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.
When putting vehicle into gear, vehicle accelerated by itself. Vehicle accelerated to the point where brakes would not stop vehicle. Also, vehicle went several hundred feet before stopping and consumer stated not sure how vehicle stopped. Contacted dealer and dealer stated had never had any problems with this model vehicle.
While driving cruise control would not work.airbag light came on an off once every three weeks. Also, locks started to lock and unlock by themselves. Headlights were flickering off and on. Finally, then horn failed. Consumer replaced horn, and horn still did not work. Consumer felt problems may have been related to clock spring. Consumer wrote in saying the name and address belongs to her, however the vehicle is not hers, nor is any of the information along with it.
Failure of transmission at highway speed; fluid spilled onto road caught fire under engine compartment; complained to dealer about hard shifting from 1-2; and van surging forward when coming to a stop; dealer claimed no problem performed B51 service update prior to problem; overdrive slips in and out on incline; requires remanufactured transmission.
My wife called me at work stating that there was a grinding sound coming from the van as she parked it in the garage. I went home and popped the hood and did a visual inspection and discovered nothing. I was going to stand in front of the van and listen while she started it to see if I could pinpoint the sound. She was concerned that I should not be near it in case "something blew up". I agreed and decided to start it myself and see how it sounded. As I started the van it surged forward (while in park), made a terrible grinding sound, and I had to slam on the brakes to stop it. It just touched the chest freezer in front of it in the garage. I immediately shut it off. Started it again and there was no sound and the engine run smoothly. Tried all the gears and got nothing. Had it towed to the dealer who tore it down and stated the planatery gear had seized. Had I stood in front of the van to listen as my wife started it I would have been smashed as it surged forward. Seems very dangerous for the vehicle to surge like that, even if the transmission fails.
My 1999 Windstar has sudden acceleration while in bumper to bumber slow moving traffic. It will all of a sudden accelerate forward while your foot is not on the brake or on the gas. We have taken it to three Ford delearships and are unable to get it fixed. We have been told this is normal with Ford and the computer shows no problems. This has been an ongoing problem and I am concerned about the safety of my family and myself while driving this vehicle. The transmission has already been replaced in may of 2000. Thank you!
- Stafford, VA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The van begins to surge (rpms jump from 500 to 1200) and the battery light comes on then the van dies. This occurs approximately once or twice a week. On a more routine basis, the van does a mild surge and then when you step on the accelerator to go it acts like it is going to die and then lurches forward. These problems only occur when the van is completely warmed up and idling for more than a brief moment (such as at a traffic light or a stop sign that takes a minute to be able to go.) this may not sound like a serious problem but as the driver I would not agree with that. We have presented our case to the Ford dispute board and they found it not to be a "safety" problem (I don't understand that). We have tried to deal with both corning Ford and red bluff Ford with no success. I can't believe that the consumer can be railroaded and ignored when they try to go through the system that is suppose to be set up to avoid such messes as these. All I want is out of this vehicle before I get in an accident because my van decided not to go and some other driver didn't know I have a lemon and hits me.
We have experienced 5 incidents when going from park-reverse, park- drive and when corning the engine RPM's will go to maximum for approximately 5 seconds. It was returned to the dealer after these incidents and was reviewed by a local Ford representative. However, they said they could not duplicate the incident and therefore could not determine the problem. However, in reviewing your database I have seen numerous case where this problem has been reported. Its only a maner of time before serious accidents occur. Please help us to get this problem corrected. Thank you.
During shifts from 1st to 2nd gear with the engine at idle, at approximately 5 mph, the engine surges during the shift. As a result, the vehicle suddenly accelerates to approximately 9-10 mph. This has caused several near-accidents and panic stops in parking lots and stop-and-go traffic. During normal acceleration with a partially open throttle, this problem does not occur. The vehicle has behaved in this way since it was new.
Vehicle was idling while consumer's foot was on the brake, the engine surged and accelerated forward hitting a boat motor that was in front of the vehicle, consumer's vehicle was damaged.
Upon approaching a state highway from a side street at less than 15 mph, the brake pedal on this van was pushed but did not respond. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor but the van would not stop. I pushed it down 2 times and neither time did the brakes work, though I did hear a "rattling" noise that sounded like the ABS system was trying to kick in. I looked up quickly and since no one was coming from either direction, I just went through the intersection without stopping. Could have been deadly if another vehicle was coming! we contacted a local Ford dealer and they checked it out, but said they could find no problem with the van's braking system, so no repairs were made. They also said they could find nothing on Ford's computer records of this ever happening before in a Ford Windstar. But in checking your website, we found that it has happened to others! we're afraid to drive it until it is fixed---could happen again anytime (who knows??) and the results could be tragic the next time.
Intermittently while vehicle slowed down or stopped consumer applying the brakes, and vehicle accelerated unexpectedly up to 4 feet, which could have caused a rear end collision. Dealer could not determine the cause of the problem.
When brakes pedal was applied vehicle accelerated instead of slowing down to stop as it should. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and could not find the cause.
Intermittently van surges at low speed while in drive or reverse. Van has been taken 8 times to two different dealerships. Neither dealership was able to correct the problem.
When applying brakes to slow down, transmission would make a loud sound. And vehicle would accelerate. Then transmission would make again the same noise & then it would jerk. Been to dealer & mechanic could not locate cause of noise.
Engine runaway acceleration problem has been detected three (3) more times since origional report to Ford dealer (total 4 as of 09/15/99). Problem has happened three (3) times with transmission in drive and one (1) time in reverse position.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fort Myers, FL, USA