NHTSA Complaint #10050706 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

WE HAVE OWNED THIS 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2002. I HAVE LOST COUNT OF HOW MANY TIMES WE HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF THE POOR GAS MILEAGE. IT WAS GETTING 13 MPG AND THE DEALER SAID THAT WAS NORMAL. BUT OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS WE HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER 8 TIMES BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE UPPER/LOWER INTAKE GASKETS, FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, FUEL LINE, MASS OXYGEN FLOW SENSOR, BOTH O2 SENSORS, VALVE COVER GASKETS, AND A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS TOO. THE GAS MILEAGE ACTUALLY GOT WORSE AFTER SEVERAL OF THE REPAIRS. WE ARE AVERAGING BETWEEN 9 - 10 MPG. IN ADDITION TO THE ENGINE PROBLEMS, OUR DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK RIGHT AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DON'T WORK AT ALL AUTOMATICALLY...WE HAVE TO TURN THEM ON AND OFF. THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE SLIDING DOORS HAVE TO WORKED BY HAND. I AM SO SICK AND TIRED OF THIS CAR. WE HAVE HAD TO CANCEL TWO ROAD TRIPS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS, BECAUSE I DON'T TRUST THE CAR OUT OF TOWN. IT ALREADY LEFT ME STRANDED OVERNIGHT BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION BLEW UP TWO MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT IT.*AK