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
Consumer was traveling 55mph on the highway while driver's/passenger's airbags deployed. Driver maintained control of vehicle, but veered off the road onto the shoulder. Also, rear two windows blew out/dashboard came apart, and passenger's airbag caught on fire. Fire department was notified. Dealer contacted, said vehicle is out of warranty.
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."?"
I kept burning out brakes every 6 months until the whole brake line blew up caused from heat. Mechanic said brake line melted due to placement next to heat from catalytic converter. A very serious manufacturers default. Potential fire and fatality safety issue! line needs heat resister shield next to converter. Head gasket blew but dealer claims recall only goes to 100K miles and won't cover blown engine. Just paid van off now the engine is gone! expected more than 5 years out of it. The van should be recalled!
- Loomis, CA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
This minivan was my worst nightmare. After having the head gaskets checked and transmission serviced at 58702 miles my gaskets went @ 66940, transmission @68420, engine replaced at 71843 miles. All this happened at our busiest time of year. My daughter is a softball pitcher and the tranny went on my way to a rural town tourny, the engine went over 100 miles from home on our way to state tourney which we sent our daughter with the coach. But we missed it. After having the enginge replaced with a used one pulling into my driveway my poer steering went and the car caught fire from the fluid spraying onto the engine. The original hose was used with the replacement engine. New hose was routed a different way so the hose wasn't so close to the exhaust pipe. I was lucky this happened in my driveway. All this happened within a few months and Ford or the dealership were not helpfull. I sold the van and will never buy another Ford.
This minivan was my worst nightmare. After having the head gaskets checked and transmission serviced at 58702 miles my gaskets went @ 66940, transmission @68420, engine replaced at 71843 miles. All this happened at our busiest time of year. My daughter is a softball pitcher and the tranny went on my way to a rural town tourny, the engine went over 100 miles from home on our way to state tourney which we sent our daughter with the coach. But we missed it. After having the enginge replaced with a used one pulling into my driveway my poer steering went and the car caught fire from the fluid spraying onto the engine. The original hose was used with the replacement engine. New hose was routed a different way so the hose wasn't so close to the exhaust pipe. I was lucky this happened in my driveway. All this happened within a few months and Ford or the dealership were not helpfull. I sold the van and will never buy another Ford.
The instrument panel reads that a door is opened even when all are closed, the dome light stays on which causes a hazard at night because the driver cannot see out the windows very well. Nlm
I am exasperated at my losses and frustrated trying to recoup my money. I wish to achieve an amicable resolution with Ford. Please assist. Thank you, sincerely, nicola zanghi. No safety defect mentioned in summary.
Freeway Ford dealer rejected my request for the refund of ($2257 = 96%). please help me, what I should do next. Thank you. Twan. No safety defect listed in the summary.
While traveling down highway, engine check light and heating light came on. Consumer moved close to the lane. Then heard a loud pop, and white smoke came out from everywhere, consumer was completely blinded. But, felt safe enough to move to shoulder and wait for help.
While driving the temperature gauge barried at hot, then engine check light came on. Pulled over and white smoke came from tail pipe. Then van would not restart. A mechanic replaced the head and I drove it for approx. 400 miles when the engine started nocking and the trans. Would not shift out of 2 gear until it got hot then wouldn't shift out of 1st I believe the head gasket damaged the engine and trans. Van is undriveable and still owe for it.
Temperature gauge went to red many times, and engine check light appeared on the dashboard unexpectedly. Consumer received recall notice 98M01 on that problem. But, dealer did not work on the vehicle because the recall expired. Consumer received two more recalls, 97S88 and 99S33.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Reidsville, NC, USA