We have contacted Ford numberous times and didn't seem concerned. We have so much money in this van we can't get rid of this lemon. Now the engine light is coming on. The interior lights stay on and has ruined batteries. We have to change brakes at least 3 times a year. Now my locks start locking w/O anyone pushing the button. It has been really a nightmare..

- Rio Vista, TX, USA

I've have the transmission replaced/rebuilt 3 times, meaning this is my fourth transmission. Twice in 1999 alone and both times serviced by coastal Ford. I had the engine head gaskets blow, also in 1999, and serviced by coastal Ford and I also had to pay for that, which was over $1,400. I just replaced the transmission again in Nov 2001 (for my 4th transmission in 6 years). I've replaced the brake ABS system and had the brakes serviced repeatedly for new rotors, and other componants (not the usual pad replacement). I've written Ford and the local Ford dealership several letters over the years and they have never replied to me. I have spent well over $12,000 in repairs on this van several thousand in rental car charges, even when it was a known Ford recall and Ford would not even cover the cost of the rental. Van always hesitates and engine races and slows while stopped.

- Mobile, AL, USA

I've have the transmission replaced/rebuilt 3 times, meaning this is my fourth transmission. Twice in 1999 alone and both times serviced by coastal Ford. I had the engine head gaskets blow, also in 1999, and serviced by coastal Ford and I also had to pay for that, which was over $1,400. I just replaced the transmission again in Nov 2001 (for my 4th transmission in 6 years). I've replaced the brake ABS system and had the brakes serviced repeatedly for new rotors, and other componants (not the usual pad replacement). I've written Ford and the local Ford dealership several letters over the years and they have never replied to me. I have spent well over $12,000 in repairs on this van several thousand in rental car charges, even when it was a known Ford recall and Ford would not even cover the cost of the rental. Van always hesitates and engine races and slows while stopped.

- Mobile, AL, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Richmond Hill, NY, USA

Transmission slips. There are fixes that Ford says need to be done when transmission is torn apart for repair. They know about the problems but will only mandate what needs to be replaced. They should recall as this is not isolated. It is like the headgasket, they extend the warranty but will not replace unless it goes bad. Odds are great it will as others have. It will ruin the engine if it goes bad on road or worse cause accident if highway speed is involved. Thank you for your help. If you cannot, thank you anyway. Dan gaines.

- Bloomington, IL, USA

While driving gear slipped 3 times, and there was an accident. Dealer had been notified. Please provide any further information or make corrections.

- Thousand Oak, CA, USA

Transmission jumps out of gear while driving. Dealer has rebuilt transmission. Please provide additional information.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

My 1995 Ford Windstar has been a nightmare since I bought it in Sept of 1994. The first major transmission problem went at 6,500 miles and was fixed by warranty. The head gasket blew at 54,000 miles and 39 months of use. Ford initially said tough luck but then the secret warranties became known and they reimbursed me for that repair. At less than 100,000 miles on the chassis the coolant level started showing low again but the head gasket failure didn't become highly noticeable until 103,000 miles. Ford refused to repair this time as the vehicle was now over 100,000 miles although this "new" Ford head gasket had less than 50,000 mile on it. So, I am preparing to sue Ford and the local dealer on that repair. Finally, the transmission totally failed a few weeks ago and I had a "new" transmission put in. It lasted 1 week and the Ford Windstar is now getting another transmission (covered under the 2 year or 24,000 mile warranty of the replaced transmission). After reading about all the Ford "!@#$% regarding the 1995 Ford Windstar problems, why is that your Agency has done so little in forcing a recall" Ford ought to be recalling those vehicles or offering the owners money to buy them back.

- Bonaire, GA, USA

The sales rep, john J. baker, of M&S Chevrolet demanded $300 cash to allow us to purchase the used Ford Windstar. We told him the odometer numbers did not line up and he stated that was normal. The front brake pads were replaced at the close of the sale on 11/11/97 and have been replaced twice since then. The transmission slips and is balky, so sometimes the brake engages when you have your foot on the gas. The brakes actually failed to perform on 10/24/01 with our family of five in the vehicle on a major highway, route 495 in MA. We avoided an accident by moving into the break down lane and slowing to a complete stop. The dealer owner, Mr. Michael sylvester, and his attorneys, rizzo &kelly, stated that this previously leased vehicle had an accurate odometer reading. This van was purchased at auction by a former employee of M&S, who is now an auto wholesaler in the area. We need a safe vehicle for our family and we need immediate action taken, even if it means that Ford will authorize the necessary repairs at our local dealer, regan Ford, of.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

Reverse gear will not work after the van has been running for any amount of time. I have contacted Ford many times, only to be told there is nothing they will do to help since the vehicle is over 60,000 miles. I see all of the complaints with the same problem, and am so angry that nothing is being done even though this is a defective transmission part. How many complaints do there need to be before Ford is held accountable for these repairs? not being able to reverse the vehicle seems to be a very major problem to me, and I feel as if Ford is giving me the run around.

- Hudsonville, MI, USA

I have had a continuing stream of endless repairs to this Ford Windstar. Staring with the water pump one week after purchase; then the left front spring and strut collasped; next the ABS system almost cost me my life by failing on a downgrade into an intersection; a compoent of the fuel injection system in the main computer failed; the rear master cylinder on the brakes was leaking; the transmission has never shifted correctly almost giving passengers whiplash; the rear power door lock on the tailgate has just never worked form day one; I did receive a recall for the hood and that was replaced; now the power windows operate without the key in the ignition, but the door locks do not work and the vehicle is totally diabled, it will not start or even try to turn over. I am just a nurse not a millionaire, I have paid almost $5,000 in repairs into this vehicle in the 2 1/2 years I have owned it. And now it is dead, leaving me with no transportation to work, my only source of income. Please help.

- Mills, PA, USA

Brakes and transmissions are a safety factor. Please take action to make Ford pay for repairs.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

On 7/29/01 traveling on I495 in Massachusetts, the car started revving and the rpms fluttered between 3K-4K. Shortly thereafter on masspike (within 10-20 miles), car could not achieve more than 50 mph. I pulled to the side of the turnpike where I noticed smoke from car. At this point I tried to get it into gear again to get off highway and could not get it out of 2nd gear, then 1st, then nothing. The car has been towed to the dealership who diagnosed a transmission failure due to the failure of a converter seal which then leaked out my transmission fluid. They will replace my transmission for $2400. This incident occurred within three weeks of picking up the car from the dealership where the engine had been replaced under the warranty extension Ford has given to fix head gasket failures in this car. There had not been any transmission problems prior to this incident in the car.

- Beverly, MA, USA

Brakes and transmissions are a safety factor. Please take action to make Ford pay for repairs.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

On 7/29/01 traveling on I495 in Massachusetts, the car started revving and the rpms fluttered between 3K-4K. Shortly thereafter on masspike (within 10-20 miles), car could not achieve more than 50 mph. I pulled to the side of the turnpike where I noticed smoke from car. At this point I tried to get it into gear again to get off highway and could not get it out of 2nd gear, then 1st, then nothing. The car has been towed to the dealership who diagnosed a transmission failure due to the failure of a converter seal which then leaked out my transmission fluid. They will replace my transmission for $2400. This incident occurred within three weeks of picking up the car from the dealership where the engine had been replaced under the warranty extension Ford has given to fix head gasket failures in this car. There had not been any transmission problems prior to this incident in the car.

- Beverly, MA, USA

When trying to accelerate vehicle would hesitate. It would downshift and then slip, trying to catch and then slip again. Would not go into gear when pressing accelerator pedal. Would catch eventually, and then take off. Have taken to dealership, had transmission replaced. Replacement transmission acts like the previous transmission.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

Kent parson Ford was not helpful at all. No safety defec tlisted.

- Martinsburg, WV, USA

The transmission does not consistently engage when put into drive and does not usually engage when put into reverse.

- Kenton, OH, USA

Not sure of exact day 1st transmission replaced. Month and year are correct 9/98.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

When I called the transmission shop to make an appointment, he told me what was wrong with my Ford Windstar before I had a chance to tell him! he said that he had rebuild significantly more Windstar transmissions than any other car. He recommended I contact our local Ford dealership (matthews Ford - heath, Ohio) to see about some type of reimbursement. After all, in his opinion, this was a design deficiency! matthews Ford representatives were unaware of significant transmission problems and refused to hear any more. Now that Ford is admitting that they were aware of this design flaw early on, I believe that I am owed reimbusement for all repairs, especially in the light of the fact that they are admitting design was bad.

- Newark, OH, USA