1998 Ford Windstar: windshield wiper failure

Filed Apr 28, 2018 · Electrical, Fuel system · NY

My mini van lights would flicker while I'm driving and even after replacing the starter in the car, it still turns off while I'm driving. There's rust coming from under the car, I smell a burnt smell when I'm driving. I'm having electrical issues, my car stops when it wants to in the middle of the highway, .. It makes noises when I'm turning, I have rust coming from under my car. The signal lights flicker. While driving the windshield washer, seat belt, and door ajar warning lights flash on and off. While this is happening the wiper blades stop working, front brake rotors is causing steering wheel to shimmy when the brakes are applied. Now when I turn my wheel to the left, it makes this loud nose. What is that?!

Filed Apr 27, 2010 · Electrical, Lights · 230,000 miles · TN

Vehicle is a 1998 ford windstar. While driving the windshield washer,seat belt,and door ajar warning lights flash on and off. While this is happening the wiper blades stop working,power windows will not operate and on a few occasions the headlights will blink with the warning lights. I understand that this is an old vehicle but I have researched this issue and have found hundreds of complaints about the same problem. Not just restricted to this year. It is also an issue that happens just after a few years of service. I would think that wiper blades malfunctioning due to an electrical issue would be a safety concern.

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 Oct 7, 2005 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · GA · fire

Dt: the vehicle had been parked for about 15 mins before it caught on fire. The doors locked, and the windshield wipers were running on their own. The fire department came and had to cut the battery cable to stop the vehicle. The keys were left inside the vehicle on the console in between the two front seats. A report was filed with the fire department. The dealer stated they had not received any reports of fires on windstars. Manufacturer was contacted, and caller filed a complaint. They will get back to him. Vehicle was totaled, and it was towed away. The caller did not know what started the fire.*ak

Filed Aug 23, 2005 · Electrical, Suspension · 35,000 miles · CO

We have always had trouble with this van - we bought it used(1 yr old) so we had no recourse as far as warranties go. We finally were able to take it in to the ford dealership and have the light problem looked at - they replaced a sensor for $140 and as soon as we drove 45 miles it started up again! We were on our way on a road trip and I called to tell them it failed, but when we got back two weeks later they claimed that it must be something different... Interior lights do not shut off, removed door ajar chime so we didn't have to listen to that while driving all the time, door ajar light has been on continuously for more than 3 years, we've had to remove the dome lights and turn the other lights to "off" so our battery doesn't go dead over night - the passenger floor lights remain on however and get very hot... The doors do not lock because the car thinks it's doors are open! The car has become dangerous to drive and the problem has stumped too many mechanics to list - when driving above 40 MPH the right wheel starts making a 'thumping' noise and when turning left or accelerating it becomes almost deafening, now it's making a very loud screech if, but don't want to sell this death-trap to anyone else either you turn too sharply - there is a continuous squeaking noise coming from the same area. Please help!! Thank you, [xxx] ps... Cruise control doesn't work and the back wiper only works if you're backing up... Have had the van realigned continually and I just bought another set of tires in june and the left front tire is already worn out... The right passenger's window sometimes doesn't roll back up and the service engine light stays on sometimes for months for no reason as well as the brake light... Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 10, 2003 · Visibility · DC

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

Filed Jun 4, 2003 · Steering, Visibility · MI

When tilting the steering wheel windshield wipers would not work. Dealer notified.

Filed Feb 5, 2003 · Lights · 50,000 miles · AK

Interior dome light stays on until 15-20mph is reached. Dash light indicator says door is open. Isolated problem to sliding door on passenger side. Problem is intermittent. Take to ford dealerships on 3 seperate ocassions and all 3 times the problem mysteriously went away. Also when this happens the rear wiper doesn't work all the time.

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 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.

Filed Jan 12, 2002 · Brakes · CA

I have complained about these 2 conditions since day one. Now that my warranty has run out, and I'm not working, they tell me I would have to pay. My ABS system is tearing away at my brake pads. The vehical grinds to a stop. To me, this is a safty issue, as I have a 13 month old son. I would hate to apply my brakes, and they are not there. My ABS light is on.....all the time. I am on disability, and have gone to the dealer regarding this issue. As far as the rear wiperm, it goes on when I put the van in reverse.......weather or not the front wipers are on.. Or not.