Steering rack replacement (covered under warranty). Repair of leak in intake manifold (not covered under warranty).
1999 Ford Windstar steering complaints
Page 5 of 7: complaints 101 to 130 of 184, newest first, as owners wrote them.
1999 ford windstar rack and pinion failure could not turn vehicle came very close to a collision this is a known defect also the vehicle is leaking powersteering fluid which is a fire hazard! Ford refuses to acknowledge this problem. I have notified ford about the premature failure and they dont seem to care that someone could lose thier lives over ford putting vehicles with faulty parts on the road.
While driving the power steering pump would make a loud noise without warning. Dealer notified ts
I own a 1999 ford windstar van with approximately 50,000 miles that is used for pleasure purposes only. Two days ago the power steering unit commenced howling whenever the steering wheel was turned. Yesterday I took the vehicle to the ford dealer in arcadia. During the drive to the dealer the vehicle appeared to steer correctly. However, when the service man at the dealer tried to drive the vehicle into the stall he said that the steering had frozen and was almost impossible to steer. Subsequently the dealer, after checking the power steering unit, decided that the pump in the power steering system had failed causing component pieces to pass through the system causing the steering failure.the dealer said the repair would require replacing the pump and all components of the system at a cost of more than a thousand dollars. My concern is the steering could have failed on the highway causing a serious accident. In addition, failure of the power sterring unit at such low mileage leaves the impression that this might be a defect in other cars....thus the report to you. The ford dealer's telephone number in arcadia is 863 494 4848
Consumer states that power steering fluid is leaking fast causing the steering wheel to be inoperable. Please provide any additional information. Ts
While driving at 30 MPH vehicle's steering fluid was leaking and had to be filled every 30,000 miles to make it home. Please provide additional information. Ts
While driving the vehicle and turning left or right is big noise , due to a faulty power rack and pinion assembly, dealer has been notified. Please provide further information. Ts
Consumer stated that while driving a seal blew in the power steering pump which caused the rack and pinion to fail. Ts
Consumer stated that the power steering fluid constantly leaks diminishing ability to proper control vehcile while driving. Mechanic advised that the steering "shield" failed causing the fluid loss. Mr
Very loud grinding jet engine sound when turning and also when just idling. The power steering fluid was black with metal chips indicating there was a problem with the pump or rack and pinion. I took it to a dealership and they flushed the pump. The noise went away for one day and on my way out of town, it started again causing me to lose power steering. The noise was terrible and I couldn't turn the wheel. I was one hour away! I have checked and there are 32 reported cases of this same problem. It seems to me that there should definately be a recall on this particular problem! It seems to have been reported for at least a year and nothing seems to have been done about it! Please contact me and let me know what I have to do to get a recall done on this! I am now looking at paying more than $800 to replace a part that is obviously defective! Please help! Dt
While in motion, a loud noise emitted from the steering wheel. The vehicle was service by a technician. The technician noticed that the rack and pinion was leaking fluid and needed to be replaced. Ts
Consumer states while driving and turn either way the vehicle makes a loud noise. Ts
Consumers notice a grinding noise coming from steering after making turns. Dealer has been contacted and notice a hose need to be replace. Please provide further information. Mr
No summary. Dt
Massive powersteering /rack and pinion leak , difficult to steer at any speed. Mr
Rack and pinion was replaced on two separate occasions within 50,000 miles by dealer. However, problem has reoccurred. Feel free to provide any further information.
The valve on the rack and pinion steering dried out and now leaks. The entire rack and pinion steering system must be replaced now at a cost of $600. The mechanic told me that it is the 4th windstar he has seen with this same problem in the last two weeks. I contacted ford about this problem and they logged it in but are doing nothing for me at this time.
There are several problems with out now three year old windstar that have either been corrected temporarily or not corrected at all. The most persistent issues are with the drivetrain in particular the transmission which shifts erratically when going around corner or climbing hills at low spead. The recall was performed at 25k but the transmission continues to operate poorly. Ford has offered no solution or warranty extension for these problems. The engine problems to date revolve around the innability to use regular or mid grade fuels as advertised on the vehicles sticker, we have been offered a valve cover replacement for $500 but in speaking with other windstar owners this only fixes the problem temporarily. Also it seems to me this is a defect that ford should fix not the owner. The other persistent problem is with the direver side power door, in hot temperatures the door does not close completely and pops open when driveing. The dealer has repaired this several times and while better that in was it continues to be an intermittent problem. We are frustrated with the probelms this vehicle has experienced including the replacement of the entire power steering system, rack, pump and hoses and more frustrating is fords unwillingness to stand behind the vehicle and its fault. Our overwhelming concern is that the transmission and engine will both fail before we have received any usefull value for our money. Ford needs to be held accountable for the products they develop, I hope you will be able to enforce some type of coverage or warrantee protection for the consumer.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
While pulling into the driveway wheel locked up. Vehicle towed to the dealer, and they informed consumer that rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. Feel free to provide any further information.
While driving 35 MPH, slowed to make a turn and steering became difficult to turn, making an awkward sound. Please describe details.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
While driving vehicle will pull, there will be clicking noise. Then, will lose steering.contacted dealer. Rack and pinon steering went out.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Consumer states vehicle makes unpleasant rubbing, groaning noises when the steering wheel is turned, the dealer informed consumer that the tie rod ends are defective.
The power steering pump makes grunting/humming noises when the wheel is turned. The min-van is only 3 years old and 44,000 miles. This repair should be covered by a recall.
Rack and pinion steering component is leaking power steering fluid, resulting in loss of ease in control. Vehicle has been checked by dealer.
Experienced a sudden loss of steering while making a turn in a parking lot. I nearly struck another vehicle. This happened several times, all while making low speed sharp turns. My service representative told me the bearing in the power steering pumps fails contaminating the power steering fluid which then causes the failure of the rack and pinion steering gear. My own research shows this to be a common problem among all ford vehicles using this type of pump. Loss of steering while attempting to make a sharp turn is a dangerous situation.
I have found too many persons on the internet with the same problem. No safety defect listed.
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