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.
* cruise control quit working over 24 months ago. * consistent loss of brake fluid over time. * fire discovered under hood when returning home. Fire located under brake master cylinder. Fire was put out with fire extinguisher. Vehicle towed to dealership, and they said this was a known problem with cruise control deactivation switches. Other vehicle models with the same switch have been recalled. See www.safetyforum.com/fordcruisecontrol/ *dealership is ordering parts to repair vehicle.
1995 Ford Windstar master brake cylinder leaked causing circuits for the horn, back up lights, and cruise control to be inoperable. The consumer stated the cruise control is still inoperative. The dealer stated the problem stemmed from a burnt circuit.
While driving a month ago the consumer noticed a large amount of white smoke coming from under the front left side of the hood. The consumer pulled vehicle over, shut off the engine, and inspected under the hood. The consumer smelled plastic and electrical burning. The consumer restarted the engine and noticed there was a plug near the master cylinder, and the smoke was coming from that plug along the brake master cylinder. The consumer called his brother and consulted an automobile repair manual and discovered this was part of the cruise control system. Determined that the cruise control could be disconnected and they did so. The consumer left the vehicle sitting about seven to eight hours before disconnecting the switch and driving home. The consumer noted that cruise control switch quit working a few months prior. Since disconnecting the cruise control switch the vehicle lost a lot of brake fluid. The consumer heard about the Ford recall, but this vehicle was not included in the recall because it was a 1995 Ford Windstar. He took the vehicle to a Ford dealer, and they informed him that the vehicle was not involved in the recall although they have the same cruise control switch. The consumer has not contacted Ford at this time. There was no visible body damage, there were no flames, but only smoke, and no fire.
1995 Ford Windstar had a burnt circuit affecting the backup lights, horn and cruise control.** answer required*** the consumer did not have the cruise control repaired due to expense reasons.
- Centerville, OH, USA
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Consumer has 1995 Windstar. Consumer says that the brake light was coming on. This happened frequently. It was maybe six months before brake fluid had to be added the second time. Then it got to where the fluid had to be added about once a week. When consumer added brake fluid the light would go off. Also cruise control did not work. Consumer took vehicle to daughter's auto mechanics class, where she found that the speed control deceleration switch burned off of the master cylinder. Consumer had problem repaired with what the Ford dealer called a replacement part. Consumer wanted to know if the replacement part was safe.
It's us again!!! on our vacation to ga, about 250 miles or less, our engine check light came on. We went to the nearest Ford dealer in lumbngton, nc and had an engine diagnostic done. The Ford dealer was said they fixed the problem. Codes P1150, P1151, and another code. However the engine check light came on again while in ga and then went off. I called the Ford dealership back in nc and he stated that we should be okay and should make it back home safely. On our way back home the check engine came on again aroound nc-va and S no warning lights came on, nor did the engine overheat and it was driving okay. We decided to pull over at a rest stop and thats when the car hesitated to move and then smoke came out from the tailpipe and underneath the hood and leaked out all the transmission fluid including all over the back door and windows was greasy from the leak.. this is the second time something like this has happened to us while driving long distance. Thee vans are very unsafe to drive and Ford needs to do a recall on these vans. We have put more money into this van then I can imagine in a lifetime. These incidents has also cause us unneccesary strain. In addition, our door ajar lights comes on, cruise control don't work, our gears do not shift correctly and gets stuck between gears, overdrive light starts blinking when we try to use it, the air conditioner makes strange noises when using it and driving, etc. It just does not work. I am very unsatisfied with this van and would appreciate a remedy and prompt solution. This is our only means of transportation and we still owe more than what the vehicle is worht. Please help us and contact me when you have receive this. Thanks and I look forward to something being done to take care of us Ford Windstar owners. We would also like reimbursement for our emergency expenses, tow charges to freedom Ford from emporia, Virginia. We also had our oil changed by freedom Ford before we left and a 15 point multi inspection done.
Consumer contacted dealer due to the fact that engine had a rough idle. Dealer replaced consumers engine to remedy the problem. But, it did remedy the problem, once again engine was replaced.
We were leaving a parking lot when the a plume of vapor came out of the exhaust pipe. Fortunately we saw it before getting on the freeway. The day before, the engine had begun to idle roughly. Repairs cost about 2,000.
After a month of rough idling and 47800 miles the "check engine" warning light came on. Brought to dealer to indicated that item was covered under service "notification".
Consumer could start vehicle in the morning. But when starting to run vehicle won't accelerate more than 5 mph for a few minutes. Then after that it will work normal again.
On 1/18/99, vehicle was serviced after check engine light stayed on. Engine had been idling and running rough--"lurching" as noted in service invoice. Vehicle had 59363 miles. Had vehicle serviced at nearest equipped service center--merit Inc, a Goodyear service center. They performed most of a 60,000 mi service. Check engine light returned to normal operation and engine operation improved, but still ran rougher than normal. We returned the vehicle to merit on 1/20, but they were unable to offer further insights on problem. Problem remained unchanged for the next few weeks, then got noticeably worse the weekend of 2/20. On 2/22 or 23, we called crossroads Ford in raleigh, nc, describing the problem and recent history. The first available appointment they offered was later the following week, so an appointment was made for 3/5. on the evening of 2/26, the vehicle overheated at 61,054 miles. The car was stopped and engine turned off before the temperature gauge needle reached red. Vehicle was towed to crossroads Ford the following Monday. They attributed the problem to the head gasket defect noted in service program 98M01, and advised replacing the engine at an estimated cost of just over $3400. Dealer and Ford refused to cover under the warranty described in the service program, even though the problem began within the 5-yr, 60,000 mi period covered.
Ford admits defect in gasket, but will only replace if under 60,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first. Since it is known defect and barley over 60,000, I would expect at the very least they would make good on a percentage of the repaires. I bought the car at gene evans Ford, but it is currently at boomershine Ford 770-476-2090 3230 satellite blvd. Duluth ga 30136. I first noticed a problem in late November- early December of '98 (poor idle / running a little hot). Took to boomershine when problem got worse (closer than gene evans). Car now idles rough and runs hot to cold (mostly hot).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Portland, OR, USA