2000 Ford Windstar: engine failure

Filed Jan 7, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 240,000 miles · VA

My 2000 ford windstar van has frequent and intermittent problems with the ABS light coming on and eventually going off; the cruise control not working sometimes even after it was repaired by the dealer; and the gauges in the instrument panel (including the speedometer) erratically malfunctioning. I have been told that these are common problems with ford windstar and may be subject to recalls. (even though the mileage is high, I replaced the transmission and engine with a brand new transmission and a brand new engine in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Only less than 50,000 miles on the vehicle since 2006.)

Filed Nov 27, 2010 · Body · 90,000 miles · NJ

Cracked rear axle, confirmed by dealer. Dealer has seized vehicle with recovery only possible if liability release is signed.

Filed Feb 23, 2009 · Acceleration · 129,767 miles · NE · fire

Put new engine in the van mechanic left the brake deactivation switch connected. My gauges went out on the ride home from mechanic checked to see if switch was hooked up and it was took pictures of the switch and assembly looks like the switch melted as a result of a fire. Please contact me for the pictures of the switch through via e-mail call for any questions regarding the van.

Filed Mar 5, 2007 · Engine · 108,400 miles · WI

Engine coolant disappearing without explanation. Took into dealer to learn it was a common leak in the front cover gasket that could lead to engine failure. I own a 2000 ford windstar with a 3.8l v-6.

Filed Oct 12, 2006 · Acceleration · 132,000 miles · PA · fire

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 MPH, smoke was observed coming from underneath the hood and driver side wheel. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. Upon inspection, the smoke originated from the driver's side under the hood. The engine was turned off immediately and the smoke seized. After two hours, the vehicle was restarted and the smoke started immediately erupting from the same area. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer who determined that the speed control deactivation switch started to burn and the brake wire jumper kit was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and the information was forwarded to the consumer relations department.

Filed May 10, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · 98,000 miles · MN

Dt: having electrical problems, started out of the blue. Driving the road, using cruise control, disengaged the cruise control, and few minutes later engine died. No problems until this incident. Have taken vehicle to the dealer and had the electrical system checked. Consumer doesn't believe that his vehicle was checked properly. Scared to drive vehicle, interior lights won't go off, and heard a crackling sound on the side of the van, on the fuel tank side. So the consumer disconnected the battery because of he was afraid it would catch on fire. Went today and reconnected the battery all the lights came on without the van being started.

Filed Apr 8, 2004 · Engine · 42,076 miles · MO

While driving ,the piston blew out into the engine and caused the vehicle to stall. *ak the engine was replaced at the owners expense.

Filed Apr 15, 2003 · Engine · 49,753 miles · WA

While my wife was driving our 2000 ford windstar down the highway after picking my son up from school, she noticed that at least 3 cars had passed her with their windshield wipers on during a perfectly clear day. She looked out the back window and could not see anything. We later found out the hot engine coolant was spraying out from the bottom of the vehicle and spraying onto the trailing cars creating a visibility hazard. The cause of the incident was the failure of the head gasket on the windstar. This could have had a very serious impact on other drivers or my wife due to a lack of visibility due to the engine coolant spraying over the windshields of other vehicles. Ford motor company under went a huge recall campaign in 2000 for head gasket failures in several vehicles for model years 1996-1999. Ford claims they resolved the problem with the head gaskets, but considering I had a failure at less than 50,000 miles that warranted an engine replacement I don't believe the issue has been resolved.

Filed Feb 12, 2003 · Engine · 49,000 miles · MD

On 12-13-02 I was told by mile one where I purchased my warranty to have my van towed to a ford dealship because it had a mechanical breakdown.the service manager john locket said that the van had what he called an intermix in the engine,he said that coolant and the oil had somehow mixed together.I asked him what caused that to happened and he said that it could be a blown headgasket or a cracked cylinderhead. I called him on 12-23-02 and he said told me that the mechanic said that he couldn't tell what the problem was so I would have to give my permission for them to break down the engine at my own expenses and I was told the samething by mile one,I agreed.I contacted the service manager sam steward of kia of glen burnie where I purchased the van and he agreed to call and speak to the service manager john locket at the ford dealership.he told him that he would have everything worked out after christmas. Mr.steward told me to keep in touch and to let him know if I needed anymore assistance.I contacted him again the first part of january and I told him that they still couldn't find the problem so I made a conference call to mr. Locket with mr.steward's permission. Mr.locket explained to mr.steward and myself that I would have to give my permission to have the engine pulled out to have the blocked checked to see if it is cracked I agreed again. Mr.steward asked mr.locket why was it taking so long to find the problem and he said that he was short on help.I spent over 1200 dollars on a rental van and had to catch rides with friends to and from the babysitters and work.I am stress out and I feel like mile one do not want to honor the warranty.I was told today by the ford dealership service manager john locket that I had to pay a 1000 dollar deductible and they would pay the rest to replace the engine. The engine is covered under the warranty so why do I have to pay a 1000 dollar deductable.