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.
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.
On 12/21/98 (50,795 miles), our Windstar had been bucking and began overheating. We had the transmission serviced, the thermostat replaced, and the coolant flushed. On 12/27/98 we began to emit white smoke from the exhaust. The following day it was towed to Ford which replaced a blown head gasket under recall. However, we had to replace with a re-built transmission at a cost of $1,993 since we were over 50,000 miles. A transmission leak repaired on 5/17-18/99 (56,866 miles) under warranty. On 8/7/99 we had our gas tank replaced at a cost of $445 due to what the technician called a stress fracture - an inherent defect.
- Chandler, AZ, USA
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After researching the internet, I learned that many customers have had to replace transmissions in the Windstar before reaching 50,000 miles and replace head gaskets around 70,000 miles. The cost of both repairs is expensive and Ford does not cover these expenses if you did not respond to a letter they say they sent everyone. I feel that Ford should pay to correct the problem which they know exists.
The Windstar is very unsafe. The transmission has failed three times, always while vehicle is in traffic, sometimes at high speeds. The head gasket failure causes serious other engine compnonets to fail, eventually causing complete engine failure, which can also occur suddenly while in traffic.
Called the dealer about the troubled head gasket. Dealer commented that there is a recall, but the millage can't exceed 60K. I told the dealer that there was another recall on the passenger air bag "eye burning gases when deployed" the dealer commented the recall, but again the millege of the vehicle couldn't exceed 50,000. At no time did I receive a recall notice. Also, I'm now have problems with the transmission "park selection". it won't release or dis-engage.
Vehicle suddenly loss power for several seconds, the RPM's would go from approximately 2,000 to 5,000, there would be a surge, power would return and the RPM's would return to 2,000.
Judging from the number of complaints with regard to early Windstar transmission failures on the net, it would appear that I am not the only one wha has had some difficulty with this model...
Bob keim replace control arm / spindle assembly first week of Jan. 1998. This was covered under Ford 3 year 36 month warranty. Bob keim would not replace transmission as 36 month warranty expired April 3rd which was the date that vehicle was originally put into service. Amco completely rebuild transmission for me 5/15/98 at a cost of $1,958.99
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Weston, CT, USA