10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 5
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 5 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 14,803 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
At 45,000 miles on 1998 Ford Windstar gl, transmission would not shift out of first gear. Had to turn vehicle off for a while then it would shift. Had to stop app. 6 times to travel 8 miles.
- Lawson, MO, USA
The consumer is concern she didn't receive a recall #number97V097000 for the A/T fluid sevo cover leak. Because her VIN number wasn't included but she is experiencing the same problem. Dealer is aware of the problem.
- Miramar, FL, USA
Transmission will not shift to fourth gear, dealer replaced solenoid, did not remedy the problem. Transmission needs to be replaced.
- Irvin, KY, USA
While driving if transmission reaches a certain temperature it drops out of 3rd gear down into 2nd. Engine rpms increase and vehicle vibrates and shakes.
- Chesterland, OH, USA
Our car stopped running after reversing from our driveway, it was towed to a nearby auto repair shop for diagnosis. The transmission would not engage. The transmission case cover was removed. The gears inside were in pieces. The case had the proper oil and quantity. The unit just dismembered itself. Clearly a latent manufacturing defect. The case had never been opened before and always had the proper oil and amount.
- Dunnellon, FL, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Vineland, NJ, USA
Transmission totally collapsed on highway, previously repaired twice.
- Lackawanna, NY, USA
Transmission failed at 44,000 miles. Ford will not assist with replacement
- Duluth, MN, USA
While driving vehicle will not shift from first gear, starts jerking, which causes seal pump to malfunction and transmission to blowout. Contacted dealer.
- Minneapolis, MN, USA
Skinner & damulis Ford (herkimer, New York), sanford Ford (sandford, nc), and crown Ford (nc) service centers stated transmission failure is "normal" at 70,000 miles for the Ford Windstar. I have been driving Ford products for 20 years now, never have I experienced a major component failure at high mileage. 4 seasons tire & auto center in ilion, New York (315) 894-5087 stated this seems to be a recently recurring problem with Taurus & escorts.
- Cameron, NC, USA
While driving down at highway speeds transmision down shifts into lower gears, 2nd or low gear.which is very dangerous and could cause a very bad accident. I have talked to other people that had the same thing happed with the the same type vehicle! have you hade any other complantes? H ad taken the vehicle to autherized dealer he checked it out said nothing wrong! continued on trip and it keep doing it.this is very dangerous at highiway speeds and with a big truck behind you!! any information or help with this problem would be greatly appreciated.Ford is no help! thank you.
- Greensburg, OK, USA
Vehicle exhibited an erratic downshift which almost caused an accident since it occured on a major highway while travelling at 65mph. The incident happened twice and the dealer couldn't find the problem. The dealer told us that the vehicle was safe. Since this time, it has happened two more times on a one week period.
- Acton, MA, USA
Vehicle would not start, took vehicle to Firestone and they replaced the starter. 5 days later, vehicle would not start. Firestone stated it was the pin switch that drained the battery. Consumer states that the transmission failed at 81000 miles.
- Wilmington, MA, USA
White smoke coming from the exhaust and the engine was missing due to blown head gaskets. Dealer contacted. Also found blown intake manifold gasket. Transmission replaced at 45,000 miles.
- Hicksville, NY, USA
Vehicle would not shift out of first gear. Had to replace transmission. Dealer contacted.
- Hicksville, NY, USA
Transmission failed at highway speed with no advance warning. Transmission simply died, and car would not move. Car was purchased new at Ford, and maintained at mooney Ford. Represents premature failure.
- Champaign, IL, USA
The transmission failed while the consumer was traveling.
- Sioux City, IA, USA
Consumer experiencing numerous problems with torque converter, transmission slipping, and lurching forward, problem is intermittent making it difficult for dealer to diagnose problem.
- Farmington, NM, USA
While driving, consumer smelled a funny smell and then saw flames coming up from the hood, consumer was injured in accident, possible transmission leak onto manifold, claim 40-2554-562.
- North Charleston, SC, USA
- Reno, NV, USA