8.8
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $1,820
- Average Mileage:
- 101,100 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 17 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (12 reports)
- replace transmission (4 reports)
- wont shift in any gear (1 reports)
I was stopped at a red light and the light turned green so I stepped on the gas to go and my 2003 Ford Windstar moved a little but then kicked and it didn't want to move anymore. I step on the gas again but it still didn't want to do anything. I'm glad I was able to pull over to the side or else I would of gotten stuck in the middle of traffic and would of probably caused an accident. My son was in the van with me so I'm relieved that I was able to pull over safely. I didn't even get a warning sign or anything that the transmission was messing up. It was driving fine, I can't believe it just stopped working. I tried to put it in reverse and neutral but nothing. So I finally saved some money to buy a used transmission because a new one is too expensive and I can't afford it right now. They put the transmission in and my van is working but now the over drive off light is flashing so I'm gonna have to go get it checked. I hope I don't have to replace the transmission again. If I would of known these type of vans have transmission problems I would have never bought it. I can't afford to keep on fixing this van. I need a reliable vehicle not one that I'm gonna be scared to drive far because I don't want it to leave me stranded somewhere with my kids. Ford should recall this van I was surprised at how many people have had the same problem with the transmission. This needs to be fixed before someone gets hurt because the transmission doesn't give any warning of a problem it just gives out. I will never buy a Ford van again!
- hmichelle, Raymondville, TX, US
I want to know what the problem is and how to get it fixed. this vehicle has been a pain in my ass since i bought it used 7 yrs. ago and will be paid off in November of this year. I have replaced multiple alternators and batteries.
- Bill W., Washington, IN, US
I have a 2003 ford windstar. I hear of all the problems with the transmissions. If for no apparent reason that it wont go into any gear all of a sudden. Certain it the torque converter. I changed one in mine and works fine now. Dont forget to drain all of the old oil add new filter. new pump seal. and do not put an OEM ford torque back on. Get a new reinforced one from a rebuilder.
- rgladue, Wabasca, Alberta, Canada
Driving along and the Tranny just failed,. no warning signs.... Blown trans on a car with only 66k miles??? Ford can expect to hear from me.
- digga7, Winchester, MA, US
ok so i guess im not the only one cussing and screaming!.. so heres my not so fun adventure reguarding my transmission... so i bought the car not even 3 years ago.. didnt have the care 5 days and had to have the transmission replaced... luckly the person that just sold the van had just put one in so it was still under waranty...(should have been my first red flag) so about 5 months ago my reverse started acting up to the point i have to rev it up to get it to go in gear... so i get out my handy dandy waranty papers...and call jasper.. there excuse was there was water in the first transmission and i would now have to pay for the new one (they said there is a seal that leaks in to the transmission) then my smart mouth pops off with well your the ones that rebuild these things why in the same world havent you fixed that problem...the guy hung up on me...so i called the att. general in indiana ... and now since i have been fighting for over 5 months i went over my 30,000 mile mark so now im the one that has to pay for my new transmission... ugh!!! so i wonder who else has been told there has been water in there transmission??!! and if this is a problem why is the same world has no one done anything with it!!!!!!!! ...
- konna98, Murphysboro, IL, US
Same as everyone else basically. Going down a major road 5 pm traffic 60 mph went to go around a slow moving vehicle stepped on the accelerator and had NOTHING rpm's went up engine rev'ed up Vehicle would not move no lights no noise just plainly no WARNING at all....was not able to get it to the side of the road out of way to much traffic coming in all directions at a very scary rate of speed almost got hit several times got called a few bad names i do not wish to repeat because i was stuck in the middle of the 4 lane road..Finally after several near misses someone stopped traffic so i could PUSH the Van across 3 Lanes of traffic into a near by parking lot where i sat for 2 hours waiting for a tow truck and then still sat for 2 hours longer after my van got towed away because the Tow truck driver would only allow one person to ride with him and had my Sister with me..I am very disappointed Paid $9,200 for My van It was my life line and now here i sit 5 months later and about $1000 later on stupid fixes i was told to do and i still do not have my van back on the road..!!!!!!!! I really think FORD should look at this matter closely and do something about it before it does kill someone they seem to be recalling alot of other things that are no where near as major as this and yet the transmission failure seems to go unworried about HELLO people wake the EFF up!!!!
- dixiecolby, Lewiston, ME, US
I Was crossing a 4 lane highway U.S.30 Here in IN. when the trans. just quit, like putting it in neutral and was almost hit by a semi truck and killed.I Have researched the problem and found this to be a common problem with the 03 Windstar. I restore classic cars as a hobby of which I have 24 .so that should say something about how I take car of my vehicles. apparently this is an ongoing problem with the Windstar that FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS.How can our Government allow them to get away with this.Yet make them do a recall on the rear axle and steering mounts. I THINK THAT THIS A MUCH MORE DANGEROUS PROBLEM, COULD IT BE THAT IT COST MORE TO FIX THIS SCREW UP BY FORD. B BELK
- Bill B., Culver, IN, US
I was driving a friend home from work when out of nowhere, between about 2nd and 3rd gear the transmission suddenly quit. There was no noise and no foul play, it was driving great and I have had no problems that were significant at all since I got it (A/C is messed up and the rear-right window doesn't open... no big deal to me). This could have been a big issue if I was on the interstate, I was lucky it happened in town relatively close to my house. I am saddened by this because I really liked this car. It had a 3.8 V6 engine, it had plenty of room for my band equipment with the middle seat removed and even though it was a minivan, it had sweet sporty looking wheels, it's my favorite color and it was probably the coolest car I have ever owned. I am disappointed the transmission went out and I found that this is a common problem and seems to happen again after people get it fixed. I hate that I have to get rid of this vehicle but I think I'm gonna just sell the body and engine separate (may keep wheels) and just replace it. I never had much faith in automatic transmissions to begin with because they are more complicated thus yielding the possibility for more problems to occur, they break down more often and cost an arm and a leg to have fixed not to mention you are more likely to be stranded if they mess up. This is truly a sad occasion because otherwise I love this vehicle and it is the first car I ever owned outright and had complete control over insurance wise.
- mckamey, Tullahoma, TN, US
I guess I am lucky I got 160,000 km. out of my first tranny. I bought the vehicle new in 2003. I am the only driver, mostly 25-100 km. per trip, the odd short hop.I backed out of the driveway and that's where it stayed till the towtruck came. Put in a factory rebuilt for $3500.00. , guaranteed for 2 years or 20,000 km.
- Mary G., Stayner, Ontario, Canada
No sense ranting Ford has screwed me again! This is the last ford I will ever buy! Someone needs to call them out! There is some serious issues with this van!
- Wade S., Burlington, Ontario, Canada
I use this van as medical transport for my granny and got in it today starts beutifully but wont bloody move. what good is a darn vehicle that dont move
- ravenwinters, Pocahontas, AR, US
i purchased a 2003 ford windstar in2005 no problems well i thought went to the gas station got a tank of gas drive off stop about 3 blocks down at a traffic light pull off poof van still running but no power or gears what so ever!!
- bpickens, Greensboro, AL, US
I just got on the highway on my way to work when the van just stopped moving. I coasted to the side the check it out. The van starts fine and runs well but it doen matter what gear you shift it to, it does noyt move. I called road side assistance and got it towed to my house. The transmission fluid level is higher than it was before but I have not taken it to the shop yet. Too scared to face the music. I thank I have to replace the whole transmission.
- Edwing R., Lansdale, PA, US
WITH NO PRIOR PROBLEMS TO REPORT, I WAS SUDDENLY UNABLE TO PUT MY VEHICLE IN GEAR AFTER STARTING IT. THE GEAR-SHIFTER FELT SOMEWHAT LOOSE AS IF I WERE PARKED AT AN INCLINE WITHOUT PUTTING THE HAND BRAKE ON HOWEVER, I WAS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL WHERE I WAS ABLE TO START IT AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE. WHENEVER I PLACED IT IN PARK IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IT BACK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. HOWEVER, WHEN IT DID GO INTO GEAR IT WAS RANDOM AND THE GEAR-SHIFTER MOVED INTO GEAR EASILY AS IF THERE IS NO PROBLEMS. NOW THERE IS ALL KINDS OF WACKY ELECTRICAL STUFF GOING ON...WINDOW SWITHCHES AREN'T FUNCTIONING, NO TAIL LIGHTS AND THE REMOTE ALARM ENTRY ONLY UNLOCKS THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THERE IS A CLICKING IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TRYING TO UTILIZE ANY OF THE LISTED ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS.
- lollie, Pacoima, CA, US
I own three ford vans,1998 ford windstar, 2000 ford windstar, 2003 ford windstar and all three had the same problem. the transmission failed. Its is a shame you can't but an american car and be proud and happy because american cars are defected. and ford motor company failed to correct the situation. ford customer service is very disrespectful.
- hinds, West Springfield, MA, US
This is my second ford windstar and i will assure u that i will never buy another ford windstar. they are not the kind of vehicle u can count on. specially when u have a family who depends on this vehicle. this company is a rip off they are no good on there vehicles
and they sure don't care about helping there customers. i hope this problem will be presented to an attorney so it can be taken care of.
- Zarina S., Orlando, FL, US
work overnights the van drove home just fine no warnings of any problems, got up early thought I would go to get something to eat hop in the van turn it on, starts great... put it into reverse nothing! drive nothing!
this is really upsetting now after looking at your site and many other sites I see that I am not the only one!!
Why does Ford not have a recall on this:?? I had just got the darn thing paid for now I have no idea what to do.
so on Monday my day off I will be calling Ford to come and get it to fix it, sure I am going to be armless and legless when this gets fixed..............
- sonyami, Traverse City, MI, US