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.
An authorized Ford mechanic informed me that in all probability the problem with the transmission was caused by the 1st / reverse piston in the valve body and that it is very common in the axod transmissions used in Windstar and Taurus's as well as many other of Ford's front wheel drive cars. A friend at work has had his transmission replaced twice for the same problem.
Transmission failed (second time). Ford dealer (sawgrass Ford of sunrise, fl) claimed it was not possible to install a 'new" transmission, only a 'rebuilt' one. Dealer would not warrant repairs (rebuilt transmission) for more than 12 months or 12,000 miles. Had vehicle towed to and repaired at a transmission shop that would guarantee repairs for a longer period.
First the head gasket leaked-dealer replaced on an open end recall, second the transmission went. Had that rebuilt with all updates included. Cost $1450 out of pocket. Third the seal arount the timing chain leaked. Had all the gaskets replaced to the out of pocket expense of $450. Fourth, on a family vacation we were driving down I79 South from erie pa and all of a sudden there was this clinking noise coming from the motor. We were fortunate enough to get off the interstate before the engine died completely. There were no engine warning lights on prior to the complete shut down. Had vehicle towed to nearest garage and found that we had thrown a rod. They are replacing the engine with a large block to the out of pocket cost of $3,000. When we called the manufacturer we were told that because we did not tow the vehicle to a Ford dealership they could not help us. The nearest dealership to us was 88 miles away from where we broke down. The van only had just under 57,000 miles on it. I cant believe that Ford won't help us.
- Hilton, NY, USA
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This vehicle has required two transmissions. One at 50000 miles and the second at 120000. This is in addition to the numerous door open indicators and a blown head gasket.
The van would not go into reverse a cracked clutch piston was the cause. The tranmission was rebuilt & Ford would not reimburse me for the cost. The engine head cracked in 2000 & was repaired by heintzelmans truck center.I asked that the engine be replaced & they stated Ford would not pay for that. They could not guarantee that damage was not done to the motor itself. In Feb of 2002 I took the van to rolling hills Ford for a coolant leak & was advised that I needed a new engine because of the damage done from the motor overheating. The motor had less then 20,000 miles since the head was reapired. They refused to contact the zone rep. & Ford refused to pay any costs after being contacted.
Transmission slides out of gear at a stop. Depressing the gas with expection of car movment results in high rpms and after a 1-2 second delay, a sudden harsh forward movement. This delay caused us to be lurch and be rear ended by our subsequent slamming.
While driving vehicle decelerates to the point that front end becomes sluggish. Consumer states check engine light and the overdrive light comes on and the shift lever lights up, when lifting feet off the accelerator pedal the transmission suddenly shifts to low gear.
I have had numerous problems with my 1995 Windstar. The transmission failed in 10/99 and I had to replace the entire transmission. I have had many problems with the computer/electrical system with sensors and fuses going out. My timing gasket cover cracked and coolant was leaking (10/01). I had to have that replaced along with the water pump, etc. Now, my engine has either a bearing or has thrown a rod and I have been told I need to have my engine replaced at a cost of $3500. There have been many more problems (struts, engine mounts, etc....). I have spent over $6000 (not including regular maintenance costs --oil changes, brakes, tires, tune ups, etc). I have had to spend much $$$ on car rentals while my car was being repaired. Now I'm faced with a huge new problem--the engine.
We have experienced two engine failures on this vehicle, one in November, 1999, which Ford denied responsibility for, even though we were told by no less than 10 mechanics it was a defective design, and then another failure in July, 2000. Also in 2000, we reported problems with the transmission slipping and the vehicle jumping out of gear when in park. Again, Ford is denying any responsibility, though we have noted numerous cases of the same problem that other Windstar owners have experienced.
The transmission put itself into gear from park in the garage as I was getting out the drivers door injuring me and damaging the garage wall and the van door. After pressing the brake to stop the movement, found car in park and all tested all gears - they all produce reverse. Showed the wife. Went to videotape the failure, but had to turn the car off to get the recorder. When I turned the car back on the problem was magically gone! I am in the process of trying to reproduce the problem with the video running. Please help the citizens of this country. Ford is hurting this country, its citizens, and probobly has killed a few because of this problem. I was lucky. Don't let this turn into another tire thing. Do something now! P.S. this is the second tranny replaced by Ford and the second engine replaced by Ford.
Transmission being replaced for the second time. Started reporting problems at 10,000 miles. Dealer could not identify. (slugish, bucking, rough acceleration.) at 60,000 miles would not move out of park. Dealer replaced head gasket and made other adjustments (don't know what because they are all in code on repair slip) at 90,000 miles the transmission went. Motor mounts also had to be fixed. Problems with acceleration and bucking came less that 7,000 miles later. Second transmission went less than 20,000 miles later! also have had numerous problems with the ignition switch (replaced 3 times and still does not work right) and warning lights for the brakes and airbags. (no problems ever found) Ford dealer says transmission is not a recall item and there is nothing that they can do. I find this shocking in light of the nearly 4,000 complaints that the nhsta has logged for the 95 Windstar, (669 for transmissions!!!). Ford should be ashamed!
I am presenting you with my concern about the safety of the 1995 Ford Windstar minivans. We purchased one in 1998 from a reputable used car dealer in roanoke, va. Within the first year of ownership we had to replace the transmission. Within the following year, we had to replace the head gaskets. There was a recall on both of these items but we conveniently were past the issue date. I wrote Ford a polite letter expressing my desire for assistance in these matters. They denied assistance and stated that if enough people complained that they would possibly up the recall again for the third time. Not 35,000 miles from the previous head gasket repair did they blow again. This was particularly dangerous due to the fact that the vehicle was flushing raw fuel out the tailpipe creating a serious fire hazard to my family. The van is currently sitting on magic city Ford's lot as I am adressing you. Since these problems have begun to surface I have done a significant amount of research and have discovered that I am not the only one experiencing these problems. Rather it is a known problem with the vast majority of the entire line of 1995 Ford Windstar in which the company is conveniently eluding most of it's responsibilities to the consumer. I have even had people I do not know stop me and ask me if I had experienced any such problems. How can a vehicle that is proven to have so many defects from the get go been allowed to remain on the market? no matter how many times the head gaskets and transmissions are replaced they will continue to blow because a manufacturer defect in the engine itself. It is wrong to put a temporary fix on these vehicles and allow them to re-enter the consumer market knowing of these life threatening defects. If you would like, I can obtain multiple web-sites of thousands of people expressing the same problems with their vehicle. They too have been denied coverage by Ford because they are conveniently past the recall. Thank you.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA