Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Ford Windstar Problems
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
For the 3 years I have owned my 1999 Windstar, the vehicle has pinged incessantly, "grunted" on start-up and been plagued with electrical problems. All responses from the dealer, until yesterday, were "it's normal", or "cannot duplicate". With my warranty running out soon I wanted things fixed before I had to pay. I looked right here on the Edmund's site and pulled up the TSBs on 1999 Windstars. There are 240 of them! 240 bulletins from Ford to their dealers regarding problems that have been reported on 1999 Windstars! I looked through all 240 TSBs writing down the numbers and dates of the TSBs relating to the problems I was having. I then made a list of the problems I was having and the TSBs(with dates) which were issued by Ford regarding the problems I reported. I gave the list to the service manager when I dropped my vehicle off. On the repair order, next to each problem I reported, the service manager noted "customer has TSBs written down"! When they called me at the end of the day (the van had always been there for days previously) the "cannot duplicates" and "it's normals" were addressed and parts were ordered to perform additional repairs(per TSB)!
This post may be premature as it's only been 24 hours since pick up, but so far no pinging for the first time in 3 years!(6+TSBs), no electrical problems(2+ TSBs) and parts are on order to fix my "grunting"(3+ TSBs)!
Sorry for the long post, but the moral of the story is, if you go in with the TSBs written down, they cannot deny the problem exists, and if they cannot deny it, they may feel they have little choice other than to hopefully fix it!
Good luck!
www.performanceint'l.com.
Keep us posted on your progress!
I contacted Ford but they like to do the two step around the problem. The dealership is fine it is the people in Detroit that are a problem.
I also learned that Ford is not a member of the Better Business Bureau. I now understand why. They sell junk that they know is defective.
I contacted Ford, after a run around they will not take any responsiblity for the problem. I now know why they are not a member of the Better Business Bureau.
THE FORD PEOPLE CANNOT GIVE ME AN EXPLAINATION AS WHY THIS CAN HAPPEN......COST $1100. DID ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM????? I'M NOT SURE IF I SHOULD KEEP THIS VAN..
Hello everyone. My name is Pat. And I am a 95 Windstar owner (soon, a NEVER AGAIN Ford owner).
I bought this vehicle from my sister-in-law and her husband in 1998 when it had 35000 miles on it. Since that time I have had the transmission replaced three times. I have had the motor replaced two times. Each time I kept thinking that this can't happen again. It did. I paid for additional services (like inner tie rods, outer tie rods, new brakes after a rust through failure at 65 MPH that nearly killed my wife and children, new blower motor, new tires, et. al.) thinking that after these major failures, the vehicle should last longer. It just does not want to - not for me anyway. NO ONE has serviced my vehicle other than Apple Valley (MN) Ford. I have been through three service managers and two Ford Customer Service Representatives. I tried the "be sweet like sugar; not bitter like vinegar" route. I tried the squeaky wheel route. I have begged, pleaded, negotiated, and squandered to have Ford replace the vehicle under the buy-back option implemented in March 2000 that ran for (about) six months. But my van didn't break down in this window (the 2nd engine blew in January 2001, therefore, I was not eligible). Nor would the Ford CSR make an exception.
And so, it begins again. Now the engine is knocking UNBELIEVABLY hard. Just over 10000 miles since you put the last motor in. I can't speculate on what is wrong. The last time I did a self diagnosis I was told that the oil in my coolant reservoir was not possible because the coolant from the engine tested out with no trace of oil.
This is the second Ford vehicle that I have owned in the last 10 years that you do not seem to be able to fix. Fool me once; shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I have fought the battles. You have worn me down. Not even talking to the executive offices helped. Bottom line, you are losing this customer. Too bad, too; judging by the recent performance of your company.
The local technical college is going to get a free 95 Windstar with 86000 miles on it. I'll take the tax write off; while it is still running anyway. I'll sleep at night knowing that I did not sell it to another "uneducated" mini-van buyer. My mother brought me up better than that.
Good-bye Ford.
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
1 - Ensure the door's front rubber bumpers are in place. I lost one and I thought the door was going to fall off the van.
2 - Ensure the door is properly aligned. My dealer never got is right, so I did it myself.
3 - Take some black felt with a sticky backing and fit is inside the two slots on each door (top and bottom) that receive the two plastic tabs on the door jam. It is best to use a large piece of felt and make several adjustments and cut away the excess.
I know you should not have to do this, but if you are as picky as I am, the dealer will mostly likely not fix the problem. It is a poor design.
I decided while we were stranded in Boise that when we got home we were getting rid of it. After a blown head gasket, a bad gauge cluster,interior trim falling off, and what happened this summer, we were luckier than many other 95 windstar "victims" out there.
There was a TSB issued in 1994 (1 yr before I bought the car) that stated that the aluminum forward clutch pistons were failing and if they did they were to be replaced by a STEEL version. I will be in small claims court next week. My question is: Are there any of you windstar ownwers out there who have succesfully collected on this issue ? It is technically a breach of the warrenty of mechantabillity because they sold the car with a known latent defect.
At the same time at 67,000, I need to change the front wheel because the welding in the joins is leaking air. I do not know about you guys but this may be the last I will own a FORD!
I have a '95 Windstar which is doing the exact same problem. Isn't it VERY agitating. Anyway, the dealer told me the same thing ($100+ to look at). The thing that is bothering me a lot is that there is a TSB (technical service bulletin) on the Windstars for a "waving and sticking speedometer" (see alldata.com). Doesn't this mean that they know there is a problem with them? The only thing I figure the problem to be is a bad speedometer head. Changing it is not the problem for me, because I can do it myself. The real BIG problem I have is that the part costs around $500.00 (yes, $500.00!!!). The whole instrument cluster has to be replaced, because it comes as one unit. (like Ford didn't know what they were doing...:( ) My first post is the one before yours (#713), feel free to read it. I'm hoping that we can get all the people with this problem together and fight Ford together...strength in #s... I'm sure there are a lot of people with the same problem. Also, feel free to e-mail me if you want..sslbaron24@earthlink.net....It's about time these big automakers stand behind their mistakes!!!
Do NOT switch to high test gas - it tends to carbon up the engine which becomes yet another problem. Stay with a Major Brand Regular - like AMOCO, for example. There is a recall on 99 WS Trans also. Try #00B51 that may be the number. Seems like your Dealer Service Dept is not well motivated to help. If thats the case try another Ford Dealer if convenient.
I too have fought with them over the pinging issue, but had not found this site until today. I have printed several of the posts and will take them with me when we get the van back...Thanks for the ammunition. Dave
The 95 transmission has a whole history of failure. It usually is a forward clutch failure. I took the local dealership to small claims court over the fact that ford knew that this part would fail when they sold me the car. A TSB was issued in 94 to replace the aluminum part with a steel part as mentioned in the last post. The case was promptly bumped it up to civil court and action is pending. One good site to get info is www.magma.ca/~jheinze . Hope your dealeship supports you better than mine did.
So, stick to your guns on the PCM replacement. Make CERTAIN that they know that you know what you are talking about - that PCM replacement is not just a frivolous shot in the dark by you. Actual cost to FoMoCo/Dealer for both the replacement and the re-programming of the PCM is not much over $100, as I recall.
I recommend that you keep a journal on you v. FoMoCo on this issue - its important.
Good luck and keep us all posted.
How were they able to determine the transmission required replacement in lieu of a rebuild or repair? It seems reasonable that they should have some idea what is wrong to be able to determine the transmission requires a replacement in lieu of a repair. Is $1800 the cost to repair your existing tranny or just to tear it down? I ask that question because it seems very close to the price dwatts1 indicated he paid to have his tranny rebuilt in Canada (post 740).
contact to Ford, got me a loaner car and is getting 80% coverage on the repair from Ford. He told me if this becomes a "Program" then Ford will reimburse me the 20% .... I told him about what I read about the 2000 manifold change, he is looking into it. He also said he would verify that my Van has the latest PCM code for the pinging issue. He is very much aware of it...
Will keep you all posted.
Dave
The head gasket failed on me this fall and I now have a new engine (6 months before the 7 year warranty period was over). Before this I was shopping for a new van because it was a bit stress full to have the engine and transmission woes hanging over me. Having reduced it mainly to the transmission I am wondering if anyone has taken it into the shop to do a preemptive strike on the forward clutch piston. How much did you spend? Everything seems to be working fine now. The resale value is so low now I'm inclined to try to deal with this.
Occassionally the tranny makes hard shifts during stopping/starting maneuvers when the engine is cold. But that never happens when the engine is warm.
I've put this van through the ringer, as I've been pulling my camper for the past 5 seasons. My current camper is about 2400 lbs, and the HP and torque of the 3.8L engine is excellent.
Still debating on trading it in on a pickup truck, maybe even the new Avalanche. But like someone else posted, it's tough to go back to that monthly payment once you've paid a vehicle off.
Keep in mind that I have 95WS with three replacement motors (52500, 75000, 85000). Having said that...
I have found it VERY interesting that the bulk of comments/issues/postings surrounding the Ford WS have been suprisingly LIGHT for 1997. Obviously the 95/96's had problems... Then starting again in 98, a bunch of electrical problems came forward - with occasional tranny and engine/head gasket posts.
Regardless, here is some food for thought. I have been fortunate in that Ford has paid for all the motor replacements. One theme that has run true on this board: if you are out of the warranty, you are out of luck! I have worked with folks that have had their motor blow right where you are now (just over the 60000 extended plan) and Ford, quite literally, will not work with them. At all. No flexibility. I am certain that this is at least partially due to the recent performance of FMC in the last year. To admit yet another design problem at Ford would be disastrous (yes, the 3.8L has design issues). I really do find it pretty amazing that you have been pulling a trailer and have NOT had problems!
Its all risk/reward. Personally, I keep thinking that the van should last (at least) another three years because they keep putting new motors in mine! Well, lets say that tie rods, brakes, and electrical gremlins have also been problematic for me.
Sooooo, I am rolling the dice once again. I know that I will be purchasing a new vehicle this fall. That means I risk another eight months of engine, transmission, or other catastrophic failure. If the engine fails, I am covered. If anything else fails, I lose the bet... Trade in for this thing is terrible. I have not asked lately, however, given my vehicle history and the current glut of used cars (the 0% thing really hurt trade in values), it can't be all that good. Edmunds says I should be able to sell it for $6000. Given my current tax bracket, I can donate it to a local technical college and take the $1680 as a write off. Any trade-in above $1680 would be that much less I have to borrow. It is just amazing to me that a vehicle that stickered for 25000 7 years ago is now worth (probably) 3000 to a dealer. This is why if I buy any vehicle other than a truck, I am buying a non-american manufacturer. The depreciation alone is just not worth it to people that want to KEEP ther cars as long as they possibly can.
One last thought... If the van has been good luck to this point, it just might stay that way.
My advise: If you like to gamble, keep your van another year. Take the money that would have been for a car payment and SAVE it for a down payment. Otherwise - get rid of it.
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
The thing I find odd about the entire head gasket design problem is: Ford claims that the design changes they made in the '97 and later years have solved the problem. If that is true, why are they not using the new head gasket design engines as replacements when repairing/replacing failed '95 & '96 engines? For instance, wholigan says he is on his third replacement engine in his '95 WS. Why??? If the gasket design change has solved the problem why do his replacement engines keep failing? And the same question can be asked of the 3.8l engines in the Taurus and other Ford/Mercury models which use that engine. The changes Ford made do not impact or preclude using the newer designed engine as a replacement in the older model cars. They will fit and mate up transmissions and accessories. So, why do they continue to fail? Because the fix helps but does not solve the problem. And, to admit this would require Ford accepting additional responsibility and liability for the later year engine failures. And financially, this would crush the company.
I own 2 other Ford cars, a 1988 Taurus, 3.0l engine and a 1995 Ford Thunderbird, 4.6l engine. I am satisfied with both of those vehicles. Stay away from the Ford 3.8l engines. (And I would also avoid the new 3.9l engine)