8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,670
Average Mileage:
100,450 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. complete transmission & torque converter replacement (5 reports)
  2. not sure (5 reports)
  3. rebuild transmission (1 reports)
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problem #11

May 192019

Windstar LX 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,000 miles

OD light blinking after driving for about hour. Ignored it. Stopped at a service area on NJ turnpike for a few minutes. Engine will not start . Tried for 4 hours. had to abandon the Van rent a car and proceed to the destination.

Next Morning it started fine. So it looks like for when the OD off flashes for a while the system prevents the engine from starting (Till something cools off maybe?).

Worst experience ever. It cost me $300 for rental car .

Have left the van with a mechanic for diagnosis.

- Gopal K., Westminster, MD, US

problem #10

Feb 252010

Windstar SLX 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,352 miles

This is annoying, but I'd rather someone just tell me how to fix it than ranting and raving

- Barry B., Chrisina Lake, British Columbia, Canada

problem #9

Dec 012008

Windstar SE 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

This car is so bad my wife got out and had it towed. Then went and bought a new toyota 2004 and hasn't had any problems. The windstars gas sending unit just went 2 days ago 690.00 dollars. this vehicle has had serious problems for years.I could continue on but i'm out of time.

- rydernj, Southampton, NJ, US

problem #8

Oct 242008

Windstar LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

I purchased my Windstar in 2003 when it had 53,000 miles. I didn't have any problems with it until it reached 115,000 miles. In the past 3 months I replaced the rack and pinon for $850.00. Two months later both tie rod ends needed to be replaced for another $400.00. Then two days ago my o/d off light began blinking off and on. I was 100 miles away from home. I called my dealer up and he said it should be o.k. to drive it home. I took his word and began to drive home; however we didn't make it. We were 25 miles from home and the transmission began to smoke. Shortly there after the transmission began to loose power. Then it had no power. We were stranded. The dealers owners' son just so happen to drive by. He went and got his father and they towed it into the shop. The transmission was shot. I was not going to put any more money into it, so I had to get another vehicle!!!!!!

- Carlota M., Willmar, MN, US

problem #7

Aug 182007

(reported on)

Windstar SE 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,517 miles

It is just a bother to see the OD light blink once in a while after a few minutes it turns off, engine shutting off is a pain especially when my wife drives it, a very scary thing to happen especially at night when you drive.

- Miles C., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

problem #6

Sep 282007

(reported on)

Windstar SEL 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

If I drive over 55 MPH the "O/D" light comes on and keeps flashing until I turn the car off. When I restart the light is not on until I go over 55 MPH again.

What I have figured out is that if I don't allow the engine to be at over 2100 RPM's for an extended period of time then I don't have an issue. But if it does for say for three plus minutes then the check transmission light comes on and the flashing O/D light appears. I have continued to drive the car watching that I don't go over the 2100 RPM line and no issues. So since I have no money to replace the tranny which is about $3000 when its all said and done (no sh*t 3g's!) I just am conscious of the fact that I have to drive 55 or less.

Since I have been driving at these speeds I have been averaging approx 25.5 mpg at hwy speeds and 18.5 in the city. This is excellent gas mileage for such a big auto. Its a damn shame that this has happened to such a comfortable ride!

- Bill S., Omaha, NE, US

problem #5

Aug 152007

(reported on)

Windstar LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

complete transmission & torque converter replacement

Will NEVER buy a Ford again

- John H., Quincy, MA, US

problem #4

Sep 142006

(reported on)

Windstar GL

  • 98,000 miles

I blew a seal on the transmission and had it replaced. If I drive over 55 MPH the "O/D" light comes on and keeps flashing until I turn the car off. When I restart the light is not on untill I go over 55 MPH again. HELP!

- Norm P., Port Saint Lucie, FL, US

problem #3

Aug 042006

(reported on)

Windstar LX

  • 55,000 miles

We bought our crapstar after we had our second child. More room for baby stuff, easier to load/unload children etc.. After dismissing the car shark's persistant attempts to get us to get buy the extending warranty, we drove off in the sunset. TWO WEEKS later the transmission started to slam into gear. Another week passes and the dreaded light comes on. So after owning this dream-come-true for only three short months, we had to put a new transmission and $2700-$3000 into it. And this is only the beginning...

- jacksmit, Sebeka, MN, US

problem #2

Mar 082005

(reported on)

Windstar

  • 63,000 miles

AAMCO tells me to replace the fluid every 15k miles. How absurd! I've never had a transmission go out even with 170k miles on a car.

- bobzinger, Livermore, CA, US

problem #1

Apr 232004

(reported on)

Windstar LX

  • 100,000 miles

this problem was a cross between 'pain in the ass' and 'really awful' - had taken it in for transmission codes 12 times in last year to be told "cannot duplicate problem' they sure as hell duplicated it when it meant I had to be out 2500 dollars! Add this to the bevvy of problems I have had with my crapstar - hoping I can get rid of it before I have to replace an engine too.

- Christy H., Miamisburg, OH, US