Problems with 1999 Ford Windstar STEERING

While driving under wet conditions power assisted steering failed. dealer has examined vehicle and determined that cover under the vehicle which protects the engine needed to be replaced. please provide any additional information / attachments.*ak

When making a turn steering would make a real loud noise. soon after that steering was very difficult to turn and noise continued. contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything. *ak

Transmission would shift properly into gears. problem of shifting was intermittent. steering is leaking fluid. took to dealership, mechanic could not locate cause of leakage or reason gears would lock up.*ak

Power steering under carridge wentout which taken the power steering to the wheel. vehicle is at the dealership waiting for parts. *ak the stereo system failed. brake makes grinding noise. the rear door light keeps falling down whenever the door closed.

No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak

Grinding noise which is in time with the tire rotation, dealer is assuming there is a problem with the transmission, vehicle has not been inspected yet. *mjs

Power steering keeps going out, making it hard to control vehicle. *ak the dealer replaced the power steering after three times failure. *yh

Hose was replaced at lee jarmon ford in carrollton, tx (different from purchased dealer given above) in conjunction with a failed power steering pump replacement. hose was original equipment sent from another dealer. hose has built in bend causing it to contact exhaust manifold when installed and fail due to heat. failed hose leaked fluid onto catalytic converter directly below and fire resulted. due to proximity to a local car repair shop fire extinguishers were used to put it out immediately. a 2nd hose obtained from ford has same bend. lee jarmon has replaced with 2nd hose and restrained with nylon cable clamps from contacting exhaust. i have advised to use stainless steel clamp since proximity of exhaust will fail nylon clamps. this is clearly a design defect which will result in a fire to the next person who has a power steering hose replaced. my wife and 3 year old were saved by outside observers and the vehicle saved only by luck and quick acting car repair shop employees.

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.*ak

The transmission went out again on 6-21-03 with just under 60000 miles on van. both transmission failures wre sudden without any warning slippage etc. both trans failures left the vehicle with no forward gears, but reverese worked each time. the fluid has been changed properly and the van is well maintained.

The power steering was making all kinds noises, especially when making a left turn. also, steerng was real tough. van was brought to the dealership for this problem. problem has not been corrected. *ak *ml

While driving rack and pinion steering malfunctioned, causing complete loss of steering control, cause unknown. vehicle was taken in for repairs, took a long time for dealer to receive parts, meanwhile owner had to drive unsafe vehicle. *ak *ml

Steering wheel was making noise while turning. also, a clunking noise was coming from the engine. dealer repaired problem under warranty. *ml

On the 21st of dec 99, my wife was involved in an accident in our windstar. this accident could have been avoided if the horn were useable. the way the horn button is now you will have a difficult time trying to find the exact spot to push to get the horn to sound. when time is critical in the outcome, searching for that exact spot isn't a player. this was the case on the 21st. when an individual tried to cross the highway he hit our van on the right side causing $6500 in damage. prior to the impact she tried to hit the horn but could not find it when it was needed most. we are almost 100% positive that if she could have found the horn she could have sounded it, and the other driver would have seen her coming. luckily my 18 month old and 5 yr old daughters were not with her at the time. now i have a $30,000 minivan that will never be of any value again. sure it will be fixed, but who would ever want a vehicle like that that has had extensive damage. i guess thats my loss though.

I have had more than 4 problems with this car in past two years that have been major problems. i would just like to see if other people have had as much problems with the steering and the van it's self. *ak

Vehicle has been experiencing the following problems: 1. steering column out of alignment, causing difficulty in steering; 2. power steering pump making grinding sounds when engine is cold and, intermittently, when the engine gets hot; 3. ongoing problem with windshield fogging up and dealer is unable to correct the proble;. 4. brake pedal goes to the floor before stopping, causing extended stopping distance; and 5. a loud sound coming from the front of vehicle. seeking help from nhtsa in this matter. *ak

Power steering has been making noise for almost two years. it is loud enough that others turn and stare. in addition, it now shudders and grinds when turning the wheel at a slow speed. it is not as easy to steer although it is not as hard as without power steering. i have been continually told ford motor is investigating the problem but it's been almost two years and nothing has been done. i've had several surgeries on my arm/hand and if i totally lose the power steering function, i'm not sure i could maintain the grip on the wheel if i needed to do some fast turning. the dealer has told us that there are many windstars with the same problem and that ford doesn't know how to fix it. i've also been told if i buy another new one, i may have the same problem as they still have not fixed the problem. we are at a loss as to how to deal with this. who in the world would take a trade in car that costs $31,785 new but now sounds like a piece of junk. if i go back to the dealer and buy another windstar, i may have the same problem all over again according to ford. we were obviously sold a defective new product and have been trying to get the problem corrected for almost two years to no avail. *akthe dealer keeps telling us ford is working on the problem and when they figure it out, they'll fix our car. in the meantime, the noise and shuddering/grinding are driving us crazy. the only assistance ford motor has offered is a $2,000 customer appreciation certificate good only at joe machens ford for another ford product. since i have need of a mini van and they are telling me the 2001 or 2001 windstar may have the same problem, i find their offer insulting. i'm very concerned, with the number of miles i drive, that the power steering will eventually fail since it is not as easy as when we first purchased the vehicle. with my arms/hands the way they are, i'm really not sure my grasp would allow for swift turning of the wheel should the need arise. help!! *ak

Consumer has been experiencing ongoing problems with following parts: 1. automatic transmission slipping in lower speed; 2. steering would make a popping noise only in wet conditions, and 3. starter woud grind when starting vehicle. dealer/manufacturer notified. *ak

Van was returned to dealer to fix a minor problem with the transmission. when slowing down and then accelerating, the transmission would jump and jerk into gear. ford elected to replace the transmission. then the technician discovered the steering problems and replaced the rack and pinion. then discovered the lower steering assembly was defective. therefore, they have had my new van in the shop for 3 weeks. *ak

Consumer has a few problems with vehicle & it has been to the dealer 4 times. the sliding door doesn't shut completely & the steering has a noise from the inside around the dashboard. manufacturer is aware of the problem, but has no remedy.*ak