Recall 99v30900 ford/fuel tanks cracks; owner received recall notice, and is experiencing a problem with smelling gas. Because owner does not live in state(s) listed in recall notice, manufacturer is not honoring recall. Please provide any further information.
1995 Ford Windstar fuel system complaints
Page 4 of 6: complaints 71 to 100 of 148, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Regional recall 99r33 - gas tank straps installed. Concern about failure of tank due to high temperature flexing, as described in the regional recall. It appears to me the potential of failure and a fire is just as likely as in the listed states. Also, this vehicle may in fact end up in one of the listed states. This is a foire hazzard that should be fixed in all winstar vehicles. It appears ford recognized the problem and fixed it in the 1996 models; thus showing there is a defective system in 1995 models. Ford should be required to fix all affected medels, or show the reatraining brackets di in fact fix the problem.a
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.???
Recall 99s33 says "windstar may be exposed to very high ambient temperatures in my area and they have determined that the rmined that the fuel tank in my vehicle may crack as a result of temperatures. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could potentially cause a fire. Dealer will installed a revised fuel tank strap and a specifically designed fuel tank brace designed to eliminate the potential for fuel tank stress cracks on the windstar. In the care where the fuel tank is already leaking from a stress crack, a replacement tank will be installed at no charge. My question is - if the cracks are caused from very high temperatures, how can a fuel tank strap and a fuel tank brace eliminate potential fuel tank stress cracks on this vehicle. Seems this procedure may stabilize the fuel tank but has nothing to do with stress cracks caused by high temperatures. My automobile is in shop as I previously wrote today for blown head gaskets, and ford and dealership are refusing to honor their extended warranty. I do not wish to jeopardize myself or my passengers under the false pretenses that a strap is going to make a difference to a defective fuel tank that is susceptible to cracks under excessive temperatures which are the conditions that normal in the gulf coast area. Please let me know how this strap and brace will prevent future leakage from temperatures and potential fire.
The transmission on our 1995 windstar van failed after 78000 miles, 3000 miles after our extended warranty period had expired. This vehicle has been a lemon from the start. We have had the hood bonding problem fixed under the recall on that problem, had the head gaskets replaced on the extended warranty before that recall came out, replaced the fuel pump inside the gas tank at my own expense, and now I am presently having problems with the power windows, the air bag system, and the power door locks. If this is read by anyone contemplating a mini-van purchase, I would think long and hard before buying a windstar. From the number of complaints from people from all over the country on the internet, I'd say this wasn't just an isolated thing, but should be looked into by the government regulatory people. None of our failures have resulted in accidents or injuries, but could have easily done so, had we not lived in a more rural area. I definitely would not want to have one of these vehicles in a more high-speed metropolitan area.
The federal safety agency recall 99v309000 and mfr recall:99s33/ fuel tank cracks. Didn't do recall repairs because the vehicle was in a prior accident and has a salvage title. *ak
Consumer recieved regional recall for possible fuel tank and bracket failure if consumer lives in high temperature regions, originally manufacurer refused to replace tank or brackets and then reconsidered and decided to change the brackets. Consumer feels it is unfair for the manufacturer not to change the tank as well, although they do not live in the designated areas with high temps. Nlm
Consumer received recall 99v309000 concerning fuel tank cracks. Prior to recall, vehicle was involved in a collision. Dealer refused to correct the recall problem because of salvage title . *ak
We bought this van 6/96. It has been in the shop 14 times since then, including a recall for the gas tank, and the head gaskets (which blew and we replaced and then a year later found out there was a recall). Now, with less than 90,000 miles on it, the transmission is going out. We have owned 14 vehicles in 24 years, and have never blown head gaskets (engines) or transmission. These (this) vehicles have a problem!
Fuel tank has a hole at the top of tank, causing fuel to leak from the top of the tank when the tank is full, possibly caused by gas expanding. Dealer replaced tank at consumer's cost. Dealer did not know cause of the problem.
The # 3 cylinder fuel injector went out, which in turn made the module in the computer go out, and we have been informed that you can't replace the individual module you have to replace the whole computer at a estimated cost of 600 dollars. This is after having the head gaskets replaced and two new transmissions installed.
Rack and pinion steering unit failed. Nlm
Dealer refuses to perform recall repair (98v‑184) related to the fuel tank crack. Nlm
The federal safety agency recall 99v309000/ manufacturer's recall 99r33; kit aa, fuel straps recall. Dealer had no parts available since january 2000. Dealer is joe michens ford, 1911 west worley, columbia, mo 65205 573‑445‑4411. Dealer kept scheduling the consumer, but had no parts. *ak
Transmissin failed twice. Yh
Recall 99v309000/ fuel tank strap/attachments. Owner contacted dealer, mcimermery ford, semoran blvd, orlando, fl 407‑275‑3200. Dealer did not have parts since december, 1999.
The federal safety agency recall 99v309000 and manufacturer's recall 99s33/ fuel tank assembly. No parts were available.
Recall 99v309000/ fuel tank cracks; dealer refuses to take care of recall repairs because vehicle is not in recall region.
Noticed strong gas odor after fill-up. Dealer maintenance confirmed gas tank had a crack on top of the tank and fuel tank needed to be replaced. Ford has recalled this vehicle for this problem, but not in the state of virginia. This car is operated regularly only in virginia and therefore this recall should be extended to all states. Refernce ford recall 99r33. Have contacted ford, and they say we cannot participate in this recall.
This is the continuation of problems with a highly problematic vehicle. 5 years, 90,000 miles have replaced so far: head gaskets, rear suspension twice, front suspension, ignition wires, o2 sensors twice, and now injector and fuel pump. Over $3,000 in out of pocked expenses over what was covered on extended warrantee. Vehicle is not reliable and am looking to trade in on anything other than a ford! At ford, quality is job none!
Fuel tank recall 99v‑309 restricted to hot weather states only, consumer believes recall should include all states. Nlm
In august of 1999, with about 67000 miles, the intake manifold gasket failed and oil ended up in the coolant. This was repaired at a cost of approximately $450. In november, my dealership informed me that the ehad gaskets were leaking. This was at about 74000 miles. Cost, $1600. I contacted ford, submitting the bills. They told me, no way, out of warranty. I then sent back a second letter in late december, 1999. Still waiting for a reply from that letter. A major component such as this should not fail before 100,000 miles. Ford has acknowledged the problem, but they will only stand behind it for an incredibily low mileage of 60,000.
Gasoline was leaking from a valve to muffler. Yh
Head gasket failed on nov. 16, 1999. I picked up the vehicle from the dealer on nov. 19 and drove it home (~15 miles). I immediately called the dealer and told them the engine was running hot. I was told to go ahead and drive the car. On dec. 6 (after more phone conversations), I took the car back and was told the no.2 fuel injector had failed. On dec. 97 I picked the car up and before I could get it home again, the "engine" check light came on, and the car ran very roughly. I immediately called the dealer and they told me to drive it for a feew days to see what happened. On dec 22, I returned the car to the dealer , and again the n0. 2 cylinder has "a problem" that the dealer can't diagnose. Ford is offering no assistance.
Prior to recall notice consumer experienced fumes entering vehicle and strong odor, prior to recall notice three repair attempts to correct condition, consumer requesting service fee reimbursement. (99v‑309)
Requested dealer & manufacturer for compression test failure w/ no charge, but they rejected.
When driving up the hill vehicle would hesitate. Contacted dealer and he replaced engine head gasket. While driving about 65mph vehicle hesitated and jerked again. Stopped, and used fuel injection fluid. Contacted dealer again, and replaced gasket.
Fuel is leaking from seam of fuel tank and dripping down onto exhaust manifold, causing fire hazard.
My concern is primarily aimed at engine head gasket problem identified by ford motor company for the 1995 ford winstar. In march of 1999, my wife and two children were driving in the car when the head gasget blew! The ensuing repairs ran over $2,486.00. Believing that my warranty had expired I had a private mechanic fix the car. Upon realizing that ford had manufactured a faulty part I requested a refund for my repair bills. Ford has refused to recognize my claim, indicating that my warranty had expired. I belive this unsafe situation was directly a result of ford motor company and the faulty head gasket placed into my car by ford. The other components had to be replaced as a direct result of the failing head gasket. I wish to be included in the growing number of consumers lodging complaints and concerns about this dangerous situation. Your assistance with dealing with ford motor company would be appreciated, however I have little trust that they will fully acknowledge their responsibility in this matter. I would be happy to forward copies of my correspondance with ford to your office if this might be of assistance. With sincere thanks for your interest and support in this matter, robert a. Martinez.
I had been smelling gas fumes for several months, usually after I filled the tank. On the morning of 9/3/99 there was a puddle of gas under the van in the driveway and the fumes were extremely strong inside the vehicle as well. I took the vehicle to precision automotive service in katy, tx. They discovered that the tank had a crack in it under the center strap where the tank is secured to the vehicle. Their assessment determined that the tank cracked because the strap had caused the tank to bulge at that spot and eventually crack. When they tried to get a replacement tank from texan ford they were informed that there would be no tanks available for resale until 9/14 or 9/15/99. Ford was apparently releasing a "new" tank at this time. When the new tank arrived on 9/16, the midsection had clearly been redesigned to eliminate the "bulge" that had caused the crack in the original design. I have requested that ford reimburse me for the cost of the replacement tank since it was clearly a design problem and posed a tremendous safety hazard to myself and my family. Texan ford is denying any knowledge of a problem with this gas tank and so far has refused to reimburse me for any of the cost. Any help you could give me or any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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