1996 FORD WINDSTAR Complaints

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LINE AS STATED IN RECALL 02 V 101 000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO VIBRATE.*AK ALSO THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED WHEN COMING TO A SLOW STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO SUPPES FORD OF JOHNSTOWN PA WHO REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT EXCITER RING. (EXCELLENT SHORT FORM) *SCC

OWNER DROVE ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM HOME, STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL, AND IT DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR. VAN LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY DUE TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURING. TEN MINUTES LATER, VAN WAS ON FIRE DUE TO BRAKE FLUID MAKING CONTACT WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL 02V101000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

ENGINE BLEW A ROD WHILE CRANKING VEHICLE ON. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED.*AK MANUFACTURER NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THIS PARTICULAR VAN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *TT

WIRING HARNESS DIAGNOSED AS CAUSING FIRE UNDER DASH. SIX REPLACEMENT HARNESS'S HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, NONE FIT. BEEN WITHOUT MY VAN NOW FOR TWO MONTHS WAITING FOR THE CORRECT PART. HAVE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (OFF AND ON) SINCE BUYING THE VAN.*AK

AT SPEEDS OF 35MPH OR HIGHER THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WAVERS SEVERELY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT SPEED. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA MORE THAN 100 TIMES. I REPORTED THIS TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. AT 49000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER I HAVE DRIVEN NUMEROUS FORD VEHICLES WELL OVER 100000 MILES AND NONE OF THEM HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A MANUFACTURERS FLAW AND BE REPLACED BY THEM. THIS IS DEFINATLEY A SAFETY ISSUE! IF A VEHICLE OPERATOR CANNOT DETERMINE HOW FAST THEY ARE GOING THIS CVOULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS INJURY. THIS IS EVEN MORE EVIDENT DURING REDUCED VISIBLITY AND/OR AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE SPEEDS. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IF POSSIBLE.*AK

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE IS JUMPING ALL OVER THE PLACE. AFTER TALKING WITH TWO DEALERS, A SPEEDOMETER REPAIR SPECIALIST WITH 30 + YEARS EXPERIENCE, AND REVIEWING THE 135 + OTHER DRIVER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM, I CAN ONLY COME TO THESE CONCLUSIONS: THIS IS A FAULTY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT; FORD IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT; AND THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY A CANDIDATE FOR A RECALL. WHAT ELSE DOES IT TAKE TO COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION?*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RIM OF THE TIRE IS CUTTING INSIDE BEAD OF THE TIRE CAUSING A BLOW OUT. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB

BLOWN HEAD GASKETS ON A 3.8L ENGINE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD ENGINES THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED IN COMPLETE RECALLS, ETC. THIS VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED, NEVER OVERHEATED, ETC AND THE GASKETS JUST FAILED WITH NO WARNING. ESTIMATED COSTS TO FIX ARE $1500 MINIMUM IF HEADS OR BLOCK ARE NOT CRACKED. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX ALL 3.8L ENGINES.*AK

1. AUTO TRANSMISSION FRONT SEAL PREMATURE FAILURE CAUSING LEAKS. 2. 5.5 X 15 STEEL RIM CRACKED DUE TO MATERIAL DEFECTS, CAUSING DANGEROUS STEELING RESPONSES. BOTH DEFECTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO FORD SAN FRANCISOC REGION, BUT FORD DENY RESPONSIBILITY.