1999 Ford Windstar: engine failure

Filed Mar 30, 2015 · Body, Steering · 225,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v030000 (structure). While driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the subframe fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 225,000...updated 05/21/15 *bf the consumer stated that the recall was incorrectly performed. He signed over the title. Updated 11/19/15

Filed Nov 22, 2013 · Brakes · 145,000 miles · NV

Abs light is on, has been on for the past 4-5 years that I am aware of. My mechanic is having a hard time tracking the problem down. The engine seized, despite regular maint, requiring a rebuilt engine from ford.

Filed Dec 29, 2010 · Body · 64,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that after having his vehicle in for regular maintenance, the mechanic informed him that he needed to replace the engine cradle due to rust and being fractured. The vehicle was then taken to a certified dealer who informed the contact that there was nothing wrong with the engine cradle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000. Updated 12/14/2011 *cn the engine cradle was completely rusted on the right side. Updated 08/05/11

Filed Sep 30, 2010 · Body, Suspension · 157,500 miles · MA

I was at a sear's auto repair center,for a flat tire repair. A mechanic had shown me the sub frame,(engine cradle) was all rusted out on the drivers side,also the spring was broken. I then proceeded to a collision repair shop to have them look at it .they tried to find a used sub frame,but no luck(they all had rust also)so repair shop is ordering a new engine cradle and spring.

Filed Jan 13, 2006 · Engine · 78,568 miles · VA

Engine seized at 78,568 miles; all preventive maintenance up to date; inspection of engine resulted in 3 fractured pistons, scored cylinder walls, bent rods and large chunks of metal debris secondary to the engine seizure.

Filed Feb 3, 2005 · Engine · 98,000 miles · OH

The check engine light in my 1999 ford windstar came on. Shortly after that, my coolant was disappearing, it was being sucked into my engine due to a blown head gasket. Eventually the engine locked up due to insufficient lubrication (coolant mixing with oil). I replaced the engine. The van had a 3.8l 6 cylinder engine made in canada.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 65,000 miles · WV

We first had to replace the transmission at 49000 miles for $2000.00. Just a few months later the engine failed at 53000 miles. To save money, we purchased a used engine from a wrecked windstar van for $900.00. My husband and father did the labor themselves. Then in july 2003 we had to replace the shift solenoids which cost $500.00 for parts and labor. Now, just a little over a year from replacing the first transmission, the van is in the shop again with transmission problems. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciate. Thanks for your time.

Filed Oct 28, 2002 · Transmission · OK

Overdrive light began flashing on and off. Pulled over immediately and checked transmission fluid, which was slightly low. Drove 8 miles to automotive store, purchased fluid and refilled. Problem alleviated for two days, then overdrive light began flashing again. Disconnected battery to reset systems. Two weeks later overdrive light began flashing again. Noticed rpms were up to 3 at 69 MPH. Took van to our mechanic, who told us the overdrive was failing. He then referred us to local ford dealer, who confirmed the overdrive was failing and entire transmission would have to be replaced. Contacted ford motor company who told us financial assistance would be up to the dealership that inspected the transmission. They offered no financial assistance. Price 1,800 for new transmission, not including labor. When driving home from the dealership, engine began stalling at low idle speeds. Engine dies during take off or acceleration at low speeds. Our mechanic inspected van and could find no engine failure problems. Suspects association with transmission failure. Van is high milage, but had 66,000 miles when we bought it in 2000. Has been well maintained and is only 3 years old. This seems to be a common problems with ford windstar transmissions. In reading some of the other owners' stories, I feel very lucky my transmission went out slowly and gave us warning. Does someone have to actually get killed because of these problems before anything is done to make ford correct the problem? Considering most minivans are used to transport families, it seems that immediate action would be taken to correct an obviously life-threatening problem. Dt

Filed Aug 28, 2002 · Engine · IL

Most recent incident - engine stalled with complete loss of power when reducing from highway speed to ~25 MPH due to traffic conjestion on north side of chicago after driving ~45 minutes in 95 degree weather with air conditioning operation. Vehicle would not restart. Illinois dot pushed vehicle to shoulder. After total wait ~20 minutes, engine restarted. Drove with air conditioning off and heater on full through remaining congestion (~45 minutes). Drove remaining trip (total of 3.5 hours) with no futher incident. Prior occurrence on 07/29/02. Similar weather/driving conditions. After 2.5 hours at highway speed, exited to side road. Vehicle stalled shortly after exit. Restarted after 15 minutes. No repeated incident in remaining 15 minutes of drive. Return trip had no incident. Prior incident in november, 2001. In cool weather, several short errant trips - vehicle stalled. Restarted after several hour wait. Vehicle towed to dealer. No failure codes determined, no diagnosis of reason for engine failure. Dealer replaced alternator under warranty.

Filed Jul 18, 2002 · Acceleration, Engine · OH

While driving at highway speeds, consumer took foot off accelerator, the vehicles dash lights illuminated and the engine died. Took vehicle to dealer who replaced the valve throttle assembly. *ak consumer also states that the valve cover was replaced.

Filed Jun 3, 2002 · Engine · CA

At 70mph engine blewout, and antifreeze started to leak from vehicle. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Engine · SC

While driving at a speed of 40mph. The windstar began to unexpectedly shudder and make a loud rattling noise. Engine check light flashed and the van violently bucked. We managed to get to our house. Van would not start after turning off. Dealer called and van towed.dealer checked problem and found the #5 piston had failed and had caused major engine damage and failure. Est. Replacement cost $4,000. Dealer was not sure if this was related to the earlier model windstar 3.8l v-6 problems causing failure. I am the second owner and warranty is expired. We are waiting to hear from ford but the dealer said they may decline to assist in replacement cost. I now have a $16,000 blue paperweight. The sudden jerkiness of the engine failure almost caused my wife and two kids to run off the road . The piston in the motor dropped down into the oilpan area. Engine now has to be replaced at 48,692.miles. Doing research into your database, from owners of 1995 windstars and a few 1999 models, I noticed a similarity in detail descriptions of the head gasket failure and resulting engine failure. This vehicle was very well maintained, I am the second owner. It was purchased new as a leased vehicle. I bought it after the lease was over. I hope you can investigate this engine flaw/defect with ford and I can get satisfaction