NHTSA Complaint #10163845 — 2003 FORD WINDSTAR

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003. I HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS VAN SINCE PURCHASING IT, IT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY. IT STARTED OUT WITH THE DOOR LOCKS AND THE BACK HATCH DOOR NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY....THERE WERE ALSO SOME COSMETIC ITEMS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MOST ANNOYING PROBLEM OCCURRED IN AUGUST OF 2005 AND HAS CONTINUED SPORADICALLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR. THE VAN STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD!!! YOU LOSE THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENS..IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP PROBABLY FOUR TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES THEY WOULD RETURN THE VAN WITH THE EXPLANATION "NO PROBLEM FOUND". I HAVE HAD PEOPLE RIDING WITH ME THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAND. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING IT WAS ONLY WHEN IT RAINED..AND IT WAS VERY SPORADIC...THEN IT STARTED HAPPENING EVEN IN DRY WEATHER. I JUST GOT IT BACK AFTER HAVING LEFT IT AT THE DEALER FOR ALMOST A MONTH!!! THE REPAIR ORDER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE REPLACED... THAT WAS JULY 25TH 2006. DURING ANOTHER VISIT THEY REPLACED A CAM SHAFT POSITION/CYLINDER??? SO NOW THEY TELL ME THAT BECAUSE THEY REPLACED ANOTHER PART, THAT THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS VAN IS A LEMON!!!! AND FORD NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE ISSUES....AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE CONSUMER. I.E. REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THESE VEHICLES!!! *JB