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Ford Windstar Problems - READ ONLY

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

You are in the Ford Windstar Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Van

Messages Page 67 of 262

#656 of 2608 by steve_ HOST

Sep 08, 2001 (1:58 pm)

Ford Assures Customers Its Windstar Van is Safe
"National Highway Transportation Safety Administration records show that several other popular minivans have been the subjects of multiple recalls during the past three years.
 
"They include the Honda Odyssey, with six recalls for the 1999 model and four for the 2000 model; the Chevrolet Venture/Pontiac Montana, with four recalls for the 2001 model, four for 2000 and three for 1999; the Dodge Caravan, with two for 2001, one for 2000, and three for 1999; and the Mercury Villager/Nissan Quest with one for 2001, two for 2000, and four for 1999."

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

#658 of 2608 Windstar Owners by davids1

Sep 10, 2001 (6:04 am)

I just purchased a used 2000 Windstar LX with 13,000 miles and the 3.8 liter engine. Really wish I had read some of these posts before i leapt, but that's my fault. My question is this: I'm only getting about 12-13 mpg in combined city/highway driving. This thing is supposed the get 18 city and 24 highway. I plan on taking it to my local Ford dealer sometime next week, but I would like to know if there is anything in particular I should look for before I take it in. Thanks for any information.

#659 of 2608 Hi davids1 by steve_ HOST

Sep 10, 2001 (8:45 am)

Welcome. Lots of us discovered Town Hall "after the fact".
 
Not everyone has trouble with their van, but the ones who do are more likely to post.
 
Here's a good review to brighten your Monday (yeah, it does sorta read like a press release....)

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

#661 of 2608 Thanks by davids1

Sep 10, 2001 (9:39 am)

You are right, does sound like a press release. I have another question for Windstar owners. My van has the 2 passenger bench seat in the middle row. It looks like the seat can be moved from side to side, allowing easier entry to the back from any side you may choose. It also looks like I cannot put bucket seats in this middle row even if I could find some in a junk yard. Is this true. I would like to have the option to upgrade to the buckets at a later time, but I may just be out of luck.

#662 of 2608 Bucket seats by bdemas

Sep 10, 2001 (9:44 am)

Davids1 -- I believe the spacing on the middle row anchors is the same as individual buckets, so you should be able to put buckets in later. Also, the rear seat can be put in the middle row.

#663 of 2608 Ongoing (and worsening) problems with 2000 Windstar by jsiedhoff

Sep 10, 2001 (11:21 am)

It's been a while since I last posted messages but after reading some others, I have had similar problems. Please see messages 589, 590, 591, & 595. I do not remember the # of my previous posts. I purchased my van in October of 2000. I have had some minor problems that seem to have been corrected (finally). They were mostly squeaks/rattles on the passenger side sliding door but there were also problems with the parking brake cable making noise and it took the dealer 4 tries to fix it (after numerous visits to the shop for diagnosis). My van now has 10003 miles on in and I just returned from a hellacious trip to Florida from Illinois. I had my wife, sister in law and my 18 mo. old son with me. We drove to Decatur Alabama on the way down (the Sunday before Labor day) and spent the night. The next morning when we were continuing to Florida, the van stalled in the hotel parking lot. After several attempts, it restarted and we drove about 3 miles and it just died. We were able to coast into a gas station and the van would not restart. I called Ford roadside assistance for a tow. Since it was now labor day, we could not find a dealer that was open so we could get a loaner car. We luckily reached Enterprise rent a car and the manager just happened to be there even though they were closed and she answered the phone. She brought us a Chevy Suburban to continue our trip. (great vehicle)! The next day, I called the dealer in Decatur where my van was towed to and they told me the computer and a relay had to be replaced and that it was fixed now (they also fixed the latest recall items). We headed back to Alabama on Friday to get the van. The dealer did not leave the key locked in the van as I suggested but I had my spare key. Well, the key would not start the van because of the chip (since the computer was replaced). The dealer made no mention of this. We spent the night in Alabama and I picked up the van on Saturday a.m. While driving back to Illinois, the van hiccuped and the check engine light came on while driving down the interstate. After coasting for a couple seconds, it kicked in and kept going. We made it to Illinois (about 50 miles from home) and the van went totally dead. It would not restart. I called for roadside assistance and had major problems with them (another story). Anyway, after 2 and 1/2 hours stranded, the tow truck showed up and I was towed to the nearest dealer where my van now sits. Also, the dealer in Alabama that fixed my van the first time told me they fixed the same problem on another van at the same time. Interesting....... I will post a follow up when I find out what is wrong this time. Any advice I can get will be helpful. I am trying to ghet Ford to buy back the van or overcompensate me for all of the trouble and danger my family and I were in.

#664 of 2608 response to jsiedhoff by matycat

Sep 11, 2001 (9:38 am)

you should read my post #597 for advice. ANYONE WHO WANTS TO GET FORD'S EXECUTIVE PHONE NUMBERS AND GET A REACTION, READ MY POST. #597 !!!!

#665 of 2608 windshield wipers by rozeltf1

Sep 17, 2001 (11:52 am)

Has anyone had any problem with their wipers? I replaced the ones on my 2000 WS and it is still horrible.

Messages Page 67 of 262

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