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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
#749 of 2608 2002 Windstar - The beginning by jsiedhoff
Dec 04, 2001 (7:30 am)
In my previous posts, I told an ongoing saga of my 2000 Windstar which I was able to get Ford to replace. After two months of fighting with Ford, I was put in a 2002 with an extended warranty at no extra charge. Well, both sliding doors are rattling EXTREMELY loud and I am not happy. This should not happen on a brand new vehicle with less than 1,000 miles on it. Our 2000 problems started with a rattling door also but it was only the right side. This two model year newer van is worse!! Has anyone else had problems of any kind with their 2002? Please let me know.
#750 of 2608 Throwing in the towel... by wholigan
Dec 06, 2001 (3:50 pm)
The time has come for Ford and I to part ways...Hello everyone. My name is Pat. And I am a 95 Windstar owner (soon, a NEVER AGAIN Ford owner).
I bought this vehicle from my sister-in-law and her husband in 1998 when it had 35000 miles on it. Since that time I have had the transmission replaced three times. I have had the motor replaced two times. Each time I kept thinking that this can't happen again. It did. I paid for additional services (like inner tie rods, outer tie rods, new brakes after a rust through failure at 65 MPH that nearly killed my wife and children, new blower motor, new tires, et. al.) thinking that after these major failures, the vehicle should last longer. It just does not want to - not for me anyway. NO ONE has serviced my vehicle other than Apple Valley (MN) Ford. I have been through three service managers and two Ford Customer Service Representatives. I tried the "be sweet like sugar; not bitter like vinegar" route. I tried the squeaky wheel route. I have begged, pleaded, negotiated, and squandered to have Ford replace the vehicle under the buy-back option implemented in March 2000 that ran for (about) six months. But my van didn't break down in this window (the 2nd engine blew in January 2001, therefore, I was not eligible). Nor would the Ford CSR make an exception.
And so, it begins again. Now the engine is knocking UNBELIEVABLY hard. Just over 10000 miles since you put the last motor in. I can't speculate on what is wrong. The last time I did a self diagnosis I was told that the oil in my coolant reservoir was not possible because the coolant from the engine tested out with no trace of oil.
This is the second Ford vehicle that I have owned in the last 10 years that you do not seem to be able to fix. Fool me once; shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I have fought the battles. You have worn me down. Not even talking to the executive offices helped. Bottom line, you are losing this customer. Too bad, too; judging by the recent performance of your company.
The local technical college is going to get a free 95 Windstar with 86000 miles on it. I'll take the tax write off; while it is still running anyway. I'll sleep at night knowing that I did not sell it to another "uneducated" mini-van buyer. My mother brought me up better than that.
Good-bye Ford.
#751 of 2608 '95 Speedometer problems by slbaron24
Dec 06, 2001 (4:52 pm)
PLEASE READ....Do you own a '95 Windstar nearing 135K miles?..My '95 W/S has 135K miles on it and the speedometer is going wacky. When I'm following traffic (going about 65MPH), the speedo says I'm going between 90-120MPH! The speedometer is also making a lot of noise. The only thing it could be is the speedo-head. The dealership is playing games with me because they said that they haven't heard of this problem. They told me it would be $80 just to tell me what is wrong with it. ((I didn't believe them because I had already changed out the speedometer. I went and got a speedometer out of the junkyard (because a new one goes for $500, yes $500!!!) This speedometer worked fine for about 5,000 miles, than it too, started doing the same thing the original speedometer was doing....)) Since I knew I was getting jerked around, I asked for Ford's main #. When I called Ford, the CSR I spoke with said that he had heard a lot of complaints of the same kind. He also told me that Ford wasn't paying for it, but to save my receipt, so just in case in the future, that, if there would be a recall, I would get my $ back. There is a TSB on a "wavy and sticking speedometer" already, but I for some reason they still want me to pay to fix it...This doesn't make any sense to me.....Anyway, IF YOU HAVE THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE CALL THIS PHONE # (800)392-3673. This is Ford's main #. The CSR told me if there are enough complaints that they would have to issue a recall!!! It is too much of a coinsidence that 2 speedometers have the exact same problem. This tells me that there must be a lot more out there. (Sorry so long!)#752 of 2608 Wacky speedometer problems on 96 Winstar by pandboy
Dec 08, 2001 (11:32 am)
My 96 Winstar only has 36000 miles. I bought new. It had a series of small problems occurred just out of warranty. Two rear view mirrors fell out at 40th month. Started about 1 year ago, "Check engine", "brake" and "ABS" went on and off randomly, I knew that were related to sensor or associated electrics and disregarded. 9 months ago, the speedometer started a wacky problem, whenever I drove over 40 MPH, the speedometer shows all over the map, ranging from 50-120 mph. At the same time, a loud humming noise came along. AS long as I drove below 40 mph, I am fine. The dearler wanted charge over $100 to "look into" the problem. I refused to pay the ripoff. I am wondering any other people has the same problem. I called the Ford CSR, there is no recall on this problem in the near future. This is the first big3 car I ever own. I had Camry and Cressida before, never had such headaches.#753 of 2608 2002 Windstart Doors by sel3
Dec 08, 2001 (11:50 pm)
I have a 2000 SEL and we drive on some very rough roads. I have done three things that have reduced 95% of the door rattling noises.1 - Ensure the door's front rubber bumpers are in place. I lost one and I thought the door was going to fall off the van.
2 - Ensure the door is properly aligned. My dealer never got is right, so I did it myself.
3 - Take some black felt with a sticky backing and fit is inside the two slots on each door (top and bottom) that receive the two plastic tabs on the door jam. It is best to use a large piece of felt and make several adjustments and cut away the excess.
I know you should not have to do this, but if you are as picky as I am, the dealer will mostly likely not fix the problem. It is a poor design.
#754 of 2608 RE; Throwing in the towel-Wholigan by nevadamom1
Dec 09, 2001 (9:27 pm)
I know how you feel Wholigan, we just got rid of our 95 Windstar. We were on vacation when it (again) developed problems, we barely made it into Boise. We were stranded 6 days with no car waiting for it to be repaired. The problem this time: a mass flow sensor went, 02 sensor went, which plugged the catalytic converters. Luckily the catalytic converters were covered by warranty (We had 78K on it). What took so long was the dealer had to send away for the part. The "deathstar" had just been in the shop a month earlier for a bad ABS sensor and a timing chain gasket cover leak.I decided while we were stranded in Boise that when we got home we were getting rid of it. After a blown head gasket, a bad gauge cluster,interior trim falling off, and what happened this summer, we were luckier than many other 95 windstar "victims" out there.
#755 of 2608 98 Ford Windstar by jmoore207
Dec 10, 2001 (9:46 am)
I bought a 98 Ford Windstar from a "reputable" dealer in Kennesaw, Ga. It has 52,000 miles on it. I made a trip to NC and back and realized what a mistake I made, it has been in the shhop for 2 weeks now, I haven't owned it a month yet. I got the extended powertrain which is a good thing since they had to replace the transmission. Also, wrong are the air idle control valve (stalling), they had to replace the the throttle body and my rear heat wasn't working, I am supposed to get it back today and not sure what they are going to stick me with (bill). I have had the van less than 30 days what recourse do I have? I know the transmission will be at least $100 (deductible), I am not sure what they will charge for the other stuff. my e-mail is jmoore207
hotmail.com if anyone has any info that may help me, please respond fast. I feel like driving it through the showroom floor!!!
#756 of 2608 98 Ford Windstar by jmoore207
Dec 10, 2001 (1:25 pm)
Foolow up to previous post. I just got the damage and the dealer ate almost all of it. I was charged $100 for the deductible. I am still getting rid of this p.o.s. soon. By the way if you are in the Atlanta area and want a new or used Lincoln/Mercury check out Pugmire in Kennesaw. I have to say they were great. Tney ate about $1200. The guy I dealt with was Tommy Sugg. I can't put down everything Ford makes but stay away from the Windstar!!!!!!#757 of 2608 95 Windstar Trans. Prob by bloemie
Dec 11, 2001 (5:56 am)
I own a 95 Windstar with 65,000 mi. I have had all the usual problems such as the speedometer, head gasket and finally the transmission. It seems the FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON went out in the tranny and the repair cost $ 1620.There was a TSB issued in 1994 (1 yr before I bought the car) that stated that the aluminum forward clutch pistons were failing and if they did they were to be replaced by a STEEL version. I will be in small claims court next week. My question is: Are there any of you windstar ownwers out there who have succesfully collected on this issue ? It is technically a breach of the warrenty of mechantabillity because they sold the car with a known latent defect.
#758 of 2608 Speedometer problem by penguin
Dec 11, 2001 (12:34 pm)
I had a very similiar problem in my 98 last Spring. It was the speed sensor. The Ford dealer knew what the problem was right away when I explained the symptoms.Advertisement
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