1998 FORD WINDSTAR Structure Problems

SUBFRAME RUSTED ON LEFT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAD A POPPING NOISE WHEN I MADE A LEFT TURN AND LOUD CRUNCHING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO LEFT. I HAD TAKEN IT TO A AUTO SHOP AND THEY REPLACED STRUTS.SWAY BARS AND BRAKES . NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT THE RUST ISSUE WITH THE SUB FRAME. I DROVE IT HOME FROM SHOP. SAME PROBLEM. RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO SAME REPAIR SHOP AND THE HAD A WELDER ATTACH STEEL BRACKET TO HOLD UP SUB FRAME. 2 DAYS LATER WORSE. I HAD A SECOND MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE TOLD ME THE FIRST REPAIR SHOULD NOT HAVE ASKED ME TO REPAIR ANYTHING ON THE VAN. SUB FRAME IS FAILED AT 128,436 MILES. I NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR CO . OF THE FAILURE, WAS GIVIN A CASE NUMBER. ENGINE WILL FALL OUT OF BOTTOM WITH CORROSION OF SUB FRAME. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE

Mileage: 128,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED DUE TO CORROSION AND THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED JOHN KENNEDY FORD- POTTSTOWN AT (800) 790-8132 (LOCATED AT 3189 W RIDGE PIKE, POTTSTOWN, PA 19464) WHERE THE DEALER REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION), BUT NOT FOR THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,197.

Mileage: 100,197

REAR AXEL BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING DOWN A FLAT ROAD. FORD DEALERSHIPS TELLING ME IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST A MONTH TO FIX. NO TALK OF PROVIDING A RENTAL VEHICLE. THEY WERE EVEN SAYING THEY MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT PAY FOR FIXING IT. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO SAID I WOULD GET A DAY CAR RENTAL AND IF IT TAKES LONGER THAN A DAY, THE DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO GET A RENTAL PREAPPROVED BY FORD AND PAY FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO REPAIR. SHE SAID TO CALL THEM THAT THEY WERE WAITING TO SET THINGS UP. I CALLED THEM, WAS TRANSFERRED TO 3 PEOPLE AND THEN A VOICEMAIL. LEFT MESSAGE AND NO ONE CALLED. I THEN CALLED BACK AND THEY SAID I WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO HEAD MANAGER AND AGAIN GIVEN A VOICE MAIL. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGAIN AND EXPLAINED ALL THIS. THE GUY ANSWERING WAS BREATHING ON THE LINE, WOULD NOT SAY ANYTHING OR RESPOND AFTER I HAD FINISHED AND PUT ME THRU TO SURVEY WHICH I GAVE HIM ALL 1S. I CALLED BACK AND A CASE WAS OPENED. I NEED HELP. PLEASE HELP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE EXCESSIVE RUST AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO FIND A USED PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,376.

Mileage: 160,376

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE ENGINE COULD POSSIBLY FALL OUT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE SUB FRAME AND ENGINE CRADLE. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) PERTAINING TO 1999-2003 WINDSTAR MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. ..UPDATED 12-30-13 *BF UPDATED 01/09/14*LJ UPDATED 01/13/14

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE SUB FRAME AND ENGINE CRADLE. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) PERTAINING TO 1999-2003 WINDSTAR MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. ..UPDATED 12-30-13 *BF UPDATED 01/09/14*LJ UPDATED 01/13/14

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARD TO THIS ISSUE AND ADVISED HIM THAT HIS YEAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,982. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 23,982

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE BRAKE SERVICE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WAS NO LONGER BEING DRIVEN AS A RESULT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH, SHE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWNWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE TOWED, SO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO THE LOCATION TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME FRACTURED IN HALF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 160,000

FRONT SUB FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. FORD HAS SUB FRAME RECALL FOR THE 1999-2003 BUT NOT THE 1998. *KB

Mileage: 95,600

WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 WINDSTAR @ 45MPH, I LOST TOTAL STEERING CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND MY VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL APPROX 360 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT AND MANAGED TO STOP SAFELY. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE SUBFRAME BROKE AWAY FROM THE SUBFRAME DUE TO A RUSTED OUT SUBFRAME. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM FORD REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS NOTED IN THE 1999-2003 FORD WINDSTAR RECALL WHICH HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS MY VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH FORD IS NOT GOING TO HONOR A SUBFRAME RECALL FOR MY YEAR VEHICLE, FORD SHOULD AT LEAST SEND A NOTIFICATION LETTER TO INFORM OWNERS OF THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. BOTH MY WIFE AND KIDS DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, BUT HAD I AT LEAST KNOWN THERE WAS A DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, I WOULD HAVE PARKED IT. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OF THE SUB FRAME WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE CORRODED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE SUB FRAME FAILURE AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE SUB FRAME WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE TIE RODS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL CYLINDERS, BRAKE ADJUSTERS, SPRING KIT, DRUMS, ROTORS, SHOES, AND PADS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNAL LEVEL STOPPED WORKING FOR THE LEFT SIDE. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THEN PULSATED BACK UP, AND THEN THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 02/01/12

Mileage: 114,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 97,500.

Mileage: 97,500

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A LEAKING HOSE. WHILE BEING INSPECTED THE FORD MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. THERE IS A RECALL ON 1999-2003 WINDSTARS FOR THIS REASON. THE 1998 AND EARLIER ARE NOT INCLUDED AS THE SUBFRAME ON THE 1999-2003 IS "TUBULAR" AND THE 1998 AND OLDER IS "STAMPED". WHILE THE CONSTRUCTION IS DIFFERENT, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE SAME AS I WAS ADVISED BY THE FORD MECHANIC THAT THE STAMPED SUBFRAME RUSTS OUT FREQUENTLY TOO. MY FATHER-IN-LAW WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HE WILLED IT TO ME UPON HIS DEATH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND ALWAYS BEEN AN "INDIANA" VEHICLE. THE SUBFRAME ON THE OTHER SIDE IS FINE AND STILL HAS PAINT ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

UPON INSPECTION OF VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMIND VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF BADLY CORRODED SUBFRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, COIL SPRING ON PASSENGER SIDE WAS BROKEN POSING A DRIVING HAZARD. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES. *TT

Mileage: 80,000

WAS INFORMED THAT SUB-FRAME (ALSO CALLED ENGINE CRADLE) IS RUSTING AWAY ON MY VAN. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG THESE VANS, WHICH IS CAUSED BY THE USE OF INFERIOR STEEL AND AN AC LINE RUNNING OVER THE SUB-FRAME. MY ENGINE CAN NOW LITERALLY FALL OUT UNLESS I PAY OUT-OF-POCKET TO REPLACE THIS. I KNOW NHTSA HAS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS, BUT I CAN'T WAIT MONTHS FOR A RECALL WHILE MY FAMILY USES THIS VEHICLE DAILY! PLEASE RECALL THIS PROMPTLY, MANY PEOPLE ARE PAYING THOUSAND FOR OUT-OF-POCKET REPAIRS ON AN ISSUE FORD SHOULD HAVE TO COVER. *TR

Mileage: 91,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT FRACTURED DUE TO RUST, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL AND PASSENGER TIRE TO TURN AT AN ABNORMAL ANGLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 115,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CROSS MEMBER AND SUB FRAME WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,560.

Mileage: 52,560

I RECEIVED A LETTER EARLIER THIS YEAR REGARDING MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR FOR A REAR AXLE RECALL. I HAD IT SERVICED AT MALOUF FORD IN NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ. WHEN MY SON PICKED IT UP, HE WAS TOLD THERE WAS A NEW RECALL FOR THE FRONT RIGHT SUBFRAME RUSTING OUT (SIMILAR PROBLEM AS THE REAR AXLE). THEY CHECKED THE SUBFRAME ON MY CAR AND IT WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. HE WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CALL US WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN TO FIX IT. I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THE SUBFRAME THIS PAST TUESDAY (24/MAY). THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED AND SAID THAT WHILE THE SUBFRAME WAS DEFINITELY RUSTED OUT, AND THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE SAME DEFECT AS DESCRIBED, THAT PARTICULAR RECALL WAS FOR 1999-2003 WINDSTARS AND SINCE MINE IS A 1998, THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. PLEASE NOTE I HAD NO CLUE OF THE RECALL OR THE DAMAGE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME OF IT. I WAITED FOR THE PARTS AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN WHEN THEY ASKED. NOW, THOUGH THEY CONFIRM THAT THIS RUSTED-OUT SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL IS FOR, AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A DEADLY CRASH IF THAT SUBFRAME FAILS, THEY ARE NOT "AUTHORIZED" TO REPAIR A 1998 WINDSTAR. I DON'T KNOW IF MY CAR IS A LATE-MODEL 1998, BUT IT WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME ONTARIO, CANADA PLANT AS THE CARS THAT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL, AND A RUSTED RIGHT SUBFRAME IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR-AND-TEAR CONDITION. IT IS BEYOND NEGLIGENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM IN A 1999 WINDSTAR, BUT PRETENT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM IN A 1998 WINDSTAR FROM THE SAME PLANT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. *TR

TOOK VEHICLE IN TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIR WORK. WHEN MECHANIC PLACED THE VEHICLE ON THE LIFT, HE NOTED THAT THE SUBFRAME THAT CRADLES THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AND SERVES AS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE CORROSION HAS CAUSED LARGE AND NUMEROUS HOLES IN THE SUBFRAME. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION AND WOULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE COULD ACTUALLY FALL THOUGH THE SUBFRAME, OR THE SUBFRAME COULD BRAKE AT THE SUSPENSION CONNECTION POINTS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 96,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT RUST WITHIN THE FRONT SUBFRAME AREA. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT FOR HIS VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 1999-2003 MODEL YEARS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF UPDATED 03/08/11

Mileage: 165,000

MY FAMILY OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WHICH IS ALREADY SUBJECT TO THE AXLE RECALL AND WHICH DID SUFFER A COMPLETELY CRACKED AXLE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE FORD DEALER THAT HAS POSSESSION OF OUR VEHICLE THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS FRACTURED. THIS IS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SUBJECT TO A RECALL THAT PLACED A COVER OVER THE COIL SPRING. THAT RECALL ONLY PROTECTED FORD FOR REPLACEMENT FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS WHICH HAS EXPIRED. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING VERY HARD STEERING AND A FRONT END CLUNKING NOISE BUT NO CAUSE HAS BEEN FOUND. WE FEEL THE LATEST 1999 AND BEYOND RECALL OF BRACKETS SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR AS IT'S BASICALLY THE SAME EXACT VEHICLE. WE FEAR THAT THE CLUNKING AND HARD STEERING COULD BE FROM CORRODED BRACKETS WHICH IS NOT BEING RELAYED TO US. *TR

Mileage: 99,634

1998 FORD WINDSTAR HAS RUSTED ENGINE SUBFRAME, WHICH, IF LETS GO WOULD CAUSE SIDE AXLE AND FRONT TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM VAN AND CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL,LOSS OF BRAKING, AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE VAN WAS ON RAMP FOR OIL CHANGE . RECEIVED RECALL ON REAR AXLE CRACKING AND RECALL WAS DONE TODAY BY FORD. BROUGHT SUBFRAME PROBLEM TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AND THEY STATED THAT FORD WAS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE FORD HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS TIME. THE SERVICE STATION OWNER WHICH DID MY OIL CHANGE EXPRESSED AN OPINION THAT HE FELT THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTING WAS INDEED MUCH MORE OF A CONCERN THAN THE CRACKING OF THE REAR AXLE WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED BY FORD. AT PRESENT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY WINDSTAR WITH THIS STRUCTURAL DEFECT AND I FEEL FORD SHOULD REMEDY THIS DEFECT IN THE SAME MANNER THAT THEY DID WITH THE CRACKING REAR AXLE. *TR

Mileage: 81,250

I OWN A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR(MANUFACTURE DATE AUG..1997. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE. MY VAN WAS MAKING A WHINING GRINDING NOISE. GEAR IS HARD TO GET OUT OF PARK BAD POPPING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP...REPLACED ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS AND BOTH TIE ROD ENDS..STILL MAKING A BAD WHINING NOISE.3 DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING STARTED ACTING WEIRD AND SHAKING AND THE BACK OF THE VAN STARTED SWAYING BACK AND FORTH .. WAS TOLD AT THE SHOP ABOUT THE RECALL ON AXEL I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD MY VAN IS NOT ON THE LIST MY VAN HAS A EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BOTTOM THE SHOP TOLD ME THIS VAN HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO SALT. WHEN I BOUGHT THE VAN IT HAD A INSPECTION STICKER FROM PREVIOUS OWNER FROM ONE OF THE RECALL STATES.(PENS) FORD WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ONWHAT STATE IT WAS SOLD IN OR DEALER, WHAT BRAND OF AXEL THAT WAS BEING RECALLED (SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE BRAND) COME ON WHAT COMPANY SPENDS MONEY ON PARTS AND DON'T EVEN KNOW THE BRAND OR MANUFACTURE THEY BUY FROM. I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS AUTOMOBILE.. I THINK FORD SHOULD HONOR THERE PROMISE TO ITS CUSTOMERS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM ON ALL 1997-2003 WINDSTARS NOT JUST CERTAIN MONTHS OF 1997 OR DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO LOSE THERE LIFE BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING? FORD>>> YOU TOOK OUR MONEY FOR YOUR PRODUCT NOW STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INFORMED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL LINES, BRAKE LINES AND PIPING WERE ALSO RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Mileage: 123,000

WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS THAT I COULD SEE, THE REAR AXLE ON MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE IN HALF WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE.SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND CALL ME FOR HELP. THE REAR WHEELS WERE TILTED INWARD SO MUCH THAT WE HAD TO HAVE THE AUTO TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE THE REAR AXLE AND RELATED PARTS WHERE REPLACED. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ALMOST 9 MONTHS AGO, AND EVERY SINCE THEN I AM RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THIS AUTO ANYWHERE NEAR A HIGHWAY. BECAUSE THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE VERY SOUND. WE SIMPLY USE THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AROUND TOWN. ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I FEEL I NEED TO REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT, IS BECAUSE I NOTICED AN INVESTIGATION THAT HAS BEEN INITIATED FOR 1999 AND LATER WINDSTARS. BECAUSE WE HAVE A 1998, I FELT THIS INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL WITH THIS INVESTIGATION. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR, IN WHICH THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF SHORTLY AFTER COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED INTO A CUSTOMER LOT AND HEARD A NOISE, BUT I THOUGHT I RAN OVER A HOSE THAT WAS ON THE GROUND. IT WAS NOT UNTIL A WORKER CAME IN AN TOLD ME MY REAR WHEELS WERE AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE, AND THE AXLE IT WAS SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE. I HAD TO GET MY WIFE TO PICK ME UP AND TAKE ME BACK TO WORK, AND THEN HOME. THE CAR HAD TO BE LEFT AT THE CUSTOMERS AND I HADIT TOWED THE NEXT DAY TO MY MECHANIC. HE SHOWED ME THE DAMAGE ONE AND POINTED OUT THE RUST AND THE BREAK. I WAS BLESSED THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY, FOR I HAD JUST TAKEN MY SON TO WORK. THE COST ESTIMATE FOR A NEW AXLE WAS $600.00, AND A USED AXLE WAS $275.00 AND THIS DID NOT INCLUDE ADDITIONAL PARTS AND LABOR.THIS HAPPEN ON JULY 22 2010 AT 3:00 P.M. THE FINAL BILL INCLUDING PARTS ,LABOR, AND TOWING WAS ABOUT $950.00. *TR

Mileage: 139,623

THE REAR AXLE IS CRACKED AND ALMOST SEPARATED. DON'T KNOW WHEN OR HOW IT HAPPENED. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 184,000

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. IT FIRST STARTED WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CATCHING ON FIRE AND CAUSING WIRES UNDER MY HOOD TO BURN... NOW FOR THE LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR..THE SENSOR ON THE DASH WOULD SHOW THAT THE DOOR WAS AJAR(NOT CLOSED) I COULD TAKE THE BATTERY CABLE OFF FOR A WHILE AND THE DOOR LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. NOW I HAVE HAD TO REMOVE ALL THE BULBS IN THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VAN TO KEEP MY BATTERY FROM RUNNING DOWN THIS MORNING I GET UP AND MY BATTERY IS DEAD AND ACID FROM THE BATTERY IS ALL OVER THE POST AND CABLE WIRES. I TALK TO MY MECHANIC HE SAYS THIS IS DUE TO SOME PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HE SAID HE HAS HAD TO WORK ON SEVERAL WINDSTARS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMSOME KIND OF SENSOR FAULT DEFECT. *TR

ON DECEMBER 16TH 2009. I WAS DRIVING DOWN WEST 117TH TOWARDS MADISON/LAKEWOOD IN CLEVELAND, OHIO AND WAS TRYING TO COME TO A STOP (SLOW DOWN AND STOP) TO ALLOW AN AMBULANCE TO PASS (THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS ALSO SLOWING DOWNA ND THAT CAME TO A STOP AT THE STREET LOT)THIS IS ON A MAJOR STREET NEAR AN HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. I PUT MY FOOT ON MY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND COME TO A STOP BUT IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE BRAKE HAD WENT OUT. I ENDED UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HARD (AN SUV) AND DOING QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE OTHER DRIVER VEHICLE WAS SO FAR AS I COULD TELL UNDAMAGED. ON MY VEHICLE THE FRONT LIGHT IS BROKEN, MY BUMPER IS DAMAGED, AND MY HOOD IS DAMAGED. I, MYSELF AND THE DRIVER I HIT COULD HAVE GOTTEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. SO FAR WE ARE BOTHFINE AND NO INJURIES OCCURRED. HOWEVER HE MAY TURN AROUND AND COME AFTER ME IF HE DECIDES TO. AND I NOW CAN NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY VEHICLE BRAKE ABOUT A MONTH AGO AROUND EARLY NOVEMBER. MAYBE IN END OF OCTOBER. THE VERY DAY OF MY ACCIDENT (HAPPENED AROUND 12:15 NOON) I WAS GOING TO GO HOME AND CALL FORD ABOUT THE RECALL. THERE IS A WORLDWIDE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE MODEL AND MANY OTHERS. AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS REPAIRS ON IT AND STILL HAD PROBLEMS AND THIS ACCIDENT. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND SHOULD COMPENSATE ME WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN GOOD CONDITION ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME AND MONEY INTO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THIS WINDSTAR. OR GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK OR SOMETHING. I'M GLAD MY KIDS WERE NOT WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THAT THE MAN I HIT WAS ALSO ALONE AND IS OK. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS SINCE I GOT THIS VEHICLE: O2 SENSORS (BOTH), ALTERNATOR, BELT, WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE, AND MAKE BACK BLADES DON'T WORK AT ALL, THE TRANSMISSION, THE STEERING COLUMN BOX, DOOR HANDLE AND COMPONENTS INSIDE AND MORE!

1. FORD SENT RECALL NOTICE (01S19/01M03) IN SEPTEMBER, 2001. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE (11/7/01) AND THE RECEIPT INDICATES THAT SAFETY SHIELDS WERE INSTALLED 'TO PREVENT A FRONT SPRING FAILURE FROM PUNCTURING THE FRONT TIRES'. THE NOTICE ALSO STATED THAT 'WHAT FORD WILL DO FOR YOU': "FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL ALSO PAY FAR ANY REPAIRS DIRECTLY RELATING TO THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF YOU VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE (PARTS AND LABOR)." IT WAS AT THAT TIME (2001), THE OWNER RECEIVED AN 'EXTENDED COVERAGE TRANSFERABLE WARRANTY NOTICE' ON THE FRONT SPRINGS FOR 10 YEARS FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE". 2. THE SPRINGS MAY HAVE FRACTURED AT A LATER DATE, OR WERE BROKEN AT THAT TIME AND NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD VERY LOW FRONT GROUND CLEARANCE. BECAUSE OF THE LOW GROUND CLEARANCE AND THE INSTALLED SHIELDS, THE SPRING FAILURE WAS NOT NOTED EVEN WHEN NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED. RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN 2009, AFTER A FRONT BREAK LINE FAILURE, THE OWNER INQUIRED ABOUT CHECKING FOR BROKEN FRONT SPRINGS UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE FROM 2001. THAT IS WHEN HE LEANED THAT THE SAFETY RECALL ISSUE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE "SHIELD INSTALLATION". THIS ACTION APPARENTLY ALSO REMOVED THE VIN FROM THE SAFETY RECALL DATA BASE. THUS, ASSUMING THAT THIS IS NO LONGER A SAFETY ISSUE, THE OWNER CONTINUES TO DRIVE THE LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE (LESS THAN 100,000 MILES). 3. THE COST OF REPLACING THE SPRINGS WAS ESTIMATED AT $400 TO $600 DOLLARS BY THE DEALER AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTION IS BEING TAKEN AS APPARENTLY THIS IS NO LONGER A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WAS PURCHASED ON 10/16/97, WITH FIVE MILES ON IT. 4. IS THIS VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE AS THERE ARE NEARLY 100 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT WEB SITE? 5. AS THIS VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY IN THE CLUNKER PROGRAM, IS SPRING FAILURE A LEMON LAW ISSUE? *TR

Mileage: 83,000

I HAVE (HAD) A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR THAT TRANSPORTS NOT ONLY MY OWN THREE CHILDREN BUT TWO OTHER CHILDREN FROM TIME TO TIME. AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE ONE DAY THE REAR OF THE MINI-VAN MADE A HORRIBLE SOUND. I LOOKED OUT THE DOOR AND SAW MY REAR TIRE IN A VERY PRECARIOUS POSITION. AFTER FURTHER REVIEW I NOTICED THAT WHAT ONE WOULD THINK COULD NEVER HAPPEN, SURE AS '!@#$% DID, THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF. I DID SOME SEARCHING ON THE NET AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT ALONE. FORD SAYS IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM (UNTIL SOMEONE'S FAMILY DIES) BECAUSE IT IS PAST THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY. THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE AXLE AND NOT ESCAPE. THIS EVENT CAUSES THE AXLE TO RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT. NOT VERY HAPPY HERE, BUT REALLY DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE GET HURT OR KILLED!!!!!!!! *TR

Mileage: 102,000

MY 98 FORD WINDSTAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE A CHEVY TAHOE RAN A RED LIGHT AND T-BONED THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VAN. UPON IMPACT THE SIDE DOOR OF MY VAN FLEW OFF AND ENDED UP 15 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS (MY WIFE AND OUR 5 CHILDREN) SO NO ONE WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. OUR SON WHO WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH MULTIPLE LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM

PAINT BEGAN PEELING OFF LIFTGATE, ROOF AND SIDE DOOR IN MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZE STRIPS AND HAS CONTINUED TO WORSEN, REVEALING THE WHITE PRIMER BELOW. THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE PAINT ADHESIVE. THE CONTRAST IN TONE BETWEEN THE DARK BLUE PAINT AND LARGE UNEVEN PATCHES OF WHITE PRIMER IS DISTRACTING TO OTHER DRIVERS, SINCE IT LOOKS SO ODD, AND HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE ENTIRE MINI-VAN NEEDS TO BE REPAINTED. I NOTE THAT 4 OF THE TOTAL OF 6 COMPLAINTS OF STRUCTURAL DEFECTS REPORTED TO NHTSA TO DATE FOR THIS VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR , NOT INCLUDING THIS ONE, ARE ALSO FOR PEELING PAINT ON UPPER SURFACES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. (INCIDENT DATE ONLY INDICATES THE TIME AROUND WHEN I FIRST OBSERVED THE PROBLEM.)*AK

Mileage: 87,000

VEHICLE HAS FRONT AXLE HUB AND SPEED SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO ANTILOCK WARNING SIGNAL CONTINUING TO STAY ON. *BF RECALL# 01I007000. THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION A LOUD BANG HAD COME FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LEFT FRONT SPRING EXPLODING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED ON ANOTHER OCCASION THAT THE SUB FROM HAD RUSTED BADLY. *SC

THE PAINT IS LITERALLY PEELING OFF OF MY SILVER 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE PAINT ON THE ROOF IS PRACTICALLY GONE AND NOW THE TOP OF THE DOORS ARE STARTING TO PEEL AND RUST. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. ALL ESTIMATES I HAVE FOR REPAINTING STATE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *AK

Mileage: 41,000

REAR SWAY BAR BROKE IN HALF ON LOW SPEED TURN IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A FREEWAY EXCHANGE OR OFF RAMP THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A ROLLOVER AND POSSIBLE DEATH!

Mileage: 99,000

A/C OCT. 99 $168.98, DEC. 99 $134.40 SUSPENSION JULY 01 $664.61, DEC. 99 $515.85, JUN 01 $61.78, BODY JUN 01 $443.61 OTHER CD PLAYER JUN 01 $19.50 AND $366.86 TURN SIGNAL JAN 02 $161.04 DOME LIGHT JAN 02 $84.02 JAN 02 $89.72 DOOR OCT 99 $134.52, MAR 03 $285.07 STEERING SEPT.02 $258.82, MAR. 03 569.32 COMPUTER CONTROLS SEPT. 00 $106.02 ENGINE JAN 02 $784.75 COOLANT SMELL (FOUND FRONT COVER GASKET LEAKING) SEPT. 02 85.95 (TOLD THROTTLE BODY WORN OUT, SOLD ME UPDATE COMPUTER SOFTWARE, SEAMS TO RUN BETTER) CURRENTLY IN SHOP FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A/C SYSTEM INTERMITTENT. MECHANIC FOUND ENGINE PROBLEM, SAYS MAIN BEARINGS OR CRANKSHAFT BAD, POSSIBLY DUE TO COOLANT IN OIL SYSTEM FROM JANUARY 02 PROBLEM

Mileage: 50,930

WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VAN, WE ALSO BOUGHT A DIAMONDKOTE WARRANTY ,FOR 499.99$ AND TOLD AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THAT IS WAS A GOOD WARRANTY.WE THEN FOUND OUT THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD THE WARRANTY AND PLAZA FORD LINCOLN WILL NOT HONOR IT, WE CAN'T EVEN GET A REFUND, SO WE SPOKE TO SOMEONE AT DIAMONDKOTE AND THIS PERSON TOLD US THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD THE WARRANTY AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A REFUND EVER SINCE,EITHER FROM PLAZA FORD LINCOLN OR DIAMONDKOTE. I HAD INTENTIONS OF SUING FORD MOTOR COMPANY TWO YEARS AGO WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK MY TWO DAUGHTERS TO HALIFAX, BECAUSE MY 8 YEAR OLD HAD CANCER AT THE TIME, SHE HAD A APPOINTMENT AT THE I.W.K HOSPITAL AND IT WAS BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT THAY WERE NOT KILLED WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENTION SPRING BROKE IN WHICH CASE MY HUSBAND LOST STEERING. I SPOKE TO A LAWYER WHO SADLY TOLD, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DEATH OR INJURY THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO,WELL MY 8 YEAR OLD WHO IS NOW CANCER FREE WAS SO SCARED, SHE STILL GETS VERY SCARED TO GET IN A VEHICLE. I COULD GO ON BUT FOR NOW THIS IS JUST THE BEGINING. I AM GOING TO PURSUE THE MATTER OF THE DIAMONDKOTE WARRANTY FURTHER,AND POSSIBLY MORE.WE HAVE HAD ALOT OF VEHICALS BEFORE BUT NEVER A FORD WITH AS MUCH TROUBLE AS THIS HAS BEEN.

EXTENSIVE PEELING OF PAINT ATOP OF VAN EXPOSING SURFACE THUS CREATING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE REQUIRING EXPENSIVE REPAIR.*AK

HOOD AREA WAS BENT AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO LEAN UNEVENLY. THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE WAS POORLY DESIGNED. *AK

PAINT PEELING ON THE VEHICLE. STARTED AT ROOF AND NOW IS PEELING ALL OVER. ALSO THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES A BANGING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING ON BUMPY ROADS. HAVE TRIED TO HAVE FIX BUT 2 OR LESS MONTHS IT STARTS AGAIN.

Mileage: 30,000

THERE IS PEELING PAINT ON MOST OF THE TOPMOST SURFACES OF THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE LIFT GATE, ABOVE AND AROUND THE TOP OF THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR, AND ALONG THE LUGGAGE RACK. THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE PRIMER LAYER.*AK

Mileage: 6,500

CONSUMER STATES THAT PAINT IS PEELING OFF. CONSUMER FEELS THE INTERIOR MAY EVENTUALLY FALL AND PAINT CHIPS MAY GET INTO PASSENGERS EYES. *AK

Mileage: 75,000

I PUCHASED MY VAN ON 2/24/02 WITH 55K ON IT FROM CAVALIER FORD IN CHESAPEAKE ,VA. THE VAN WAS TAKEN BACK TO CAVALIER FORD IN CHESAPEAKE, VA. ON 2/12/03 BECAUSE OF A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT AREA WHEN BREAKS ARE APPLIED AND SOMETIMES WHILE TURNING. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED SEVERE CRACKING IN SUB FRAME WHERE RIGHT STRUT ROD ATTACHES. THE MECHANIC HAS NEVER SEEN ONE DO THIS AND SAID I COULD LOSE MY STEERING IF IT CRACKS ALL THE WAY WHILE I AM DRIVING. HE SAID COULD BE MANUFACTUER DEFECT. EST. COST FOR REPAIRS $3,000.00. I ONLY HAVE 65K ON THE VAN AND HAVENT EVEN HAD IT A YEAR YET. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF VAN BEING IN A WRECK. THIS IS NOT COVERD UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRENTY . HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER WINDSTARS AND WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST THAT I CAN DO? L.J. VA. BEACH,VIRGINIA

Mileage: 65,000

PEELING PAINT ON MOST UPPER SURFACES, INCLUDING ROOF, LIFTGATE, AND SIDE DOOR. MR

RECALL 01F090000 WAS DONE IN APRIL 2002. SHIELDS WERE INSTALLED WITHIN 1/8 INCH OF TIRE, NEW TIRES WILL RUB ON THE SHIELDS.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GAS FILLER HOSES ARE EXPOSED TO FLYING STONES FROM THE WHEELS AFTER 98 FORDS ADDED A SHIELD TO COVER THEIR HOSE. *YH

LIGHT THAT INDICATES DOOR IS OPEN STAYS ILLUMINATED. LIGHT GETS SO HOT THAT IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. *AK THE SWITCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE FORD COMPANY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND DOESN'T WANT TO FIX UNLESS CONSUMER PAYS OUT OF POCKET. THE SLIDING DOOR WAS REPLACED. *JG

THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THE "FRONT SUBFRAME SLEEVES WERE LOOSE; WELDING OF THE RADIUS ARM SLEEVES WAS REQUIRED. THEY STATED THIS PROBLEM WAS VERY COMMON FOR WINDSTAR AND EVEN TAURUS MODELS. IF SO, THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AND WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN THESE CARS. *AK

I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO WALKER FORD ON 3/14/202 FOR A PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELD, RECALL #01S19. WE NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SHORRTLY AFTER. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO WALKER FORD ON 5/3/02. UPON INSPECTION, WE WERE TOLD THE WELD FOR THE SUB FRAME WAS BROKEN. THIS HOLDS UP THE TRANSMISSION,ENGINE, SUSPENSION,.. THIS IS DEFINIEETLY A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AND GONE UNCHECKED, I BELIEVE IT COULD HAVE LED TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE INJURIES, NOT JUST TO MYSELF, BUT OTHERS WHO MAY BE DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AS PART OF ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND IS VERY RARE AND UNCOMMON FOR THIS TO BREAK, AS CONFIRMED BY ANOTHER MECHANIC. I BELIEVE THE WELD WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS VEHICEL IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM OTHER THAN A DEFECT.

WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DOOR WARNING LIGHT COMES ON PANEL, AND LIGHT WILL STAY ON. INTERIOR LIGHT WILL GO OFF, BUT THE SOUND OF THE CHIME WILL NOT STOP. DEALERLERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AIK

DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR FAILES TO LOCK FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASH IS ON CONSTANTLY WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SHUT. CHIME IS ALSO GOING OFF AT ALL TIMES. WHEN CHIME IS ON IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO LOCK DOORS. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. *AK

DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WILL LOCK AT TIMES, AND NOT LOCK AT OTHER TIMES. ALSO, INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL ILLUMINATE SHOWING THAT DOOR IS NOT CLOSED WHEN IT IS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

COURTESY LIGHTS WILL INTERMITTENLY WORK. THEY WILL COME ON WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, OR SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. *AK EXPERIENCING OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, DOOR CHECK LIGHT, AND SIGNAL LIGHTS OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE IS NOISY AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, THE SEAT BELT IS LOOSE, PASSENGER SIDE ARM REST IS LOOSE, AND THE BACK WINDOW WIPER IS INOPERATIVE. *TT

WAS DRIVING 25MPH WHEN SUDDENLY DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD AFTER GOING FROM WEST BOUND CROSSING TO EAST BOUND LANE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT REAR FRAME BOLTS HAD SHEARED OFF AND CAUSED FRAME TO SEPARATE.*AK

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE/ EITHER TURNING OR COMING TO A STOP THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND NEAR FRONT WHEELS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT SUBFRAME STRUT SLEEVES NEED TO BE WELDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYED ON EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, DUE TO DOOR SWITCH FAILURE. *YH

THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYED ON EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, DUE TO DOOR SWITCH FAILURE. *YH

I HAVE BASICALLY HAD EVERYTHING THAT COULD GO WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE.. GO WRONG. IT HAS BEEN IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SEAL AROUND DRIVERS SIDE DOOR (AIR FLOWS IN). THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR CONTINUALLY GOES ON AND THE DOME LIGHT COMES ON(MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP. THE DOME LIGHT THEN STAYS ON CAUSING BATTERY TO DIE. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TO BLINK HAVE HAD IN SHOP THEY SAY THEY REPLACED A SENSOR. AS SOON AS MY WARRANTY WAS UP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN(COST ME OVER $400.00) WHEN EITHER WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN ABOUT 3 INCHES(AS SOONA S IT HITS THAT POINT) A BUZZING SOUND WILL OCCUR. I HAD A HUGE GASH ON THE INTERIOR OF MY RIGHT TIRE(NO KNOWN CAUSE) I BELIEVE THE VAN WAS 3 MONTHS OLD AT THIS TIME.... HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. I HAVE HAD WORK DONE SEVERAL TIMES ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. INCLUDING THE BEARINGS REPLACED.... A SENSOR RING THAT HAD BROKEN IN HALF, TIE-ROD... I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE, WE BOUGHT THIS BECAUSE IT WAS CONVIENT TO TOTE AROUND 3 CHILDREN BUT THE FACT THAT I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ALOT OF TIMES INS'T VERY CONVENIENT AT ALL. I AM AMAZED THAT IT HAS MADE IT THIS FAR (90,000) THE BACK HATCH SEEMS TO HAVE SOME ELECTRIAL PROBLEMS AS WHENEVER IT IS OPENED IT WOLL SET OFF THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND WHEN CLOSED IT NEVER GOES OFF.. FOR SOME REASON IT HAS PERIODS OF TIME THAT IT WILL STAY ON FOR WEEKS AND THEN WHEN THAT STOPS THE WINDOW BUZZING STARTS. I AM NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND AM VERY TIRED OF SINKING MONEY INTO A VAN THAT WE APID WELL OVER 30,000 FOR. WHY IS SOMETHING SO EXPENSIVE........... SUCH A MONEY PIT????? I FEEL I GET NO RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERS. THEY SEEM TO BE ABLE TO WORD IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY WHEN THEY FIX SOMETHING AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK IN TO BE RE-FIXED.. ALTHOUGH IT DOES THE SAME THING??? I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO DO MORE RESEARCH ON VEHICLE MANUFACTORS WHEN BUYING OUR NEXT FAMILY VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO DISAPPOINTED. PLEASE SEND RECALL INFORMAT

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYING ON WHILE ALL DOORS ARE PROPERLY CLOSED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. *AK *JB

DOOR OPEN INDICATOR STAYS ON, CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHT TO STAY ON. EVERY OTHER 1998 FORD I KNOW HAS SAME PROBLEM (7 VEHICLES). NIEGHBOR HAS HAD THIER VAN (98) WORKED ON 4 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. DEALER NOT HELPFULL. FORD HAS BLINDERS ON, ACTS AS IF THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THOS PROBLEM. ALL I WANTED IS FORD TO SAY THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM, AND THEY WERE WORKING ON A SOLUTION. FORDS INTEGRITY IS IN QUESTION WITH ME.*AK

DOOR SENSOR REPLACED IN 1999 "JUST GOES BAD" RICK HUNT FORD IN WARRENTON VA. SAYS.WENT BAD AGAIN. INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON UP TO TWENTY MPH. SOMETIMES THE CHIMES ARE ON THE SAME WAY , SOMETIMES THE CHIMES AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND CUT OFF AGAIN AT20 MPH, BUT DIP DOWN TO15 MPH AND THEY ALL START ON AGAIN. SOMETIMES THE DOOR LOCKS POP TO UNLOCK POSITION ALSO.DO I HAVE THE ONLY VEHICAL LIKE THIS?*AK

VARIOUS PROBLEM WITH POWER LOCK LOCKING BY ITSELF/WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY/DOME LIGHT NOT OPERATING, AND DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYING ON. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEMS STILL REOCCURRING. *AK POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH FAILURE OF POWER LOCKS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOME LIGHT, DOOR AJAR LIGHT, DOOR AJAR SWITCH, LIFT GATE DOOR AJAR SWITCH, BATTERY SAVER RELAY INOPERABLE, AND WASHER LIGHT ILLUMINATING. BRAKES NOISY AT TIMES, DEALER STATED THIS WAS DUE TO BRAKE DUST. POWER STEERING IS NOISY WHEN TURNING BACK AND FORTH, DEALER REPLACED TIE ROD END. SLIDING DOOR RATTLES WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS, DEALER ADDED FOAM TAPE TO BACK SIDE OF PANEL, DRIVER DOOR RATTLES, SLIDING DOOR HARD TO OPEN AT TIMES, DEALER LUBED SLIDING HINGES AND LATCH. DEALER REPLACED SHOCKS DUE TO RATTLING NOISE WHEN RIDING OVER BUMPS. DRIVEBELT REPLACED. MAF SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO HESITATION. WINDOW GUIDE DID NOT FIT TIGHT. *SLC

THE DOOR LOCKS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE OPERATED BY SWTICHES ON THE FRONT DOORS AND AT THE REAR STORAGE AREA. THESE SWITCHES WILL NO LONGER ACTIVATE THE LOCKS ON THE TWO FRONT DOORS. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED THAT THE DOORS NEED NEW "ACTUATORS" AT A COST OF $70 PER DEVICE, PLUS CLOSE TO $200 TO INSTALL THEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT THESE LOCKS SHOULD FAIL AT THIS POINT IN THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I HAVE HAD SIMILAR LOCKS ON SEVERAL CARS AND NEVER HAD THEM FAIL, MUCH LESS AT SUCH AN EARLY DATE. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR LESS THAN THE 36 MONTHS NORMALLY COVERED BY WARRANTY, THOUGH THE 36,000 MILE THRESHOLD HAS LONG SINCE PASSED. I ARGUED WITH THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER, THAT THE DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT ELEMENTS OF THE CAR SO AFFECTED BY MILEAGE, BUT MORE LIKELY BY USAGE OVER TIME. THEY WOULDN'T BUDGE ON FIXING THEM. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT BECAUSE THE FRONT LOCKS CANNOT BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED FROM THE INTERIOR. IN AN ACCIDENT, THIS COULD PROVE FATAL.*AK

A SPRING UNDER CAR CAME LOOSE AND WAS DANGLING AROUNG UNDER VEHICLE.THIS PART COULD HAVE PUNCTURED A TIRE AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK

VEHCILE WILL STALL WHEN MOTOR IS HOT, PUTTING CONSUMER IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK SLIDING DOOR MALFUNCTIONS. *YH

1. TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT ERRATICALLY , AND A LOUD NOISE WILL OCCUR AND MOTOR WILL SHAKE. FORD ENGINEERING WAS SENT OUT AND DETERMINED TRANSMISSION NEEDED WORK, BUT NO DEALER WILL HONOR WARRANTY. 2. BRAKES WILL FAIL IN THE WINTER AND IN SLIPPERY ROADS, CAUSING PEDAL TO GO TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. 3. ALL DOORS LOCK BY THEMSELVES/ LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF, AND HEATER AND DEFROSTER MOTOR WILL COME ON EVEN WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNTION. VEHICLE WILL EVEN START UP BY ITSELF. *AK

THE PASSENGER DOOR CONTACT WAS CORRODED CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO COME ON AND AN ALART ON THE DASH THAT THE DOOR IS "OPEN". REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP BUT NEVER REPAIRED OR REPLACED UNDER WARANTY. THIS IS A DANGER TO THE DRIVER THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN AND DISTRACKS THE DRIVERS ATTENTION TO IMMEDIATELY TURN AROUND TO VISUALLY CHECK. THIS ALERT ALSO CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO AUTOMATICALLY COME ON WHEN THIS "OPEN DOOR" INDICATION IS GIVEN. THIS IS ALSO A DISTRACTION. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD WERE CONTACTED BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. *AK

POSSIBLE DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, WHICH ALLOWS FOR MICE TO ENTER VEHICLE, OWNER HAS TRAPPED TWELVE MICE AND CONTINUES TO HAVE INCIDENTS. *ET

TAILGATE POWER LOCK INOPERATIVE. YH

THE VEHICLE MAKES NOISE WHILE TURNING DUE TO REAR SUB FRAME MOUNT FAILURE. YH

VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR NEW SEALS ON FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR FOR WIND NOISE: ALSO BEEN IN FOR FAILED BRAKE SYSTEM NUMEROUS TIMES AND FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS: IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR FRONT END ALIGNMENT-CHECKED AND RECHECKED BY SEVERAL FORD DEALERS AND THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING, VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS PULLED TO THE RIGHT; ENGINE HAS DIED SEVERAL TIMES AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP; FRONT PADS ON BRAKE SYSTEM HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED AT ONLY 10,000 MILES STILL GRINDING AND WILL NOT STOP CORRECTLY; VEHICLE FEELS TO ME AS UNSAFE FOR MY WIFE AND TWO YOUNGER BOYS. *AK

IE99059, THE DEFECTIVE STEERING BUSHINGS DOES NOT SUPPORT THE SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE STEERING SYSTEM TO MALFUCTION. ALSO, BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSE VEHICLE TO STALL. FINALLY, LIFTGATE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, BUT THE LIFTGATE REMAINED CLOSED. BRAKES BEEN REPLACE ONCE,AND BUSHINGS 3 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

CUP HOLDER SPILLS EASILY. SEAT BELT RESTS TOO HIGH (ON NECK). NEEDS ANOTHER RUN BOARD SO THAT SHE CAN STEP INTO VEHICLE MORE EASILY.

THE FRONT WINDOW AREA FITS POORLY CAUSING, FLAPPING NOISE AND INSTALLED FOAM STRIPS UNDER WINDSHIELD WEATHRESTRIP.

DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING, DRIVERS DOOR NOT TO FIT PROPERLY.

NUT AND UNDERBOLT FAILED CAUSING NOISE IN FRONT END.

AUTO LOCK FAILED. YH

POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. YH

DOOR LOCK MULFUNCTIONED. YH

RUNNING BOARD ADDED ON BY DEALER IS SO LOW THAT VEHICLE HIT SPEED BUMPS. SOME PLACES VEHICLE CANNOT GO INTO WITHOUT HITTING BUMPS/GAS STATIONS AND BANKS, ETC. DEALER CONTACTED,AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS MISREPRESENTED TO THE OWNER UPON PURCHASE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY OPERATION, THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE FELL FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAR, STRIKING THE DRIVER IN THE HEAD. THE DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. THERE ARE 5 FASTENERS WHICH HOLD THE CONSOLE TO THE ROOF AND 3 OF THE 5 WERE BROKEN OFF. 2 OF THE FASTENERS WERE NEVER INSERTED PROPERLY INTO THE MOUNTING SLOTS. WHEN IT FELL, THE WIRING HELD IT, CAUSING IT TO SWING INSIDE THE VEHICLE.

INDIVIDUAL WAS UNLOADING SOMETHING FROM THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE TRUNK LID CAME DOWN AND HIT THE INDIVIUAL IN THE TOP OF THE HEAD, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE SKULL. INDIVIDUAL STATED THAT IT'S A POOR DESIGN IN THE DOOR LID. *AK