10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 8 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 10 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 45,730 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Head gaskets blew, leaking timing belt gasket, blown speed sensor, transmission problems
- Natick, MA, USA
Cruise control locked while on highway.
- Hatboro, PA, USA
Cruise control failed.
- Shutesbury, MA, USA
While driving down a road all of sudden vehicle kept accelerating. Contacted dealer, and they replaced the trottle body top. It happened again.
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA
Cruise control stopped working and car accelerated out of control. The system could not be shut off either by using the brake, or off switch. The only way to turn it off is to brake to a stop (against the engine) and turn off the car. After waiting about 5 minutes the cruise control will shut off. The problem was reported to the dealer, but they could not find a problem. Problem still exists.
- Edinboro, PA, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Hatbor, PA, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Hatbor, PA, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Hatbor, PA, USA
Vehicle lurches forward at 25mph. Dealer service dept identified the problem on the first upshift the transmission. He informed me that the two transmission specialists at the dealership have probably seen this problem 50 times. I was informed that an aluminum forward piston needed to be replaced at an estimed cost of $1200-2300. I further learned that Ford knew of this defective forward piston as early as 1993, but continued to use them on new assemblies. Where is the justice" is there a class action suit pending"
- East Aurora, NY, USA
When putting foot on the brake pedal, the van would speed up. Also, when accelerating the van would go faster than it was supposed to. Van was brought to the dealership for testing of engine and transmission. The testing did not show any problems. New engine is needed and will only be replaced at owner's cost.
- Riverdale, GA, USA
This vehicle has had problem from the day we purchased. Most recently, it is currently at dlrship for service due to engine overheating, just short of van catching fire. Prior to this, we had to replace the transmission (approx. 1 1/2- 2yrs. Ago). At this point, we are truly concerned about the safety of this vehicle even after repair.
- Herndon, VA, USA
Forward clutch piston cracked, causing vehicle to behave like it was in neutral. Also, when transmission would finally kick in, vehicle would serge forward. Clutch piston was replaced by a private mechanic. The manuafcturer has been notified.
- Fayetteville, NC, USA
Fuel indicator quit working - rear door does not register as being shut unless slammed-power window in passenger door is dead-speedometer is inaccurate over 70 mph, flucuates
- Jacksonville, AR, USA
This van has cost alot of money to keep up and I was told these things where problems they had by a mechanic.
- Casa Grande, AZ, USA
When sitting at a stop light or just stopping, vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control.
- Burke, VA, USA
After bringing the vehicle to a complete stop transmission seemed to shift into neutral because when I take my feet off the brake and pressed on the accelerator, engine just revved and the van did not move. Then suddenly the transmission engaged, and the van jumped forward dangerously and accelerated. This vehicle was bought from di blasi Ford, 112-21 northern blvd., corona, NY 11368 (tel: 718-898-6100). Montclair-bloomfield motors is the dealer closest to me and has inspected the vehicle. Both dealer & the manufacturer claimed that this was an unusual problem, and that I had to pay $2,000 for the repair because I am past the 3 year standard warranty (although I am under 36,000 miles). Again Ford claimed this was an unusual occurrence and not a defect. But if anyone should research the various internet sites, it would become apparent that Windstar 1995-6 owners have been complaiming about this transmission problem for sometime. Owners had their transmission replaced as many as three times for vehicle with less than 60,000 miles. Also majority of these owners felt that Ford was aware of this problem, but refused to advise the public, and was putting profits ahead of their customers life. After being subject to this life threatening situation, I felt compelled to report this miscarriage of justice, hoping it could save life and property. In closing, I beg your involvement to cure this problem for the sake for public safety. I have three kids 7,5 & 2 and practically all other Windstar owners have little kids, so please help us save lives. Thank in anticipation for your help.
- Montclair, NJ, USA
Premature failure of the head gasket caused the car to start lurching severely while driving up an extended grade on highway 101. The sudden lurching caused the driver to temporarily lose control on this already hazardous section of freeway. Upon investigation I have found that this problem is widespread with this particular engine. Ford is aware that this is a design/manufacturing defect, and because of this Ford has issued an extended warranty to cover this specific problem. However, this warranty is only valid after a problem occurs. By then it is too late. Ford should be recalling these vehicles proactively and correcting the problem before the failure occurs. The service people at my dealer agreed with me, but wasn't willing to take a stand with the manufacturer on my behalf. I was amazed when this small town dealer told me that they had 5 other '95 Windstar in the shop at this same time with the same failure. There are hundreds of websites with people having this same problem and unable to get any satisfaction from Ford.
- Atascaeroo, CA, USA
Cruise control malfuctioned, causing throttle to stick and sudden accleration. This could result in a crash. The plastic piece on end of servocable or cruise cable in the cruise control frayed, causing the throttle to get stuck.
- Midland, MI, USA
Speedometer replaced at my cost of about$400 for part and labor at dealer. At the same time we requested the transmission be checked because, after being warmed up, at stops the van would not go when gas was applied, then would lurch forward after a second or two. The "transmission guy" was out, and we were told there might be an internal transmission problem. Someone advised us to change the transmission fluid and filter, as this can sometimes do the trick in what appears to be a serious problem, we did. The problem got worse while we waited for the dealer's tranmission man to return. We sought a private transmission repairman. This very reputable repair company told us there were quite a few problems with this model van and transmissions and that it was a cracked aluminium front clutch piston. We were given a repair estimate of $1200 to $1400. We began investigating and found hundreds of similar complaints on the internet. We returned to our dealer, information in hand. At this time the van is at the dealer, being repaired because Ford has agreed to pay half the cost of parts and labor to repair the transmission, and will waranty the repair for 1 year, 12000 miles. I am unable to send my VIN because the van isn't here.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
- Tulsa, OK, USA