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.
Transmission problem with 1999 Ford Windstar on several occasion. (transmission slippage) these problems have existed since the vehicle was first purchased; engine trouble, vaporization leaks, and a broken gear. There were also worn front brakes, steering was inoperative, and there was a vacuum leak due to the upper intake manifold.
Awful noise coming from front of vehicle with tendency to stall. Towed to lee myles transmissions, with diagnosis of a separated 1/2 drum asm epc solenoid. Repair cost $2148.03 minus $180.28 plus tax for a transmission cooler with labor.
Driving locally at low speed, upon accelerating from a stop light, the vehicle experienced an abrupt transmission failure. No prior symptoms, just a loud bang and then it would not move forward and had to be towed. Dealer where the van was purchased and serviced at offered no recourse as I am out-of-warranty! in process of getting estimates to replace transmission.
Transmission failed while shifting from park to drive. A loud squeaking noise wa coming from the front. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced.
Consumer was at a red light of a major intersection, heard a very loud explosion sound, and the car wouldn't move. Transmission literally exploded for no reason and no warning. Danger because of our location causing traffic problems. Car only has 55000 miles on it. We had the trans rebuilt - steel part exploded. Costing consumer $2400. Ford is not willing to help or acknowledge safety problems when a car just dies - could cause major accidents and injury, especially when you don't know when it's going to stop or die next on you. Afraid to drive it now with my family. Second time in 4 months this car has caused problems on a major interstate and intersection.
I lost all acceleration while in the outside lane on the interstate. Fortunately I was able to coast to the emergency parking lane without incident, however, without the ability to accelerate (no gears at all) it could have been quite dangerous on a busier stretch of highway. I was towed to the nearest Ford dealer and had to replace the transmission pump, shaft, valve body and seals.
The overdrive light began flashing when driving at highway speeds. An electronic diagnostic test performed revealed the failure of the torque converter clutch and the stator. The recommended action was to replace the transmission, at a cost of $3,086.72. A transmission shouldn't fail at 65,000 miles.
The consumer stated the vehicle rolled off a hill, went across the highway into a field there was damage to the drivers door and the muffler. The second time the incident happened the vehicle was in the consumers driveway and crashed into a tree, the vehicle sustained damaged to the fender. In both cases the consumer stated the air bags did not deploy. The steering wheel never locked on the vehicle as well.
While slowing down to 25 mph the vehicle stopped going forward. Vehicle was able to go backwards, but not forward. Vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who determined that a new transmission was needed.
I really don't know where to begin. We purchased this vehicle used in 2000. The day after purchase it had to be returned to the dealer for electrical problems. The dealership fixed the problems. We noticed a hard shifting right away and inquired about it with the dealership. They said that it was because it had a large engine and we were just not used to it. We drove it for about 18 months when at 60,000 miles the O/D light began flasing. We took it to a Ford dealership and was told the transmission went out. We were lucky and had purchased an extended warranty which after many phone calls and complaints finally put in a new transmission. Now 2 years and 30,000 later we need another new transmission. The van starting lurching when stopped at a stoplight and then tried to stall. We has also noted a noise that sounds like the whole front end is about to fall out. We also have electrical problems where the light come on and never go off. The A/C-heat, comes on when you start the van and the blower is in the off position. The electric door locks, which are supposed to lock when the car is put in drive, finally lock about 50 miles down the road. After much research on the van and all the problems it has I can't believe that Ford will not do something. I guess the lives of the families with children that drives these vans mean nothing to them. I guess it will take the death of someone's children and a heafty lawsuit to finally get some action. My wife is now afraid to even get behind the wheel of our van since it has a tendency to have its failures in the middle of traffic ( guess we are glad it has a five star safety rating). We would get rid of it but have now found out that it has no value either.
While driving a van full of 6 young girls to a sports practice, the van started jumping when slowing down and accelerating. We stopped at a stop sign and then the car would not move in drive.suddenly, it jumped into drive, all the while, my carfull were very upset and thought we were going to crash. I barely made it to the practice parking lot. The van was jumping the whole drive. It then stalled in the driveway. I attempted to turn the car back on but there came a very loud, scary noise from the engine. I got it on, but it would not drive in drive, only in nuetral. I had to be towed. It was a major hassle. I came to find that the transmission had gone at 72,000 miles. I had been complaining to the dealer that the engine light was always on. It was evaluated and they said it was a sensor problem that all started at about 30,000 miles. Come to think of it, the van "jumped from gear to gesr since day 1". Ford Motor Company will also be contacted. It seems pretty fishy that there are so many complaints about the same thing.
Transmission has been replaced twice! first time when we brought it in to dealer - they had no idea what could make the rattle sound (warrenty was still in effect). It was happening around 40mph - whole front end would rattle. They had transmission "expert" look at it and they said that it was not the transmission. About 10,000 miles later - wham! could not drive. Took it back (after warrenty expired) and transmission "expert" says it is torque converter and it would need new/rebuilt trans - not covered under warrenty. I went else where for the repair, not a cent more to Ford - ever. Next, after I got my trans rebuilt by 3rd party, it failed again 25,000 miles later. They got all the updates, etc - and trust me, they do a great job on trans (they repair fbi cars). After 2 rebuilds later - we are up and running again - but, if someone offers me money for this car, they can have it! found on road dead - (and changing the name to freestar does not help the cover up)
While sitting in traffic the driver applied the accelerate pedal the vehicle rolled backwards then stalled. The driver tried to restart the vehicle, but failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver a sun gear inside of the transmission needed replacing. Please fill in additional information.
While driving the consumer heard a popping sound. When depressing the gas pedal, the vehicle would not travel forward and when the vehicle was shifted into reverse the vehicle moved backwards. The mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced.
Transmission went out on my 1999 Windstar van...has 61,300 miles on it....was putting it in drive from a stopped postion and heard a loud noise and almost sounded like explosion of sorts....like a backfire in muffler....does not go in drive at all....speedometer doesnt work when motor is revved...
Automatic transmission failure at 75000 miles. Sudden loss of forward gears. Reverse works. This transmission was replaced at 21,000 miles and has been rebuilt at the Ford dealer as well. The Windstar transmission is a lemon.
Problems with vehicle's transmission and rack and pinion. The rack and pinion type gear had to be replaced at 71,900 miles. One month later while at a traffic light, the consumer stepped on the accelerator and the vehicle did not move, the vehicle was towed to a near by mechanic shop where the transmission was replaced.
We replaced the transmission on our 99 Windstar 4 weeks ago...two days ago the power steering started grinding and we brought it in for repairs...replaced the power steering pump within 30 miles of the dealer the noise in the power steering came back and after paying $800 for the power steering pump they want to now charge us $600 to replace the rack...in the last 4 weeks the repairs on the Windstar have been over $4000... this on a vehicle with less than 70,000 miles...I have pages of Windstar owner complaints of the same nature...the transmission and the power steering on the Windstar is faulty and I hope Ford listens...this will be the last Ford we purchase!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Shrewsbury, MA, USA