Vehicle had constant engine problems along with other problems that surfaced and ended its life cycle. *la the consumer experienced coolant leaks, hard starting, electrical noises, radio noises, vibration upon acceleration along with thumping noises, erratic dash light illumination, intermittent door ajar light, bearing noise and the engine blew out prematurely. *sc *jb from a normal sitting position the consumer could not see that the check engine light was on. It wasn't until he dropped something on the floor and looked up that he saw the light on.
1996 Ford Windstar suspension complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 111, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt: the contact owns a 1996 ford windstar. The vehicle was purchased on march 17, 2005. The contact stated that the dealership verbally told her that vehicle would pass inspection. However, she did not have this information in writing. About two weeks ago the stabilizer bar broke while pulling out of a driveway. Luckily no one was injured. However, there were children in the car. After examining the broken stabilizer bar one could tell that the bar was shredded, and they saw where the bar had been welded onto the vehicle. When the contact spoke with the dealership she asked if the vehicle had been in an accident prior to purchasing it. The dealership said that the vehicle was not in an accident, and there was no police report. However, there were previous accidents prior to the contact's ownership of this vehicle.
While driving my 1996 ford windstar with my four children in the vehicle, the rear axle arm cracked in half causing the vehicle to go out of control. We were lucky to get to the side of the road off of the highway driving at 55 MPH during rush hour traffic. There was no accident, nor did we hit anything. The vehicle is currently at the mechanic who has to replace the entire axle. The cost will be over $1,000. We have continual problems with this vehicle.
1996 ford windstar - front spring broke and punctured tire. Fortunately, I was just leaving my driveway. I dread to think what would have happened if I had been travelling at any speed. The spring punctured and went into my tire - I couldn't remove the tire. I contacted ford customer service who referred me to a dealership. The car was towed and the springs were both replaced free of charge along with a new tire. However, this was a recall and I only knew about it from word of mouth. Ford should have notified me of the problem. This type of fault could cause serious injury and the public should be aware. The tow truck driver said he had seen this happen to a ford taurus as well.
The stabilizer bar broke about 5 inches from the tire after the bend and into the straight part of the bar. Efforts I have made to find a replacement part new or used is proveing difficult because every single place has been out of them, this would indicate to me that there is a rash of brakeages of this part and not an isolated incident.
Consumer stated the stabilizer bar rusted and broke through. As a result, a grinding noise was heard when turning in either direction.
The vehicle's door locks locked and unlocked on their own. *nm there were problems with the front driver side wheel and the engine light and the ABS light was intermittent. The consumer experienced an accident which may be due to the brake lines. Refer to recall#02v101000. *sc the sway bar rattled, the tie rods were replaced.
Consumer received recall 01i007000 notice concerning front coil springs. Consumer went to the dealer when the recall was recognized. However, dealer told consumer that they will not replace the front coil springs until one was broken. *ak the consumer stated that when the spring broke it punctured the front drivers side tire while the vehicle was at a stand still.
While the vehicle was parked, the driver and passenger side coil springs sheared off without warning. The vehicle shifted to the right then fell to ground. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The mechanic informed the driver that the front driver and passenger side coil springs needed replacement. Please fill in additional information.
I just paid our local ford dealership (van was in for a nys inspection) to perform weld repair on the "front strut/control arm support rod" bushings because they were loose and, in the dealers words, a safety hazard (loose due to corrosion and questionable weld quality by ford manufacturing). Degradation of welds on a major suspension component under normal wear & tear conditions- isn't that a significant safety issue? How many windstars has this happened to? I can see replacing components (I.e. Brakes, alternators, tires, etc.) over the live of a vehicle but weld repair on the suspension sub-frame? Based on other complaints, is this a viable condition or did the dealer fleece me?
My wife and I own a 1996 windstar. Great vehicle, we now have 140000 miles. Complaint: ford campaign #01i007000 (front coil springs) my request for reimbursement was denied via lloyd-manwell ford dealership. The spring broke on the highway, lucky I (or family) not injured. Took vehicle for repair to 3rd party. Ford has the file details. Incredible that ford would deny a $200 claim on a technicality and thus risk a lifetime customer. I will appeal all the way to bill ford if necessary.
Replaced rack and pinion for the second time 8/01 ( by dealership) and 5/03. Also replaced front end bearing in 1999 and transmission. Wiring harness in 2000. Rear A/C does not work and that's only the items I can remeber.
The front stabilizer bar has broken on the left side of the vehicle at the point where the bar attaches to the frame.
Consumer states that front coil spring broke. Dealer notified.
Front left spring broke puncturing tire. Vehicle had been returned for service on defective part, at time we were told not to worry we would know when part needed replaced.
The consumer requested an investigation of ford motor company and their lack of recalls on some serious defects. *mr. The vehicle experienced a clunking sound, however the dealer stated the clunking sound was normal and then the transmission failed, the transmission was replaced with another ford transmission, which failed on a test drive and one other occasion. Coolant leaked into the engine through the intake gasket, which was recalled for the 95 models. The timing chain leaked. There was a recall on the coils in the suspension, which ford would only replace when they failed. The brake rotors failed at 30000 miles. Scc
Consumer stated that while driving the front coil springs punctured the driver's front tire almost resulting in vehicle crashing.
The stabilizer bar broke causing very unstable driving. Wife complained and I looked under the vehicle and saw the bar hanging. It looks rusted through. The center of the bar has an ovbious hole so either it was made defective. Vehicle is undrivable and dangerious. Mr
Head gasket failed and was replaced, also a new engine cover was put on, a little over a year later the head gasket had to be replaced again and the engine had to be cleaned and milled due to the sludge build up, serpentine belt noisy.
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.
Consumer states while driving the sway bar broke, without any warning. Dealer contacted.*jb
Stabilizer bar completely snapped, causing significant body lean. Replacement is no longer hollow.
Left and right side strut bushings failed, causing a potentially dangerous situation to exist in the front end. My mechanic informed me that this is a very common problem with fords. If so, I feel that the whole system should be replaced by the manufacturer. Otherwise, I should be reimbursed for the rewelding of the bushings ($100.00).
Vehicle is riding extremely rough, causing difficulty in steering vehicle. Mechanic stated head gaskets needed to be replaced.
Consumer was calling dealer in regard to recall #01i007000 for front coil springs on previous model year vehicle. Consumer was experiencing the same problem. Dealer has been contacted for repairs, but refused to repair vehicle free of charge. Please provide further details.
Consumer was traveling 30mph on side street and heard a noise. Consumer applied brakes, and pedal went all the way to the floor. Vehicle started pulling to right, she was able to control vehicle. Dealership was aware of problem. Mechanic stated that left rear backing plate and brake shoe anchor rivets sheared off.
The front coil spring of the vehicle broke tearing the brake line and ripping out driver side tire and the front end while the consumer was traveling.
The car has been riding rough and when you went over bumps in the road or the surface was not even, the engine felt like it was about to fall out of the car. I had the shocks and struts checked and they were fine. I did receive an extended coverage announcement in the mail on 8/2001 (program #01m03) for the front coil springs and assumed that was the problem. I brought it to the ford dealership and they said the springs were fine but, they had to "weld both of the lower control are brackets back on to the car". They did not go into any explanation as to why this happened but I got the feeling from their tone of voice and body language that this was not suppose to happen.
When driving vehicle fails to shift into gears which has caused problems when accelerating. Also, when brakes are applied a noise occurs in front end of vehicle cause unknown. Please give any further details.
Consumer was traveling on the highway and passenger's door came open without touching electrical windows. Dealership was aware of problem. Also, coil spring failed during installation. Vehicle had six inch suspension. Dealership was aware of problems.
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