Transmission slips out of gear.

- Manheim, PA, USA

When I am driving the van, it will down shift into 2nd gear and I will not be able to take it out of this gear. The car will need to sit for approx. 2 hours before I can drive it again. This happened to me and my family on a highway going approx. 40mph on a lightly snowed mass turnpike which almost caused me to lose control secondary to the sudden decrease in wheel speed. This is when I became affraid of this problem. The transmission also neutralizes during acceleration which has almost caused a rear end collision into me. The dealer said they do not know what the problem is so I am left with this potential hazard to my family and others. I know others with the exact same problem although they where dissabled on the road and the transmission was replaced. All of these examples happened with miles under 50,000. Some days I can drive the van on 100 mile trips and others I will be driving for about 10 minutes and the gear will get stuck in 2nd. I take good care of this van and have non aggressive driving habits with this car. Please help. This transmission is defective on my 95 Windstar.

- Franklin, MA, USA

Automatic transmission failure.

- South Bend, IN, USA

Trying to accelerate from a stoplight, transmission failed catastrophically with no prior warning. Transmission slipped then jerked very hard. I was nearly rear-ended twice trying to drive the car off the highway. It was not safe to drive, so I had the car towed to a Ford dealer.

- Colts Neck, NJ, USA

Just 7000 miles out of warranty.

- Cypress, CA, USA

Transmission failure between 1st and 2nd gear. Lurching at traffic lights and stop signs. Transmission slips out of gear when slowing to go around a corner. This problem has potential for unpreventable accidents due to the slipping and lurching of the car.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

The timing chamber gasket has failed causing coolant to leak into engine. Replacement requires 9-10 hours of labor since engine needs to be lifted. As for the transmission, after car warms up, from standstill, engine revs then kicks into gear.

- Kendall Park, NJ, USA

Ford had initiated an "owners notification program" because of faulty head gaskets in the 1995 Windstar. Basically, if your head gasket blew prior to December 31, 1998, Ford would cover the cost. This was not a recall, therefore, they were able to place a "deadline" date on it. Unfortunately, the head gasket blew in my van on January 7, 1999 - seven days after the deadline. At the time of failure, I was on my way to work with my two little daughters in the car (one and three years old). My commute is 40 minutes in primarily farm country. I was halfway into my commute when the heater no longer blew hot air (the outside wind chill was about minus 20), and I noticed the heat gauge at the H. thank goodness for cellular phones. I got on the phone immediately with the dealer and he knew over the phone it was the head gasket. I was able to make it to a small town just when the "check engine" light went on and it died on me. My service person at the dealership told me later that my engine was at 225 degrees when the check engine light went on. The dealer and I have tried to get Ford to cover the $900 repair, however, Ford will not move on its deadline date. They know there is a problem, yet will not issue the recall. They basically got around it with this owner notification program. I can only be thankful that I made it with my two girls to a small town in that subzero weather, and that my engine didn't blow up. The 1995 Windstar also have major transmission problems. Mine had to be replaced at about 50,000 miles. Ford did cover some of the cost. Please look on the internet regarding the 1995 Windstar. There are many, many more stories like mine (a good website is www.fordwindstar.com). there are defects with this vehicle and Ford needs to step up to the plate and deal with them appropriately. Thank you.

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

Transmission will not engage into gear.

- Glendale, CA, USA

While driving at 30 mph ring and pinion gear broke, causing the transmission to fail without prior warning.

- Eau Calire, WI, USA

Transmission failed 2nd time Jan 6,1999

- Mobile, AL, USA

Transmission downshifts without warning and upshifts erratically. Has done this over since van had 40,000 miles and continues til now at 72,000 miles.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

Transmission would shift by itself from drive to neutral while driving. When at a full stop having the vehicle in drive, I would step on the gas and it would go into reverse.. after 2 repairs, it was determined the forward clutch piston had cracked, requiring a new transmission.

- St. Augustine, FL, USA

Transmission has been rebuilt twice and head gasket replaced twice. When transmission goes bad slips stalling time to pull out. This is dangerous as delay could cause axident

- Pgh, PA, USA

Transmission vibration continually, unable to fix.

- Eastcheste, NY, USA

In addition to the transmission failure, there have been numerous electrical problems with the heating/ ac, door locks, wipers and door sensors. My Windstar also had the defective head gasket which was part of a voluntary recall by Ford. The transmission failure of this model is well known. Additional anecdotal info can be obtained through the car trackers website on internet. The transmission failure on the 95 Windstar is a known problem at Ford, however no recall has ever been issued.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

Transmission failure at such low milage is due to a factory defect in the aluminum clutch piston.

- Bountiful, UT, USA

There are many other problems with these vans in addition to this!

- Gilroy, CA, USA

Transmission failure.

- Pembroke P, FL, USA

The transmission slipes out of gear while driving and will not shift into reverse after the engine gets warmed up.

- Sumter, SC, USA