99,000 miles when it was under the warrenty. It had been replaced at least one time before that. My sliding door won't stay closed, even though I just spent $300 getting a new latched put on. My windows won't work. I had larson motors fix a head gasket and my electronic windows, cost me over $250 for the window, that only worked 2 times. I called, and since they put "may not be the problem" on the invoice, they think that clears them, and they wanted me to spend more money on another part. My speedometor has been replaced once and is broke again. The alternator has been replaced. I could go on and on. I am getting no where with anyone. I have spent around $5,000 in repairs, and can't trade the thing off, since I still owe too much on it, due to a tornado that hit our home, and what the insurance didn't cover, the balance was put on our car loan. We don't have the best credit do to having to spend anywhere from $100-300+ a month on repairs to this lemon car. I have a family and need to know that I have a reliable car to drive. I have been stranded with my 3 children a minimum of 4 times this past year.
Consumer stated that brakes were defective. A couple of times, almost did not stop at a stop sign, vehicle kept going even when he kept pumping the brakes. Consumer took vehicle to the mechanic, and mechanic determined that a cylinder was missing in the motor. Also, mechanic told consumer that calipers and rotors needed to be replaced. Consumer insisted that brakes/calipers, and rotors were replaced, but brakes still did not work properly. Then, consumer received a recall notice. Took vehicle to the dealer, and left vehicle at dealers. 20 minutes later, mechanic called consumer and stated there was nothing wrong with vehicle.
The vehicle has had the brakes replaced on average every 6,000 miles. The catalytic converter has been replaced at 40,000 miles, the head gasket at 20,000. The cutting out, engine failure has been happening since head gasket was corrected. Ford has responded to a written letter, at which time I was accused for forging my husband's signature (later I was told he was just kidding). This vehicle is unsafe transportation for my 3 children. When moving out into traffic, we are in danger of a collision if the engine fails, as it often does. Please feel free to contact myself or my husband with any questions. Barbara smith. ****dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****724221.
The front area of my van makes loud popping noises when I apply the brakes and/or turn the steering wheel. This problem occurs mainly in the summer months or times when the temperature is warmer. This problem began about a year to a year and a half after I bought the van when it was still under warranty, and the problem still exists today. I had taken it to the dealer and they told me there was nothing wrong. The dealer said the popping noise was the brake cylinders expanding onto the pads to stop the van. It is odd though because the front end pops when I am turning the wheel at a very slow speed when I am not applying the brakes.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- San Clemente, CA, USA