1998 FORD WINDSTAR Complaints

FUSE CONTROLLING ONBOARD COMPUTER AND INGNITION SYSTEM FAILS RANDOMLY WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE STALLS AS A RESULT AND ALL POWER TO BRAKES AND STEERING IS LOST AS WELL. THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES SINCE THE MIDDLE OF MAY 2002. TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS, INCLUDING A FORD DEALER (KERRY FORD, 165 KEMPER ROAD, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45246 (513)671-9900). NONE CAN REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. KERRY FORD SAID ALL THEY CAN DO IS START REPLACING PARTS (AT THE COST OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS) BASED ON THEIR BEST GUESS AND HOPE IT FIXES THE PROBLEM. I'VE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. PLEAS THAT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS INVOLVED FALL ON DEAF EARS. FRANKLY, WE DO NOT HAVE SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO PUT INTO THIS CAR HOPING THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. MOREOVER, I CAN'T SELL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT DISCLOSING THIS PROBLEM AND PUTTING SOMEONE ELSE'S FAMILY IN DANGER. WE ARE LEFT WITH A CAR THAT IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND WORTH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THE MANUFACTURER IS UNRESPONSIVE. WE HAVE NOWHERE TO TURN. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.*AK

ENGINE STALLED; REPORTED TO SHEEHY FORD; REPLACED SENSOR; WITHIN A WEEK VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND OFTEN. REPORTED TO DEALER; COULD NOT DUPLICATE STALL CONDITION. STALLING OCCURRED UP TO 13 TIMES A DAY; RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER. AFTER TWO DAYS DEALER FOUND THAT PLASTIC GAS TANK HAD COLLAPSED, CAUSING A VAPOR LOCK, AFFECTING FUEL FLOW TO ENGINE AND RESULTING IN STALLS. GAS TANK REPLACED AT COST OF $882.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON, THE DEALER TRACED PROBLEM TO A LOOSE HOSE ON THE FUEL TANK, WHICH REQUIRED TIGHTENING A SCREW, THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED.*JB

THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING AS STATED IN RECALL # 97 V165 000. BUT, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

FUEL CLAPSED WHILE ON VACATION BLOWING FUSES AND RUINING FUEL PUMP HAD TO HAVE BOTH REPLACED. FORD CLAIMES HAS HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS. *AK

CONSUMER HAS SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 97V165 000. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL START TO LOSE STEERING, AND CONSUMER CAN NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

RECALL 01F090000 WAS DONE IN APRIL 2002. SHIELDS WERE INSTALLED WITHIN 1/8 INCH OF TIRE, NEW TIRES WILL RUB ON THE SHIELDS.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GAS FILLER HOSES ARE EXPOSED TO FLYING STONES FROM THE WHEELS AFTER 98 FORDS ADDED A SHIELD TO COVER THEIR HOSE. *YH

FATIGUE FAILURE OF WIRE SPRINGS WHICH STIFFEN STALK, AND LIE NEXT TO WEBBING. SHARP ENDS OF BROKEN SPRINGS ABRADED AND WEAKENED WEBBING- CONCERN FOR BELT FAILURE UNDER CRASH LOADS. SAME FATIGUE FAILURE SEEN ON LEFT AND RIGHT SEATS.*AK

AFTER RECALL 01V199000 FOR FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION WAS COMPLETED PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK