Subject:  Patrick and Family's 1999 Ford Windstar
Date:     1/14/2003

I'm writing this letter after another terrible experience with the
customer service at both Ford and Jack Griffin Ford in Waukesha
Wisconsin. My wife and I purchased our Windstar in Oct. 2001 and have put
12500 miles in our 16 months of ownership. The vehicle had 46200 at time
of purchase. It was about one month after we had the van that the check
engine light went on for the first time. We have now experienced this
same occurrence for the 15th time. The dealership has put the van on the
diagnostic machine on 4 separate occasions.The first time they told us
there was nothing wrong with our vehicle .One week later engine light on
went back on.
  They then told us that the gasket seals needed to be replaced, Cost
$394.00 . Three weeks later engine light went back on. Again they told us
there was nothing wrong with your van. There are no codes coming up on
the diagnostic. One week later the engine light came back on.  The Dealer
put an on-board computer in the van and told us to push the button on
when the engine light comes on. We did that and they said the air In-take
seals needed to be replaced, Cost $195.00. One month later (01/14/03) the
engine light is back on. Ford says it's the dealers job to fix the van.
The dealer said it could be one of 70 different problems and that I'm
responsible for any cost associated with getting the van fixed. All we
want is the van fixed. The dealers customer service manager has told me I
was unlucky when I purchased the Van. May be you should sell it and
sometimes things like this happen.

  Here are some of the other problems we have had.

     7000 miles Front brakes replaced,Cost $530.00
     7000 miles Dealer replaced bald front tire
     7000 miles Dealer replaced tire of different brand
            3 Tires of one brand  1 tire of different brand
            I don't think there ever was a safety check done on Van

     8500 miles  Vacum seal replaced, Cost $85.00
     9000 miles  Dealer repairs two recall items
     9000 miles  Van Fails Wisconsin Emission Test

I let the dealer take the van for an extra day prior to the computer
being put in the van. Dealer wanted to drive van to see if they could
trip the check engine light on. Drop the van off with 1/4 tank of gas.
When I picked up the van the gas gauge was on dead empty. Now that's what
I call Customer service  
   
As of 01/14/03 dealer can't find problem with van. I will be bringing the
van back one more time. 
If anyone could help us we would appreciate it