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.
The transmission problems have existed for a year, consumer has taken the vehicle from the dealer to have a reputable mechanic to replace the faulty transmission.
On three occasions, after driving for over an hour at interstate highway speeds the van would start to lose speed rolling almost to a stop in the middle of the interstate. Each time with other cars moving to avoid hitting me from the rear I would push the accelerator to the floor and the van would jump into gear for a moment then lose speed again. But I was able to get out of the traffic enough to avoid an accident each time. Each time after the van set for awaile it would go back to normal conditions. This has happend 3 times. I paid for a tranmission service after the first two times. After the third time I took the van back to wade Ford and told them what had happened and also told them I had seen reports that this problem had been identified to an aluminum forward clutch piston. They have had the van three days and can find no problem under their test conditions. The Ford extended service plan runs out in 4,000 miles and they refuse to "throw parts at the problem" since they can't recreate the problem in the shop. This is a dangerous situation when it happens in the center lane of I-75 or I-95 in heavy traffic.
Transmission: Vehicle hesitates and has difficulty shifting up; engine revs up while attemting to upshift; must back off on accelerator pressure to "baby" it into shifting up; when slowing vehicle down, it downshifts with a "clunk;" sometimes gets stuck in park position; overdrive light blinks on and off for long periods of time. Engine cooling system: Overheating; interior heating system inoperable; pipe of thin metal continually ruptures causing coolant and water to spew out. Engine: Vehicle sometimes stalls when slowed down to turn a corner or to stop; vehicle sometimes won't start for five minutes or more after it has been started, run for two or three minutes and turned off.
Consumer was traveling on the highway, and transmission slipped when she put vehicle in gear. Also, when she applied brakes pedals went all the way to floor.
- Pleasant Grove, CA, USA
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I had to replace the transmission aproximately November 1999 ($2000), a couple of months later I thought the thermostat needed replaced in the engine but it turned out to be the head gasket problem Ford is having($1200), I contacted Ford and got refused immediately because my van had over 100,000 miles on it. I believe Ford knew of this problem when my van was under the 100,000 mile mark but did not notify the owners of this problem. I have a newspaper clipping stating that Ford is having the head gasket problem and I am looking for reimbursement for this.
The transmission fails to shift through the gears when we first start to drive the van. After we go a couple of miles it works ok. The problem has gradually gotten worse and none of the dealers that I have been to have been able to diagnose the problem.
The transmission was replaced due to failure May 17, 2000, replacement transmission was experiencing problems as well and was replaced on July 14, 2000, however the transmission is still not functioning properly.
I am having problems with acceleration (shiftdown) when trying to accelerate for passing. This started being a problem after the transmission fluid was pressure flushed and refilled with new fluid. This was more than just a standard service fluid and filter change. It has become such a problem we are concerned when needing to pass a vehicle as sporadic results are the result. Sometimes we can pass, but many times the transmission will not shift down for fast acceleration. There have been a number of times we have been within seconds of a major accident. I took the van into the shop, telling them to fix whatever is wrong if it was under $200. They test drove it and said they could not identify a problem. When asked if they did anything they said only a test drive, but it did appear to work better for thanksgiving weekend. I am specifically concerned about a news broadcast about an aluminum clutch plate wear and / or crack problem for 1994 and 1995 years of this van.
1999 engine repair was head gasket covered under extended warranty. 2000 engine and transmission failure required replacement with rebuilt transmission and engine.
Vehicle suffered a complete transmission failure and the extended warranty provider refused to cover the repairs. Ford is well aware of problems with the 3.8L engine and the axode transmissions. I find it curious that the extended warranty provider is also owned by Ford, and the staff at the ewp was aware of a history of problems with this vehicle.
Water pump and transmission failed due to cracked forward piston which was made out of aluminium, causing vehicle to jerk and slow down speed. Also, engine blewout about 1 week after transmission was replaced due to head gasket.
At 75,000 miles transmission had to be rebuild due to transmssion failure. At 123,000 miles transmssion lost reverse, and repairs made at an independent repairs shop. Believed problem was due to a defective transmission; dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Poulsbo, WA, USA