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
No summary listed for this vehicle.
- Ramsey, MN, USA
Blown head gasket and front engine timing cover leak. Minimum estimate from dealer is $1900. We contacted Ford motor who offered no relief. We also had to replace the transmision at 40,000 miles. We found a posting in the edmunds web site devoted exclusively to this problem and lack of compensation from Ford motor.
- Seymour, IL, USA
No summary listed for this vehicle.
- Frankfort, IL, USA
The original transmission was replaced in 1995 after failing at approximately 9000 miles. The second transmission had a speed sensor failure at 31,500 miles and now appears to be failing the same way the original failed. Ford claims there is nothing they will do. After doing some research, there are numerous complaints against this transmission coupled with the 3.8L engine. After writing to your organization about my head gasket problem, I was very pleased that somehow Ford was persuaded to extend the warranty coverage on that component as it was a factory defect that led to the problem. From what I am reading, the transmission is a similar factory defect (poorly designed part: Forward clutch piston). Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.
- Wantagh, NY, USA
There are thousands of reports of failed transmissions and head gaskets in the 1995 Windstar. Why has there not been a recall on these vehicles?
- Indialantic, FL, USA
Oil pan leak noted @ 60K. Dealer recommended fix @next service. At 73224 died when put into reverse, oil warning light flickering. Dealer identified leaking timing cover gasket caused coolant to enter oil system. Major lower engine overhaul replacement of all moving parts required. Repair was covered by extended warranty which expired @ 75K. Dealer requested replacement of known head gasket problem at that time declined by Ford as no current problem apparent. At 83K vehicle difficult to start, exhaust blowing white smoke when it finally started. Dealer has had car over a week & has identified head gasket failure which has also caused the rebuilt lower engine to fail again. Dealer recommends full engine replacement. Ford is refusing to acknowledge any responsibility even though an apparent recall had been issued against premature headgasket failure. In common with other notifications you have received and we have noticed on the internet. What recourse do we have with a manufacturer who is aware of a major design flaw and refuses to service its custormers? our vehicle has been maintained and serviced for its entire life soley by the Ford dealership from whom we purchased this "dead" vehicle. Estimated cost of repair--$5,000.
- Gilroy, CA, USA
Transmission slips going into 2nd gear ( almost rearended from car behind). Have been looking into this problem, and find I am not the only one having this problem. I bought the van used and at the time of the test drive, no problem. But 1week after the slip started and is geeting worse..now at each stop light or corner I no longer know if it will slip, fail or work right "???" help !!!!!!!!! I belive the dealer knew of this problem when I bought the van as is.....no warrt. Sucker me........
- Kent City, MI, USA
This report concerns a transmission failure that could very well be a safety concern. A design defect in the forward clutch piston of the transaxle fails and causes forward/reverse engagement problems. Ford is well aware of this problem, and has even issued a technical service bulletin to alert dealers about the problem. In fact, the bulletin recommends replacing the aluminum part that is failing with a steel part that will survive. This problem should be corrected by Ford before someone is injured in a transmission related failure. The vehicle should be recalled and repaired at their expense.
- Temperance, MI, USA
Currently our vehicle is awaiting a new engine after having the head gasket replaced on a recall notice from Ford last October. While we have an extended warranty on this vehicle, we feel it is not fair they should have to provide replacement in light of other similar complaints about the same problem on other Ford Windstar. This vehicle only has 34,489 miles on it. We have had transmission concerns about this van as well, however the dealer has never been able to duplicate the problems experienced. We are very concerned that this van is infact a lemon, and we have contacted the Ford customer service line, which advised us that no assistance would be provided because the vehicle was out of manufacturers warranty by time, not by miles.
- Boise, ID, USA
About $1300 to rebuild transmission.
- Huntsville, AL, USA
Transmission would downshift erratically, when decelerating then accelerating again transmission would just rev up, and steadily lose speed.then all at once it would jump foward like a race car leaving starting line.
- Mobile, AL, USA
This vehicle has had two major component failures (engine timing gasket and transmission) with less than 35000 miles. Additionally it has also had one major recall to replace head gasket. All of three of these problems required extensive work to repair. The transimission problem was the most serious from a safety standpoint, because its failure could have caused a serious accident because it intermitently prevented the vehicle from accelerating, until it finally failed completely and the vehicle could not shift at all.
- La Crosse, WI, USA
Electrical system: Chimes for door ajar, rings when doors are closed. Had been to 10 different shops for either fuse replacement or sliding door panel replacement. Also, wiring to windows goes up or down without being switched either way and dome light comes on by itself. In addition, transmissio: Worn out due to leakage (oil) from theengine head gaskets. Needed to be replaced.
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
While driving the transmission jumps out of gear without warning. Also, when proceeding from a stop sign or traffic light the vehicle hesitates or jerks. This problem ocurrs due to a forward aluminum clutch.
- Adrian, MI, USA
The head gasket on my Windstar is defective. I called Ford to find out if a recall was issued. I was told that a letter was sent out to dealers and owners for the head gasket problem. They told me that because my car's mileage was over 65000 and that the recall ended in December of 1998, that they would not pay for the replacement of the head gasket. I think Ford should pay for the replacement when they knew that they had used faulty material. I also understand that Ford has a problem with the transmission in the '95 Windstar. When I asked about this I was told that no problem exists and no recall was in place for the transmission. Ford should be held accountable for using faulty equipment. The bad part is that the Windstar has a 5 star rating for safety and yet Ford uses faulty materials for its production and does not take responsibility for its product.
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Is there a possibility that the issue of payment for these items can be settled in a small claims court? no safety defect mentione din summary.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
Ford will not cover repair costs of both failed systems. No safety defects mentioned in summary.
- Daly City, CA, USA
AT35,000 miles, first transmission went out. At 38,000 miles I heard a knocking noise coming from underneath the vehicle. Ford said I had a main bearing knock. They took engine apart and said " rods marked 1-6, but not in order?top of rod at wrist pins are blue( hot overheat condition). Head gaskets show signs, rusty at block &head areas. Main brgs scored thur beds & #5 in copper bed. Mainbolt black smells like burned oil.. now at 56,200 Ford says I need another transmission the one replaced is bad now!!! one thing to add I purchased the vehicle with 2,000 miles on it. The dearler had told me it was an "unwind" no problems with, someone did'nt qualify for the credit so they had them return it. They can't sell it as new anymore!!!!!! 56,200 miles 3transmissions & 2 engines!!!!!!! when I inquired about how the engine was totally defective, I basically got the run around.
- Bakersfield, CA, USA
No summary listed for this vehicle.
- Daly City, CA, USA
- Albany, NY, USA