Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | |||||
| 12516 | 03/01/1999 | 6091760 | Information used when diagnosing a lamp outage indication. *tt | 11/14/2000 | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS | |||||
| 99139 | 06/28/1999 | 606508 | Conditions with the brake lamps inadvertently disabling the brake shift interlock. *tt | 08/26/1999 | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - SWITCH | |||||
| 99243 | 11/29/1999 | 6090186 | On some vehicles, the front windshield wipers may operate while the multifunction switch is in the off position. *tt | 03/10/2000 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | |||
| 12/17/2009 | 55000 | ||
| On december 17, 2009 we took our 1999 ford windstar in to the cerritos ford dealership in ca. we received a letter from ford that our vehicle was being recalled (recall # 09s09) and as it turned out the van was leaking and they replaced the leaking switch and harness. before the work was even done, i told them that we were concerned about the abs light that was on on our dashboard. the recall summary states that the with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the abs control module connector and repair as necessary. repairs will be completed free of charge. on our invoice, the dealership failed to note our concern regarding the abs and never stated whether or not they inspected the abs control module connector. although i am aware that there could be other factors causing the abs light to show up, i am deeply concerned that the recall was not fully completed. i am aware that the issues we are having could result in a car fire. i just want confirmation that the inspection was done and if the connector needs to be repaired, that ford takes care of it with no out-of-pocket from me. i have contacted both the service manager at cerritos & ford co. directly. i was told the recall was completed although they cannot say whether or not the inspection of the abs control module connector was performed. they said i could pay for an expensive diagnostic test through the dealership where they could determine if there are issues with the abs that were a result of fraud or poor workmanship. either way, all of this will cost me a lot of money for something i asked to have taken care of at the time i brought the van in for the recall. i'm really frustrated and concerned about this as well as other issues pertaining to this van that i believe are recall related. our tail-lights won't work despite new bulbs, our brakes sometimes sputter and don't always stop immediately. we've had 4 close calls related to our brakes and i wonder how much of this is recall-related. | |||
| 10/07/2007 | 79000 | 2 | 08/06/2007 |
| I purchased a 1999 ford windstar a few months ago. i have had nothing but problems with it. in fact, i have spent more than half of what i paid for the vehicle in repairs in only 2 months. the reason for my complaint is that the most recent repairs have involved items that i feel are extreme safety concerns. 1- the power doors on my vehicle to not lock/unlock properly, making it unable to open the sliding doors. this was looked at by the ford mechanic today. i was told that the door latches were bad and were burning up the door lock actuators. i'm not sure if this is the reason, but also lately, my door ajar light comes on my dash and the interior lights are coming on intermittently while driving. i have 3 children, two of them in car seats and unable to get them selves out of a car. i am concerned that if something were to happen such as an accident or an emergency situation that i would not be able to get my children out of the vehicle. i am paying to have this repaired at the tune of around $1,000.00 which i think is a real rip off, due to fords poorly manufactured vehicle. 2. my brake light stopped working on the left side of my van. i changed the bulb and tested it, and did not fix the problem. i then noticed that my rear tail light is now not working. i had this checked out by the mechanic today, and was told it is the rear electronic control module which is going to cost me nearly $600 to fix. i'm not sure what would cause such a thing to fail, but this is definitely a safety concern, where lights come into play. i could have been rear ended due to this malfunction. i'm beginning to wonder if ford is in the auto making/selling business, or the service business. it appears to me that they are poorly manufacturing vehicles only providing job security for the mechanics. please investigate this situation. any help in remedying this and getting ford to pay for their mistakes would be greatly appreciated. *jb | |||
| 05/21/2004 | 80000 | 1 | 04/02/2002 |
| 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! *tr | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS - SWITCH | |||
| 1 | 03/10/2001 | ||
| Consumer stated the third brake light was inoperative.*jb | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS | |||
| 11/01/2004 | 80000 | 2 | 07/03/1999 |
| The plastic lens on my 1999 ford windstar headlights have clouded (not dirty) with age. the light emitted by them at night has decreased because of that. that has created a safety problem when driving at night. i cannot see as clearly or as far down the highway. this worries me. ford has declined to replace them for free saying they have no recall on this problem. i work for an organization that has a fleet of fords. i have seen that same problem in the older fords. ford motor company should replace the lens for free. no such problem existed in cars with glass headlights. thank you!. *ak | |||
| 05/12/2002 | 1 | 03/21/2001 | |
| Headlight switch broke off while turning on light switch. dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. *ak *yh | |||
| 02/01/2002 | 3 | 07/01/2001 | |
| Consumer noticed condensation in headlights. dealer has been contacted. technician stated that the headlights needed to be replaced. *ak the consumer stated that the entire headlight unit had to be replaced. after the three year warranty expired, the transmisson had to be replaced. the engine light had come on, and was told that it was the sensor. *scc | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - SWITCH | |||
| 05/12/2002 | 1 | 03/21/2001 | |
| Headlight switch broke off while turning on light switch. dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. *ak *yh | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS | |||
| 04/01/2004 | 2 | ||
| Exterior bulb warning light came on left rear running light quit operating. electical machanic stated rem module needs to be replace. this unit is vehicle specific and a cost of $300 and has to be programed by dealer for another charge.*ak | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL | |||
| 1 | 12/01/1999 | ||
| To avoid an accident conusmer depressed horn buttons, and horn would not sound. consumer stated horn buttons have to be depressed very hard to sound.*ak the design of the horn and steering wheel assembly does not provide effective access to horn in emergency situations. also, turn signal does not properly engage on curved road ways. *yh | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - FLASHER UNIT | |||
| 08/01/2002 | 38000 | 1 | 01/01/2002 |
| Intermittently the turn signals (left and right) fail to indicate the direction the vehicle will be turning. the dealer was contacted and replaced the dashboard cover which did not correct the problem. the odometer also sticks and once this happens all the other gauges stick as well. there are no a recalls for this vehicles vin number. *mr *nlm | |||