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
After driving several hundred miles on the interstate, we was driving in town, made a stop at the store, when we left the store we stoped at the end of the driveway, where the transmission would not do anything. After talking to several transmission shops, and taking vehicle to Ford shop we found out that this is a common problem for the Windstar van. ( transmission failure without warning ) had this have happend on the interstate ity could have caused a severe accident, or even a fatality...
- Danville, IL, USA
1995 Ford Windstar, transmission failure, electrical gremlins, power steering box failure, engine failure.
- Troutdale, OR, USA
Vehicle transmission went out on 1995 Windstar. When starting up vehicle the van was engulfed in white smoke. The consumer was informed that engine needed to be replaced, water had leaked through the head gasket destroying the engine.
- San Leandro, CA, USA
Stalls at stop, slips, then shifts hard in to gear. Spoke to two persons in the transmission shop they both agree that it's Ford company's problem because they see at least six vans a month with same problems with transmission stalling.
- Cumming, IA, USA
Engine failed twice due to a faulty head gasket. Also, original automatic transmission failed and was rebuilt. About two years later, transmission failed and the dealer replaced it with a new transmission. Another two years later, the transmission failed again and was rebuilt. The cause of the failures was not determined. The recalled engine blew and the manifold gasket blew. When the consumer contacted Ford they stated they couldn't do anything right now but would notify them later and maybe they could help. Consumer had two windows that didn't go up or down - replaced $412.34. Both tie rods were replaced.
- Voorhees, NJ, USA
On the date indicated below while travelling with my children (the youngest only 18 months old) and my mother to visit relatives in leonardtown md, approximately 4 hours from my home, my 1995 Ford Windstar transmission failed completely, shortly after exiting the ft. Mchenry tunnel, which was very crowded. I had the van checked before I left for my destination, particularly the transmission fluids and other fluids, and there was no indication that failure was imminent. I was stranded by the side of the road for over 2 hours, but consider myself lucky because if this van had stalled in the tunnel, we probably would have been killed. The problem is that this is the third time the transmission has failed on this vehicle which only has 73,400 miles. I am currently looking at an out of pocket expense of $2,000 and I would like to know what the problem is with this van, which has consistently given me problems since I purchased it. I have also filed a complaint with the Ford company, but have not yet heard from them. I have filed numerous complaints with Ford regarding the 1995 Windstar (which various Ford employees have told me is one of the worst vehicles ever made) and the company does not want to acknowledge that the van is indeed a lemon. I paid good money for this van, and expect to last a little longer then it has. Thank you for taking the time to review this complaint.
- Elkins Park, PA, USA
First of all we have had to have the head gasket repaired on our van twice. The first time it took the dealership almost 3 months. Now when we are driving on the highway at the speed limit of 65 mph, transmission slips back into 2nd gear and makes a grinding noise. The tachometer grows up and down. Sometimes it does not even go out of 2nd to accelerate. I do not feel like this is a very "safe" vehicle to have anymore. And all the dealerships state there is no recall. However many of the people we know with the same vehicle have the same problem.
- Burnsville, MN, USA
1995 Ford Windstar's transmission has completely failed for the second time (this is now the third transmission) within 97,000 miles. Ford will not acknowledge existence of transmission problems which has impacted my family in over $5,000 financial costs, in addition to potential safety issue.
- Pleasanton, CA, USA
While driving down the highway in akron Ohio, I had the tac drop and the engine quit. It then came back on, (the engine). So stop at daughter to pick up sum furniture to take to dayton. As I was going down the interstate 71 toward columbus, Ohio I got off the interstate and put fuel in the van. I contiune down the interstate at a reduce speedand the check engine light was on and I had I analized by autozone autopart store near my home said bank one running lean, then the van die all toghter, so I toe it to my home and brother and I took the belt off the engine and the pulley and vibation damper fell off of the engine. The vibation damper was sheared off from the engine.what would case this to do this"the cam shaft has the rest of the vibation damper still on it. What would cause this rebuilt engine to do this "
- Groveport, OH, USA
The consumer stated that the vehicle was not shifting properly. The transmission was replaced but 15000 miles later the transmission was leaking again. This is the third transmission in 8 year and less than 100000 miles.
- Hatboro, PA, USA
1995 Windstar LX transmission failure and head gasket failure three weeks apart.
- Lexington Park, MD, USA
Total transmission failure on the 4th transmission in 1995 Ford Windstar replaced by Ford.
- San Jose, CA, USA
While applying gear into drive vehicle hesitates and vibrates.
- Freedom, PA, USA
Brake light come on frequently. Door ajar light stays on occasionally causing interior lights to remain on even when all doors are shut. Dash light quit working. Took to certified mechanic and found the problem was in the ashtray light, disconnected ashtray light and dash lights started working again. Engine light staying on. Took to certified mechanic, was told that vacuum hose was off the egr valve. Mechanic put vacuum hose back on. Problem recurred 3 days later but this time not vacuum hose. Believe the problem to be egr valve itself. Engine surges/misses constantly. Did a tune up, replacing plugs wires, etc.. problem still exists especially after vehicle is run for a while. Often shifts hard during acceleration. Have done transmission service, problem still exists. Do not take off hard from stops.
- Flemingsburg, KY, USA
The automatic transmission hesitated to shift gears, and when it did shift gear, it shifted hard. The transmission was replaced 3 times and the torque converter was replaced 4 times.
- Pickerington, OH, USA
Transmission failed on 5/30/02 on our 1995 Ford Windstar when mileage was 78,476. Cost of new transmission was $2732.92. Previously we had replaced transmission in 8/00 when mileage was 61,210.
- Peachtree City, GA, USA
Transmission went out. The van spent over a month in the shop as every time I would go get it, I had to take it back because it was still shifting into 2nd gear very hard. It has been only a few months and the problem is back. I do not drive vehicles hard.jb
- Lebanon, OH, USA
Transmission failed causing vehicle to lurch forward. Nlm
- Ballwin, MO, USA
Consumer having problem with the automatic transmission. Dealer has been notified.
- Berrien Center, MI, USA
- Wichita Falls, TX, USA