Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 03203 | 10/13/2003 | 0398 | 10004886 | Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457 or p1442 or a check fuel cap lamp illuminated with dtc p0457 for the evaporative emission system. *tt | 01/14/2004 |
| 03181 | 09/15/2003 | 10004027 | Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt | 11/14/2003 | |
| 12227 | 12/01/1998 | 615488 | For all vehicles with generic electronic module (gem) concerns that require a module replacement, the technician must call for approval before removing and / or replacing the module. *tt | 01/17/2001 | |
| 98246 | 12/07/1998 | 604059 | Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc | 03/16/1999 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||||
| 0245 | 03/04/2002 | 636065 | Information regarding discharged battery charging service tips and guidelines. *tt | 11/05/2002 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||||
| BC3370972301 | 01/23/1997 | 51450 | The illumination of malfunction indicator light, on and diagnostic trouble codes p1131, p1151, p1132, p1152. *jd | 06/27/1997 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER | |||||
| BC3362972301 | 01/23/1997 | 51448 | Remote anti-theft personality module have two option levels. *jd | 06/27/1997 | |
| BC1022697230 | 01/23/1997 | 51589 | The remote anti-theft personality module have two option levels. *jd | 06/27/1997 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||||
| 5039 | 11/01/1998 | 613083 | A pcm reprogramming error will occur on vehicles if an incorrect calibration qualifier is selected. *tt | 06/16/2000 | |
| 9943 | 03/08/1999 | 604751 | Information regarding reprogramming powertrain control modules (pcms). *tt | 05/11/1999 | |
| BC106059705 | 05/01/1997 | 52885 | Vehicles equipped with traction control may experience a flashing trac off light at intermittent timew while driving. *tw | 09/18/1997 | |
| BC2230970501 | 05/01/1997 | 52771 | Vehicles equipped with traction control experiencing a flashing trac off light at intermittent times while driving. *tw | 09/12/1997 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||||
| 012113 | 10/29/2001 | 627774 | Some ignition switch lock cylinder assemblies may exhibit rougness and / or excess effort in turning, key does not fully return from start, a malfunction indicator lamp may illuminate with p0500, p1502 and u1039 stored in powertrian control | 02/22/2002 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||||
| 99222 | 10/18/1999 | 6089681 | Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt | 02/11/2000 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | ||||||
| EA08021 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 09/17/2008 | 10/14/2009 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES | 09V399000 | |
| Ea08-021 is closed with ford's actions in recall 09v-399 recalling approximately 4.5 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).with this recall ford has now recalled all of the approximate 16 million ford model vehicles that were manufactured from my 1992 through 2003 with a texas instruments scds.nhtsa will continue to monitor the recalled vehicles to ensure remedies installed by ford tomitigate the potential for scds related fires are effective.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for further details. | ||||||
| PE08035 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 05/13/2008 | 09/17/2008 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES | ||
| Odi has received 134 consumer complaints, 285 manufacturer complaints, and 137 manufacturer warranty claims alleging incidents of engine compartment fire in model year (my) 1995 thru 2003 ford windstar vehicles.two of the odi complaints allege the fires caused structural damage to the complainant's home.of the 134 odi complaints, 36 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked, 72 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was running and 26 of the complaints do not specify if the vehicle was running or not.further review of the odi complaints shows that 72 allege that the speed control deactivation switch (scds) caused the fire and 10 allege that the scds leaked brake fluid on to the abs module resulting in the fire.there were 52 that did not identify a cause or that identified miscellaneous other causes.odi has also received 89 complaints ( not counted in this resume) alleging that the scds developed a brake fluid leak.thirteen of these complaints say that the leak at the scds resulted in braked fluid reaching the abs module.this pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea) to further evaluate the cause of the fires and assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequences of the alleged defect. | ||||||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | ||||||
| PE08035 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 05/13/2008 | 09/17/2008 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES | ||
| Odi has received 134 consumer complaints, 285 manufacturer complaints, and 137 manufacturer warranty claims alleging incidents of engine compartment fire in model year (my) 1995 thru 2003 ford windstar vehicles.two of the odi complaints allege the fires caused structural damage to the complainant's home.of the 134 odi complaints, 36 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked, 72 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was running and 26 of the complaints do not specify if the vehicle was running or not.further review of the odi complaints shows that 72 allege that the speed control deactivation switch (scds) caused the fire and 10 allege that the scds leaked brake fluid on to the abs module resulting in the fire.there were 52 that did not identify a cause or that identified miscellaneous other causes.odi has also received 89 complaints ( not counted in this resume) alleging that the scds developed a brake fluid leak.thirteen of these complaints say that the leak at the scds resulted in braked fluid reaching the abs module.this pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea) to further evaluate the cause of the fires and assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequences of the alleged defect. | ||||||
| EA08021 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 09/17/2008 | 10/14/2009 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES | 09V399000 | |
| Ea08-021 is closed with ford's actions in recall 09v-399 recalling approximately 4.5 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).with this recall ford has now recalled all of the approximate 16 million ford model vehicles that were manufactured from my 1992 through 2003 with a texas instruments scds.nhtsa will continue to monitor the recalled vehicles to ensure remedies installed by ford tomitigate the potential for scds related fires are effective.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for further details. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 06/15/2011 | 55000 | ||
| About 10 minutes after parking and turning off my 1998 ford windstar the car filled with smoke coming from steering column. later car would not start from keyswitch. | |||
| 08/28/1998 | 4400 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. while driving approximately 50 mph the transmission got stuck in over drive. he stated he coasted to the side of the road and called the dealership. the vehicle was towed to the dealer. the dealer advised him that the main control valve tor the transmission was defective and they removed and replaced it. the contact stated later he starting having problems with his brakes. once while driving he saw a deer and he engaged the brakes and the brakes locked. the vehicle crashed into the woods and damages were done to the right side of the vehicle. a police report was filed. he stated he had injures to the neck. he stated the abs tone ring seal cracked. the vehicle was repaired. the failure continued, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer replaced the tone ring and the sensor. months later he had another failure with the abs sensor he stated the brakes were grabbing. the contact stated he had the abs sensor replaced four times. the contact stated because of the abs sensor failure it caused him to have the entire brake assembly replaced four times. he also stated he had a problem with his electrical system and another dealer replaced the switch assist in all the doors in 2005. the contact stated in 2011 he again had a failure with the electrical system the dealer replaced the switch for the drivers side mirror and checked the latches for all doors because the door light was on constantly. the dealer replaced all the sensor assist for all the doors. he stated the door ajar light was still on. the contact was also upset with the work that was performed on recall nhtsa campaign id number: 10v385000, suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly he stated the dealer did nothing. the contact was also upset that the dealer just looked at his vehicle for recall nhtsa campaign id number: 09v399000, vehicle speed control. the failure mileage was 4,400 and the current mileage was 72,000. vwb | |||
| 10/01/2010 | 165000 | ||
| Abs and brake light on, and no speed control. | |||
| 06/01/2010 | 125000 | ||
| Abs brake light came on intermittently for a couple weeks then began to stay on. new brakes & rotors/drums all around. now problem with brakes but light will not go off. also airbag light came on about two weeks after the abs light. it will not go off either. | |||
| 01/01/2007 | 80000 | ||
| For several years the abs light and the tracking light have automatically lit up, although there is no brake problems. | |||
| 02/01/2009 | |||
| I have a 1998 ford windstar. it first started with my cruise cotroll switch catching on fire and causeing wires under my hood to burn... now for the last year i have been having problems with my passenger slinding door..the sensor on the dash would show that the door was ajar(not closed) i could take the battery cable off for a while and the door light would go off. now i have had to remove all the bulbs in the lights inside the van to keep my battery from running down this morning i get up and my battery is dead and acid from the battery is all over the post and cable wires. i talk to my mechinic he says this is due to some problem in the electrical system he said he has had to work on several windstars for the same problemsome kind of sensor fault defect | |||
| 04/26/2010 | 230000 | ||
| Vehicle is a 1998 ford windstar.while driving the windshield washer,seat belt,and door ajar warning lights flash on and off.while this is happening the wiper blades stop working,power windows will not operate and on a few occasions the headlights will blink with the warning lights.i understand that this is an old vehicle but i have researched this issue and have found hundreds of complaints about the same problem.not just restricted to this year.it is also an issue that happens just after a few years of service.i would think that wiper blades malfunctioning due to an electrical issue would be a safety concern. | |||
| 12/16/2009 | 1 | ||
| On december 16th 2009. i was driving down west 117th towards madison/lakewood in cleveland, ohio and was trying to come to a stop (slow down and stop) to allow an ambulance to pass (there was a car in front of me that was also slowing downa nd that came to a stop at the street lot)this is on a major street near an highway intersection. i put my foot on my brake to slow down the vehicle and come to a stop but it would not slow down or stop. the brake had went out. i ended up hitting the car in front of me hard (an suv) and doing quite a bit of damage to my vehicle. the other driver vehicle was so far as i could tell undamaged. on my vehicle the front light is broken, my bumper is damaged, and my hood is damaged. i, myself and the driver i hit could have gotten seriously injured. so far we are bothfine and no injuries occurred. however he may turn around and come after me if he decides to. and i now can not drive my vehicle. i received a recall notice on my vehicle brake about a month ago around early november. maybe in end of october. the very day of my accident (happened around 12:15 noon) i was going to go home and call ford about the recall. there is a worldwide recall on my vehicle model and many others. and i have had nothing but problems since i bought it. i have had to make numerous repairs on it and still had problems and this accident. ford should be held responsible for this and should compensate me with another vehicle in good condition especially since i have spent so much time and money into replacement parts for this windstar. or give me my money back or something. i'm glad my kids were not with me when this happened and that the man i hit was also alone and is ok. what can be done about this? i have had to replace the following items since i got this vehicle: o2 sensors (both), alternator, belt, windshield wiper blade, and make back blades don't work at all, the transmission, the steering column box, door handle and components inside and more! | |||
| 07/27/2009 | 200000 | 1 | |
| 1998 ford windstar caught on fire while parked at dentist. fire dept was called and the vehicle is totaled. *tr | |||
| 05/29/2009 | 102000 | 1 | |
| 1998 windstar van was parked in the front yard key out of it i was inside i heard a noise looked out the engine part was on fire i was moving my personal things i lost everything i own i left everything in the van including my purse w/ my money and id inside. *tr | |||
| 01/15/2009 | 126000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. the contact stated that there is an electrical sensor on the sliding door of the vehicle. while driving at any speed, the beeping sound does not turn off. in addition, the door ajar indicator and dome light do not dim. there is a switch that needs to be bypassed or rewired. the dealer stated that there was no recall issued for these failures. the contact stated that the failures occur everytime the vehicle is started. she has researched other consumers experiencing the same failures. the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure mileage was 126,000 and current mileage was 127,000. | |||
| 02/24/2009 | 127000 | 1 | |
| Dinging from faulty switch while driving - interferes with drivers concentration and emergency warning sirens and horns. *tr | |||
| 01/15/2009 | 82818 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. the brake indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. whenever the brake pedal was depressed, the speedometer would malfunction. the contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that there was a brake fluid leak. the technician further stated that the speedometer failure was linked to brake fluid ingressed into the abs module. the manufacturer has not been notified. through online research, the contact found an investigation number pe08035 for the same failure. the investigation was closed with no recall issued, but he believes that the investigation should have led to a recall. the mechanic replaced a vehicle speed deactivation switch to stop the leaking; however, the abs module still needs to be replaced. the contact believes that the manufacturer should be responsible for the repair. the current and failure mileages were 82,818. | |||
| 01/17/2009 | 138000 | 1 | |
| Brake fluid leaking from cruise control reset switch, fluid dripping on wiring and controller switch for transmission. i am very concerned about fire potential with the brake fluid dripping on electrical wires and contacts that have constant 12 volt source. this same design has caused deaths do to fires..... *tr | |||
| 06/24/2003 | 3700 | 2 | |
| I purchased a 1998 windstar van from the ford dealer located in corning ca. i have had nothing but trouble with it passing smog for the oxy sensor. and the transmission has never worked right. the turbo thing is bad. when i went to trade it in i found that the vehicle was out of canada. and these things were part of the recalls reported to you. but, ford of corning said they did nothing to this van before selling it to me. i found 14 things wrong with this vehicle. i acted up a month after purchase. but i was on aware of my rights as a consumer. also, i was not sure what oms meant. the van is stuck in folsom,ca at aamco transmission repair shop. financed through fireside bank. ford of corning said they did nothing to the van before i purchased it but cleaning it. *nm | |||
| 10/05/2006 | 100000 | 1 | |
| Thursday oct. 5, 2006 at 7:00 pm, my van was sitting in the parking lot at my son's high school where it caught fire and was completely destroyed. i was not notified of any problems with my windstar van. *jb | |||
| 01/31/2002 | 53000 | 100 | 06/07/2001 |
| Electronics-door ajar warning light stays on specifically when weather is damp or mild. this causes door locks to unlock by themselves even when vehicle is in motion, also door chime keeps chimming. battery looses power because dome lamp stays on for extended period of time. rear windshield wipers will not work if illuminated door ajar warning is caused by opening or closing rear liftgate. repairs have been made to driver door switch at the cost of $100 parts and labor, however the passenger door, side slider and rear liftgate have the same problem. im not sure if doors are really closed or not. since the doors wont stay locked, i believe this poses as a safety hazard to all passengers. mechanics have told me that this is a common problem with mini vans. *nm | |||
| 09/15/2005 | 110000 | 1 | 05/15/2004 |
| Dt: the vehicle had been parked for about 15 mins before it caught on fire. the doors locked, and the windshield wipers were running on their own. the fire department came and had to cut the battery cable to stop the vehicle. the keys were left inside the vehicle on the console in between the two front seats. a report was filed with the fire department. the dealer stated they had not received any reports of fires on windstars. manufacturer was contacted, and caller filed a complaint. they will get back to him. vehicle was totaled, and it was towed away. the caller did not know what started the fire.*ak *nm | |||
| 06/03/2002 | 35000 | 04/19/1999 | |
| We have always had trouble with this van - we bought it used(1 yr old) so we had no recourse as far as warrenties go. we finally were able to take it in to the ford dealership and have the light problem looked at - they replaced a sensor for $140 and as soon as we drove 45 miles it started up again! we were on our way on a road trip and i called to tell them it failed, but when we got back two weeks later they claimed that it must be something different... interior lights do not shut off, removed door ajar chime so we didn't have to listen to that while driving all the time, door ajar light has been on continuously for more than 3 years, we've had to remove the dome lights and turn the other lights to off so our battery doesn't go dead over night - the passenger floor lights remain on however and get very hot... the doors do not lock because the car thinks it's doors are open! the car has become dangerous to drive and the problem has stumped too many mechanics to list - when driving above 40 mph the right wheel starts making a 'thumping' noise and when turning left or accelerating it becomes almost deafening, now it's making a very loud screech if, but don't want to sell this death-trap to anyone else eithe you turn too sharply - there is a continuous squeaking noise comng from the same area. please help!! thank you, freida kirkland ps... cruise control doesn't work and the back wiper only works if you're backing up... have had the van realigned continually and i just bought another set of tires in june and the left front tire is already worn out... the right passenger's window sometimes doesn't roll back up and the service engine light stays on sometimes for months for no reason as well as the brake light... | |||
| 02/12/2005 | 83000 | 1 | 05/15/2002 |
| I purchased my van from my grandfather's estate. on saturday, february 12, 2005, i was driving my 1998 ford windstar. i was traveling from a school function where i teach with my seven-year-old daughter in the van. my van seemed to have smoke coming from under the hood. i was stuck in traffic on highway 183 heading north toward cedar park where i live. i couldn't make the light at the junction of 620 to pull into a parking lot, so i went past the light and turned into the construction area just north of that intersection. i had already called my husband to meet me because i was concerned about the van. when i pulled in, i popped the hood and saw small flames and smoke coming from the driver side rear section under the hood. i dropped the hood and grabbed my daughter from the car. i then called 911 and they dispatched the fire department. while i waited, i pulled a bottle of water from the van, popped the hood and sprinkled water on the flames. when the fire department found me, the fire was smaller. they finished putting out the fire and told me that i probably saved my van by sprinkling water on it. it appeared to be electrical and near the area where the cruise control is located. i was in tears by the time my husband arrived and it was a horrible experience. i am grateful that we were not injured, but am furious that ford has not recalled my van. i did have it repaired at computer age automotive in cedar park and my insurance agent is ryan with state farm whom i did submit the claim. i was told that state farm does not have plans to pursue ford. i don't want another family to have this problem. it could have been a extremely bad situation. | |||
| 04/27/2005 | 62000 | 1 | 02/18/2004 |
| Dt: while parked on the street, somehow in the night, an electrical fire ignited on the left passenger seat behind the driver seat located at the second electrical outlet. it was so hot it melted the car seat and paneling near the armrest. the glass didn't break but paint to outside of car is peeling off. center and console was destroyed. the fire went out somewhere near the front. no repairs have been made. *tt | |||
| 09/23/2003 | 140000 | 5 | 09/23/2003 |
| Right after purchasing the vehicle, i started having problem with it. i addressed the seller, and he told me that the vehicle had no warranty, and so that i should just take the vehicle and take care of the problem by myself. i have had numerous of problems with this vehicle. when i purchased the vehicle, i feel i was used because i am poor, and was desperate for a vehicle. other people that have purchased a vehicle from them have had the same problem. i don't know what actions can be taken to correct the matter any longer. i haven't given a payment for about 4 months, because i have had to fix the vehicle. mainly transmission and electrical problems. i have also had steering wheel problems, and tire problems. *la | |||
| 04/16/2004 | 62000 | 1 | 07/19/2000 |
| Door ajar light stays on, door ajar bell rings continually when parked or driving under 17 mph, interior will not go off, problem seemed to come and go but now it seems to be here for good. unsafe to drive at night. *jb | |||
| 01/04/2004 | 65985 | 2 | 11/12/2001 |
| I currently own a 1998 ford windstar. i have had this van for two years. i bought it with 38000 miles on it and now have 66000 miles on it. up till about a month ago, i had no problems as i have loved this van. but i did run into a peculiar problem that seems that most people are having with this van as i have checked numerous websites and web posts on the internet as well as my friends that have formerly owned this vehicle. the door ajar censor inside the doors wear, causing the computers to recognize the car doors to be shut. this emits a beeping sound that steadily beeps till you rise above 15 mph. also, the lights stay on and since ford built these vans all the same way, you cannot simply fix it without spending at least 500 dollars if your lucky. also, another problem has risen just recently. my transmission has started to slip. i expected normal wear-and-tear, but it seems that when you reach a certain threshold, as many of other people have experienced once hitting 65000 miles on this particular van, the transmission goes completely. i would like to send an awareness to ford to fix this problem in their newer vans, if a problem emerged and to future buyers of this year of van. this has cost me over 2500 dollars and i must admit, is not worth it. this van is by far the worst investment i have ever made, and i do not recommend buying one. thank you.*ak | |||
| 05/30/2003 | 05/30/1998 | ||
| Continual problems with interior lights and locks because of the door ajar monitor. have to use passenger side door to enter because drivers door normally sets it off, and have to unplug battery to let system reset, so battery does not go dead which normally takes a couple of days. locks will lock and unlock on their own while driving. door ajar will also activate with the other doors on its own while you are driving. this has been happening for at least two years. everytime i wanted to take it to the dealer, it would stop and the dealer said they could do nothing unless it was happening at the time. *ak | |||
| 04/25/2003 | 72000 | 1 | 04/23/1998 |
| My 1998 windstar caught fire today. the fire appeared to start in the driver's door lock component. the entire driver's seat was destroyed, the windshield melted and cracked and the ceiling and dashboard melted. the entire van is smoke-damaged. the van had several auto-lock, instrumentation and door ajar problems which had been addressed by the dealership. *nlm | |||
| 02/28/2003 | 82000 | 100 | 04/07/2001 |
| Door ajar bell and lights do not go out, locks do not work properly in passenger rear door. doors close fine but bell and lights persist at all times. fuse had to be removed for night driving and to prevent a dead battery. i cant hear things around me outside due to door ajar bell. bell tone is loud and causing headaches. *jb | |||
| 01/28/2002 | 35000 | 20 | 01/26/2002 |
| Abs system is constantly malfunctioning, brakes give out, traction control is turning off and on. drivers side lock does not work with alarm remote.*jb | |||
| 01/01/2002 | 11/27/1999 | ||
| 1998 ford windstar; front brakes seem to have continuous shimmy; passenger side door lock uncooperative unlocking with remote; engine light off/on often, doesn't seem to be a reason; electrical panel malfunctioning after 104,000 miles,(engine light constantly on, abs light on, trac light constant flashing, and fuel gauge not reading gas in tank) | |||
| 01/31/2003 | 57000 | 1 | |
| After stopping a my van, the interior lights do not turn off and the dashboard shows an open door although all doors are closed. the beeping noise indicating the door is opened continues to make noise. the doors no longer lock. this condition continued even when the car is running. the dealer said to just remove the interior bulbs or just pull the fuse. when the dealer pulled the fused the brake lights no longer worked and the car could no longer go out of park but the interior lights went out. the dealer said i must start the car with gear shift half way between park and neutral. the dealer said this is a very unique problem and is caused by something that i did. i stated that's absurd. the ford dealer mechanic then said it must be one of sensors probably the drivers door. now i see there are others that have the exact same problem. this is a very serious and dangerous problem. *jb | |||
| 01/15/2003 | 60000 | 0 | 05/15/1999 |
| Abs light comes on intermittently and red brake light stays on constantly. while this is happening, the rear windshield wiper will not shut off, and the front windshield wipers do not work. the check engine soon light is constantly on. the turn signals are blinking rapidly or not working on some occasions. my warranty has expired as of last year. the transmission has already been rebuilt and we had problems with the door ajar warning lights not going off and the door lock motor had to be replaced because at first they were locking on their own repeatedly. i feel like these were all a result of wiring problems, but we had such a hard time getting all of the other things repaired that i'm not looking forward to going back to the dealer again, especially since the warranty has expired. this vehicle has been a lemon the whole time we have owned it. | |||
| Consumer called complaining about the recall received on the vehicle. also stated that she had this problem but the dealer never paid attention to the complaints. ts | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer states the vehicle has electrical problems. *yh | |||
| 05/29/2001 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle would not start, took vehicle to firestone and they replaced the starter. 5 days later, vehicle would not start. firestone stated it was the pin switch that drained the battery. *ak consumer states that the transmission failed at 81000 miles. *slc | |||
| 01/01/2002 | 2 | ||
| Courtesy lights will intermittenly work. they will come on when driving at night, or sometimes they will not come on at all. *ak experiencing other electrical problems with the reverse lights, interior lights, automatic door locks, door check light, and signal lights operating intermittently, consumer states that the engine is noisy and the engine check light is always on, the seat belt is loose, passenger side arm rest is loose, and the back window wiper is inoperative. *tt | |||
| 05/22/1999 | 2 | 04/24/1999 | |
| Various problem with power lock locking by itself/windshield wipers working intermittently/dome light not operating, and door ajar light staying on. vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on several occasions, and problems still reoccurring. *ak possible electrical problem with failure of power locks, windshield wipers, dome light, door ajar light, door ajar switch, lift gate door ajar switch, battery saver relay inoperable, and washer light illuminating. brakes noisy at times, dealer stated this was due to brake dust. power steering is noisy when turning back and forth, dealer replaced tie rod end. sliding door rattles while driving over bumps, dealer added foam tape to back side of panel, driver door rattles, sliding door hard to open at times, dealer lubed sliding hinges and latch. dealer replaced shocks due to rattling noise when riding over bumps. drivebelt replaced. maf sensor replaced due to hesitation. window guide did not fit tight. *slc | |||
| 12/14/1999 | |||
| Vehicle has been in the shop seven times in a two and a half years. repairs included transmission replacement, brake calipers replacement, and the electrical system problems. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 05/31/2000 | 1 | 01/01/1999 | |
| From the rear of the alternator comes a high pitched squeal. mechanics are telling us to replace the unit which is not under warranty. shouldn't this part be a lifetime warranty? why did it fail right after the 36000 mile warranty ran out? *ak | |||
| 10/25/1999 | 1 | 10/01/1998 | |
| The engine was making a noise and it was reported and supposedly fixed by local dealer. however, within one month the alternator failed as well as the power steering box. since it isn't under warrenty (36,000), dealer won't repair without cost. | |||
| 07/18/1999 | 1 | 11/01/1997 | |
| No summary | |||
| 10/01/1997 | 1 | 11/30/1998 | |
| Alternator failed. nlm | |||
| 07/11/1999 | 01/01/1997 | ||
| A beep noise was coming from the vehicle, no warning lights on the dash, and dealer cannot determine where the beep noise came from, then a fire started due to alternator wiring burning. finally, dealer insisted that the beeping noise was an indicator for a problem, but not part of the instrument panel. *ak *ml | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 11/26/2001 | |||
| Interior lights in passenger's compartment remain illuminated. consumer stated that battery had to be disconnected. dealer has yet to be contacted. please provide further details. *ak | |||
| 09/23/2001 | |||
| While driving vehicle stalls. when vehicle shuts off, engine check and battery lights come on.*ak | |||
| 12/29/2000 | 10 | 11/30/2000 | |
| Consumer has experienced several problems with the transmission, dealer has replaced it once, however problems continue, consumer has filed for a request for arbitration, vehicle bucks, jerks, and jumps into gear before taking off. vehicle shimmies from one side to another upon acceleration, there is a thumping sound heard also at times while driving. vehicle experienced a speed sensor circuit problem. speedometer jumps. problem with power steering, dealer adjusted rack and pinion and made other repairs to steering mechanism. right side brake light bulb failed. battery failed. consumer stated it felt as if vehicle was going to stall sometimes, engine has no power at acceleration, engine belt was noisy and was replaced. tire had a slow leak due to loose tire valve. *slc | |||
| 02/02/1998 | |||
| The negative battery cable cover is broken and replaced. | |||
| 04/26/1999 | 5 | ||
| When applying brake pedal became stiff and the vehicle did not stop or slow down. has happened 5 times, once resulting in a crash. also happened in reverse. dealer has seen vehicle 3 times, and though it was the leaking battery acid which was causing causing the defect. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 5 | 10/01/2098 | ||
| Fuse controlling onboard computer and ingnition system fails randomly without warning. engine stalls as a result and all power to brakes and steering is lost as well. this has happened five times since the middle of may 2002. twice on the highway and once in the middle of an intersection. we have taken this vehicle to three different mechanics, including a ford dealer (kerry ford, 165 kemper road, cincinnati, ohio 45246 (513)671-9900). none can replicate the problem. kerry ford said all they can do is start replacing parts (at the cost of several thousand dollars) based on their best guess and hope it fixes the problem. i've called ford customer service and they have refused to pay for any of the repairs because the vehicle is out of warranty. pleas that the safety of my family is involved fall on deaf ears. frankly, we do not have several thousand dollars to put into this car hoping that it will fix the problem. moreover, i can't sell the vehicle without disclosing this problem and putting someone else's family in danger. we are left with a car that is too expensive to fix and worth absolutely nothing. the manufacturer is unresponsive. we have nowhere to turn. any help would be appreciated.*ak | |||
| 09/15/1998 | 2 | 08/01/1998 | |
| When vehicle received from dealer, the rear a/c -heater unit fan inop. dealer reported replaced fuse. 4 weeks later rear heater, a/c unit again inop. due to lack of faith in dealer abilities, owner repaired fault. found 60 amp current limiter blown. traced fault to main power wire between fuse block and a/c control panel chafed/burned to chassis weld point located under carpet by drivers left foot rest. wiring repaired, weld point ground flush, 60 amp current limiter replaced.*ak | |||
| 09/03/1998 | |||
| When driving and turning corner the vehicle just cut off and would not start back up. had to be towed. a fuse leading to the fuel pump blew out. dealer contacted, and has not remedied the problem. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| Consumer has contacted several dealers in regard to recall 0110077000, ignition control . all dealers were refusing to provide service in regard to these recalls. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| The van stalled, or cut out when making left hand turns, or while at low rpm's. we took the van back to the dealer, and they contacted ford. ford seemed to know about the problem, and directed the type of repair to be made, according to what we were told. i gave the dealer a news item about the exact same problem ford had in california with millions of cars stalling, and that resulted in a recall in california. stalling is a very serious problem and i feel that ford should have recalled my van in the first place ( rather than expose me and my family to injury) and ford should have had to pay for the repair ( which amounted to about $500). if they knew about the problem and if they agreed to fix the problem in california, why shift the cost of repair to me?*ak | |||
| 09/01/2000 | 10 | 12/01/1998 | |
| Engine stalled on an off . called dealership, they said because of the emission control was on recall campain. after they fixed the emssion control, the problem still existed. brought the car in and the dealer said it is out of warranty. nothing they can do. the recall just done about 3 months ago this year.*ak | |||
| 06/25/2001 | 03/01/2000 | ||
| Car stop/stall abruptly, either driving (0-10mph), while turning, or waiting at the red light. almost got a ticket for stallling in mid traffic, and almost caused an accident.*ak | |||
| 01/30/2001 | |||
| Intermittently when brakes are applied and making a sharp turn or going over a speed bump, vehicle stalls out and dies without warning. dealer has been notified, and will inspect vehicle.*ak | |||
| 01/23/2001 | 0 | ||
| While driving about any speed the engine will stall without a prior warning. other vehicles will try to avoid crashing into consumer's vehicle. *ak | |||
| Vehicle will stall intermittently without warning. usually happens at slow speeds and while turning, causing safety hazard, especially in traffic. cause is unknown.*ak | |||
| When driving at any speed at any given time and without prior warning vehicle cut off, causing loss of all power. consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced parts, problem still occurs. please provide any further details.*ak | |||
| 12/31/1997 | |||
| Ongoing problem with stalling intermittently when making left turn or at a stop light. vehicle been in dealer shop on two occasions, and problem still reoccurring. please feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *ak | |||
| 08/01/1998 | |||
| The engine stalled at low speed, followed by brake & steering failures. this has occured 2 times.*ak | |||
| 05/20/2000 | |||
| Intermittent stalling while driving or at a stop position. vehicle been in dealer shop on one occasion ,and independent repair shop on two occasions. but, problem still reoccurring.*ak | |||
| 03/30/2000 | 10/01/1998 | ||
| The ignition stopped and this is later than the reported ignition problems reported in the detroit free press on 9-14-00. when the car went in for warranty work, ford claimed that it was just a computer problem. when driving a new car, i don't enjoy having the car stop for no reason, especially in traffic. this ignition problem seems to be occurring in later model cars as my windstar is a 1998. i also have a disgusting smell that emanates from the heater/airconditioner which has been reported numerous times and has not ever been repaired. they put in deodorizer, but the smell still reeks when the heat or air conditioning is put on at any level. what is the problem? | |||
| 10 | |||
| Van experiences stalling at stops and while moving, ford stated that the problem was with bad programming when the van was new, but they will not correct the problem since vehicle is out of warranty, consumer feels if this was a problem while the vehicle was new and ford was aware of it, then they should be responsible for it. *slc | |||
| Intermittently vehicle stalls and dies without warning. dealer has inspected vehicle several times, and has not been able to duplicate or correct the problem.*ak | |||
| 22 | |||
| Over the past several months, we have experienced problems with the engine stalling during a left hand turn, thus causing the steering wheel to freeze up and we've had close calls on accidents. luckily we live in a rural area where we have the time to put the car in neutral or park, restart it, then complete the turn. the car has also stalled for no apparent reason when coming to a fast stop at a red light or in a driveway after completing a partial turn. it is very scary. i'm worried that the next time this happens, it may cause an accident. we have two young drivers in the family, and it has happened to them as well. do you have any suggestions? we live over 3 hours away from the dealer we purchased the car from. have other windstar owners expereinced this problem? please advise. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||
| 01/07/2005 | 42200 | 5 | 09/24/1998 |
| Engine shuts down intermittently when decelerating into a turn. it also shuts down momentarily (vehicle bucks) or fully (stalls completely) during normal driving, independent of speed. the latter problem is much more common than the former! consequence: several near-miss rear-end collisions, especially at highway speeds. the dealership could not replicate the problem. an independent technician replicated but could not properly repair the problem(s). the problems have been occurring for more than two years. *nm | |||
| 12/16/1997 | 3 | ||
| Three months after ownership the vehicle was experiencing vibration and stalling, three separate visits to the dealership to correct the computer software adjustments. *mjs | |||
| Vehicle stalls out intermittently ,there is no prior warning , when vehicle completely stalls it will lose allpower brakes and steering. manufacturer sent out tsb, stating computer needs to be reprogramed.*ak | |||
| 03/15/2000 | 10 | 06/01/1999 | |
| The van would stall out at low speeds, particularly when turning. this occurred several times in heavy traffic and while turning across a lane of traffic. the ford dealer said there had been a service bulletin, but no recall on this problem. they charged me to reprogram the p cm module. i wrote to ford motor company, seeking reimbursement for the repair because i considered it a safety issue. further, the company was apparently aware of the problem. they refused to reimburse me for the repair. *ak | |||
| Vehicle is stalling when slowing down/turning and in parking maneuvers possibly due to computer misfire and carbon build in engine. 3 tsbs have been issued. *ak | |||
| 08/16/1999 | 3 | 01/01/1998 | |
| Vehicle stalled while sitting idle in a drive through restaurant. also happened 10 months earlier in middle of an intersection while making a left turn.told by ford service that programming error in computer that causes system to shut off at low or idle speed. service has reprogrammed computer and says shouldn't happen again. why isn't this a recall issue if they are aware of this and potential for injury is great? | |||
| 07/20/1999 | |||
| For no apparent reason the vehicle just cuts off while driving. the first time a computer adjustment was made, the second time(july 23rd) the electric fuel pump was replaced. the vehicle is being service for the third time(aug 5th) for the same problem. each time the vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 08/15/2002 | |||
| Consumer placed key inside of ignition,turned vehicle on, and she took key out of ignition.ignition switch popped out. dealership was aware of problem.*ak | |||
| 06/17/2002 | |||
| Consumer started vehicle, ignition switch spun around and all electrical functions stayed on. vehicle was towed to dealer, please provide additional information.*ak | |||
| 01/25/2000 | 1 | 12/01/1999 | |
| Consumer stated key cylinder turns hard, dealer unable to duplicate.*jb | |||
| 1. transmission will shift erratically , and a loud noise will occur and motor will shake. ford engineering was sent out and determined transmission needed work, but no dealer will honor warranty. 2. brakes will fail in the winter and in slippery roads, causing pedal to go to floor and vehicle will not stop. 3. all doors lock by themselves/ lights flash on and off, and heater and defroster motor will come on even without the key in the igntion. vehicle will even start up by itself. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||
| 41000 | 4 | ||
| Problems with transmission, torque, power steering, and front end stable rods & arms. *mr the transmission and torque had been replaced twice, the power steering once, the font end stable rods and arms twice and remained bad. the battery light had come on and the idler pulley was replaced, there was a creaking/cracking noise when turning the wheel and the outer tie rods were replaced along with the toe being reset, there was a clunk when going over the bumps, there was a vibration underneath due to the transmission, the engine light would come on and off and seemed like the shifts were erratic, the transmission leaked badly, and on some occasions the starter did not engage. *scc *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY - RELAY | |||
| 12/01/1997 | 1 | 04/01/1997 | |
| Relays failed. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 01/15/2004 | 0 | 2 | 08/20/1999 |
| The warning sound that a door is ajar will continually go off even when all doors are securely shut. i have had this replaced twice at my own expense and it is doing it again. it will eventually reset itself after day or more. this has been a continual problem and i am just getting tired of it. it has happened after i have replaced the switches, and fuses. ford motor company needs to take care of this obvious problem. *cb | |||
| 44500 | 1 | 09/18/2000 | |
| The fuse in the fuel pump blew out on three separate occasions. when this occurred the vehicle stalled. upon replacing the fuel pump, the consumer checked the wiring in the fuel pump. they noticed that the wires were rubbing against a metal clamp or pipe , which caused the installation to rub off. *nm *jb | |||
| 01/05/2004 | 116000 | 1 | |
| Consumer smelled a burning odor that got stronger as time progressed. a blackish color smoke came from the vents. then, there were flames from the driver's seat, and vehicle caught on fire. the fire was caused by electrical system failure.*ak *tc | |||
| 01/05/2004 | 10016 | 1 | 06/17/1997 |
| See 10053790 *tc | |||
| 01/15/2003 | 60000 | 0 | 05/15/1999 |
| Abs light comes on intermittently and red brake light stays on constantly. while this is happening, the rear windshield wiper will not shut off, and the front windshield wipers do not work. the check engine soon light is constantly on. the turn signals are blinking rapidly or not working on some occasions. my warranty has expired as of last year. the transmission has already been rebuilt and we had problems with the door ajar warning lights not going off and the door lock motor had to be replaced because at first they were locking on their own repeatedly. i feel like these were all a result of wiring problems, but we had such a hard time getting all of the other things repaired that i'm not looking forward to going back to the dealer again, especially since the warranty has expired. this vehicle has been a lemon the whole time we have owned it. | |||
| 01/07/2003 | |||
| Switch of rear defroster shorted out, causing dash panel to melt. ts. *ak | |||
| 07/01/2002 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states the gas gauge was inoperative, the dealer had already replaced the fuel pump and determined that the problem was a pinched wire coming out from the top of the fuel tank, which shorted out the fuel sending unit.*jb | |||
| 01/27/2001 | 2 | 06/01/2097 | |
| This vehicle has had numerous braking problems/axles/sway bars/calipers/electrical problems | |||
| 04/01/1998 | |||
| Service manager at ford of ocala tells us there is a ford technical bulletin about a chafed electrical wire in or near the fuel tanks on these vehicles...this given as a possible reason my 98 windstar is having fuel problems. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 12/24/2006 | 143000 | 08/22/1999 | |
| I was driving our 1998 ford windstar northwoods edition from the shopping center parking lot on 12-24-06 when the van began to smoke. the smoke came into the car as i turned on the heater. i pulled the car immediately to the side of the road and called 911. within minutes the car was fully on fire. there were no previous problems with the car. i believe that the fire started in the right front near the dashboard,the fire came through the firewall at that point, and that is where the smoke started and the flame first came out and where the most intense damage is. needless to say the car is totaled and we are now without a much needed vehicle. the tow truck operator stated this was the third ford windstar in this area to burn like this. | |||
| 09/11/2006 | 108129 | 1 | 08/18/2006 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 10 mph, the engine began to smoke. the vehicle was pulled over and the contact noticed a fire under the hood on the passenger side. the contact waited for the fire to extinguish itself, and then the vehicle was towed to the residence. the vehicle was not inspected by a mechanic. *ak | |||
| 09/02/2004 | 1 | ||
| While driving smoke was coming from the vents and from the hood. consumer pulled over to the shoulder, lifted up the hood, and saw flames. vehicle caught on fire. consumer extinguished the fire, and had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection by the insurance company. *ak | |||
| 12/05/2003 | 118000 | 1 | 06/20/1999 |
| While driving my 1998 ford windstar on the highway, i smelled smoke. i pulled to side of the road thinking at first that i had a broken fan belt or something similar. i got out of the car, opened the hood to find flames coming from the area of what i believe is the electrical wiring harness on the drivers side of the engine compartment. i used my cell phone to call for the fire department. before the fire department arrived, a motorist stopped to assist me in putting out the fire with water.*ak | |||
| 04/14/2002 | 1 | 11/01/2099 | |
| I was driving after making a right-hand turn and started to smell something unusual. i checked my warning lights but there was no indication of a problem so i continued to drive hoping to make it home. the whole time that i continued to drive, i kept checking my warning lights because a still smelled something. when i had to stop at a traffic light a few minutes later, i started to see smoke and was going to pull into an adjacent parking lot when a bunch of people ran up to my car and yelled to get out of the car. it was on fire. someone grabbed my toddler and i quickly turned off the car and grabbed my dog. we got away from the car but the fire died down significantly after the engine was off. other people had called the fire department and police by then. other people put out what was left of the fire while i cared for my terrified child and contacted the auto club and relatives to help. the dealership said that there was a hole in one of my lines that leaked onto the engine causing the fire. they claimed because several lines were burned up that they could not determine which one it was. they acted as though fires are common but 50,000 is a little early for this to happen. if i did not have an extended warranty, i would have been paying for everything out of pocket. after the incident, i looked my car up on your website and found odi id 753227 which sounded like the same situation i had. *ak | |||
| 10/12/2001 | 1 | 10/01/1998 | |
| On the evening of october 12th 2001, while driving with my wife and children in our 98 gl windstar to see a cousin of mine. we approached a semicircle curve on a hill, as i turned my wheel to the right entering on to the curve, when all of a sudden smoke started to come from the bottom of my vehicle. my first thought was that the car was overheating but then fire was starting to come out as well. i yelled to everyone on board to exit the vehicle and stay some distance away. as the flames were getting worse. i had to pop open the hood and see if i could control the fire. i saw the flame shoot out of the bottom and the sides of the car. i immediately turned off the car and then disconnected the positive battery cable on the advice of a stranger that was there. another person came with a bucket of water and we managed to douse the fire out. my cousin arrived later towards where we were as my wife had notified him by cellular of our situation. we took the vehicle to his home and in the morning he took a look at the car to see what had caused it to flame. he noticed that power steering fluid was visible and that the power steering pressure hose had rubbed with time on the rack and pinion or something metallic of the car slowly forming a groove on the hose about an inch and a half wide and about 1/4 inch deep. this created a hole in the groove where it was rubbing when i made my turn on the hill, thus pouring out power steering fluid on to the catalic converter which then started to smoke and fire. importantly the protective fire cover placed on this pressure hose had worn out as well. i have only 63,256 miles on the car. i thank god that we are all safe and thank god for those who assisted us and also thank god that this did not happen to my wife and children while i was not there. i can't imagine being out alone and having this happen to someone else then having a great catastrophe with some deaths. i have kept the power steering hose as evidence of my situation. *ak | |||
| 01/08/2001 | 1 | 10/01/1998 | |
| While traveling 30 to 40 mph transmission started slipping and smoke started coming from underneath hood of vehicle. consumer pulled off to side of road and turned vehicle off. consumer examined vehicle and found that there was fluid leaking from engine , pool of fluid was approximately 2 feet in diameter on the ground. dealership examined vehicle and could not determine that there was a problem with vehicle. informed consumer that no fluids leaked from vehicle. also, this vehicle was not affected by any recalls. *ak dealer finally replaced transmission with a refurbished one after a field engineer stating it was faulty. *slc | |||
| 08/11/2000 | 03/01/2000 | ||
| Van went on fire under hood at this time landmark ford in tigard oregon doesnt know the cause of this fire it is there at this time waiting to be repaired | |||
| 10/25/1999 | |||
| Was driving approximately 60mph with rear defroster on. vehicle overheated & blew a hole through rear window, causing a fire which melted the plastic interior of vehicle. owner thought maybe it was an electrical short. vehicle at dealership now for repairs. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 05/06/2003 | 112000 | 3 | 02/04/2003 |
| I have a 98 windstar mini van . after the minivan has been running for awhile and you go to stop it will go dead or what you call stalls. so after i crank it back up and try to take off again it will stall again. so therefore i have to make sure there is no traffic coming,because there has been some close calls of me and my children getting into a wreck due to this piece of $#*$.the interior lights will not go off, so my husband had to take the light bulbs out: also the passenger side window will not go down or up. this thing is so bad i wish jimm skinner ford would have just kept the piece of $#*$. *nm | |||
| 07/25/2004 | 42000 | 1 | 11/01/1998 |
| While driving on highway at 65 mph occupants started smelling smoke that was coming from the front left side of the dashboard. within seconds of pulling off the highway vehicle caught on fire. the fire marshall couldn't find the cause of the fire because the front of the van was severely burnt. *ak....*ak | |||
| 03/02/2004 | 70000 | 1 | 07/03/1997 |
| Passenger mirror glass just fell out. interior lights do not shut off when vehicle is put in gear.*ak | |||
| 01/01/2002 | |||
| Door locks are not working properly. they will lock at times, and not lock at other times. also, instrument panel will illuminate showing that door is not closed when it is. please provide more information. *ak | |||
| 07/10/1999 | 1 | 07/01/1999 | |
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 13 | 09/01/2000 | ||
| After each fill up car stalls after one block while driving, but the car restarts. interior and headlites at times will not go on, delays about 10 mins then goes on this is intermit. problem. rear windows also intermit. opens after a few times when button is depressed. used car dealer will check on nov. 2nd. is this a problem with ford? | |||
| 07/15/1999 | 1 | 05/01/1998 | |
| When i stopped my van, the interior lights would not turn off and the dashboard showed an open door, though all doors were tightly closed. this condition persisted even with the engine running. we had to pull the interior fuse so we could drive at night - a dangerous situation indeed! the san jose (california) mercury newspaper has an action line column where i saw others who have the exact same problem as mine. i took in my car to a ford dealer, but they charged me $85 for not even finding the problem. they said they could not duplicate it. i think ford knows about this but won't issue a recall. please help! *ak | |||
| 02/21/1999 | 5 | 05/01/1998 | |
| The amp to the radio and cd keeps burning out and the last time it caught on fire. it's been fixed (again) but i'm still scared to drive it. my van stinks like electrical burnt transformer. they said they found a short, but i wonder??? also, why is my exhaust putting out so much black soot on my van? i clean it off and every time i drive it, it becomes all sooted up again. my left tie rod went out too. is that normal for such low mileage? i'm very unhappy with this vehicle. *ak | |||