Faults:

I have no locks that work.

I have no interior lights that work.

I can no longer unlock or open my rear door.

I have no cruise control.

I have a horrible tie rod crackling and snapping in the front.

I have a van that stalls out all the time.

I have a van that surges up and down all the time.

I have a van that now gets 5 miles to a gallon of gas.

I have a van with the ABS not working, and the light is always on.

General Comments:

In a report it was said that the 1998 Ford Windstar's rear axle could corrode and break. Just because they checked it once and said at present it looked OK, that doesn’t mean it will always look OK, it could still corrode and break in the future. I live in Wisconsin. There is all the snow and salt in the winter, and of course normal wear and tear. Signs of rear-axle corrosion may not be present now, but can happen in the future and I could be the victim of a serious or deadly accident!

"This is not your average, everyday problem. This is your rear axle can break, you can lose control of your vehicle, your wheels can fall off," this is extremely serious and people can die!

Safety experts -- are accusing Ford of failing to give the recall the urgency it deserved.

"Ford is committed to safety”? Well they sure as hell are not!!!

"It really is an ineffective recall because the vehicles are still on the road," said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety. "They didn't treat it as the safety hazard that it really is. They treated it as a business issue."

Ford exact words: Ford expands Windstar minivan recall

Concerns that rear axles can corrode and break

Updated: Thursday, 16 Dec 2010, 6:54 AM EST

Published : Wednesday, 15 Dec 2010, 2:20 PM EST

By DENISE LAVOIE, AP Legal Affairs Writer.

Even with a safety recall notice from Ford, we are all still endangered with this 1998 Ford Windstar Mini Van.

This is the worst vehicle I have owned in my entire life.

The Windstar van I owned, sits more than it is driven because of all the problems and fears I have!

My Windstar is broken down more than it works.

I tried different places for trade ins, but no one will touch it!

The check engine light stays on all the time. I have spent so mush money trying to fix all the problems, but nothing has worked. The check engine light is still on!

After a scan, I was told many of the sensors were bad. I bought the sensors, had them replaced, and the check engine light is still on.

The electric door locks go up and down, and will not ever stop even after van is turned off. The interior lights will not turn off at all, and many other electrical aids are beginning to fail intermittently.

I have gone through two batteries in 6 months.

The brake light now is on, and stays on all the time.

This van has been the worst nightmare of my driving experience. It has a problem that when I take my foot off the gas, the van will die. No matter if I was traveling 65 on the highway or 25 in the city.

Front tie rods are making horrible sounds all the time. Transmission is skipping also. It jerks back and forth, and surges all the time.

The cruise control sudden turns on and roars into 70 mph in the city, while I am going 25 mph, and I have been forced off the road into a empty lot. I have had to hold the brake down and pump the break hard and rapidly.

I am very disappointed with this Ford van, and I do not feel safe in it! I want a Ford to purchase this van back from me!

I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE, AND I AM GOING TO LET THE WORLD KNOW HOW BAD THIS VAN IS!

It has a design defect, and I want Ford to buy my mini van back!

It was marketed for families… Now it kills families!!!

Does Ford want another tragic death to happen? Do they care? I am going to take action!!! WE NEED TO BE HEARD!!!

Faults:

Mass air sensor shot from day one; I got it replaced via dealer extended warranty.

Brakes all around went soon after. Paid to have them repaired to the sum of around $900.

Battery light comes on under heavy load (like steep hills or trying to pass) and can't operate power windows or radio. Can't find the reason. I've replaced the battery and cables, to no avail.

Power mirrors stopped working around 120,000 miles.

Burns headlights out every 2 to 3 months.

Front struts need replaced very soon.

General Comments:

It has its quirks, but it fires right up every time (unless I'm out of gas), and yes it drinks gas like an Excursion. I average about 8-9mpg city, and 17-19 Hwy.

The paint has held up great though; no rust or fading, still shines like new.

Interior is a yawn, as basic as can be.

No rear heat/AC is BS.

Biggest problem is it's way way underpowered. 150hp to move 5000+lbs just doesn't cut it, but at least I don't have to worry about the head gasket problem like the 3.8L engines have.