Transmission has never worked properly. Hard shifts between gears, and reverse gear fails intermittently. Have had to ford many times in last 5 years (when under warranty) and they refused to look at or fix saying "that's the way it's supposed to be" (don't think that's true since there are days I can't back my van up). Ford has never owned up to this problem. The 1995 windstar is a lemon with multiple problems and should be taken off the road. Other problems are a leaky engine head gasket and spongy/faulty ABS brakes.
1995 Ford Windstar brakes complaints
Page 6 of 18: complaints 131 to 160 of 506, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The ABS brakes were inspected three times by the dealer under warranty and the problem was not solved, and the brakes continue to act erratically. Engine head gasket was replaced by ford under its warranty in 1998 but it continued to leak small amounts. The timing chain gasket is now leaking. The transmission was replaced at our expense in february 1999 (we've reported it here earlier) all these problems are well known by ford, but except for the head gaskets, it has stonewalled us and other customers about the repairs. The transmission and the ABS are definite safety hazards, and the engine damage that can result from the gasket failures can leave people stranded without notice.
I bought this vehicle used in july 1997 with 32,000 miles. Since that time, I have had the brakes repaired three times and they still squeak. The airbag module had to be replaced four months after purchase, luckily under federal warranty. Then in june 1999, I had to replace the fuel tank because the straps caused it to crack. Ford would not do anything to help because there was no recall. In january there was a recall for the exact same problem, but only in certain counties in certain states, not nj, ford would not bend, despite my letters and phone calls. In late march 2000, my airbag light came on again as did my ABS light. My brakes needed to be fixed again. Since my airbag was fixed over 12 months ago, it was not covered. My engine check light came on april 11 and stayed on for two days, then turned off. We were planning a trip to wash, dc, so I brought it to fullerton ford for service on 4/25. They informed me that it needs head gaskets (which it was recalled for) and $1,400 worth of other work, not affiliated with the airbag light, or the engine check light. The engine check light was for a camshaft positioning sensor that is a $50 part, with $150 worth of labor, also want me to have a timing cover gasket replaced at $815, a temp gauge at $82, an engine flush for $99.95, a water pump at $140 parts only, $40 for drive belt, and misc. Labor at $111.00. My complaint is this. I dropped the car off on 4/24 for a 4/25 appt., they hadn't looked at it at 4:00 on 4/25 and wanted me to pick it up and bring it back the next day. When I protested, they looked at it and said it would need head gaskets. They said the ford rep would be out the next day and that he would also consider my gas tank complaints. On thursday, 4/27, they said the work would be done "hopefully" by 5/5. Today, 5/2, one week after dropping off the van, they are telling me I won't have it back until 5/12 or 5/19 at the earliest!!!! Because they are too backlogged with vehicles.???
Automobile burned up after being looked at by mechanic, and was told that it would happen because brake line was next to the catalytic converter. Consumer had just turned off vehicle to show mechanic that the brake lights were on.
I kept burning out brakes every 6 months until the whole brake line blew up caused from heat. Mechanic said brake line melted due to placement next to heat from catalytic converter. A very serious manufacturers default. Potential fire and fatality safety issue! Line needs heat resister shield next to converter. Head gasket blew but dealer claims recall only goes to 100k miles and won't cover blown engine. Just paid van off now the engine is gone! Expected more than 5 years out of it. The van should be recalled!
Vehicle made grinding noise. Dealer inspected vehicle and found brakes to be okay. On 14-apr-2000, same dealer said that vehicle needed new rotors. *ak
When applying ABS brakes on a slight down grade pedal resists and becomes very hard which causes extended stopping distance, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
My 1995 windstar has had problems since day 1. Paint job had to be repaired; windshield had crack..replaced; sliding door was leaking and had to be adjusted 3 times; head gasket failure; timing gasket failure; wheel bushing failure; interior parts not installed properly; ABS light/elect system failure (2x); I feel so bad about this thing I don't know what to do. Ford doesn't care. I can't sell this thing with a clear conscience....but ford did. Can you help us!!!! There are many, many others like me. I am very concerned the tranny will go next as has been reported by so many other windstar owners when they reach the 60-75000 mile range. In addition, the timing cover gasket costs approximately $850 to fix. I don't want to pay for this repair but neither ford or my dealer will fix the problem. Mechanics I have spoke with said to talk with the dealer...this should not happen at such a low mileage. I believe it was happening since day one intermittantly. (I have always had antifreeze leaking on my garage floor since day 1. The dealer said it was "loose fittings". So now I am stuck with it. Help us!!!
I am exasperated at my losses and frustrated trying to recoup my money. I wish to achieve an amicable resolution with ford. Please assist. Thank you, sincerely, nicola zanghi. No safety defect mentioned in summary.
When the brakes were applied pedal went to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer discovered that the problem was caused by corrosion of the brake line which LED to loss of brake fluid. Vehicle has been repaired.
No summary listed for above vehicles.
Brakes failed. Nlm
Transmission failed. Nlm
Transmissin failed twice. Yh
While applying brakes intermittently they would pulsate. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information.
Speedometer head and cable failed. Nlm
Had several times of no stopping or very hard braking at stops.
The ABS light stay on due to presence of unnecessary wire in the system. Yh
We also had our headgasket replaced three weeks ago.I'm beginning to think we bought a lemon.
Consumer has noticed a brake fluid leak onto the brake assembly which could cause brake failure. Also ABS brake warning light is illuminated on the dash. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.
While driving on road heard a noise under the center of the floorboard when applying brakes. Pulled vehicle into the driveway, checked under the hood, and saw smoke from the center of engine towards the firewall. Pulled vehicle up on ramps, and the brake pedal went straight to the floor. Found brake fluid leaking on the catalytic converter. Contacted dealer, had vehicle towed. Dealer said that the brake line, to the right front flex hose from the junction block, had rusted and broke. Also, mentioned that the rear brake lines were rusted.
When traveling and upon depressing the brake pedal to make a normal stop, consumer noticed that brake pedal faded away, resulting in extended stopping distance, causing poor braking. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Dealer was unable to determine the cause of the problem. Please provide any further details.
Heating and A/C system failed due to head gasket failure. Yh
While traveling 50 MPH on highway when roads were wet. As a result of another vehicle side swiping, consumer tried to brake, but vehicle continued to travel, causing consumer to hit wall. Please provide further informaton.
This van had a rebuilt transmission at 36000 miles, and new brake rotors at 45000, wht is ford allowed to market such shoddy products?
When traveling and upon attemting to make a normal stop, brake pedal went to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance. Consumer contacted the dealer, delaer noticed the brake line corroded and rusted out, causing the brake line to rupture, and resulting in poor brake performace. Please provide any further details.
While driving consumer stepped on the brake pedal to stop vehicle, but brakes did not respond. Consumer tried to avoid rear ending another vehicle by driving vehicle off the road. But was involved in a rollover. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy.
Started vehicle; felt like it was accelerating. Noticed rpms were revving. Applied brakes hard to stop. Fuel throttle was open. Accelerator pedal stuck.
While driving at 25 MPH brake pedal was applied and it depressed half way, brakes made a thumping sound, and there was no response, once released. Dealer has not been contacted.
The first 3 incidents of the brakes failing did not result in an accident. We took the van to have the brakes checked at different locations; each time the shop could not diagnose what caused the failure nor cause it to repeat . Eventually the van stops, but it takes 2 to 3 car lengths longer to stop. The ABS brakes do not initiate and one mechanic explained that the ABS brakes only operate if it detects the wheels are locking. All 4 brake failures were on dry roads and we did not pump the brake. The failures happened twice to myself, once to my husband and once to my son. It tends to happen intermittently and we cannot tell if it has to do with the ABS, hydraulic brake system or the combination of the two. On each occurrance, the brake had been depressed to slow down. When it was obvious that the slowing was inadequate and the brake was pressed to the floor, the brakes did not respond and the vehicle basically coasts to a stop. On the fourth occurrence, the lane had narrowed from 2 lanes to 1 and we had slowed to allow a vehicle into the lane leaving about 2 vehicle lengths between us. The front vehicle stopped and the second vehicle's brake lights caused us to press on the brake but we were not slowing enough so the brake was depressed to the floor without response causing us to hit the middle vehicle into the front vehicle. The middle vehicle bounced off of the front vehicle and back into our van.
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