Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH | |||||
| 13812 | 03/01/2001 | 620272 | Some fleet customers may want to disable the child lock feature on the sliding doors and prevent it from being accidently re-activated. *tt | 07/23/2001 | |
| 8036 | 02/01/2000 | 612229 | Some fleet customers may want to disable the child lock feature on the sliding doors and prevent it from being accidently re-activated. *tt | 06/07/2000 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | |||
| 05/12/2010 | |||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that the driver side rear sliding door will not close. the vehicle was taken to ford and they replaced the alternator but it did not solve the failure. the contact also stated that her abs light comes on and stays on. she also stated that the driver side front seat belt get covered with oil everytime it retracts. the dealer has been unable to repair the failures. ford motor company will be contacted. the failure mileage was unknown. the current mileage is approximately 95,000. rd | |||
| 04/04/2008 | 103000 | 1 | |
| April 2008 lost fuel pump, and guage for gas level had fuel pump sending unit and filter replaced but gauge didnt come back it stayed on as a low fuel light permanently. brake fluid leaking or excessive use by braking system had to fill about once weekly brakes though they had been replaced would just go out with no warning abs light wasnt indicative due to fact its lighting up and staying lit was errratic. replaced braking system and front end components (linkage pins gone, rotor that had gotten very hot and possibly started on fire due to brakes going out and heavy breaking needed to avoid accident death had to pump brakes rapidly to try to stop sometimes unable to stop brake pedal would stick on hard pumping when attempting to stop passenger side sliding door lock engaged and unable to engage. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2005 | 73000 | 99 | 11/10/2001 |
| The latches on the vehicle are defective. the glove compartment latch will not open. the latch on cd storage will not work either and the latch on the hatchback is about ready to break...it doesn't always want to open. *jb | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH | |||
| 08/14/2009 | 200000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. while driving 35 mph, the rear passenger side door automatically opened twice on its own. the dealer advised the mechanic that they were unable to diagnose the failure or how to repair it. the service manager stated that dust on the cylinoid of the door mechanism could have caused the failure. the contact is concerned about the safety risk, defect as well as the child seats located in the back of the vehicle. the current and failure mileages were 200,000. | |||
| 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 $600 to fix. i'm not sure what would cause such a thing to fail, but this is definitely a safety concern, where lights come into play. i could have been rear ended due to this malfunction. i'm beginning to wonder if ford is in the auto making/selling business, or the service business. it appears to me that they are poorly manufacturing vehicles only providing job security for the mechanics. please investigate this situation. any help in remedying this and getting ford to pay for their mistakes would be greatly appreciated. *jb | |||
| 11/17/2006 | 75000 | 1 | 04/12/2002 |
| My 2-year old daughter's right hand was crushed in the power sliding door of our minivan. her hand is too small for the safety sensor to detect it and therefore, the door latched and locked with her hand between the body pillar and the door. *jb | |||
| 07/11/2006 | 110000 | 1 | 09/14/2004 |
| Anti-lock brake light went on. i drove it this way for two months. 15 codes in the system. ford dealer states it's the hydraulic and electric box. to repair both would cost 800.00 or so, which is including labor and parts. states it's a known problem of 1999 ford windstars. i have no anti-lock brakes when the abs light is on. declining to fix at this time, but a huge liablility for myself. possiblity of brake failure not discussed at this time. i have already had to repair the upper intake manifold 500.00+ (at a ford dealer) and also had the door ajar problem, which was fixed at home here for 0$. this is the third and final problem listed on consumer reports that this vehicle is known for. *jb | |||
| 01/05/2006 | 115000 | 56 | |
| For several weeks, the door ajar light remains on despite the fact all the doors are closed; the automatic locking and manual locking will not work. after 10 to 15 minutes of driving, it will go out and the doors will finally lock. today, while that light was on and the doors would not lock, the driver's side rear sliding door opened while the vehicle was being driven and making a turn. this is extremely dangerous. my grandchildren ride in this vehicle and it is totally unsafe! *nm | |||
| 08/01/2003 | 80000 | 1 | |
| Both of the sliding door power locking mechanisms are malfunctioning. they no longer unlock with the switch. it is also impossible to pull the lock knob up. when the switch is pressed the door re-locks itself. if a person is sitting in the back seat, the door also will not open via the door handle or switch. this is a very dangerous situation if an emergency were to arise. sometimes we can open it by holding down the front door switch and pulling the outside door hand at the same time. it doesn't work every time. *jb | |||
| 07/01/2005 | 63000 | 1 | 12/20/2002 |
| I opened electronic sliding driver side door on my 1999 ford windstar van to load the car for a weekend trip. i kneeled in the door opening to position things in the back seat. without warning the door began to shut on its own. before i could jump out of the car, it had my calves stuck in the door. it did not automatically open as i was informed it should have when it hit my legs. my daughter was able to pull the door open and allow me to escape. my right calf was injured, though it did not break the skin, i have a large bruise from the doors impact approx. 2 inches high and 4 inches long. i took my car to the dealership (ted britt ford in fairfax virginia) where i purchased my van and carry an extended warranty. they have had my car in for numerous repairs, all related to the doors malfunctioning or other electrical problems. this is the first time there was an injury due to the door failure. my car is currently still in the shop for this malfunction. **about the number of failures listed below: i am uncertain if i should indicate one failure which resulted in an injurry or the multiple failures of the doors opening, refusing to open, or refusing to close that proceeded this last incident. i wll indicate one failure, meaning this last one. please call or email if i should indicate all the door failures we have incountered to date. **i am also a bit concerned as the repair department at ted britt ford in fairfax, where my van is regularly serviced, indicated that he believes it would have been impossible for the door to shut without my having done something to cause it. i am absolutely certain i could not have accidentally close the door. i am concerned they may not check out this problem adequately and just decide it was operator error. i reminded them of the multiple other door failures and electrical problems. i also let them know the lights in the van (that come on when you open a door), go on and off when i go over bumps as i am driving. | |||
| 01/27/2005 | 1 | ||
| We own a 1999 ford windstar. we bought it in november of 2001. we have had many problems with the power doors. we have taken it in to the ford dealer repair shop to get fixed while under warranty, but have never had them working right. the doors very rarely shut tightly and when they do they pop open while in drive. on a few occasions the doors have opened completely. i worry that my children might get seriously injured if this is not taken care of. has anyone else complained about this?*ak | |||
| 07/13/2002 | 75000 | 100 | 10/19/2001 |
| Both sliding doors on our 1999 ford windstar, do not open with the electric door opener and the left side door cannot be opened from the inside. the right side door is deteriorating the same as the left side. this could be a dangerous situation if someone were in the car and needed to get out quickly for any reason. *jb | |||
| 09/04/2004 | 20 | ||
| The passenger side sliding door on my 1999 ford windstar does not unlock when the rest of the doors do unlock. during an emergency this could cause a problem when trying to exit the mini van.*ak | |||
| 02/26/2004 | 1 | 08/28/1999 | |
| Power sliding door opens while driving. *ak | |||
| 10/23/2003 | 22000 | 1 | 10/01/1999 |
| Consumer complained repeatedly about transmission problems, but nothing was done because the dealer could not duplicate the problem. *ak the door lock was inoperative with the key, when driven at low speeds a clunk noise was heard, but it was an intermittent problem, the vehicle lurched in low gear and the consumer had to downshift when going up hill. *sc *jb | |||
| 05/10/2002 | 51000 | 5 | 10/31/2001 |
| Transmission, sliding door, driver door, rack and pinion, steering pump, intake manifold, front suspension upper link, world's fastest declining vehicle value, world's worst customer service and satisfaction representatives.*ak | |||
| Consumer stated that the side doors does not open from the inside. ph | |||
| 03/06/2002 | |||
| When sliding door opens it doesn't stay open. kids can get caught in the door, and be seriously hurt.*ak | |||
| 09/26/2001 | 8 | 11/17/1999 | |
| Passenger's sliding door will not close correctly and dome light will come on. contacted dealer. *ak the passenger sliding door comes ajar and the door light comes on in the dashboard. the dealer had tried to fix the problem eight times. *yh | |||
| 2 | |||
| While vehicle was parked on incline, facing downward, passenger's sliding door failed to lock in place. would slam shut after being opened. contacted dealer.*ak | |||
| 01/01/2000 | |||
| Sliding door will unexpectedly close when door is latched in the open position. door has closed on a child, but has not caused any injury. dealership has not examined vehicle for this problem. please provide any additional information / documentation.*ak | |||
| 12/01/2001 | |||
| Rear passenger door cannot be opend from inside, and driver's side door cannot be opend from inside or outside. please provide more information.*ak | |||
| 08/27/2001 | 03/01/1999 | ||
| My grandson fell out of the van becuse the door locks were not working...they lock but do not stay locked. *ak | |||
| 04/07/1999 | 03/01/1999 | ||
| Doors will occasionally not close, will start to close then re-open or will fail to open. when they fail to close it will be extremely difficult to get them to close. similarly, when they fail to open they will need to be forced open. this occurs with small children in the car.*ak | |||
| 07/01/1999 | 0 | ||
| Passengers doors comes open intermittently. dealership is aware of problem. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1999 | 4 | ||
| Consumer has a few problems with vehicle & it has been to the dealer 4 times. the sliding door doesn't shut completely & the steering has a noise from the inside around the dashboard. manufacturer is aware of the problem, but has no remedy.*ak | |||
| 02/01/1999 | |||
| While driving or closing both sliding door, sliding door would pop back open/and not closing the doors properly. dealer cannot determine the problem, but suggested to by a new 2000 windstar. please provide further information.*ak | |||
| 02/23/1999 | 11/01/1999 | ||
| Sliding door will not close properly. intermittently it would prop itself back open. vehicle been in / out of dealer's shop on several occasions, and problem still occurring. doors are electronically operated, cannot operate door without vehicle started. *ak *ml | |||
| While traveling at any speed door would open without indication. dealer has been notified. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 05/04/2000 | 2 | ||
| While driving sliding door could unlatch and open half way without a prior warning. *ak | |||
| 03/20/2000 | |||
| While driving down the driveway sliding door on the passenger's side popped open about two inches. van has been to the dealership four times for this problem. the dealership doesn't seem to be able to solve this problem. . please provide any further information. *ak | |||
| 1 | 02/01/1999 | ||
| Sliding door latch does not close door properly. mjs | |||
| 07/09/1999 | |||
| Front passenger 'sside door latch broke due to the bolt that wasn't put in the door. *ak | |||
| 05/09/1999 | 6 | ||
| Sliding door on the driver's side keeps popping open. happens while driving & the door would chime. this has happened at least 6 times. it's very hard to close once it has popped open. took to dealer & was informed the door works just fine. *ak | |||
| 03/01/1999 | |||
| Passenger side sliding door will not stay open on an incline. door will stay open for a while but when a passenger enters the vehicle, the door releases and closes on the passenger. this is a dangerour codition which could injure an adult or kill a child. the same problem does not exist on the drivers side sliding door. dealer unable to repair since the raised section on the bottom rail is a factory body stamping. a review by the dealer noted that the driver side raised area was higher than the passenger side. *ak | |||
| 05/22/1999 | 4 | 01/01/1999 | |
| Both rear sliding doors are not stable when moved to fully open position, especially on roads/driveways where there is a decline. in four cases over the past two weeks, the vehicle was parked in our driveway with approx. a 15% decline. i opened the door for my son and it locked in the fully opened position. however, in one instance he was exiting the vehicle when the door closed and lodged his head between the door and the frame of the vehilce. he was not seriously injured. similar things have happened over the past couple of weeks.. we are renting the vehicle from enterprise. i belive that a very serious situation exists and should immediately be invesigagted. we have rented other minivans in the past, and all have had active locking mechanisms where the handle had to be lifted to close the door. the windstar relies on a simple detente which is not sufficient for vehicles on declines. *ak | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - LOCK | |||
| 01/01/2005 | 73000 | 99 | 11/10/2001 |
| The latches on the vehicle are defective. the glove compartment latch will not open. the latch on cd storage will not work either and the latch on the hatchback is about ready to break...it doesn't always want to open. *jb | |||