10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 37,494 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.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and smoke began to emit from under the hood. The contact did not see flames, but poured water under the hood to put out the smoke. The windshield wiper motor stopped functioning after the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a diagnostic test and the technician stated that water entered the wiper motor and started a fire. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 01V261000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor), that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000. Updated 02/22/12
- Rush City, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving 55 mph, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the windshield wiper motor. The wipers and wiper park function worked intermittently. As of November 23, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01V261000 (visibility: Windshield wiper/washer: Motor). The failure mileage was 149,900 and current mileage was 150,000.
- Tappan, NY, USA
: the contact stated the vehicle was parked in the driveway and the keys were out of the ignition while the windshield wipers engaged by themselves. Black and white smoke erupted from under the hood. The contact raised the hood and disconnected the windshield wiper motor which stopped the wipers. Although smoke was present, no visible flames or fire was observed. Upon further inspection, heat damaged the wiring harness and throttle body. The contact determined the windshield wiper motor shorted out. Although the dealer was alerted, the vehicle was not inspected.
- Coldwater, MI, USA
The windshield wipers worked intermittenly and then quit working completely. There is a recall for this problem, but thid vehicle is not included in the recall due to VIN.
- Rockwall, TX, USA
The intermittent function on my windshield wiper motor has failed. Ford has a recall on certain models of my vehicle, but evidently my particular vehicle is not included in the recall even though I have the malfunction. Vehicle also has hard shift when downshifting going around a corner.
- Fulton, MS, USA
Recall of wiper moter cover. Van was sitting in my driveway and started smoking, disconnected battery and found that the wiper motor shorted out. Wiper motor was replaced by recall, with further investigation wiper motor cover was not properly installed, took van back to Ford dealer, they told me they would not replace it out of warranty. Ford wanted over $500 to replace it, so I replaced it my self for under a $100.
- Friendswood, TX, USA
While driving during rainy weather, the windshield wipers failed. The vehicle was recalled in August 2001. Recall# 01V261000. A few months later while driving in the rain, the wipers quit. The vehicle was still under warranty. The wipers failed again during a thunderstorm while traveling on the highway. The consumer contacted Ford and again they refused to fix them.
- Greensboro, NC, USA
Intermittent windshield wipers inoperable and wipers will not park when turned to off position obstructing drivers view and increasing possibility of a crash. A recall has been issued, 01S25, for certain models of same make and year for this exact description of problem. This vehicle, however, is not included based on the VIN.
- Kent, WA, USA
Intermittently windshield wipers became inoperable, obtructing the driver's view. A recall has been issued on similar makes and models. However this vehicle was not included due to VIN.
- Hartly, DE, USA
The windshield wipers would go on and off while driving.
- New Albany, MS, USA
Consumer is requesting a loaner car while recall 01S25 relating to the wiper motor gear cover is being repaired. However, dealership refuses to give out a loaner and recall repairs have not been performed.
- Brick, NJ, USA
Consumer received safety issue notice, recall#01V261000, about wiper motor cover from Ford and obtained the new wiper motor cover from the dealer. The wipers failed to operate when first getting into cold car. After car was warmed up and run for a time, wipers would begin to operate, consumer took vehicle to the dealer again and first they replaced the switch and then replaced wiper motor again. Consumer is stating that the wiper motor function operation was the result of faulty engineering by Ford Motor Company. Clearly, water entered the wiper motor cover before corrective repair was initiated and possibly not removed by the dealer. Consumer is expecting a refund from manufacturer.
- Grand Forks, ND, USA
Consumer received safety issue notice, recall#01V261000, about wiper motor cover from Ford and obtained the new wiper motor cover from the dealer. The wipers failed to operate when first getting into cold car. After car was warmed up and run for a time, wipers would begin to operate, consumer took vehicle to the dealer again and first they replaced the switch and then replaced wiper motor again. Consumer is stating that the wiper motor function operation was the result of faulty engineering by Ford Motor Company. Clearly, water entered the wiper motor cover before corrective repair was initiated and possibly not removed by the dealer. Consumer is expecting a refund from manufacturer.
- Grand Forks, ND, USA
Consumer was denied NHTSA recall 012610000/ manufacturer's recall 01S25 service. Lanham Ford Motor Company dealership stated that vehicle would have to have problem before work could be done.
- Bowie, MD, USA
Intermittently windshield wipers become inoperable. Dealer has attempted to repair vehicle 4 times.
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
- Lexington, MA, USA