I had to have my engine and transmission repaired on this vehicle and from the reports I have heard I would like my money back because these things could have been avoided.

- Columbus, OH, USA

I had bought my van in may of 2000. It had 70,274 miles on it. I bought an extended warranty for $1250 thinking I was protecting my investment. When the transmission went out, I was told by the warranty company that because the fluid levels (oil and transmission) were low and that the oil had not been changed since I purchased it ( they surmised this because there was no sticker on the windshield to indicate that the oil had been changed) and that the oil filter had also not been changed, it therefore was driver negligence (we were told it was a lubrication part that needed repairing in the transmission) and as a result, the warranty company absolved itself of having to pay the $1957.04 that I paid out of pocket to repair the transmission. The shop who fixed my vehicle (as to the Ford dealership "sub-letted" the job out to them) told my husband and I that the fluid levels were fine! my husband changed the oil and the oil filter himself- hence the no sticker in the windshield! to make a long story short, my husband and I are tired of gettig the short end of the stick! I, not being mechanically inclined, am not sure if the problem we had with our van's transmission is related to the "aluminum forward clutch piston" that Ford has been aware of since 1994 (see Ford's tsb #94247 11/1994) or not, but we would like our complaint registered. Should there be an investigation, we are willing to participate! thanks! the harveys.

- Newark, OH, USA

After purchasing the vehicle in Feb 1999, the transmission failed one week after purchase on the highway at 51,500. Now at 76,000 we are experiencing the same problems with the gears slipping and not shifting properly as we did when it failed the first time.

- Springfield, OH, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Sullivan, OH, USA

When driving no more then over two miles vehicle was leaking coolant and overheated. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer corrected problem under recall at 65 thousand miles. Head gasket replaced with an aluminum part. Vehicle experienced same problem at one hundred nine thousand miles. Manufacturer refused to correct problem. The manufacturer was aware of both the transmission and head gasket problems even before the consumer purchased this vehicle. Still, there were no attempt by the manufacturer to correct these problems.

- Marysville, OH, USA

Transmission failure in Aug. 2000, replaced at my cost, then head gasket blew, Ford recall/program fixed under warranty, immediately aftr main bearing shot. Ford says it is not their problem.

- Miami, FL, USA

Transmission fails to make a smooth transition from one gear to next. Vehicle would jump when shifting. Problem is getting worse. Rod bearings was going, would make a rattling noise.

- Vencia, CA, USA

Transmission in this vehicle fails to shift from 1st to 2nd at times. Vehicle will not build up speed when entering a highway. After it has been driven a while it shifts ok, but I fear I will have a rear end accident if the car does not shift while in traffic. I understand Ford has had many failures on their Windstar automatic transmissions. I have had trouble with this for several years. Before and after the date I have listed on the form. I feel Ford Motor Company should repair this problem since many of the Windstar vans have the same symptoms. Thank you for reading this.

- Liverpool, NY, USA

Transmission overhauled @62.000, then failed 15,000 miles later, failed again 13,000 miles later. Out of pocket costs approx. $1200.

- Buford, GA, USA

Driver side front suspension spring broke. Initially vehicle was drivable but eventually the spring collapsed enough to cause rubbing on the tire. Spring was replaced after a 3 month wait due to Ford not having any. This is on top of 2 head gasket replacements and a transmission replacement. The vehicle is a lemon, Ford knows it, and the consumer gets screwed..

- Eagan, MN, USA

Transmission and torque converter failed.

- Windham, ME, USA

I have been doing research through the internet as well as consumer reports. Ford has had many problems with their 95 Windstar, including the transmissions. My car has been leaking trani fluid for several months and I'm hoping these minivans are recalled before my trani blows. With so many problems, I'm surprised Ford hasn't been asked to take the darn thing completely off the road! thanks for listening!!

- Bellevue, WA, USA

Two sets of head gaskets have blowenout since replacement. Also, motor mounts broke on new engine. The transmission was slipping and may fail soon.

- Elgin, SC, USA

I have several more incidents but these are the major ones. No safety defect mentioned in summary.

- Plainfield, NJ, USA

The transmission problems have existed for a year, consumer has taken the vehicle from the dealer to have a reputable mechanic to replace the faulty transmission.

- Poulsbo, WA, USA

Two cracked aluminum pistons in transmission causing the contamination of transmission, which has lead to the rebuilding of the transmission with steel pistons.

- Indian Springs, OH, USA

Aluminum pistons in transmission cracked and contaminatied the transmission, causing lack of acceleration from a stopped position.

- Indian Springs, OH, USA

Transmission shifts into neutral while coming to a stop. Complete failure of the transmission. Known problem with many, many, Windstar. Time for Ford to take responsibility for this problem as they did with the head gaskets.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

More that 90% of Windstar owners have had same complaint of van problems...seems that the transmission and the head gasket problem happen close together in time. I know that this has been submitted tons of times...dont you think that its time to pull these off the road and fix them once and for all before something serious happens? it was a close call for me and my three kids when the transmission went on the Ford that I have.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

While attempting to move the vehicle from a stop the vehicle would not move, the consumer pushed the gas pedal firmly and it finally caught and jerked forward, due to failure of the forward clutch piston in the transmission. Nlm

- Colunbus, OH, USA