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Ford Windstar Problems
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Comments
Are you DELUDED, man?! It's beyond all belief that you actually write this kind of negligent engineering and quality assurance off as "no real problem"!
I think the reason Ford stays in business with product this crappy is EXACTLY this kind of apathetic approach to car ownership.
My mother has been a Ford/Mazda owner for 30+ years and every one of her cars has always been plagued by some always-repeating issues that Ford could never fix (actually the one exception being a great, dependable 1988 Taurus Wagon). The Mazda MPV was 10 times better quality and reliability-wise than the Ford but in the end electrical gremlins killed it (thanks Ford for engineering the wiring harness) and she promptly went out and bought a Windstar.
Now she's doing battle with Ford for a buyback b/c the the van has maybe 6,000 miles on it and it's been in the shop for repeated failed repairs to everything mentioned in this thread for more days than she's actually had it home.
She's finally written off Ford product. Send a message: do the same by simply NOT BUYING these lemons. Force Ford to produce a better product. These vans are not cheap. Honda can do it. Toyota can do it. The apathy is so pathetic it's hurting my head.
I do agree that apathy, and blind/brand loyalty are some of the reasons that auto manufacturer's get away with building the junk they do. But don't jump down a member's throat for providing some potentially useful information.
My 1999 Ford Deathstar just had a new transmission at a cost of $2500 (independent shop...dealer charging $3100). My van did the same as yours....only it didn't start to move again. If you are still under warranty....insist that they look inside the transmission. If you are not under warranty (as I was not) I would suggest either getting rid of the van now, purchasing the extended warranty, or be prepared to pay pay pay.
Ray T.
Well in a pinch with only $6300 from the insurance, try to find a reliable vehicle on a lot for that price.. We try to dive them for 10 years and then buy new.. Yes I have a 99 Sable that has two more years left on the loan.. The Sable has been reliable so far.. but it's still under warranty.. We found a clean 96 Windstar with 47,000 mile for $7,200.. The ride is much nicer than the 94 T-sport and everything seems to be working on it... I did need something with at least a 3.5-3.8L engine to pull out 1200lbs pop-up trailer.. I figured we went up 2 model years and dropped 21K in miles, and all I need it to do is last the next two years till the Sable is paid off..
After reading the nightmares here with head gaskets, and trannies I cannot believe the quality of the Windstar can be this bad.. It sounds like Ford couldn't care less.. I really do love the ride of the Ford over the Transport... My last Ford was an 86 T-bird that we loved but with two little kids it was time for a van... My wife loved the idea of the power sliding door.. GM came out with them in 94... GM could of used my wife, our 3 year old and baby for the commercial.. Arms loaded and the pod in hand trying to open the door.. BTW The Transport Plastic body still looked great.. No Rust... Just don't look under the van..
Well anyways I'll keep you posted on the Windstar... I'm hoping that (unfortunately) this may only represent .01% of the bad Windstar out there and this group is extremely vocal..
Man I hope that’s soooooooo .
It seems to be a good van for the money, even at $5k I have extra for the minor parts it needs. Any thoughts???
One of the problems with this type of forum is very few people who don't have problems visit or post on them.. Why should they don't need information about an issue with a vehicle or the dealer or company... When I first got my new 99 sable the only problem I had was the "99" Ford Ping problem that seems to also reach into the 99 Windstars... I took the sable back to the dealer 3x to find out in need to up the Octane level from 87 to 89+ Yes they replaced the MAP sensor and thermostat checked for Prom Updates.., Nothing I was very vocal about this issue on this form Here it is 1999 and they can’t get a car not to ping I think there should be a good news thread on here also A place where people can crow about what’s positive about the vehicle and what hasn’t had to be done Wish there was a way to read % on number of issues vs./ numbers sold.. If you read the forum, you think maybe 50% - 75 % are having this problem, then you think the other 50-25% who haven’t posted well their vehicle is already in the junkyard from accidents or was taken by aliens for backyard sculpture on planet Nebula J
Take care
Steve
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Steve
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Just another day in the Deathstar... Happy Motoring!
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
So I have been living with it by waiting about 2 seconds (2 beeps from the seatbelt chime) in ON before i move it to START. The oil light would show for a few seconds and go away like I expect. Just recently, it seems to have a harder time starting (sounds like the battery is weak) and the oil light will not turn on, and the head lights blink on for a split second. So I have now waited 3 seconds for the oil light to show before I start it, and nothing funny happens.
Another strange thing that happened yesterday, I think if I start the van in about 1 second, the THEFT light blinks quickly. It looks like how it would behave if I did not use the correct key. But it drives just fine. It has a blinking pattern of like 2 slow blinks, 5 quick blinks. After a few cycles, it goes away completely.
I have been able to reproduce the 1st problem easily, but not the second. My only (and hopefully correct) idea of a problem is that the battery is just old and needs replacing soon. Any worse and I may have an expensive repair bill on hand (no more warranty for me). I did have to jump start about one month ago. (Stupid me, I left the radio on while I spent about 4 hours cleaning the inside of the van. Obviously too long!)
Anyone think that the battery really is it?
However, I think you are paying to much. There are a lot of 99s coming off lease so there is a glut. Since I paid $100 less than you did 8 months ago you should be able to get it for around 15K to 15.4K. 16.5 is to much. Also, go to NHTSB and look up the recalls. There were 5 of them. None were really bad but they should be done prior to you buying it.
Thanks.
Engine Pinging
Fluid leak
This site was extremely helpful and I would advise others to scroll through it looking for problems. After reading about the engine pinging issue and the transmission slip I told the dealer that I KNEW these were real problems and I demand they be rechecked since I had been told over and over, "that is the way a minivan shifts", "we did not find any indication of a problem causing the pinging". I told the Service Advisor that any of the problems I reported I would like documentation showing they were checked and mentioned how many other Windstar owners on the internet had the same problems. During that visit both problems were identified and fixed under the warranty - replaced valve cover, reprogrammed octane level, and the PCM was reprogrammed (both of which I read about here). All of sudden the transmission shifting hard was under a recall. I had been complaining and returning it to the dealer from 1 month after I purchased it in April 99 complaining of how it shifted. And like one post I read, DEFINITELY make sure you get something in writing if they try to blow you off with "nothing found". The 3rd issue I had on that day was a puddle of brown fluid on the garage floor and a loud sound when turning sometimes, as if the power stearing fluid was empty. I was told verbally "nothing found on that". My service advisor was on vacation when I picked my car up, so I called a few days later and asked for something in writing. Never got it. One month later the 3yr/36k warranty was up and the Alternator went out. While it was there they found a leaking axle seal and low interim gasket ring. Serv Advsr said this would cause the sound I described and the leaking I described. Luckily I had bought a 7yr/100k warranty. If not I would have been paying $400 out of pocket because I never did get the "nothing found" statement in writing.
Steve
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Want to thank everybody for sharing their thoughts in advance...
OH, and BTW we wanted just to see one and found ONE Honda Oddity. It was a light slime green with an MSRP of about $30,000 and the dealer had installed another $5,000 worth of dealer installed options. $35,000 and it was sold as we looked at it. Salesman asked us to get out of the van. We were not impressed anyway, but thats what happens when Edmunds gives something its uncontrolled endorsement as the #1 Mini Van. Talk about your price gouging.
George
We had a 95 GL (135K) and except for the head gasket it was a good van. A red light runner hit it and totaled it last year and we got a 99SE with 22k on it.
Now on to the transmission issue. Wife drove it on the highway, OD/ Off light started to flash, Service Transmission light came on, erratic shifting after that when she got it off the highway but it made it home. Then I came home and drove it and could not reproduce the problem in around the block driving or a short highway check. Next morning I drove it to the dealer and after 10 minutes on the highway the OD / light started to blink, Service transmission idiot light came on in the message center, just like the wife said. Shifting did still seem normal. By end of the day I get the bad news the transmission is toast and it will be $2500 to replace. They found metal in the transmission oil and it seemed burnt they said. I ask for the Ford number which they gave me the 1-800 number, they took down my case and it has been a day and a half but have not heard back yet.
I should also note the van had a symptom at 12,500 miles where at low rpm climbing hills the transmission was bucking between gears hard, they noted at the dealer the converter does lock and unlock every 2-3 seconds, they noted that the diags yielded nothing and they called the Ford hotline and were informed to re-calibrate and reseat the rear lube tubes...which seems odd but it took care of that problem. My contention is that period of transmission problem while I was on vacation deep in the gold hills of Yosemite area probably shortened the life of the transmission as well. This Rear lube tube and bracket was also noted on the service invoice as being under recall campaign 00B51. I'm not sure how this affects the transmission but that is what they put down on the invoice.
So now I am waiting and building my case that the 99 WS has chronic transmission issues as indicated in this Forum. I'll let everyone know what Ford comes back with but it sounds like I should talk to a Regional rep as well.
And also how does the dealer justify a 30K service for $650. This seems outrageous but I called other dealers here in Bay area and they charge nearly the same. I was shocked considering they change about 4 fluids, some filters and the bogus inspection checks. Is this what they charge in other parts of the country too?
Any advice, comments welcome about my transmission woes.
I also contacted the dealer Customer Relationship Manager at the dealer and gave them the situation...of course they listened patiently and I said I would like to pursue it with Regional Rep. They said they would look into it and would talk to the Service manager. The saga continues....
Van runs as great as ever now.
The only thing is that the transmission fluid gasket is leaking. I knew of this upon purchasing the van and the Dealer is going to fix it tomorrow by replacing the pan. Anyone else with the same problem?
In addition I noticed that my brakes (at approximately 24,400 miles are squeaking a little. Time to have the pads done or whatever is done to fix this problem? You know, girls don't like to drive squeaking cars... it drives to much attention . Anyone with the same problem?
Rather then that, nothing else is up with my used van and I sincerely hope that stays that way.
Thanks.
Grand total was right around $32,000 with tax and tags. We put a chunk down and financed the rest with a bank (not Ford) so we got the $3,000 cash back as well. Got a rate under 6% so not so bad.
Some say we should wait a few more months for even better deals to come around, but you never know. We are happy and thats all that counts. There is a good feeling knowing that for the first 3 years, at least, we will spend not one cent additionl for this automobile. Thats the idea anyway. If it dosen't work out I'll be back to let you know.
Thanks to all who posted. It was a BIG help. If any comments, questions I'll do best to answer. Going in this time around we were armed with knowledge and that equals power. Felt a whole lot better about the whole experience. Felt in controll of our destiny. Good feeling
George
It has almost 49K miles on it and no major problems. I have experienced some strange and annoying things that I must have gotten acustomed to by now:
Rattling in slidding doors, usually in cold weather. I think it has something to do with the little black stub on the door that has a matching piece on the door jamb. I'll live with it.
I've experienced the door open and door relock when the door wasn't open. I'll have to try the eraser on the contacts.
My brakes seems to have squealed forever. They don't always squeal! I haven't replace the brakes yet, need to check them. It doesn't sound like the squeal you get when they are worn.
My transmission often 'binds' (and it's normal so I was told) when pulling out of park. I have ALWAYS used the parking brake, but it still happens, more often when I don't use the parking brake. The transmission seemed to have learn how I drove the car initially (I babied it too much at first), so it seems to shift out of 3rd too quickly. Anyone have this problem? I've tried disconnectin the battery to reset the memory but that didn't work. Anyone know how? Safely?
I've had several recalls that I thought would fix some issues, could someone verify my suspicions? I had a recall for power functions to continue to work after the car is off. I never knew what this was, but if I leave the key in auxillary for so many minutes (haven't timed it), I can remove the key and the radio and power windows still work. Only putting the key into on will reset this problem. Also, another recall about the A/C system, my rear A/C keeps clicking once in a while as if someone is changing the speed. I've only noticed this when I set to rear control.
Sorry if my message seemed to have gotten long. Thanks for any help!
I was thinking it could be related with the steering system as well. I had an intermittent squealing noise with my steering (and my brake pedal for that matter).
Wow, all these little things add up don't they?
Anyone have any ideas before I take it to my dealer to check it out?
At 38K I was rearended while I was driving at about 45mph. Now that it is out of the shop it will the stearing column will periodically shake when driving on the highway. Also during these periods the car seems to change in power level even though there is no increase or decrease in the gas pedal. I was told that this is not accident related and it is a tranny problem by the body shop service tech - ford can't find a problem at all - it works great they say!a!! NOT!!!!! Has anything happened like this to anyone that you know?
Please help!
Good Luck
Ray T.
We are in Balt.-Wash.
Thank you!
Steve
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