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.
Cost to owner was $562.48.complaint is w/product (Ford) not with dealer who checked recalls & did not find one...even tho it was caused by corrosion. Serious problem w/no brakes and very expensive remedy for vehicle that is less than 3 yrs old!
Cost to owner was $562.48.complaint is w/product (Ford) not with dealer who checked recalls & did not find one...even tho it was caused by corrosion. Serious problem w/no brakes and very expensive remedy for vehicle that is less than 3 yrs old!
The ABS system has failed on numerous occasions, twice due to control module failure, and several times due to cracked sensor rings and sensors. I have just had the module replaced for the second time and 3 days later the ABS light is on again. The last time it failed, my brakes were inoperative on dry pavement, alternately locking up and disengaging, I narrowly avoided collisions. I have noticed many similar reports and wonder when a recall is going to be ordered. Additionally I have experienced severe binding and grinding in the steering, particularly in cold weather or when the vehicle sits overnight. A Firestone service center feels the problem is probably due to rack and pinion problems. I am told by Ford that my vehicle not covered under nhts recall 97V165001. Again I notice many other similar reports. When is NHTSA recall 97V165001 going to be extended to include other production dates.L.
- Blairstown, NJ, USA
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I'm having the ABS controller repalced which left me with no breaks when it went out. The business which is doing the repairs said he has replaced this controller on other Windstar like mine. I can't belive that the break system has already failed after 3 years. I live in ne. Where there is not an ecessive amount of stop/go traffic. The ABS system went out overnite. One day its good, next day no brakes what if I were driving down the highway when this part decided to go out? I feel that the brakes should last more than 3 years and maybe only need shoes in heavy conditions, not to have main components go out !!!!
On February 19, 2000, I took my 1998 Windstar van to broadway Ford in Idaho falls, Idaho because the ABS brake light began staying on all the time. They diagnosed the problem and stated that the vehicle required a front axle speed sensor and a new axle. This was causing the ABS system to malfunction. The service manager provided me with a quotation of $554.21 (see attached quote) to repair the problem.
While driving at any speed and when attempting to stop vehicle by applying force to brake pedal, brakes did not repsond vehicle suddenly accelerated without prior warning causing unwanted acceleration, consumer contacted dealer and problem has been corrected, cruise control ceased operation but has now been repaired, consumer was advised by technician the vehicle was sold with wrong part.
Master cylinder has prematurely failed at only 52,000 miles while consumer was driving, causing a complete loss of brakes, there is a national backorder for part at minimum of 30 days. At time of replacement, dealer also replaced ABS pump due to it being faulty as well.
When applying brakes there is a squealing sound, braking distance was extended, dealer replaced rear cylinders, then 2 weeks later while driving very slowly, brakes locked up, and driver's rear drum was rusted.
Applied brakes and was attempting to accelerate to go into parking lot when anti-lock brakes locked up, and completely froze while driving 5-10mph. This could have caused rear end accident. Complete ABS system needed to be replaced.
ABS brake lights were on for a year. Dealer could not find problem. In December, while brak pedal went to floor at 15 mph, dealer replaced hydraulic unit. 4 days later, pedal went to floor again.also, dealer replaced front caliper.
I have contacted you to complain about the poor service I have received from numerous Ford dealerships in my area. I am a Ford Windstar owner as well. As I proceeded to complain through the internet site of "Ford" I found that it is very difficult to find a customer service link. I am unhappy with my purchase of this mini-van as well as angered by the difficulty of reachihng a customer service link. I work hard and have very little time to complain, but when I go to complain it is more hassle than help. My van also has had problems with the anti-lock brake system since day one, in which has also been a concurring problem. Pllease help me keep my sanity. All I would like out of this complaint is for my surrounding area at least to have better customer service--a response to a question within a time range of 5minutes, not a half hour per call. Thank you for your attention. Ed.
Consumer was traveling ten mph and anti-lock brake system light came on dashboard. ABS braking system came on. She turned vehicle off to see if light would come off.
ABS failed completly along with the rest of the brake system. Service dealer says a geared ring that reflects to a sensor cracked. This loosened the ring along the axel shaft so that it was no longer located correctly. The failure was complete, and with no warning left me without braking ability on a small hill terminating onto a very busy highway with my 9 yr old daughter with me. It was only great luck that no truck, bus, or car was coming when I rolled right into the highway instead of stopping. No accident resulted, just a very close call. The service dealer reported that I was the second Windstar in the day with the same problem. This is a small town to have two (rare events)! he also inferred that it was rare and thought there was no reason to call Ford. How many other dealer are not reporting this failure?
There are two significant safety issues that we continue to experience with our 1998 Ford Windstar. The transmission continues to intermittently "neutral" at the worst possible times. The effect of this is that the vehicle will begin into an intersection and then the transmission will disengage and the RPM of the engine will race. At this point the transmission might engage after several seconds with a jolt, screeching the tires. In some cases we have had to shift into park and back into drive several times to get the transmission to engage. When this first occurred, we had only owned the car for less than two months and it would only happen every few hundred miles. Ford had to place a "flight recorder" in the vehicle to verify that it was happening. Ford replaced the transmission in early 1999. We began experiencing the problem again in the summer of 2000 and Ford has been unable to repair this problem. We have had it in the shop a total of 12 times with the symptom manifesting itself multiple times in between. The vehicle has been in the shop almost continually since July 15th, 2000 and is still there as of this submission. If it were not for extreme defensive driving and anticipation of the problem that has helped us avoid an accident so far. However, we continue to have the car delivered to us that is supposed to be repaired and we continually have the same problem. The second problem is also reoccurring and deals with the ABS brakes continually going out of adjustment. When they are out of adjustment the stopping power of the car in emergency situations is greatly impaired. The brakes are self-adjusting but continue to be out of adjustment. We have had this problem looked at by four different Ford dealerships and they readjust the brakes that only corrects the problem for a short period of time. The brakes continue to go out adjustment and Ford denies that this is a problem, even though it continues to happen.
1. transmission will shift erratically, and a loud noise will occur and motor will shake. Ford engineering was sent out and determined transmission needed work, but no dealer will honor warranty. 2. brakes will fail in the winter and in slippery roads, causing pedal to go to floor and vehicle will not stop. 3. all doors lock by themselves/ lights flash on and off, and heater and defroster motor will come on even without the key in the igntion. Vehicle will even start up by itself.
Complete brake failure&stuck accelerator-backing up driveway with feet on brakes-accelerator pedal went down on own van wrapped around tree- reported brake problem on test drive-they fixed it, but no good.
When brakes were applied pedal went to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer inspected vehicle, and put on pads and rotors prior to the incident.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Levittown, NY, USA