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 stated the interior lights, power windows, radio, and heater would stay on after the ignition was turned off and the key is removed. The fuse has to be removed every time the vehicle is turned off. He found recall 00V351000 on line concerning this problem. When he contacted the dealer, they said that this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. Also there was a problem with the cruise control. The off switch for cruise control did not work. The cruise control could only be turned off by applying the brakes.
On May 27, 2002, I was on vacation with my family using our 2000 Ford Windstar. I was sitting in the middle row seat and was trying to get out when I tripped and landed with my knee on stepping area of the vehicle. The force of my landing (which wasn't that hard) caused the side door to unlatch from it's grooved molding and shut on my arm with full force. I was lucky not have any broken bones (but did have to go to the doctor and have X-rays) however I was unable to work or really take care of my children (I had a 1 yr old and 5 yr old at the time) for a good month (I went back to work after a week but with pain). I called fullerton Ford and told them what happened and they said the first step was to come in and have them look at the vehicle, which I did. Jaime, the service rep, looked at the car and said there was nothing wrong with the car however this is a flaw in the overall design as the automatic Windstar doors have a locking mechanism and the manuals only have this small molding. He recommended that I call Ford Motor Company and lodge a complaint for a recall. He also stated that he would document all this in his computer for when Ford reviewed the complaint. I called Ford immediately and they said they would take my information and that would be it. When I asked about a recall they said it was doubtful but write a letter. I sent out a letter on June 15th explaining what happened and how I felt very uncomfortable driving this car as the door had slid other times in the past and I just didn't feel safe that my son wouldn't get hurt or some other child down the road. I asked them to allow me to be released from my lease and to give me a credit toward a purchase of a different vehicle...they responded on paper within two days or receiving my letter however, they chose not to mail it to me until 8 weeks later. In August, I received their response and it said that they dealership said there is nothing wrong with the car so they were going to do nothing
At this time we are leasing a 2000 Windstar LX and we can't wait to turn it in to the dealership - and we plan to never purchase another Ford product again. We have purchased a used Honda Accord and expect that we will be quite happy with it... there was a recall on the exhaust/emissions was fixed and the light came on again and will not go out - eastgate Ford, dayton, oh does not know why the light will not go out. The paint on the luggage rack is peeling off. The door actuator on the passenger sliding door - does not work - it takes 2 people to open the door, one inside and one outside. The power steering pump is faulty. Ford has a service bullentin out - but there is no recall because Ford does not believe there is a safety issue here - I do not agree. Proper steering is pretty important and if a smaller size female or male was turning left and the pump failed, it could be quite hazzardous. Our biggest complaint is the way Ford Motor Company and eastgate Ford have treated us. There is no accountability on either part. Ford or eastgate won't stand behind their product.
Right from the day I bought the van, I have had one issue or the other. Here are some of the major issues. 1. tires - my new van had bumps on all 4 tires. Every tire dealer told me they would burst on driving. They were general tires. I went to Ford many times and opened a case with them also to no avail. After 12,000 miles, I decided to buy 4 new tires myself for the safety of my family at my own expense. 2. at 15,000 miles, I had to get my front brakes changed as they had reached their end of life. 3. at 15,000 miles, I also had to get my transmission fluid as well as drop pan changed as they worn out 4. at 30,000 miles, I had to get my front brake pads again changed (these were also worn out). What is surprising is that my rear brakes are fine 5. at 30,000 miles, I also had to get my transmission fluid as well as drop pan changed as they worn out 6. at 40,000 miles, my check engine light came on, for which I had to get the entire cooling system changed as well as had major engine work done to remove the light. The bill was in a few thousand, and I still don't know what they did to get it all fixed 7. at 45,000 miles, I had to get front rotors and brakes again. 8. at 45,000 miles I also had to get my front tie rods changed as they were squeaking 9. my automatic door sensor has never worked since I bought the van. If you shut the doors using the electronic door openers, and if something is in the way, it will still shut the door trapping the item, rather than reversing the process. 10. my drivers side power seats have just failed, and I am yet again faced with a large expense. I will never buy a Ford again
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lorain, OH, USA