Took van in for latest recall, picked up with check transmission light on - was not on when we dropped van off for repair. Transmission failed shortly afterward.

- Boyertown, PA, USA

With this Windstar we now have 170,000 miles on it and have replaced the transmission 4 times, something is not right here. Have also had on going problems with ABS light on and sensors going out for ABS brakes. Have replaced them several times, would like to have a van that is drivable with not warning lights one.

- Clarkston, MI, USA

In NHTSA campaign id number 10V385000, Ford Motor Company recalled 1998-2003 winstars which are currently registered or originally sold in 20 states. My vehicle is not part of this recall because it is not registered or was originally sold in one of those states. The reason the recall specified these 20 states is because these 20 states frequently use high amounts of salt to melt snow and the salt can/has resulted in corrosion to the power train rear axle assembly. As my vehicle is not currently registered and was not originally sold in one of these states, Ford Motor Company has not and will not include my vehicle in the recall. Over the 10 years I've owned the vehicle, I have frequently traveled to and through 6 of these states, including during winter months when there has been snow on the ground and salt has been used to melt the snow. As a result, my vehicle has corrosion on the power train rear axle assembly and cracks very similar to the ones shown on pictures of affected vehicles. I feel that under these circumstances, my vehicle should be added to the recall. I have contacted Ford Motor Company, and they have refused to add my vehicle. Any assistance you can provide would be appreciated as I fear that a complete fracture of the axle is probable.

- Richmond, VA, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was located at the head gasket and transmission. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 163,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Louisville, KY, USA

3 transmissions...multiple repairs all of which Ford is aware and caused by faulty design. Recalled for axle and frame rotting. Ford used epoxy and a brace to "repair". unsafe repair! warranty offered is only 12 months, so Ford also agrees it wont last. Frame and axle should last the life of vehicle. This is a dangerous vehicle and Ford isnt willing to take any resposibility. They have kown about these problems for years, and are now saying they arent responsible.

- Saint Clair, MO, USA

99 Ford Windstar, scds switch replaced, no brake lights, cant get shifter out of park, blower wont shut off with key removed, headlights come on when you shut the door with key removed and switch off. No speedometer or tach.

- Akron, OH, USA

Rusted out sub frame. It cost me $1,150 dollars to repair with a used one. Not happy. Tranny slams from 1st to 2nd gear; it started about 6 months after I bought it in 2001, they fixed it. Then it started again in 2006 when it hit about 80,000 miles. I stopped driving it for awhile after fighting over it with the miller Ford dealer then finally got the money to repair the sub frame. Now I just drive it and use 2nd and 3rd gear. The od light keeps coming on.

- Southampton, NJ, USA

Rear axle rusted and broke in half.

- Mundelein, IL, USA

Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) on Saturday May 15th, around noontime, I was traveling on I-91 northbound in hartford. The van started pulling and swerving like I had flat tires. The van has 124,210 miles, and has been diagnosed with a broken rear axle. Estimated repair cost for a 'used' axle is around $900. From what I've been reading, this is an inherent design flaw. VIN # [xxx].

- Hartford, CT, USA

Ford Windstar XL 1999- front end clunking noises serviced 3-4 times before it was fixed. Repeated repairs to various front end components replaced at my expense including power steering pump, rack & pinion, tie rods, U-joints costing $2000 or more. Continue to suffer from groaning, noisy, & stiff steering. Also ongoing engine pinging upon acceleration after numerous repairs. Random power sliding door function. Metallic rattling, jingling noises from under car both when idling & driving.

- Richmond, VA, USA

I just purchased this vehicle May 2003. I was having transmission problems wouldn't accelerate past 40 km's then would rev really high then kick into gear. I found out from another dealership that the vehicle has had a transmission put in Dec'02 at 68,000kms then another went in Jan'03 with 974 km's on that one & found out today I need a new one. I am fighting with the dealership that sold me this vehicle that I am not responsible for it. That they obviously knew there was a problem with it when they sold it to me. Still waiting to see who's going to pay for it. Been waiting for Tuesday will be a week. Dealer I bought it from was totem Ford Mercury.

- Coquitlam, UN, USA

* vehicle leans since purchased Sept 13, 2003. * allignment problems. * transmission does not properly change gears. * low treads on tires. * a frame problems. * suspension steering makes a clunking noise. * brakes must be pumped to stop, and make a ticking noise when applied. * vehicle has overheated. * power steering fluid leaked. * gears do not shift properly. * primer scotch guard on seats wearing after coat applied.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

We first had to replace the transmission at 49000 miles for $2000. Just a few months later the engine failed at 53000 miles. To save money, we purchased a used engine from a wrecked Windstar van for $900. My husband and father did the labor themselves. Then in July 2003 we had to replace the shift solenoids which cost $500 for parts and labor. Now, just a little over a year from replacing the first transmission, the van is in the shop again with transmission problems. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciate. Thanks for your time.

- Elkins, WV, USA

Purchased used 11/15/02. Upon 2nd routine oil change was advised that I had a trans. Leak pan gasket. Took the van to dealership (nemer Ford) where purchased, advised them that the van was not shifting properly in addition to the gasket needing replacement.they advised me that the gasket did need to be replaced and that I should have the transmission flushed and serviced, I agreed to this service. There was still slight shuddering when shifting, but not like it was. Upon taking it in for the 3rd routine oil change, I advised them that not only was the shuddering getting worse, but now the O/D light is flashing and the RPM's are jumping around. Also told them that when you initially start the vehicle there is a momentary grinding noise. Picked up the van and returned it for the exact same issues 19 days later. I have yet to take it back to the dealership as we are still experiencing all of the exact same issues, with the added twists of interior lights coming on when we hit bumps and turning off when we hit the next bump, when using the right hand turn signal, upon straightening out from the turn the left turn signal comes on all by itself, and last but not least there is an odor that can only be compared to raw sewer coming from under my hood, not sulfer, but sewer. To date the solenoid has been replaced, as has the torque converter, (with much resistance from the warranty company) I have a hard time believing that the Ford corporation is unaware of these problems, as I am clearly not the only consumer dealing with these issues. Thank you for your time, tiffany M. sanchez

- Queensbury, NY, USA

Mileage was 49600, total cost for the repair was $2600 but our cost was only $2072 because drew Ford in san diego, ca helped us cover some of the cost. The itemized bill said the remanufactured transmission was $1702.28. The tranny went out with no warning lights and no sign of giving out. My wife usually drives it but I had just driven it the day before and I am in tune with odd noises and the van had none. 8/22/2003 in the evening when she pulled into our garage and was still moving forward, it stopped. It didn't move until the engine was rev'd pretty high then it would kick in violently. That lasted about 2 or 3 times while trying to finish moving it into the garage when a huge grinding sound took place and the van did not move again until the tow truck took it away! I am outraged that the van was so young when a major component went out like the transmission. And after combing the web for others who have experienced this, I found plenty of people. I think Ford Motor Company should pay for this. I figure they won't, though.

- San Diego, CA, USA

We purchased the 1999 Windstar in Dec 1998. From the first weeks of ownership, we have complained about the transmission. Dealer changed transmission fluid and said nothing was wrong. Problems were as follows: Loud clunks when shifting from park to reverse, while foot pressing firmly on brake pedal; transmission hesitates when down shifting going around corners; as a passenger I felt as if the whole car was lunging causing dizziness to motion sickness (did not occur while I was driving); hard shifts between first & second; rear window wiper failed; power steering pump replaced which caused the rack & pinion seals to fail, which resulted in a new rack installed; egr valve rubber boot kept popping off until I placed a small hose clamp to hold it in place; check engine light stays on every since 15,000 miles; O/D button never worked; O/D light flashed repeatedly minutes prior to the transmission going out. Now the Ford dealer said I needed a new upper plenum, egr valve, pfe, valve cover gasket, battery cable and this was found while checking the transmission problem. I told them to forget it! $3K is enough to spend on a five year old car! this is all I can think of at this point.

- Ocala, FL, USA

We have taken this van in for repair fivetimesin one year. The first month we had it the head was replaced. The power steering has gone out for now the fifth time. I actually lost controlof the vehicle due to beingunable to turn the steering. My husband has to drive me everywhere because only he can turn the steering wheel. Each time we take it for repair we are charged a deductible and I can not do this anymore. This is obviously a lemon. Marshall mize Ford in chattanooga Tennessee is where the vehicle was purchased in January of 2001. They also have performed all service on this vehicle. Ford has not been understanding of why my payments have been late, but when you are having these kinds of issues such as electrical, transmission, air conditioning, and engine malfunctions, it does not take a genius to figure out why a woman with a family who depends on this vehicle as reliable, safe means of transportation is having difficulty. Maybe if their product was of better quality, my children would be in a safe vehicle, and Ford would get their money on time.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

I am having lots of troubles with 1999 Ford Windstar since the day I bought from dealer (lew webb Ford, garden grove). 1. currently my van has manifold leakage. This has occurred immediately after the Ford dealer fixed my transmission leakage. The price quoted is $1200 out of which I have to pay $540. I have already spent lots of money in maint & repairs. Before this I had to take my van to dealer for following problems: Transmission leakage at 37000 miles. Front & back brakes at 37000 miles. Electrical system failure. Couple of recalls. Currently it has approximately 50600 miles on odometer and I have been communicating to & fro with dealer. For the current problem dealer has offered me 55% in assistance. But my problem is I am wasting lots of time, money & energy to have all this problems fixed. I would prefer to hand this van back to dealer or atleast get more assistance from dealer or Ford company. Please advise me of any further action I should take. My phone number is[xxx]. thanks in advance for looking into this matter. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Oceanside, CA, USA

I was just over my warranty in July/2002 on a 1999 Ford Windstar with 31,000 miles. My wife was driving with my three kids the van stalled. The transmissions failed?

- Oaklawn, IL, USA

Transmission went out with no warning. Internal failure of components.

- Gautier, MS, USA