Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System Problems of Ford Windstar - part 1

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Windstar. While driving at 45 mph the power steering failed. The front spring failed and punctured the front passenger tire. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact stated that recall #01i007000: suspension:front:springs:coil springs was related to the failure. The manufacturer advised the contact that the recall expired. The current and failure mileage was 142,000.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Windstar 🔎.

: the contact stated while driving through a foot of water, or in the rain, the steering locked up. The dealership was unable to determine the problem.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Power steering grunt or banging sound, especially when making right turns.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar 🔎.

When my Windstar passes through a puddle of water, power steering is lost for 5 to 10 seconds. If the vehicle is negotiating a curve and enters water during the turn the vehicle would lose control which would prevent the driver from staying within his/her lane and causing a head on collision or exit the road surface.

Power steering goes out when it is raining on my 1999 Ford Windstar.

While driving the power steering fluid started to leak which made it difficult for the consumer to steer the vehicle.

Teering rack failure on 1999 Ford Windstar with less than 18,033 miles. Caused unstable condition, including lack of steering control.

1/. Windshield wiper is not completely wiping off water on the windshield when it travels at 65 mph only 1/3 upper part of windshield is wiped of. It is very dangerous for driving on the freeway on rainy day. 2/ paint is bubbling and peeling of from the hood. 3/ the car is humbling and make noise when it is at stop and a/c on (may be the pressure from the power steering pulling).

Very loud grinding jet engine sound when turning and also when just idling. The power steering fluid was black with metal chips indicating there was a problem with the pump or rack and pinion. I took it to a dealership and they flushed the pump. The noise went away for one day and on my way out of town, it started again causing me to lose power steering. The noise was terrible and I couldn't turn the wheel. I was one hour away! I have checked and there are 32 reported cases of this same problem. It seems to me that there should definately be a recall on this particular problem! it seems to have been reported for at least a year and nothing seems to have been done about it! please contact me and let me know what I have to do to get a recall done on this! I am now looking at paying more than $800 to replace a part that is obviously defective! please help! dt.

Consumer states that while driving and without warning the power steering went out. Dealer has been notified. Ts there was a noise that emitted from the engine before the steering failed.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

No summary. Dt.

On September 1, 2002 my Ford Windstar began smoking. The smoking was caused by the leaking of the power steering fluid on to the exhaust system of the van. After being informed by my wife that the van was smoking I determined that the smoke was caused by the power streering fluid falling on the exhaust system of the van. After determining the cause of the smoke I turned off the van so that there would not be a fire. The van was taken to the dealer who stated that power steering fitting had rusted through and the hose had begun leaking. It was also stated that the hose connected to the fitting was also leaking power steering fluid. I questioned the service representative about the problem and he stated that other Ford vehicles had experienced the same problem. I gave approval to the dealer to fix the problem which costed $551. 74. The service representative stated that since I did not have an extended warranty on the vehicle that Ford would not cover any of the repair cost. Mr.

Rack and pinion steering is leaking fluid, and is causing consumer to have problems with power steering. It will be hard to control the vehicle. Dealer notified.

Experienced a sudden loss of steering while making a turn in a parking lot. I nearly struck another vehicle. This happened several times, all while making low speed sharp turns. My service representative told me the bearing in the power steering pumps fails contaminating the power steering fluid which then causes the failure of the rack and pinion steering gear. My own research shows this to be a common problem among all Ford vehicles using this type of pump. Loss of steering while attempting to make a sharp turn is a dangerous situation.

Power steering went out briefly in Dec. Of 2001. I thought it was due to moisture on the belts. Steering went out again, briefly on may 10, 2002. Again, I thought it was due to wet belts. Steering began to make a loud grinding,whining sound on may 12, 2002. We had our van towed to the dealership. We were told the entire power steering column would have to be replaced due to leaking seals under the van. Estimated cost; $700. 00. I found a technical service bulletin on your website that fits the description of this problem. Do we have any recourse against Ford? our van is barely out of warranty. Can you help us? our family of six could have been killed. The mechanic at the dealership said that the steering could have gone out completely. Thank you for your consideration. Jean marie smith.

Power steering went out while traveling on highway. Consumer heard a clunking noise underneath hood area.

Power steering making noise and loosing fluid. Nlm.

Vehicle is experiencing power steering leakage, dealer found two hydraulic lines rusted. However, repairs could not be performed due to lack of parts. Vehicle has been in shop for 10 days.

My power steering makes a groaning noise every time I turn--this has done this 6 months after I purchased the vehicle---I have kids--this scares me that I may lose control--it sounds like it is going to snap any minute--I have read many complaints about this problem--I need help. Nlm.

My wife almost had an accident while trying to steer the car off the garden state parkway exit 102.

While driving at any speed vehicle will start to lose steering, and consumer can not control vehicle. Contacted dealer.

No summaer listed for above vehicle.

Consumer states vehicle makes a moaning and groaning noise when wheel is being turned to park, consumer was advised my mechanic that vehicle operates as engineered.

Power steering pump unit had to be replaced on four occasions by dealer, from 28,000 miles to present. Currently, problem was reoccurring. Dealer had been notified. The consumer stated that the power steering problem still exists right now and the unit would be replaced again.

Power steering failure.

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

Vehicle experienced many problems with steering that dealer could not figure out, dealer finally installed the new line, but when the vehicle was started the pressure built-up and blew part of the power steering out damaging the rack and pinion steering.

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.

Vibration that started at 50 mph. Taken to dealer who said it was caused by power steering unit, and that Ford was aware of this problem, but had no remedy. The problem of the power steering failure is a very serious safety hazard.

When we turned the car on, a loud grinding sound came from the engine along with large sparks/flames. We had it towed to our mechnaic who discovered the bottom bolt of the power steering assembly had never been tightned. The bolt had loosend itself, hit the pulley and caused flames. Could have started a fire if were on the road at the time.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar 🔎.

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!!.

My aunt and uncle have had problems with there Ford Windstar since 1995. They brought there first in 1995 and the power steering pump needed to be fixed after 6 months, and again after 18 months. Then the transmittion failed after two 2 years. After this crystal Ford of silver spring, MD. Decided to give them a new 1997 model. With this vehicle, the transmission went out after 18 months and now it's in the shop for the power steering pump. This really doesn't make since. Obviously, there is a problem with this vehicle because I have seen numerous website's complaining about this minivan. Someone needs to make the Ford motor company aware of the severity of this complaints. If you have any questions please contact lawrence and alice brown at (202) 723-1530.

The power steering line of my minivan brushed slightly against the mountable curb as we backed from the driveway to the street in front of our house. This mountable curb and gutter is typically used in residential neighborhoods. Eden pairie's standard plate shows a curb height of 4 inches. Ourdriveway is not on any type of an incline. The bump was so slight that it did not concern me at the time. I proceeded to drive forward and to enter the highway. Luckily it was the part of the highway that still has stoplights, so my speed was very slow. The car made a groaning noise, I had a complete failure of the power steering sysem of my motor vehicle, and black smoke began pouring out of my vehicle. The Ford dealership said the slight bump had crimped the powersteering line causing a great pressure in the power steering lines which in turn exploded pouring power steering fluid all over the engine. The engine had to be degreased and the powersteering pump was damaged due to the sudden lack of powersteering fluid. Ford would not cover this under warranty saying that the slight bump was an accident that caused the powersteering lines to be damaged. This experience felt so lide threatening that I began to investigate the problem further. I found the placement of these lines to be so low in the front of the vehicle that they were at the level of the spoiler or even slightly lower. The minivan's with the tow package are lower than the other vans. I have had mechanics, engineers, and product liability expers examine the vehicle. They agree that this is a design defect that could likely result in death. The experts say this ;fluid could hit the catalytic converter which would bring the temperature high enough to cause a fire which burns much hotter than gasoline. Additionally, the slightest bump causes a complete failure of the powersteering system. This design defect is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.

I have been experiencing loss of power steering when the vehicle goes through a puddle of water it has a complete loss of power steering for 30sec -1 min. I contacted Ford and they are looking into and it is not a saftey issue. Please e-mail me if you are having these problems.

An internal leak is causing bubbles within power steering, affecting the performance. Manufacturer is aware of defect, but cannot solve the problem.