Vehicle is a 1998 Ford Windstar. While driving the windshield washer, seat belt, and door ajar warning lights flash on and off. While this is happening the wiper blades stop working, power windows will not operate and on a few occasions the headlights will blink with the warning lights. I understand that this is an old vehicle but I have researched this issue and have found hundreds of complaints about the same problem. Not just restricted to this year. It is also an issue that happens just after a few years of service. I would think that wiper blades malfunctioning due to an electrical issue would be a safety concern.

- Oak Ridge, TN, USA

On December 16th 2009. I was driving down West 117th towards madison/lakewood in cleveland, Ohio and was trying to come to a stop (slow down and stop) to allow an ambulance to pass (there was a car in front of me that was also slowing downa nd that came to a stop at the street lot)this is on a major street near an highway intersection. I put my foot on my brake to slow down the vehicle and come to a stop but it would not slow down or stop. The brake had went out. I ended up hitting the car in front of me hard (an SUV) and doing quite a bit of damage to my vehicle. The other driver vehicle was so far as I could tell undamaged. On my vehicle the front light is broken, my bumper is damaged, and my hood is damaged. I, myself and the driver I hit could have gotten seriously injured. So far we are bothfine and no injuries occurred. However he may turn around and come after me if he decides to. And I now can not drive my vehicle. I received a recall notice on my vehicle brake about a month ago around early November. Maybe in end of October. The very day of my accident (happened around 12:15 noon) I was going to go home and call Ford about the recall. There is a worldwide recall on my vehicle model and many others. And I have had nothing but problems since I bought it. I have had to make numerous repairs on it and still had problems and this accident. Ford should be held responsible for this and should compensate me with another vehicle in good condition especially since I have spent so much time and money into replacement parts for this Windstar. Or give me my money back or something. I'm glad my kids were not with me when this happened and that the man I hit was also alone and is ok. What can be done about this? I have had to replace the following items since I got this vehicle: O2 sensors (both), alternator, belt, windshield wiper blade, and make back blades don't work at all, the transmission, the steering column box, door handle and components inside and more!

- Cleveland, OH, USA

I have a 98 Ford Windstar family van VIN# [xxx] I purchased the van in June of 2002 it is still under warranty and had a full inspection by the service dept according to the dealership when purchased, I was driving by myself on a Sunday returning from visiting my elderly parents and as I was driving the interstate a huge noise scared me and I looked to the rear of the van and a window on the passenger side rear vent window was gone, the temp was very cold and no one was around it thank goodness, it could have at a different time cost a motorcycle rider or anyone it could of hit their life or serious injury, I took the van to the Ford dealership I bought it from and explained what happened for them to report and also explained I should not have to pay for the repair, I had to pay for it and contacted the Ford Motor Co three times and they do not seem to believe they should take care of this issue, it was a electric window latch that moves the window in and out as a vent that malfunctioned and broke, it is also the only thing that holds it in. I believe I could not have anticipated this to happen and it was clearly a defect and I should be reimbursed and some now that they have caused me so much aggravation. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Jeffersonville, IN, USA