10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 36 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 18 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 2,623 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.
While driving on September 24, 2005 the vehicle caught on fire. The consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The consumer had not taken vehicle to be inspected. The consumer believed that it might have been caused by the ABS brakes. There was no previous warning before this occurred.
- Plummer, ID, USA
The consumer states on her 1995 Ford Windstar, there was NHTSA recall 01I007000 on the front coil springs. The spring on the passenger front broke when turning and caused the tire to blow out. The vehicle was towed at that time to a mechanic, and they informed the consumer about the recall. When she called Ford, they told her it was too late, that because the vehicle was originally bought in 1994 the warranty ran out. When she purchased the vehicle, in 2003, she received no notice there was a recall. Ford did not even have her as the current owner of the vehicle. The mechanic did find that the driver's side coil was broke. The tire was damaged, and there were no injuries. The consumer stated she has been having problems with the ABS since 2003.
- Manchester, IA, USA
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!
- St. Louis, MO, USA
While braking vehicle pulsated and there would be extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
Consumer stated that while driving and without warning ABS brakes failed, causing the pedal to go to the floor. Dealer notified.
- Lansdale, PA, USA
The anti-lock system failed, which caused an accident.
- Madison, OH, USA
1995 Ford Windstar LX head gaskets blew out at 100,112 miles today. Warranty through 100,000 miles. I've had to have the brakes repaired at least once per year for the last 4 years.
- Hawley, MN, USA
ABS locks and vehicle does not stop. Have spent over $2000 trying to fix braking issue. Tone rings, struts, suspension, front brakes, rear brakes, bearings, cv joints, master cylinder, among other replacements. Over bumps, small hills, straight roads, anytime coming to a stop, vehicle intermittently fails to stop completely. Have pumped brakes and found that brake pedal gets hard and loud, still does not help to stop vehicle. Steering wheel feels loose at when this happens. Brake pedal also kicks back, sometimes with excessive force, makes a load grinding noise. Controlling the car becomes difficult as loss of brake pressure and steering wheel rocking (on decent of small hill) combined make for a deadly combination. I am being forced to purchase a better vehicle, not ever Ford again.
- Nottingham, NH, USA
The brake system has failures that can not be found by either a dealer service department or brake specialist. Have spent over $1500 trying to fix the brakes. What happens is that when brakes are depressed they rumble and jump and no brake to stop. Then brakes kick in and tires squeal from the quick stop. All Windstar I have spoke to are having the same issue. This needs to be investigated, this is a car that families are traveling in. Children can and will be injured.
- Nottingham, NH, USA
The car was parked in my driveway. I started the car and stepped on the brake pedal. The pedal went to the floor. I got out of the car and looked around the wheels. I saw oil leaking out around the right rear wheel and on the spare tire.
- Norwell, MA, USA
ABS brake light came on and stayed on and brakes made a loud noise. This could cause vehicle not to stop at a shorter distance. Dealer contacted.
- Yucaipa, CA, USA
Engine head gaskets are leaking antifreeze onto engine. Dealer has been notified. Consumer adds ABS brake system defective. Vehicle repeatedly stalls and will not restart.
- Milwaukee, WI, USA
ABS braking light and engine check light appear on dash while traveling on highway.
- Long Island, NY, USA
Brakes make a growling noise. Had brakes repaired. Brakes keeps wearing prematurely. Dealer contacted. Consumer stated the ABS motor was noisy.
- Springfield, OH, USA
When consumer turned vehicle on ABS braking light appeared on dashboard. While applying brakes vehicle has a noise coming from wheels, and vibration inside steering column.
- Newwhitland, IN, USA
ABS brakes give a false sense of stopping. Drover almost had several rear end inccidents due to the fact brakes did not hold when applied.
- Marion, OH, USA
The 4-wheel ABS on our 1995 Ford Windstar minivan is malfunctioning.it causes vibration and decreases the ability to stop the vehicle.the problem occurs when applying the brakes at any speed and on dry road surfaces.
- Waterford, MI, USA
While traveling on highway and without prior warning applied brakes, and pedal went all the way down to the floor.
- Rockville Center, NY, USA
Vehicle has had sporadic brake partial failures over last year and a half, brakes appear to pulse and braking is poor. Letting up on peddle and punching brakes alleviates problem. Brake inspections show nothing and I have had new pads and rotors put on but problem persists. It is very sporadic and feels like ABS is kicking in when it shouldn't ABS failure light does not come on.
- Stanhope, NJ, USA
- Middlebourne, WV, USA