Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
06E056000UFI FILTERS USA E (Equipment)5864008/04/2006MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY06/13/200606/23/2006
Defect SummaryCertain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n f65277, shipped from january 16 through june 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. due to incorrect design, the quick connectors may not fully seat with the tube interface, even though the person making the connection may believe that the quick connector is fully attached.
Consequence SummaryFailure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Corrective SummaryUfi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. the recall began on august 4, 2006. owners may contact ufi filters usa at 800-230-5876.
NotesThis recall only pertains to ufi filters usa (purolator) aftermarket fuel filters and has no relation to any original equipment installed on the listed passenger vehicles.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY
03070704/01/200310002678Slow to fill fuel tank - service tips. *tt09/10/2003
1555301/01/2002630086Subject regarding slow/hard to fill fuel tank. *yh04/12/2002
1521209/01/2001625748Some vehicles may exhibit a slow / hard to fill fuel tank condition. *tt12/03/2001
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
039805/12/200310002780Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination with diagnostic trouble codes p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457, p1442 or check fuel cap lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code p0457. *tt09/17/2003

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
12/19/2000100
 Repeated failure and replacement of various parts of the electrical system including wiper motor, rear wiper motor, fuel pump, fuel pump fuses, alternator, repeated replacement of battery, repeated replacement of brake lights and light sockets and brake light switch, repeated failure and replacement of electric door locks, repeated replacement of coil wire, replacement of egr valve. constant stalling of vehicle in rain or humid weather. vehicle stall when air conditioner is in use. rough idle and stalling when vehicle is stopped and engine is running. all of these complaints have been constant and ongoing despite repeated replacement of electrical components since delivery of the vehicle in december of 2000.
09/20/200217055
 Frequent stalling and inconsistent engine idle, especially when car is stopped but still in gear (at traffic lights, etc). parts repaired and/or replaced include: coil wire, cam sensor, cylinder wire and fuel pump. repeated blown fuses for fuel pump. even after repairs car still stalls when stopped and engine idle is inconsistent, worse when stopped. has been a problem with this vehicle since 2002.
07/19/200565000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. when the contact first purchased the vehicle, it shut off. the rings in the engine had to be replaced. she also heard a rumbling sound when the brake pedal was depressed. an auto repair shop stated that the brakes were operating normally; however, after much complaining, the contact had the front brakes replaced. the windshield wipers stopped working after a new windshield was installed. the vehicle was diagnosed and the motor was found to be the cause of the failure. the motor was replaced. a couple of months later, the vehicle began leaking antifreeze and was towed to a repair shop. the contact was informed that the fuel injection hoses were leaking. the leak was repaired. three weeks later, the vehicle would buck and shut off. she was informed that the catalytic converter was completely destroyed. lastly, the contact noticed an issue with the rear of the vehicle. it would fishtail or wobble while driving various speeds. the dealer stated that the vehicle was no longer included in the factory warranty. the manufacturer has not been notified. the current mileage was 74,056 and failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY
01/12/200771700107/30/2002
 Check engine light, codes read p0171 (lean bank 1). followed repair procedure per ford tsb 03-16-1 (replace isolator bolts and port seals under upper intake manifold). also replaced vacuum line from fuel pressure regulator to intake manifold. *jb
07/01/2006306/15/2005
 Car emissions light came on. then when filling up, gas backs up and spews out past nozzle. can't get car to accept gas. *jb
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP
09/25/2001407/01/2001
 Reoccurring engine light coming on after vechicle in for first courtesy service. dealership cannot determine exact problem. so far have replaced fuel pump assembly, pressure transducer and asbly fuel vapor control. no success. reported problem to manufacturer and awaiting a desicion from regional engineer for a possible vehicle exchange.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
07/01/2006306/15/2005
 Car emissions light came on. then when filling up, gas backs up and spews out past nozzle. can't get car to accept gas. *jb
05/20/200637611106/01/2001
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving there was a gasoline odor emitting from the vents of the vehicle. the vehicle was pulled over and the hood was opened for inspection. the plastic fuel line failed where the plastic line connects with the steel line. as a result, fuel sprayed onto the engine. the vehicle was towed to the dealer for replacement of the entire fuel line which corrected the problem. the intake manifold failed. updated 06/12/06. 8jb
03/28/200575796110/01/2001
 Smelled gasoline and found both fuel lines spraying gas at front of engine. fuel lines appeared to have disintegrated. took car to ford dealership - don chalmers in rio rancho, nm. dealer replaced fuel lines from tank to engine - had to be ordered from michigan. total cost $667.03 dealer retained parts. *jb
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
04/14/2004850002011/08/2002
 When the windshield wipers are engaged they will either work for a few seconds and quit or not work at all. dealership replaced the wiper motor twice, and the front electronic control module. but problems still exists. recall 01v261000 was issued, but this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to vin. *ak also, clunking on the front driver side at low speed or when turning left. dealership checked the vehicle and later replaced the brake rotor. starter were also replaced. *la
206/01/2001
 I have repeatedly contacted my dealer for the problems that exist with my vehicle. the brakes fail after prolonged pressure at red lights. i was told to set my parking brakes to adjust. i had two large bumps on the steering wheel. i was told that it was a broken bearing and they replaced my steering wheel and fixed the broken bearing. the new wheel has the exact same bumps. i was told not to worry about it. the air conditioner was making grinding sounds. the compressor was replaced. the enige has a ticking noise when vehicle is in gear but stopped with brake. i was tols this is the injectors and nothing was wrong. the van stalls at any speed for no reason after long periods of driving. i was told it was my alternator. i have had my van not long and already have a rebuilt new van. i went to the dealer and drove another van. none of the above problems were seen. i was told there is nothing that i could do but to trade in and pay mega bucks for another one. my van has been in the shop for 9 days the first time and 15 days the second time. i feel i have been wronged by the ford motor company and i should be given a vehicle that i can drive and feel safe in. i feel that the vehicle has more problems then the 1980 aerostar that i replaced with this one. please let me know if there is anything that i can do to solve this problem. if there is nothing, then please warn others from the problems that i have encurred.*ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY
103/10/2003
 Failure in gas tank which led consumer to believe that it was a design failure. *la the fuel pump/fuel filter assembly rubbed on the gas tank from the inside when the tank was full, which caused the gas tank to have a pin hole leak, with the leak the system was unable to pressurize, which caused the check engine light to illuminate. *jb
08/04/2002202/01/2002
 This is the second time i have had the van in because the check engine light came on. the first time they told me it was a faulty sensor but now they say it is a cracked seal in the fuel tank. when i asked the part's guy when i could expect the part in he told me that there was a national backorder on the fuel tank because ford has had to replace a lot of them.
08/23/2001101/01/2001
 This form was filled out two days ago and i couldn't get the form to do what i wanted. the first report on this vehicle involved a craked ceramic fitting at the top of the gas tank. this report involves a sudden and rapid loss of fuel to which the fire department said could have resulted in a fire and a subsequent explosion. please refer to my report of two days ago. thank you.*ak
07/15/2001101/01/2001
 This vehicle was serviced on 7/12 and on the way home the engine light came on. i contacted the dealer and took the vehicle in for correction. finally determined that a ceramic plug at the top of the gas tank had cracked. needed to replace entire tank and it was. two weeks later driving and a big time gas leak developed-fire dept called and vehicle towed for repair. fire department stated that we were lucky that there was not a fire and ensuing explosion. there was another windstar at the dealer at the same time with the same problem. *ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - FILLER PIPE AND CAP
03/07/200850
 Fuel filler vent is clogged, resulting in fuel overflowing when filling with gasoline. it can take up to 30 minutes to fill the tank. *tr
10/10/20041
 While filling the gas tank, the nozzle turns off, the gas backs up and leaks out. it can take up to a half hour to fill the tank.*ak
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP
12/19/2003375003011/01/2001
 Over thirty separate warranty repairs over two years. faulty electrical door locks (kids couldn't exit), transmission leakage, transmission failure, front-end defects with loud thumping noises and several body problems. most notable body problems are wind noise and water leakage through doors and windows. most recently, the fuel pump failed (@ 37,000 miles). ford has all along refused to acknowledge the problems. now that the vehicle is out of warranty, they have again said they will not doing anything. the vehicle is unreliable and unsafe to operate.*ak
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
02/03/200540400512/01/2003
 1) 2001 windstar minivan stalled at low idle while making a turn. 2) driver nearly wrecked due to loss of power. vehicle stalled several more times while moving before repair was done. 3) dealer diagnosed problem as bad fuel intake gaskets which were replaced. problem persisted until iac valve was cleaned. my conclusion is that the iac valve is to blamed, and could cause accidents due to loss of power while driving.*ak