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.
My 1998 Ford Windstar has broken both right and left coil springs. I've had to replace the transmission, my ABS and regular brake light won't go away even after servicing. My overdrive light keeps coming on and staying lit for days.
When we purchased the van, we also bought a diamondkote warranty, for 499.99$ and told at the time of purchase that is was a good warranty.we then found out that we should not have been sold the warranty and plaza Ford Lincoln will not honor it, we can't even get a refund, so we spoke to someone at diamondkote and this person told us that we should not have been sold the warranty and have been trying to get a refund ever since, either from plaza Ford Lincoln or diamondkote. I had intentions of suing Ford Motor Company two years ago when my husband took my two daughters to halifax, because my 8 year old had cancer at the time, she had a appointment at the I.w.K hospital and it was by the grace of god that thay were not killed when the front suspention spring broke in which case my husband lost steering. I spoke to a lawyer who sadly told, because there was no death or injury there was nothing he could do, well my 8 year old who is now cancer free was so scared, she still gets very scared to get in a vehicle. I could go on but for now this is just the begining. I am going to pursue the matter of the diamondkote warranty further, and possibly more.we have had alot of vehicals before but never a Ford with as much trouble as this has been.
I purchased my 1998 Windstar with approx 20,000 km on it in 1999. Just after the warranty expired (at 60,000 km) I noticed 2 large bubbles in the paint on the two front doors. I took the car to the Ford dealership where they agreed to pay 80% of the cost of repainting. This was not entirely agreeable to me but I felt I had no choice. My vehicle how has 86,000 km on it and the paint is peeling on the roof and around the sliding door. I have contacted Ford Canada but have not heard back from them as yet. Other problems encountered include having to replace a motor for the power windows, the fan mechanism (the blower would not move off of defrost), a leaking brake cylinder as well as what I would consider standard maintenance such as brakes, tires. I am also having intermittent problems with the electrical system eg. The warning bell signalling that the lights have been left on or the keys are in the ignition goes off for no reason. This then prevents me from being able to lock the vehicle.
A/C Oct. 99 $168.98, Dec. 99 $134.40 suspension July 01 $664.61, Dec. 99 $515.85, Jun 01 $61.78, body Jun 01 $443.61 other cd player Jun 01 $19.50 and $366.86 turn signal Jan 02 $161.04 dome light Jan 02 $84.02 Jan 02 $89.72 door Oct 99 $134.52, Mar 03 $285.07 steering Sept.02 $258.82, Mar. 03 $569.32 computer controls Sept. 00 $106.02 engine Jan 02 $784.75 coolant smell (found front cover gasket leaking) Sept. 02 $85.95 (told throttle body worn out, sold me update computer software, seams to run better) currently in shop for check engine light and A/C system intermittent. Mechanic found engine problem, says main bearings or crankshaft bad, possibly due to coolant in oil system from January 02 problem
- Fargo, ND, USA
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This van has all the defects and complaints listed on thegovt. Recalls the NHTSA site and others ihave too much info to put on this site if there is anyone I can send my complaint to please let me know iam putting it back into the shop again ive been thru a nightmare along with trying to assure my 4 kids that they were safe in this van thankyou angela wallace and by the wat the dealer that sold me this van will not cooperate at all
Rear sway bar broke in half on low speed turn if this would have happened on a freeway exchange or off ramp this would have resulted in a rollover and possible death!
I own two 1998 Ford Windstar minivans, both of them have the same problem with the sliding door causing the panel light to come on and the car interior lights to stay on for up to two hours after you have exited the vehicle. I have read in a report that this has been a problem with some of these vehicles. I have a sister that also owns a Windstar and a brother that just traded his in. They have never had this problem to my knowledge. What is causing this and how is the problem fixed? the dealer's mechanic where I purchased it from told me that it is supposed to be like this, but I know it is not. 12 second delay is normal not two hours. I think he was just as stumped as my husband and I have been with this problem. Again please let me know what is causing this to happen and how it can be repaired.
At 55,000 miles my 1998 Windstar with the 232 cubic inch engine, you guessed it, blew a head gasket. After reading about the problems with previous models, it looks as though Ford has more problems a"head" (sorry had to). What steps should I take to help the other consumers make complaints so we aren't out thousands of dollars for repair costs that is obviously a Ford problem" what steps can I take to get Ford to cover the costs of this repair" sincerely,
The transmission failed after having the fluid and pan gasket changed within the previous 6 months. Since it is a '98 and although it has the same transmission as earlier years (whose transmissions have been replaced at no cost to the owner because of either recalls or secret warranties) Ford refused to replace this transmission at cost.
I bought this van because of the clean condition of it. I have the 3.0 ltr engine which has been excellent. The transmission so far is ok. Steering is a dangerous mess with almost everything new and 3 alignments. If you take your eyes off the road even for a second you can end up in a ditch. My wife & I both went off the road in a 1 month span. We both have excellent driving records. The front end seems ok to Ford. Something serious is wrong with the steering. Won"T let my wife drive it anymore. Has a little vibration that you cannot get rid of. Sending this to you because I called Ford and they said there was no safety recall or any steering issues with that van. Had a service bulletin in front of me at that time stating there was. But that is not the problem. Ford denied the all of the above. Am afraid to sell to someone because I think someone will get hurt. Don"T know why Ford keeps putting in the same bad parts year after year. I have had all the dome light problems and door locks etc. They will still say no problems. Bought it used at a good price thinking it was a bad tire causing the problems. If accident occurs will seek damages
Paint is peeling off of van interor remain on panel shows door open when its not and the lights will not go out until you reach about 20mph try driving at night with this.
Power steering line malfunctioned while driving, rendering vehicle difficult to steer, dealer has repaired vehicle. Consumer also stated the air conditioner was not cooling, there was a loose connection at compressor, the doors would not lock, the power door actuator was the cause of the doors not working, windows would not go down because of a bad window motor.
*since purchase new, one tire would go nearly flat weekly. Took it to the dealer to have it checked when they checked the window mechanism and the ABS sensor light--no problem found. Took it to 3 different tire stores (2 Goodyear)--no problem found. It went bald after only 18K and 2 rotations. No problem since purchasing 2 new tires. Alignment was not a problem--done @ 10K & 21K. Weather did not effect air loss, either. *drivers "auto-down" feature has never worked consistantly. Has nearly caused accidents & is very frustrating. Dealer has checked it too many times to count--same with the light on the dash coming on and not going off. I think they changed fuses once--still happens, but not as often. Would that effect safety? I don't know if the system will work properly while the light is flashing. *wiper problem is very intermittent--of course. When on slow intermittent (1 or 2) speed, will speed up on it's own to very fast & then must be turned off & back on again in order to get the correct speed set again. Temp & time run does not effect malfunction at all--happens hot or cold & after 3-5 minutes or up to an hour. Back wiper has always "chattered" when wiping--worse when cold. You change this window" it's hard to tell what you type and very hard to correct errors.( dot number: 97S " tire size: P215/70R15 )
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Roanoke, VA, USA