1995 Ford Windstar

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REPAY THE COST FOR REPLACING THE THE ENTIRE ENGINE (WELL OVER 4K DOLLARS) WHICH WAS THE CASE IN THE RECALL. SCC

• 12/31/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 95 WINDSTAR. COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON X-WAY OR MAJOR INTERSECTION. FORD WILL NOT DO RECALL. LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF 95 WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. FORD WILL NOT REIMBURSE FOR THIS DESIGN PROBLEM THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME. *AK

• 12/31/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  RECALL NOT IN THE SYSTEM. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL REGARDING THE HEAD GASKET. DEALER REFUSED TO TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL. STATED ALL PARTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IIN RECALL . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 12/31/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE IS NO BRAKE PRESSURE AND THE BRAKES FADE OUT. *AK *JB

• 12/30/2002· SUSPENSIONCrash

  RE:1995 FORD WINDSTAR VIN [XXX] THIS COMPLAINT RELATES TO DAMAGE INCURRED JUST PRIOR TO AN OFFICIAL RECALL NOTICE FOR COLLAPSE OF THIS VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND FORD'S REFUSAL TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DAMAGE INCURRED AND REPAIRS PERFORMED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER CARE RECALL LINE, AND WRITTEN TO FORD'S CEO WITH NO RESPONSE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FORD IS OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS WHICH RESULTED FROM A SITUATION UNDER WHICH A RECALL IS DECLARED, EVEN IF THEY WERE INCURRED PRIOR TO THE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT. ON JUNE 12, 2001 THE DRIVER FRONT END COLLAPSED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED TO THE GROUND AND LISTED TO THE LEFT. THE CAUSE WAS THE FAILURE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COILS, WHICH ACTED LIKE A HOOK AND COMPLETELY TORE THROUGH AND SHREDDED THE NEW TIRE I HAD JUST PUT ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE INCIDENT. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WAS BOOKED SEVERAL DAYS OUT SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FACILITY, BOCA TIRE WHO IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED THAT WE HAVE BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR SYSTEMS FIXED FOR SAFETY. ON AUGUST 24, 2001, THE STARTER FAILED AND WE WERE ADVISED IT IS LIKELY THIS WAS RELATED TO THE SUSPENSION CRASH. WE SUBSEQUENTLY HAD SUSPECTED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SHORTLY AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT WE RECEIVED A NOTICE OF AN EXTENDED COVERAGE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF THE 1995 WINDSTAR. I CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND EXPLAINED ALL OF THESE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS AND THAT IT SEEMS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT RELATED TO THE INITIAL FAILURE OF THE COIL SPRINGS AND THE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT END. WE INCURRED $1,380 IN REPAIRS. WE TURNED IN MY REPAIR RECEIPTS FOR "FORD REIMBURSEMENT REVIEW" AND RECEIVED A VERY SMALL AMOUNT WHICH NO ONE AT FORD COULD EXPLAIN (DID NOT JUST RELATE TO FRONT END ONLY REPAIRS, ETC). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/30/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF BLOWN HEAD GASKETS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 2 1/2 YEARS. I PREVIOUSLY HAD BLOWN HEAD GASKETS REPAIRED ON THIS ENGINE IN 07/1999. AT THAT TIME, THIS VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER FORD'S EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN (ESP). I DO NOT THINK I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $1380.42 FOR REPAIR OF BLOWN HEAD GASKETS AGAIN APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 YEARS AFTER HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM REPAIRED. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS MOTOR IS DEFECTIVE IF THE SAME MAJOR PROBLEM APPEARS AGAIN AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THIS REPAIR IN A RECALL OF THIS ENGINE PROBLEM. IT JUST SEEMS VERY UNFAIR TO HAVE TO PAY THIS AMOUNT TWICE WITHIN A 2 1/2 YEAR PERIOD. I WILL BE GLAD TO PROVIDE COPIES OF INVOICES SHOWING PAYMENT OF THESE 2 INCIDENCES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/30/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VEHICLE OVERHEATED, CHECKED ENGINE AND FOUND HEAD GASKET FAILURE. CONTACTED FORD, WOULD NOT COVER EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON THIS PARTICLAR ENGINE, WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IF I HAD NOT HAD IT INSPECTED ON 8/98 AND FOUND TO BE OK. I FEEL FORD HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO OWNERS OF THESE PATICULAR VEHICLES WITH THIS ENGINE (3.8L). *AK

• 12/30/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 73000 MILES - HEARD OVER THE INTERNET THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UP TO 60K MILES - I NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFO ON THIS RECALL. HOW IS FORD ALLOWED TO LIMIT THIS RECALL TO 60K MILES DUE TO A FAULTY GASKET THAT HAS SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED? *AK

• 12/30/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCrash

  HEAD GASKETS BLEW AND ENGINE QUIT WHILE DESCENDING HILL. STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, BUT COULD NOT REMOVE VAN FROM TRAFFIC LANES. *AK

• 12/30/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/30/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  LEFT STRANDED IN RURAL SOUTH DAKOTA WHEN ENGINE BLEW, RELATING TO THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM ON FORD'S 3.8 LITRE ENGINES. HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD THE HEAD GASKETS CHECKED AND REPLACED, BUT ENGINE STILL DAMAGED. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THIS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES AND OUR VEHICLE WAS AT 62,000 MILES. WE HAD TO PAY TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED, WERE WITHOUT OUR VEHICLE FOR 8 WEEKS, AND HAD TO DRIVE 10 HOURS BACK TO SD TO GET IT. *AK

• 12/30/1997· WHEELS

  THE FRONT RIM CRACKED AT WELD.

• 12/30/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE.

• 12/30/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, ABS LIGHT COMES ON. *AK

• 12/30/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

• 12/29/2001· POWER TRAIN

  I AM PRESENTING YOU WITH MY CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. WE PURCHASED ONE IN 1998 FROM A REPUTABLE USED CAR DEALER IN ROANOKE, VA. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WITHIN THE FOLLOWING YEAR, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON BOTH OF THESE ITEMS BUT WE CONVENIENTLY WERE PAST THE ISSUE DATE. I WROTE FORD A POLITE LETTER EXPRESSING MY DESIRE FOR ASSISTANCE IN THESE MATTERS. THEY DENIED ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAINED THAT THEY WOULD POSSIBLY UP THE RECALL AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME. NOT 35,000 MILES FROM THE PREVIOUS HEAD GASKET REPAIR DID THEY BLOW AGAIN. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FLUSHING RAW FUEL OUT THE TAILPIPE CREATING A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD TO MY FAMILY. THE VAN IS CURRENTLY SITTING ON MAGIC CITY FORD'S LOT AS I AM ADRESSING YOU. SINCE THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEGUN TO SURFACE I HAVE DONE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RESEARCH AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS. RATHER IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE ENTIRE LINE OF 1995 FORD WINDSTARS IN WHICH THE COMPANY IS CONVENIENTLY ELUDING MOST OF IT'S RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CONSUMER. I HAVE EVEN HAD PEOPLE I DO NOT KNOW STOP ME AND ASK ME IF I HAD EXPERIENCED ANY SUCH PROBLEMS. HOW CAN A VEHICLE THAT IS PROVEN TO HAVE SO MANY DEFECTS FROM THE GET GO BEEN ALLOWED TO REMAIN ON THE MARKET? NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THE HEAD GASKETS AND TRANSMISSIONS ARE REPLACED THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BLOW BECAUSE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE ENGINE ITSELF. IT IS WRONG TO PUT A TEMPORARY FIX ON THESE VEHICLES AND ALLOW THEM TO RE-ENTER THE CONSUMER MARKET KNOWING OF THESE LIFE THREATENING DEFECTS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE, I CAN OBTAIN MULTIPLE WEB-SITES OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EXPRESSING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLE. THEY TOO HAVE BEEN DENIED COVERAGE BY FORD BECAUSE THEY ARE CONVENIENTLY PAST THE RECALL. THANK YOU.*AK

• 12/29/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION PROBLEM/FAILURE: AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATEDBEFORE ENGAGING. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM AFTER ABOUT 50,000 MILES. IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE MAIN PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAILED PISTON (ALUMINIUM). A SECONDARY FAILURE WAS THE MAIN HOUSING DO TO THE SHUTTLE VALVE WEARING OUT THE BORE (PROBABLY DUE TO EXECESSIVE CHATTER BECAUSE OF THE FLUID LEAKING PAST THE PISTON). THE HESITATING ENGAGEMENT WOULD OCCASIONALLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS OR NOT TO MOVE FORWARD IN TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE BOTH SITUATIONS TO BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM AT MY EXPENSE; FORD TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT HELP. *AK

• 12/29/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE FIRST SYMPTOM OF THE PROBLEM CAME WITH NO HEAT WHILE TRAVELLING FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. IT MADE FOR A COLD TRIP WITH OUR CHILDREN. LUCKILY WE CAUGHT IT BEFORE TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE IN OUR MINNESOTA WINTER. THE ESTIMATED REPAIRS I HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR RANGE FROM $1000 TO $1800. FROM WHAT I HEAR, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE FOR 95 WINDSTARS. IS FORD PLANNING ON DOING ANYTHING? ANY COUNSEL OR ACTION I CAN TAKE. *AK

• 12/29/1999· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  NO SUMMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/29/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  FIRST HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 55,000 MILES, REPLACED BY DEALER WITH SAME FAULTY HEAD GASKET PART. THIS REPLACED HEAD GASKET FAILED 40,000 MILES LATER. FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP ARE BOTH RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN AND FAILURE TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HEAD GASKET WITH THE NEW IMPROVED MODEL. CONSUMERS ARE VERY ANGRY AND SHOULD POSE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD. THIS FAULTY GASKET CAUSES ENGINES TO SIEZE. NOW THE DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT WARRANTY ANY HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. THEY RECCOMEND ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADMITTED BY FORD, YET THEY HAVE NOT ADEQUATELY SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THEY PUT A BANDAID ON IT. *AK

• 12/29/1998· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH LOST POWER AND THE GEAR WON'T MOVE FROM OUT OF SECOND GEAR. CONSUMER DID'NT HAVE ANY PRIOR WARNING AND THE VEHICLE DIED OUT. *AK

• 12/29/1998· POWER TRAIN

  I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE LIGHT CHANGED FOR ME TO GO AND I PRESSED ON THE GAS. THE RMP'S ON MY DIAL WENT TO 2000 BUT MY CAR DID NOT MOVE. WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY THE GUY BEHIND ME. HE THOUGHT I WAS MOVING SINCE THE BREAK LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT WHEN I HIT THE GAS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT SAME DAY THE THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE RIGHT AWAY. IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 10 SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING. I TOOK THE CAR TO JOHN LANCE FORD DEALER SHIP LOCATED AT 23775 CENTER RIDGE ROAD, WESTLAKE, OH 44145, 1-800-642-6463. I FOUND OUT IT WAS THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON THAT HAD BROKE. I HAD THE MECHANIC GIVE ME THE PART, THERE IS A CRACK THAT RUNS AROUND 45% OF THE PART. THE MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN ON QUIT A FEW 95 WINDSTARS. I ASKED HIS WHAT TYPE OF PART HE REPLACED IT WITH. HE TOLD ME THAT THE OLD PART WAS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM AND THE NEW PART HE REPLACED IT WITH WAS MADE OF STEEL. HE TOLD ME THAT FORD WAS CHANGING THE PART BECAUSE THE STEEL PART WAS STRONGER. FROM LOOKING AT THE REPAIR BILL IT APPEARS THE NEW PART NUMBER OF THE REPLACED BROKEN ITEM IS F4DZ*7A262*A (PISTON-TRAN FORWARD CLUTCH).

• 12/29/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND UPON MERGING INTO TRAFFIC.

• 12/29/1994· STEERING

  POWER STEERING RACK FAILED, CAUSING FLUID TO PUMP OUT OF SYSTEM AT POWER STEERING GEAR. *SKD

• 12/28/2000· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, THE CONSUMER PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL FIRMLY AND IT FINALLY CAUGHT AND JERKED FORWARD, DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON IN THE TRANSMISSION. NLM

• 12/28/1998· POWER TRAIN

  NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER

• 12/28/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, VEHICLE DOESN'T SLOW DOWN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 12/28/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

• 12/27/2003· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES ON THE INTERSTATE, WE WAS DRIVING IN TOWN, MADE A STOP AT THE STORE, WHEN WE LEFT THE STORE WE STOPED AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING.*AK AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS, AND TAKING VEHICLE TO FORD SHOP WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE WINDSTAR VAN. ( TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING ) HAD THIS HAVE HAPPEND ON THE INTERSTATE ITY COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT, OR EVEN A FATALITY...

• 12/27/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSO, ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

• 12/27/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE OVERHEATED. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMAITION.*AK

• 12/27/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I GRADUALLY LOST MY HEAT. I HAD TAKEN MY MINIVAN TO HAVE A THERMOSTAT REPLACED THE WEEK BEFORE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS. I HAD ALREADY SUNK $75.00 INTO IT BEFORE I TOOK IT INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECASUE THE PROBLEM WAS STILL HAPPENING. IT CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT AFTER THE THERMOSTAT WAS INSTALLED. I PAID APPROXIMATELY $1000.00 RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS TO HAVE MY HEAD GASKET REPLACED. I WAS REALLY IN A BIND FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR HAVING TO PAY FOR MY VAN. I ALOS WAS WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR A WEEK. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN TO TRANSPORT TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND ALL THEIR SPORTS EVENTS. I WAS INCONVIENCED FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK. FORD OFFERED ME A "RENTAL" , BUT I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY. I DECLINED. I HAVE WRITTEN TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOTTEN A RESPONSE. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP ME IN THE LEAST BIT FINANCIALLY. *AK

• 12/27/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  WE REALIZE YOU FOLKS DON'T THINK OF ENGINE HEAD GASKET RELATED DEFECTS AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES AS HIGHWAY AND SAFETY ISSUES, BUT WE WISH TO GO ON THE RECORD AS SWINDLED BY FORD FOR FAILING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURING AUTOMOBILE WITH DEFECTIVE MACHINE PARTS THAT IF THEY FAILED WHILE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES COULD EASILY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEATH AND INJURY OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS OR OTHER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. *AK

• 12/26/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED IN THE FORWARD STRAP AREA WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK AND RESULT IN AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN RECALLED (99V-309) YET THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. NLM

• 12/26/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD GO UP/DOWN. WOULD ADD FREEON TO TRY TO CORRECT. HAD MAP SENSOR CHANGED. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID. THERE WAS LIQUID IN THE EXHAUST PIPE (ANTIFREEZE). BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER & MANUFACTURER. WAS INFORMED THAT PROGRAM, WHICH WAS FOR 7 YEARS, AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE FROM DATE OF VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURER, HAS EXPIRED & NOTHING COULD BE DONE. VEHICLE WAS NOT BEYOND THE 7 YEAR LIMIT. *AK

• 12/26/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE HESITATES AND HAS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING UP; ENGINE REVS UP WHILE ATTEMTING TO UPSHIFT; MUST BACK OFF ON ACCELERATOR PRESSURE TO "BABY" IT INTO SHIFTING UP; WHEN SLOWING VEHICLE DOWN, IT DOWNSHIFTS WITH A "CLUNK;" SOMETIMES GETS STUCK IN PARK POSITION; OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM: OVERHEATING; INTERIOR HEATING SYSTEM INOPERABLE; PIPE OF THIN METAL CONTINUALLY RUPTURES CAUSING COOLANT AND WATER TO SPEW OUT. ENGINE: VEHICLE SOMETIMES STALLS WHEN SLOWED DOWN TO TURN A CORNER OR TO STOP; VEHICLE SOMETIMES WON'T START FOR FIVE MINUTES OR MORE AFTER IT HAS BEEN STARTED, RUN FOR TWO OR THREE MINUTES AND TURNED OFF. *AK

• 12/26/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  AT 30,170 MILES, TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AT 45,472 MILES THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD WORK WHEN THE VAN WOULD FIRST START AND THEN THE A/C WOULD CUT OFF. WHILE AWAITING FOR THE PARTS TO FIX THE A/C TO ARRIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE VAN BEGAN MISSING DURING IDLE. I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ON JULY 11, 1999 WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE THE VAN SAT UNTIL MONDAY, JULY 12, 1999 AT 7:00 P.M. PER THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP, WE WERE ADVISED TO DRIVE THE VAN THERE, IF WE COULD GET IT THAT FAR. UPON LEAVING OUR HOME WITH MY HUSBAND DRIVING THE VAN AND ME FOLLOWING IN A RELIABLE VEHICLE, WE STARTED OUT FOR THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO STOP MIDWAY BECAUSE THE VAN WAS OVERHEATING. WE WAITED FOR IT TO COOL AND STARTED FOR THE DEALERSHIP ONCE AGAIN. MY HUSBAND TURNED THE VAN OFF AS HE PULLED INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO LET IT COAST THE REST OF THE WAY BECAUSE AGAIN, IT WAS OVERHEATING. THEY DIAGNOSED THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE GASKET THE NEXT DAY. ON DEC 7, 1999, I WAS USING THE VAN TO GO HOME ON MY LUNCH HOUR. IT STARTED TO DIE AS I PULLED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE BUT CONTINUED TO RUN. I HEADED FOR HOME AND WITHIN 2 BLOCKS, WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VAN DIED . I MANAGED TO START IT BACK UP ONLY TO HAVE IT DIE AGAIN. THE VAN HAD TO BE TOWED THIS TIME. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR FLOW TUBE HAD FALLEN OFF OF THE FILTER HOUSING. ON 12-16-1999, I WAS PULLING FROM MY PARKING SPACE TO GO HOME FROM WORK FOR THE DAY, ONLY TO HAVE THE VAN DIE. IT STARTED UP AGAIN ONLY TO MAKE IT TO THE STREET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. IT STARTED AGAIN AND I MADE IT 1/2 A BLOCK BEFORE IT DIED AGAIN. I STARTED AGAIN AND MADE IT ONE FULL BLOCK THIS TIME BEFORE IT DIED AGAIN. I HAD TO START THE VAN APPROX. 5-6 MORE TIMES ONLY TO HAVE IT DIE EACH TIME IN ORDER TO GET INTO A LOCAL HOTEL PARKING LOT. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND HE CAME TO CHECK THINGS OUT. HE COULD. *AK

• 12/25/2002· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  1995 FORD WINDSTAR. DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS----------------770784. *AK *NLM

• 12/25/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  HEAD GASKET FAILURE RESULTED IN 3 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS RECOMMENDING A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 100 MILES AFTER THE FIRST SYMPTOM. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL/PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND CLAIMS THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN ENGINE DEFECT. *AK

• 12/24/2004· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. IT IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED! AS SOON AS ONE REPAIR IS COMPLETED (TWO TRANSMISSIONS, HEAD GASKET, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BRAKES, SUSPENSION), THEN ANOTHER ONE OCCURS. NOW, AS IN EVERY CHRISTMAS, THE "ENGINE LIGHT" IS ON AND THE CAR IS RUNNING SO POORLY THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN PULL THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WITHOUT IT CHOKING AND SPITTING, LOTS OF SMOKE, AND THE CAR IS ACTUALLY SHAKING!!! I KNOW IT IS ANOTHER HEAD GASKET AND I JUST CAN'T PAY ANYMORE MONEY INTO THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR AND IT CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE A FORD!

• 12/24/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  FORD SEEMS TO SET LIMITS JUST INSIDE EXPECTED FAIRLURE TIMES... LIMIT IS 100000 MILES FOR KNOWN HEAD GASKET ISSUE. HAD SOME TYPE ISSUE WITH GRAY PAINT PEEL OFF ON 1990 BRONCO... STARTED 2 MONTHS AFTER 5 YR WARRANTY ENDED. *AK

• 12/24/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/24/1997· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  DRINK HOLDER FAILED ALLOWING HOT DRINK TO TIP OVER ONTO DRIVER.

• 12/23/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECrash

  THE BRAKE LINES IN THIS VEHICLE WERE ROTTED AND WHEN I HAD TO STOP SHORT IN TRAFFIC, THE BRAKES LINES BURST IN TWO PLACES. I HAD SLOWED FROM ABOUT 40 TO ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR AS ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOST. I STRUCK A CAR STUCK IN FRONT OF ME, AND PUSHED IT INTO A THIRD CAR IN FRONT OF IT. TOTAL BODY DAMAGE TO ALL THREE CARS WAS MORE THAN $6000, WUTH ONE OIF THE DRIVERS ALSO PUTTING IN MEDICAL BILLS FOR ABOUT $400(WHIPLASH). MY INSURANCE COMP[ANY BELIEVED ME, AS THEY HAD SPOKEN TO THE MECHANIC WORKING ON THER CAR THE NEXT MORNING. UNFORTUNEATELY THEY DISCARDED THE BRAKE LINES BEFORE I COULD GET THEM FOR MY INSURANCE CO., AMICA. FORD TURNED DOWN AMICA'S REQUEST THAT THEY SUBROGATE THE COSTS (SURPRISE!). IN RETROSPECT, I GUESS MY FAMILY AND I GOT OFF LUCKY, BUT IT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE.*AK

• 12/23/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  COMPLAINED TO DEALER A MONTH BEFORE THE FAILURE OF A LACK OF HEAT IN THE CAR, WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS AN AIR BUBBLE. WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON I DROVE IT A FEW MILES TO A FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER WHICH WAS CLOSER THAN THE DEALER, THEY HOOKED THE CAR UP TO THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO PROBLEM, THEY RESET THE ENGINE LIGHT AND IT DID NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL THE FOLLOWING DAY AS I WAS TRYING TO GET IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR HAD BEGUN TO RUN HOT. I STOPPPED AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE NOW TOLD ME THAT ALTHOUGH THE HEADGASKETS WILL BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY I ALSO NOW NEED TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN, PLUGS, WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR, WATER PUMP, AND FUEL LINES AT A COST TO ME OF ABOUT $2,000 BECAUSE FORD IS NOT CONSIDERING THOSE REPAIRS RELATED TO THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT ONLY HAVING THE COVERED REPAIRS DONE THEY STATED THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT BE DRIVABLE BEACUSE THERE IS COOLANT AND OIL IN THE FUEL LINE. HOW COULD THERE BE NO PROBLEMS THE DAY BEFORE AND THEN COINCIDENTALLY ALL OF THESE THINGS GO WRONG AT ONCE?*AK

• 12/23/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL REGARDING THE HEADS ON THE VEHICLE, AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING HOT, THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REALIZED THAT SEVERAL THINGS WERE MISSED WHEN DOING THE RECALL REPAIR AND CORRECTED THE RECALL REPAIR, THE VEHICLE STILL CONTINUED TO RUN HOT, THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED, AND NOW THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL THE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETE. *SLC

• 12/23/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED, AND THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND REQUESTED THEY COVER EITHER THE HEAD GASKET OR ENGINE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY SAID "SORRY, THERE IS NOTHING WE WILL DO TO HELP YOU". FORD FILE #'S 9001758904 AND 1596592109. *AK

• 12/23/1997· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILURE RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.

• 12/23/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE RAN ROUGHLY AND WOULD SUFFER MOMENTARY POWER LOSS. AT IDLE THE ENGINE WOULD LOOSE POWER MOMENTARILY UPON ACCELERATION.

• 12/23/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN, IT HAS ABS BRAKES. *AK