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 contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that when trying to insert the key into the ignition, it failed to start. The security warning light would illuminate on the instrumental panel while trying to start the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a independent mechanic who informed the contact that she needed to replace the chip in her key and to contact Ford. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
1999 Ford Windstar has problems with the ignition as well as the heater pipe and upper intake seals. The consumer had to giggle the steering wheel and/or shift lever to get the key to turn in the ignition.
Vehicle failed to start 11 times. Each time the dealership indicated the car was "fixed;" however, within weeks the same problem occured again. The dealership only contacted the Ford manufacturing company to request assistance in ascertaining the nature of the problem and subsequent recommendations for correcting the problem after legal representation was obtained. A comprehensive diagnostic work-up was completed which revealed no information relative to the origin of the problem. As a result, we were informed we could, most likely, continue to exprerience the same type of problem with the vehicle as long as we owned it. Despite the ongoing difficulty we have experienced with this vehicle over the course of the past year, the dealership has refused to work toward a resolution in this issue by refusing to either reimburse us for the cost of the automible minus wear and tear or pay the difference between the present value of the vehicle and another vehicle for which our automobile could be traded.
Less than two months after purchasing our van we had to jump start it and lost the cable on the power sliding door. Since then the car's engine was worked on but still stalls out sometimes.the transmission still jerks in park.(they couldn't find a problem.) for the power sliding door, after a new cable, numerous adjustings, alighnments and two control modules put in. It still works eraticley and the dealership refuses to see a problem. The door will not open, when it finally opens it will not shut. When it is closed it does not latch and the interior and door ajar lights stay on. It constantley makes a racket and popping noise. On occasion the door opens while driving. I have three small children and this is a saftey hazard!! working with a Ford rep he states there is nothing they can do but to bring it in "again" for repairs. But they really can't see a problem. He did state that they would give me 1,500 rebate towards another van or trade in. I told him I wanted this unsafe vehicle mashed no further owners. He said that would not happen. After looking at your report on 1999 and 2000 Windstar and the same repeated problems with engines and sliding doors.then comparing to other makes of mini vans and there few problems. I would not want to own another Ford!! I will be submitting this problem to the dispute settlement board. I'ts to bad Ford does not stand behind there products.
The rear seatbelts on both sides have cracked when installing car seats, it has happened to each side once, reported to Ford, no reply, replaced by dealer. I should not be able to break this piece putting in a car seat and tightening it. Other probem, several times vehicle has died at a stop in major intersections and then will not re-start, will turn over but not fire, like it is out of gas. Had it into dealer twice and they say they cannot find a problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Farmington Hills, MI, USA