1999 Ford Windstar: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Apr 14, 2014 · Acceleration, Body · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward violently. The failure would occur sporadically and at any given speed. The vehicle would sway abnormally when being driven and the steering wheel would often seize without warning. Additionally, the contact experienced the vehicle lunging forward and violently jerking when in drive or reverse on multiple occasions. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure) however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer advised the contact that the timeframe had expired for the contact to have additional repairs performed that had not been scheduled within the required timeframe for the recall repairs. The vehicle was to be inspected, diagnosed and repaired. The approximate failure mileage was not available. Updated 8/14/14*cn updated 8/22/2014

Filed Jun 8, 2010 · Acceleration · 106,000 miles · OR · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 09v399000 (vehicle speed control) october 2009 and took the vehicle in for repairs. On a separate occasion, while driving at approximate speeds of 55-65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle began abnormally surging and losing brake fluid. In may 2010, the contact was driving at relatively low, unknown speeds when the vehicle abnormally accelerated in reverse and crashed into two yard fences. The vehicle sustained major damage and the contact was not injured. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the cruise control mechanism was disconnected. There were two more failures. In addition, the contact stated there were never any unintended acceleration incidents prior to the recall repair. The failure mileage was 106,000 and the current mileage is 113,000. Updated 07/26/10. *lj updated 09/07/10

Filed Oct 27, 2004 · Transmission · 61,280 miles · OH

Overdrive light will flash repeatedly after approximately driving 20-25 miles on the highway. When this happens, rpms increase and van attempts to lunge forward. Also, while putting van into gear loud clunking noise. Transmission was flushed completely, but problem persists. First occurance at 61,000 miles while driving family back from vacation. 2nd occurance at 63,000 miles and 3rd occurance at 63,800 miles.

Filed May 13, 2003 · Acceleration · 60,000 miles · NY

Engine revs unexplainable, causing unexpected and difficult to control sudden acceleration of vehicle. Extreme brake application needed to stop vehicle during incidents. Has occurred in excess of 20 times so far during the life of the vehicle, nearly causing accident on several occasions. Ford dealer unable to identify the problem.

Filed Apr 20, 2002 · Transmission · MA

Start vehicle put into drive, vehicle will suddently lunge forward (a sudden thrust) without touching the gas pedal. This happens atleast 95 per-cent of the time when vehicle is started. Vehicle has been taken to ashley ford, 395 mt pleasant street, new bedford, ma, 508-996-5611on more than one occassion, this last time 04/16/02 they stated that it was the transmission, and they ordered a new transmission, which is to be installed. On 04/15/02 auto was in my garage started it up put it into gear and it lunged forward almost striking my wife who was walking into the garage from the side, I park my auto facing the street, as I back it into the garage. I believe this is a serious problem have complain to ashley ford several times about this matter. I feel that it may be something else other than the transmission. (tiresize: p215/70rx-)

Filed Apr 20, 2002 · Acceleration · MA

When starting vehicle put gear into drive vehicle will lunge forward with a sudden thrust, I have made several complaints taken it to ashley ford, 395 mt pleasant street, new bedford, ma 02745, 508‑996‑5611, , this last time 04/16/02 they said the problem was with the transmission and they ordered a new transmission. I believe it it something else other than the transmission. On 04/15/02 my vehicle was in the garge I park it facing the street as I back it into the garage, and when I started it up, put it into drive, the vehicle lunged forward nearly striking my wife who was waling into the garge from the side. I believe this should be looked into as a accident could occuer if not already.

Filed Apr 20, 2002 · Acceleration · MA

When starting vehicle put gear into drive vehicle will lunge forward with a sudden thrust, I have made several complaints taken it to ashley ford, 395 mt pleasant st, new bedford ma 02745, 508‑996‑5611, this last time 04-16-02 they said the problem was with the transmission and they ordered a new transmission. I believe it is something else other than the transmission. On 4-15-02 my vehicle was in the garage I parked it facing the street as I back it into the garage and when I started it up, put it into drive, the vehicle lunged forward nearly striking my wife who was waling into the garage from the side. I believe this should be looked into as a accident could occur if not already. *ts ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***760968

Filed Jan 2, 2002 · Acceleration · FL

When putting vehicle into gear, vehicle accelerated by itself. Vehicle accelerated to the point where brakes would not stop vehicle. Also, vehicle went several hundred feet before stopping and consumer stated not sure how vehicle stopped. Contacted dealer and dealer stated had never had any problems with this model vehicle.*ak

Filed May 26, 2001 · Acceleration, Transmission · NE

My wife called me at work stating that there was a grinding sound coming from the van as she parked it in the garage. I went home and popped the hood and did a visual inspection and discovered nothing. I was going to stand in front of the van and listen while she started it to see if I could pinpoint the sound. She was concerned that I should not be near it in case "something blew up". I agreed and decided to start it myself and see how it sounded. As I started the van it surged forward (while in park), made a terrible grinding sound, and I had to slam on the brakes to stop it. It just touched the chest freezer in front of it in the garage. I immediately shut it off. Started it again and there was no sound and the engine run smoothly. Tried all the gears and got nothing. Had it towed to the dealer who tore it down and stated the planatery gear had seized. Had I stood in front of the van to listen as my wife started it I would have been smashed as it surged forward. Seems very dangerous for the vehicle to surge like that, even if the transmission fails.

Filed May 1, 2001 · Acceleration · VA

My 1999 windstar has sudden acceleration while in bumper to bumber slow moving traffic. It will all of a sudden accelerate forward while your foot is not on the brake or on the gas. We have taken it to three ford delearships and are unable to get it fixed. We have been told this is normal with fords and the computer shows no problems. This has been an ongoing problem and I am concerned about the safety of my family and myself while driving this vehicle. The transmission has already been replaced in may of 2000. Thank you!

Filed Nov 17, 2000 · Acceleration · VA

During shifts from 1st to 2nd gear with the engine at idle, at approximately 5 MPH, the engine surges during the shift. As a result, the vehicle suddenly accelerates to approximately 9-10 MPH. This has caused several near-accidents and panic stops in parking lots and stop-and-go traffic. During normal acceleration with a partially open throttle, this problem does not occur. The vehicle has behaved in this way since it was new.

Filed Feb 17, 2000 · Acceleration · AL · crash · 1 injury

Upon turning on the ignition switch vehicle jumped out of gear and suddenly accelerated, causing vehicle to run into a neighbor's home. Driver received minor injuries. Dealer was notified.