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.
My van first lost its heater so we replaced the thermostat. When that didn't fix the problem, we replaced the water pump. We took the van to the local dealership after receiving the recall and was told there were too many miles on the van to fix it. We told them not to do any chargeable work to the van, they did anyway. They charged us $49 to look at 3 of the check engine codes. This van has had numerous problems since I bought it from chilton's auto sales in eden, nc. The lights stay on, the door ajar light staying on not to mention the annoying beeping that accompanies these lights. We finally took the fuse and some bulbs out to keep the lights from running down my battery. Head gaskets are supposed to last the life of a vehicle and since all the other parts of the van seem to be getting along good I don't think my van's life is over no matter how many miles it has on it. Thanks for any help
I bought this vehicle used in July 1997 with 32,000 miles. Since that time, I have had the brakes repaired three times and they still squeak. The airbag module had to be replaced four months after purchase, luckily under federal warranty. Then in June 1999, I had to replace the fuel tank because the straps caused it to crack. Ford would not do anything to help because there was no recall. In January there was a recall for the exact same problem, but only in certain counties in certain states, not NJ, Ford would not bend, despite my letters and phone calls. In late March 2000, my airbag light came on again as did my ABS light. My brakes needed to be fixed again. Since my airbag was fixed over 12 months ago, it was not covered. My engine check light came on April 11 and stayed on for two days, then turned off. We were planning a trip to wash, DC, so I brought it to fullerton Ford for service on 4/25. They informed me that it needs head gaskets (which it was recalled for) and $1,400 worth of other work, not affiliated with the airbag light, or the engine check light. The engine check light was for a camshaft positioning sensor that is a $50 part, with $150 worth of labor, also want me to have a timing cover gasket replaced at $815, a temp gauge at $82, an engine flush for $99.95, a water pump at $140 parts only, $40 for drive belt, and misc. Labor at $111. My complaint is this. I dropped the car off on 4/24 for a 4/25 appt., they hadn't looked at it at 4:00 on 4/25 and wanted me to pick it up and bring it back the next day. When I protested, they looked at it and said it would need head gaskets. They said the Ford rep would be out the next day and that he would also consider my gas tank complaints. On Thursday, 4/27, they said the work would be done "hopefully" by 5/5. today, 5/2, one week after dropping off the van, they are telling me I won't have it back until 5/12 or 5/19 at the earliest!!!! because they are too backlogged with vehicles."?"
Recall repair was not done due to faulty diagnosis (sensors replaced), vehicle continued to overheat and then recall repair completed, however vehicle sustained damage to engine from extensive time of overheating and faulty diagnosis. 98M01
I had this Windstar towed to whitehead Ford in panama city fla. They checked it out and said it would cost $1410 to fix and it was not covered under warranty because it was 216 miles over the 100000 mile 7 year ext. Waranty. It seem to me that Ford has known about this problem for several years. And I think Ford should refund me my money back. Who should I contact before I take this matter to court. Thanks. No safety defect listed in summary.( dot number: N/a tire size: N/a )
Water pump leaks coolant and timing case cover leaks antifreeze. Cause unknown. Other failures include left and right tie rods, ignition key lock, A/C, and head gasket.
Timing cover gasket failed and replaced as stated in the recall notice 98M01, however one year later extensive replacement to engine gaskets and thermostat which should have been included in the recall replacement, inadequate recall repair for failure.
Vehicle experienced failure of the recall component (engine head gasket), the sensors were replaced prior to head gasket repair (98M01), however due to overheating and failure of the head gasket the engine was severely damaged. (attorney for consumer).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Holden, MA, USA