10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 37,783 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.
I bought a Ford Windstar van from a used car dealer by the name of ray price in Dec. Of '07. We had been looking for a van for some time and I had looked for any recalls before we purchased. I found none listed. We paid off the car last month, and that's when the trouble started. I have taken it to the garage 3 times in the last month because it kept stalling when it would idle for longer periods of time. The mechanic fixed the intake manifold seals and the surrounding parts, replacing them as needed each time. I also had the spark plugs and plug wires replaced just in case. On Thursday July 23rd, my husband replaced the brakes on the front. He drove the van all day with no problems other than the occasional stall. We stopped for milk at the grocery store on our way home from my work and had been inside for only 5-10 minutes when the manager called out that our car was on fire. We ran outside, and the firemen got it out, but the car is a total loss. I spoke to my mechanic and the fire investigator and both told me that they had come across a recall that had been out a few years ago about my van. It seems that Ford recalled the cruise control mechanism in the engine because it caused electrical fires just like what happened to mine. The fire chief said it looked exactly like what he had seen before when it happened. Since then, Ford has denied that there was a recall and won't look into the matter. My car had been on this lot for at least a year before we bought it. If the recall went out, it was never fixed, and a lawyer has already said it is Ford's responsibility to take care of the matter. Can you check on this for me?
- Radford, VA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle began pulling to the right. The contact heard a noise and the steering wheel was not centered. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was related to the main engine cradle assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 125,000 and current mileage was 129,000. Updated 11/17/08 updated 11/21/08.
- New Stanton, PA, USA
My 1999 Ford Windstar experienced a significant engine shift while driving. The garage indicated that my passenger side engine cradle had rusted through causing the engine to shift.
- Naperville, IL, USA
We were involved in an accident yesterday due to our 1999 Ford Windstar not operating properly. We had 7 people in our van including small children. Luckily, none of us were injured, but the potential for injury was definitely there. As we were approaching a stop light at about 35 mph the ABS brake light and battery light came on and we lost all power. We had no brakes or power steering. It was evident we were not going to be able to stop so my husband opted for the ditch. Steering was very difficult and we hit a stop light on the right hand side of the road with the left front end of the van and eventually came to a stop about 4 ft. From a utility pole. The van was driving fine with no indication of malfunction prior to losing all power suddenly. We have in the past experienced the battery light or the ABS brake light coming on when it was raining or after driving through standing water but have not experienced losing all power until yesterday. We have also had problems with the engine cutting out after driving on the highway for awhile and then driving on city streets at lower speeds. It seems that when your driving on just city streets at lower speeds we don't experience this problem, and also not typically while we are on the highway driving at higher speeds (although we have had it cut out a couple times on the highway). It seems to usually occur after we have been on the highway driving at higher speeds for awhile and then exit on to lower speed roads. The engine just suddenly dies. We can typically start it right back up again, but it will continue to die and start back up several times.
- Naperville, IL, USA
3 deaths. Bet I've got your attention now! I have been reading about the check engine light failures, and my van has the same persistent problem. I understand there is an engine design defect and that although gasket replacement is recommended by the technical service bulletin, it seems customers who have paid to get the tsb fix still have the same problem. I personally have spent over $5000 in the last two years trying to get the issue resolved. At 103K, my van's blue book value is much less. This is not even to mention what I've spent on extra gas at today's high prices due to inefficient engine operation resulting from this design defect. The stalling of the engine which is being reported by a lot of consumers is also due to the long term effects of running the van with this same design defect. It is just a matter of time until someone does die because of this defect, especially with the engines cutting off on the highway. Ford should recall the vehicle for this problem and fix it at no cost to consumers. There are enough individuals on this website alone to organize into a class action lawsuit, and I am just the one to take the lead on it. Of course, I do not plan to keep this vehicle. I have also had a persistent problem with the engine compartment getting too hot and burning up my alternator. I purchased this van in 2000 and have already replaced the alternator six times (averaging once per year). This is the first Ford vehicle I have ever owned and I am less than impressed. I will not buy another Ford product again. I have owned Dodge Caravan and Chevrolet vehicles which were designed properly and gave me no where near this amount of problems. I am going to purchase a Dodge Caravan.
- Tampa, FL, USA
1999 Windstar stalled. Seal in head gasket failed. When the seal failed it allowed air to get sucked in at the holes for the bolts. This is what caused the vehicle to stall.
- Chester, PA, USA
Engine seized at 78,568 miles; all preventive maintenance up to date; inspection of engine resulted in 3 fractured pistons, scored cylinder walls, bent rods and large chunks of metal debris secondary to the engine seizure.
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
The check engine light in my 1999 Ford Windstar came on. Shortly after that, my coolant was disappearing, it was being sucked into my engine due to a blown head gasket. Eventually the engine locked up due to insufficient lubrication (coolant mixing with oil). I replaced the engine. The van had a 3.8L 6 cylinder engine made in Canada.
- Sheffield Lake, OH, USA
Windshield wiper motor. Mr the consumer received a recall letter in the mail regarding the windshield wipers. When the vehicle was returned to the consumer, the windshield wipers did not work on high speed or in cold weather. The consumer was told the replacement part was defective. The consumer stated the vehicle did not have any heat and the technician stated that was a new problem. The check engine light illuminated on the vehicle.
- Pluckemin, NJ, USA
1999 Ford Windstar. The dealer installed upper and lower intake gaskets and the valve cover gasket was replaced. The engine light illuminated.
- Sioux City, IA, USA
1999 Ford Windstar suddenly spurts antifreeze from intake valve gasket. Ford dealer notified and I was told that they knew it was a problem with the 3.8L V6 and they would not fix the problem because they could not guarantee the work since it was a design problem. Also, told that "extended warranty" for the problem was expired.
- Mountain Home, ID, USA
I bought this car used and from the day I drove it off the lot I have put a few thousand dollars in it. The engine light keeps coming on with codes 171/174 lean on bank 1 and 2 I have replaced the O2, the egr, the differential, I have had the upper intake gasket replaced and the egr hoses cleaned. The light still burns. I have had nothing but trouble with this car since buying it and I will never buy another one.I also had to replace the brakes, the struts and the stablizer bar, as well as one of the tie rods. This van might look great but it runs like crap we have spent enough on this used van to have bought a new one.
- Pinson, AL, USA
Check engine light on 1999 Ford Windstar on come on 4 times in last two months. A "lean condition" was reported first 3 times from shop. Replaced fuel/air filter, spark plugs/wires and some hoses. Light came back on again same day it came back from shop. Seems like many other consumers are having same problem (see website - www.cartrackers.com/forums/live/Ford Windstar/493.html). When will Ford have to stand up and take responsibility for their defective design instead of the customer being nickel & dimed to death (some fixes aren't exactly nickels and dimes either).
- Lincoln, NE, USA
The consumer complained about an alignment problem. The vehicle pulled to the left and made a ticking noise underneath the vehicle when the brakes were applied. The vehicle was constantly in the repair shop but the mechanic are was unable to solve the problem. Also the check engine light illuminated.
- Sacramento, CA, USA
Check engine light stays on. Now vehicle is running rough. Ford states its a problem with the design of the valve cover and wants to replace it with a new and improved one. Problem is they want me to pay to correct thier design problem. If they did not design the cover right they should pay to fix it. Vehicle is an expensive paper wieght right now.
- Cibolo, TX, USA
The vehicle caught on fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined....
- Plant City, FL, USA
1999 Ford Windstar sel 3.8L V6 - blown gaskets.
- Slidell, LA, USA
The oil gasket shifted from its "specified" location which caused an extreme oil leak from the engine.
- Fort Wayne, IN, USA
While driving a fire was observed by third party motorist. The fire emitted from under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to world Ford in pembroke pines, Florida, for an initial assessment. According to world Ford, the vehicle showed heavy transmission fluid leakage, but no obvious sign of fire or fire damage. The manufacturer declined to permit Ford to work on the vehicle pending evaluation/inspection by NHTSA investigators to determine cause of fire, which may or may not be related to obvious transmission issues.
- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
- Wyandotte, MI, USA