1997 Ford Windstar

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

• 12/31/2003· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  1997 FORD WINDSTAR: SPEEDOMETER AFTER 55MPH BOUNCES AND REACHES 70MPH WITH NOISE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. I ASKED OTHER FORD OWNERS AND THEY HAD SAME PROBLEM ON DIFFERENT FORD MODEL.

• 12/31/2001· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT MANUFACTURER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS.*SLC

• 12/29/2001· POWER TRAIN

  SPEEDOMETER STARTED TWITCHING VERY LITTLE AT ABOUT 34,000 MILES. THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT BECAUSE IT WAS SO SMALL. AFTER WARRANTY WAS OVER IT WOULD SWING WILDLY FROM 50 TO 110 MPH. ALSO MAKES A GRUMBLING SOUND. UNABLE TO DETERMINE SPEED . DEALER IS REPLACING SPEEDOMETER FOR @$600.00 AT THIS TIME. EDMUNDS AND OTHER CAR SITES HAVE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE MINE. DEALER SAID THEY KNOW JUST HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT THIS PROBLEM...MUST BE LOTS OF EXPERIENCE. IF THIS IS HOW THEY BUILD THESE AND CHARGE ME A TON TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT, I WILL BE LLOKING FOR A HONDA OR TOYOTA NEXT. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING...BEEN USING THE TACH FOR A LONG TIME MYSELF.*AK

• 12/28/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE

  I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ALONG WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STAY LIT WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING USED. IT ALSO SEEMS THAT THE DOOR AJAR BUZZER TENDS TO KEEP SOUNDING WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A HINDRANCE WHILE DRIVING.

• 12/22/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  AT 67,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 12/21/1999· POWER TRAIN

  SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY FAILED. MJS

• 12/20/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 3.8 ENGINE ON 1997 FORD WINDSTAR, WITH ONLY 77,000 MILES. FORD WITH NOT OFFER ANY HELP. AFTER OWNING A FORD FOR PAST 28 YEARS, THIS IS THE LAST FORD PRODUCT THAT MY FAMILY WILL EVER OWN. EVER! TS

• 12/20/1999· SUSPENSION

  AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE VIBRATES. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

• 12/18/2006· SEATSFire

  TL*- THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN VAN , THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VAN STATED TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. AT WHICH POINT HE LOOKED AT THE DRIVER SEAT AND NOTICED THAT THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. THE HE PUT OUT THE INITIAL FIRE. WHEN HE LOOKED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT HE NOTICED THERE WERE MORE FLAMES. THE NEXT DAY HE SAW THAT THERE WERE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VA WITH THE SEAT IS DAMAGED DUE TO THE FIRE. CONTACT DRIVE THE VAN HOME.

• 12/14/1999· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE RIVETS THAT HOLD THE HOOD FAILED CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY OFF AND OVER THE VEHICLE. NLM

• 12/11/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLFire

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT LOCATED ON THE GEARSHIFT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A STRONG SMELL OF SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR ON THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND ALSO BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SENSOR ON THE MASTER CYLINDER, ON THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 05V388000, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

• 12/10/2001· STRUCTURE

  I FIXED THIS ONCE WITH GLUE AND REPLACED. THE ACTUATOR BROKE THE DOOR AGAIN. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM CONSIDERING IF WILL MAKE WINDOW DEFROSTER NON FUNCTIONAL. *AK

• 12/06/2001· TIRES

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

• 12/05/2000· POWER TRAIN

  SPEEDOMETER GOES FROM 15 TO 80 AND STAYS AT A HIGH SPEED. MY MECHANIC HAS STATED THIS IS A EXPENSIVE PART AND FORD IS AWARE THEY ARE HAVING A PROBLEM. HE HIMSELF HAS SENT MANY CUSTOMER BACK TO THE DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEEDOMETER REPLACED. *AK

• 12/04/2001· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE BEHIND CONSUMER RAN INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

• 12/04/2001· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE DRUM CRACKED BUT WAS NOT NOTICED IMMEDIATELY. WHEN IT WAS REPAIRED, THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO ALL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE DRUM. IT SEEMS VERY UNUSUAL THAT THIS HAPPENED, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE LOW MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS ONE OF NUMEROUS FAILURES THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. I HAD THE DRIVER FRONT COIL SPRING BREAK, BUT IT WAS EVENTUALLY RECALLED. BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE IN YOUR DATABASE, I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE, AND NOT RELIABLE. FORD HAS HAD MANY RECALLS FOR VARIOUS VEHICLES IN THE PAST 2 TO 3 MONTHS.*AK

• 12/03/1998· SEAT BELTS,SEATS

  THE BACK SEAT SHOULDER BELT STRAPS WERE REROUTED AT DEALERSHIP DUE TO LOCKING MECHANISMS. THE BACK REST OF FRONT SEAT WAS ADJUSTED FORWARD, THE SEAT BELT HARNESS GOT CAUGHT AND WAS SO TIGHT THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO RELEASE IT. CONSUMER 'S SIX YEAR OLD GOT INTO THE SEAT AND RELEASED BACK FORWARD, SHE GOT CAUGHT AND TRAPPED IN THE SEAT. THE THIRD TIME WHEN CLEANING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT BUCKET SEAT LEANED BACKWARD AND LOOKED UPWARD. AT THE SAME TIME, IF RELEASED THE BACK SO THE HEAD REST COULD COME FORWARD AND IT CREATED A (V). THE TOPS OF THE TWO HEADRESTS CAUGHT CONSUMER'S HAND,. A YOUNGER CHILD COULD HANG HIMSELF IF IN THAT POSITION. CONSUMER HAS YOUNG CHILDREN. THIS VEHICLE HAS HIGH BACK BUCKET SEATS. CONSUMER WILL ADD VIN.# THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN THE LAST THREE WEEKS. *AK

• 11/30/2005· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT: THE CONTACT STATES HAS BEEN HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE 2002. ON APRIL 28, 2004 THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT PROVIDING AN ACCURATE SPEED READING. ON DECEMBER 9, 2004 THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR SLIDE PROPERLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE SLIDE WHEELS WERE DRY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DOOR LATCH, AND NOW IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. ON FEBRUARY 5, 2005 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 75, 172 MILES, AND ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005 THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK

• 11/30/2002· SEAT BELTS

  ADOLESCENT WAS CAUGHT IN SEAT BELT. IT CONTINUED TO LOCK TIGHTER AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. PARENT HAD TO STOP CAR AND CUT CHILD FREE OF BELT TO AVOID INTERNAL INJURIES. CHILD WENT INTO SHOCK AND WAS DRIVEN TO NEAREST FOR EVALUATION. NO PERMENANT INJURIES WERE NOTED AT THIS TIME. DT

• 11/30/2001· POWER TRAIN

  WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE VAN WENT OUT OF GEAR , THE ENGINE REVVED UP, AND ALL ACCELERATION STOPPED. WE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO GET THE VAN TO GO BACK INTO GEAR - ANY GEAR - AND IT WOULDN'T. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM - NO NOISES OR LEAKAGE OF FLUID OR ANYTHING UNUSUAL.

• 11/19/2011· SUSPENSION

  I PURCHASED A 1997 FORD WINDSTAR AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COIL SPRINGS/SUSPENSION. (RECALL#01I00700) < I BELIEVE THIS IS THE RECALL #. LONG STORY SHORT MY FRONT TIRES ARE FLAT DOUE TO THE COIL SPRINGS. NONE OF THE DEALERS I TOOK IT TO ARE WILLING TO FIX THIS. THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL... PLEASE HELP ME BETTER UNDERSTAND WHY FORD WONT FIX THIS DEFECT. *TR

• 11/15/2004· WHEELS

  THE CONSUMER NOTICED TWO CRACKED RIMS IN 2001. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED WITH FORD ORIGINAL PART# F58Z1015A. LATER THE CONSUMER NOTICED THREE CRACKED WHEELS WHICH WERE ALSO REPLACED. *AK *SC

• 11/14/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  WE HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 115,000 MILES EVEN THOUGH WE HAD THE VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY WITH CONCERNS THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. THEY BLEW US OFF LIKE WE WERE IDIOTS!! WE HAD TO HAVE THE DOOR WINDOWS REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, THE LATCH ASSEMBLY ON THE HATCH BROKE WE TOOK IT IN AND HAD REPAIRED THEN APPROXIMATELY 1YEAR LATER IT BROKE AGAIN! OF COURSE THAT TIME IT WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE WE WERE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE LATCH, INSTEAD THEY WANTED ME TO PAY $250 TO REPLACE A PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT COULD NOT BE PURCHASED SEPERATELY! THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER QUIT WORKING. WE ALSO HAVE TO PERIODICALLY SCRAPE AND CLEAN THE SENSOR FOR THE SLIDING DOOR OTHERWISE IT WILL NOT STOP DINGING. THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR CRACKED THE FIRST WINTER, IT WAS REPLACED AND THE REPLACEMENT CRACKED THE NEXT WINTER. RIGHT NOW THIS VAN IS NOT RUNNING AND WE HAD TO HAVE THE HEAD PRESSURE CHECKED AND RESURFACED, WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS, ETC... IF WE ARE LUCKY WE WILL HAVE A VAN THAT RUNS IF NOT WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WHICH WILL BE AROUND $4500 OR MORE. WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED. I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THESE SERVICES ESPECIALLY SINCE WE TOOK THIS VAN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG EXCEPT WE NEEDED TO REPLACE OUR O2 SENSORS!! FORD IS JUNK!!!

• 11/04/2001· STRUCTURE

  THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS DAMP / WET DURING THE OCCASION WHEN THE AIR CONDITION SYSYTEN IS TURNED ON. WHAT I FIND MORE DISTURBING IS THAT I TOOK THIS VEHICLE FOR REPAIR ON 5 SEPARATE TIMES TO THE SAME MAROONE FORD SERVICE STATION FOR REPAIR AND THE FINAL CONCLUSION IS THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THIS PROBLEM. IN OTHER WORD - THEY CAN'T FIX IT. ON THEIR FIRST INSPECTION OF THE VEHECLE ON 08/21/01 THEY THOUGHT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED DRIVER'S SIDE WEATHERSTRIP , THEREFORE THEY REPLACED THE WEATHERSTRIP AT A COST OF $363.62. SOON AFTERWARDS, I'VE NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS STILL WET. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I'VE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE 5 TIMES TO THAT SAME FORD AUTHORIZED SERVICE STATION AND I CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN CHARGED FOR AN UNNECESSARY REPAIR AND I WANT THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PROPERLY. THE FORD AUTHORIZED DEALER IS: MAROONE FORD OF MIAMI. 16800 NW 57TH AVE, MIAMI FLORIDA 33015 TEL: 305-557-5580 EXT 318 (AGUSTINE FALCON) CELL:305-216-7830. YOUR HELP AND FEEDBACK IS MUCH APPRECIATED.*AK

• 11/01/2001· SUSPENSION

  MY WIFE, MELISSA HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF, SHE HAS BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANIC AT CAMPUS FORD THAT THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END SUSPENSION ON FOR WINDSTAR'S, HE STOPPED SHORT OF SAYING ANYMORE. OUR CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPT AT THIS DEALERSHIP ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. WE KEEP HAVING DIFFERENT STORIES TOLD TO US, AND TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM DOESNOT EXIST..WELL WE JUST PAID 350.00 DOLLARS FOR NEW WELDING ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WE HAVE HAD THE STRUTS REPLACED AND A SPRING REPLACED, WE ALSO HAD UNUSUAL TIRE WARE ON THE RT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE TIRE REPLACED. WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND MY WIFE IS A VISITING NURSE AND DRIVES ALOT, THE DEALERSHIP IS POO-POOING HER OFF LIKE SHE IS A NOBODY...PLEASE HELP US. *AK

• 10/28/1997· STEERING

  SERVO COVER RECALLED.

• 10/27/1999· STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE MAKING A POPPING NOISE THROUGOUT THE FRAME. NLM

• 10/27/1997· SUSPENSION

  SUSPENSION FAILED RESULTING IN TIRE WEAR.

• 10/26/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, ABS AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AT 78,000 MILES. CAR HAS FAILED 4 TIMES. REPEATED TRIPS TO SERVICE CENTER, TUNE-UP TWICE, NEW BATTERY, NEW FUEL PUMP. APPROX. $1500 PAID SO FAR, CAR CONTINUES TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. FORD MOTOR CO.

• 10/26/2001· SUSPENSION

  LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BURST, CUASING TIRE TO BLOWOUT. HAD TIRE REPLACED. WAS DRIVING WITH REPLACED TIRE ON, AND STARTED HEARING RATTLING. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT WELDS ON RIGHT SIDE HAD BROKEN AND NEEDED REWELDING.*AK

• 10/25/2000· SUSPENSION

  HAD SHACKING PROBLEM RIGHT AFTER PURCHASED AND DID NOT GET ANY SATISFACTION FROM DEALER. NOW THE FRONT SUSPENSION WENT OUT AND 2S ETS OF BALL JOINTS, AND DID NOT HAVE THE VAN SINCE JULY OF THIS YEAR. PLEASE CALL ME AT 920-899-9650 WE HAVE PUT ALOT OF MONEY INTO THIS VAN AND THEY ARE ASKING FOR MORE TO FIX OTHER ITEMS IN THE SUSPENSION. IS THEIR ANY RECALLS?

• 10/23/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLFire

  OUR 1997 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN THAT IS CURRENTLY SUBJECTED TO THE RECALL FOR THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH BURNED TO THE GROUND ON FEB 21, 2007 AS THE RESULT FROM A FIRE THAT STARTED IN THE ENGINE AREA. *TR

• 10/22/1997· VISIBILITY

  REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. MJS

• 10/16/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  NO SUMMARY

• 10/15/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. MJS

• 10/13/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WE BELIEVE THE SHEER NUMBER OF DEFECT ON THIS CAR IS UNBELIEVABLE. WE PURCHASED IT USED FROM MY PARENTS. TOTAL COST OF NON "WEAR AND TEAR" REPAIRS IS AROUND $5000. THIS IS OVER 25% OF THE VEHICLES ORIGINAL VALUE, AND OVER 50% OF THE VALUE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. WHILE NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED, WE BELIEVE FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A BAD PRODUCT. *AK

• 10/11/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE REPLACEMENT/ I HAVE BEEN A FIRM BELIEVER IN FORD PRODUCTS AND STILL BELIEVE THAT FORD MAKES A GOOD PRODUCT...I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE POSITION I WAS PLACED IN LAST WEEK...I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY FORD TRUCK THE BEST THAT I COULD AND NEVER HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH IT FOR THE 6 YRS I HAVE OWNED MY TRUCK...I HAVE EXPERIENCED A FEW STALL OUTS A FEW TIMES BUT NOTHING THAT I TOOK TO SERIOUS, I FIGURED MAYBE A SPARK PLUG PROBLEM...THE FACT THAT MY ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT AT 86000 IS BEYOND ME. LOOKING INTO THE COMPLAIANCE INVETIGATIONS SUMMARY I REALIZED THAT I AM IN COMPANY WITH MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT...I FEEL THAT THIS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURES ENGINE AND THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT ENGINE. MR

• 10/09/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I OWN A 1997 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN (VIN# [XXX]) THAT CONTAINS A 3.8 V6. AT 82,000 MILES, THE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT IT WILL COST BETWEEN $2000 AND $4000 TO REPAIR. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE WEB, IT APPEARS THAT THE 1995 AND 1996 MODELS ALSO HAD HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS DUE TO AN ADMITTED DESIGN FLAW. FORD CLAIMS TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM-BUT THERE ARE INCREASING NUMBERS OF OWNERS OF 1997 MODELS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. REPEATED VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP-AS WELL AS NUMEROUS CALLS TO FORD-HAVE RESULTED IN DEAD ENDS. I GET RESPONSES SUCH AS: "THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED", "THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON YOUR VEHICLE AT THIS TIME", ETC. BUT SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ENGINE, THEN SHOULDN'T THIS STILL BE COVERED AND CORRECTED? FORD OFFERED A BRIEF PROGRAM TO REPAIR THE EARLIER MODELS-SO WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN OFFERED ON THE LATER YEARS? FORD CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM-WHICH THEY CLEARLY HAVE NOT-YET THEY EXPECT PEOPLE TO SIMPLY PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THAT FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS, AND THAT THEY SHOULD OFFER TO PERFORM THE WORK AT EITHER A DISCOUNTED RATE, OR FOR FREE SINCE THIS IS DUE TO THEIR ENGINE DESIGN. EVEN THE MANUAL CLAIMS THE HEAD GASKET "IS EXPECTED TO LAST FOR AT LEAST 120,000 MILES", AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE CASE WITH THIS VEHICLE. HAD I KNOWN OF THE PROBLEMS OTHER OWNERS WERE HAVING, I WOULD HAVE RECONSIDERED MY DECISION TO PURCHASE THIS VAN. TO THAT END, I FEEL THAT I WAS MISLED SOMEWHAT. IT IS MY HOPE TO HAVE FORD ADMIT TO THE PROBLEM AND OFFER TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE. GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES-AND THE AMOUNT OF EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE CLAIM OF NEGLIGENCE ON THE BEHALF OF FORD-THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN UNREASONABLE REQUEST. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 10/09/1997· POWER TRAIN

  TRACTION CONTROL FAILED. YH

• 10/04/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  BEHIND IN PAYMENTS. FORD MOTOR CREDIT ISSUED WRITE OF SUMMONS ON 7/3/03, TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR 9/22/03. ON 7/29/03, WHILE AT WORK, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, DAMAGING 2 OTHER VEHICLES PARKED ON EITHER SIDE OF ME. FIRE MARSHALL INVESTIGATED THE INCIDENT AND FOUND TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. INSURANCE INVESTIGATED AND VEHICLE WAS TOTAL LOSS. INSURANCE PAID FORD MOTOR CREDIT $5,689.25 (CLAIM [XXX]). FORD MOTOR CREDIT OBTAINED JUDGMENT AND WAGES ARE CURRENTLY BEING GARNISHED ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS CLAIMED A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 09/25/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER STATES ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

• 09/24/1999· POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, NOTICED THE INDICATOR GAUGE FOR THE SPEEDOMETER FAILS TO REGISTER SPEED OF VEHICLE. THE INDICATOR NEEDLE KEPT BOUNCING UP & DOWN. WAS NOT STEADY. TAKEN VEHICLE TO MECHANIC FOR NOISE IN DASHBOARD. MJS *SLC

• 09/20/1999· POWER TRAIN

  I NOTICED THAT MY SPEEDOMETER WAS BEHAVING ERRATICALLY AT ABOUT 41000 MILES. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $250 IF I WANTED IT FIXED. I SAID THAT I DIDN'T BELIEVE THE SPEEDOMETER SHOULD FAIL AT THAT LOW MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED ME ABOUT THIS AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO (FINANCIALLY) TO HELP WITH THE REPLACEMENT. AT ABOUT 50000 MILES I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT TIE ROD END WAS WORN AND ADVISED IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. AGAIN, I PROTESTED BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILEAGE. I FINALLY HAD THE REPLACEMENT DONE FOR SAFETY REASONS AT MY EXPENSE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING WAS OUT OF TOLERANCE AT A MILEAGE OF APPROX. 40000 MILES. NONE OF THESE DEFECTS WERE MENTIONED AT THE PRE-36000 MILE SERVICING I HAD DONE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE DURABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, AND WILL PROBABABLY NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AGAIN. FORD HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL IN HELPING WITH THE REPAIR COSTS ON THE VEHICLE AT THIS RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE.

• 09/19/2000· TIRES

  THIS IS THE SECOND FIRESTONE TIRE IN A WEEK THAT HAS HAD THE TREAD COME OFF. WE HAVE OVER ONE HUNDRED OF THESE TIRES ON OUR FLEET AND NEED TO DECIDE IF WE SHOULD REMOVE THEM.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT225/75R1 )

• 09/19/2000· POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

  TRANSMISSION FAILED, AT THE TIME OF REPAIR THEY FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS BROKEN, THE VAN WAS PURCHASED FROM THEM 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THEY ACCUSED ME OF HITTING A BUMP AND MAKING THE FRAME BREAK. I PERSONALLY DO NOT REMEMBER HITTING ANYTHING IN THE VAN I DRIVE IT TO AN FROM WORK. IF A BUMP SMALL ENOUGH NOT TO RECALL WILL BREAK THE FRAME WOULD THAT MEAN THE FRAME IS DEFECTED? I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT I PURCHASED THE VAN WITH A BROKEN FRAME AND DRIVING IT FOR SIX MONTHS IN THAT CONDITION COULD OF CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I WOULD LIKE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AND SEE IF THERE IS ANYWAY OF BEING REIMBURSED OF THIS INCIDENT. I FEEL THE VAN SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LEMON IF IT WAS SOLD WITH A BROKEN FRAME. IF I HIT A BUMP HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK THE FRAME SHOULDN'T THE AIRBAGS EJECT? ARE THEY DEFECTIVE TOO? I'VE DISCUSSED THIS WITH CHARRAP FORD AND THEY DID REDUCE THE PRICE OF THE VAN REPAIRS BUT HAVE NO EXPLANATION OF THE BROKEN FRAME OR THE TRANSMISSION. I TRADED IN AN 89 AEROSTAR WHICH DIDN'T GIVE ME HALF THE PROBLEMS THIS 97 WINDSTAR IS . I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND PLEASE CONTACT ME. THANKS! VICKI DANLEY

• 09/13/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER 3 TIMES AND KNOCKED THE VEHICLE INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

• 09/11/2003· STRUCTURE

  THE SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY ON MY 1997 FORD WINDSTAR HAS BROKEN/CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS * ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS IN SEPTEMBER OF 2002. THE MOST RECENT REPAIR WAS SEPTEMBER 2003. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DENNISON FORD (STEVE BOWNS) SAID THAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, THE SUBFRAME PROBABLY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. MY IMPRESSION IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH WINDSTARS. WHEN I CALLED TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT THE SECOND TIME AND STARTED DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM, THE SERVICE REP SAID THEY USUALLY BROKE AT THE STRUT. WHEN SEARHING THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. IN A DISCUSSION WITH SHELDON (#2052) AT (1 - 800 392 FORD) WHEN ASKED IF THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, HIS RESPONSE WAS "I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO COMMENT IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE." WHEN ASKED IF HE CHECKED WITH THE SERVICE MANGER IF THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE HE RESPONDED. "I DID NOT ASK HIM SPECIFICALLY IF IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW IF IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, YOU WILL NEED TO TALLK TO THE PERSON THAT IS WORKING ON YOUR CAR." I INDICATED TO SHELDON THAT I WANTED TO TALK WITH A FORD REPRESENTATIVE THAT COULD TELL ME WHETHER OR NOT A SUBFRAME BREAKING WHILE DRIVING WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. HE INDICATED ONLY THE PERSON WORKING ON MY CAR COULD DO THIS. SHELEDON INDICATED THAT HE (SHELDON) WAS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO THIS. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE? * THE SERVICE TECH SAID SEVERAL TIMES THAT IT WAS A DIFFERENT LOCATION. WHEN SHELDON CALLED THE DENNISON FORD SERVICE MANAGER, STEVE BOWNS, THE SERVICE MANGER INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE SAME LOCATION ACCORDING TO SHELDON.

• 09/11/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  GASKETS HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED. *AK

• 09/10/2001· SUSPENSION

  RIGHT COIL SPRING BREAKAGE FOR NO APPARENT REASON.*AK

• 09/09/2002· SUSPENSION

  THE RUMBLING/RATTLING IN THE FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I TOOK IT IN TO FORD AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. OUR PREVIOUS WINDSTAR DID NOT DO THIS. I'M AFRAID SOMETHING IS GOING TO COME LOOSE AT HIGH SPEED.*AK