I have owned my van since January 2000. Shortly after purchasing, my van had a blown head gasket, which was fixed under the Ford recall. Still within the recall, a head gasket blew again. Ford told me the recall only allows for a one time repair. Since then, my van is on its third engine and third transmission. Most recently we have had to replace the main computer as well. We have spent more money fixing the van than what we paid for it.

- Summerville , SC, USA

The automatic transmission hesitated to shift gears, and when it did shift gear, it shifted hard. The transmission was replaced 3 times and the torque converter was replaced 4 times.

- Pickerington, OH, USA

Torque converter assembly has a grove in it that causes seal to fail, resulting in loss of transmission fuel. Transmission overheated, almost causing a fire.

- Salinas, CA, USA

Torque converter was leaking transmission fluid, and slipping between first and second gears. Dealership replaced transmission at consumer's expense. Consumer stated that there were multiple tsb's for this problem. Engine was replaced a year ago under a service program by the dealer/manufacturer.

- Chester, MA, USA

Transmission and torque converter failed.

- Windham, ME, USA

Torque converter(fmc* F48Z) has been repaired four times in 12 months.

- Moorpark, CA, USA

Vehicle purchased used on 1/31/00 from neil Honda with 40771 miles. Called 2/01/00 to report a problem of inability to accelerate in drive or reverse. Occurring sporadically resulting in car losing acceleration while crossing intersections. Car serviced 2/14/00 with dealer unable to indentify a problem. The problem persisted and worsened and returned for servicing on 3/06/00 at 42126 mileage. Diganosis and repair of a fowrward drum failure, overhaul transmission-replace torque converter, sublet universal calim number 562398304322. While on vacaction, crossing a bridge the car died spewing coolant all over the engine on 8/17/00. Was towed by aaa to Ford dealership in gansevoort, NY. Dealing with a wayne rizzo at 518-798-8834. The car was left on that Thursday and we did not find out until Monday 8/21 that it may be a recall on the head gasket. The following Monday or Tuesday 8/28 OR29 called to find out when the car would be ready and was told the head gasket blew out the entire engine and they would have it at least 6 more weeks. We purchased the vehicle because we cannot be without a vehicle. When requesting a rental for the time the van is being repaired they do not return the phone call. The car is a 4 hour drive away and we can only rely on the phone conversations we have. I want to know what our rights are. Do we have a right to a refund by neil Honda for selling a vehicle they knew had a recall or shall I say when they gave us a print out of the vans repair history all that was on it was oil and filter changes and nys inspections. Nothing was mentioned when asked about any recall when purchasing the vehicle. Unfortunately for us we only found out in a local paper on April 9,2000. In that article Ford states they would offer money towards purchase of a new vehicle insteasd of repair of the old. Where do I stand" who should I be dealing with? Ford? neal Honda? the person who has the van" thank you in advance for your time with regards to this matter.

- Levittown, NY, USA

Torque converter(fmc* F48Z) has been repaired four times in 12 months.

- Moorpark, CA, USA

Vehicle purchased used on 1/31/00 from neil Honda with 40771 miles. Called 2/01/00 to report a problem of inability to accelerate in drive or reverse. Occurring sporadically resulting in car losing acceleration while crossing intersections. Car serviced 2/14/00 with dealer unable to indentify a problem. The problem persisted and worsened and returned for servicing on 3/06/00 at 42126 mileage. Diganosis and repair of a fowrward drum failure, overhaul transmission-replace torque converter, sublet universal calim number 562398304322. While on vacaction, crossing a bridge the car died spewing coolant all over the engine on 8/17/00. Was towed by aaa to Ford dealership in gansevoort, NY. Dealing with a wayne rizzo at 518-798-8834. The car was left on that Thursday and we did not find out until Monday 8/21 that it may be a recall on the head gasket. The following Monday or Tuesday 8/28 OR29 called to find out when the car would be ready and was told the head gasket blew out the entire engine and they would have it at least 6 more weeks. We purchased the vehicle because we cannot be without a vehicle. When requesting a rental for the time the van is being repaired they do not return the phone call. The car is a 4 hour drive away and we can only rely on the phone conversations we have. I want to know what our rights are. Do we have a right to a refund by neil Honda for selling a vehicle they knew had a recall or shall I say when they gave us a print out of the vans repair history all that was on it was oil and filter changes and nys inspections. Nothing was mentioned when asked about any recall when purchasing the vehicle. Unfortunately for us we only found out in a local paper on April 9,2000. In that article Ford states they would offer money towards purchase of a new vehicle insteasd of repair of the old. Where do I stand" who should I be dealing with? Ford? neal Honda? the person who has the van" thank you in advance for your time with regards to this matter.

- Levittown, NY, USA

Transmission would not shift up from second to third, like the transmission was thrown into neutral. Coasted at 35 mph for about 1/2 mile. Transmission finally shifted to third. About 1 mile later and at 50 mph, transmission shifted down into second. Service tech blamed the transmission failure on old transmission fluid and torque converter clutch failure. Total installation of re-manufactured transmission cost $2,150. Service rep has no intention of offsetting some of the cost. Will be talking to next level of managment at dealership.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

Original complaint - car would not shift into reverse after parking, car engine replaced at transmission shop at 51770 miles, bonnell motors was not helpful so we took it to a referred transmission shop who said mfr's rebuilt part was krappy and the problem was torque converter blew while driving causing engine failure 2nd time. Engine was under 12K miles/ 1 yr warranty however, have been having same problems with jerky starts and engine straining to make uphill drives before the 1st failure, so I am anticipating a 3rd failure with this engine.

- Lexington, MA, USA

Transmission oil leak from the torque converter, required complete overhaul of transmission due to leakage. Mjs

- Madison, WI, USA

The check engine light was coming on anytime I drove on an trip over 60 miles. After having it checked out and checked out, I could never get an answer about the problem. Found out later that it was due to the head gasket being bad and dumping engine coolant throug the exhaust which in turn destroyed the catatlytic converter and sensor. However the computer would never give the codes that this was the problem. While checking this problem out, I had it in a transmission shop that knew of Ford's transmission problems, and stated that this Windstar had all the signs of a leaking aluminum pump in the transmi. Cost was just under $1000. Still the problem was not fixed. A guy said to check the exhaust, so I had the exhaust checked and found the catalytic convertor had melted down. Had them replaced, still the problem was not fixed. My mechanic happened to be talking to the parts dept at a Ford dealer and they mentioned the secret recall on the motor. So I checked on it and they said the mileage was too high (keep in mind that the van was doing this when I purchased it at 82,000). My mechanic pulled the head off and replaced the front head gasket where the #4 cylinder had blown the gasket. He replaced all fluids. Several hundred miles later the motors main bearings went out due to having had engine coolant mixed with it for so long (told to me by the springfield, il Ford dealer where I was when the motor blew and by the springfield, mo Ford dealer where I live). Ford refuses to fix the problem and I can give you addresses of hundreds of other people who are having this problem, and this is just a group of people on the web, how many thousands of people don't know anything about this problem? Ford claims to have sent out recalls, but I have never received one nor have any others that I have talked with except for one guy I work with. He bought his van used and received this recall. I have gotten a recall on my van hood so they know where I live. Thanks, db.

- Springfield, MO, USA

Engine check light came on. Consumer heard a rattle sound. Took car to dealer. Dealer said that it was the catalytic converter.

- Metesto, CA, USA

Due to defective torque converter vehicle will acclerate which reduces the braking performance, also, has no start condition.

- Hokes Bluff, AL, USA

Torque converter cracked, causing the front seal to leak. When driving it pumps out fluid at a fast rate. The speed driven is between 55-65 mph, there is a technical service bulletin out in reference to this defect. The dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

- Wareham, MA, USA

Transmission began to slip and fail to engage. Vehicle would either surge or fail to go. Eventually reverse gear inoperable.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

Transmission lashes, causing abnormal torque situations/loss of control.

- Huntington, NY, USA