1999 FORD WINDSTAR Steering Problems

I HAVE 3 PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 60,000 MILES. ONE OF THEM IS THE GLASS IN FRONT WHEN I'M DRIVING IN THE RAIN I HAVE TO TURN ON THE WIPERS THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WIPER STAYS WET WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE CLEANS VERY WELL. THE OTHER PROBLEM I'VE ALWAYS HAD IS THE POWERSTEERING WHEN I'M DRIVING, I'M GOING TO TURN TO THE SIDE AND THE CAR TURNS OFF THE GUIDE GETS HARD AND I CAN'T STRAIGHTEN IT TO TURN IT ON AGAIN. THE LAST PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION, ONE DAY THE FAMILY WENT ALL TOGETHER IN THE CAR AND SHORTLY AFTER WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING WE PARKED IN THE GRASS WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE PART OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE REALIZED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LIQUEFIED OIL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED...

I HAVE 3 PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 60,000 MILES. ONE OF THEM IS THE GLASS IN FRONT WHEN I'M DRIVING IN THE RAIN I HAVE TO TURN ON THE WIPERS THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WIPER STAYS WET WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE CLEANS VERY WELL. THE OTHER PROBLEM I'VE ALWAYS HAD IS THE POWERSTEERING WHEN I'M DRIVING, I'M GOING TO TURN TO THE SIDE AND THE CAR TURNS OFF THE GUIDE GETS HARD AND I CAN'T STRAIGHTEN IT TO TURN IT ON AGAIN. THE LAST PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION, ONE DAY THE FAMILY WENT ALL TOGETHER IN THE CAR AND SHORTLY AFTER WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING WE PARKED IN THE GRASS WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE PART OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE REALIZED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LIQUEFIED OIL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED...

I HAD THE REAR AXLE REPLACED BY THE RECALL, AND WHICH I PAID $300 FOR THE WORK. THE AXLE NOW DOES NOT ALIGN PROPERLY AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SHIMS ARE REQUIRED. WITHOUT THEM THE REAR AXLE EATS MY TIRES. FORD HAS A POLICY TO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT NEW PARTS INSTALLED BY FORD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD FIX OR PAY FOR THIS WORK SO AS TO MAKE MY VAN SAFE, WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO REPAIR AN AXLE THAT WAS JUST REPLACED LESS THEN 10000 MILES AGO.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUNSET FORD (11700 GRAVOIS RD, SAINT LOUIS, MO 63127) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THREATS MADE BY THE CONTACT AND TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED FROM THE PREMISES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

THIS VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT 102,654 MILES, IN MARCH-APRIL OF 2011 BY KOONS FORD OF MARYLAND, (INVOICE#W70829, DATED MAY 5, 2011) IN RESPONSE TO FORD RECALL, RELATED TO "BROKEN FRONT SUBFRAME" AND "COLLAPSING REAR AXLE".--FRONT SUBFRAME WAS, AT THAT TIME, BROKEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, DUE TO RUSTING. REPLACEMENT WAS NOT DONE, INSTEAD IT WAS PATCHED VIA A BOLTED TOGETHER "CLAMSHELL" REINFORCING DEVICE. IT NOW HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT AFTER USING THE VEHICLE AFTER THIS INITIAL FRAME SEPARATION, THE METAL OF THE LEFT SIDE WAS UNDULY STRESSED, AND HAS NOW BROKEN AT ITS WELDMENT POINT, RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, THAT SWERVES TO THE LEFT, IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE IN MOTION ON THE STREET OR OTHER ROADWAY. WHEELS ARE NO LONGER KEPT IN ALIGNMENT, WITH LEFT FRONT WHEEL FREE TO MOVE TO THE FRONT OR REAR, IN RESPONSE TO APPLIED STRESS! THIS SUBFRAME FAILURE AFFECTED MANY SUCH VEHICLES, AND...

TOO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT.I HAD ABOUT THREE RECALL ON MY FORD WINDSTAR AND NOW MY WHOLE VAN SHUT DOWN ON ME.MY COMPUTER I GUESS GOT IT ON AUTO THEFT LOCK AND I CAN'T EVEN TURN OVER NOW.IT'S JUST SITTING IN MY PARKING LOT JUST HELPLESS.I HAVE ANOTHER RECALL BUT I CANT TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I CANT TURN OVER.OH YEA.IT KEPT CUTTING OFF WHILE IM DRIVING,DON'T LET ME STOP AT A LIGHT IT WILL CUT OFF ON ME THERE ALOT.IT DOES THAT ALOT.I BOUGHT IT FROM A CAR LOT BUT HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.SO I LOST OUT OF MY MONEY.WHEN I TURN IT ALSO CUT OFF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000...UPDATED 05/21/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS INCORRECTLY PERFORMED. HE SIGNED OVER THE TITLE. UPDATED 11/19/15 *JS

WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH, REALIZED THE VAN HAD A WEIRD ODD STEERING PROBLEM SWERVING TO LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT. I MADE IT HOME THEN LOOKED TOWARDS THE BACK REAR AXLE I SEEN A REAL LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. THE VAN BACK SIDE WAS SITTING REALLY LOW LIKE THE AXLE WAS ABOUT TO COMPLETELY CRACK. IM NOT RISKING DRIVING BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. I SEEN THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IT BUT FORD SAYS ITS NOT VALID. I FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE SIMILAR TO MINE. WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REPAIR A ISSUE THAT IS FORDS PROBLEM WITH SALT ON ROADS DURING THE WINTER CORRODES THE METAL OF THE REAR AXLE FOR IT TO CRACK WAS THE RECALL I FOUND. *TR

DRIVING ALONG WHEN RIGHT FRONT STARTED TO VEER RIGHT AND WOBBLE. THESE MODELS ARE NOT SAFE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS YET, WILL NOT HONOR A RECALL WHICH AFFECTS THESE MODELS. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A CORROSION SUB FRAME BREAK ON 1999 FORD WINDSTAR'S AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED( MECHANIC WILL TESTIFY) TO MINE, THEY KEEP MAKING EXCUSES AND WILL NOT HONOR THE EXPENSES FOR THEIR FAULTY DESIGN. MY VEHICLE IS A 99 FORD WINDSTAR IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, NEW TIRES BATTERY,ETC. IT IS NOW SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE OF A FRAME BROKEN THRU BY CORROSION. THE FRONT RIGHT ALMOST PUT ME INTO THE DITCH ON THE WAY HOME. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH WAS IS OR SHOULD BE COVERED BY RECALL. FORD PREVIOUSLY RECALLED THE SAME MODELS 99-2003 FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER (RAPIDS FORD, WIS RAPIDS), THEY SAID THE RECALL NO...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR SPORADICALLY AND AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY ABNORMALLY WHEN BEING DRIVEN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD OFTEN SEIZE WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE LUNGING FORWARD AND VIOLENTLY JERKING WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMEFRAME HAD EXPIRED FOR THE CONTACT TO HAVE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS PERFORMED THAT HAD NOT BEEN SCHEDULED WITHIN THE REQUIRED TIMEFRAME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 8/14/14*CN UPDATED 8/22/2014 *JS

THE 1999 FORD WINDSTARS FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SUB FRAME (CHASSIS) MAJOR CORROSION-RELATED FRACTURES. FAILURE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF STEERING. IN ITS REPORT TO THE N.H.T.S.A. FORD SAID IT DID NOT CONCLUDE THAT THE LOW RATE OF REPORTED INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE CONTROL ARM INDICATED A GREATER SAFETY PROBLEM, BUT THE RECALL WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN ANYWAY TO CONFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AND TO ADDRESS ANY POTENTIAL VEHICLE OWNER CONCERNS. *TR

THE ENGINE CARRIAGE IS RUSTED OUT, AND THE REAR AXLE IS CRACKED DUE TO RUST. THE MAIN ARM OF THE BALL JOINT IS COMPLETELY PULLED AWAY FROM THE FRAME BECAUSE OF THE RUST. I CONTACTED BAAB FORD IN REED CITY MICHIGAN, BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC I TOOK IT TO ORIGINALLY THAT THIS WAS A RECALLED PRODUCT. BAAB FORD TOLD ME YES IT IS A RECALL ISSUE, BUT NO THEY WONT FIX MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VIN DOESN'T COME UP AS ONE OF THE VEHICLES EFFECTED BY THE RECALL. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS THEY HAD ADVISED ME, FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME, MY VEHICLE ISN'T ON THE RECALL LIST, REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT IT HAS BOTH OF THE PROBLEMS THAT 1998 - 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WAS RECALLED FOR. THE VEHICLE SPEEDS UP WHENEVER IT HITS A BUMP AND ALSO PULLS TOWARDS THE CENTER LINE ESPECIALLY...

LIVED IN THE SALT BELT STATE OF IL. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, FRONT SUBFRAME FALLING OFF AND SOME COMPONENTS WERE TOUCHING THE GROUND DUE TO SEVERE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT. I LOST STEERING CONTROL AND GEAR CONTROL ON A MULTIPLE LANE ROAD. FORD HAS NEVER SENT ANY NOTICE TO ME REGARDING ANY RECALL. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE VIA NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10026 AND I WOULD LIKE FORD TO REPAIR THE RUSTED SUBFRAME AND ALL OTHER BROKEN COMPONENTS DIRECTLY CAUSED BY SUBFRAM FALLING OFF. FORD REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY CAR RENTAL BY SAYING ?THIS IS AN OLD RECALL AND WE DO NOT GIVE CAR RENTAL NOW?. *TR

SUBFRAME GAVE OUT, ENGINE DROPPED AND CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME.I HAD JUST EXITED A HIGHWAY GOING 55MPH. I WAS DRIVING THE TO CAR TO ATTEND A WORK RELATED EVENT EARLY EVENING. I DROVE PAST THE ENTRANCE AND PROCEEDED TO TURN AROUND ON THE ROAD. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION THE VAN LOST POWER. I STOPPED BEING ABLE TO STEER AND BRAKE. I TURNED HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A TURN LANE AND FORTUNATELY THERE WAS VERY LIMITED TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. THE CAR CAME TO A FULL STOP ON ITS OWN AND THERE WAS A LOUD SCRAPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. THE TOW DRIVER STATED THE " SUBFRAME HAD GIVEN AWAY AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. IT REQUIRED A FLAT BED TRUCK TO TOW. MY...

LIVED IN THE SALT BELT STATE OF PA. FRAME RUSTED OUT AND I LOST STEERING CONTROL AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT.THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE VIA NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10026 AND I WOULD LIKE FORD TO RECALL AND FIX THIS AT THIER COST. *TR

MY ABS LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND IS NOW ON CONSTANT,MY BRAKES WORK BUT NOT THE GREATEST. MY AIR BAG LIGHT WILL START TO FLASH AND THEN COME ON CONSTANT ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE LIGHT USUALLY STAYS OFF BUT WILL DO THIS AT RANDOM. I HAVE HAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE I HEAR A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHILE MAKING TURNS. WE HAVE REPLACED MOST OF THE FRONT END AND STILL HAVE THE ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT IDLING REAL FAST THEN DOWN TO NOTHING IT BUCKS AND SPUTTERS WHEN PLUGGED INTO A COMPUTER IT SAYS THE VEHICLE RUNS LEAN SO WE REPLACED THE O2 SENSORS AND THINGS AND IT DID NOT HELP. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT ALL MOST OF THE TIME HOWEVER I NEED TO GET TO AND FROM WORK AND THE SCARY PART...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,101.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURERS STEERING RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE DEALER OFFERED TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE BUT LATER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE REAR AXLE CRACKED. FOR OFFERED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. UPDATED 07/01/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 216,000.

I BOUGHT A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX IT HAD 130000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT IT WAS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I WOULD TURN SO I HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED BUT IT CONTINUED TO MAKE THE NOISE THEN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND STILL MAKING THE NOISE SO I AM NOW BEING TOLD ITS THE RACK AND PINION AND ALSO BEING TOLD BY A FEW DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ITS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE ITS ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU CANT TURN THE WHEEL AS IM INVESTIGATING FURTHER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THERE IS OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE NOW IM GOING TO TRY TO REPLACE IT BUT AM LOOKING AT PURCHASING A USED ONE AND AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND I MIGHT NOT...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABNORMALLY PULLING TO THE RIGHT IN WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME STUCK IN PARK. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE AND OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE SEVERAL UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES AND THE SHE WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE OF TWO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). NEITHER RECALL REPAIR HAD YET BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,445 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NOTICED VEHICLE UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING. DIVING LEFT OR RIGHT DURING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING. UPON INVESTIGATION FOUND COMPLETE RUST-THROUGH SEPARATION OF SUB-FRAME AT REAR BODY MOUNT ON PASSENGERS SIDE. RIGHT CONTROL ARM MOUNT ON SUB-FRAME IS ALSO BADLY RUSTED. ENTIRE SUBFRAME IS ABLE TO MOVE FRONT AND BACK ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE RESULTING IN ERRATIC VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHILE DRIVING. FORTUNATELY WE CAUGHT IT BEFORE SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENED, BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY DEFECT, AND COULD HAVE HAD DISASTROUS RESULTS.

1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX. ENGINE CRADLE FAILURE AT MOUNT POINT PASSENGER REAR. REFERENCE NHTSA # PE10026. I AM IN THE SAME SITUATION. THE PASSENGER REAR ENGINE CRADLE MOUNT HAS FAILED CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS AND LOSS OF CONTROL. THE PASSENGER TIE ROD AND CONTROL ARM ARE NOW BENT. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE, BUT I AM FORCED TO DRIVE IT. THE VEHICLE IS PULLING SEVERELY TO THE LEFT. THIS CONDITION IS WORSE ON ACCELERATION DUE TO THE BENT STEERING COMPONENTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING @ 50 MPH CAUSING DIFFICULTY STEERING. *TR

TOOK MY VAN INTO MIDAS FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC CALLED ME OUT AND SHOWED ME THE K FRAME IS ROTTED AND HANGING OFF THE VEHICLE ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THIS IS ALSO CAUSED ADDITIONAL FRONT END DAMAGE. MECHANIC TOLD US DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE FRONT OF OUR HOUSE SINCE. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR CRACKED AXLE IN CALIFORNIA. HAD FORD REPLACE THE AXLE----THIS WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL NOTICE 6 MONTHS AGO. AS IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY, WE ARE AMAZED THAT CALIFORNIA WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A COLD WEATHER STATE (POOR DESIGNATION, GIVEN THAT CARS MOVE). WE FREQUENTED LAKE TAHOE (CALIF), SIERRA NEVADAS (CALIF), AND NEVADA (HAVE TO CROSS THRU SNOW TO GET THERE) IN OUR FAMILY'S MINIVAN. OUR REPAIR IS ALREADY PAID FOR & VAN SOLD (THIS SCARED US) SO MY MEMO IS NOT FOR MY FAMILY, BUT FOR EVERYONE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. PLEASE RECONSIDER & ADD CA TO YOUR RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE POWER STEERING DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

FORD WINDSTAR XL 1999- FRONT END CLUNKING NOISES SERVICED 3-4 TIMES BEFORE IT WAS FIXED. REPEATED REPAIRS TO VARIOUS FRONT END COMPONENTS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE INCLUDING POWER STEERING PUMP, RACK & PINION, TIE RODS, U-JOINTS COSTING $2000 OR MORE. CONTINUE TO SUFFER FROM GROANING, NOISY, & STIFF STEERING. ALSO ONGOING ENGINE PINGING UPON ACCELERATION AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIRS. RANDOM POWER SLIDING DOOR FUNCTION. METALLIC RATTLING, JINGLING NOISES FROM UNDER CAR BOTH WHEN IDLING & DRIVING. *TR

THE FRONT SUB FRAME DROPPED DOWN DUE TO RUST AT THE REAR ATTACHING POINTS. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY & THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY OR RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES, IT COULD VERY WELL HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 30 MPH, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE, AND THE STEERING SHIFTED PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE, WHERE THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE STEERING AND FOUND THE STEERING WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ONTO A LIFT. THE SUBFRAME WAS FOUND TO BE RUSTED OUT AND HAD A FRACTURE. THE FRONT LEFT TIE ROD WAS BENT DUE TO THE FRAME FAILURE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE SUB FRAME SECTION SUPPORTING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AND THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

1999 WINDSTAR,. PAINT PEELING ON FRONT HOOD, REPLACED THE FOLLOWING: TRANSMISSION (4 TIMES), INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS (2 TIMES) POWER STEERING SYSTEM, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND SYSTEM(TWICE), INTERIOR LIGHTS THAT FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY AND STAY ON FOR PERIODS OF TIME FOR NO REASON.*AK

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH 1999 FORD WINDSTAR ON SEVERAL OCCASION. *BF (TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE) THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EXISTED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED; ENGINE TROUBLE, VAPORIZATION LEAKS, AND A BROKEN GEAR. THERE WERE ALSO WORN FRONT BRAKES, STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK DUE TO THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *SC *JB

WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A TURN, THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE AFTER THE STEERING WENT OUT. SHE INDICATED THAT HIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. NOW IT HAS GONE OUT AGAIN CAUSING HER TO HIT A WALL IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT BRING IT BACK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM THE DEALER CLAIMED THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT THE INVOICE DIDN'T STATE WHAT WAS REPLACED. *NM

THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED OFF A HILL, WENT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY INTO A FIELD THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE MUFFLER. THE SECOND TIME THE INCIDENT HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE CONSUMERS DRIVEWAY AND CRASHED INTO A TREE, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGED TO THE FENDER. IN BOTH CASES THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE STEERING WHEEL NEVER LOCKED ON THE VEHICLE AS WELL. *AK *JB

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN ON 6-21-03 WITH JUST UNDER 60000 MILES ON VAN. BOTH TRANSMISSION FAILURES WRE SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING SLIPPAGE ETC. BOTH TRANS FAILURES LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH NO FORWARD GEARS, BUT REVERESE WORKED EACH TIME. THE FLUID HAS BEEN CHANGED PROPERLY AND THE VAN IS WELL MAINTAINED.

TRANSMISSION IS PRIMARY ISSUE HAS SHIFTING PROBLEM AT LOW SPEED, HAS OVER 8 TSB ON THE ISSUE AND HAS NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEM THE OTHER ISSUES ARE CLEARLY COMMON FOR THIS MODEL AS WELL, BUT THIS TRANSMISSIONAND FORDS LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THEIR SERVICE AND DEALERS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

LEFT REAR AND LEFT FRONT HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES BEGAN MAKING LOUD HUMMING/GRINDING SOUNDS SUDDENLY AT 51,000 MILES. FORD DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES FOR THE STANDARD PRICE AS IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS ITEM SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER WITHOUT FAILING. STEERING PUMP BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY MAKING WHINING/HISSING SOUNDS WHEN THE SLIGHTEST TURNING INPUT WAS APPLIED. BY THE TIME THE FAILED POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DIAGNOSED, AND THE WHINING WAS CONSTANT, IT HAD CAUSED THE RACK AND PINION SEALS TO FAIL AND STEERING FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE RACK AND PINION SLEEVES. WHEN STEERING FLUID GOT LOW AND STEERING WAS NO LONGER POWER ASSISTED, MY WIFE ALMOST HAD A COLLISION WITH A VEHICLE FULL OF CHILDREN. NOT TRUSTING FORD ANYMORE, I ORDERED THE PARTS MYSELF AND HIRED A LOCAL MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION. IN MOST VEHICLES THESE COMPONENTS...

WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VAN IN FOR REPAIR FIVETIMESIN ONE YEAR. THE FIRST MONTH WE HAD IT THE HEAD WAS REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT FOR NOW THE FIFTH TIME. I ACTUALLY LOST CONTROLOF THE VEHICLE DUE TO BEINGUNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING. MY HUSBAND HAS TO DRIVE ME EVERYWHERE BECAUSE ONLY HE CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. EACH TIME WE TAKE IT FOR REPAIR WE ARE CHARGED A DEDUCTIBLE AND I CAN NOT DO THIS ANYMORE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A LEMON. MARSHALL MIZE FORD IN CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE IS WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF 2001. THEY ALSO HAVE PERFORMED ALL SERVICE ON THIS VEHICLE. FORD HAS NOT BEEN UNDERSTANDING OF WHY MY PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN LATE, BUT WHEN YOU ARE HAVING THESE KINDS OF ISSUES SUCH AS ELECTRICAL, TRANSMISSION, AIR CONDITIONING, AND ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS, IT DOES NOT TAKE A GENIUS TO FIGURE OUT WHY A...

WE PURCHASED THE 1999 WINDSTAR IN DEC 1998. FROM THE FIRST WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP, WE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER CHANGED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. PROBLEMS WERE AS FOLLOWS: LOUD CLUNKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, WHILE FOOT PRESSING FIRMLY ON BRAKE PEDAL; TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN DOWN SHIFTING GOING AROUND CORNERS; AS A PASSENGER I FELT AS IF THE WHOLE CAR WAS LUNGING CAUSING DIZZINESS TO MOTION SICKNESS (DID NOT OCCUR WHILE I WAS DRIVING); HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN FIRST & SECOND; REAR WINDOW WIPER FAILED; POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED WHICH CAUSED THE RACK & PINION SEALS TO FAIL, WHICH RESULTED IN A NEW RACK INSTALLED; EGR VALVE RUBBER BOOT KEPT POPPING OFF UNTIL I PLACED A SMALL HOSE CLAMP TO HOLD IT IN PLACE; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON EVERY SINCE 15,000 MILES; O/D BUTTON NEVER WORKED; O/D LIGHT FLASHED REPEATEDLY MINUTES PRIOR TO THE...

HEAT FAILED IN JULY, PIN TO FLAP IN EVAPORATOR CASE ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN OFF. WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED REQUIRING TEARING APART THE DASHBOARD. PART ALONE COST $326.40 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON - FOUND PRESSURE LEAK AT GASKET. HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE SLUGGISHNESS FOR YEARS AND WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG...AFTER GASKET WAS FIXED, NO MORE ENGINE SLUGGISHNESS. FORD WOULD NOT COVER SAYING THE PROBLEMS COULD NOT BE TIED TOGETHER TO JUSTIFY WARRANTY REPAIR!! POWER STEERING WENT. FIRST ATTEMPTED FLUSHING SYSTEM. AFTER FAILED AGAIN, REPLACED PUMP, AFTER THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE SYSTEM. FORD REPLIED TO MY REQUEST FOR COVERAGE THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST CASE THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM IN A WINDSTAR AND TO KEEP MY RECEIPTS SO THAT I MIGHT GET CONSIDERATION IF THEY DO SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE. I FEEL THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXCESSIVE...

* VEHICLE LEANS SINCE PURCHASED SEPT 13, 2003. * ALLIGNMENT PROBLEMS. * TRANSMISSION DOES NOT PROPERLY CHANGE GEARS. * LOW TREADS ON TIRES. * A FRAME PROBLEMS. * SUSPENSION STEERING MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE. * BRAKES MUST BE PUMPED TO STOP, AND MAKE A TICKING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. * VEHICLE HAS OVERHEATED. * POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED. * GEARS DO NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. * PRIMER SCOTCH GUARD ON SEATS WEARING AFTER COAT APPLIED.

STEERING MAKES A GROANING OR RUBBING TYPE OF NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE OF THE STEERING BUT IS A GOD-AWFUL NOISE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS!!!*AK THANKS!!

GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. *LA

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BEGAN TO MAKE LOUD GRINDING NOISES WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIPWHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *AK REPLACED AND THE COST WOULD BE $1295.00. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES AND HAS EXCEEDED THE THREE YEAR WARRANTY.

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID CONSTANTLY LEAKS DIMINISHING ABILITY TO PROPER CONTROL VEHCILE WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE STEERING "SHIELD" FAILED CAUSING THE FLUID LOSS. MR

CONSUMERS NOTICE A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING AFTER MAKING TURNS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND NOTICE A HOSE NEED TO BE REPLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND THAT BECAME WORSE AS CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE STEERING COULD HAVE BEEN LOST, HOWEVER THE STEERING DID GO OUT BRIEFLY IN DEC AND MAY, ALSO THE STEERING COLUMN WAS WORKED ON NOV 16, BUT CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE 2 PROBLEMS WERE NOT RELATED, ALSO THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO BE PILLAR MOLDING WARPED.*JB

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS STEERING MOMENTARILY LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN MAKING A TURN STEERING WOULD MAKE A REAL LOUD NOISE. SOON AFTER THAT STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND NOISE CONTINUED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK

CONSUMER HAS A FEW PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE & IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES. THE SLIDING DOOR DOESN'T SHUT COMPLETELY & THE STEERING HAS A NOISE FROM THE INSIDE AROUND THE DASHBOARD. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NO REMEDY.*AK