I own two 1998 ford windstar minivans, both of them have the same problem with the sliding door causing the panel light to come on and the car interior lights to stay on for up to two hours after you have exited the vehicle. I have read in a report that this has been a problem with some of these vehicles. I have a sister that also owns a windstar and a brother that just traded his in. They have never had this problem to my knowledge. What is causing this and how is the problem fixed? The dealer's mechanic where I purchased it from told me that it is supposed to be like this, but I know it is not. 12 second delay is normal not two hours. I think he was just as stumped as my husband and I have been with this problem. Again please let me know what is causing this to happen and how it can be repaired.
1998 Ford Windstar visibility complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 44, newest first, as owners wrote them.
At 55,000 miles my 1998 windstar with the 232 cubic inch engine, you guessed it, blew a head gasket. After reading about the problems with previous models, it looks as though ford has more problems a"head" (sorry had to). What steps should I take to help the other consumers make complaints so we aren't out thousands of dollars for repair costs that is obviously a ford problem? What steps can I take to get ford to cover the costs of this repair? Sincerely,
The transmission failed after having the fluid and pan gasket changed within the previous 6 months. Since it is a '98 and although it has the same transmission as earlier years (whose transmissions have been replaced at no cost to the owner because of either recalls or secret warranties) ford refused to replace this transmission at cost.
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
Paint is peeling off of van interor remain on panel shows door open when its not and the lights will not go out until you reach about 20mph try driving at night with this.
1998 windstar defroster blend door failure, which causes the windshield to ice up and we are unable to see. It appears to be a design problem and ford wants $1000 to replace the entire heating unit.
Loss of front right wheel while driving.*mr while driving the front passenger side wheel separated from the vehicle. The separation caused damage to the front passenger side fender. It was later determined the wheel in question separated from the vehicle as a result of inappropriate clamping force to the assembly. It also appeared that the lack of clamping force was the result of an under torqued wheel or a wheel and a brake rotor combination the was inappropriately seated. The rear wipers were defective and the air conditioner was inoperative. *nlm
When tilting the steering wheel windshield wipers would not work. Dealer notified.
I have a 98 ford windstar family van VIN# [xxx] I purchased the van in june of 2002 it is still under warranty and had a full inspection by the service dept according to the dealership when purchased, I was driving by myself on a sunday returning from visiting my elderly parents and as I was driving the interstate a huge noise scared me and I looked to the rear of the van and a window on the passenger side rear vent window was gone, the temp was very cold and no one was around it thank goodness, it could have at a different time cost a motorcycle rider or anyone it could of hit their life or serious injury, I took the van to the ford dealership I bought it from and explained what happened for them to report and also explained I should not have to pay for the repair, I had to pay for it and contacted the ford motor co three times and they do not seem to believe they should take care of this issue, it was a electric window latch that moves the window in and out as a vent that malfunctioned and broke, it is also the only thing that holds it in. I believe I could not have anticipated this to happen and it was clearly a defect and I should be reimbursed and some now that they have caused me so much aggravation. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
There is rust located on both sides and the top of the windshield. The rust wasn't visible under the molding until replacement had begun. *jg *jb
Consumer stateed both front tie rods failed and were replaced, also the steering rack was replaced.
While driving 50 MPH passenger took a magazine and gently swatted at a mosquito on windshield. Windshield shattered, outside temperature was 50. No injuries.
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.
Power steering line malfunctioned while driving, rendering vehicle difficult to steer, dealer has repaired vehicle.*ak consumer also stated the air conditioner was not cooling, there was a loose connection at compressor, the doors would not lock, the power door actuator was the cause of the doors not working, windows would not go down because of a bad window motor.
Various problem with power lock locking by itself/windshield wipers working intermittently/dome light not operating, and door ajar light staying on. Vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on several occasions, and problems still reoccurring. *ak possible electrical problem with failure of power locks, windshield wipers, dome light, door ajar light, door ajar switch, lift gate door ajar switch, battery saver relay inoperable, and washer light illuminating. Brakes noisy at times, dealer stated this was due to brake dust. Power steering is noisy when turning back and forth, dealer replaced tie rod end. Sliding door rattles while driving over bumps, dealer added foam tape to back side of panel, driver door rattles, sliding door hard to open at times, dealer lubed sliding hinges and latch. Dealer replaced shocks due to rattling noise when riding over bumps. Drivebelt replaced. Maf sensor replaced due to hesitation. Window guide did not fit tight.
I am a letter carrier for the united states postal service in whitestone, ny. We have 33 1998 ford windstars in our fleet. I have noticed 3 recurrent problems in our vans, in the three years that we have had them. First, the vehicles have manual crank windows, not power windows. The driver side window regulator has failed on several vehicles, perhaps 6 of them, and on a few of them, failed more than once. There has got to be better material used in these window regulators for the future. The failure rate is really unacceptable. The second problem that I have noticed, is a squealing noise coming from the front suspension. I have heard this on many vehicles so it seems that this is also an engineering defect. The third recurrent problem is a strange one. When the weather gets warm, the computer reads that there is an open door, yet all of the doors are securely locked. The reminder chimes will ding, the icon will appear on the dash, and the interior lights stay on. Strangely enough, when the speed is over 15mph, the chimes will stop dinging, but the dashboard icon will stay lit. One of our vehicles has been to the shop 8 times for this problem, and they still can't figure out what the problem is! If I see these recurrent problems on a small sample of 32 vehicles, I can only imagine that the same problem must happen all over the country wherever windstars are being used. Somebody in authority, please investigate these problems! Thanks.
1. Transmission will shift erratically , and a loud noise will occur and motor will shake. Ford engineering was sent out and determined transmission needed work, but no dealer will honor warranty. 2. Brakes will fail in the winter and in slippery roads, causing pedal to go to floor and vehicle will not stop. 3. All doors lock by themselves/ lights flash on and off, and heater and defroster motor will come on even without the key in the igntion. Vehicle will even start up by itself.
*since purchase new, one tire would go nearly flat weekly. Took it to the dealer to have it checked when they checked the window mechanism and the ABS sensor light--no problem found. Took it to 3 different tire stores (2 goodyear)--no problem found. It went bald after only 18k and 2 rotations. No problem since purchasing 2 new tires. Alignment was not a problem--done @ 10k & 21k. Weather did not effect air loss, either. *drivers "auto-down" feature has never worked consistantly. Has nearly caused accidents & is very frustrating. Dealer has checked it too many times to count--same with the *ABS light on the dash coming on and not going off. I think they changed fuses once--still happens, but not as often. Would that effect safety? I don't know if the system will work properly while the light is flashing. *wiper problem is very intermittent--of course. When on slow intermittent (1 or 2) speed, will speed up on it's own to very fast & then must be turned off & back on again in order to get the correct speed set again. Temp & time run does not effect malfunction at all--happens hot or cold & after 3-5 minutes or up to an hour. Back wiper has always "chattered" when wiping--worse when cold. *can you change this window? It's hard to tell what you type and very hard to correct errors.( dot number: 97s ? Tire size: p215/70r15 )
1)all 5 lugs: nuts sheared off from the right front passenger hub, causing the wheel to leave the vehicle. The body of the vehicle traveled approximately 200 feet until it stopped. 2)the rear brakes had to be replaced with new pads and rotors. Dealer couldn't explain why this was a problem. 3) the next day the right passenger mirror electical system no longer worked. 4)the parking brake consistently does not disengage after use. We no longer use it, possibly creating a safety hazard. 5) the vehicle intermittently stalls out at low speeds or upon stopping. Additionally the initial gears shift hard and loud. 6) the rear seat will not move on the track.
Replacement windshield wiper (pass) does not seem to fit correctly-none of the wipers in dealer stock fits with same positive locking action as the orginal wiper blade. Appears that wipe blade assy can pop off under some conditions
You can call me to get details or ford can call. Both wiper and seat were safety items and caused us to drive this new van in a very unsafe mannor . The wiper motor had to be replaced first then some module. Took about one week to get the wipers fixed. The driver seat tilts and slides forward so people can get in and out the back. The retaining nut fell off the stud that holds the cable on. Since two push nuts were under the seat and both would not stay on the stud I think the studs are undersized. Once the cable pops off the seat tilts forward and the slide is free to move forward or back but no way to lock the slide or tip the seat back. I had to drive like this to get home. Face about 2 - 3 inches from the steering wheel. Call for more details if you want.
Driver side wiper failed during a major downpour in rush hour traffic. Visibility was next to zero. Managed to get vehicle to the side of the road without incident. In checking wiper arm I found the nut attaching the wiper arm to the wiper motor assembly had come lose. Because of the loose condition, wiper arm would not move more than 1-2 inches. A simple washer or lock washer under the nut would have prevented this failure.
Rear windshield exploded from inside which may have caused injuries. Common problem. Dealer cannot determine the cause. Please provide further information.
Fuel pump failed.
Rack and pinion steering failed causing the vehicle to wander.
Front passenger side weather strip failed.
Transmission modulator valve failed. Mjs
Passenger side window will not go down. Nlm
Front windshield defective, causing windshield to make whistling noises.
Front right window fell out.
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