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Ford Windstar Problems - READ ONLY

2608 messages,  Last post on Oct 27, 2006 at 8:51 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Van

Messages Page 39 of 262

#372 of 2608 BUYBACK Info and others... by wholigan

Mar 05, 2001 (9:55 am)

FULLSIZE - You obviously have not been here very long... If you READ the other posts, most of us have been talking 95-96-97 models. Further, while this topic dates back to August 1999, the original topic CRACKED HEAD IN 95 WINDSTAR (see: mglisson "Cracked head in '95 Windstar" Feb 11, 1998 11:35pm ) was started in February 1998! That must be one expensive marketing plan for Honda/Toyota/et al... Can't wait till you have to post here for what the purpose of the topic is - "FORD WINDSTAR PROBLEMS".

BUYBACK Info...
Please see the prior post:
/direct/view/.ee93e1c/355

In a nutshell, every Ford dealership is assigned a Regional Representative. This person works for the Ford Motor Company. This person is only available through the Service Manager at each dealership (the 1-800-392-FORD folks may not even acknowledge that this person exists). If you feel you are not getting anywhere with your dealer, I suggest you ask for the Ford Regional Representative. Ask them to discuss your options under programs M009 and/or M010. The bottom line - THIS REPRESENTATIVE is the person that has the decision making power as to whether or not FMC will be involved in the repair of any Ford vehicle (the 3.8L engine is a MAJOR sore spot for these representatives - even they are not overjoyed with how their company has handled the situation). According to what the rep told me, the buyback is not really a program as it is another "option" under the M009 program. This does not obligate FORD to do ANYTHING with your vehicle. This "option" was implemented when demand for rebuilt engines far outstripped supply. It was not cost effective to put people in rentals and then repairing the vehicle in question. Again, keep in mind that this is just another OPTION - They are not obligated to invoke this option. One last note; I have yet to read about anyone SUCCESSFULLY getting the buyback in 2001. It appears that enough engines are back in the supply chain to continue the engine replacement process (over the buyback anyway). If anyone has, I would like to hear about it (more importantly, I would REALLY like to talk with the FORD rep that authorized the buy back...)

My story - I just went in for my second motor in as many years (between Jan 99 and Oct 99 I got three transmissions). I fought tooth and nail to get them to buy the damn thing back - even offered to buy another FORD (why I would even consider such an option is completely another story - worse yet, the explanation is no longer in the Edmunds archive!)

I am STILL waiting to get the van back...

HTH!

#373 of 2608 Making It All Up? by dramamama

Mar 05, 2001 (10:40 am)

Hey - that would be a good story to make up! - having my transmission go out on the top of a very steep hill in downtown San Francisco - dangerously close to a cable car line - stranding me and my three children - wow, good story. Unfortunately, it was true. These cars are not just unreliable, they are unsafe!! And no, I don't work for Toyota or Honda - but I bet the person who posted that note questioning our motives works for Ford!

#375 of 2608 95 Ford CRAPstar LX by matycat

Mar 05, 2001 (7:03 pm)

I am back. Just thought for those interested, I'd share the big news. It wasn't a coolant problem after all. It is a heater core problem. The part cost is 75.00 and the labor is calculated at 325.00 making my family out yet again another 400.00! Any comments? Please respond morse71home.com.

#376 of 2608 Still no problems by fullsize

Mar 05, 2001 (10:07 pm)

By Wholigan:
 
"Can't wait till you have to post here for what the purpose of the topic is - "FORD WINDSTAR PROBLEMS"."
 
Thank you for the well wishes.
 
"That must be one expensive marketing plan for Honda/Toyota/et al... "
 
No, to have low level people, or even high level people, spend a minute or two trashing the competition in a nationally read forum would be an *incredibily inexpensive* marketing plan.
 
By Dramamama:
 
"These cars are not just unreliable, they are unsafe!! And no, I don't work for Toyota or Honda - but I bet the person who posted that note questioning our motives works for Ford!"
 
Judging by the histrionics, you have chosen your moniker wisely. And no, I don't work for Ford. Nor do I think that all, or even most, of the people here, nor you, work for the competition. Some people use the site for its obvious intended purpose -- share stories to look for trends and/or answers to dilemnas. Some, on the other hand, have stories that frankly seem somewhat suspect by their hyperbolic nature.
 
Personally, I liked my company car, a Taurus, so much (for the money, of course), that I bought a Windstar. Liked that so much that I bought an F-150 SuperCrew. Never have had two cars of the same make at the same time before. Cars I've owned? 1968 Camaro. 1967 VW Bug. 1977 Honda Civic. 1985 Z-28. 1986 T-Bird. 1988 Nissan Pathfinder. 1994 Toyota Corolla. 1996 Isuzu Trooper. 1997 Taurus Wagon. 1998 Honda Accord. 1998 Windstar. 2001 SuperCrew.
 
Which ones were the closest to "perfect"?
The early generation Honda. The Pathfinder. The T-Bird. (Can't say about the Windstar yet -- only have 40k miles on it -- but perfect so far).
 
Which were problematic? The '68 Camaro (though it sure had a high "fun factor"). And the '98 Accord. (Nothing major, but I expect not to have to replace brakes, tires and struts, have upholstery start falling out, and rubber seals unmounting at less than 20k miles). That's it. The rest were all wonderful cars--including the Windstar.
 
In sum, I think it's fair, since this site has strayed from people looking for answers to lots of over-the-top bashing, to have posted the fact that my Windstar has been excellent. And to question whether all the negative posts have been genuine (some seem awfully far fetched). But, as to those of you who have legitimately had problems, and I assume this to be the majority -- nothing but the best.

#377 of 2608 There is one in every discussion... by wholigan

Mar 06, 2001 (1:01 pm)

Fullsize, why do you feel the need to be a "button pusher"?
 
"I think it's fair...to have posted the fact that my Windstar has been excellent". You are correct. I'm glad your WS has been good for you. I just wonder what your motive was since you are posting that message in the FORD WINDSTAR PROBLEMS discussion and not the FORD WINDSTAR discussion where most other folks have put them...
 
"since this site has strayed from people looking for answers to lots of over-the-top bashing"
Strayed??? Have you read any of these posts?!?! We are helping one another on how to deal with service managers and Ford CSRs which, lucky for you, you have not had the pleasure of. Rest assured that if you have an issue with you $30000 vehicle just after the standard warranty expires, you will feel our pain.
 
OK Fullsize, I won't direct any more comments to you. Its not worth the time anyway...

#378 of 2608 1999 Windstar SEL Drivetrain Noise (post 344 Solved) by dambach

Mar 06, 2001 (2:48 pm)

Gradually gaining back my confidence in the Ford Windstar...However, I must say that If I had read this series of posts, I probably would not have purchased a second windstar! This past week was one that I would like to forget. My new vehicle drove poorly at high speeds. After not hearing from anyone on the Edmunds Post net on my problems,I decided to take it to the dealer who originally delivered the vehicle. I purchased the 1999 Windstar SEL two weeks ago from a local town person. It has 30,300 miles on it and look in perfect condition. After putting a deposit on it, I found out that it was a leased vehicle. The deposit was transferred to the dealer.One thing I found out...People who lease don't hear those bothersome noises...they drive it as long as it runs! I guess they don't want the extra service charges...After visiting the dealership, I asked the clerk for a copy of the computer run-off of the service records of my VIN #. The clerk immediately referred me to the dealership owner and Service Manager. They gave me a copy of the service records. To date, the only service performed was brake pads at 28,300 miles, oil changes and tire rotation at 21,000 miles. I explained the existing problem, ie.,drivetrain noise, pulsating between 45 to 68 mph...and when it's extremely cold, sharp right turns resulted in a metalic scrapping noise, like a twig in the wheel well. Both the dealership owner and the Service Manager assured me that the problems would be solved. They had a tech drive with me to verify the problems, and it was hard for me to convince him that the pulsating noise was not just tire noise. I left the van and three days later, the Service Manager called me and stated that they had found the problem and in addition performed two upgrades. They were as follows:
      a- 00B51 Transmission rear lube tube
                (changed trans oil &
                 cleaneded filter)
      b- 00T07 PCM re-program...Allows windows
         to be opened 10 minutes after key is
         removed.
The pulsating noise was a defective hub...They replaced the hub and bearing assembly. They also torqued the frame bolts on the front suspension, and that cleared the metalic noise. I put a few hundred miles on it last weekend, and the vehicle is quiet, like new! I was very happy with this North Jersey Dealer and intent to use them for my routine service. This is my second Windstar. My first was a 95 LX with digital dash...boy do I miss this dash! I drove the Windstar 96,700 miles without incident...it never failed me. Last week I mention to my wife that this was the most dependable vehicle I ever owned. When oil changes were performed, I always requested that the dealer do any recalls at the same time. I changed my oil every 3,000 miles and used Castrol GTX 5-30, with a quart of Rislome as an additive. This additive is used by a local Taxi Firm, who gets 300,000 miles out of a 3.8...He claims, it keeps the engine clean inside. I also had the transmission oil and filter cleaned every 25,000 miles. The 3.8 is a large block for 5 quarts of oil. The most reliable American engine, the Northstar has a 7.5 quart oil sump. Changing the oil every 3,000 miles helps to overcome the shortcomings of a small sump. I kept service records on my 95 van and the brake rotor recall was done at 20,000 miles...head gasket recall at 60,000 miles... and hood beef-up at 87,00 miles. New brake pads were installed at 50,000 and 87,000 miles...and a new set of Michclin tires installed at 87,000 miles. A new battery was installed upon donating the van to a local minister in town. The van is still like new, however, after reading the posts on the 95's, I hope I did the right thing, donating the van to a Minister. His son loved the stock JBL sound system (an LX extra).
I will keep you posted on my new SEL. I bought it because of the 5 star safety rating. Not many Vans have this feature!

#379 of 2608 by fullsize

Mar 06, 2001 (3:01 pm)

By Wholigan:
 
"Fullsize, why do you feel the need to be a "button pusher"?"
 
I don't. I think my second post speaks for itself. Questioning things that don't quite seem right is hardly the equivalent of pushing people's buttons needlessly.
 
"Have you read any of these posts?!?!"
 
Every one of them. That's what prompted my post.
 
  
"OK Fullsize, I won't direct any more comments to you. Its not worth the time anyway... "
 
Excellent. Save your time (and all those exclamation points) for more important purposes.

#381 of 2608 oil changes on 01 Windstar by callo_

Mar 06, 2001 (9:45 pm)

could anyone tell me why Ford suggests that oil changes be made every 5,000 miles instead of 3,000 miles. Oil capacity is 5.75 quarts and they suggest 5W-20. Thanks

Messages Page 39 of 262

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