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 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear, driver side sliding door would not close. The dealer replaced the alternator but to no avail. In addition, the ABS warning light remained illuminated and the front driver's seat belt was covered in an unknown oil each time it was retracted. The dealer was unable to repair any of the failures. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was approximately 95,000.
I purchased a 1999 Ford Windstar a few months ago. I have had nothing but problems with it. In fact, I have spent more than half of what I paid for the vehicle in repairs in only 2 months. The reason for my complaint is that the most recent repairs have involved items that I feel are extreme safety concerns. 1- the power doors on my vehicle to not lock/unlock properly, making it unable to open the sliding doors. This was looked at by the Ford mechanic today. I was told that the door latches were bad and were "burning up" the door lock actuators. I'm not sure if this is the reason, but also lately, my door ajar light comes on my dash and the interior lights are coming on intermittently while driving. I have 3 children, two of them in car seats and unable to get them selves out of a car. I am concerned that if something were to happen such as an accident or an emergency situation that I would not be able to get my children out of the vehicle. I am paying to have this repaired at the tune of around $1,000 which I think is a real rip off, due to Ford poorly manufactured vehicle. 2. my brake light stopped working on the left side of my van. I changed the bulb and tested it, and did not fix the problem. I then noticed that my rear tail light is now not working. I had this checked out by the mechanic today, and was told it is the rear electronic control module which is going to cost me nearly $600 to fix. I'm not sure what would cause such a thing to fail, but this is definitely a safety concern, where lights come into play. I could have been rear ended due to this malfunction. I'm beginning to wonder if Ford is in the auto making/selling business, or the service business. It appears to me that they are poorly manufacturing vehicles only providing job security for the mechanics. Please investigate this situation. Any help in remedying this and getting Ford to pay for their mistakes would be greatly appreciated.
Consumer states that when driving the sliding doors pop completely open. Also, the doors do the same thing when vehicle is parked. Consumer has to physically get out of the vehicle and shut the doors close. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer many times, but when the dealers has the vehicle, the problem will not manifest itself.
Consumer called complaining about having problems with the slidding doors. Also stated that if she opens the door while the car is not running the battery will die on the vehicle. Dealer was contacted and stated that not to open the door while the vehicle is not running also stated that the vehicle has a problem but can not fixed yet.
There are several problems with out now three year old Windstar that have either been corrected temporarily or not corrected at all. The most persistent issues are with the drivetrain in particular the transmission which shifts erratically when going around corner or climbing hills at low spead. The recall was performed at 25K but the transmission continues to operate poorly. Ford has offered no solution or warranty extension for these problems. The engine problems to date revolve around the innability to use regular or mid grade fuels as advertised on the vehicles sticker, we have been offered a valve cover replacement for $500 but in speaking with other Windstar owners this only fixes the problem temporarily. Also it seems to me this is a defect that Ford should fix not the owner. The other persistent problem is with the direver side power door, in hot temperatures the door does not close completely and pops open when driveing. The dealer has repaired this several times and while better that in was it continues to be an intermittent problem. We are frustrated with the probelms this vehicle has experienced including the replacement of the entire power steering system, rack, pump and hoses and more frustrating is Ford unwillingness to stand behind the vehicle and its fault. Our overwhelming concern is that the transmission and engine will both fail before we have received any usefull value for our money. Ford needs to be held accountable for the products they develop, I hope you will be able to enforce some type of coverage or warrantee protection for the consumer.
The auto locking system on the driver's door only works intemintanly. In short you can not locvk the driver's door with the lock button. If you do it only pops back up. The haeter malfunctioned toady. The heater in the drivers compartment only blows outside air. No heat, however the rear heater works perfectly.
Passenger's sliding door failed to close properly. Problem was intermittent. Keyless remote control could sometimes open and close door. This caused battery to be drained, and vehicle not able to be restarted. Had taken to dealership at least 3 times for problem. Each time mechanic was not able to locate cause of door problem.
Starting over a year ago my passenger rear electric door started popping open whiie I was driving (several inches). I have now had this in for service ten times and the door continues to pop open while I am driving. 'Ford' so far is unwilling to take my vehicle back or let me out of lease. I will be applying for arbitration this month, November, 2001.
The power sliding doors will open with the remote or console control, but get stuck in the open position and will not close with the remote or console control, closing the doors manually is very difficult and they do not always close on the first or second try manually, the door can appear to be closed when closed manually, but the door is not secure and has slid open when driving, consumer states the door motor has been replaced and still does not work properly.
While driving cruise control would not work.airbag light came on an off once every three weeks. Also, locks started to lock and unlock by themselves. Headlights were flickering off and on. Finally, then horn failed. Consumer replaced horn, and horn still did not work. Consumer felt problems may have been related to clock spring. Consumer wrote in saying the name and address belongs to her, however the vehicle is not hers, nor is any of the information along with it.
The front passenger door would not close without slamming it. It felt like something was caught in the door. A few days later the door popped open while I was driving on the highway. The door was locked. It did not open all of the way. I drove straight to the dealership to have it repaired. No problems since then.
Automatic sliding doors malfunction on a regular basis. They do not shut on the first attempt and one of the rear doors (passenger side) will open and shut while the van is moving (in reverse). Sometimes it will take up to 10 attempts to get the drivers side sliding door to shut, my kids call it the "open and shut" game. Very annoying in bad weather and also a safety concern with the door that will open and shut while the vehicle is moving.
Passenger power door unlatches while driving, specifically around corners. Slow speeds-pulling out of parking lots. Door is also not shutting. Must be physically closed. Interior lights flash on an off while in a parked position with key in ignition. Clicking sound from turn signal comes on sporadically even though turn signal is not engaged.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Perryville , MO, USA