1998 Ford Windstar: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Dec 20, 2009 · Body, Brakes · OH · crash

On december 16th 2009. I was driving down west 117th towards madison/lakewood in cleveland, ohio and was trying to come to a stop (slow down and stop) to allow an ambulance to pass (there was a car in front of me that was also slowing downa nd that came to a stop at the street lot)this is on a major street near an highway intersection. I put my foot on my brake to slow down the vehicle and come to a stop but it would not slow down or stop. The brake had went out. I ended up hitting the car in front of me hard (an SUV) and doing quite a bit of damage to my vehicle. The other driver vehicle was so far as I could tell undamaged. On my vehicle the front light is broken, my bumper is damaged, and my hood is damaged. I, myself and the driver I hit could have gotten seriously injured. So far we are bothfine and no injuries occurred. However he may turn around and come after me if he decides to. And I now can not drive my vehicle. I received a recall notice on my vehicle brake about a month ago around early november. Maybe in end of october. The very day of my accident (happened around 12:15 noon) I was going to go home and call ford about the recall. There is a worldwide recall on my vehicle model and many others. And I have had nothing but problems since I bought it. I have had to make numerous repairs on it and still had problems and this accident. Ford should be held responsible for this and should compensate me with another vehicle in good condition especially since I have spent so much time and money into replacement parts for this windstar. Or give me my money back or something. I'm glad my kids were not with me when this happened and that the man I hit was also alone and is ok. What can be done about this? I have had to replace the following items since I got this vehicle: o2 sensors (both), alternator, belt, windshield wiper blade, and make back blades don't work at all, the transmission, the steering column box, door handle and components inside and more!

Filed Feb 7, 2006 · Electrical, Locks · 53,000 miles · PA

Electronics-door ajar warning light stays on specifically when weather is damp or mild. This causes door locks to unlock by themselves even when vehicle is in motion, also door chime keeps chimming. Battery looses power because dome lamp stays on for extended period of time. Rear windshield wipers will not work if illuminated door ajar warning is caused by opening or closing rear liftgate. Repairs have been made to driver door switch at the cost of $100 parts and labor, however the passenger door, side slider and rear liftgate have the same problem. Im not sure if doors are really closed or not. Since the doors wont stay locked, I believe this poses as a safety hazard to all passengers. Mechanics have told me that this is a common problem with mini vans.

Filed Apr 27, 2005 · Locks · 75,000 miles · MI

Interior lights and door locks operating erratically while vehicle is in motion

Filed Mar 18, 2004 · Locks · 54,000 miles · KS

We have a 1998 ford windstar, the door switch, is a safety problem when the doors are shut, the light showing the door open, the door locks will unlock, and the in side lights will stay on. I had new rear door locks replaced, my wife safety is a factor if you leave the inside lights on, the battery will fail, if you take the fuse out, then the windows will not work.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Steering, Suspension · MO

I bought this van because of the clean condition of it . I have the 3.0 ltr engine which has been excellent. The transmission so far is ok. Steering is a dangerous mess with almost everything new and 3 alignments. If you take your eyes off the road even for a second you can end up in a ditch. My wife & I both went off the road in a 1 month span. We both have excellent driving records. The front end seems ok to ford. Something serious is wrong with the steering. Won?t let my wife drive it anymore. Has a little vibration that you cannot get rid of. Sending this to you because I called ford and they said there was no safety recall or any steering issues with that van. Had a service bulletin in front of me at that time stating there was. But that is not the problem. Ford denied the all of the above. Am afraid to sell to someone because I think someone will get hurt. Don?t know why ford keeps putting in the same bad parts year after year. I have had all the dome light problems and door locks etc. They will still say no problems. Bought it used at a good price thinking it was a bad tire causing the problems. If accident occurs will seek damages

Filed Apr 26, 2003 · Electrical · 72,000 miles · NC · fire

My 1998 windstar caught fire today. The fire appeared to start in the driver's door lock component. The entire driver's seat was destroyed, the windshield melted and cracked and the ceiling and dashboard melted. The entire van is smoke-damaged. The van had several auto-lock, instrumentation and door ajar problems which had been addressed by the dealership.

Filed Feb 4, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

1998 ford windstar; front brakes seem to have continuous shimmy; passenger side door lock uncooperative unlocking with remote; engine light off/on often, doesn't seem to be a reason; electrical panel malfunctioning after 104,000 miles,(engine light constantly on, ABS light on, trac light constant flashing, and fuel gauge not reading gas in tank)

Filed Jan 18, 2003 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · KY

Abs light comes on intermittently and red brake light stays on constantly. While this is happening, the rear windshield wiper will not shut off, and the front windshield wipers do not work. The check engine soon light is constantly on. The turn signals are blinking rapidly or not working on some occasions. My warranty has expired as of last year. The transmission has already been rebuilt and we had problems with the door ajar warning lights not going off and the door lock motor had to be replaced because at first they were locking on their own repeatedly. I feel like these were all a result of wiring problems, but we had such a hard time getting all of the other things repaired that I'm not looking forward to going back to the dealer again, especially since the warranty has expired. This vehicle has been a lemon the whole time we have owned it.

Filed May 9, 2002 · Acceleration, Lights · IN · crash · 1 injury

Accelerator went down on its own while in reverse, no brakes to stop, resulting in a accident. Steering vibrates, recommend rotating the tires. Interior seats slightly twisted, door locks works sometime, interior lights work sometimes.

Filed Mar 29, 2002 · Locks · PA

Passenger's side door lock is inoperative, causes interior lights to stay on at all times.*ak

Filed Jan 18, 2002 · Body, Electrical · CA

Door locks are not working properly. They will lock at times, and not lock at other times. Also, instrument panel will illuminate showing that door is not closed when it is. Please provide more information.

Filed Jan 18, 2002 · Body, Electrical · CA

Courtesy lights will intermittenly work. They will come on when driving at night, or sometimes they will not come on at all. *ak experiencing other electrical problems with the reverse lights, interior lights, automatic door locks, door check light, and signal lights operating intermittently, consumer states that the engine is noisy and the engine check light is always on, the seat belt is loose, passenger side arm rest is loose, and the back window wiper is inoperative.