First: While traveling 70 mph on an interstate in nc our van died. After safely pulling over, crossing 3 lanes of traffic, we had the van towed home to va and the mechanic said he changes 7-8 transmissions a week in Ford Windstar vans. We had fallen victim to this. We still have problems with the O/D light coming on and having to add transmission fluid frequently. Second: Our van interior and exterior lights dim and blink at random. The alert will also come on saying one of the doors is ajar leaving the interior lights on and doors unlocked. It will randomly change doors while driving. Now the rear turning lights do not flash, the locks do not work, the interior and back exterior lights do not go out even with the key off and out. There will be random beeping and buzzing noises. The rear heat/air turns off and on at random even with the controls in the off position. There is a clicking under the dash when the rear heat or air is running. On inspection the mechanic found the alarm wires under the dash bare, unhooked, and exposed. He taped these hoping it would solve the problem. It has not. The local Ford dealer is not reputable. It is a well known fact in the community that they break something else while fixing another to ensure a return visit. We have to travel 45-60 minutes to another dealer and they are so busy because they have to provide service for a large rural area. Ford has never acknowledged phone calls or letters sent to them. We feel stuck with a lemon!

- Wise, VA, USA

I opened electronic sliding driver side door on my 1999 Ford Windstar van to load the car for a weekend trip. I kneeled in the door opening to position things in the back seat. Without warning the door began to shut on its own. Before I could jump out of the car, it had my calves stuck in the door. It did not automatically open as I was informed it should have when it hit my legs. My daughter was able to pull the door open and allow me to escape. My right calf was injured, though it did not break the skin, I have a large bruise from the doors impact approx. 2 inches high and 4 inches long. I took my car to the dealership (ted britt Ford in fairfax Virginia) where I purchased my van and carry an extended warranty. They have had my car in for numerous repairs, all related to the doors malfunctioning or other electrical problems. This is the first time there was an injury due to the door failure. My car is currently still in the shop for this malfunction. **about the number of failures listed below: I am uncertain if I should indicate one failure which resulted in an injurry or the multiple failures of the doors opening, refusing to open, or refusing to close that proceeded this last incident. I wll indicate one failure, meaning this last one. Please call or email if I should indicate all the door failures we have incountered to date. * am also a bit concerned as the repair department at ted britt Ford in fairfax, where my van is regularly serviced, indicated that he believes it would have been impossible for the door to shut without my having done something to cause it. I am absolutely certain I could not have accidentally close the door. I am concerned they may not check out this problem adequately and just decide it was operator error. I reminded them of the multiple other door failures and electrical problems. I also let them know the lights in the van (that come on when you open a door), go on and off when I go over bumps as I am driving.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

Our 1999 Ford Windstar has 51,000 miles and transmission has failed. Yesterday (4/8/05) while driving kids home from school the van made a loud clunking noise and would not go into forward or reverse. Was able to roll to shoulder. We replaced battery a month ago, and while driving over the bay bridge (Maryland) easter Sunday our headlights and dashboard lights began to dim and van seemed as if it was going to stall. By the time we drove 4 miles to home all lights were out and car was sputtering, wouldn't start. We then replaced the alternator. The O/D light has been flashing. Interior lights stay on sporadically as well as door ajar light when all doors are closed. Interior lights sometimes don't come on when van is parked and doors opened. No rhyme or reason to this. Tires have been replaced twice due to abnormal wear. We are getting quotes of between 1,600 and 2,800 for transmission. Also windshield cracked where mirror was reattached after it fell off. When we were just over 3 years and at around 25,000 miles, all dashboard warning lights came on also while driving on bay bridge. Took van to dealer (bob bell in glen burnie, md) and they said they'd have it done that day but kept it a week. I threw a fit and got a loaner - a tin can on wheels. Ford eventually covered some of the repairs through a 'special program.' I cannot beleive there has been no recall on these pieces of garbage with the number of transmission failures I see on this website. NHTSA should force Ford to take responsibility for this nonsense and pay for these outrageous failures. We also have a Ford pickup and will never buy another Ford product. Henry must be rolling over in his grave.

- Chester, MD, USA

When we open the doors, sometimes the interior lighting does not come on. Other times it blinks on and then goes off. Even other times it will blink quickly. Sometimes the lights come on and will not go off after doors have been closed. While driving the dashboard lighting will sometimes blink on and off as well. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer, but the could not reproduce the problem for the short time they had the vehicle. This makes since because of the intermittent nature of this problem. I am concerned that the dashboard lighting could be a safety issue or if the problem moves to other systems such as exterior lighting.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Consumer states that instrument light panel is not working at all. Dealer notified.

- Abilene, TX, USA

Fire under hood: Previous electrical problems: Interiors lights coming on and staying on, dealers unable to find problem or duplicate. Radio turning on and changing stations, components on its own. Replaced on 03/06/2000. Sliding doors opening while vehicle is moving and refusing to close. Dealer unable to find cause. Computerizes keys not working in ignition on two occasions. System being reprogram both times. Am side of radio not working at night five days before fire. Noted that when headlights are turned off, am works, but when turned back on nothing but static. 2) transmission: Several occassions it would hardly pull up a hill, others the car would stay at one speed although my foot was not on the accelerator. Extra braking was needed to slow vehicle down or stop. 3) computer module replaced several times and still worked erractic through 08/16/2002. 4) speedometer cluster performed erractic until relaced to include mileage doubling for any mileage driven on a given day. 5) suspension problems: Spindle connecting rod replaced 03/07/2002, struts and ball joints replaced 05/29/2002, and lower arms and tie rod ends replaced 06/07/2002.

- Waukegan, IL, USA

Passenger's sliding door will not close correctly and dome light will come on. Contacted dealer. The passenger sliding door comes ajar and the door light comes on in the dashboard. The dealer had tried to fix the problem eight times.

- Baton Louge, LA, USA

Passenger power door unlatches while driving, specifically around corners. Slow speeds-pulling out of parking lots. Door is also not shutting. Must be physically closed. Interior lights flash on an off while in a parked position with key in ignition. Clicking sound from turn signal comes on sporadically even though turn signal is not engaged.

- Lexington, SC, USA

Power sliding door would intermittently open while driving, or will not open when needed; vehicle been in the dealer shop on six occasions, and problem still occurring.. consumer also states back seat collasped backwards, also battery dead from shorts in the wiring, light in the inside is on when it should be off, and also doors that may or maynot operate while vehicle is in motion, also getting false signals on instrument panel.

- Kirkwood, MO, USA

Rear dome light failed. Nlm

- El Campo, TX, USA

Power steering under carridge wentout which taken the power steering to the wheel. Vehicle is at the dealership waiting for parts. The stereo system failed. Brake makes grinding noise. The rear door light keeps falling down whenever the door closed.

- Grinnell, IA, USA

Rear dome lamp failed. Nlm

- San Leandr, CA, USA