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.
Thursday Oct. 5, 2006 at 7:00 pm, my van was sitting in the parking lot at my son's high school where it caught fire and was completely destroyed. I was not notified of any problems with my Windstar van.
Electronics-door ajar warning light stays on specifically when weather is damp or mild. This causes door locks to unlock by themselves even when vehicle is in motion, also door chime keeps chimming. Battery looses power because dome lamp stays on for extended period of time. Rear windshield wipers will not work if illuminated door ajar warning is caused by opening or closing rear liftgate. Repairs have been made to driver door switch at the cost of $100 parts and labor, however the passenger door, side slider and rear liftgate have the same problem. Im not sure if doors are really closed or not. Since the doors wont stay locked, I believe this poses as a safety hazard to all passengers. Mechanics have told me that this is a common problem with mini vans.
The vehicle had been parked for about 15 mins before it caught on fire. The doors locked, and the windshield wipers were running on their own. The fire department came and had to cut the battery cable to stop the vehicle. The keys were left inside the vehicle on the console in between the two front seats. A report was filed with the fire department. The dealer stated they had not received any reports of fires on Windstar. Manufacturer was contacted, and caller filed a complaint. They will get back to him. Vehicle was totaled, and it was towed away. The caller did not know what started the fire.
We have always had trouble with this van - we bought it used(1 yr old) so we had no recourse as far as warranties go. We finally were able to take it in to the Ford dealership and have the light problem looked at - they replaced a sensor for $140 and as soon as we drove 45 miles it started up again! we were on our way on a road trip and I called to tell them it failed, but when we got back two weeks later they claimed that it must be something different... interior lights do not shut off, removed door ajar chime so we didn't have to listen to that while driving all the time, door ajar light has been on continuously for more than 3 years, we've had to remove the dome lights and turn the other lights to "off" so our battery doesn't go dead over night - the passenger floor lights remain on however and get very hot... the doors do not lock because the car thinks it's doors are open! the car has become dangerous to drive and the problem has stumped too many mechanics to list - when driving above 40 mph the right wheel starts making a 'thumping' noise and when turning left or accelerating it becomes almost deafening, now it's making a very loud screech if, but don't want to sell this death-trap to anyone else either you turn too sharply - there is a continuous squeaking noise coming from the same area. Please help!! thank you, [xxx] ps... cruise control doesn't work and the back wiper only works if you're backing up... have had the van realigned continually and I just bought another set of tires in June and the left front tire is already worn out... the right passenger's window sometimes doesn't roll back up and the service engine light stays on sometimes for months for no reason as well as the brake light... information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I purchased my van from my grandfather's estate. On Saturday, February 12, 2005, I was driving my 1998 Ford Windstar. I was traveling from a school function where I teach with my seven-year-old daughter in the van. My van seemed to have smoke coming from under the hood. I was stuck in traffic on highway 183 heading North toward cedar park where I live. I couldn't make the light at the junction of 620 to pull into a parking lot, so I went past the light and turned into the construction area just North of that intersection. I had already called my husband to meet me because I was concerned about the van. When I pulled in, I popped the hood and saw small flames and smoke coming from the driver side rear section under the hood. I dropped the hood and grabbed my daughter from the car. I then called 911 and they dispatched the fire department. While I waited, I pulled a bottle of water from the van, popped the hood and sprinkled water on the flames. When the fire department found me, the fire was smaller. They finished putting out the fire and told me that I probably saved my van by sprinkling water on it. It appeared to be electrical and near the area where the cruise control is located. I was in tears by the time my husband arrived and it was a horrible experience. I am grateful that we were not injured, but am furious that Ford has not recalled my van. I did have it repaired at computer age automotive in cedar park and my insurance agent is ryan with state farm whom I did submit the claim. I was told that state farm does not have plans to pursue Ford. I don't want another family to have this problem. It could have been a extremely bad situation.
- Cedar Park, TX, USA
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While parked on the street, somehow in the night, an electrical fire ignited on the left passenger seat behind the driver seat located at the second electrical outlet. It was so hot it melted the car seat and paneling near the armrest. The glass didn't break but paint to outside of car is peeling off. Center and console was destroyed. The fire went out somewhere near the front. No repairs have been made.
Right after purchasing the vehicle, I started having problem with it. I addressed the seller, and he told me that the vehicle had no warranty, and so that I should just take the vehicle and take care of the problem by myself. I have had numerous of problems with this vehicle. When I purchased the vehicle, I feel I was used because I am poor, and was desperate for a vehicle. Other people that have purchased a vehicle from them have had the same problem. I don't know what actions can be taken to correct the matter any longer. I haven't given a payment for about 4 months, because I have had to fix the vehicle. Mainly transmission and electrical problems. I have also had steering wheel problems, and tire problems.
Door ajar light stays on, door ajar bell rings continually when parked or driving under 17 mph, interior will not go off, problem seemed to come and go but now it seems to be here for good. Unsafe to drive at night.
I currently own a 1998 Ford Windstar. I have had this van for two years. I bought it with 38000 miles on it and now have 66000 miles on it. Up till about a month ago, I had no problems as I have loved this van. But I did run into a peculiar problem that seems that most people are having with this van as I have checked numerous websites and web posts on the internet as well as my friends that have formerly owned this vehicle. The door ajar censor inside the doors wear, causing the computers to recognize the car doors to be shut. This emits a beeping sound that steadily beeps till you rise above 15 mph. Also, the lights stay on and since Ford built these vans all the same way, you cannot simply fix it without spending at least 500 dollars if your lucky. Also, another problem has risen just recently. My transmission has started to slip. I expected normal wear-and-tear, but it seems that when you reach a certain threshold, as many of other people have experienced once hitting 65000 miles on this particular van, the transmission goes completely. I would like to send an awareness to Ford to fix this problem in their newer vans, if a problem emerged and to future buyers of this year of van. This has cost me over 2500 dollars and I must admit, is not worth it. This van is by far the worst investment I have ever made, and I do not recommend buying one. Thank you.
Continual problems with interior lights and locks because of the door ajar monitor. Have to use passenger side door to enter because drivers door normally sets it off, and have to unplug battery to let system reset, so battery does not go dead which normally takes a couple of days. Locks will lock and unlock on their own while driving. Door ajar will also activate with the other doors on its own while you are driving. This has been happening for at least two years. Everytime I wanted to take it to the dealer, it would stop and the dealer said they could do nothing unless it was happening at the time.
My 1998 Windstar caught fire today. The fire appeared to start in the driver's door lock component. The entire driver's seat was destroyed, the windshield melted and cracked and the ceiling and dashboard melted. The entire van is smoke-damaged. The van had several auto-lock, instrumentation and door ajar problems which had been addressed by the dealership.
Door ajar bell and lights do not go out, locks do not work properly in passenger rear door. Doors close fine but bell and lights persist at all times. Fuse had to be removed for night driving and to prevent a dead battery. I cant hear things around me outside due to door ajar bell. Bell tone is loud and causing headaches.
1998 Ford Windstar; front brakes seem to have continuous shimmy; passenger side door lock uncooperative unlocking with remote; engine light off/on often, doesn't seem to be a reason; electrical panel malfunctioning after 104,000 miles, (engine light constantly on, ABS light on, trac light constant flashing, and fuel gauge not reading gas in tank)
After stopping a my van, the interior lights do not turn off and the dashboard shows an open door although all doors are closed. The beeping noise indicating the door is opened continues to make noise. The doors no longer lock. This condition continued even when the car is running. The dealer said to just remove the interior bulbs or just pull the fuse. When the dealer pulled the fused the brake lights no longer worked and the car could no longer go out of park but the interior lights went out. The dealer said I must start the car with gear shift half way between park and neutral. The dealer said this is a very unique problem and is caused by something that I did. I stated that's absurd. The Ford dealer mechanic then said it must be one of sensors probably the drivers door. Now I see there are others that have the exact same problem. This is a very serious and dangerous problem.
ABS light comes on intermittently and red brake light stays on constantly. While this is happening, the rear windshield wiper will not shut off, and the front windshield wipers do not work. The check engine soon light is constantly on. The turn signals are blinking rapidly or not working on some occasions. My warranty has expired as of last year. The transmission has already been rebuilt and we had problems with the door ajar warning lights not going off and the door lock motor had to be replaced because at first they were locking on their own repeatedly. I feel like these were all a result of wiring problems, but we had such a hard time getting all of the other things repaired that I'm not looking forward to going back to the dealer again, especially since the warranty has expired. This vehicle has been a lemon the whole time we have owned it.
Consumer called complaining about the recall received on the vehicle. Also stated that she had this problem but the dealer never paid attention to the complaints.
Vehicle would not start, took vehicle to Firestone and they replaced the starter. 5 days later, vehicle would not start. Firestone stated it was the pin switch that drained the battery. Consumer states that the transmission failed at 81000 miles.
Courtesy lights will intermittenly work. They will come on when driving at night, or sometimes they will not come on at all. Experiencing other electrical problems with the reverse lights, interior lights, automatic door locks, door check light, and signal lights operating intermittently, consumer states that the engine is noisy and the engine check light is always on, the seat belt is loose, passenger side arm rest is loose, and the back window wiper is inoperative.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Macon, GA, USA