9.0
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$2,386.00
Average Mileage:
99,470 miles
Total Complaints:
123 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace transmission (50 reports)
- Ford should recall it (32 reports)
- not sure (19 reports)
- completely rebuilt (15 reports)
- got rid of vehicle (7 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
2011Nov 04
Windstar 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 132,000 miles
HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION SINCE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT. I FOUND OUT FORD COMPANY PUTS CHEAP TRANSMISSIONS IN THEIR CARS, TRUCKS AND VANS THAT IS WHY THEY DO NOT LAST LONG. SHAME ON YOU FORD MOTORS.
2011Nov 04
Windstar 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 132,000 miles
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACTING UP FROM THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT, I AM ON A DISABLED INCOME AND A SINGLE PARENT, ALSO I THINK THE FORD PLACE SHOULD RECALL AND FIX IT SINCE IT HAS ACTED UP FROM THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT AND THE OD FLASHED ALL THE TIME I KEPT THIS VAN UP VERY WELL AND CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE OR GET THIS ONE FIXED, I SHOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT A FORD VAN. I WISHED I HAD LISTENED TO MY FRIENDS WHEN THEY TOLD ME I WOULD BE SORRY CAUSE ALL WINDSTAR VANS HAVE THE TRANSMISSIONS FALL OUT, AND I DO MEAN ALL. SAME ON THE FORD COMPANY FOR GIPPING EVERYBODY OUT OF OUR MONEY, I HOPE THEY CAN SLEEP WELL KNOWING HOW THEY CHEATED ALL OF US.. THANKS FOR LISTENING, BUT I REALLY DON;T KNOW WHAT TO DO, I ONLY GET 700 A MONTH FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTER TO LIVE OFF OF, NOW WE HAVE NO WAY TO GET AROUND OR BUY GROCERIES
2012Feb 08
Windstar LX 3.9L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 137,000 miles
Transmission problems for years, leaks, slippage, and now it finally dies.
2011Oct 27
Windstar LX 3.6L
- Automatic transmission
- 114,332 miles
Ford recalled this used rust bucket because the sub frame and rear axle was a danger. They spent $2,500 renting a car for me for 2 months while it was being fixed at Donway Ford. My guess is all this work plus 2 months storage cost more than $1,000
Why would they even fix this thing if they know the transmission was bad. Even the trans. oil pan was rusted through and leaking - I had that replaced with the oil and a month later, the transmission failed.
No offer was made, they just took it in and did the repairs. I would have taken a discount on a new car at the time instead of spending the additional $1,800 that it also needed to get roadworthy.
2011Nov 14
Windstar SEL 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 214,000 miles
This is the second time that the transmission has failed. The first time was at 100,000 miles and I had a new transmission put in...This one lasted 114,000 miles. Going to junk it this time. See Ya Ford !
2004Jun 01
Windstar SEL 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
My family was on the way to vacation and the transmission decided to fail. I had to drive in low gear for 200 miles to get to destination! The replacement cost was $3000.00. Now the transmission has failed again! This time it was at 214,000 miles. I guess they only last about 100,000 miles, and after reading all the complaints about Ford Windstars, I guess I should not bother to rebuild it at this point! Foreign cars sound like a better bet when it comes to longevity. Oh, yea, I might add that the transmission started acting up at 20,000 miles, but the dealership could never "replicate" the problem!! Bye Bye Ford!
2011Dec 03
Windstar ES 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 123,900 miles
Never liked Ford vehicles much. Always a problem and it's always expensive to repair.
2011Sep 27
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 207,538 miles
Hi there! Previous to this 2000 windstar i had owned a 2002 windstar. it hadn't given this exact problem, but it did cost me quite a bit for different repairs. i had only had this van since june this year. i didn't expect much of it because it was used, but that changed when me, my two year old, and his daddy traveled on a trip that we had taken before a couple of times before this trip. all of sudden we smelled smoke,so we parked and my spouse told me the transmission was leaking and was slowly going. i panicked a bit because we had our two year old with us. thankfully a couple let us park our van in their yard while we waited for my sister for 5 HOURS!!!! it was so unexpected and such a pain. now we have to hold off on family trips while we search for a NEW and different vehicle.
2011Apr 13
Windstar SE 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 206,000 miles
We just had the fly wheel replaced and the next thing I know I'm going to leave...with my 5yr old and 3 yr old, and i go to turn around and when I went forward it was fine, put it in reverse and it was fine, then when I went to put it back in drive it made a big bang and jerked then started revving up really bad and wouldn't go anywhere. I was PISSED!!!
I have only had this van a little over a year and have only been able to drive it maybe 5 months total. I had only had it out of the shop for maybe 3 weeks at the most when this happened!!! I have read that A LOT of people have had the same problem that I have and think that Ford should take it upon themselves and voluntarily recall the transmissions on these vans.
Thank god I am a mechanic and can put one in without sending it out, but it's gonna be a pain in the ass...not to mention it's not been easy trying to find a good tranny to put in it at a decent price!! UGH! I am a Ford person and this has about had me in!
2011May 19
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 121,000 miles
I think Ford should fix these faulty transmissions. Thank you.
2011Aug 13
Windstar 2.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 112,000 miles
Like others, I was stopped at a red light, in Legacy and Ohio when the light turned green I just pressed the accelerator, and i heard a loud bang and that was it, the car wouldn't move... nothing in drive, first, or 2nd. I was able to move in reverse. Just parked and waited for the tow. If it's not worth the repair, I don't know.
2011Jun 12
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
On the way to pick up my daughter 150 miles from our home WITH 4 OTHER KIDS IN THE CAR, I began to smell a burnt smell. Within in seconds the O/D light started flashing on our van began to smoke!!! WE pulled off on the side of the road and it being a Sunday in Utah we struggled to find ANYTHING that was open. WE finally got a tow (thanks progressive) Needless to say our tranny was OUT. After a complete rebuild we got it back about 4 days ago.......NOW OUR ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING!!!!! The car shakes so bad when it is driven and doesn't want to go.....so obviously we can't drive it now. We are taking it in today and I am praying it's not going to cost another 2500 bucks or more. I HATE FORD!!! HATE THEM!!! GET YOUR CRAP TOGETHER FORD!!! Or you are going to single handedly turn every consumer against American build vehicles!!! I AM IRATE!!!!!
2011Apr 25
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 96,000 miles
another one bites the dust,reverse,no forward !!!! just bought the piece of sh*t for my wife,$8,000.00 @ a buy here pay here as is no warranty drove it 5 days! they will have it "fixed" and add it to the tail end of my loan, from what I've read on this site I wonder if I should, its just going to happen again.also just found a receipt in the glove box this isn't the first time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2011May 01
Windstar LX 2.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 110,000 miles
Like everyone else I was stopped at a red light, when the light turned green I pressed the accelerator, heard a loud bang and nothing in drive, first, or 2nd. I, like the others, could only move in reverse. Just parked it for the night, going to try and get it towed to the shop tomorrow. If it's not worth the repair, I will trade her in.
2011Apr 09
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 136,000 miles
Let me start off by saying I'm done with ford. My children and I were in the middle of a busy intersection on my way to my sons karate tournament when we herd a boom and it felt like someone hit me. There were no warning signs, the car shifted a little hard when on a incline. We could of been killed. When a problem like this affects this many consumers it needs to be dealt with by ford. I hope ford realizes that this isn't the kind of customer service that is going to get people to buy American cars. My car will be sold soon and I'm going with a Honda
2011Feb 19
Windstar LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 88,000 miles
I bought my Winstar used with 67k miles on it . The van originaly belonged to an elderly lady, and she had it serviced reguarly. I thought I was getting a good deal, surely it would last another 100k miles. Well at 88k miles, the tranny went out. WOW ! Its hard to believe that Ford an American car company would build a van that wont even make it to 100k miles.without needing a major repair that cost more than the thing is worth. Ford should stand up and take responseabilty for selling the Windstar with a faulty transmission. To many people are having the same problem for it not to be faulty . Im a family man who can barely make ends meet as it is. Why should I have to pay for Fords misstake?
2011Mar 06
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 112,000 miles
I bought the ford Winstar in 2008 I have ended up paying 12,000.00 for this vehicle after everything is said and done. I have four young children and have been left without a vehicle for almost a year with all of the problems that I have had. The transmission has been replaced three times and the motor three times. I feel that Ford should put a recall on the transmission after reading some of these complaints on this website. Right now I have three recalls on my van but cant get the van any where to have them done. This is the worst vehicle I have every owned and I have owned some pretty bad vehicles. Ford needs to help us out and fix the problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2011Mar 14
Windstar SE 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 155,523 miles
I bought this van used 1.5 months ago from a guy on craigslist. I had it looked at by a local garage and they said it had a rear main seal leak, but otherwise not bad. So I bought it for $2K. Since then, the OD light would flash periodically, and several other things started going wrong (brake warning light on, Check engine light, ABS light). Driving to work yesterday, the car started shimmying and would not go very fast. I made it to work, but barely. Parked it in a spot. Would not go in reverse at this point or 1st gear. When restarting, it would grind/rev endlessly until I shut it down. So now I am out 2K and am going to buy a foreign car. Maybe I can just scrap this one.
2008May 09
Windstar LX
- Automatic transmission
- 86,000 miles
Hi, I guess I have officially joined the "Ford Sucks" club. I purchased our 2000 Windstar new and kept up with ALL of the maintenance just to have my transmission fail in the middle of a busy intersection loaded with kids. Nice job Ford. I have stood by Ford through many bad experiences trying to support American automotive industry. I can no longer afford to sustain the burden. They have officially converted me, I now own a Honda and am very happy.
I have a few friends that are mechanics and when I told them about my transmission they all stated that it was the "sun gear", wow...all of them said the same thing. I also spoke to my father's neighbor who is now a retired Ford mechanic and he said immediately that it was the "sun gear". When I questioned him further he informed me that he saw it all the time when he was working with this year and model. Upon contacting a transmission shop to have a rebuild put in, the man on the phone told me it was probably the "sun gear". This really got me mad so I contacted Ford and explained my concerns and told them that there should be a recall. They basically stated that there is nothing they can do about it and that this "transmission problem" is not a problem that they hear about often which was Bull***". What are the odds of little ole me knowing 4 mechanics and they all said it was the same problem. (not to mention all of the complaints on this website) Upon examination of the transmission the tranny guy showed us the broken gear . Apparently there are welds that hold the gear in place and they break frequently. REALLY FORD??? So all of you out there that are considering buying a Ford, think again. I wish everyone would get together and do a class action suit.
2003Sep 15
Windstar LS 3.6L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 41,000 miles
I hope this will help Ford see that doing things right the first time will pay off in the end. Just past the 36,000 mile warranty at 41,000 miles my wife pulled out into traffic, heard a loud bang and stopped moving. She was able to move off the road in reverse. Luckily no one was hurt. I had mentioned to the Ford mechanics earlier that I thought the van sounded funny when it shifted but they had told me that that was how it sounded normally. I took their word for it and chalked the tranny failure up to bad luck. I see now that the transmission is probably a bad design. ps. I had the tranny repaired and the rebuilt lasted until yesterday at 171,000 miles. The rebuilts are better but still not a deal at $3,500. I promised myself and Ford back in 2003 that I would not buy another Ford vehicle. That decision has just been reinforced.
2010Dec 31
Windstar LX
- Automatic transmission
- 84,000 miles
On a way to a wedding new years eve, I stopped at a stop sign and when I stepped on the gas I hear a loud bang/thump under the car and the car would barely move forward. I tried 1,2,D and they all would not work. Reverse works fine. Still sitting in parking lot I nursed it into until I get it towed. I am the original owner and have had it maintained on regular basis for the life of the car. No warning that there were any problems with the transmission. I had just driven 5 miles with several stops and starts. With all the complaints about this vehicle on this site alone, Ford should do something about it. Transmissions should not fail on a regular basis at 80,000 miles as I have seen in this site. I hope someone looks into this problem and finds that Ford new of this problem and did nothing about it. Looks like a new car and not a Ford
2010Aug 16
Windstar 3.0
- Automatic transmission
- 100,394 miles
OMG so many complaints on yahoo, Google, and other websites!!!!! Wish I would have known it was going to break under 6 months of use!!!! I should have bought the extended warranty! First time that I never bought the extended warranty, however I believe my dealership should have helped me out! I have a $5000.00 paperweight!
2010Oct 08
Windstar SE 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 122,000 miles
Well like most I was driving my Wonderful Wind-star home . I took off from a stop sign heard and felt a jolt and suddenly no forward motion. Thankfully I was about .2 miles from home and reverse works. drove it home and parked it where it will sit till Ford or mother-nature fixes it. I'm sure the hell not going to. Had to borrow a friends car to attend my daughters wedding, It was great showing up in an ugly ass green tracker to my daughters most important day
2009Nov 09
Windstar ES 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 115,000 miles
I purchased this vehicle used, it was a one owner just paid off through a reputable ford dealer. The van had roughly 96000 miles, I thought that was great for a used car. I did the car fax and had my own mechanic look it over everything was good.
A little over 22 months into payments, and 115,000 miles, I was running errands and had just left from making a payment on the van. I pulled into my local walmart and as I was attempting to park the van jerked hard and stopped in the middle of the road. It was busy and people weren't very sympathetic I was mortified. How the hell was I, 4'11" 120lbs, supposed to push this "bus" out of the way? Eventually some good Samaritans pushed it and thank god for geico who towed it 15min to my house.
I paid the vehicle off a few months later at income tax time only to be told that the dealer would replace it at cost to me. I found this website while researching repairs for the transmission. Now that I see a lot have had to be replaced twice I think I'll pass. I have contacted ford but I feel that may have been a wasted effort lol but it was worth a try. I paid $8600, buy here pay here leave it there, I put roughly 20,000 miles on the van wow what a deal !? I have purchased better and more reliable out of someones front yard. I paid $1500 for a 1990 honda civic hatch back with 175000miles on it and drove it for 4 years before my family grew, which led to this disaster purchase. That was my first and last ford purchase. YOU SUCK FORD!!! BUY A HONDA!!!
2010Sep 16
Windstar 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 128,000 miles
had my pregnant daughter with me, stopped at a stop sign thank god...heard a loud clunk wouldnot go into any gear except reverse havent had it looked at yet going through a bankruptcy right now noooo money husband sick and waiting for a hip replacement so he's not able to help don' know where to turn anymore DISGUISTED IN MICHIGAN.......THANKS FORD MOTOR CO
2010Jul 10
Windstar 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 164,000 miles
My wife and I with our 4 kids was on our way home from Omaha when the o/d light started flashing. We stopped at the nearest town checked the fluid, it was a little low so I added enough to bring it up to full. We made it another 60 miles before it went out. I bought another transmission didnt last. So I bought another as soon as it gets put in it will be sold and I will never buy another FORD
2007May 30
Windstar SE 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 86,000 miles
Had the car 2 yrs, dropped my son off at daycare and backed out of the driveway. When I put it in gear it made a loud aweful sounding clunk and I had no forward. I still had reverese. Had to be towed. huge issue with extended warranty company....21 days later and two more transmissions later...I finally had a running car...and they had a $4500 bill (completely different gripe about the company). Shouldn't have gone out in the first place
2010Sep 26
Windstar SE
- Automatic transmission
- 111,500 miles
The van has been acting up and we called Ford and mentioned how hard it is to shift if it is on a slight incline or decline. They said that was normal for the Ford Windstars. I took it to the dealer for a recall issue and while I was there, mentioned all the things its been doing like jerking and reving and pulling forward and backwards without hitting the gas. Ford guy at Dale Jarret Ford in Charlotte, NC gave us an analysis based on what his wife's car did. He said it would be the alternator to the tune of $350. We took it somewhere else and they said the alternator was just fine.
Today as we came home the car made a loud noise and came to a stop. The van goes in reverse but will not engage to go forward. Thanks a lot Ford Guy. Did your wife's car do the same thing? Now we are without a car... Is there a recall on this?? 704-970-6463
2010Sep 01
Windstar SEL V6
- Automatic transmission
- 107,000 miles
The car was leaking transmission fluid so I took it in to get looked out. Upon taking out the pan they noticed ALOT of metal shavings. Looking at a complete rebuild upwards of $2500, not worth it imo (not since it also has TONS of other issues). I traded it in to the same dealer that sold the piece of crap to me.
If you notice any leaking or jerking of the car upon acceleration get it looked out before it's too late to make it someone else's problem :o)
2010Jun 08
Windstar 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 200,000 miles
I have had several problems with this van. The overdrive light intermittantly flashes. Then my 16 year old son drove the van and was getting ready to pull out into traffic and the car would not go into a forward gear. It will go into reverse. I'm looking for a used or rebuilt transmission. My can't be rebuilt. Can a 1999 or 1998 model work in a 2000? I don't think I will go with Ford again.
2010Aug 10
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 81,800 miles
Car was running bumpy and O/D off light was flashing. Went to Ford, transmission broken, replacing it would be $3400. Ford should recall the Windstar and repair it for free!!
2010Aug 09
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 165,000 miles
After the O/D OFF light started flashing on our van, I took it to a transmission shop. THey ran a scan on it and it showed no transmission codes, just a couple engine codes. So I went to the engine guy. he said they weren't a big deal, that if it was his vehicle he would just drive it as is. I told him about the tranny issues and that the transmission guy said that the engine issues could cause the tranny trouble. The engine guy said no, not likely.
I went to leave for work that night and I had no transmission. Nothing. Second POS Windstar that had tranny issues. We won't be getting a Ford again!!
2010Aug 01
Windstar LX 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 121,000 miles
typical problem apparently no warning nothing. went all the way to the white mts 145 miles one a week ago no problems. drove around for a random ride total of 200 miles last nite no problems. go to grocery store 1/10 of a mile today go to pull out and come home feels like im rearended, and woulnt you know it no other cars around. i have reverse no forward gears. that was a fun ride home no money for tow so reverse it was.
cant decide whether to burn scrap it for fix it. owned this van for 1 yr first major prob but after reading everything i have seems pointless to fix. everything done on time fluids, filters, etc. etc. kinda pissed got to admit. seems like fords theme though what can i say. had a fullsize bronco fix one 8 more issues would show up ,so pissed definitley surprised not a bit. done for now will post when decide what to do about it.
2009Aug 19
Windstar LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 56,000 miles
I just bought in last June 0f 2009. only had 50,000 miles on it put about 6000 miles on it then the transmission completely failed. The first owner had every maintanence on it it required. Was in mint condition when I bought it. It had to have the transmission completely rebuilt for $2,600 we are going after ford for the money. this should be recalled and fixed. never buy an American made car they all are made as if you bought it at the dollar store.
2010May 14
Windstar 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 138,825 miles
Ford trannys are wothless!!!!! No warnings... Absolutely nothing at all. I'm on the highway returning home, and then all of a sudden my accelleration quits.. It will not go into reverse, or nothing. It just died. Well, I tried to buy American, but I'm done.. Picking up my used Toyota on Moday.
Goodluck with your Fords people..
2009Jul 05
Windstar SLE V6
- Automatic transmission
- 118,000 miles
Traveling south, the engine light came on, then the exhaust started spewing what looked like oil then the vehicle shut down while on I-26. Fortunately, we were near an exit and could have it towed. We did opt to have a rebuilt/re manufactured transmission put in it, which cost more.
2009Aug 25
Windstar LX 3.8lV6
- Automatic transmission
- 108,000 miles
FORD Crap...................
This is the second time the transmission has gone. I was thinking of possibly getting a reused transmission as the first time it was reconditioned but after reading all the other complaints we have decided to abandon it. We have had so many problems with this Ford crap from brakes, window motors, ASB light, door actuator etc that it's a first and last Ford for us..........
2008Aug 14
Windstar V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
in august 2008 had to replace the transmission, 2009 had an electrical problem. as i was driving the whole vand started shutting down. head lights went off interior lights went off blinkers stopped finally van just shut down thank god for AAA. now It doesn't want to stay running keeps stalling fuel pump. what next
2010Mar 11
Windstar LX 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 121,167 miles
I need to know why my transmission failed with no warning. No gears only park. Fluid is a good color and a good level, there is also no burning smell, can any body help me with my problem?
2010Feb 24
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 110,000 miles
Well I guess Im just part of a long line of unhappy Ford Windstar owners. Very common occurance. I was stopped at a red light waiting to turn right went to take off and boom!!! It felt as though I had been rear ended but there was no car behind me. I was still able to drive and but did feel a difference in the way the van drove. As the day went by things began to get worse. The van wouldnt back out of a parking space until I gave it some gas. It began shuddering at take off and felt a hesitation when it shifted from 2nd to 3rd. At one point it absolutely would not budge in reverse and when put in neutral would go foward as if in drive on a flat surface. At a stop light it wouldnt take off until revved pretty hard.
Havent taken it to a mechanic but after reading everyones experiences on here its pretty safe to assume that I have a shot tranny on my hands. Probably just gonna scrap it cuz Im not willing to pay $2000- $3000 to get something thats worth $1200 fixed. Probably gonna have to get a Honda =(
2010Feb 27
Windstar SE 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 160,000 miles
Well looks like the same probably as every other sucker that has a ford, stopped at a light, accelerated, and pop, there goes the tranny, no drive, no reverse, no lube
2009Sep 05
Windstar LS 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 125,000 miles
Unfortunately, this was the second time our transmission failed. My sons and I were on a weekend getaway over 100 miles from home at a local mountain resort. I was able to pull into the hotel parking lot and park, but that was it. It cost almost $250 to tow as we didn't have the "long distance" tow coverage. It's been parked in our driveway every since then. I'll have to pay another tow charge to get it to the mechanic, if he can find a used transmission, which he has been unable to do. Cost to repair with a rebuilt transmission including a "new radiator" is over $3000. We've been lucky both times to be "close enough" to make towing reasonable, but I'm wondering if it's worth it to repair the transmission only to have this happen again. Very frustrating, I would like to say nice to see we're not alone, but who wants to be sitting on the side of the road with 3 kids which is where we were the first time.
2010Feb 20
Windstar SEL 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 224,000 miles
I got a call about the van i have in my name that my mom uses saying that the tranny failed for no reason. she was driving normal on her way to a birthday party and all the gears went at once so i think it is a manufacturer defect due to no signal of a possible problem. fine one day and failed the next is not a coincidence and that is why karma has bit ford in the bud and will continue to.
2010Feb 17
Windstar LS 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 106,500 miles
Well, here we go again. (See Complaint #53) I was driving home from work when the O/D light started flashing and the check transmission warning was displayed. I pulled over at the next light and shut off the vehical and restarted it again. The light went off and I was on my way. A mile later it did the same thing. Both times the transmission seemed fine with no indication of failure. I was able to get home without further issue. The next morning I drove it about 5 miles when it happened again so I called our local Ford Service Department (I have them on speed dial) and headed straight there. Again there was no physical inication of a problem. The light remains off when you first start it and get up to highway speed. It comes on when you slow to 40 mph. Everytime it was when I slowed to 40 mph. I thought it was a problem with the speed senser. Since it seems to run fine other than the warning.
They pulled it into the shop and ran a code test which indicates a serious internal problem. And that is where the fun begins: As you can see we were a few hundred miles from home when the first trasmission failed so we had it replace by a Ford authorized garage. It was factory remanufactured so it came with a 36 month / 100000 mile warranty through Ford 100% parts and labor. I provided the paperwork to the service department while it was being tested. They came back and said I did NOT have a valid warranty. I was shocked... WTF? They said it was "not registered in the system" and that I needed to contact the garage that installed it to provide a sales receipt from the dealership that sold it to them. I told them that was not my problem and that was an internal problem with Ford. I had all of the required paperwork that had the serial number and warranty number on it. I contacted the garage and they said they do not have a computer and would have to contact thier accountant to go throught all the receipts from 2008 to find it. They got on it right away. In the mean time the local dealer said they would not touch the vehicle until they have solid proof. Then they came back and said they think it was rebuilt not remanufactured. That would mean the warranty was 12 month / 12,000 miles. It has 14 mo / 18,000 on the transmission. The paperwork clearly indicates it is remanufactured 3 yr / 100K.
By this time I had a major headache from the stress. I contacted my wife, who works at a law office. One of the attornys was salivating to get a piece of both parties. I allowed them to work with each other overnight. Finally they got it straight and I am covered under the warranty. I have been advised that they could not get to it until later next week. Even though it felt like it is running fine they would void the warranty if I took it off the lot. I feel another headache coming on... I will update when I find out the news next week.
2000Dec 15
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 81,275 miles
I was driving my two young boys to school, and after I just turned left on a busy, steep street, my POS 2002 Ford Windstar shook, and made a loud noise. I screeched, "What was that"! I pushed down on the gas pedal, because cars come up fast on you on this road, and it hardly would go. I then shouted "What the hell"! , as my poor yound kids were starting to freak. I quickly put on my hazard lights, and got over as soon as it was clear. Luckily, I was just close enough to drop off the kids at a shortcut, back entrance. My kids were really scared, and I could have been hit from behind.
I had to get my car towed to my mechanic, and surprise, surprise, it was my transmission, and would cost around $2,700 to replace. My car only has 81,275 miles on it, and I have had MANY issues with it, (head gasket problems, and numerous check engine light, can't even remember what else, it's been so many). I have sank tons of money on this car, since I purchased it in 2002. So, I decided, hell with paying that much money to replace the transmission and have something else go wrong with it in a few months. So, I am now going to buy a HONDA, will never buy a Ford again! Oh, did I mention that my heater hasn't worked in almost two years, and I have to manually lock/unlock the driver's door. I didn't want to fix those two things because it was just going to be more money, and I just knew that it would not be worth it on this car. Boy, was I right! Ford, if your reading this, shame on you for making a car with so many problems. You are just shooting yourself in the foot, because less and less people will buy your cars.
2009Oct 17
Windstar LX
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
My mom bought the car for me in 2003 and even though I knew FORD stood for Found On Road Dead or Fix Or Repair Daily, I was still happy to have transportation. In the first couple of months the engine light appeared several times which resulted in me sitting at the very undesirable dealership multiple times for multiple hours. One time the light reappeared prior to me leaving their lot. This should have been my eye opener right here. My ABS light has been on as long as I have had the car, I see it as an accessory kinda like the radio...LOL My headlights and brake lights have recently been playing a sick game called: Guess who's blowing out next??? for the past year, and now the transmission is failing. Everything seems to work just fine except for DRIVE! After reading other complaints and experiences on here I really don't think it is work fixing, however I do love Winnie we have been through a lot together so who knows where we go from here.
2009Nov 21
Windstar SEL 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 155,273 miles
this is the second time this piece of sh*t broke. Now its worse than the first time. a year and two months later BAM again Ford you suck, we should make them pay back all our tax money that stupid congress gave those f*%#ing idiots. Most of us live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford a new car or repairs like this, especially with the holidays coming up. All without warning, now I got to figure out how to get to work and which bills to skip to pay for this AGAIN. THANKS FORD . I should take this van to ford executives, and drive it where the good lord split them. Oh yea, hey ford a**holes, My kids said thanks for a great christmas. RECALL THE DAMN THING, if ford cant afford to fix the problems with all its piece of sh*ts, then sell your private jets do something right in your life you greedy rich pieces of sh*t. 1 year or 13000 mile warranty (the 5 year warranty cost too much)
2008Sep 08
Windstar SEL 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 149,126 miles
bought vehicle used, was well maintained by the only previous owner. only had it one month and bam, transmission went. had rebuilt transmission put in with one year 13,000 mile warranty... already living paycheck to paycheck. after reading all complaints wonder why Ford doesn't have to pay for this sh*t. read next complaint from me
2009Oct 10
Windstar LE 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 125,000 miles
I have had this van only 2 years and my wife was coming home from work an lost all gears including reverse. My mechnic told me that this is a comon problem it is due to a snap ring that holds the clutch plate in place when this breaks all the clutch plates slant over and won't ingage. In order to fix this problem it needs to be rebuilt using a stronger snap ring not one from a Ford rebuild kit.
2012Jan 01
Windstar
This car has a whole lotta problems.
As soon as you fix one thing, another goes.
We are trying to get rid of it, but after spending so much money on it, the other person, more than likely will think it's a great car. We are so dependent on the car that it is hard to get rid of it, we hate depending on other people to give us rides, my family is big and we all have different things to do at different times, so its difficult being without a vehicle. It's a giant pain to keep spending on it though. My complaint is similar to those of the others I have read. The light work today, don't work tomorrow, sometimes, the lights don't come on at all when you open the door, then two weeks later tada! We have electrical problems, Security problems, drivetrain problems, i don't know what ISN'T wrong with it.
marigoldilocks
Hartford, CT, mexico
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