Transmission failure 2000 Ford Windstar. I have a Ford Windstar a couple weeks out of warranty and the transmission failed. I had complained to the dealer about acceleration problems before and now they are telling me they are not going to cover it. I believe they stalled until the warranty was out so they would not have to repair the problem. I looked online and found that Ford has had a history of transmission problems with the Windstar. This is something that should of been taken care of by the manufacturer.

- Gcs, FL, USA

Had just stopped and was pulling out onto the highway when a clunk sound from under the van was heard. There was no power, no forward or reverse motion. The transmission was gone. It had to be towed home and we were told that since it was no longer under warranty the cost would be ours to bear. It sits in the garage as I have no money to pay the $2400 mechanic bill. Ford knew about this and yes has done nothing. This is the second Windstar I've owned that has had transmission trouble. The first being a 1995 with head gasket troubles.

- Froid, MT, USA

: the contact stated when the vehicle was pulled into an intersection, the vehicle stopped. This happened at 32,000 miles and the vehicle was towed to the dealership. The transmission was replaced. Then at 62,000 miles the vehicle was being driven 70 mph, and the transmission stopped. The vehicle was pulled over and towed to the dealership. The dealership replaced the transmission again. The vehicle is now at the dealership because there was a grinding noise coming from under the vehicle. The diagnostic test determined the torque converter was causing the malfunctioning of the transmission. The transmission will be replaced a third time at 70,000 miles.

- Palmyra, VA, USA

In fall of 2005 my broth-in-law had his transmission replaced twice on a 1999 Ford Windstar minivan. Fee from dealership (Ford in williamsburg, va) was in excess of $2500 each replacement. In January 2006 my own 2000 Windstar van's transmission failed in an intersection in traffic. Vehicle was towed to Ford dealership in wmbg and diagnosed as transmission failure, fee $2700. For a second opinion, vehicle was towed to Mr. Transmission in hampton, transmission dissected and laid out for analysis. Metal fragments had destroyed the transmission. I was told this was a frequent occurrence with Ford Windstar. In early models, a metal tube for the coolant doesn't have any support and breaks or tears from vibration. In later models this tube has a support to prevent that. The Ford service people, when confronted, said "transmissions can fail, you never know." We asked "is this common in Windstar?" answer "no." No mention of prior knowledge, no mention of recall. When one considers 2 Windstar, years 1999 and 2000, 3 destroyed transmissions between them, and denial on the part of the manufacturer, this warrants investigation. It is negligent to not make the public aware of the possibility of slipping out of gear in traffic and not institute a recall to replace transmissions on early models. It is criminal to charge owners $2500+ for a manufacturing design flaw. The fact that later models have the issue corrected implies prior knowledge. This should be investigated.

- Toano, VA, USA

Transmission went out on 2000 Windstar with 78000 miles. This is not the first case I herd of on this problem.

- Ft. Mitchell, KY, USA

Blown transmission on a 2000 Ford Windstar.

- Millis, MA, USA

Contact states: She had a 2000 Ford Windstar and it came out of park without hitting the brake. Vehicle doesn't have to be running. Her two year old child got the car out of park, and it rolled down a hill and hit a tree. The car was totaled. She contacted Ford, and they said they were not going to pursue the matter.

- Wickliffe, KY, USA

I purchased my car from poway Honda in February 2004. One week after driving it off the lot the check engine light came on, they claimed to fix it and it came on four more times after that. We also complained that the car was clunking into gear between 1st and 2nd gears. No one could find a problem, a couple weeks later transmission fluid was spraying out all over the back of the car, they claimed to not be able to find a leak. We literally had the car in every month since then. Poway Honda, where I purchased the vehicle, refuses to even help me anymore. Finally, a year later, the transmission started making funny noises. Perry Ford rebuilt the transmission. One week after that we had to pull over on the side of the freeway (with 5 children in the car) because it was spraying transmission fluid again and smoking, the car was towed to perry Ford. They overhauled the torque converter. Now, one week later the overdrive light is blinking indicating a transmission problem. The car sputters into gear. Also, when the car is in cruise control it doesn't slow down going down hill, the gears do not catch and it just gains more speed. I am so furious with Ford motors and sick and tired of dealing with this piece of junk that I will never by another Ford vehicle and I would advise no body else to either.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Went into doctors office and when I turned the car off I heard a loud noise. When I came out I started the vehicle and attempted to reverse and the vehicle would not go into reverse.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

The consumer complained about multiple problems with the vehicle on numerous occasions. The driver noticed smoke coming from underneath the vehicle, and pulled over. The smoke went out on its own. The driver had the vehicle towed. The second incident involved the transmission exploding while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the transmission and the engine needed to be replaced. Only four of the seat belts worked.

- Lexington, NC, USA

My wife was stopped at a stoplight. Light turned green, she went to make a left hand turn. About half way thru the turn, there was a loud clunk. At that point my wife could only coast thru the intersection. Stepping on the accelerator did nothing. Had van towed and looked at. Transmission failed. Mileage at 72,000.

- Wales, WI, USA

While driving 55 mph vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. Driver was able to pull over, and a mechanic inspected the vehicle and determined that transmission needed to be replaced. The consumer stated that the vehicle does not engage or move in any gear. The consumer tried to pull from a stop sign and the vehicles engine revved up but the vehicle did not move.

- Swanton, OH, USA

1/31/05: Put van is drive and a loud clunky noise occured and the vehicle would notmove. I needed the transmission rebuilt at $2295. The van only has 37,000 miles and it is out of warranty off course. Dealer says too bad. Stay away for Ford Windstar.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

At approximately 62,000 miles the transmission in my 2000 Ford Windstar suddenly failed. I was starting up from a traffic light at a busy intersection when I heard a loud clunk from underneath the car and the car stopped moving. The car would go in reverse only. I had it towed to an independent repair shop to fix the transmission. The problem was that the sun gear had sheared off. (research on the internet indicated this is a common problem with this car.) I had a mechanical engineer look at the broken part and he concluded that the weld was not defective, it was just poorly designed. The replacement part has been redesigned and is now reinforced, which would indicate to me that Ford is well-aware of the design flaw. (since they went to the trouble of redesigning the part) this is just the latest in a long line of problems that I have had with this car.

- Streamwood, IL, USA

While driving vehicle started to hesitate. Vehicle was towed to a transmission shop, where the transmission was replaced.

- Jackson, NJ, USA

Consumer transmission failed on the bay bridge. Nar 1-22-03 the consumer was experiencing problems with the transmission prior to the failure. The transmission would hesitate from 1st to 2nd gear, but the consumer was told on 2 occasions it was normal. The ABS lamp illuminated and the dealer replaced the relay. The windshield washer warning light had come on, the washer bottle had to replaced. The vehicle also shuddered while braking.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

Vehicle could only go backwards as a result of transmission failure. The vehicle was purchased as is therefore the transmission was not cover under any warranty.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

The intermittent function on my windshield wiper motor has failed. Ford has a recall on certain models of my vehicle, but evidently my particular vehicle is not included in the recall even though I have the malfunction. Vehicle also has hard shift when downshifting going around a corner.

- Fulton, MS, USA

Bought 2000 Ford Windstar less than 6 months ago. Van just turned 70,000 mi wife was stopped at busy intersection, tried to accelerate, and transmission clunked, and made an awful noise.transmission failed. Would not go forward. Ford dealer said it would cost $ 2,500. An expense I cannot afford, especialy right before christmas. Sure would be nice if Ford mo. Co. could do something about their poorly manufactured vehicles !!!!

- Wapakoneta, OH, USA

Transmission in 2000 Ford Windstar failed at 77000 miles. Required total replacement.

- El Paso, TX, USA