10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 17 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 14 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 4,103 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Won't downshift correctly, does jumpy movements. There is a delayed reaction between the accelerator and movement of car. Car will shake a do bang noises. This is the second transmission repair. On 6-22-99 reported problem to dealer and the transmission pan gasket was replaced.
- Wayne, PA, USA
Transmission failed after having repaired to head gasket and engine block. Ford dealer does not acknowledge any connection.
- Charleston, WV, USA
Blown head gasket; 2.5 months later, bad water pump and transmission overhaul needed.
- Bowie, MD, USA
Received an extended warranty notice on head gasket. When van began overheating and using coolant I took it in to have the head gasket checked. It was found to be bad and replaced under warranty. However, mechanic also inspected timing cover gasket and found it was also leaking but not covered under warranty. I was unable to afford the repairs for the timing cover gasket and mechanic advised it would be ok to drive if I watch coolant level until I can get this fixed. Ford customer service representative stated that the I would have to pay for this repair as it was not covered by the extended warranty. Transmission problems became apparent when the vehicle started shifting roughly and then could not be put in reverse. Transmission required rebuilding.
- Little Rock, AR, USA
Why is there no recall for the transmission problems? there are numerous complaints found in several websites & newspaper articles regarding transmission failures/defects in the 1995-97 Windstar.
- Garden City, NY, USA
Head gaskets blew, leaking timing belt gasket, blown speed sensor, transmission problems
- Natick, MA, USA
Transmission has never worked properly. Hard shifts between gears, and reverse gear fails intermittently. Have had to Ford many times in last 5 years (when under warranty) and they refused to look at or fix saying "that's the way it's supposed to be" (don't think that's true since there are days I can't back my van up). Ford has never owned up to this problem. The 1995 Windstar is a lemon with multiple problems and should be taken off the road. Other problems are a leaky engine head gasket and spongy/faulty ABS brakes.
- Columbia, PA, USA
The ABS brakes were inspected three times by the dealer under warranty and the problem was not solved, and the brakes continue to act erratically. Engine head gasket was replaced by Ford under its warranty in 1998 but it continued to leak small amounts. The timing chain gasket is now leaking. The transmission was replaced at our expense in February 1999 (we've reported it here earlier) all these problems are well known by Ford, but except for the head gaskets, it has stonewalled us and other customers about the repairs. The transmission and the ABS are definite safety hazards, and the engine damage that can result from the gasket failures can leave people stranded without notice.
- Wauwatosa, WI, USA
Gears not engaging from park to drive. Need new transmission.
- Somerset, NJ, USA
Transmission makes a thunking and knocking noise when driver puts vehicle in any gear.
- Carras, WA, USA
Automatic transmission malfunctions.
- Hatboro, PA, USA
I had my transmission replaced at a local transmission shop since the van no longer held a warranty. That is when I heard of the astronomical failure rate of these transmissions. I searched the web to verify what I heard from the service tech. I found thousands of letters about this vehicle and it's deficient transmission. I have contacted Ford and plan to continue to follow up on this issue until Ford shows me they care about customer satisfaction. I want to be reimbursed for this trans replacement.
- Parma, OH, USA
We have replaced the transmission four times. We now have a head gasket problem with my 3.8 liter Ford Windstar engine. The reason I could not provide the VIN # is because my car is in the shop at this moment being repaired. The approximate cost for the repairs is approximately $2,500.
- Phenix City, AL, USA
Ford is paying for a new engine, but should also pay for transmission failure--this car has been well maintained.
- Madison, WI, USA
The head gasket failed while driving to the airport. Average speed 35 mph. The transmission slips while taking off. From a stop.
- North Las Vegas, NV, USA
Ford and the dealership were not helpful at all. Ford tried to make me happy in the end with an additional warranty for 24 months or 24,000. But would not pay for repairs. To sorry to bad they said. This past year we had more problems, it was very very very stressful and expensive. We had to charge repairs and put some on heme equity. Think of the interest $. I was scared to drive. I have since sold van. I will still pursue this to get back $ and to tell others. No safety defect listed in summary.
- Oregon City, OR, USA
This minivan was my worst nightmare. After having the head gaskets checked and transmission serviced at 58702 miles my gaskets went @ 66940, transmission @68420, engine replaced at 71843 miles. All this happened at our busiest time of year. My daughter is a softball pitcher and the tranny went on my way to a rural town tourny, the engine went over 100 miles from home on our way to state tourney which we sent our daughter with the coach. But we missed it. After having the enginge replaced with a used one pulling into my driveway my poer steering went and the car caught fire from the fluid spraying onto the engine. The original hose was used with the replacement engine. New hose was routed a different way so the hose wasn't so close to the exhaust pipe. I was lucky this happened in my driveway. All this happened within a few months and Ford or the dealership were not helpfull. I sold the van and will never buy another Ford.
- Oregon City, OR, USA
This minivan was my worst nightmare. After having the head gaskets checked and transmission serviced at 58702 miles my gaskets went @ 66940, transmission @68420, engine replaced at 71843 miles. All this happened at our busiest time of year. My daughter is a softball pitcher and the tranny went on my way to a rural town tourny, the engine went over 100 miles from home on our way to state tourney which we sent our daughter with the coach. But we missed it. After having the enginge replaced with a used one pulling into my driveway my poer steering went and the car caught fire from the fluid spraying onto the engine. The original hose was used with the replacement engine. New hose was routed a different way so the hose wasn't so close to the exhaust pipe. I was lucky this happened in my driveway. All this happened within a few months and Ford or the dealership were not helpfull. I sold the van and will never buy another Ford.
- Oregon City, OR, USA
Transmissin failed twice.
- University, IL, USA
- Hyattsville, MD, USA