10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,803 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1998 Ford Windstar transmission problems

transmission problem

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1998 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 10 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #75

Jan 052000

(reported on)

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle has a jerk at low speed (1st and 2nd gear).

- Lagrange, IN, USA

problem #74

May 121997

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer experiencing ongoing problem with vehicle stalling intermittently. Also, transmission is slipping whenever vehicle comes to a stop. Sometimes vehicle would have to shift into park and back into drive for the gear to engage.vehicle been in/out dealer shop for stalling and transmission slipping on three occasions each.

- Massa, VA, USA

problem #73

Dec 141999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle has been in the shop seven times in a two and a half years. Repairs included transmission replacement, brake calipers replacement, and the electrical system problems.

- San Pedro, CA, USA

problem #72

Aug 011999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission "pump failed, causing planet gears to come apart.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #71

Nov 281999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1)all 5 lugs: Nuts sheared off from the right front passenger hub, causing the wheel to leave the vehicle. The body of the vehicle traveled approximately 200 feet until it stopped. 2)the rear brakes had to be replaced with new pads and rotors. Dealer couldn't explain why this was a problem. 3) the next day the right passenger mirror electical system no longer worked. 4)the parking brake consistently does not disengage after use. We no longer use it, possibly creating a safety hazard. 5) the vehicle intermittently stalls out at low speeds or upon stopping. Additionally the initial gears shift hard and loud. 6) the rear seat will not move on the track.

- Leroy, IL, USA

problem #70

Aug 221999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failed while driving. Mjs

- Long Valle, NJ, USA

problem #69

Oct 291999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission replaced two times to illiminate slipping 1st and 2nd gears, however the replacements did not rectify transmission problems. Mjs

- Mission Vi, CA, USA

problem #68

Oct 271999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
At 40-60 mph the transmission shifts into neutral unexpectedly.dearel has replaced the transmission twice. Manufacturer notified.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #67

Jan 051999

Windstar

  • miles
Transmission shutter & hard shift B/T 1-2 gears -transmission replaced twice - Ford advises no fix at this time - problem worse and now is going into a neutral like position earratically when going 40-60mph. Also very hard downshift (like in drive2) when going downhill - problem still exists

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #66

Jul 121999

Windstar

  • miles
Transmission willnot engage while in park. The dealership told consumer that they couldn't duplicate the problem.

- Lawrence, GA, USA

problem #65

Oct 011999

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission failure occured and the Ford said they would replace the transmission if I paid $500 to buy and extended service plan covering upto 75000 for the power train, a requirement for replacing the failed component. I am extremly unhappy that this transmission failure ocurred and is also reported widely by hundereds of Ford Windstar owners for example look at the internet sites complaining about the failed transmission.(eg., www.fordwindstar.com). Ford must fix the transmission problem of these minivans.

- Chelmsford, MA, USA

problem #64

Oct 111999

Windstar

  • miles
The Windstar transmission failed at 30349 so shamrock Ford rebuilt it. At 40295 it failed at 50 mph on us 223 in adrian about 1 mile from dave knapp Ford. I called shamrock Ford and asked service department if I sould tow it to them or dave knapp. They said any Ford dealer will take of the warrenty problem. The transmission was supposed to be covered for 12months/ 12,000 miles after rebuild. Transmission was rebuilt 5 months and 10,000 miles ago. Dealer said it's not under warrenty and will not pay for it. I paid $1,900 plus tax and I want my money back.

- Tecumseh, MI, USA

problem #63

Mar 011999

Windstar

  • miles
I am so scared to drive our van- I have no idea what to do. Thia van showed be considered a lemon- or Ford should repair it. We purchased the van cause we had another little one on the way(making 4 kids) in the past we had old vechilcles. We decided to spend the $$ and have a reliable vechicle since we have 4 kids and travel around town alot. First my air codtioner goes out in July, 99 (electrical- no power to it). We did not have the $ to fix. Than in August,99 we started experiencing intermittent neutral condtion after driving and coming to a stop. Had to rebuild the transmission- due to a faulty clutch piston that Ford knows is causing problems in ax4S Windstar 3.8L. Engine - stalls usually when driving at low speeds, such as O turns or coming to a stop. Scared to death that somesone will run into me. Steering- vechile pulls to the right so badly that in seconds I am in another lane. Have had it relighned. The other seroius problem is I will start van or have foot on brake and it itermittally accerates in surges on its own. My foot in not near the gas- I am so scared to death that I will lose control of it resulting into an accident. I am so scared to drive this van and it is only a 98". what am I to do. I do not want to wait for and acident or death to someone. Please help!! I need some advice. I have no warranty on van- but yet with so many problems why should the consumer have to pay when Ford knows of the problems with the vans- what does it take - death!!! I need to know what is causeing these problems. I can not afford to keep taking them to mechanics and not getting it fix. Shouldn't Ford have to take this piece of crap back-please help!!

- Newman Lake, WA, USA

problem #62

Jun 181999

Windstar

  • miles
The transmission stopped working and went into safe mode. The transmission would not downshift and raced at high RPM. Torque converter had worn out.

- Waterloo, IA, USA

problem #61

Jun 101999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The transmission would disengage by itself from drive to neutral position. When accelerating, transmission would pop out of position. In low gear, it would be rough shifting. Also, gas pedal would vibrate. Been to dealer 3 times for problem before finally locating & establishing that throttle cable was loose. Mechanic repaired loose throttle cable.

- West Islip, NY, USA

problem #60

Jul 031999

Windstar

  • miles
An unexpected total transmission system failure occurred while the minivan was being driven along interstate highway at 65mph. The transmission system had to be totally replcaed. An unexpected incidence of too short life span of a transmission system in a new minivan.

- Fair Lawn, NJ, USA

problem #59

Apr 151999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Had already replaced transmission twice. When approaching a red light vehicle stalled..contacted dealer.

- Mattapan, MA, USA

problem #58

Feb 011999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission TR sensor failed.

- Corona Del, CA, USA

problem #57

Jun 211999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission operation is poor, bangs into gear, unable to rectify. Mjs

- Elmont, NY, USA

problem #56

Jul 261999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failed without warning signal.

- Dillonvale, OH, USA

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