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
First transmission failure 21/01/2000 at 70,000 miles. Second failure 06/16/2001at 87,000 miles.
- Apo, NY, USA
Dealer refuses to repair transmission.
- Lake Osuego, OR, USA
The consumer believes the vehicle has an electrical computer system defect which causes coolant back up and effects the transmission burning it out, it also causes repeated damage to the head gasket and transmission, the consumer is requesting reimbursement for all repairs made. Nlm
- St. Petersburg, FL, USA
Speed sensor and transmisson were failing, causing gears to shift erractically and resulting in vehicle to violently shake as it deaccelerates. Dealer has replaced speed sensor at 64,000 and 77,000 miles, and transmission was replaced at 70,000 miles, problem still reoccurring. Provide any further details on this matter.
- Derby, KS, USA
Consumer was traveling 35mph on highway and was was shifting gears. There was a poppying noise, and second gear downshifted to first by itself. Dealership was aware of problem.
- Danville, IL, USA
Transmission and head gasket sfailed at 48000 both replaced. Engine failure at 50,000 now waiting 8 weeks for replacement engine.
- Libertyville, IL, USA
Forward piston cracked causing oil leakage and loss of power, and vehicle to operate erratically when the gear is in drive.
- Denever, CO, USA
Transmission replacement will cost $2585 per dealer. I see from your web site that there are numerous complaints about this transmission. This is a manufcturing defect that should not be sholdered by the public. Ford needs to recall this transmisssion before someone gets hurt. The vehicle will rev and lurch forward while stopped in traffic.
- Akron, OK, USA
Had minor coolant leak, turned out to be "Ford program" engine replacement. Just over 100 miles later, transmission fluid all leaked out. Dealer claims unrelated to engine problem. Never had transmission problem prior to engine being removed. Trans was inspected as part of aaa safety inspection when van was in for engine replacement. Some sort of seal leak, van still in shop--having trans rebuilt. No problem before engine issue, major problem 7 days later. Ford should pay for the trans since it is a known problem, and if they did not have to rip the engine out, take off that trans and put new engine on, I probably would be driving the Windstar today. We have had regular service, spent over $90 to have trans checked last year so that the vehicle would last us. Ford was E-mailed when we got the van back from the engine replacement because not everything was working properly. E-mailed a few hours later when the trans fluid poured out and other than the automatic response saying they rec'd my E-mail, I have heard not one word from them. Not much for customer assistance! the trans and engine are related, and I do not know how Ford can say they are not. No problem before they reconfigured under hood to put different shape/size engine in, problem after.
- Westerville, OH, USA
#1 anit-lock brakes would activate every time the brakes were applied. #2 the transmission would slip very bad than engage violently from a stand still, or the transmission would start off in second gear. Also the transmission would slipp and engage violently form a stand still in reverse. (side note my nieghbor has a 1996 Ford Windstar, he also has the same problem twice. First at 30000 miles, and most recently at 100000 miles)
- Tinley Park, IL, USA
Within 97,000 miles transmission has malfunctioned, reverse position is inoperable, cause unknown. Consumer also states that low one gear is inoperable, consumer also experienced head gasket failure, as well as overheating in the fuel tank.
- Resaca, GA, USA
This is the 2nd transmission that I have had go bad. The first one had to be completely overhauled at 39,000 miles at a cost of $1, $254.20. The van now has 85,000 miles on it and the transmission has failed again. This time it will cost $1,517.50 to fix it. I have contacted Ford and they informed me that because there are no current programs available to cover this problem, there is nothing they can do. I have been advised by them to pay for the repairs again and "wait and see" what happens in the future with a possible recall. I have had nothing but problems since purchasing this vehicle in 1996. I was also informed that the head gaskets need to be replaced for the third time. They were replaced at 53,000, 58,000 and now 85,000.
- Hartland, WI, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Springfield, MO, USA
We have replaced the engine, transmission, head gaskets, and many additional parts. I have spent close to $6,000 in repairs since buying this vehicle. I just want Ford to admit that the 95 Windstar has problems.
- Springfield, MO, USA
The consumer is having problems having vehicle repaired promptly for a faulty aluminum ring used in the transmission (99R33). Nlm
- Newark, OH, USA
The transmission did not shift correctly and had to be replaced. Nlm
- Mastic Bea, NY, USA
Appears to be another case of early transmission failure due to defective components. Danger at time of failure was that from a stop I put my foot on the gas to move forward and the engine just raced. Had I anticipated accelerating to avoid oncoming traffic there would have been trouble.
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
Delayed acceleration and jolt when coming to a stop. Consumer fears tranmission may fail while driving highway with family.
- Penfield, NY, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Manlius, NY, USA
- Pleasanton, CA, USA