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.
Getting the run-A-round with local dealer over this recall business (recalls 10S13, 11S16, 09S09). First three times they "lost" our appointment, then I just showed up with the van so they took it. Didn't hear from them for two weeks. Then I called and asked for van back- had only one vehicle. They offered a rental. Now they say they need to charge us $300 for broken coil springs. I called another suspension specialist company, they said the dealership was double-dipping, charging Ford and us for the same work. I need help with this dealership! updated IVOQ 06/14/11
Took our van in to be brought up to date with recalls for it's make/model. Asked about axle corrosion as we knew our year of Ford Windstar was included in this recall. Was told Nebraska is not included in this recall, but they would inspect for the defect anyway. Van is now grounded by Ford due to front and rear axle problems. My complain is this.... we were not issued a recall notice and are not technically part of the recall. Had we not taken our car in and asked to have it inspected after hearing of the problem through word of mouth, we could have been in a serious or possibly fatal accident. Why is Nebraska not included in this recall"?" as far as resolution, we have been told repair will take 1-3 months or they may buy back our van. I guess time will tell.
Complete fracture of passenger side engine cradle causing steering issues. Fracture 1 to 2 inches from frame bolt. No other rust or fractures on frame or sub chassis, repairs by Ford and Goodyear of rack replacement and transmission replacement did not seem to warrant notification to me of pending issue with frame which could have caused major injury to myself or someone else. Note this car has been in Florida with 1 owner not in salt belt states
During last routine maintenance, I was advised that subframe rusting was getting close to level of making driving hazardous. Estimated cost of repair (part and labor) is $1700 - $1800.
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.
- Auburn, PA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Vehicle became un safe to drive and swerved from lane to lane when accelerating. Found front subframe rusted thru and broken on passengers side rear corner. Needs new subframe in front.
Ford Windstar 1999: My mechanic said the front sub-frame is rusted to the point that it is unsafe to drive. I am taking it to my local Ford dealer for evaluation. Ford will also perform the rear axle recall.
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) we have recently experienced a broken axle beam on a 1999 Ford Windstar. Thank god nothing happened and no one was hurt. The car was swaying and knocking from the rear end and when we got home the rear wheels were cantered out. I looked under the car to find the broken axle beam and the only thing left holding it all together was a the torsion bar. I am very glad that we were not on a highway or too far from home, since we use the car to travel to Ohio and Florida. We then looked on the internet to find that many other people were experiencing the same problem and no recalls. Although our car has 150,000 miles on it others had under 100,000. Our main concern is the safety issue with our family. We travel a lot with our Windstar as do so many other families with children do and it seems as if Ford does not recognize the danger. I hope that Ford does not wait for a death to deal with this problem as the part that failed should not have failed. This part is a main structure of our vehicle and seems to be poorly designed. I can't imagine how many other Windstar are out there with an axle beam ready to break and how many families are unaware of this potential danger. The years of Windstar that I saw on comlpaints.com varied from 1999 to 2003 and its only a matter of time before someone gets injured or killed. I ask you to please look into this matter as soon as possible. [xxx]
Broken rear axle on a 1999 Ford Windstar. I was driving down the road at 35 miles per hour and the axle just snapped in half. The vehicle only has around 85000 miles on it. The reason I am filing this complaint is because one mechanic told me this is a consistent problem with this particular make and model. The tow truck driver said he had towed three of these same situations in the last two weeks and tows about 12-15 a year. The mechanic who repaired it said that he has fixed 4 of them. Now this is just in my location so I can't imagine country wide that Ford is not aware of this problem. Had this happened on the highway this could have been very serious and I am also concerned that the way to repair it is to replace it with the same part that is defective.
Rear axle broke on my 1999 Ford Windstar without warning. Thought I was hydroplaning, as it was raining. At 60 mph, I started to loose control and I slowed down to 40mph. I drove 5 miles, thinking I was getting a flat tire. As I pulled off the road, rear tires were scraping the fender and I discovered the axle had broken in half.
I own a 1999 Ford Windstar LX. I bought it used from a dealer, and it had less the 40,000 miles on it. In the past year, I have had to replace the rack and pinion, the front springs, struts, tie rods and power steering pump. I have spent well over $1,000 on repairs in the past year. I now am told that the wheel bearings need to be replaced. Because of all these issues, I have been unable to drive my van for extended periods of time. I have two children who need to be driven to school and other events, and have been unable to do so when needed due to the constant issues with this van. I have researched it and know that this is a recurrent, consistent issue for these vans. Ford should reimburse owners who have had to pay money for faulty equipment.
* 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.
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.
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.
Consumer complained about noise being emitted by vehicle when making a left turn at speed. Dealership has provided no information to consumer for reason/cause. The dealer ordered a power streering line part, but they don't know if this is the problem.
While traveling at highway at 60 mph felt a sharp jerk to the side. Once corrected, jerked again the other way. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer stated that nothing was wrong. Problem has occurred several times since first incident. No accidents or injuries have occurred.
Vehicle made a loud noise & vibrated as though it was out of power. Dealer has inspected it & has bled the line, and that didn't help. Dealer hasn't been telling consumer that Ford was working on a solution. Consumer has been calling dealer to see if solution has been found.
- Fair Port, NY, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Appleton, WI, USA