Transmission failed due to design material (aluminum).

- Richardson, TX, USA

Ford paid a portion of the head gasket replacement prior to the recall. Dealership claimed there was no problem with transmission when I initially detected it at 32K miles. In late November the vehicle was shifting from first gear into neutral on city streets, making the vehicle very unsafe to drive. Ford will not accept responsibility although they have paid the majority of the bill, leaving me with a balance of $500. Four days after the transmission replacement the "check engine" light came on again. This vehicle was not safe for me or my children.

- Agoura Hills, CA, USA

The forward clutch piston is failing due to a manufacturing defect. The transmission will engage and disengage while driving at slow or high speed making this a very dangerous situation in which to operate this vehicle. If this transmission contiues to operate in this manner on poor road conditions, loss of control can and will result because of the defective clutch piston. A recall should be issued by the Ford Motor Co. And the defective piston should be replaced with a steel rather then the original light weight aluminum component.

- Cape May, NJ, USA

Dp 98004 automatic transmission failure: The automatic transmission failed without warning. The transmission locked up in second gear without warning. Driver was able to get off the road safely. The dealer is aware of the problem. The transmission has not been replaced.

- Hixson, TN, USA

Consumer didn't enter summary.

- Brick, NJ, USA

When driving at 40 mph and without prior warning the vehicle overheated, lost power, and shut down, causing the consumer to pull over to the side of the road and wait to start the vehicle back up. When starting the vehicle I back up, the vehicle overheated again and cut back off. Consumer is also having problems with the windshield wipers, the transmission was replaced at 40,000 miles, the new transmission began to slip because of a blown head gasket and the dealer can not determined the problem's.

- Pasadeana, CA, USA

Ford is aware of defective trasmissions in '95 Windstar. Car lurches forward after not accelerating from a stop position, could cause accident if another car were in front, slipping transmission at 50,000 is unconscionable. Dealer checked and said I would have to have a new transmission installed at $2,400. Check online under "Ford Windstar automatic transmission problems" there are thousands of cusotmers with transmissions and head gaskets blowing at very low milage. Is there a class action suit regarding this defect? apparently, Ford is aware of the problem but won't do a recall because it's too expensive. I am single mom with 3 children whom I must drive to and from school every day and I am very concerned about our safety. Please help me! according to other owners, after their transmissions began to slip, it was only weeks before the whole thing blew. I do not have the money to buy a new transmission. Ford should do something. Strater faile at 55,955 miles. The vehicle would not start numerous times. ABS light stays on due to master cylinder failure. Loud noise in front suspension due to struts failure. Brakes make grinding noise. Serpentine belt failed. Temprature guage running hot because of temprature sensor failure. The consumer states that the vehicle is a lemon and should be recalled.

- Mill Valley, CA, USA

Transmission began slipping between first and second gears, was told by dealership & transmission shop that this was quite common on the Windstar transmission and that it needed to be rebuilt. They stated among other problems with these transmissions that there is an aluminium cylinder that always goes bad and that they are replaced with steel now. I also have two friends with Windstar having the same trouble. (plus I see many others on the web with the exact same problems!)

- Lacrosse, WI, USA

Transmission would stick. Could not shift into another gear. Happens frequently. Took to dealer to have it checked.

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

Power transmission failed.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

The part failure rate is becoming alarming

- Salem, OR, USA

IE98080, while driving the vehicle experienced smoke coming inside the vehicle and overheating due to the oil coming out of the exhaust system, due to blown head gasket. Also known problems with aluminum forward clutch piston causing transmission to slip into high gear at high rpms, which may cause an accident.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Consumer experiencing erratic operation of vehicle transmssion while driving; vehicle would slip out gear.

- Willmar, MO, USA

Transmission failure at such a low original milage. Has happened to others

- Bountiful, UT, USA

No summary provided by consumer

- Greensboro, NC, USA

We currently are having problems with the transmission, when driving the overdrive light comes on and it shifts hard going at all speeds including about 30 mph. It feels at times the whole transmission is going to fall out.

- So. St Paul, MN, USA

Problem is with the transmission slipping when starting from a stop. Vehicle begins moving in first gear and then revs up to a point higher than when it should slip into second gear. Then, suddenly, the gear will catch and the vehicle will lurch forward. I noticed the problem and took it to the shop where they say the transmission is in bad shape and needs to be replaced. A scan of the www shows several people who own this same minivan having similar problems. One can imagine a potential problem where you go to accelerate quickly across a high speed divided highway but only make it half-way when the transmission slips and you stop, or it catches and shoots you out into traffic. There seems to be a growing number of owners experiencing problems with this transmission, perhaps it needs to be dealt with before a tragedy occurs. Thank you.

- Northfield, MN, USA

Took van to dealer 9/17/98 because after stopping, vehicle hesitated before it kicked into gear. Dealer found nothing, charged $98 for transmission fluid change. Still didn't work right. On Nov. 18, driving it and lost use of reverse completely. Dropped it off at dealer. Said transmission needs $1,325 repair. Ford agreed to pay $900. Not happy, but no alternative. Still waiting for car to be fixed two and a half weeks later. No loaner car given either.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

We experienced problems with transmission in July on a trip from tx to ct wrote letter to Ford to which they did not respond. Prior to transmission failure wrote a second followup letter advising them of their lack of response or interest to my first letter. When this transmisson blew, the hgwy where my family was parked on the shoulder of the road pressed up against a guard rail - only by the grace of god were we uninjured. The average speed of traffice going by us ws 70mph

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

Transmission piston failed causing hesitation and stalling.

- Ashland, OH, USA