10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 64,347 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the vehicle stalled without the warning while driving 25 mph. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed the failure at the engine motor rod. The engine motor was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but denied assistance with the repair. The failure mileage was 111,000 and the current mileage was 112,000.
- Darby, PA, USA
Went to pick up food and noticed my 99 Ford Windstar was smoking. I pulled over, lifted up the hood and it was on fire. It was put out with a fire extinguisher. Looked up online that there was a recall. Called Ford, they were unwilling to help us at all. Told us we'd have to pay for a diagnostic/and towing. Finally got ahold of someone through Ford who got that for no charge. Was told that it is the recalled piece that caused the fire. Now am told that it could take up to 15 days to find out if I can get a rental until the car is fixed.
- Dale, TX, USA
1999 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes to express discontent regarding Ford Motor Company the consumer stated the vehicle had transmission and engine problems. Also, the vehicle failed inspection, due to a rusted subframe. Ford offered to buy the vehicle back from the consumer.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
Was driving a 1999 Ford Windstar stopped at work went in side a coworker was leaving ran back inside to tell me my 1999 Windstar was on fire.
- Las Cruces, NM, USA
Bought the van in Sept. 2002 with 55,000 miles, engine light came on within a week of having it. Took it back to car lot where we bought it, they took it to the Ford dealer, couldn't find anything except that it came up a lean code they told me I didn't know how to put gas cap on the right way. That is not the problem. Kept dealing with light on to this day. May 2003 had to have the transmission replaced, got it back starting having same problems, took it back they said they forgot to replace a wire, still having problems to this day with transmission in fact Oct. 2010 had to have it towed they said shavings found in motor will need transmission replaced again. Dome lights flash all the time. The gauges go haywire all the time, peg from one side to the other. Had that replaced and did it again. Took it in for recall Dec. 28,2010 cracked rear axle still at dealer. Now just heard that the recall for sub frame will get papers in Feb. Guess it will be there longer. Our dumb mistake we bought another Windstar in Sept. 2010 a 2003 all we could afford, that has problems with ABS light. Told over $800 to fix. We need two new cars, don't feel safe in either.
- Berwick, PA, USA
Complete fracture of passenger side engine cradle causing steering issues. Fracture 1 to 2 inches from frame bolt. No other rust or fractures on frame or sub chassis, repairs by Ford and Goodyear of rack replacement and transmission replacement did not seem to warrant notification to me of pending issue with frame which could have caused major injury to myself or someone else. Note this car has been in Florida with 1 owner not in salt belt states
- Lake Worth, FL, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While the contact was driving approximately 40 mph, there was a loud noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. Suddenly, the vehicle pulled into the right direction and wandered out of the lane causing difficulty in maintaining the steering. When the brakes were engaged, the vehicle pulled toward the left direction with a metal screeching noise. The failure occurred three times. A certified technician inspected the vehicle and stated that the engine cradle and lower control arm were completely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Burenak, OH, USA
1999 Ford Windstar : engine cradle cracking and has fractured away from motor mount.
- Grain Valley, MO, USA
I have a 1999 Ford Windstar, which has badly rusted K cradle, which can cause the engine to fall down while being driven as told by the mechanic. I tried to find an used one but couldn't get as they were all rusted out. Looks like it has bad material or bad design. Its a real safety hazard.
- Mansfield, OH, USA
On June 17,2010 my boyfriend and I had just arrived home from work and gotten into bed. Maybe 10-15min went by when the neighbor was banging on door screaming "your car is on fire" going outside we found the van engulfed in flames..it had driven beautifully up til this point. The van is total loss.
- Laurence Harbor, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle would shut off. The failure occurred when slowing down for a red light or stop sign. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic on three different occasions before it was finally repaired. The contact was informed that the driver's side intake manifold failed. The contact referenced technical service bulletin number 627927 (engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline). The current mileage was 42,000 and failure mileage was 28,306. Updated 10/14/08 the engine would shut off and didn't idle properly. Updated 10/17/08.
- Fleetwood, PA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving 60 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The dealer stated that there was a faulty valve cover, and the engine needed an upper intake and driver side valve cover. The cost to repair the vehicle was $500. The dealer did not explain the possible cause of the failure; however, when the valve cover does not fit properly, it causes oil to leak into the motor. The failure and current mileages were 89,946.
- Cape May Courthouse, NJ, USA
Subject vehicle is a 1999 Ford Windstar van with 3.8 engine; this vehicle has not been operational since July 15, 2007 due to stalling problem. After reaching operating temperature, it may stall at any time. At speeds above 40 mph you can maintain control of vehicle, but under 35 mph vehicle becomes difficult to control due to engine shutdown and loss of power steering and brake assist.
- Woodbine, GA, USA
I was at a stop light at a major intersection and when the light turned green I heard a loud sound. I tried to accelerate but my car would not move forward. The engine just revved. I thought I ran something over due to the sound so inspected got out to inspect the car. I found nothing. I got back into the car and turned car off and turned back. The car would not drive. I put the car in reverse and managed to get off the road. I had the car towed to the dealership. I was told by the dealer sutton Ford in matteson il. That the transmission just broke and would cost me $3000. I have had this car less then 2 years. I had an extended warranty that just expired a few months ago. My obd light was on but was told by the dealer it was a sensor. They could turn it off but it wasn't anything major. After reading all the complaints I'm sure it is major. Since purchasing this car, I have had to replace tires at least every six months, major engine repair, alternator repair, as well as spring replacement. Overall, I've put more then $3000 in repair not including the repair of the transmission I now need. I loved my Windstar but I am now discovering that it puts my life endanger to drive it. My two kids were in the car when this happened and I feared someone would hit my car. The worst part about all this is I am unable to get rid of this car as I still am buying this car. I am unable to refinance the difference. I was told to just scarp the car by the dealer and just get another car as I am even more in debt trying to repair the car. I don't want to ruin my credit so there has to be another solution. I have no inkling how I'm going to manage to get $3000 for a new car and pay my bills and find an alternative method. I really would appreciate it if Ford would just do the right thing fix my transmission. Split the cost. I did damage my car in the mist of all this and just want to be able to drive to work until the car is paid off.
- Chicago Heights, IL, USA
Cel (check engine light) came on. Ford dealer said that the Ford company has a bulletin out to dealers recommending the replacement of gaskets and valve cover for the vacuum leaks. Which run upward of $600 if they are acknowledging this problem, why are they not recalling it?
- Killeen, TX, USA
The contact stated the engine hesitated while driving. The engine did not die, but operated at a reduced speed. The check engine light illuminated when this occurred. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who performed a diagnostic test. The diagnostic test produced codes. However, no repairs have been made.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
The contact stated the check engine light continued to illuminate. She took the vehicle to an independent repair shop numerous times. The repair shop cleared the check engine light code. After multiple attempts to correct the problem she was referred to an authorized Ford dealer. The dealer cleared the check engine light code. Afterwards the check engine light came on again. She went back to the dealer. The dealer could not diagnose the problem, and said not to worry about it. No further repairs have been made at this time. Updated 04/06/06
- Brooks, KY, USA
When attempting to park, especially when parking between two vehicles and I need to proceed slowly and with caution, my engine has a sudden, momementary surge of approximately 500 RPM each time I turn the steering wheel. This causes the vehicle to suddenly lurch forward. I have had a few close calls due to this sudden movement when stopped for pedestrans to pass in front of me, I have turned the steering wheel slightly and when the vehicle surges forward, they look at me like I was attempting to run them down. As of this date, I do not know why it is doing this.
- Titusville, FL, USA
Head gaskets on my Ford Windstar 3.8 liter are leaking coolant at 83.9K miles. Had a 1994 Ford Taurus with same problem. Had to junk car at 70000. That was 20000 after I had it fixed for the same problem the first time at 38000. Ford has had many problems with this 3.8 V-6 but don't want to admit it.
- Rosemont, PA, USA
- Mt. Pleasant, PA, USA