I have a 1998 Ford Windstar. It first started with my cruise control switch catching on fire and causing wires under my hood to burn... now for the last year I have been having problems with my passenger sliding door..the sensor on the dash would show that the door was ajar(not closed) I could take the battery cable off for a while and the door light would go off. Now I have had to remove all the bulbs in the lights inside the van to keep my battery from running down this morning I get up and my battery is dead and acid from the battery is all over the post and cable wires. I talk to my mechanic he says this is due to some problem in the electrical system he said he has had to work on several Windstar for the same problemsome kind of sensor fault defect.

- Quitman, MS, USA

Electronics-door ajar warning light stays on specifically when weather is damp or mild. This causes door locks to unlock by themselves even when vehicle is in motion, also door chime keeps chimming. Battery looses power because dome lamp stays on for extended period of time. Rear windshield wipers will not work if illuminated door ajar warning is caused by opening or closing rear liftgate. Repairs have been made to driver door switch at the cost of $100 parts and labor, however the passenger door, side slider and rear liftgate have the same problem. Im not sure if doors are really closed or not. Since the doors wont stay locked, I believe this poses as a safety hazard to all passengers. Mechanics have told me that this is a common problem with mini vans.

- Abington, PA, USA

Interior lights and door locks operating erratically while vehicle is in motion

- White Lake, MI, USA

I have a 98 Ford Windstar family van VIN# [xxx] I purchased the van in June of 2002 it is still under warranty and had a full inspection by the service dept according to the dealership when purchased, I was driving by myself on a Sunday returning from visiting my elderly parents and as I was driving the interstate a huge noise scared me and I looked to the rear of the van and a window on the passenger side rear vent window was gone, the temp was very cold and no one was around it thank goodness, it could have at a different time cost a motorcycle rider or anyone it could of hit their life or serious injury, I took the van to the Ford dealership I bought it from and explained what happened for them to report and also explained I should not have to pay for the repair, I had to pay for it and contacted the Ford Motor Co three times and they do not seem to believe they should take care of this issue, it was a electric window latch that moves the window in and out as a vent that malfunctioned and broke, it is also the only thing that holds it in. I believe I could not have anticipated this to happen and it was clearly a defect and I should be reimbursed and some now that they have caused me so much aggravation. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Jeffersonville, IN, USA