My 2000 Ford Windstar with (46,000 miles) recently began making a small whirring or ticking noise under the hood. Examination by the service department at a local dealer indicated that the origin of the problem was the transmission. Upon teardown of the transmission, it was discovered that the stator support bearing had "blown apart." The dealer wished to replace the entire transmission for $3700. An independent mechanic also examined the car and found that in addition to the stator, the pump shaft, torque converter, and clutches would all need to be replaced. There was no damage to the gear train or the solenoids. It seems unbelievable that such extensive damage manifested itself in nothing more than a small ticking sound that mechanics at the dealership were at first unable to even detect. It is even more amazing and frightening that the vehicle was still drivable. There was nothing suspicious found in any previous service visits to suggest that such a failure was imminent and no dashboard warning lights of any kind. Had this vehicle failed while in transit, serious injuries may have been possible.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

While leaving our parking lot the transmission made a few hard jerks while stopped and then would not go in a forward motion, tried to go in revese nothing. Pushed the van back to a parking space, called Ford custermer service and was told no warranties or "customer satisfaction programs" (seceret warranties) exsited.called around to survey options and noted that the Windstar has had at least 3 upgrade kits issused for the transmission. Found a lot of complaints for the same problem. Called Ford again, asked about the various other complaints and was told that this transmisson has never had problems that any information obtained from non-Ford sources is false or incorrect. When asked about the transmisson upgrade kits (info found on Ford's website) was met with the same response that the transmisson has never had a problem and non-Ford info.... aamco estimates $2200 to $3500 for a rebuilt to new transmisson, Ford offers no help. We are looking for a class-action or other information to get Ford to own-up to and pay for a "known" failure in there transmisson that dates back to 1991 Windstar/tauras. Odometer reading 55,000.

- Riverside, CA, USA

The transmission just quit without any prior warning or problems. Left wife and kids stranded in middle of busy street.

- Grover Beach, CA, USA

2000 Ford Windstar 43,000 miles, my wife was driving down the freeway and all of the sudden the transmission went out. There was no warning or noise of any kind. This happened while she was driving freeway speeds. I went to my mechanic and he said one of his employee had the same van and the same thing happened to him at 37,000 miles. I went to work and a co-worker said the same thing happened to his dads van around 40,000 miles. Ford should fins a transmission that will last longer than that few of miles.

- Eagle Mountain, UT, USA

While driving 45 mph, the automatic transmission stopped functioning. The transmission had to be rebuilt with new components.

- Wyomissing, PA, USA

While driving at 65 mph automatic transmission failed.

- Eagle Mountain, UT, USA

Transmission ax4S failed at stoplight. Gear was sheared off drum. Vehicle had 50,623 miles when failure occurred. Transmission was overhauled at a cost of $2037.92.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Transmission has always kicked forcefully and abruptly in low speed or on deceleration at low speed. There has been a transmission fluid leak(indicated by red fluid on and around the the transmission pan) but the fluid level has remained constant and at approved limits. We have mentioned this to dealers but have always been told that was normal and that if the transmission fluid level was within specifications then there was not a problem. On this date as we accelerated from a four-way stop there was an extremely forceful kick and the van lost power and forward motion and actually began to drift backward. The dealer told us we required a new torque converter, some new gears replaced, and that we would be better off having the entire transmission replaced.

- Schertz, TX, USA

Vehicle stalled while driving at highway speed. Vehicle was towed to a dealer, who found that vehicle needed a new transmission.

- Dunlap, TN, USA

Complete transmission failure with only 48,000 miles.

- Dracut, MA, USA

Transmission on 2000 Windstar needs to be replaced after 47,000 miles.

- Laurel, MD, USA

Automatic transmission failure twice. First failure at 29K mile in October 2001. Transmission was repaired under warranty. Second transmission failure was at 56K vehicle miles but only 27K miles on rebuilt transmission. Both failures occurred without warning. Second failure is 3K miles outside of 2yr/24K warranty provided by Ford. I believe sudden transmission failure is a severe safety issue.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

Bought van from dealer June 2001 with 28,000 miles; ongoing issues with automatic transmission over 24 month period; 34,000 miles, harsh vibration and slipping on acceleration (at times no faster than 35 mph getting on interstate), rebuild under 3 yr, 36 warranty (torch converter other internals); 1 year later, 58,000 miles, same symptoms with fluid leakage, transmission totally gone, replace with new rebuilt transmission under purchased extended warranty; 4 months later, 64,000 miles same symptoms, slippage, harsh vibration, rebuild torch converter under warranty; 4 months later (June 2003) transmission starting to show same symptoms, dealer can not duplicate; now constant vibration when torch converter is locked in, clunking, slipping on acceleration around corners, end of July filed under lemon law at state, waiting to hear from them.

- Bolton, VT, USA

Sudden transmission failure at 34,000 miles. No warning. All forward gears failed. Manufacturer offering "secret warranty." Problem appears to be common to all Windstar as far back as 1994.

- Wallingford, PA, USA

Automatic transmission is slipping primary when in overdrive. Cause unknown.

- Canada, 00, USA

While attempting to make a left hand turn at stop sign I heard a "clunck" and could not drive forward. After a few cars drove around me and my young children someone finally stopped to push my Windstar into a parking lot that was close by. I needed to have the van towed and was told the transmission needed to be replaced. I have 37200 miles on this vehicle and it is not quite 4 years old. As angry as I am I also have to be thankful that this sudden transmission failure didn't happen just 2 weeks earlier when my family and I were on vacation in Virginia. I am looking to Ford at this time to have my vehicle fixed with assistance through a "goodwill" program so far I have not been successful. I also understand that this is a common problem that Ford seems to be aware of.

- Bath, PA, USA

Consumer stated that transmission would not change properly. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and was told that a new transmission was needed.

- Folsom, PA, USA

While sitting at stop light, went to proceed, no acceleration--transmission went. Towed to dealer, not under warranty--$2700 later Ford replaced with a brand new transmission--3 years, 36,000 mile warranty. Says to me that Ford knows something is wrong here since they didn't replace with a rebuilt one. I would like to be reimbursed the $2700 and the cost of the rental car needed for 7 days.3 years with this van, 3rd year of problems--1st year-tie rods, 2nd year-fuel injection problem, 3rd year-replace transmission. Please help.

- Allentown, NJ, USA

While attempting to make left turn at traffic light, vehicle failed to go forward. It would go in reverse, so I drove it backward into a parking lot and had it towed to dealer. Has 30,500 miles, Ford will not assist me in the $2600 reapair of the required new transmission. I am very unhappy.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

While driving at any speed transmission jerked. Dealer has inspected and could not duplicate or correct the problem.

- Charles City, IA, USA