The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving at 70 mph, the contact heard a loud, unusual explosion. The contact was able to exit the vehicle and found that the front sub frame and axle had fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was awaiting repairs. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 110,000. Updated 11/19/10. Also, the oil pan gaskets was leaking. Updated 11/24/10

- Martinsville, IN, USA

Sometime between 10:30pm of 28 June and 5am 29 June, my 2001 Ford Windstar spontaneously combusted while parked in the garage of the rectory here at holy assumption church in marblehead, Ohio. The van is a total loss as the entire engine compartment and most of the dashboard (on the passenger side) are burnt out or melted. This happened after I twice took my Windstar to an authorized Ford dealership in response to a recall to have a part replaced connected with the cruise control that has been reported as overheating and causing such a fire. There is damage to the interior of the garage (the local fire department does not know why the fire stopped before burning down the garage - since there is concrete evidence of the intense heat of the fire.

- Marblehead, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving 45 mph the vehicle stalled without any prior warnings. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the dta module was repaired at the owners expense. After a couples months, the vehicle experienced an identical failure. The dealer was contacted and the technician repaired a fuse that blew. However the over-drive warning light was illuminated on the instrument control panel, and then the odometer failed. The failure mileage was 96521. The current mileage was 98000.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that when driving she hears a loud squeaking sound coming from the bottom of the vehicle. Engine failure while driving increased the risk of vehicle crash. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility and a mechanic concluded that the motor cradle needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 96217.

- Wyandotte, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact started the vehicle and the check engine indicator illuminated. He did not want to drive the vehicle, but took it to a mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the exhaust intake and manifold failed. There were also numbers missing on the computer, which was caused by the engine. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls, although the failures were identical. The vehicle has not been driven since the failure occurred. The failure and current mileages were 99,734.

- Suisun City, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While attempting to make a left turn at an unknown speed, the vehicle made a very loud banging noise. The dealer stated that the engine cradle was rotted out. The repair cost was estimated at more than $500. The failure and current mileages were less than 110,000. Updated 04-23-09 updated 04/24/09.

- Pawtucket, RI, USA

Check engine light came on while driving. Had the diagnostic code read and the codes were PO171 and PO174 where the result (bank 1 and bank 2 system too lean). Did research on the internet and found tsb 03-16-1 concerning repairs required to fix this problem. The tsb states that Ford used a LH valve cover that contained a 1/8 hole allowing oil to get on the rubber grommets of the isolator bolts which contaminated them. This resulted in breakdown of the rubber grommets and a vacuum leak to occur in the intake manifold. The tsb also recommends replacing the LH valve cover gasket, port seals, isolator bolts U-shaped vacuum line, and upper intake halves seal to prevent future occurrences. This problem is a result of faulty parts used in the engine intake manifold and would not have occurred with proper parts. The internet is filled with problems the owner of Windstar from 1999-2003 have had. Eventually, the engine will run very rough and can stall causing an unsafe condition while driving.

- Franklin, TN, USA

I own a 2001 Ford Windstar van. It is used by my wife. Last weekend, she came home from a local shopping trip and told me the A/C was not blowing cold anymore and the ABS and brake light was illuminated. Also the odometer and speedometer were not working. Also the O/D light was blinking on and off. Later in the evening I went and checked my fuses on the van and found the #10 fuse (15amp was burnt). I replaced the fuse with a new one and started the van. The A/C was now blowing very cold and the ABS and brake light now was off. After leaving the van running for about 2 minutes, I noticed heavy smoke coming from the engine. I immediately turned off the engine and got a flashlight to see what was burning. I noticed near the master cylinder, a group of wires that had burned near the deactivation switch. I then came inside and searched the internet for this issue and came across a few blogs that stated the same problem. I then brought my vehicle in the next day to an authorized Ford dealership that confirmed the problem as a faulty deactivation switch. I am very lucky that my van did not catch on fire while my wife has been using the van to bring my children to many different places. This is totally an unsafe matter and Ford should be looking into a recall. What more can I do to make this happen??

- Schriever, LA, USA

Cel came on and subsequent diag code revealed P0171/P0174/P0131 codes as does everyone else with similar problems. Replaced isolator bolts, port seals, clamshell seal, 2 other seals, and front valve cover, PCV valve and vac line, and fuel reg vac line. First 2 codes cleared, but misfire remained. Removed intake 2X and cleaned all seals, egr ports, and oil accumulation from inside intake. P0131 code remains. Next step is new spark plugs and wires (only 10,000 miles on new platinum plugs). Also have intermittent ABS/brake system lights come on as they wish and go off when vehicle turned off. When is Ford going to step up and admit there is a problem with this entire vehicle ? I will not take my vehicle to a dealership to get ripped off for over $600 when it costs me $120 in parts alone to replace the tsb seals and intake bolts. I guess we shall see how long until my transmission goes out (knock on wood I made over 80,000 miles so far).

- Morrisville, PA, USA

The check engine light has been on 3 times in the past year. All due to "intake problems" (per the Ford certified mechanics who worked on it). The last mechanic who worked on it said that there have been so many problems with this particular type of intake system that Ford had to change to a different type of system. At $80-100 just to run the computer check each time and $300-500 to fix the problem each time I can't afford to own a Ford anymore.

- Apex, NC, USA

Contact states the automatic door on her vehicle will not stay closed. The door is located on the rear driver's side of the vehicle. While driving, the door will come open. She tried locking the door to keep it closed, but this does not work. The dealer installed a new part, but it did not correct the problem. The manufacturer is aware of the problem and is trying to find a remedy to the defect. Updated 10/31/2006 - after several attempts to fix the door the dealer told the consumer they were unable to fix the problem. The dealer said they would contact a Ford engineer to see if the problem could be resolved. The vehicle's check engine light illuminated. The dealer replaced the dpfe sensor

- Decatur, IL, USA

I had my intake gaskets replace in Feb 2005 to avoid any engine problems; I just threw a rod on 9/7/05 in my 2001 Ford Windstar with only 80000 miles on it. I was told that I would have to replace the engine at the cost of $4000. I just checked the blue book value - it's only $9000. I'm in an upside down situation because I still owe on the car! I've read all over the internet about preventing this problem - and not changing the intake gaskets (which should be a manufacturer recall or at least send a notice!) should help keep the engine running smooth. This wasn't true in my case!

- Hoschton, GA, USA

Oil leaks leading to the engine $700 @60,000 miles ABS ---system replaced $1200 @74,500 miles head gaskets replaced and some suspension problem $2,000 @ 7500miles.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

The consumer noticed oil was leaking from the vehicle. The mechanic informed the consumer that the oil was leaking from the intake manifold.

- Washington, DC, USA

Driver side window inoperable, engine light stays on, and interior lights flickers on. Motor was replaced in driver's side window, cost: $294. Made appt. To have diagnostic check - charging $90 to do so.

- Newport News, VA, USA

An electrical connector seal had to be installed, the seat buckles and rear wiper motor cover were replaced, the ABS failed, and right before the engine shut down all the lights on the dash board illuminated, after the vehicle was repaired the intake manifold, speed sensor and brake sensor failed. RQ04011.

- Cape Charles, VA, USA

Consumer states that when starting up the vehicle and no warning the engine caught on fire under the hood causing the vehicle to be non drivable. Dealer notified.

- Durham, NC, USA

Vehicle had an oil leak, and engine compartment was smoking. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced campshaft at 48 miles. Please provide any further infomation.

- Adrianne, MI, USA