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.
Consumer stated the check engine light would illuminate, the engine would hesitate when accelerating, the dealer replaced the cam sensor, crankshaft sensor, replaced all the plugs with platinum, and replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets.
While accelerating at speeds of 35 to 40 there is a knocking pinging noise, took to dealer and they replaced a vacuum hose. Problem reoccured. Consumer states there is oil being consumpt some where in vehicle.
There are several problems with out now three year old Windstar that have either been corrected temporarily or not corrected at all. The most persistent issues are with the drivetrain in particular the transmission which shifts erratically when going around corner or climbing hills at low spead. The recall was performed at 25K but the transmission continues to operate poorly. Ford has offered no solution or warranty extension for these problems. The engine problems to date revolve around the innability to use regular or mid grade fuels as advertised on the vehicles sticker, we have been offered a valve cover replacement for $500 but in speaking with other Windstar owners this only fixes the problem temporarily. Also it seems to me this is a defect that Ford should fix not the owner. The other persistent problem is with the direver side power door, in hot temperatures the door does not close completely and pops open when driveing. The dealer has repaired this several times and while better that in was it continues to be an intermittent problem. We are frustrated with the probelms this vehicle has experienced including the replacement of the entire power steering system, rack, pump and hoses and more frustrating is Ford unwillingness to stand behind the vehicle and its fault. Our overwhelming concern is that the transmission and engine will both fail before we have received any usefull value for our money. Ford needs to be held accountable for the products they develop, I hope you will be able to enforce some type of coverage or warrantee protection for the consumer.
- South Easton, MA, USA
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Most recent incident - engine stalled with complete loss of power when reducing from highway speed to ~25 mph due to traffic conjestion on North side of Chicago after driving ~45 minutes in 95 degree weather with air conditioning operation. Vehicle would not restart. Illinois dot pushed vehicle to shoulder. After total wait ~20 minutes, engine restarted. Drove with air conditioning off and heater on full through remaining congestion (~45 minutes). Drove remaining trip (total of 3.5 hours) with no futher incident. Prior occurrence on 07/29/02. Similar weather/driving conditions. After 2.5 hours at highway speed, exited to side road. Vehicle stalled shortly after exit. Restarted after 15 minutes. No repeated incident in remaining 15 minutes of drive. Return trip had no incident. Prior incident in November, 2001. In cool weather, several short errant trips - vehicle stalled. Restarted after several hour wait. Vehicle towed to dealer. No failure codes determined, no diagnosis of reason for engine failure. Dealer replaced alternator under warranty.
Engine would stall while driving at multiple speed or when slowing down. Vehicle been to a dealer once, and on three occasions at a repair shop, but problem stilloccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.
The engine light came on after consumer took vehicle in for a recall in which he believes is causing the light to come on, consumer is requesting reimbursemnt that was incurred by the dealer to just examine it.
While driving at highway speed and going uphill, engine started to knock. After numerous attempts to correct the problem, it still exists. Mechanic stated to consumer, "some engines just knock".
The engine light came on after consumer took vehicle in for a recall in which he believes is causing the light to come on, consumer is requesting reimbursemnt that was incurred by the dealer to just examine it.
This recurring problem continues to fail within one to two weeks after the dealership has replaced a needed part. Each time I get my vehicle back it works for the aforementioned time and the problem comes up again. They replace parts one by one and each time another part on the system fails.another issue I believe to be associated with the series of this entire vaccum system is when I am driving at speeds of 30 -35 mph, there is considerable noise coming from the engine which sounds like lifter rattle. It happens when I need to acclerate to get onto the highway also. I notice when the vehicle has been serviced for the check engine light (which requires that a part or parts be replaced for the vaccum system), the noise will stop and won't be noticeable for several days and eventually the light will come on again.this issue of the lifter noise has never been addressed by the dealership I am told that they cannnot duplicate the problem, and they have no answer or solution. This problem also causes the comsumption of gas to increase dramatically. The van will use one eighth tank of gas on a normal day of driving when, if the light is on, the vehicle is not working properly I will use about one quarter tank of gas. The consumption is doubled.
I have been experiencing engine knock since I purchased the vehicle in June 1999. The first documented service at a Ford dealer was in September 1999 at 5,000 miles. The engine knock was apparent at highway acceleration speeds and on slight hills. It became worse over time. After my continued persistence at the dealer over more than a year, a tsb was found and the valve cover was replaced in the July-August 2001 timeframe per a Ford tsb (NHTSA number SB618552). This did not remedy the problem and the technician at the dealer told me in September 2001 that he still found an abnormal amount of oil in the engine. Ford engineers have suggested replacing the PCV valve and tubing system among other minor adjustments, which the technician doubts will make any difference. At this point, it appears that the valve cover redesign in the tsb does not remedy the problem. This complaint is identical to ODI ids: 744509 and 725795.
While driving under wet conditions power assisted steering failed. Dealer has examined vehicle and determined that cover under the vehicle which protects the engine needed to be replaced. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
Consumer states vehicle will stall at low idle, engine always revs very high at start up, then calms down, also engine stall if air condition is on while parked.
While driving 60mp vehicle stalled out and died without warning, resulting in loss of vehicle control. After vehicle had stalled out "low oil pressure" indicator light flashed. Dealer inspected vehicle. Dealer could not figure why vehicle stalled, however stated that the PCM was Canadian or europian made so it was replaced.
Vehicle will stall at any speed/ any time. Stalled 8 times in 20 minutes. Vehicle at dealer at this time, still trying to find cause. At times the vehicle can not be restarted, this occurs imediately prior to when it stalls, the RPM indicator drops down to zero then within the next 3-5 seconds the car completely dies. Nlm
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus, OH, USA