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 two occasions we have had to have our axel replaced. This happened 6/18/2009 and 7/13/2010. The mileage was 156,000 and 171,210 respectively. The amount with towing came to $1,473.37. Reimbursement check came 1/29/2011 for $978.80 with no explantion regarding the difference and both receipts returned. Brought Windstar to schultz Ford in nanuet, NY and was told there were no cracks in the axel and I would be notified when replacement part was in. This was October. It is now going to be February and still no parts at the schultz Ford in nanuet to ensure this axel doesn't crack. Please help. It seems as if they are delaying hoping your car will no longer be in service to require this recall. How very dangerous to place money over safety.
Brought my van in for recall for rear axle. Dealer showed me how front passenger side subframe had rusted to a point where it is now unsafe to drive. This could have been a problem if I was driving at the time. I know Ford is now under investigation with the same vans and wanted to let you know I have one. The underside of my van is nearly rust free except for the subframe mounting point only on the passenger side.
Investigation: PE 10-026 date opened: 07/20/2010 investigator: [xxx] reviewer: [xxx] approver: [xxx] subject: Front sub-frame corrosion found this after I had my 2001 Windstar at the Ford dealer and they showed me this problem my van at this time is unsafe to drive they are replacing the rear axle for a recall but the subframe is so rusted it unsafe to drive. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Vehicle was pulling away from a stop sign when there was a loud thunk. The engine ran away, the steering became unresponsive, and the brakes stopped working. Fortunately the vehicle was headed uphill and beached itself on a snow drift on the sidewalk. Both rear attachment points for the engine subframe had rusted out and given way. The engine dropped until it was supported by the remainder of the frame and exhaust system dragging the road. If this had not happened at such a low speed, this could easily have been a deadly failure. As a long time engineer in the auto industry, I find this type of failure within the service life of the vehicle to be totally inexcusable. This form does not even have a listing for a frame failure. On a final note, I called Ford about this failure. They informed me that the vehicle was out of warranty and they had no interest in investigating the failure - also inexcusable.
- New Palestine, IN, USA
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Power rear sliding doors. Will open when driving!!! have two small children in the back and they have popped open at speeds in excess of 50 mph. Took to mechanic who cleaned tracks that doors run on. Fixed issue for two (2) days then issues returned. Ford claims it is regular wear and tear, but the mechanic says there is no issue with vehicle parts...it's the exposed track getting dirty that can cause this issue!!!
On November 2nd of 2010, I was driving and noticed the vehicle was not steering properly and the wheel was not aliened as it should be, I then got under the vehicle as I was replacing an O2 sensor and noticed the extensive corrosion on the passenger side sub frame, I took a photo of it and showed my husband, he said in no way to drive that vehicle. I had it towed. The sub frame was so corroded by not driving in my opinion saved my 83 year old moms life, and mine. The drivers side is almost as bad, I have photos and the repair slip cost me $324 to weld to safety. This obviously is a major problem with these vehicles and needs to be addressed. I took over this vehicle November 30th of 2010, my mom owed it in New York since 2003.
I was driving and turned into a parking lot and heard a thump, originally I thought I may have ran over something. The noise continued when turning as I drove home. On December 27, 2010 our vehicle was taken in for the rear axle recall and to diagnose the thump noise in the front passenger wheel. We were told by the Ford dealership mechanic that the sub frame front passenger side was corroded and needed to be replaced... $1900 service estimate!!
2001 Ford winstar. Consumer writes regarding recall the consumer stated she has called several dealers to have the recall performed. However, due to the large volume of recalls, dealers are only servicing vehicles that were purchased at their dealership. The dealership where she purchased her vehicle from is no longer a Ford dealership. Consumer did not reference recall.
Front subframe rusted on passenger side at lower control arm attachment point. Rear side of attachment point is completely rusted away. Front side of attachment point is still intact but is rusted and cracked. Vehicle is deemed unsafe to drive. Photographs can be submitted if required.
Occurrence: 12 October 2010. Traveling I-95 Washington, DC/suitland, md. Vehicle: Ford Windstar, 2001. Speed : 60-65 mph. Traffic : dense. Failure of defective part : rear axle snapped in two parts while traveling on smooth highway, northbound. Explosive sound, lots of smoke, extreme consternation/fear of heart attack experienced by my wife and I ( my wife has a dangerous heart condition "ihss") at occurrence. I immediately turned on hazard flashers. Managed to maneuver across several lanes of traffic to get to highway shoulder safely!! thank god for the alert fellow travelers behind us!!! if we were hit by any 18-wheelers on the highway, I wouldn't be writing this complaint now!!! concern for our safety was shown to us by fellow travelers; particularly, md traffic safety person, who should be commended by his superiors for his professional and understanding actions!! he looked at the damage and said that he had never seen anything like it before; and he said that we were lucky to be alive!!! van was transported by professionals to the nearest Ford dealership where I first became aware that a recall notice was in force for my vehicle!!! at this point, I became greatly disturbed that I had no previous notification of this dangerous condition and that my wife, grand children, etal were traveling in potential rolling coffin! in my opinion, this seems to be criminal; particularly if greater profit motives might be involved! I certainly hope that inferior materials were not used in this regard!! I was informed that my van would have to remain at the Ford dealership until Ford Motor Company decides how I will be provided with a safe vehicle, since no replacement axles were available. (nb ; I have no idea whatever other damage exists as a result of this awful failure! I certainly don't want a duplicate axle replacement to replay this horrific catastrophe! in my wife's delicate condition, I cannot expect her to travel in this unsafe vehicle! justice!!!
Ford Windstar 2001 - problems with ABS/brake light: Coming on and off intermittently. Sometimes it will stay on for a long time, then goes off. Then will come back. Replacing brake shoes, drums, brake pads, bleeding cylinders, did not solve the problem. It cost me over then $500 in repairs but problem still there.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. Occasionally, the contact has to spend time maneuvering the gear shift out of park. The dealer stated that there was a related safety recall; however, it was performed on the vehicle with the first owner. The current mileage was 129,500 and the failure mileage was 124,000. Updated 06/25/08 the consumer requested to withdraw his complaint, since the dealer said the problem was originating from somewhere else and the recall problem was not the issue. Updated 06/25/08
Bought the used vehicle from a used car dealer. Didn't check for paint peeling or rust, thought a 2 year old car wouldn't have any. I washed the car, and as I waxed it, discovered the peeling paint on the roof rib, almost entire lenghth of vehicle, then found rust at the bottom of the front passenger door and rear passenger sliding door. Contacted Ford, instructed me to go to local dealership, went to gervais Ford in ayer MA. Service manager looked over the car, made notes, informed me he would contact Ford headquarters to see if they will do anything. Two weeks later, he contacted me and informed me there was nothing they could do regarding the paint or the doors rusting from the inside out.
"check engine light" - Ford vehicles have this problem. I had a 95 Ford aerostar, 95 Windstar and the check engine light occationally turned on. I called the dealership and was told not to worry because it's only for the emmision system. I have a 2001 Windstar and 2002 Explorer Sport tract with the same problem - the check engine light. My wife brought the Windstar back to the dealership and they fixed the problem with the fuel cap not properlly closed, according to the mechanics. Can the manufacturer make a different warning light rather than confusing the driver with an engine problem?
This is the second time I have had the van in because the check engine light came on. The first time they told me it was a faulty sensor but now they say it is a cracked seal in the fuel tank. When I asked the part's guy when I could expect the part in he told me that there was a "national backorder" on the fuel tank because Ford has had to replace a lot of them.
Consumer stated arm rest on the passenger side of the vehicle is broken, cause unknown. Clunk noise in front end while turning or accelerating from a stop, can also be felt with vibration, passenger side dash area hanging. Both sliding door rubber stops missing, driverside sliding door stop replaced. Grinding noise in rear when applying brakes. When heat is on vent smells like something is burning. Wipers will not clear windshield, washer solvent sprays in one spot. Normal operation.
NHTSA recalls 01V261000 and 01V207000. Dealer has been contacted for repairs. Dealer failed to return phone calls over a two week period, after filing a complaint with NHTSA, the dealer scheduled an appointment.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Spencer, WV, USA