This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
When driving consumer noticed an anti-freeze smell within the passenger's compartment. When vehicle overheated, consumer contacted the dealer, dealer stated that engine head gasket blew out. Also, transmission needed replacing.
Transmission wouldn't downshift, and vehicle didn't move. Consumer took vehicle to transmission specialist, and mechanic told him that there was a crack in transmission wall.
Transmission has failed twice. In the first incident an accident was narrowly avoided as car lost power. Engine failure caused vehicle to stop in intersection where numerous fatal accidents have occurred.
- Shamokin, PA, USA
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Contacted aamco. Told this problem is known. Sun roof broke and they use updated one as original is thin and breaks at weld. Additionally, dealer thought flywheel might be cracked and stated they had one in 2 days prior with same problem.
At 50,000 miles the head gaskets went out. At 60,000 the transmission went out. There was no reverse, and the car was very dificult to drive. At 70,000 the brakes went out. We had no anti-lock brake system and finally no brakes at all. Ford compensated us for the head gaskets only. This car is a hazard on the road! but we cannot afford another car right now!
Think class action law suit!!!! Ford has been aware of these problems all along!!!! do not let them get away with 95 Windstar owners footing the bill for their mistake. Don't get even get ahead. No safety defect mentioned in summary.
When going to use the van one day, there was no reverse. All the forward gears worked. The reverse clutch drum had a crack in it and the whole transmission had to be rebuilt. When going to use the van on another day, it would not start. Both of these problems occurred with less than 50,000 miles on the vehicle with total costs of $1378.88 and $341.41.
The transmission on our 1995 Windstar van failed after 78000 miles, 3000 miles after our extended warranty period had expired. This vehicle has been a lemon from the start. We have had the hood bonding problem fixed under the recall on that problem, had the head gaskets replaced on the extended warranty before that recall came out, replaced the fuel pump inside the gas tank at my own expense, and now I am presently having problems with the power windows, the air bag system, and the power door locks. If this is read by anyone contemplating a mini-van purchase, I would think long and hard before buying a Windstar. From the number of complaints from people from all over the country on the internet, I'd say this wasn't just an isolated thing, but should be looked into by the government regulatory people. None of our failures have resulted in accidents or injuries, but could have easily done so, had we not lived in a more rural area. I definitely would not want to have one of these vehicles in a more high-speed metropolitan area.
Transmission would not shift up from second to third, like the transmission was thrown into neutral. Coasted at 35 mph for about 1/2 mile. Transmission finally shifted to third. About 1 mile later and at 50 mph, transmission shifted down into second. Service tech blamed the transmission failure on old transmission fluid and torque converter clutch failure. Total installation of re-manufactured transmission cost $2,150. Service rep has no intention of offsetting some of the cost. Will be talking to next level of managment at dealership.
We bought this van 6/96. It has been in the shop 14 times since then, including a recall for the gas tank, and the head gaskets (which blew and we replaced and then a year later found out there was a recall). Now, with less than 90,000 miles on it, the transmission is going out. We have owned 14 vehicles in 24 years, and have never blown head gaskets (engines) or transmission. These (this) vehicles have a problem!
While driving and upon attempting to accelerate, vehicle acted as if it was in neutral, resulting in a slow take off/slow start. Consumer has contacted dealer, who linked the problem to transmission. Owner believed that problem was linked to aluminum seals used when the cars were first manufactured, which were later changed to steel. Owner thought that alumiinum seals should be recalled. *
After stopping and upon depressing the gas pedal vehicle would not travel. Consumer would have to shift to low gear to continue.dealer has been notified.
The # 3 cylinder fuel injector went out, which in turn made the module in the computer go out, and we have been informed that you can't replace the individual module you have to replace the whole computer at a estimated cost of 600 dollars. This is after having the head gasketts replaced and two new transmissions installed.
The # 3 cylinder fuel injector went out, which in turn made the module in the computer go out, and we have been informed that you can't replace the individual module you have to replace the whole computer at a estimated cost of 600 dollars. This is after having the head gaskets replaced and two new transmissions installed.
Transmission began slipping particularly when cornering around 45K miles. Eventually, transmission would slip out of gear into neutral during normal driving. This exposed the occupants to potential hazardous situations with no power to escape in traffic and on the highway.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Magnolia, NJ, USA