10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 33,274 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
Updating complaint 10116674 - mechanic informed us the planetary assembly has catastrophically failed and says this is ridiculous for such a low-mileage vehicle. He stated there must be a manufacturer's defect. He will save all ruined parts - total will be about $2,300. Will Ford have the integrity to stand behind its products" will NHTSA force a recall due to the high number of failures on these vans" the consumer still did not receive a response from Ford. There was a planetary assembly problem with the consumers 1999 Ford Windstar. At 51K miles, the planetary assembly had broken and needed to be replaced along with the transmission, torque converter, sun gear, solenoid and the reverse drum.
- Chester, MD, USA
Our 1999 Ford Windstar has 51,000 miles and transmission has failed. Yesterday (4/8/05) while driving kids home from school the van made a loud clunking noise and would not go into forward or reverse. Was able to roll to shoulder. We replaced battery a month ago, and while driving over the bay bridge (Maryland) easter Sunday our headlights and dashboard lights began to dim and van seemed as if it was going to stall. By the time we drove 4 miles to home all lights were out and car was sputtering, wouldn't start. We then replaced the alternator. The O/D light has been flashing. Interior lights stay on sporadically as well as door ajar light when all doors are closed. Interior lights sometimes don't come on when van is parked and doors opened. No rhyme or reason to this. Tires have been replaced twice due to abnormal wear. We are getting quotes of between 1,600 and 2,800 for transmission. Also windshield cracked where mirror was reattached after it fell off. When we were just over 3 years and at around 25,000 miles, all dashboard warning lights came on also while driving on bay bridge. Took van to dealer (bob bell in glen burnie, md) and they said they'd have it done that day but kept it a week. I threw a fit and got a loaner - a tin can on wheels. Ford eventually covered some of the repairs through a 'special program.' I cannot beleive there has been no recall on these pieces of garbage with the number of transmission failures I see on this website. NHTSA should force Ford to take responsibility for this nonsense and pay for these outrageous failures. We also have a Ford pickup and will never buy another Ford product. Henry must be rolling over in his grave.
- Chester, MD, USA
Car only has 72000 miles. Had car at dealership from March 17- March 24 for various problems. They replaced a tie rod, 2 control arms for $1100 and when that did not fix the problem, replaced the power steering pump and the steering rack. Car was still not right - had appt to bring back in on Friday April 1st. On March 30th, I was accelerating at a stoplight and the vehicle had an abrupt transmission failure. (when we got it back from the dealer it had a vibrating issue but we did not have warning this was coming) just a huge bang and then it wouldn't move. The police had to help me remove the vehicle from the intersection and assist with my two small children. It had to be towed at my expense $70. Warranty expired at 60K. Took it to another repair establishment (due to issues with the dealer) - will be $2200 to rebuild entire transmission. Will be contacting manufacturer.
- Salem, WI, USA
While driving 45 mph transmission failed. As a result, the forward gears became inoperable.
- Shelby Township, MI, USA
The vehicle started to make noise while driving. The gears would not move. The vehicle was towed, and the transmission was found to be defective, and was replaced.
- Morris, Mb., 00, USA
The intake manifold gaskets and transmission have been replaced in the consumer's 1999 Ford Windstar.
- Washington, DC, USA
While driving on an interstate highway, the transmission in my wife's 1999 Ford Windstar SE broke without warning, causing the vehicle to decelerate in morning rush hour traffic. The vehicle is currently being evaluated for repair cost.
- Cleveland, OH, USA
I was stopped at a 4-way stop, started to accelerate and heard a loud bang from the engine compartment. I then had no forward gears, but reverse still worked. The vehicle was towed to a local Ford dealer, who informed me that I needed a new (remanufactured) transmission at $2500. The vehicle has only 43,423 miles and has been regularly maintained. I contacted the Ford customer relationship center, but was offered no assistance or "goodwill" because the warranty period had expired. The number of 1999 Windstar transmission failures reported at NHTSA and other websites appears to be inordinately high.
- Hudson, MA, USA
The transmission failed at 56,000 miles and the second transmission has failed with 39,000 mile on it. Ford and the dealership are refusing to do anything. There is no acknowledgement on their part that there is an inherent problem with 1999 Windstar transmissions. After much internet research< I say there is !
- Delaware, OH, USA
My wife was driving our 1999 Ford Windstar and without any prior events, the transmission started to "slip" when taking off from a start. She promptly drive home 1.5miles and by the time she got home the van could not be driven because the transmission shuddered so bad when you stepped on the accelerator. We had the van towed the next day and were given news of a transmission failure and a $1900 repair bill. The car only had 57,000 miles.
- Pleasanton, CA, USA
While driving 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. The vehicle was towed to a body shop for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the transmission needed to be replaced.
- Princeton, MN, USA
We were stopped at a stoplight at the corner of 7th ave. And pike street in downtown seattle. When the light turned green, my husband pressed on the gas pedal. When he did that, we heard a "thunk" noise, and then the gears started grinding and the engine started revving because it would not go into gear. We had to have the vehicle towed back to Tacoma to a transmission repair facility.
- University Place, WA, USA
Just about everything that can go wrong with a car, I've experienced it as the owner of this 1999 Ford Windstar LX. I've had transmission work done, brake work, replaced tires (twice in 2 years), replace the battery and the starter. I came to this site because the car wouldn't start, wouldn't take a jump, wouldn't make a sound. I called to have it towed and the gentleman jiggled the key in the ignition and the car started. A few days later the same thing happened again. This time no one could start it. Testing the battery and primary parts for starting the car proved that these parts were all functioning normal. A few hours and $127 later (not including the cost of towing the vehicle) I'm told the problem is with the anti-theft device. It is broken and needs to be replaced to the tune of about $900 with a 90-day warranty. Recommendations to me were to get rid of the car. "this particular part in all Ford vehicles is poorly built." I haven't decided what I'm going to do at this point, however, I feel pretty sure my decision will not involve staying with Ford.
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
Transmission on our 1999 Ford Windstar had to be replaced costs us $2500. Car has only 56,000 miles on it.
- Palm Harbor, FL, USA
At approximately 79,000 miles, transmission failed catastrohically. I was stopped at a red light, and proceeded forward when the light changed. Almost immediately, I felt a violent forward jolt, then the vehicle would no longer go forward, though it would reverse. I had vehicle towed, and was informed the transmission needed replaced, costing $1800 (and that was with a discount for being frequent customers.) also, the O/D light began flashing days after we bought the vehicle used in 2002. Dealer repaired free, but informed us that the wiring harness connected to the O/D switch rested on the engine, where normal vibrations caused it to wear through and fail. The technician called it a "design flaw."
- Parma Heights, OH, USA
At 33,000 miles, sudden transmission failure. Rebuilt at a local shop for $2600... Ford contacted, but refused to stand behind its product.
- Glen Ellyn, IL, USA
When parked on a hill, the vehicle rolled back. When the vehicle rolled, it went a big field and caused damage to the drivers door and muffler. The second incident, the vehicle was sitting in the consumers driveway on a little hill when it rolled and hit a tree and caused damage to the fender and bumper. The consumer stated when both accidents happened the air bags never deployed. Also the steering wheel never locked.
- Monticello, KY, USA
Overdrive light will flash repeatedly after approximately driving 20-25 miles on the highway. When this happens, rpms increase and van attempts to lunge forward. Also, while putting van into gear loud clunking noise. Transmission was flushed completely, but problem persists. First occurance at 61,000 miles while driving family back from vacation. 2nd occurance at 63,000 miles and 3rd occurance at 63,800 miles.
- Rocky River, OH, USA
The poorly manufactured aluminum pistons in the transmission fractured and destroyed other components in the transmission at 99,000 miles.
- Plainfield, IN, USA
- Harrisburg, PA, USA