Nine problems related to brake disc pads have been reported for the 1998 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I sent the following in an email to Ford motor company, and also talked with their "customer service". They said that they could not do anything about this dispute between the dealer rep and myself, as it was a field decision. The original repair was a rebuild of the drum brake on the right rear wheel, the same wheel that later suffered a catastrophic failure of the shoes. Luckily, we were driving at over 35 mph, so the wheel did not lock up until we stopped at a friends house. The entire hub assembly had to be rebuilt after the brake siezed. Note: this is the second brake rebuild. The car has also suffered from broken tie rods. ======================================================== the parsons dealership that rebuilt my right rear brake last October will not admit that the failure of the brake pads, and subsequent complete failure of the brake assembly last week which required replacing the drum, is covered under their warranty (12,000 or 12 months. ) they say it was due to a rusted parking brake cable that seized. I say that is a big load of baloney. . . . Even if it was rusted (in a pretty new car!) then they should have seen that last year. The total cost of repair on 9/20/02 was $639. 88. I want Ford 1) make parsons return my money, and 2) reprimand parsons for poor customer service. I will not buy a car from them again, nor will they ever see my car again - despite their admonition at the bottom of their invoice that says "warranty 90 days or 4000 miles on adjustments, align, balance. All other repairs covered 12 months or 12000 miles. Customer must return to parsons Ford for defective repairs. No refunds if customer takes to another repair facility. I won't go into the delays (a full week to repair the drum and brake assembly).
When brakes were applied pedal went to the floor,resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer inspected vehicle, and put on pads and rotors prior to the incident.
The front brakes, rotors and pads were completely worn out but consumer had no warning of the failed components. Nlm.
Failure of the pads and rotors cause noise while braking. Yh.
I bought this van in Feb of98 and had nothing but problems with the front end I had it in the shop twice and the first time it had to have new rotors and brake pads and new tires that I had to pay for. The second time they said nothing was wrong but it ate up two more tires. They said it had to be the tires. I reported this to the department of transportation safety administration and then on Feb 99 the brakes went out again. I also tried to work with college Ford. My husband decided to trade the van in on a Toyota camery because we were not safe in the van and Ford did not want to help us in any way. We paid $25000. 00 for a safe vehicle but got a lemon and no help. $5500. 00 out of my pocket to lease the camery and all the payments for the van just wasted. I just thank god we wern't killed. ( dot number: p215 tire size: 70r15 97s ).
Right front brake pads wear excessively within 75,000 miles with the replacement of (4) sets of pads for the front. Also, the owner indicates that he replaced the rotors twice, new high quality pads and rotors were installed, now the right front wheel shakes when applying the brakes, it appeared that he right front does all the braking. Nlm.
Brake pads are cutting rotors, causing failure.
Three out of four brake pads broken.
Consumer experienced rapid wear on front brake pads, passenger side front brake pad was completely worn and grinding into rotor which had to be replaced.