1999 Ford Windstar lights problems

Filed Jan 14, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 159,000 miles · MO

I never knew about ford's recalls until last march. Before calling ford I did research and found numerous people have the same problems as me. Mine started in 2012 when out of the blue the front windows would no longer open. Next when you tried to put the heat on in the rear there was strange noise and now I'm to afraid to use it. The past 3 yrs the gauges go haywire. Sometimes if you hit the dash it'll stop but locks up and you don't know what your speed is. If I leave it alone sometimes it will stop on it's own but locks up to wherever it stops at. On numerous occasions the ABS light will come on. For over 2 yrs now the check engine light has been on. I had it checked & was told it was the o2 sensors for which I replaced, 3 days later the engine light came back on again they said it was the o2 sensors. In the past 2 1/2 yrs I've had to replace the battery because while driving the battery light will come on. If I accelerate it goes off but nobody knows why the battery keeps dying. Some say its an electrical problem draining the battery. The interior lights will come on for no reason so I had them removed as I thought it might be draining the battery. Last summer out of the blue the A/C started making a noise and just quit just like a month ago I heard this clicking noise only to find out I had no heat. I spoke to ford about the gauges, the electrical problems, the A/C and some of the other issues and their response was it wasn't on their recall list and would only fix the rear axle, cruise control and the front if there was anything wrong. When I mentioned all the info I found on the federal safety agency's site about this vehicle I was told they have no control over what is fixed. I am disabled and am living in a place for the homeless & with all these problems how does ford expect me to fix their defects? Every time I have to drive which isn't often I pray I make it to & from safely.

Filed Jun 29, 2014 · Brakes, Lights · 120,000 miles · TX

The ABS light constantly turns on after driving it for a couple of minutes. This is a problem that repeats itself every time I drive it.

Filed Jan 17, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 60,000 miles · MI

Abs light comes on intermittently.

Filed Dec 22, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 98,000 miles · OH

99 ford windstar, scds switch replaced,no brake lights, cant get shifter out of park, blower wont shut off with key removed, headlights come on when you shut the door with key removed and switch off. No speedometer or tach.

Filed Jun 4, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 55,000 miles · CA

On december 17, 2009 we took our 1999 ford windstar in to the cerritos ford dealership in ca. We received a letter from ford that our vehicle was being recalled (recall # 09s09) and as it turned out the van was leaking and they replaced the leaking switch and harness. Before the work was even done, I told them that we were concerned about the ABS light that was on our dashboard. The recall summary states that the "with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge." on our invoice, the dealership failed to note our concern regarding the ABS and never stated whether or not they inspected the ABS control module connector. Although I am aware that there could be other factors causing the ABS light to show up, I am deeply concerned that the recall was not fully completed. I am aware that the issues we are having could result in a car fire. I just want confirmation that the inspection was done and if the connector needs to be repaired, that ford takes care of it with no out-of-pocket from me. I have contacted both the service manager at cerritos & ford co. Directly. I was told the recall was completed although they cannot say whether or not the inspection of the ABS control module connector was performed. They said I could pay for an expensive diagnostic test through the dealership where they could determine if there are issues with the ABS that were a result of fraud or poor workmanship. Either way, all of this will cost me a lot of money for something I asked to have taken care of at the time I brought the van in for the recall. I'm really frustrated and concerned about this as well as other issues pertaining to this van that I believe are recall related. Our tail-lights won't work despite new bulbs, our brakes sometimes sputter and don't always stop immediately. We've had 4 close calls related to our brakes and I wonder how much of this is recall-related.

Filed Jul 2, 2008 · Lights · 157,100 miles · FL

The brake pressure switch also known as the cruise control cutoff switch malfunctioned on my vehicle. I was told that the brake fluid leaking out of it will cause a massive fire. I have 3 kids and have to drive everyday that's why im filing this complaint. I no im not the only person with this problem because the ford dealer who repaired my car says he knows of quite a few people that this has happened to.

Filed Oct 10, 2007 · Body, Electrical · 79,000 miles · OK

I purchased a 1999 ford windstar a few months ago. I have had nothing but problems with it. In fact, I have spent more than half of what I paid for the vehicle in repairs in only 2 months. The reason for my complaint is that the most recent repairs have involved items that I feel are extreme safety concerns. 1- the power doors on my vehicle to not lock/unlock properly, making it unable to open the sliding doors. This was looked at by the ford mechanic today. I was told that the door latches were bad and were "burning up" the door lock actuators. I'm not sure if this is the reason, but also lately, my door ajar light comes on my dash and the interior lights are coming on intermittently while driving. I have 3 children, two of them in car seats and unable to get them selves out of a car. I am concerned that if something were to happen such as an accident or an emergency situation that I would not be able to get my children out of the vehicle. I am paying to have this repaired at the tune of around $1,000.00 which I think is a real rip off, due to fords poorly manufactured vehicle. 2. My brake light stopped working on the left side of my van. I changed the bulb and tested it, and did not fix the problem. I then noticed that my rear tail light is now not working. I had this checked out by the mechanic today, and was told it is the rear electronic control module which is going to cost me nearly $600 to fix. I'm not sure what would cause such a thing to fail, but this is definitely a safety concern, where lights come into play. I could have been rear ended due to this malfunction. I'm beginning to wonder if ford is in the auto making/selling business, or the service business. It appears to me that they are poorly manufacturing vehicles only providing job security for the mechanics. Please investigate this situation. Any help in remedying this and getting ford to pay for their mistakes would be greatly appreciated.

Filed Sep 21, 2007 · Electrical, Lights · 80,000 miles · VA

First: while traveling 70 MPH on an interstate in nc our van died. After safely pulling over, crossing 3 lanes of traffic, we had the van towed home to va and the mechanic said he changes 7-8 transmissions a week in ford windstar vans. We had fallen victim to this. We still have problems with the o/d light coming on and having to add transmission fluid frequently. Second: our van interior and exterior lights dim and blink at random. The alert will also come on saying one of the doors is ajar leaving the interior lights on and doors unlocked. It will randomly change doors while driving. Now the rear turning lights do not flash, the locks do not work, the interior and back exterior lights do not go out even with the key off and out. There will be random beeping and buzzing noises. The rear heat/air turns off and on at random even with the controls in the off position. There is a clicking under the dash when the rear heat or air is running. On inspection the mechanic found the alarm wires under the dash bare, unhooked, and exposed. He taped these hoping it would solve the problem. It has not. The local ford dealer is not reputable. It is a well known fact in the community that they break something else while fixing another to ensure a return visit. We have to travel 45-60 minutes to another dealer and they are so busy because they have to provide service for a large rural area. Ford has never acknowledged phone calls or letters sent to them. We feel stuck with a lemon!

Filed Jul 5, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · 63,000 miles · VA · 1 injury

I opened electronic sliding driver side door on my 1999 ford windstar van to load the car for a weekend trip. I kneeled in the door opening to position things in the back seat. Without warning the door began to shut on its own. Before I could jump out of the car, it had my calves stuck in the door. It did not automatically open as I was informed it should have when it hit my legs. My daughter was able to pull the door open and allow me to escape. My right calf was injured, though it did not break the skin, I have a large bruise from the doors impact approx. 2 inches high and 4 inches long. I took my car to the dealership (ted britt ford in fairfax virginia) where I purchased my van and carry an extended warranty. They have had my car in for numerous repairs, all related to the doors malfunctioning or other electrical problems. This is the first time there was an injury due to the door failure. My car is currently still in the shop for this malfunction. **about the number of failures listed below: I am uncertain if I should indicate one failure which resulted in an injurry or the multiple failures of the doors opening, refusing to open, or refusing to close that proceeded this last incident. I wll indicate one failure, meaning this last one. Please call or email if I should indicate all the door failures we have incountered to date. **I am also a bit concerned as the repair department at ted britt ford in fairfax, where my van is regularly serviced, indicated that he believes it would have been impossible for the door to shut without my having done something to cause it. I am absolutely certain I could not have accidentally close the door. I am concerned they may not check out this problem adequately and just decide it was operator error. I reminded them of the multiple other door failures and electrical problems. I also let them know the lights in the van (that come on when you open a door), go on and off when I go over bumps as I am driving.

Filed Apr 9, 2005 · Lights, Tires · 25,000 miles · MD

Our 1999 ford windstar has 51,000 miles and transmission has failed. Yesterday (4/8/05) while driving kids home from school the van made a loud clunking noise and would not go into forward or reverse. Was able to roll to shoulder. We replaced battery a month ago, and while driving over the bay bridge (maryland) easter sunday our headlights and dashboard lights began to dim and van seemed as if it was going to stall. By the time we drove 4 miles to home all lights were out and car was sputtering, wouldn't start. We then replaced the alternator. The o/d light has been flashing. Interior lights stay on sporadically as well as door ajar light when all doors are closed. Interior lights sometimes don't come on when van is parked and doors opened. No rhyme or reason to this. Tires have been replaced twice due to abnormal wear. We are getting quotes of between 1,600 and 2,800 for transmission. Also windshield cracked where mirror was reattached after it fell off. When we were just over 3 years and at around 25,000 miles, all dashboard warning lights came on also while driving on bay bridge. Took van to dealer (bob bell in glen burnie, md) and they said they'd have it done that day but kept it a week. I threw a fit and got a loaner - a tin can on wheels. Ford eventually covered some of the repairs through a 'special program.' I cannot beleive there has been no recall on these pieces of garbage with the number of transmission failures I see on this website. The federal safety agency should force ford to take responsibility for this nonsense and pay for these outrageous failures. We also have a ford pickup and will never buy another ford product. Henry must be rolling over in his grave.