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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 89 of 262

#877 of 2608 RE:2001 Windstar Lemon by jsiedhoff

Apr 04, 2002 (11:10 am)

Dkatz and Bearsfan, I had similar problems with a 2000 Windstar. I have multiple postings earlier in this message board with my continuing saga of problems. Ford has since put me in a 2002 Windstar but I am experiencing some issues with it as well IE: squeaky/rattling sliding doors, etc but so far nothing mechanical. The 2000 I had was about one year old when my family and I took a trip from Illinois to Florida and on both the way there and back four days later, it died in the middle of the interstate. It was towed to a dealer both times. After about three months, they said the problem was a bad crimp on a wire in the fuse box. (Search for my earlier postings for more details)

#878 of 2608 Rental Car by bobaran

Apr 04, 2002 (2:17 pm)

Several months ago we rented a 2002 Windstar. Since we were in the market for a minivan this was also a chance to test it out. Things ran smoothly for that week but there were imperfections that a car with 700 miles shouldn't have. Everytime we hit any bump the door ajar chime would be set off, and a squeak in the back. A couple of our friends have older models and haven't had any serious problems, but reading this board and our test drive bugs convinced us not to even consider the Windstar. We are now happily driving a new MPV.

#879 of 2608 Re: 2001 Windstar Lemon by bearsfan1

Apr 04, 2002 (6:37 pm)

dkatz-Please let me know what the outcome is of the field engineer evaluation!! I just had my arbitration hearing with the Ford dispute settlement board this week and it doesn't look good. The dealership submitted paperwork to the case file that didn't include half of the problems we had experienced and included a statement that they felt there was no problem with the vehicle. It was pretty hard not to get emotional at the hearing after reading that !?#&. Good luck!!

#880 of 2608 bearsfan by davids1

Apr 05, 2002 (5:28 am)

Where are your copies of the repair invoices? These also need to be submitted for review. If the dealership doesn't show invoices that you have, it is clear he is being deceptive. If you don't like the outcome, there is always the option for a lemon law lawsuit. Lemon laws vary from state to state, so you will have to discuss with an attorney. In my state, arbitration is an option and not a requirement. You can sue the manufacturer without first going through arbitration. Do this thing on your terms, not theirs.

#881 of 2608 Help! Deciding whether to keep 2000 Windstar by morknme

Apr 08, 2002 (6:47 pm)

We haven't had any problems with it aside from the standard squeaky doors and some crackling noises in the steering, but it's about to go out of warranty. Do we keep it and buy an extended warranty or trade it for an MPV now at a loss?
 
Did Ford change anything between 97 and 2000? When we bought the van they said they had fixed the engine and transmission and they were different. From reading these forums it looks like maybe that's not true? What was only happening in 95's 2 years ago seems to have started in 96-98's now. Is it really just because the 2000's haven't gotten that high in mileage yet? Was it a sign that we got our 5th recall notice in the mail today? What do you think?

#882 of 2608 Morknme--long by 5greyhounds

Apr 09, 2002 (4:27 am)

If it has been reliable I would keep it and buy the warranty. You lose money by selling it and then go deeper into debt.
I am on my second Windstar. I had a 95 GL with 135K on it and would still have it if a man in a truck had not run a red light and totaled me. I did have the gasket go on me but the tranny was still is good shape. I presently have a 99 SE and had a squeaky right rear door (A little lube on the hinges and silicon on the rubber and that took care of that) and that is it. My service manager told me the 99 was better than the previous year since the transmission was changed and so far I have no reason to doubt him. I always get the extended warranty. We keep our vehicles for about 7 to 10 years and in that time something major will break. Face it, just a power window motor will be $400 to $500 to fix. If the CPU goes it is about 2k to replace.
As to recalls I do not know what it was for but with today complex machines they are a fact of life. Look at the 1.9 million recall from GM. How can you tell there will be a heat build up due to electrical current that would lead to that kind of problem and it may impact only one or two percent of the cars. Even the big guys (BMW, MB, etc) have them. It is of course your call but from a financial point of view you would lose a ton on selling it an then getting a MPV. (However, the 2002 MPV with the 200HP engine is very sweet, but small) So much for my two cents--or close to a dime I guess. One more note. It was really funny on my 95. Just after it went out of the extended warranty I only had one problem in 50K ( ground wire corroded through and it would not start). Go figure.

#883 of 2608 RE: 2000 and 2001 lemons by dkatz

Apr 09, 2002 (10:20 am)

Bearsfan and others - Field engineer looked at my 2000 Windstar and decided the brake light switch was sticking intermittently. They changed the switch, but the next morning, the battery was dead again and the van wouldn't start. I towed it back to the dealer, who has had it for three working days now. I went there yesterday to get a loaner and they now have decided the accessory module comes on intermittently when the car is off. They are expecting a replacement module in today, and we'll have to wait and see if that fixes it. If this is not it, I'm not sure what I'll do. This is the 11th time its been to a dealer for intermittent starting issues.

#884 of 2608 chevy venture by 5greyhounds

Apr 10, 2002 (4:29 am)

I was just browsing around and thought I would read the Chevy Venture board and see what their problems were. I have a 99 SE that I bought after my 95 GL was totaled and from reading the chevy board I am really happy I did not get a GM product (I gave it a thought for about 2 seconds). They have a lot more problems than the Windstar.

#885 of 2608 Happy with '98 Windstar by birkiebob

Apr 11, 2002 (8:25 am)

Here's a positive note. I have a bit over 56,000 miles and will be taking it in for the 60,000 mile check shortly(before heading out from the Midwest to Yellowstone in July). I have not had any problems with head gaskets or the tranny, just find it difficult to remove front wheels to rotate(lug nuts seem to corrode too tight) occasionally. But other than a bad radio ground(resulting in buzzing) that was fixed under warranty about 25,000 miles ago, the van has been pretty trouble free. I do my own "easy-routine" maintenance(oil change, air filter, serpentine belt, rotate tires(are originals), etc.), but will have Ford garage do the spark plug, tranny oil(third time), coolant, and fuel filter changes. I figure it will run about $300, but that's pretty small compared to what I've read here. I will continue to do what I can for preventative maintenance (regular oil changes, tranny fluid every 20,000 or so, rotate tires, check brakes, etc.) and hope to get another 56,000 miles out of the vehicle. I NEVER get the extended warranties on my vehicles, and consider myself way ahead now so as to be able to afford any bigger repair that may come along-but I've never had to yet. Happy motoring!

#886 of 2608 birkiebob by 5greyhounds

Apr 11, 2002 (6:57 pm)

I guess you and I are in the minority. I had a 95 GL that did have the gasket problem but overall for 135,000 it was a reliable vehicle and I had no trouble with the transmission. It was totaled by a red light runner. I now have 99 SE and am happy with it. I pull the routine maintance per the book and so far I am happy with my used 99. Like you I do the easy stuff. I use Mobil 1 and change the oil and filter every 5k. Routine maintance is the key. You should be able to get more than the 112 you mentioned above.

Messages Page 89 of 262

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