NHTSA Complaint #10159193 — 1996 FORD WINDSTAR

WE OWN A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. IN DECEMBER OF 2005 THE VAN WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE OFF. WHILE MY WIFE AND I WORKED IN THE FRONT YARD, THE VAN SPONTANEOUSLY STARTED. I GOT IN, PUT IT IN GEAR AND IT DIED. IT RAN FINE FOR A TIME AFTER THAT. WE SPOKE TO OUR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. WE BASICALLY FORGOT ABOUT IT UNTIL MAY 30, 2006. THIS TIME IT HAPPENED IN THE GARAGE WITH ALL OF THE DOORS SHUT. MY DAUGHTER CAME IN THE HOUSE ASKING WHY THE VAN WAS RUNNING. WE DID THE SAME THING TO AGAIN MAKE IT STOP. THE GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH EXHAUST AND A BLACK EXHAUST STAIN ON THE FLOOR. THIS TIME WE BROUGHT IT TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER. HE DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH. CHARGE FOR THE REPAIR FOR PARTS AND LABOR WAS $175. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HELP BECAUSE THERE HAD NOT BEEN A RECALL OF THE ITEM AND IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP CITING THE SAME EXCUSE AS THE DEALER. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. HAD WE NOT CAUGHT IT IN TIME WE COULD HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING OR EVEN DEATH OF OUR PETS IN THE GARAGE OR FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE. WE'VE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD THROUGH THE YEARS. WE HAVE HAD GASKET PROBLEMS WITH OUR VAN, YET THE RECALL FOR THAT ITEM EXTENDS ONLY THROUGH 1995 AND THEY HAVE NOT STOOD BEHIND THE 96'S. *NM