10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 4,409 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.
After filling up with gasoline at a gas station, I went to a nearby grocery store. After about a half hour in the store, upon returning to my vehicle I noticed a very strong gasoline odor. To my horror I noticed that the gasoline was all over the parking lot coming from under my van. I immediately called my husband, we had the vehicle taken to an independant repair facility. They determined that there was a crack in my fuel tank and they replaced the tank. I began to look into whether there was a recall for the fuel tanks, because it seems to me that this could have possibly been a very dangerous situation which could easily have led to someone being injured or possibly led to fatality. When I learned that there was a recall but it only applied to vehicles in certain locations, I notified Ford that I had a problem with my fuel tank outside of the recall regions. When I felt that I was not satisfied with what was going on I wrote a letter to the Ford company. I have not heard a reply from them regarding a possible update to the recall #99R33.
- Wentzville, MO, USA
We smelled a strong odor coming from the bottom of the 1995 Ford Windstar LX van. I thought it was the muffler, so in Oct 16,2002 I took my van into al packer Ford and had it checked. At the time we were having trouble with the transmission also, the van would jump out of gear at stop lights. The service manager said, to save money it would be cheaper to have the muffler done at a muffler shop, but they could check the transmission. They said I needed a overhaul on my transmission which would run between $800 to $2100. I didn't have the money so I declined. The van had only 70,076 miles on it at the time. It was now Nov. 2003 with only 72000 miles on the van and had save the money to fix the van. So I shopped around for a price for my transmission and muffler. I went to brake world in royal palm beach, so they could give me a estimate. They told me the transmission would be between $2100 to $2500, but the smell was not coming from the muffler. They said the smell was coming from the gas tank and I should take it to the dealer. I took it to al packer Ford and told them about the recall. They said it doesn't show on their computer. I told them I had a document at home of a fuel tank recall 99S33C. They said to bring it in. On July,2000 a fuel tank bracket was put on, but I don't believe they checked for cracks in the gas tank. I had my van in for regular service intervals at 59000 miles, at 66325, at 70076 and now at 72000 miles. Not once did they find a cracked gas tank, but thank god, brake world did ! isn't Ford suppose to check your vehicle once in while for a know defect" could leak in the gas tank caught fire"
- Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA
Consumer was unable to fill gas tank to its capacity. Once the gas tank was full there would be fuel leaks. Took vehicle to dealership. Mechanic could not resolve the problem. Cause of fuel leakage had not been determined.
- Crystal Beach, FL, USA
1995 Ford Windstar gas tank ruptured. The consumer noticed that gas fumes were permeating her attached garage and home. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the top of the fuel tank ruptured. The consumer submitted original receipt for reimbursement but was only partially reimbursed.
- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA
My fuel tank developed a crack and began leaking. The tank was replaced by the dealer. I contacted the dealer about a recall (99R33). The dealer says replacement of the tank is not included in this recall. I have contacted Ford to get clarification since their website says I am included when I enter my VIN number into their recall search feature.
- Lebanon, TN, USA
Per consumer the county that they live in experienced the same high temperature that caused the defect for the fuel tank cracks as stated in recall 99 V 309 000. But their county was not part of the recall.
- Modesto, CA, USA
Consumer received a recall notice #99R33, in March, 2003, but when she took the vehicle to the dealer, they stated that they could not repair the vehicle because the consumer did not live in the affected area. The consumer stated that her vehicle was acting as the recall suggested. The vehicle leaked gas from the gas tank. When consumer parked the vehicle and had gone back there, gas was on the ground. The consumer wanted the vehicle repaired under the received recall notice. The fuel tank was replaced at the consumer's expense.
- Garden Valley, CA, USA
The dealer replaced the fuel tank under recall in 1999, however the strap was not replaced, and the fuel tank cracked again. Recall #99V309000.
- Yuma, AZ, USA
The consumer believed gas was leaking from the tank.
- San Ramon, CA, USA
While driving, flames emitted from the engine compartment area due to head gasket failure for the second time. Also the fuel tank contained a leak and there was a recall regarding the issue.
- San Ramon, CA, USA
Ford recall notice concerning fuel tanks on 1995 Ford, Windstar may crack during extended operation of vehicle in very high ambient temperatures. This recall applied to 1995 for Windstar vehicles in designated states and counties of which los angeles county was part. However, consumer's vehicle was not covered under recall because consumer lived in sacramento county which was not included in recall although his vehicle had the same defect.
- Antelope, CA, USA
The fuel tank was cracked in the forward strap area which caused fuel to leak and result in an overwhelming smell of fuel inside the vehicle, this problem had been recalled (99V-309) yet this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Nlm
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
Consumer took the vehicle to the repair shop because of an overwhelming smell of gasoline. It was discovered that there was a fuel tank crack in the forward strap area. The manger pulled up a recall which clearly states this is the exact problem with the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the local Ford dealer, discussed the problem and also told them of the recall which consumer never received. The service manager checked the recall and compared the VIN. Consumers vehicle is not included due to VIN. The recall number is 99V309
- Las Vegas, AK, USA
Consumer states that after filling up the tank notice fuel dripping onto the ground. Consumer feels this is very dangerous. Please provide any furhther information.
- Yucaipa, CA, USA
Consumer is furious with Ford for sending out recall notices that do not intend to honor or exclude certain regions of the country.(which was sent in 2000)the recall stated that Ford Windstar 95 vehicles may crack as a result of extended operation of the vehicle in very high ambient tempetures.(vehicle has a leaky fuel tank, and in the presence of an ignition source could potentially cause a fire)consumer said, approximately 2 years later the fuel tank has begun to leak. And the temperatures on the East coast have been extremely high (especially this summer).
- Wilmington, DE, USA
Fuel tank has cracked and is leaking gas. This could cause a fire. Cause unknown. Dealer notified. The fuel tank was on recall but the consumer's vehicle VIN number was not included.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
Fuel tank is leaking fuel due to a cracked fuel tank. Dealer and manufacturer were notified.. this occurred after recall repair 99V309.
- Grovetown, GA, USA
Consumer could smell gas. Took vehicle to dealership, the dealer informed the consumer that top seam of gas tank had separated, causing a gas leak, dealer replaced gas tank.
- Sacramento, CA, USA
Vehicle recalled for fuel tank crack (99V-309), the dealer repaired the problem now it appears that the problem is resurfacing, the dealer stated that the vehicle has past the warranty of 12000 miles on this particular repair.
- Manchaca, TX, USA
- East Meadow, NY, USA