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.
In June '99 took van in as per owner notification to have head gasket checked. Dealership found nothing. In Nov '99 head gasket failed. Ford would not do anything. In Dec '99 sent letter to tx state atty general consumer division with lists of complaints found on this web site. In Feb '00, Ford moved warranty up to 100,000 miles and got refund. In may '00 engine failed. In Aug '00 Ford replaced engine with another 3.8 L. in Sept '00 transmission started failing (but noticed problem since day purchased. Dealership states problem in all Windstar, tauruses, and Sable. In Feb '03, replaced transmission. In Nov '03 head gasket fails again in new motor close to 60,000 miles on this motor. Ford will do nothing. Seek help through your state atty general consumers affairs office, send copy of letter to Ford, your local BBB, detroit BBB, and consumer reports. Also, my engine cuts off when taking off after stopped with wheels turned sharply left or right.
After driving several hundred miles on the interstate, we was driving in town, made a stop at the store, when we left the store we stoped at the end of the driveway, where the transmission would not do anything. After talking to several transmission shops, and taking vehicle to Ford shop we found out that this is a common problem for the Windstar van. ( transmission failure without warning ) had this have happend on the interstate ity could have caused a severe accident, or even a fatality...
Vehicle transmission went out on 1995 Windstar. When starting up vehicle the van was engulfed in white smoke. The consumer was informed that engine needed to be replaced, water had leaked through the head gasket destroying the engine.
Stalls at stop, slips, then shifts hard in to gear. Spoke to two persons in the transmission shop they both agree that it's Ford company's problem because they see at least six vans a month with same problems with transmission stalling.
- Cumming, IA, USA
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Engine failed twice due to a faulty head gasket. Also, original automatic transmission failed and was rebuilt. About two years later, transmission failed and the dealer replaced it with a new transmission. Another two years later, the transmission failed again and was rebuilt. The cause of the failures was not determined. The recalled engine blew and the manifold gasket blew. When the consumer contacted Ford they stated they couldn't do anything right now but would notify them later and maybe they could help. Consumer had two windows that didn't go up or down - replaced $412.34. Both tie rods were replaced.
On the date indicated below while travelling with my children (the youngest only 18 months old) and my mother to visit relatives in leonardtown md, approximately 4 hours from my home, my 1995 Ford Windstar transmission failed completely, shortly after exiting the ft. Mchenry tunnel, which was very crowded. I had the van checked before I left for my destination, particularly the transmission fluids and other fluids, and there was no indication that failure was imminent. I was stranded by the side of the road for over 2 hours, but consider myself lucky because if this van had stalled in the tunnel, we probably would have been killed. The problem is that this is the third time the transmission has failed on this vehicle which only has 73,400 miles. I am currently looking at an out of pocket expense of $2,000 and I would like to know what the problem is with this van, which has consistently given me problems since I purchased it. I have also filed a complaint with the Ford company, but have not yet heard from them. I have filed numerous complaints with Ford regarding the 1995 Windstar (which various Ford employees have told me is one of the worst vehicles ever made) and the company does not want to acknowledge that the van is indeed a lemon. I paid good money for this van, and expect to last a little longer then it has. Thank you for taking the time to review this complaint.
First of all we have had to have the head gasket repaired on our van twice. The first time it took the dealership almost 3 months. Now when we are driving on the highway at the speed limit of 65 mph, transmission slips back into 2nd gear and makes a grinding noise. The tachometer grows up and down. Sometimes it does not even go out of 2nd to accelerate. I do not feel like this is a very "safe" vehicle to have anymore. And all the dealerships state there is no recall. However many of the people we know with the same vehicle have the same problem.
1995 Ford Windstar's transmission has completely failed for the second time (this is now the third transmission) within 97,000 miles. Ford will not acknowledge existence of transmission problems which has impacted my family in over $5,000 financial costs, in addition to potential safety issue.
While driving down the highway in akron Ohio, I had the tac drop and the engine quit. It then came back on, (the engine). So stop at daughter to pick up sum furniture to take to dayton. As I was going down the interstate 71 toward columbus, Ohio I got off the interstate and put fuel in the van. I contiune down the interstate at a reduce speedand the check engine light was on and I had I analized by autozone autopart store near my home said bank one running lean, then the van die all toghter, so I toe it to my home and brother and I took the belt off the engine and the pulley and vibation damper fell off of the engine. The vibation damper was sheared off from the engine.what would case this to do this"the cam shaft has the rest of the vibation damper still on it. What would cause this rebuilt engine to do this "
The consumer stated that the vehicle was not shifting properly. The transmission was replaced but 15000 miles later the transmission was leaking again. This is the third transmission in 8 year and less than 100000 miles.
Brake light come on frequently. Door ajar light stays on occasionally causing interior lights to remain on even when all doors are shut. Dash light quit working. Took to certified mechanic and found the problem was in the ashtray light, disconnected ashtray light and dash lights started working again. Engine light staying on. Took to certified mechanic, was told that vacuum hose was off the egr valve. Mechanic put vacuum hose back on. Problem recurred 3 days later but this time not vacuum hose. Believe the problem to be egr valve itself. Engine surges/misses constantly. Did a tune up, replacing plugs wires, etc.. problem still exists especially after vehicle is run for a while. Often shifts hard during acceleration. Have done transmission service, problem still exists. Do not take off hard from stops.
The automatic transmission hesitated to shift gears, and when it did shift gear, it shifted hard. The transmission was replaced 3 times and the torque converter was replaced 4 times.
Transmission failed on 5/30/02 on our 1995 Ford Windstar when mileage was 78,476. Cost of new transmission was $2732.92. Previously we had replaced transmission in 8/00 when mileage was 61,210.
Transmission went out. The van spent over a month in the shop as every time I would go get it, I had to take it back because it was still shifting into 2nd gear very hard. It has been only a few months and the problem is back. I do not drive vehicles hard.jb
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wichita Falls, TX, USA