Ignition Problems of Ford Windstar - part 1

At approximately 16:45 after driving 6 miles that day, the Windstar van was stopped and the ignition key turned off. The delivery driver went inside his destination for about 5 minutes. While loading his cargo, he smelled smoke. Looking up, he noticed flames coming out of the engine compartment between the hood and the windshield wiper plastic shielding. Using an onboard 5 lb fire extinguisher, he attempted to extinguish the flames but to no avail. He dialled 9-1-1 on his phone. Employees at his destination also noticed the fire, and contacted the local fire department as well. The fire department extinguished the flames with severe damage to the rear portion of the engine, the fire wall, brake cylinder and glass windshield. The ambient temperature that day was in the 70 degrees range, windows were down in the van, and the a/c system was not in use.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the key could not be turned in the ignition. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised her that the cylinder in the ignition may have fractured and could need replacing. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 90,000.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that when trying to insert the key into the ignition, it failed to start. The security warning light would illuminate on the instrumental panel while trying to start the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a independent mechanic who informed the contact that she needed to replace the chip in her key and to contact Ford. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The contact owns 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving approximately 50 mph when the interior dome lights remained in the on position. The contact made several attempts to turn them off; however, the automatic door locks also failed to lock immediately upon activation of the ignition. The brake and anti-lock brake system warning lights illuminated on the dashboard until the engine was turned off. In addition, the radio would not function properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times for the same failure, and they were unable to detect the problem. The failure mileage and VIN were unavailable.

Abs will sometimes fail. Dash lights come on and "check traction control" alarm. Turn van off then on again and will clear. Problem appears to be intermittent. Mechanic checked and it is the abs unit alarm c1185. Also my speedometer sometimes does not read correct speed. Had recall 09s09 completed and speedometer has been o. K. But abs still cutting out intermittently. Sometimes it fails just by turning the ignition on, sometimes while driving. Only consequence is that the abs/traction control system is not available when it fails.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Experienced blown #10 fuse in 2000 Ford Windstar today, 2/25/09. Lost speedometer, odometer, abs light on, lost cruise control, a/c blew hot air. Replacement fuse blew upon turning ignition to on. Found leaking brake pressure switch beneath master cylinder. I disconnected the pressure switch and fuse #10, which restored speedometer, odometer, and the abs light is out. The fuse held for a brief test drive. Will replace pressure switch.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar 🔎.

2003 Ford Windstar was being backed out of the driveway, approximately 15 feet. Driver smelled something, heard sound, and felt heat at feet. Driver immediately turned off ignition and removed front seat passenger from vehicle to a safe area. The vehicle burst into flames within seconds and was totally consumed by the fire.

My 2 1/2 year old son put the keys into the ignition,turned it to position 3,grabbed the gear shift and pulled it out of park without pressing the brake. The van rolled out of the driveway accross the street into the woods stopping once it hit a tree. I have checked into this myself and was able to pull the gear shift out of park numerous times without my foot on the brake in position 3. I called Ford motor company they will not do anything about it since there is no recall. Also talked to a Ford dealership and in order for them to look at it we will have to pay. We cannot afford this and feel they should check it out in case this is a start of a recall.

I have been having problems with my check engine light coming on and staying on since sept. 2000 when vehicle had under 100,000 miles on it. Took it to dealer while under warranty. Now have a private certified auto tech who does my repairs and code read outs. I have had a tune up at 95,000 miles, and had to have another one at 121,000 miles. Had problems with engine stalling while driving down the interstate and up a hlll. In summer of 2001, I had the iac valve changed which corrected the stalling problem. Have replaced o-2 sensors at least twice. In past 6 months, the enging has been running very rough and I have a strong smell of gasoline . 2nd tune-up and coil replaced about 2 weeks ago. Engine now running very rough and gasoline odor is so strong that you could not light a match in the vehicle. Check engine light on again as well as brake and abs light. Radiator completely empty for the 2nd time in 2 weeks.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar 🔎.

1999 Ford Windstar has problems with the ignition as well as the heater pipe and upper intake seals. The consumer had to giggle the steering wheel and/or shift lever to get the key to turn in the ignition.

While driving theft light on dash comes on rear wiper comes on by it self and engine turns off leaving vehicle moving with no power, no steering, no brakes. After stopping vehicles ignition is locked out with no power/no crank.

Please check into these problems thank you wayne kelley. No safety defect listed.

This should never happen. The ignition system no longer turns the engine off, this is very dangerous!! I am very mad.

Consumer states that when removing the key from the ignition the vehicle is able to be started up again with out the key in the ignition. Contacted dealer. Nlm.

This vehicle has died while driving at various speeds, at different times of trips (long and short/hot engine normally). While driving at 55 mph it died one time, causing us to enter the oncoming traffic lanes around a curve. This is not good for a family vehicle when there is an entire family in the vehicle. We have notified the dealer and have taken in for service, but it continues to die. We had the same problem with our 1998 Windstar that was totalled in a collision (not problem related). I do not know if it is the ignition system or the fuel system. This vehicle has multiple recalls to date.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Vehicle shut down without prior warning. Dashboard panel will flash on and off, and vehicle will beep. Dealership is aware of problem.

Engine light illuminated, dealer replaced spark plugs.

Car stop/stall abruptly, either driving (0-10mph), while turning, or waiting at the red light. Almost got a ticket for stallling in mid traffic, and almost caused an accident.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Premature failure of head gasket causing engine coolant to leak into the #1 cylnder causing a miss fire and the vehicle to run rough. Engine light came on and I brought it to the dealer. The dealer had it for a few days, replced the spark plugs and said it was fine. On the ride back from the dealer the engine light came back on. The dealer then kept it for another two days and found the coolant in the #1 sparkplug well. Brought to an independent repair shop where it was determnined to be a head gasket failure.

Manufacturer states; van is built to their specifactions, thus there is nothing wrong with it. No safety defect listed.

Intermittently when brakes are applied and making a sharp turn or going over a speed bump, vehicle stalls out and dies without warning. Dealer has been notified, and will inspect vehicle.

While driving about any speed the engine will stall without a prior warning. Other vehicles will try to avoid crashing into consumer's vehicle.

Original transmission failed at 37900 mi. - detected when trans fluid leaked onto hot engine part and smoked. Original warranty expired at 36,000 mi. Dealer told me that fmc would sell me an "extended powertrain warranty" for $250. The warranty would cover the previously diagnosed transmission failure and would cover any other major trans/engine problems up to 75,000 miles, provided I am still the owner of the vehicle. I purchased the extended warranty and was glad I did when the replaced trans failed ta 42,952 miles. The dealer replaced that trans, I had to pay a $50 deductible. In Jan. 2001 (58,100 miles) the warranty had to be used again. This time it was for "upper and lower manifold seals". However, this time it would cost me $213 because they also had to replace the spark plugs, which were not covered by the extended warranty. Just last month, 6/22/2001 the vehicles engine light came on again, just as it had in January 2001. The vehicle was running rough, stalling, engine was 'misfiring". The end result this time was replacement of the spark plug wires, coil assembly, a-s sensor, and a spark plug. This vehicle was sold to me as "not needing a tune-up until 100,000 miles". Sure sounds to me like I've already had that tune-up and I'm only 1t 65,000 miles!! then theres the a/c problem(s). In June the a/c was only blowing air through my defrost vents on top of the dash. The dealer repaired a "vacuum leak" and now they replaced a high psi switch, cost was $100 each time.

Please,we are parents whit 3 kids,is very hard for us to pay this extra money for this defect vehicle , to this moment we changed:transmission -twice 02sensor (transmission)-catylitic converter left/raight-coil ignition system ,we get this car whit 48. 000mi. On 1998 . For my all family and the good name of the Ford deller tanks for yuo help.

Engine stalled on an off . Called dealership, they said because of the emission control was on recall campain. After they fixed the emssion control, the problem still existed. Brought the car in and the dealer said it is out of warranty. Nothing they can do. The recall just done about 3 months ago this year.

Entire ele failure, no steering ability almost hit by truck following behind in rain, Ford says they are aware and no recall as yet.

The rear seatbelts on both sides have cracked when installing car seats, it has happened to each side once, reported to Ford, no reply, replaced by dealer. I should not be able to break this piece putting in a car seat and tightening it. Other probem, several times vehicle has died at a stop in major intersections and then will not re-start, will turn over but not fire, like it is out of gas. Had it into dealer twice and they say they cannot find a problem.

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

Intermittent stalling while driving or at a stop position. Vehicle been in dealer shop on one occasion ,and independent repair shop on two occasions. But, problem still reoccurring.

Parked vehicle/turned vehicle off/ removed key and accessory position would still be engaged. This affected power windows/radio/ windshield wipers & anything thing electronic. Contacted & been to dealership for 5 1/2 weeks. Issue could not be resolved. The manufacturer report indicates that there is 5 minutes waiting time before key is removed, which makes it dangerous if some one unknowingly removes the key immediately after parking.

The ignition stopped and this is later than the reported ignition problems reported in the detroit free press on 9-14-00. When the car went in for warranty work, Ford claimed that it was just a "computer problem. " when driving a new car, I don't enjoy having the car stop for no reason, especially in traffic. This ignition problem seems to be occurring in later model cars as my Windstar is a 1998. I also have a disgusting smell that emanates from the heater/airconditioner which has been reported numerous times and has not ever been repaired. They put in deodorizer, but the smell still reeks when the heat or air conditioning is put on at any level. What is the problem?.

Due to a defective transmission, while applying the gas pedal, the vehicle hesistated and lunged forward which may have caused a crash. Dealer had replaced transmission with a rebuilt transmission. Engine check light comes on. Also,dealer replaced coil and a spark plugs, but problem is still occurring. Dealer could nt determine the cause of the problem. Please provide further information.

Less than two months after purchasing our van we had to jump start it and lost the cable on the power sliding door. Since then the car's engine was worked on but still stalls out sometimes. The transmission still jerks in park. (they couldn't find a problem. ) for the power sliding door, after a new cable,numerous adjustings,alighnments and two control modules put in. It still works eraticley and the dealership refuses to see a problem. The door will not open, when it finally opens it will not shut. When it is closed it does not latch and the interior and door ajar lights stay on. It constantley makes a racket and popping noise. On occasion the door opens while driving. I have three small children and this is a saftey hazard!! working with a Ford rep he states there is nothing they can do but to bring it in "again" for repairs. But they really can't see a problem. He did state that they would give me 1,500 rebate towards another van or trade in. I told him I wanted this unsafe vehicle mashed no further owners. He said that would not happen. After looking at your report on 1999 and 2000 Windstars and the same repeated problems with engines and sliding doors. Then comparing to other makes of Mini vans and there few problems. I would not want to own another Ford!! I will be submitting this problem to the dispute settlement board. I'ts to bad Ford does not stand behind there products.

Ongoing problem with stalling intermittently when making left turn or at a stop light. Vehicle been in dealer shop on two occasions, and problem still reoccurring. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.