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.
On numerous occasions, both rear doors have failed to open. One time one of the rear doors spontaneously as I was driving down the highway, and had a child in the back seat. Problems have been fixed each time by dealer under the warranty but problems reappear every time.
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.
Consumer applied accelerator at intersection engine revved, but vehicle would not move. Dealer rebuilt transmission. In July 2002, transmission would not shift into gear at start up, again transmission was rebuilt.
- Tinton Falls, NJ, USA
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After coming to a complete stop hit gas pedal to pull off and vehicle would not accelarate.also, transmission had blown. Had transmission replaced 3 times; however, problem still occurred.. contacted dealer.
The transmission on our 1999 Windstar has failed prematurely. I have done some research and have found out that this is a common problem with this model vehicle. I am seeking reimbursement for the repairs from Ford Motor Company. I would appreciate any information you can give me regarding complaints filed by other Ford customers who have had the same problem. Thank you.
Vehicle stopped for a light, and when attempting to take off, vehicle would not move. Consumers foot was pressed on gas pedal, and vehicle just made a noise and would not go. Consumer adds even though recall 00B51 was performed on vehicle, the tranny, which is possibly related to the recall, failed.
Start vehicle put into drive, vehicle will suddently lunge forward (a sudden thrust) without touching the gas pedal. This happens atleast 95 per-cent of the time when vehicle is started. Vehicle has been taken to ashley Ford, 395 mt pleasant street, new bedford, MA, 508-996-5611on more than one occassion, this last time 04/16/02 they stated that it was the transmission, and they ordered a new transmission, which is to be installed. On 04/15/02 auto was in my garage started it up put it into gear and it lunged forward almost striking my wife who was walking into the garage from the side, I park my auto facing the street, as I back it into the garage. I believe this is a serious problem have complain to ashley Ford several times about this matter. I feel that it may be something else other than the transmission. (tiresize: P215/70rx-)
I was stopped at a toll booth and began to accelerate when a loud grinding/clanking sound was heard from the front of the vehicle. I then had no forward gears, however reverse still worked. I was towed to the Ford dealer who informed me that there was "major internal transmission damage". this should not happen on a vehicle less than 3 years old and 44,000 miles. Cost of repairs >$2900.
Consumer noticed condensation in headlights. Dealer has been contacted. Technician stated that the headlights needed to be replaced. The consumer stated that the entire headlight unit had to be replaced. After the three year warranty expired, the transmisson had to be replaced. The engine light had come on, and was told that it was the sensor.
After reversing from a parking space onto street, the vehicle made a loud noise while the gears where changed to drive. Vehicle would no long to forward, we were able to put it in reverse and get out of the way of traffic. The transmission needs to be replaced at 41,000 miles.
Van was purchased less than 2 years ago, has been in and out for repairs at least 5 times, the first being within 3 weeks after it was purchased. I am a female so do not know the exact nature of the problems, but believe they were all related to the transmission, which has already been replaced. We continue to experience the same problem each time it needs repairs. Hard jerking when you slow down to stop and when you accelerate to go after being stopped, will go dead at times when you are idiling. We just had the alternator replaced a week ago and we out of state when the problem resurfaced 3/15.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rayland, OH, USA