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.
When the transmission failed my husband contacted the 800 number with Ford. The customer service rep would not give him a Ford's rep name and number to call. They said he could leave his name and number and someone would call him back. He then called ben satcher Ford in lexington because it is close to our house, and I have had such problems with bob bennett and their service. Ben satcher would not help us either. They would not put us in touch with a Ford rep. We finally dropped it. Then, on christmas eve, we had the blown head gaskets happen. We were stranded in richmond, ky at 12:10 am on I-75, which is 4 states away from where we live. Once the christmas holiday was over, we finally were able to get the van worked on at a dealership in lexington, ky. The service people there told us Ford had sponsored a program on the head gaskets because they knew they had a problem. However, the program expired in December 1998, so we were too late. The dealership would not contact a Ford rep either. They said we had to pay ourselves and take it up with Ford. That bill was $1800 as well as I had replaced the transmission the year before for $1800. I'm now out $3600 for things that should not have happened with the mileage on the minivan. When we finally arrived home in SC, we had a recall sitting in our mailbox for the gas tank that can possibly catch on fire. I took the minivan in to bob bennett today for the recall. I told them the van is still not running correctly, please help me out and check it free of charge. I also contacted the service mgr. At bob bennett last week about what happened to us with the head gaskets, and asked for the Ford rep. I asked him for that number again today. He's claiming he has a phone call in to him, but it could be 30-45 days or more before he has contact with the Ford rep. He became quite belligerent with me and did not want to help with the problem that the van is not running correctly unless he charges me fully. Help.
In response to your problems with the Windstar, I too, have a L995 Windstar. My problems started in the winter of L996 having only had the vehicle a few months when the transmission went in January of that year. The vehicle had only L7,578 miles on it. My family was without a car because as I sure you are already aware of, Ford does not give you a replacement vehicle while your vehicle is in the shop. Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that when the vehicle had to be towed, it was towed under the warranty program wherein you had to use Ford's agents (outside tow shop). The tow truck operator did hook the car correctly and actually broke the bottom bumper causing me over $L,000.00 in damages. I wasat the time by the tow truck operator that he would pay for the costs of replacing the lower bumper. Again, much to my surprise, this particular tow truck operator did not carry automobile insurance coverage and therefore, did not pay me the damages. It took me two years after having gone to small claims court to file a complaint against Ford and the tow truck company for the repairs to the vehicle. Imagine that. Ford hires people to tow your vehicle and they don't bother to check to see if the individuals have automobile insurance coverage yet you are required to produce these items when your vehicle is in the stop for repairs.in response to your problems with the Windstar, I too, have a L995 Windstar. My problems started in the winter of L996 having only had the vehicle a few months when the transmission went in January of that year. The vehicle had only L7,578 miles on it. My family was without a car because as I sure you are already aware of, Ford does not give you a replacement vehicle while your vehicle is in the shop. Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that when the vehicle had to be towed, it was towed under the warranty program wherein you had to use Ford's agents (outside tow shop). The tow truck operator did hook the car correctly. *
Transmission problem/failure: After coming to a stop, the transmission would hesitatedbefore engaging. I first noticed the problem after about 50,000 miles. It became progressively worse. The main problem was determined to be a failed piston (aluminium). A secondary failure was the main housing do to the shuttle valve wearing out the bore (probably due to execessive chatter because of the fluid leaking past the piston). The hesitating engagement would occasionally cause the vehicle to roll backwards or not to move forward in traffic. I believe both situations to be potentially dangerous. The dealership fixed the problem at my expense; Ford told me they could not help.
- Plainwell, MI, USA
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We realize you folks don't think of engine head gasket related defects and transmission failures as highway and safety issues, but we wish to go on the record as swindled by Ford for failing to be responsible for manufacturing automobile with defective machine parts that if they failed while under certain circumstances could easily be responsible for death and injury of the vehicle occupants or other vehicle occupants.
At 30,170 miles, transmission was replaced. At 45,472 miles the air conditioner would work when the van would first start and then the A/C would cut off. While awaiting for the parts to fix the A/C to arrive at the dealership, the van began missing during idle. I was driving out of my driveway on July 11, 1999 when the check engine light came on. I immediately pulled back into the driveway where the van sat until Monday, July 12, 1999 at 7:00 P.M. per the service dept at the Ford dealership, we were advised to drive the van there, if we could get it that far. Upon leaving our home with my husband driving the van and me following in a reliable vehicle, we started out for the dealership only to stop midway because the van was overheating. We waited for it to cool and started for the dealership once again. My husband turned the van off as he pulled into the dealership and had to let it coast the rest of the way because again, it was overheating. They diagnosed the blown head gasket and intake gasket the next day. On Dec 7, 1999, I was using the van to go home on my lunch hour. It started to die as I pulled out of my parking space but continued to run. I headed for home and within 2 blocks, while sitting at a stop light, the van died. I managed to start it back up only to have it die again. The van had to be towed this time. They diagnosed that the air flow tube had fallen off of the filter housing. On 12-16-1999, I was pulling from my parking space to go home from work for the day, only to have the van die. It started up again only to make it to the street out of the parking lot. It started again and I made it 1/2 a block before it died again. I started again and made it one full block this time before it died again. I had to start the van approx. 5-6 more times only to have it die each time in order to get into a local hotel parking lot. I called the service manager at the Ford dealership and he came to check things out. He could.
A hum/whine noise detected at low speeds. Transmission service resulted in discovering metal when pan dropped. Internal transmission failure. Rebuilt transmission installed at a cost of $1,745. No warranty coverage.
Repair cost is $2300 if was to work overtime and pick some part time work I could afford to repair the van in about 3 to 4 months. This van is used for daycare and at this time we do not use it because of safety reasons but is still used for family. I feel the dealer knew of the problem with the Ford Windstar transmissions and sold the vehicle know that it would be unsafe to drive in the future.
95 Ford Windstar needs new engine and transmission because of headgasket problem experienced in other 95 Windstar. I never received any information from Ford about this rampant problem with this component. Repairs should be covered under my extended warranty, but still not sure if everything will be covered. Began having problems almost immediately after buying the vehicle. After several trips to various Ford dealerships, have had several tune ups and oxygen sensor replacements. Last prior service was in June 1999 at rusty eck Ford leavenworth, ks, where the vehicle was tuned up yet again. Despite the fact that this is a well documented problem noone has ever mentioned this to me as a possible cause for poor performance and gas mileage until now, despite the fact that the symptoms are exactly the same as many other owners have experienced. Corrosion problem is limited to right passenger door. The paint at the bottom of the door bubbles, then flakes off revealing already corroded metal beneath. No dealership will fix this problem, citing that paint is not covered under warranty. Noone can explain how a five year old vehicle is rusting out so quickly. I've heard every excuse from acid rain to improper washing to driving through a caustic substance spill.
Second gear failed. First gear performed fine but the shift into second resulted in high engine RPM and no transfer of power to wheels. Third and fourth gear worked. $1,700 in repairs to rebuild electronic overdrive trans axle and torque convertor.
Driving in freeway vehicle started to chug. No warning lights came on the best I came remember. Finished driving home thinking I'll get a tuneup on Monday. Sunday evening I drove to repair shop, (perfect tune) to have a tuneup done first thing in the morning. The shop called and told my husband a head gasket had blown and we had to replace the engine. I wrote to Ford trying to get some assistance and also called them. I was told it was out of warranty and they would not considered any help or reimbursement to me. After the engine was replaced the vehicle still seemed to run rough. I took it back to perfect tune thinking ti was the engine (so did they). This went on for months having them look for the problem and trying to fix it. Finally they said they couldn't figure out what was wrong and said I better take it to the Ford dealer. I took it to brighton Ford and they determined it was a bad transmission. Within appoximately 6 months I had to replace the engine and the transmission. Recently my sister saw a news report on Windstar having problems with the head gaskets thus causing the engine trouble. Is there also problems with the transmission. Hope you can help. Thankyou
This vehicle has had problem from the day we purchased. Most recently, it is currently at dlrship for service due to engine overheating, just short of van catching fire. Prior to this, we had to replace the transmission (approx. 1 1/2- 2yrs. Ago). At this point, we are truly concerned about the safety of this vehicle even after repair.
Transmission failed first making van dangerous to drive on the freeway. Engine failed shortly after having transmission rebuilt by Ford dealer. Engine warning light reported to dealer several times before warranty mileage expired, but Ford never warned
My 1995 Ford Windstar (VIN: [xxx]) underwent repair in 1997 for an automatic transmission forward piston failure. I have recently heard that Ford has repaired or replaced transmissions with same defect (including Windstar and Taurus) at no charge up to 5 years / 80,000 miles. My vehicle had less than 80,000 miles on it at the time of repair (3/18/97). I was charged $500 ($535 with tax) for such repair on 3/18/97 by a Ford dealer plus another $100 in 3rd party diagnostic charges. Ford denied me compensation when I reported this to them. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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- Canton, GA, USA