When stopping at a light, engine sometimes will die. Vehicle would lunge forward after pulling off from a stop. Took vehicle to dealer, they replaced something, and two weeks later problem reoccurred. *ak the engine stalls whenever more than one device is turned on at the same time. This problem makes it impossible to turn head lights and windshield wipers on together. The vehicle also shakes violently after being driven for few hours.
1996 Ford Windstar acceleration complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 82, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving in the country where I live with three children at the base of the mountain to head 20 miles to my home I pressed on the accelerator and the vehicle lost power and went nowhere. Could not drive over 35 MPH. Was seen by a body shop and they replaced fuel filter and returned vehicle to me. Second occasion driving down the mountain at 55mph a strong jerk whiplashed myself and has caused injury in my back took to body shop and needs new transmission and must be towed. Van still sitting at body shop now for 2 weeks as I have 3 children and now no transportation...thanks ford.
The transmission in this vehicle failed at an unacceptably low mileage. When it failed, it caused a surging that was dangerous. The speedometer should not fail at such a low mileage. It fluctuates wildly. We do not have the resources to get it fixed and can't tell what speed we are driving.
Engine check light came on. Rough idle. Tune-up performed. Oxygen sensor replaced. Engine check light is now off. Two days later, engine check light is back on and rough idle returns. Replaced oxygen sensor and plug wires. Next day, driving car and temperature gauge falls almost all the way to cold side. Heater blowing out just a little warm. Pressure tested engine. Leakage in a cylinder. Upon teardiown, head gasket has failed leaking coolant into engine.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Failure of the speedometer while driving on the freeway. The speedometer needle jumps erratically while driving faster than 30mph. The speedometer will eventually peg at 120mph, even though you are driving at slower speeds. According to my repair shop, the speed sensor broke, but ford requires a very costly repair that includes replacement of the whole speedometer head and speed sensor.
While driving transmission went out. Vehicle jolted about 3 times, and then coasted to a stop. Vehicle felt like it was in neutral,and would not go into any other gear.*ak ford customer representatives are defensive when consumer talks to them regarding the problems and they are unwilling to help in any matter.
My vehicle went crazy. It lunged backwards and then rocketed forward straight right into the wall of a furniture store. It felt like it was going 500 MPH. I had no control over the car. It went crazy. I am totally serious. It was the scaryist experience of my life! Please help me report it to all who need to know.
While waiting at a stop light, the vehicle failed to move when gas pedal was pressed. This is 3rd time it happened in the last 3 months without any warning. The engine revved up but the vehicle refused to move at all.
Speedometer needle floats, cruise control doesn't work. Continues.
While driving and upon attemtping to accelerate by depressing accelerator pedal, there was no response from vehicle. Also, without no prior warning vehicle suddenly accelerated without driver depressing accelerator pedal. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.
Transmission replaced around 40000 miles due to its jumping, RPM's went up and down. Currently, happening again. *ak the consumer states the transmission had been replaced six times but the problem was not solved. As the result the consumer was very much concerned about safety.
Ford windstar (1996): a local mechanic said that our rough idle, engine light, and smell of antifreeze indicated a head-gasket problem. Hill and sanders ford service station checked for pressure leaks, but could only suggest that it was bad plugs causing the "misfire code" in the computer. After $318, we got new spark plugs and a reset warning light. Within a week, the check engine light came on, and the rough idle and smell of antifreeze reappeared. We returned it to h&s and mentioned that it was a continuation of the previous, with a new symptom of discolored antifreeze in the overflow container (oil color). H&s said the engine light was a result of a "misfire code" but didn't know why. The only thing h&s did was flush the radiator for $100, and admitted they don't know what else it could be. A few days later the engine light came on. On nov. 20, 2000 the van started making mechanical noises from the engine, lost power, and slowed to a crawl. My wife got it to a safe location where she and the kids could wait to have it towed to h&s. A note referenced the previous 2 h&s visits for related problems. H&s's told me that "something inside the engine came loose" and that he recommends we replace the engine for $5050! He didn't know what was wrong. We called h&s ([xxx] ) the next day and told him that we felt that h&s should be responsible for the damages due to their inability to detect and fix the problem, and sending us away with a feeling that the problem was fixed or inconsequential. H&s felt that they were not responsible. Our original mechanic was amazed that h&s didn't suspect something was wrong when oil was found in the antifreeze, and that they only flushed the system! We feel helpless and taken advantage of. Anything we can do to recover our loss? [xxx] VIN [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The spedometer is swinging wildly when van reaches highway speeds. The spedometer records speeds of over 115 MPH when the van is actually going 70 MPH. The instrument panel buzzes constantly while this occurs. It happens every time we drive. I think this is a serious safety issue and should be corrected by the dealer free of charge. We were told by our mechanic that it would be at least $200 to fix this. We can't afford to pay for this ourselves so we are driving the van in this condition. Please advise us as to whatever rights we may have concerning this glaring defect.
When I get to about 35 MPH, you can hear the speedo head gears grind. When you reach approx 55 - 60 MPH, the speedo needle will bounce up to 90 and back, and keep doing this. We had the speed sensor replaced, but this did not fix the probelm. I was told by lompoc valley ford in lompoc, ca that it is more than likely the speedo head. They also told me that they replace one of these a month, sometimes two a month. It seems to me that ford should fix this problem instead of me paying the $1,000 that lompoc vally ford quoted me to fix a problem that is obviously a manufacturer defect. Although this is not a big safety problem, it could turn into one because you either have to drive too slow for traffic conditions, or you don't know how fast you are really going when you try to keep up with traffic. I appreciate any help you can give me in getting this problem fixed.
While driving 65 MPH with cruise control on vehicle sped up. While getting ready to exit off the highway vehicle stayed under cruise control module. As consumer attempted to slow down, vehicle was moving 65 MPH without any control from consumer. In order to make vehicle stop consumer had to press brake pedal with both feet, and shift vehicle into neutral. Eventually, vehicle was able to slow down, and consumer turned vehicle off, dealer replaced 2 lock tabs because one had slipped on the cruise causing it to stay on. Trip speedometer was replaced, it would not go past 799 miles. At 30 MPH and over, the over drive light will flash. Left front wheel cover was replaced due to it making ticking noises at lower speeds. Sliding door squeaked, dealer lubed the sliding door. Front rotors replaced and rear drums turned, a clicking noise was heard. *ak
I step on the gas pedal & the engine revves up but the van does not move forward, then after a minute or so delay something must engage and the van lunges forward with terrific speed which even causes the tires to squeal.
Vehicle bought in 3/99 throttle body linkage broke repaire bill $500.00 shortly thereafter sensor went out (fuel)bill 256.00 later noticed squeking in front end advised it was tie rod ends not fixed yet this thing has broke me have had many occurences with speed odometer going crazy after 45mph recently noticed popping when turning steering or appling the brakes but before I could get it fixed transmission begin to either not shift upward ,slip at 45mph and has downshifted after reaching speeds of 45mph (on I-85) has jerked several times ..was told anywhere from 100.00-2000.00 ? Seems I have not been alone in my disquest with ford...only problem not encountered head gasket thank god please help us working folks against this big boy on the block thanks
Vehicle accelerated suddenly and unexpectedly, resulting in a collision which caused minor injuries.
Was parking vehicle on a street and pulling up into a corner parking spot, applied brakes, and vehicle kept on accelerating. Contacted dealer.
When transmission was in drive engine raced, and unexpectedly surged forward. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and was not able to duplicate the problem.
While driving along all of sudden vehicle experiences hard upshifting or down shifting. Occasionaly when coming to a stop sign then proceeding, motor revs and transmission does not engage. Took it back to the dealer in september. Dealer replaced a sensor, but still has not taken care of the problem. Vehicle is not longer under warranty.
When you put the car in park, engage the emergency brake and take your foot off the brake pedal, the car lurches forward or backward (depending upon incline of vechicle on a hill) and the sliding door, if opened, forcefully rolls and slams shut. Someone exiting the vehicle can be seriously injured, as can anyone (especially children) standing in front or behind the vehicle when it lurches. My son was injured when the door slammed shut as he was exiting the car after I put the car in park and engaged the emergency brake but before I took my foot off the brake pedal. I have asked the dealer to correct this obvious dangerous condition several times, but their response has been that I should engage the emergency brake before I put the vehicle in "park" - a process most people do not use when parking a car.
The right rear speed sensor quit working and was determined as needing replacement by joe mahan ford in paris, tn. The cost is approximately $100, but I feel this is a safety concern because without it working, the anti-lock brakes will not work. Also, the speedometer is broken. While driving over 30mph, the needle jumps around to 80 or more and the correct speed cannot be determined. Again, this should be a safety concern because speed should be known at all times. I contacted ford customer relations department, but they stated that they could be of no assistance. I really need these items fixed, but the combined cost is greater than $400 and I feel ford should at least share in the cost.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Due to a defective transmission, while applying the gas pedal, the vehicle hesistated and lunged forward which may have caused a crash. Dealer had replaced transmission with a rebuilt transmission. Engine check light comes on. Also,dealer replaced coil and a spark plugs, but problem is still occurring. Dealer could nt determine the cause of the problem. Please provide further information.
Speedometer not accurate. Speedometer will jump 5-10 miles on the gauge or with cruise control set will bounce back and forth between top and bottom of the gauge.
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration which caused the consumer to get a speeding ticket. Nlm
While driving vehicle accelerated without the gas being pushed,and also decelerated own its own.dealer has been notified of this problem for the second time. Dealer could not replicate, and therefore could not repair.
Vehicle experiencing problem with sudden acceleration whenever cruise control is engaged. Dealer notified and some repairs were made. Seeking help from the federal safety agency in this matter. *ak
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