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 started her vehicle and proceeded to drive. After driving a block or more at 2 mph, white smoke began to pour out of the hood. She jumped out of the vehicle and someone else inspected underneath her hood. The contact was informed that the wiring melted and could be unhooked. He proceeded to unhook it and drive to her residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The purchase date and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 114,000.
Started the car and small amount of white smoke came from under the engine hood. The odometer is now all dashes, speedometer stays at 0, and the air conditioning is inop. #10 fuse blew. Replaced and same thing recurs.
1999 Ford Windstar van:: cruise control stopped working. I remembered seeing a special on cnn-tv recently about Ford F150 and Explorer vehicles catching on fire. Suspected cause was the cruise control cut-out switch located on the brake master cylinder. So I decided to see if there was anything I could see related to my problem. I found the cruise control switch that's mounted on the bottom front of the brake master cylinder soaked with brake fluid. Apparently the switch's seal failed causing brake fluid to leak thru the switch into the power connector and run down the wiring. This failure could have caught my vehicle on fire because a liquid across a 12 volt power connector to ground is a high resistance short translating into heat = fire. I took some pictures with a digital camera and can E-mail them if you're interested. In the mean time I disconnected the power connector at the cruise control cut-out switch for safety. I can't find any recall for this problem on a 1999 Ford winstar " I have a 1999 Ford F150 truck also and it has the cruise control cut-out switch mounted on the end of the brake master cylinder except it's on the top. I also disconnected it to be safe. I called Ford and a new switch costs about $15 but none are available. Someone needs to kick the rock off Ford being in total denial of the problem. It's quite easy to see what the problem is and they keep saying they don't know what's causing it ??" if I can get a new switch I can also send the defective one to someone to evaluate. This is basic electronics and not a mystery. Thanks,
Complaint received via E-mail. My 1999 Ford Windstar burst into flames around four in the morning on May 24, 2004. Vehicle had been parked since the afternoon on May 21 as we had gone on a camping trip for the weekend.the fire was the hottest by the driver's side engine compartment. Fire department could not determine what really caused the fire in my Ford van. They did state that it likely started in the engine compartment.
Fire under hood: Previous electrical problems: Interiors lights coming on and staying on, dealers unable to find problem or duplicate. Radio turning on and changing stations, components on its own. Replaced on 03/06/2000. Sliding doors opening while vehicle is moving and refusing to close. Dealer unable to find cause. Computerizes keys not working in ignition on two occasions. System being reprogram both times. Am side of radio not working at night five days before fire. Noted that when headlights are turned off, am works, but when turned back on nothing but static. 2) transmission: Several occassions it would hardly pull up a hill, others the car would stay at one speed although my foot was not on the accelerator. Extra braking was needed to slow vehicle down or stop. 3) computer module replaced several times and still worked erractic through 08/16/2002. 4) speedometer cluster performed erractic until relaced to include mileage doubling for any mileage driven on a given day. 5) suspension problems: Spindle connecting rod replaced 03/07/2002, struts and ball joints replaced 05/29/2002, and lower arms and tie rod ends replaced 06/07/2002.
While driving 5-10 mph consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Consumer pulled over, before fire department arrived vehicle burned to the ground.
Vehicle had been sitting all day and it suddenly caught on fire. Vehicle was totalled. Fire department stated that fire started in engine compartment on driver's side. Dealer has been contacted.
01 V 262 000/auxiliary A/C blower motor wiring: This recall repairs was made on the 7 Dec 01 by louisburg Ford; louisburg, ks; phone # 913/837-5333. On the incident date while traveling 45 mph a fire started in the engine compartment, beleived this may be the cause of the fire. Dealer/manufacturer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Meriden, CT, USA