To whom it may concern, I would like to know how many service bulletins does it take before a manufacturer initiates a recall on the item. I own a 2000 ford windstar. Your service bulletin database has 191 entries for this make and model. Although my van represents numerous conditions of the 191 entries, I am only concerned with the 11listed for the lean condition codes p171 and 174 listed in service bulletins 03161, 03123, 16920, 0347, 0338, 15740, 15522, 01205, 14353, 14060, and 8532. Obviously, ford has a problem with plastic intake components and engines exibiting a lean condition. I did not research any other make and model ford product, and I would bet that there are similiar problems elsewhere. I personally think it is time for a recall. I have had my van in for repairs for this condition four times this year and my certified mechanic doesn't think that the latest fix ford published will correct the problem. So in the meantime, I carry a socket and ratchet with me and when the check engine light comes on, I unhook my battery to clear the code. Any information you can provide me to a permanant solution to this problem would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, karl j. Bodien.
2000 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 104, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Check engine light illuminated. Consumer shifted the battery and the indicator light turned off.
The truck idles ruff. The wrong engine motor valve cover bolts were used at time of the truck being manufactured. As a result the bolts caused an oil leak in the engine. The dealership replaced the bolts. Please provide more details. *ph there were eight bolts covered with plastic which melted and caused oil to enter the engine and run rough. Mechanic informed the consumer that many of these bolts have been replaced. The consumer feels ford should cover the cost of repairs, not him.
Engine pings and stutters. Engine check shows carbon build-up dealer -- marshall ford replaced intake hoses and a long list of other things and now 2 years later I am stuck with a van with the engine light on and since the warranty is up, they refused to fix or tried to fix anything when this is the same problem that I had from day of purchase. Carbon builds up no matter what I do. The dealer had the van in for repair off and on a total of over two months.
Per dealer repair: trace to lower vacuum leak, r&r lower intake gaskets, install undated parts cost of $600. This was on top of a $2000 transmission repair at same time, separate complaint, and also after two tie rods replaced.
The air flow unit attached to the top of the engine makes a clattering noise. The dealer/service dept. Inspected and described the noise caused by a piston driven mechanism inside this air flow chamber. Apparently this unit helps with fuel efficiency. It needs to be replaced and ford motor co. Will not replace it.
While driving vehicle shut off without warning.
While traveling on the highway carbon fuel intake into manifold clogged up, causing fumes and bad smoke.
Crankcase valve located on valve cover failed --- had to replace the entire valve cover --cost $349.03 at local ford agency -- vehicle had 47707 miles on it the left valve cover was replaced .
2000 ford windstar, 47,000 miles. Check engine light comes on. One item diagnosed is a leak in the intake manifold spacer. Ford service says intake manifold spacer is not covered under warranty. A)intake manifold is covered for 7 years, 70,000 miles in ca b)intake manifold is in two pieces, upper and lower. The spacer is what goes between both pieces of intake manifold. C)you cannot use one part of the intake manifold without the other, you must have that spacer, therefore it is part of the intake manifold unit. In addition, tsb 01-20-5 was issued for windstar years 1997-2001 stating that there is a known issue with a leak in the intake manifold. That's five years that this was a problem.
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.
The vehicle stalled without warning.
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.
My 2000 ford windstar had to have a new intake manifold when it had only 44,000 miles due to a defect causing the system to run too lean. The code was 0171. It is ridiculous to have to replace a part of this nature when the vehicle has only this many miles on it and all maintenance has been performed as recommended by the manufacturer.
Consumer states while traveling 65 MPH without any indication engine indication light flash speed drop and over driver lights started blinking. Dealer was contacted techician notice transmission needed to be replace transmission is on the third repair. Please provide further information. Ts
Ford admits this is known about the check engine light but won't pay to fix the problem due to being out of warranty.**** dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****769755. *ak
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the vehicle will shut off causing consumer to pull over and it will be hard to get the vehicle back started. Dealer notified. Ts
Transmission will downshift very roughly, driver gets thrown forward. Dealer cannot find cause.*ak the transmission was down shifting with a terrible jolt at low speed. The vehicle was difficult to start when cold and damp, also when the ignition was switched off and then back to start the engine fires and runs. The vehicle stalling was determined to be fuel pump failure. The gas mileage dropped from 23 mpg to 16 mpg and the vehicle burns more oil. The lights flicker when driving at night and A/C is on, also the vehicle shakes while idling with the A/C on. The driver?s seat cut and slashed the consumer?s clothing. There was a weak green light from the battery. Vehicle vibrates at high speed. The driver?s door was difficult to shut.
Vehicle stalls at any speed. It has been examined by dealer 15 times. Dealer cannot correct the problem, computer shows no error code.
Manufacturer states; van is built to their specifactions, thus there is nothing wrong with it. No safety defect listed.
At 35 MPH engine will make a clunking noise with no warning. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.
Vehicle is using 1 quart of oil in 1000 miles. Vehicle inspected by ford tech engineer. Found no exterior oil leakage and states vehicle operating as designed at this time. *tt transmission fluid was leaking from the pan gasket. The servo cover was resealed. Updated
A ticking noise continues to come from engine when running and while driving. Vehicle been to the dealer on two occasions, and problem is reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.
After hitting brakes vehicle appears to lose power, and feels like it's going to lurch forward. Please provide any further information.
Engine check light keeps coming on and off for last 4 years. Dealer states that oxygen sensor was bad. Also, head gasket needed to be changed.
There was a churping noise on right driver's side of car, took to dealer, and they replaced housing for motor.
While consumer is driving passenger's side door can come open without any assitence. Consumer's child almost fell out of door. This happend while consumer was on highway. Contacted dealer, and dealer said there was nothing wrong with door.*ak the cause for the sliding door opening while driving was determined to be detent switch failure. The humming noise while cruising was caused by vapor management valve failure.
Since vehicle's last motor was put in, when shifting gears, it sounded like engine was ready to fall out.*ak consumer ended up trading vehicle, dealer offered a buy back.
Motor replaced at 20000 miles. 2 weeks later, new motor was knocking like first one after 500 miles. Currently, third motor will be installed. Consumer trying to give vehicle back.
Engine "pings" (detonation) when warm- dealer reset computer on first visit- claimed a manufacturer defect in valve cover on second visit-claimed that recall will be forthcoming when replacement parts become available.
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