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.
Overdrive light starts flashing and does not go into gears as it should. Also have recently had to replace struts--broke as I was driving along. Had to replace rear axle already and have been told my year of Windstar was not included in recall.
Numerous problems with my 1995 Ford Windstar. It is the worst car I have ever purchased! as soon as one repair is completed (two transmissions, head gasket, electrical problems, brakes, suspension), then another one occurs. Now, as in every christmas, the "engine light" is on and the car is running so poorly that you can't even pull the car out of the driveway without it choking and spitting, lots of smoke, and the car is actually shaking!!! I know it is another head gasket and I just can't pay anymore money into this piece of garbage. I have been looking for a new car and it certainly will not be a Ford!
I asked the seller at Ford to completely service the van before I would buy it. He said his mechanic would. I checked the van out two weeks later, low on oil, no brake fluid, trans fluid very low, no water hardly at all in receiver, then the starter went out, replaced it no good, replaced switch, no good, brakes gone out, can't keep fluid in systems, engine light came on, emission problems, mechanic stalls for the hour amount, and still can't fix/test II code. Inside lights dim when extra. Lights come on. It's a [xxx] piece of junk and they sold us a lemon. I paid over $4,000 cash for it, and all they wanted to so was sell it for money. What can I do" it has 72,000 etc mile and now has 82,000. We are both disabled with two kids. We have been screwed. I can get the Ford info on the Ford Windstar 95 3.8 it rattles, water runs out of the exhaust pipe and the converter. I want to sue them, I called them and they said the hell with you, you bought it as it was. Ford products are the worst auto's on the market. We want revenge and all our money back now. [xxx]. what is next a head gasket" I heard that cost over $1,600 to fix. And there are alot of them going out. Ford needs to stand behind it's products or get out of the business. I have had my kids tossed to the dash when I step on the brakes before we even get out of our drive way. We wear seatbelts, I wouldn't dare ride in it. It is a death trap to me. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Brake work X2 transmission X2 all belts tire & suspension work lugs on wheels not properly replaced, it almost fell off still paying on vehicle while it sits in ashley Ford parking lot w/ dead transmission I am unable to pay close to $2000 for repairs
ABS locks and vehicle does not stop. Have spent over $2000 trying to fix braking issue. Tone rings, struts, suspension, front brakes, rear brakes, bearings, cv joints, master cylinder, among other replacements. Over bumps, small hills, straight roads, anytime coming to a stop, vehicle intermittently fails to stop completely. Have pumped brakes and found that brake pedal gets hard and loud, still does not help to stop vehicle. Steering wheel feels loose at when this happens. Brake pedal also kicks back, sometimes with excessive force, makes a load grinding noise. Controlling the car becomes difficult as loss of brake pressure and steering wheel rocking (on decent of small hill) combined make for a deadly combination. I am being forced to purchase a better vehicle, not ever Ford again.
- Nottingham, NH, USA
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While driving and without warning the stabilizer bar snapped causing the consumer to loose steering control and was forced to pull over. Dealer notified. The rear shocks were replaced.
Three of the five lug studs in one front wheel broke simultaneously, causing severe vibrations of the whole car. We were able to maintain control and slow down to a safe stop at the side of the freeway. We were towed 150 miles from akron to columbus. We have followed the manufacturer had had an alignment and wheel rotation at germain Ford in columbus in March 2002. Three possible causes: Metal failure of the studs, torquing the lugs too tight when the tires were rotated, or lugs coming loose. The service people at germain Ford have ruled out loose lugs due to the finding that none of the lug holes were out of round. If all five lug studs had failed at once, we probably would have had a fatal accident. We had driven about 10 hours from manchester, ct and broke down just East of akron, oh. Speed was generally between 65 & 75 mph. We were towed home to columbus. Germain Ford did a torque test on the other studs in all wheels today, and none of them failed. However, we chose to replace all studs in all wheels.
I have had numerous problems with my 1995 Windstar. The transmission failed in 10/99 and I had to replace the entire transmission. I have had many problems with the computer/electrical system with sensors and fuses going out. My timing gasket cover cracked and coolant was leaking (10/01). I had to have that replaced along with the water pump, etc. Now, my engine has either a bearing or has thrown a rod and I have been told I need to have my engine replaced at a cost of $3500. There have been many more problems (struts, engine mounts, etc....). I have spent over $6000 (not including regular maintenance costs --oil changes, brakes, tires, tune ups, etc). I have had to spend much $$$ on car rentals while my car was being repaired. Now I'm faced with a huge new problem--the engine.
Consumer was traveling 50mph on highway, and heard a knocking noise coming from the right front of the vehicle, consumer stated the vehicle will make a loud noise if turning right, and if turning left the noise is not that loud.
Consumer was inside the house and heard a loud crash sound. Conusmer was unaware that it was the vehicle. Front end was mounted on wheels. Dealer stated springs were corroded. Consumer hired a investigator to inspect vehicle further. Springs collapsed because coating for corrosion prematurely wore off. Cost to repair was $952. A suspension spring failed and punctured the front tire, both springs were replaced along with the tires, the poor adhesion of the black coating material is apparently a design problem in the spring, it is possible the stresses and bending moments in the bottom of the spring are greater and therefore caused the bond between the coating and the spring to slowly deteriorate, through the continuous loading of the spring and slow deterioration of the bond of the coating, the coating started to flake off exposing the bare steel.
We purchased our Ford Windstar new in 7/94 (it was anearly 1995 release). Problems began immediately with the engine control, door closure sensor, etc. There were also other nuisances such as the suspension that had a banging noise when going over any bump. The door sensors and engine computer were replaced. The suspension problem was never resolved. Then before the warranty expired (36,000 miles) there were problems with the check engine light coming on (which it is still on 5 years later). After trips to the dealer and a $500 tune-up the engine light problem was supposedly fixed-- which it never was. At that time years ago I told them that the transmission did not seem to shift properly especially when we went on vacation through the mountains. Their answer whiule it was "under warranty" was that the engine was electronic and that if a sensor was bad or the fuel mixture was not proper it would cause that to happen. They said that the sensors did not indicate a transmission problem. We, however, knew that something was wrong. The car progressively became worse, but again the only thing they could find is that the engine indicated that it was running "too lean". the check engine lights came on and eventually would go off, but this happened more frequently. Finally, the car became unreliable, and we again took it to the dealer. They said that they would check the engine head gasket. Sure enough it was going bad! they estimated to fix it would cost $2000+ I said that my concern was also that the transmission was perhaps in failure also. They said that again they didn't think so. With all of the problems, I was hesitant to pay that much too fix the head gasket. I then asked if Ford warranty would pick up any of the cost. After talking to numerous people the answer was, no! shortly, thereafter, the engine failed and I had it towed to an independant mechanic who agreed to fix it for $800-900. Since that time the engine has never been the sam
After purchasing a used 95 Windstar just 58 days ago from pundman Ford while traveling 35-40 miles an hour on 61-67 in imperial mo. With four passengers (2 adult couples) after changing into the curb lane to be prepared for a right turn some ways down the road there was a sudden jolt/drop as best I can describe and immediately the van was swerving, skidding, and traveling sideways out of control. It was all I (driver) could do to struggle and fight with the steering to manuvere it to the side of the road in a vacant parking lot.(avoiding a horrific accident) the passengers were hysterical and amazed that I was able to maintain compose long enough to bring it to a safe stop. We thought we must have blown a tire but once the hysteria had dissipated and the men began a visual inspection of the van they found the tires were intact. Upon further inspection it was noticed beneath the car something was indeed broken and the left rear tire was now wedges into the rear bumper.when aaa came to tow us to the nearest Ford dealer he too was amazed we were able to aviod the traffic (the lord was all over this ordeal)and a major collision he said that this was a first for him seeing anything like this. The car is now on rutherman Ford's lot on richardson rd. In imperial, mo.waiting to be looked at on Monday (this happened on a sat. Evening).
This is the continuation of problems with a highly problematic vehicle. 5 years, 90,000 miles have replaced so far: Head gaskets, rear suspension twice, front suspension, ignition wires, O2 sensors twice, and now injector and fuel pump. Over $3,000 in out of pocked expenses over what was covered on extended warrantee. Vehicle is not reliable and am looking to trade in on anything other than a Ford! at Ford, quality is job none!
While traveling noticed fumes from the tail pipe. Also there was a smell. Engine check light came on. Also, vehicle was pulsating. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further informaton.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mount Venron, IL, USA