Aluminum clutch piston in transmission has cracked making car hesitate to go into gear (forward or reverse)also transmission jumps out of drive into neutral whithout warning making vehicle dangerous.this is a frequent problem happining to a lot of these transmissions. Contacted Ford (dealer and directly) and both refuse to be of any assistance.dealer wants $2990 for new transmission installed.

- Manahawkin, NJ, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- French Camp, CA, USA

Engine seized after head gasket failure in Dec 1998. Stengers Ford (now out of business) took in excess of one month to repair. They admitted this was their first attempt to replace Windstar engine. Within a few weeks of receiving Windstar back. Also, transmission failed.

- Dayton, OH, USA

Transmission began shifting funny shortly after purchase'slight slipping on shift, esp. At hiway speeds.took to hampton Ford dealer in hampton, nh.they said that the computer showed no signs of slippage, and charged us $75 for diagnosis, not mentioned to us that that was not covered in the extended warrenty we had purchased with the van.now, the problem has become far worse;in order to accelerate at hiway speeds or from stand-still after vehicle is warmed, I have to floor the accelerator to get a proper downshift/acceleration.my pregnant wife and three children, ages 1 year to 13 years are often with her in the van(reason we bought a mini-van)...we have gotten a recall on particular engine conditions;why not for the transaxle"I cannot afford to have it replaced, and although an experienced auto mechanic, and certificated aircraft mechanic, have no means of equipment to do the job myself.I will never buy another Ford product, as they have apparently not learned anything from the pinto, escort nor any other of the mechanical junk they continue to produce.I do not trust this vehicle to Transport my family, and feel that someone should have picked up on this with my first visit...now Ford vehicles are in need of replacement at under 70,000 miles??"

- Hampton, NH, USA

When vehicle is at operating temperature, automatic transmission fails to engage properly from a standing start. Several second delay when trying to accelerate from a standing start. Transmission is slipping. Upon investigating in various web-sites appears to be a widespread problem. Hope others are complaining too. Transmission fluid is at proper level. Suffered the head gasket failure. Engine was replaced in December 1999.

- Kent, WA, USA

Transmission system malfunctioned, and had to be replaced at every 25,000 miles. Vehicle may stall unexpectedly while driving. Vehicle had replaced transmission 3 times.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

Vehicle has been well maintained and routinely serviced per manufacturers recommenations and does not have towing capability. Transmission would occasionly behave as if it were in neutral when trying to accelerate from a complete stop. It finally lost all drive in first and reverse gears, resulting in a $ 2000 transmission repair at the dealer. The faulty part was a cracked aluminium forward clutch piston, which is now replaced by a steel part.(I have the damaged part.) the transmission troubles started after the main head gaskets blew and overheated the engine. I had to repair the head gaskets myself because my vehicle was 4 months beyond the original recall notice limitations. After I repaired the head gaskets with the new Ford parts, I just recently received the recall extension notice in the mail approx 2 months ago. What lousey timing.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

This is actulay the second problem the first was head gaskets in Nov of 99 that was resolved with Ford after fighting with them a month now its the transmission thats going out I have done some reserch on the internet and have found this to be a serious problem with this car and fill it schould be a recall. I had the transmission slip at a stop light and was almost rearended by a semi and trailer.this problem is very comon on the Windstar and taurse and I fill Ford that this will not be handled by Ford on there own. This is not only puting people in financal strain but also persnal danger. The worst part about this it that Ford is aware of this but does not care about their costumers in any way. I would like to see leagle action against them.

- Sherwood, OR, USA

We have replaced engine twice and transmission X 3 now needs another engine and we've spent over $10,000

- Greensboro, MD, USA

Electrical problem in dash caused a brake light problem. Ford dealer had to pull out dash to correct problem. Car had a previous recall in which the dash had to be pulled out also. We believe the wire repair in the dash was a result of the previous dash electrical recall. Ford says no. At only 59,400 miles the trans needs replacing. Ford has a dealer service bulletin that states failure of transmissions can be due to a cracked or broken forward clutch pision. Ford says no. Blown head gasket at 87, 300 miles causes engine to have to be replaced. We received a recall letter in March and received $3200 for reimbursement. At 89,000 miles during February of 2000, the second transmission goes out and the mechanic states that the overheating of the engine head gasket problem can affect the transmission. During a test drive of the third transmission, the speedometer goes bad. A recall letter from Ford in may of 1994 states that some speedometers can have "incorrect gear" and may cause a loss of function". a letter has been written to Ford Motor Company explaining the excessive costs to maintain a vehicle.

- Brentwood, TN, USA

Electrical brake light problem required dealer to pull out dash to repair 8/19/96. Letter from Ford says out of warranty. Failure of auto trans at 59,428 in 11/4/97. There is a service bulletin issued by Ford for forward clutch pistons. Ford refuses again to cover.-- manufacturing defect. In Oct 24, 99 head gasket failure--replaced engine at 87,376 miles. Ford issues recall letter and we receive $3200 from Ford June 16, 2000. Second transmission replacement at 89,021. Mechanic states overheating of engine affected the second transmission. During test drive of third transmission, the speedometer malfunctions. The Ford dealer repairs problem. The total of these repairs alone total approximately $9500!

- Brentwood, TN, USA

I have repeatedly tried to get my vechicle repaired but the dealer insists that he will not give me service.the service mngr. Has refused to even look at the vechicle to determine if loaner is necessary. No safety defect listed in summary.

- Detroit, MI, USA

Non stop failure from purchase date.

- San Jose, CA, USA

Overdrive light blinking, we brought vehicle to Ford dealership. The transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of $1500-$2100 (2 quotes from 2 different Ford dealerships). Told us that the transmission was only covered up to 75K under special warranty, we had 80K. We choose to let the vehicle sit in the driveway. A week later check engine light came on. Took it to another Ford dealer, told us the head gasket needs to be repaired again (we repaired it last year). Ford won't let us use the buy-back option as stated in the March 2000 letter to Windstar owners who have head gasket failure. The dealership and a Ford Motor Corp customer service rep said that once we accepted the reimbursement for the first head gasket repair, subsequent head gasket failures could only be repaired, the buy-back option was no longer available. The letter from Ford does not state this and we were not informed at the time of the first repair that this could be a reoccurring problem and that we wonT have that option later to use the buy-back program instead of repairing the vehicle. Car is now sitting in driveway until we figure out what our rights are. We would like Ford to buy back our Windstar for what we owe.

- Rollinsford, NH, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Eagan, MN, USA

The transmission is slipping and the car won't go, then all of a sudden, it jumps and could jump in front of another car; the overdrive light is blinking and won't go off. You can't get it to switch on; the switch won't turn and it goes ding, ding, ding when you take the key out

- Vidalia, GA, USA

Transmission jumps into gear from stop unexpectedly, wife hit our house.

- Ipswich, MA, USA

Head gasket failed requiring upper half of engine replaced. 1 week after getting minivan back, spun a rod in the engine, requiring engine being replaced. 1 month after getting back w/rebuilt engine, transmission failed requiring new transmission. Dealer states that head gasket and transmission failures I experienced are very common with '95 Windstar. Ford not interested in helping me w/problems.

- Lincoln, CA, USA

On 5-15-00 I brought my Windstar back to the dealer because it continued to lose coolant. I was told that it was the head gasket and that all costs would be covered by Ford due to an extended warranty. When I picked my car up it didn't seem to engage into gear properly. On returning home(1/2 mile) I called the dealership to report the problem. I returned the van and was told that the transmission was gone and would cost almost $3,000 to repair. I have since contacted Ford and must now wait for two business days before I will be contacted by the dealer.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

Consumer was having transmission problems. Vehicle would shimmy & hesitate when changing gears. Dealer found that transmisson fluid was black & burnt. Transmission was last serviced on Jan. 27th, 1999. Consumer was looking for reimbursment & will be filling a complaint against the manufacturer.

- Yuba City, CA, USA