Ford Windstar oil consumption problems

Filed Oct 5, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · NY

Since I purchased this van from steuben/yates county pro-action in nys wheels to work program, I have had numerous problems with my ford windstar. 1st problem was with emission code stating it needed a map censor; 2nd issue was the sway bar broke (was repaired under recall at ford dealership in elmira, ny jan 2012). After numerous complaints to the car dealer ship I purchased the windstar from the garage, their mechanic replaced o-rings in the engine to fix the map censor in jan 2012 as well. In february 2014 I invested a little over 1,800.00 in repairs to my mechanic for; tune up, struts and shocks, brakes all around, wheel bushings, and a wheel alignment. I keep the van well maintained with oil changes and lately my radiator is loosing fluid. I always stop in where I maintain it and the business is always topping off the radiator fluid and when scheduled oil changes are due, I am always a quart low on oil. Most recent incident: I will be driving along and the van turns off and turns back on while driving. At night when this would happen I have no headlights for a brief moment but that is still an unsafe van. Also, I get an electric shocked every time I touch the van as I get in to go somewhere. ****this is my first and last ford!!****

Filed Apr 26, 2010 · Acceleration · 90,000 miles · 00

Brought vehicle into ford for the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v399000, the federal safety agency action number: ea08021. Vehicle still getting a hot, burning smell. Abs and emergency icons still come on at various times lasting for hours or days then shutting off. Drives rough with a distinct "chugging effect" like it is going to stall. Complete tune up has been done including replacing spark plugs,intake valves and seals. Burns oil at a slow rate (approx 1/4 litre every 1 1/2 months) the ABS/emergency lights come on at least once a week and the "chugging" and burning smell is every time you drive it. The recall work was done and we were told the scds did indeed leak and personal research reveals that then the ECM connector needs replacing which ford refuses to do for us.

Filed Feb 13, 2008 · Engine · 89,946 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While driving 60 MPH, the check engine light illuminated. The dealer stated that there was a faulty valve cover, and the engine needed an upper intake and driver side valve cover. The cost to repair the vehicle was $500. The dealer did not explain the possible cause of the failure; however, when the valve cover does not fit properly, it causes oil to leak into the motor. The failure and current mileages were 89,946.

Filed Feb 12, 2006 · Engine · FL

1) there were 2 major problems with our ford windstar 2001 which we bought brand new from our dealer. The first problem: we thought there was a lot of smoke coming out of exhaust. It looked like it was burning oil. Took it in to the dealer the first time and they replaced a seal. We took a trip and took it back to the dealer and they said there was coolant leaking into the intake manifold and we would need a new engine. We ended up spending about $3500 on the car. The second problem was related to the ABS brain failed and we would need to replace it and that would be about $1200. It was at this point, we decided we would not pursue that repair as that would mean we would have put in about 5k into our car within a year. 3) ford went in "half" with us on the engine replacement. I do not recall the exact date for the first failure. The second failure was approximately january 2005.

Filed Feb 2, 2004 · Engine · 36,000 miles · NJ

While driving the driver could smell a burning odor and the engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the intake gasket failed and was causing oil to leak.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 76,000 miles · WA

The engine was the main problem due to the head gasket recall. In july,2000, we argued with ford about a bad engine running for which we had just paid over $300 to evaluate by an outside repair shop. After about 6 weeks we received our car back with a new long block paid for by ford, including a rental van for the time in the shop. In january 2001 the engine was running rough again and we were charged $81.45 to check it out and replace a wire bad on cylinder 6 which was misfiring. Three months later in april 2001 the car ran rough again and the engine light was back on (happened for years intermittently since we owned the car). The new long-block had another bad head gasket reinstalled per the second ford dealership service center. After nearly another month we had the second new long-block in less than one year. Now less than 2 years and 40,000 miles later, following the 110k service of radiator flush and oil change at 113,098 miles the engine rapidly lost oil and is misfiring and burning oil. Ford's position once again is that the warranty was only for 12 months or 12k miles. On a smaller note, the brakes have gone out numerous times and we have replaced rotors and pads numerous times with no improvements. The power steering has performed very poorly. We changed the fluid in 2000 and then the ford service center and they replaced the outer tie rods and reset the alignment. Within months it was going out again intermittently. Most often when starting out the power steering goes out and you must manually steer the vehicle.

Filed Dec 10, 2003 · Engine · 30,000 miles · MN

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.

Filed Jun 26, 2001 · Transmission · CO

Forward piston cracked causing oil leakage and loss of power, and vehicle to operate erratically when the gear is in drive. *ak

Filed Sep 9, 2000 · Engine · NY

I also had the head gasket fail on our ford windstar. So , the dealer replaced the engine as per the recall by ford at no cost to me. About one month later the low oil light comes on. When I checked the oil, it was not even touching the dipstick. It was filled and brought back to the mentioned dealer who did the original replacement of the engine. They found no oil leaks and said the engine would have to break in for 5000 miles. My wife and I drove the car 6000 miles and logged the mileageand the amount of oil every time we had to add it. We were burning 1 quart every 1000 miles. The cars was brought back to the dealer in april 2000 as perf there request to return once the engine was "broken in". They ran an oil consumption test and requested that I return with the car whne it was 1 qt low ( basically they changed the oil and filter and marked the level on the dipstick. After one month it was a quart low after driving about 1200 miles. When I returned to the dealer. They stated that consumption of 1 quart of oil every 900 miles is within ford specifications. I have written letters to the dealership, ford's complaiint dept. And to the director of ford vehicle service programs. I receved *1* phone call stating that my letters was received and ford would look into the problem. That was back in june, 2000. I have not heard from anyone since. Since then the transmission has also failed in the same vehicle @ 51k miles and another of these reports filed. I have found many people on various discussion boards with the same problems, yet ford refuses to do anything.. We need your help!!!

Filed May 22, 1999 · Engine, Transmission · CA

At35,000 miles, first transmission went out. At 38,000 miles I heard a knocking noise coming from underneath the vehicle . Ford said I had a main bearing knock . They took engine apart and said " rods marked 1-6, but not in order?top of rod at wrist pins are blue( hot overheat condition). Head gaskets show signs, rusty at block &head areas. Main brgs scored thur beds & #5 in copper bed. Mainbolt black smells like burned oil.. Now at 56,200 ford says I need another transmission the one replaced is bad now!!! One thing to add I purchased the vehicle with 2,000 miles on it. The dearler had told me it was an "unwind" no problems with , someone did'nt qualify for the credit so they had them return it. They can't sell it as new anymore!!!!!! 56,200 miles 3transmissions & 2 engines!!!!!!! When I inquired about how the engine was totally defective , I basically got the run around.