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.
The speedometer failed when the vehicle just passes the 30,000 miles. It is bouncing back and forth between the top and bottom of the gauge. Without an accurate speed indicator, it is not save to drive this vehicle on the highway. I think that Ford ought to recall the Windstar failed speedometer asap.
Speedometer is no longer showing the actual speed driven, needle jumps around, if driving 75mph it shows 120mph. This happens on a daily basis, there is also a ticking noise. Vehicle has not been examined by a dealer.
I have been having problems with my check engine light coming on and staying on since Sept. 2000 when vehicle had under 100,000 miles on it. Took it to dealer while under warranty. Now have a private certified auto tech who does my repairs and code read outs. I have had a tune up at 95,000 miles, and had to have another one at 121,000 miles. Had problems with engine stalling while driving down the interstate and up a hlll. In summer of 2001, I had the iac valve changed which corrected the stalling problem. Have replaced O-2 sensors at least twice. In past 6 months, the enging has been running very rough and I have a strong smell of gasoline. 2nd tune-up and coil replaced about 2 weeks ago. Engine now running very rough and gasoline odor is so strong that you could not light a match in the vehicle. Check engine light on again as well as brake and ABS light. Radiator completely empty for the 2nd time in 2 weeks.
The speedometer has failed on my 1996 Ford Windstar placing my wife and two small children at risk. The service department at tony betten Ford in grand rapids, mi diagnosed the problem on March 7, 2003. Betten reported to me that a disproportionate number of speedometers have failed on 1996 Ford Windstar and 1996 Ford escorts. I was also told by the service department that Ford has not recalled the models because "they (Ford Motor Company) don't consider a failed speedometer a safety issue." In my view Ford should recall and pay for repairs. If speedometers aren't a safety issue then why don't we all drive intuitively? under separate cover I am writing my congressman representative vern ehlers so that his office might offer you assistance.
The brakes make a loud sound like a rolling drum when you try to stop. It shakes, rattles and makes a loud dragging like noise until the car stops. Now you have to press the brakes all the way down in order to just slow the van down. Also sometimes when you try to accelerate the van will start to move backwards when it's in drive. Then with a hard kick which sort of feels like someone is rear ending you, the van will go forward. The brakes are so bad at this point that sometimes the emergency brake is needed just to stop the van.
When stopping at a light, engine sometimes will die. Vehicle would lunge forward after pulling off from a stop. Took vehicle to dealer, they replaced something, and two weeks later problem reoccurred. The engine stalls whenever more than one device is turned on at the same time. This problem makes it impossible to turn head lights and windshield wipers on together. The vehicle also shakes violently after being driven for few hours.
While driving in the country where I live with three children at the base of the mountain to head 20 miles to my home I pressed on the accelerator and the vehicle lost power and went nowhere. Could not drive over 35 mph. Was seen by a body shop and they replaced fuel filter and returned vehicle to me. Second occasion driving down the mountain at 55mph a strong jerk whiplashed myself and has caused injury in my back took to body shop and needs new transmission and must be towed. Van still sitting at body shop now for 2 weeks as I have 3 children and now no transportation...thanks Ford.
The transmission in this vehicle failed at an unacceptably low mileage. When it failed, it caused a surging that was dangerous. The speedometer should not fail at such a low mileage. It fluctuates wildly. We do not have the resources to get it fixed and can't tell what speed we are driving.
Failure of the speedometer while driving on the freeway. The speedometer needle jumps erratically while driving faster than 30mph. The speedometer will eventually peg at 120mph, even though you are driving at slower speeds. According to my repair shop, the speed sensor broke, but Ford requires a very costly repair that includes replacement of the whole speedometer head and speed sensor.
While driving transmission went out. Vehicle jolted about 3 times, and then coasted to a stop. Vehicle felt like it was in neutral, and would not go into any other gear. Ford customer representatives are defensive when consumer talks to them regarding the problems and they are unwilling to help in any matter.
My vehicle went crazy. It lunged backwards and then rocketed forward straight right into the wall of a furniture store. It felt like it was going 500 mph. I had no control over the car. It went crazy. I am totally serious. It was the scaryist experience of my life! please help me report it to all who need to know.
Transmission replaced around 40000 miles due to its jumping, RPM's went up and down. Currently, happening again. The consumer states the transmission had been replaced six times but the problem was not solved. As the result the consumer was very much concerned about safety.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ludlow, MA, USA