NHTSA Complaint #768466 — 1998 FORD WINDSTAR

ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2002 MY FORD WINDSTAR BEGAN SMOKING. THE SMOKING WAS CAUSED BY THE LEAKING OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID ON TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OF THE VAN. AFTER BEING INFORMED BY MY WIFE THAT THE VAN WAS SMOKING I DETERMINED THAT THE SMOKE WAS CAUSED BY THE POWER STREERING FLUID FALLING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OF THE VAN. AFTER DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE I TURNED OFF THE VAN SO THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE A FIRE. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT POWER STEERING FITTING HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THE HOSE HAD BEGUN LEAKING. IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THE HOSE CONNECTED TO THE FITTING WAS ALSO LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HE STATED THAT OTHER FORD VEHICLES HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I GAVE APPROVAL TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH COSTED $551.74. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT SINCE I DID NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE THAT FORD WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE REPAIR COST. MR