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 the vehicle was abnormally pulling to the right in would sporadically become stuck in park. On a separate occasion the contact was driving 30 mph when the check engine and overdrive warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where unknown repairs were performed yet the failure persisted after the repairs. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times where several unknown repairs were made but to no avail. In addition, the contact stated that the battery was replaced five times and the she was recently made aware of two open recalls on the vehicle; NHTSA campaign id numbers: 10V385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). Neither recall repair had yet been performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 127,445 and the approximate current mileage was 150,000.
Noticed vehicle unstable while driving. Diving left or right during acceleration and braking. Upon investigation found complete rust-through separation of sub-frame at rear body mount on passengers side. Right control arm mount on sub-frame is also badly rusted. Entire subframe is able to move front and back on the passengers side resulting in erratic vehicle movement while driving. Fortunately we caught it before something really bad happened, but this is definitely a safety defect, and could have had disastrous results.
1999 Ford Windstar LX. Engine cradle failure at mount point passenger rear. Reference NHTSA # PE10026. I am in the same situation. The passenger rear engine cradle mount has failed causing steering problems and loss of control. The passenger tie rod and control arm are now bent. At this point the vehicle is not safe, but I am forced to drive it. The vehicle is pulling severely to the left. This condition is worse on acceleration due to the bent steering components. The failure occurred while driving @ 50 mph causing difficulty steering.
Took my van into midas for an oil change, the mechanic called me out and showed me the K frame is rotted and hanging off the vehicle on passenger side of vehicle. This is also caused additional front end damage. Mechanic told us do not drive this vehicle. It has been sitting in the front of our house since.
Ford Windstar cracked axle in California. Had Ford replace the axle----this was not under a recall notice 6 months ago. As it was announced today, we are amazed that California would not be considered a cold weather state (poor designation, given that cars move). We frequented lake Tahoe (calif), Sierra nevadas (calif), and Nevada (have to cross thru snow to get there) in our family's minivan. Our repair is already paid for & van sold (this scared us) so my memo is not for my family, but for everyone in the state of California. Please reconsider & add ca to your recall.
- Saratoga, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving 50 mph the vehicle lost power steering. The contact has not had the power steering diagnosed. The failure mileage was 177,000.
Ford Windstar XL 1999- front end clunking noises serviced 3-4 times before it was fixed. Repeated repairs to various front end components replaced at my expense including power steering pump, rack & pinion, tie rods, U-joints costing $2000 or more. Continue to suffer from groaning, noisy, & stiff steering. Also ongoing engine pinging upon acceleration after numerous repairs. Random power sliding door function. Metallic rattling, jingling noises from under car both when idling & driving.
The front sub frame dropped down due to rust at the rear attaching points. This caused a loss of steering. The vehicle is a 1999 Ford Windstar van. I called Ford Motor Company & they said there was nothing they could do, that there is no warranty or recalls for this problem. It seems that this is a serious safety issue. Although there was no accident or injuries, it could very well have caused a serious accident.
: the contact stated while the vehicle was driven 30 mph, there was a popping noise, and the steering shifted pulling the vehicle to the right. The vehicle was driven to the residence, where the contact inspected the steering and found the steering was turned to the left. When the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, the vehicle was put onto a lift. The subframe was found to be rusted out and had a fracture. The front left tie rod was bent due to the frame failure on the opposite side. The sub frame section supporting the engine and transmission and the left outer tie rod were replaced. The manufacturer was notified.
1999 Windstar, . paint peeling on front hood, replaced the following: Transmission (4 times), inner and outer tie rods (2 times) power steering system, intake manifold gaskets and system(twice), interior lights that flicker intermittently and stay on for periods of time for no reason.
Transmission problem with 1999 Ford Windstar on several occasion. (transmission slippage) these problems have existed since the vehicle was first purchased; engine trouble, vaporization leaks, and a broken gear. There were also worn front brakes, steering was inoperative, and there was a vacuum leak due to the upper intake manifold.
Consumer states that she lost control of her vehicle after the steering went out. She indicated that his was not the first time. The first time this occurred the vehicle was repaired by the dealer. Now it has gone out again causing her to hit a wall in the garage. The vehicle started pulling to the left and the consumer could not bring it back. The air bags did not deploy. The dealer claimed they repaired the vehicle but the invoice didn't state what was replaced.
The consumer stated the vehicle rolled off a hill, went across the highway into a field there was damage to the drivers door and the muffler. The second time the incident happened the vehicle was in the consumers driveway and crashed into a tree, the vehicle sustained damaged to the fender. In both cases the consumer stated the air bags did not deploy. The steering wheel never locked on the vehicle as well.
* vehicle leans since purchased Sept 13, 2003. * allignment problems. * transmission does not properly change gears. * low treads on tires. * a frame problems. * suspension steering makes a clunking noise. * brakes must be pumped to stop, and make a ticking noise when applied. * vehicle has overheated. * power steering fluid leaked. * gears do not shift properly. * primer scotch guard on seats wearing after coat applied.
Heat failed in July, pin to flap in evaporator case assembly had broken off. Whole assembly has to be replaced requiring tearing apart the dashboard. Part alone cost $326.40 check engine light kept coming on - found pressure leak at gasket. Had complained about engine sluggishness for years and was told the computer could find nothing wrong...after gasket was fixed, no more engine sluggishness. Ford would not cover saying the problems could not be tied together to justify warranty repair!! power steering went. First attempted flushing system. After failed again, replaced pump, after that did not fix the problem, had to replace entire system. Ford replied to my request for coverage that this was the first case they had heard of this problem in a Windstar and to keep my receipts so that I might get consideration if they do something in the future. I feel these problems are excessive for a 50,000 mile car...Ford agrees but says the average number of problems is much lower so they still class their car as very reliable!!!
We purchased the 1999 Windstar in Dec 1998. From the first weeks of ownership, we have complained about the transmission. Dealer changed transmission fluid and said nothing was wrong. Problems were as follows: Loud clunks when shifting from park to reverse, while foot pressing firmly on brake pedal; transmission hesitates when down shifting going around corners; as a passenger I felt as if the whole car was lunging causing dizziness to motion sickness (did not occur while I was driving); hard shifts between first & second; rear window wiper failed; power steering pump replaced which caused the rack & pinion seals to fail, which resulted in a new rack installed; egr valve rubber boot kept popping off until I placed a small hose clamp to hold it in place; check engine light stays on every since 15,000 miles; O/D button never worked; O/D light flashed repeatedly minutes prior to the transmission going out. Now the Ford dealer said I needed a new upper plenum, egr valve, pfe, valve cover gasket, battery cable and this was found while checking the transmission problem. I told them to forget it! $3K is enough to spend on a five year old car! this is all I can think of at this point.
We have taken this van in for repair fivetimesin one year. The first month we had it the head was replaced. The power steering has gone out for now the fifth time. I actually lost controlof the vehicle due to beingunable to turn the steering. My husband has to drive me everywhere because only he can turn the steering wheel. Each time we take it for repair we are charged a deductible and I can not do this anymore. This is obviously a lemon. Marshall mize Ford in chattanooga Tennessee is where the vehicle was purchased in January of 2001. They also have performed all service on this vehicle. Ford has not been understanding of why my payments have been late, but when you are having these kinds of issues such as electrical, transmission, air conditioning, and engine malfunctions, it does not take a genius to figure out why a woman with a family who depends on this vehicle as reliable, safe means of transportation is having difficulty. Maybe if their product was of better quality, my children would be in a safe vehicle, and Ford would get their money on time.
Left rear and left front hub and bearing assemblies began making loud humming/grinding sounds suddenly at 51,000 miles. Ford dealership diagnosed and replaced defective hub and bearing assemblies for the standard price as it is no longer under warranty. This item should last much longer without failing. Steering pump began intermittently making whining/hissing sounds when the slightest turning input was applied. By the time the failed power steering pump was diagnosed, and the whining was constant, it had caused the rack and pinion seals to fail and steering fluid to leak from the rack and pinion sleeves. When steering fluid got low and steering was no longer power assisted, my wife almost had a collision with a vehicle full of children. Not trusting Ford anymore, I ordered the parts myself and hired a local mechanic to replace the power steering pump and rack and pinion. In most vehicles these components should last beyond 100,000 miles. Upon further investigation I found that failing power steering pumps, leading to failed rack and pinion seals, is a consistent problem on 1999 Windstar, and that Ford is aware of the problem and trying avoid addressing it.
Transmission is primary issue has shifting problem at low speed, has over 8 tsb on the issue and has new transmission installed but still have problem the other issues are clearly common for this model as well, but this transmissionand Ford lack of support from their service and dealers is unacceptable.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hagerstown, MD, USA