1998 Ford Windstar Other / unspecified Problems

10/16/15 BOUGHT VAN. 10/30/15 STOP HAD TOWED HOME.CALL DEALERSHIP HAD TOWED TO THERE PLACE. THEY RAN A RED WIRE FROM FUSE RELAY TO INSIDE OF DASHBOARD TOOK OVER A WEEK GOT IT BACK. NOT IN EVEN WEEK LATER TRANSMISSION START MESSING UP TOLD THEM WOULDN'T CHANGE GEARS. IT WENT OUT. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO FIX IT FILE COMPLAINT WITH (DMV) INVESTIGATOR GOT IN TOUCH WITH THEM AGREEMENT WAS THEY WILL HAVE IT FIX WE DONT PAY LABOR, WE JUST PAY FOR TRANS AND FLUIDS. HAD IT TOWED THEY BEEN HAD VAN YEAR. 10/2016 THEY FOUND TRANS COST 515.PAID THEM. THEN IN 11/2016 SAID RADIATOR WAS CRACKED WE HAD TO PAY 102.84 ANOTHER MONTH 12/26/2016 GOT VAN. ITS MESSED UP SMOKING BRAKES BURNT UP.THE SPEEDOMETER LINES UNDER VAN NOT CONNECT JUST HANGING DONT MATCH UP ONE BROKE AT THE END. THE ODOMETER NOT HOOK UP. TOLD THEM THEN CARRIED TO INSPECTION FAILED. MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT THEY LIED THE TRANS COST 250 THE GUY THAT WAS WORKING ON IT BUSTED RADIATOR BUSTED IT THEY DIDNT TELL US. THEY RESPONSIBLE .THE MILES HAVE BEEN ROLLED BACK.2 TIMES. 10/15/2015 SAYS 144448.NOW 01/02/17 SAYS 144208. THEY BEEN HAD A YEAR AND THE ODOMETER DISCLOUSUER STATEMENT WAS SIGNED BY THE LADY NOT ME ARE MY WIFE.SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T BUT DID. WANT GIVE US MONEY BACK AND THEY PUT ALL THE INVOICES IN HIS NAME AND DEALERSHIP NAME LIKE WE DIDN'T PAY FOR ANYTHING AND SHE STILL WANT GIVE ME A INVOICE FOR THE 515 FOR TRANS. THE MAN GOING TO TELL ME PUT IT UP FOR SALE CANT THEY MESSED IT UP AND TOOK ALL OUR MONEY WE ONLY GET PAID ONCE A MONTH. WANT OUR MONEY BACK.

NHTSA ID

10954533

Incident

Oct 30, 2015

Mileage

144,448 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND VIBRATIONS COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TURNED INWARDS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ID

10781592

Incident

Oct 7, 2015

Mileage

200,000 mi

WAS TAKING KIDS TO SCHOOL REAR END STARTED TO WIGGLE OVER BUMP & LEFT REAR TIRE WENT INTO BODY. FOUND WHERE FORD DID RE-CALL SNAPPED UNDER THEIR CLAMPS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10712730

Incident

Apr 16, 2015

Mileage

178,734 mi

MY WIFE WAS TAKING MY YOUNGEST TWO CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN OUR VEHICLE WHEN SMOKE STARTED POURING IN THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE AND AT THE SAME TIME SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING SLIDING OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ONCE MY WIFE MADE SURE EVERYONE WAS OUT OF THE SMOKE FILLED VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTIFIED ME AND WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A MECHANICS SHOP WHERE WE FOUND OUT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SPRING HAD BUSTED CAUSING THE TIRE TO BE SHREDDED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED BUYING TWO NEW TIRES FOR THE FRONT OF VEHICLE, HE ALSO ADVISED BUYING TWO NEW SPRINGS AND REPLACING BOTH OF THEM ON THE FRONT. THE VAN WAS FIXED AND WE PAID FOR THE BILL AND TIRE COST OUT OF OUR OWN POCKET. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE INFORMED ME TODAY THAT THEY WILL NOT COMPENSATE FOR ANY OF THESE COSTS EVEN WHEN A RECALL LETTER 01S19/01M03 STATES "WE WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELDS AROUND THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF YOUR VEHICLE. THESE SHIELDS WILL PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF TIRE PUNCTURE SHOULD THE SPRING FRACTURE. ---- MOTOR COMPANY WILL ALSO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS DIRECTLY RELATING TO THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF YOUR VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE ( PARTS AND LABOR) SO TO ME THIS IS A FAILURE OF THE RESPECTED COMPANY FROM FULL FILLING WHAT I SEE IN MY EYES AS A OBLIGATION TO THE CONSUMER. I ALSO FEEL THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS..NOT INSTALL SHIELDS WHICH I AM SURE WAS A MUCH CHEAPER ROUTE.I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS THAT CONCERN THIS MATTER. THANKS! *TR

NHTSA ID

10548468

Incident

Feb 8, 2013

Mileage

205,760 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY MINI VAN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL (THE COMPLETE WHEEL) FELL OFF! UPON SAFELY PARKING THE VAN, I CAME TO REALIZE THE ENTIRE REAR AXEL HAD SHEARED IN HALF! BY A STROKE OF LUCK I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS AND ALSO FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. I AM HAVING IT REPLACED/FIXED AT DEALERS COST. SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED OFF A USED DEALERS LOT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTION...THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF MANDATORY LAW THAT ALL DEALERS, NEW AND USED, SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THIS WEBSITE AND BE LEGALLY FORCED TO CHECK EACH AND EVERY VEHICLE PRIOR TO BEING SOLD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10532370

Incident

Jul 26, 2013

Mileage

166,000 mi

"ABS" AND "TRAC OFF" LIGHTS COME ON CONSISTENTLY DURING WARM-WEATHER MONTHS AT SPEEDS OVER 60MPH. THIS MEANS ABS BREAKING IS DISABLED UNTIL CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. FORD DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. ISSUE COMMON PER THE BELOW LINK (SEE PROBLEM #2 SECTION). HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/. *TR

NHTSA ID

10436763

Incident

Aug 1, 2011

Mileage

115,000 mi

FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE ABS LIGHT AND THE TRACKING LIGHT HAVE AUTOMATICALLY LIT UP, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO BRAKE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10336208

Incident

Jan 1, 2007

Mileage

80,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY TIRE CAME OFF OF MY CAR. ALL OF THE LUGS TO MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BROKE. I CALLED A MECHANICAL SHOP THAT OWNS THEIR OWN WRECKER. THEY REPAIRED THE WHEEL, WHICH INCLUDED ROTOR, LUG WORK. MY VEHICLE WAS ALSO DAMAGED IN THE BODY. THE FENDER , THE DOOR,THE PARTS ALL AROUND THE AREA WHERE THE TIRE FLUNG OFF. I HAVE DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE EXISTS A RECALL ON VEHICLES THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AS MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10276050

Incident

Jun 24, 2009

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10231905

Incident

Jun 19, 2008

Mileage

120,000 mi

1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. FRONT PASSENGER LUG BOLTS. ALL FIVE LUG BOLT FAILED WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE MILEAGE 33300. NO NOTICE BEFORE FAILURE. NO SHAKING OR VIBRATIONS. 60 MPH AT TIME OF INCIDENT. ALL PARTS SAVED. REPLACED 5 LUG BOLTS, 5 LUG NUTS, ROTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10188301

Incident

Apr 18, 2007

Mileage

33,300 mi

1998 WINDSTAR LUG NUTS SHEARED OFF. *TS THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE LUG NUT SHEARING OFF. THE VEHICLE LANDED ON IT'S WHEEL. *NM

NHTSA ID

10163701

Incident

May 5, 2006

ON 4/16/06 I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND FELT SOMETHING STRANGE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE TIRE WAS FLAT AND FOUND NOTHING NOTICEABLE. I CONTINUED ON MY WAY DROVE ABOUT ONE MORE MILE WHEN ALL FIVE LUGS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF. THE TIRE DAMAGED THE FENDER AND DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED AND REPLACED THE LUGS. HE COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON FOR THE LUGS TO BREAK. 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. *NM

NHTSA ID

10155623

Incident

Apr 16, 2006

Mileage

91,600 mi

1998 FORD WINDSTAR. 2 DRIVER SIDE WHEEL LUG BOLTS BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. BOTH STUDS SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACED BOTH STUDS FROM FORD PARTS AND 3 WEEKS LATER 1 OF THE NEW REPLACEMENT LUG BOLTS BROKE OFF. *NM

NHTSA ID

10150869

Incident

Jan 10, 2006

Mileage

149,000 mi

THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DEPARTED (I.E. FELL OFF) THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH ON A PAVED ROAD. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON A SOFT SHOULDER AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL FIVE STUDS HOLDING THE WHEEL ON WERE SHEERED OFF. THE WHEEL ITSELF WAS NOT DAMAGED, HOWEVER MAJOR BODY DAMAGE WAS MADE TO THE WHEEL WELL AND FRONT DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED (EXCEPT FOR THE BODY DAMAGE) AT THE COST OF $1300, REPLACING THE ROTOR, BRAKE, SPINDLE AND STRUT. *NM

NHTSA ID

10145741

Incident

Nov 10, 2005

Mileage

116,000 mi

1998 FORD WINDSTAR. PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE SLOWING TO ALMOST 1 KM/H (LUCKILY). ALL 5 STUDS SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACED ALL STUDS FROM FORD PARTS AND 3 WEEKS LATER 2 STUDS SHOWING. VERY SCARY, STILL WORKING ON PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID

10143865

Incident

Oct 20, 2005

Mileage

95,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WIND STAR. IN 8-03 HIS WIFE WAS MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND ASCENDING TURN AT 15-20 MPH AND THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SHEARED OFF. ALL FIVE LUGS:BOLTS BROKE OFF. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 9-13-05 AFTER IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY FORD. SHE WAS MAKING A SLOW ASCENDING TURN WHEN ALL OF THE FIVE LUGS:BOLTS BROKE OFF AGAIN.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID

10136556

Incident

Aug 27, 2003

Mileage

104,000 mi

WE WERE ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME ON OUR RETURN TRIP FROM OHIO TO IOWA WHEN, WHILE ACCELERATING OUT OF A REST AREA, STEERING COLUMN BEGAN SHAKING VIGOROUSLY. WE BEGAN TO SLOW FROM 60-65MPH AND MERGED INTO THE RIGHT LANE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING AROUND 50MPH THE RIGHT FRONT END DROPPED AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BOUNCED OFF INTO A FIELD. WE RETAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER WITHOUT INJURY. UPON EXAMINATION, THE TIRE STUDS HAD ALL BROKEN CLEAN OFF. ALL EXCEPT TWO WERE LOST. THE TWO HAD A LOCKING MECHANISM. THE DAMAGE DUE TO THE COLLISION WITH THE ROAD AFTER THE WHEEL FELL OFF WAS COVERED BY OUR INSURANCE, THOUGH TECHNICALLY THE INITAIL MECHANICAL FAILURE DID WAS NOT, THOUGH SINCE THE STUDS WERE PART OF THE ROTOR WHICH WAS DAMAGED THEY WERE REPLACED WITH THE ROTOR. THE PARTS DAMAGED AND REPLACED INCLUDE THE ROTOR, FRONT BRAKES, CONTROL/STABILIZING ARM, RIGHT FENDER AND PASSENGER DOOR.

NHTSA ID

10128739

Incident

Jul 8, 2005

MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING INSIDE. I TOOK IT TO A LES SWABB TIRE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE REASON FOR THE NOISE WAS A CRACKED RIM, ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG. THEY SAID THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN, VERY DANGEROUS. IT COSTED ME $45.00 TO REPLACE THE RIM. THEY SUGGESTED TO LOOK INTO OTHER REPORTS. ON YOUR WEB SITE I FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 RIMS. THEY SAID IF THIS CRACKED ALL AROUND MY TIRE WOULD OF FELL OFF. SCARY THOUGHT FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAYS,ETC. I CALLED FORD TO REPORT THIS AND REQUESTED THEM TO REPLACE ALL 4 RIMS. THEY REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONCIBILITY FOR THIS. TRIED TO BLAME IT ON MY TIRES AND MY DRIVING. TIRES ARE ALL NEW AND DRIVING SHOULDN'T CRACK THE RIM LIKE IT DID. I THINK IT IS SAD THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED NOR CARE THIS COULD CAUSE A FATAL CRASH. I AM GOING TO CALL KING 5 NEWS. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY VAN NOW. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, DANGEROUS. PLEASE MAKE FORD TAKE RESPONCIBILITY FOR THIS, BEFORE A FATAL CRASH IF HAS NOT HAPPENED ALREADY.

NHTSA ID

10126501

Incident

Jun 23, 2005

Mileage

70,000 mi

FOUR OF FIVE LUGS:NUTS DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE WHEEL TO VIBRATE AND ALMOST DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECKUP AND REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10103637

Incident

Dec 6, 2004

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SEPERATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO ALL FIVE STUDS SNAPPING OFF.*MR

NHTSA ID

10066647

Mileage

87,000 mi

A VIBRATION BEGAN SUDDENLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. AFTER GETTING RAPIDLY WORSE, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF OF MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR AT 45 MPH WHEN THE LUG BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE GROUND. I RETRIEVED THE WHEEL AND FOUND ALL FIVE LUGS, WITH THEIR LUG NUTS STILL ATTACHED, CAPTURED BETWEEN THE HUBCAP AND THE WHEEL. THE POLICE OFFICER WHO RESPONDED REPEATEDLY STATED THAT HE WAS AMAZED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL OVER AND THAT I WAS LUCKY THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10060296

Incident

Mar 1, 2004

Mileage

61,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED LUGS AND NUTS POPPED OFF. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

NHTSA ID

10061017

Incident

Feb 26, 2004

Mileage

104,648 mi

LUGS NUTS KEEP BREAKING OFF. HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 2 TO 3 THOUSAND MILES. USUALLY 2 TO 3 LUGNUTS BREAK OFF EACH TIME. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. WAS TOLD TO MENTION MENTION THAT THERE IS AN ONGING INVESTIGATION GOING ON WITH THIS. THE INVESTIGATION # IS 3983673 - ACTION # EA03004.*AK

NHTSA ID

10059982

Incident

Feb 27, 2004

Mileage

96,714 mi

CONSUMER RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALL/ CAMPAIGN NOTICE 03E003000 REGARDING DS-2000 PRIMARY DRIVING CONTROL SYSTEM. CONSUMER DID NOT AGREE WITH THE CAMPAIGNS THAT THE MANUFACTURER CALLED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THESE REPAIRS WERE VERY COSTLY, AND DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WITH DIRT AND FOREIGN MATERIALS ENTERING THE SYSTEM ,AND CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO OPERATE SLOWLY. THE CONTROLS ON THE SYSTEM HAD TO BE PRESSED FIRMLY UNTIL THE FUNCTION, E.G., SHIFTING WAS ACCOMPLISHED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10055493

WHILE TRAVELING ON OHIO TURNPIKE FRONT LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF VEHICLE, CROSSED THE MEDIAN, AND HIT A CAR TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.*AK

NHTSA ID

10055476

Incident

Aug 5, 2003