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.
Consumer's wife was driving vehicle about 35 mph when she heard a noise in the engine and vehicle stalled. Then she tried to restart. Vehicle had to be towed where technician stated that engine had internal problems and had to be replaced.
95 Ford Windstar needs new engine and transmission because of headgasket problem experienced in other 95 Windstar. I never received any information from Ford about this rampant problem with this component. Repairs should be covered under my extended warranty, but still not sure if everything will be covered. Began having problems almost immediately after buying the vehicle. After several trips to various Ford dealerships, have had several tune ups and oxygen sensor replacements. Last prior service was in June 1999 at rusty eck Ford leavenworth, ks, where the vehicle was tuned up yet again. Despite the fact that this is a well documented problem noone has ever mentioned this to me as a possible cause for poor performance and gas mileage until now, despite the fact that the symptoms are exactly the same as many other owners have experienced. Corrosion problem is limited to right passenger door. The paint at the bottom of the door bubbles, then flakes off revealing already corroded metal beneath. No dealership will fix this problem, citing that paint is not covered under warranty. Noone can explain how a five year old vehicle is rusting out so quickly. I've heard every excuse from acid rain to improper washing to driving through a caustic substance spill.
Driving in freeway vehicle started to chug. No warning lights came on the best I came remember. Finished driving home thinking I'll get a tuneup on Monday. Sunday evening I drove to repair shop, (perfect tune) to have a tuneup done first thing in the morning. The shop called and told my husband a head gasket had blown and we had to replace the engine. I wrote to Ford trying to get some assistance and also called them. I was told it was out of warranty and they would not considered any help or reimbursement to me. After the engine was replaced the vehicle still seemed to run rough. I took it back to perfect tune thinking ti was the engine (so did they). This went on for months having them look for the problem and trying to fix it. Finally they said they couldn't figure out what was wrong and said I better take it to the Ford dealer. I took it to brighton Ford and they determined it was a bad transmission. Within appoximately 6 months I had to replace the engine and the transmission. Recently my sister saw a news report on Windstar having problems with the head gaskets thus causing the engine trouble. Is there also problems with the transmission. Hope you can help. Thankyou
- Brighton, MI, USA
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This vehicle has had problem from the day we purchased. Most recently, it is currently at dlrship for service due to engine overheating, just short of van catching fire. Prior to this, we had to replace the transmission (approx. 1 1/2- 2yrs. Ago). At this point, we are truly concerned about the safety of this vehicle even after repair.
Transmission failed first making van dangerous to drive on the freeway. Engine failed shortly after having transmission rebuilt by Ford dealer. Engine warning light reported to dealer several times before warranty mileage expired, but Ford never warned
Know Windstar problem. My research seems to find this is common on 95 Windstar at 57K to 75K but Ford only paying up to 60K. I am 500 miles over and no help from Ford!
In the time from July 1999 to December 1, 1999 the following components have completely failed: Automatic transmission, head gasket, timing chain cover gasket, valve cover gasket. The cost has now run over $5,000 and Ford will not admit one ounce of responsibility despite having previous secret warranties on exactly these components on exactly this engine and transmission.
Though beyond Ford's 60K mile extension, teh service attendant told me that the cracked head casuing the rough ride and coolant leak could have happened many weeks if not months before it got so bad that my wife noticed a problem. The vehicle may have been much closer to the 60,000 mile mark when the damage occurred, though we didn't get it to the shop unitl 70,000. Though no one was injured, the potential for injury was great, I think. If my wife hadn't noticed the coolant level indicator, a much more terrible problem could have happened, not to mention the danger of this problem causing my wife and two young daughters to be stranded along a highway many miles from home at the time.
Several minor engine components (O2 sensors, coolant lines, computer, rough running engine, check engine light coming on & off) failed over a one year period followed by the head gasket failure. After it was repaired, about 100 miles later the engine failed. The oil pressure light came on, the van lost power and the speed started fluctuating. This was on a high speed, but no shoulder bridge, so slowing down could have caused an accident. Fortunately it didn't this time. The dealer recommended towing the van to the garage, and after review the engine was recommended to be replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cedar Rapid, IA, USA