During preparation for an out of state trip, the transmission warning lights came on. The vehicle had 59,000 miles on it and was flushed at 40,000. Previously, a whining noise had been evident and was said to be a normal occurrence for that transmission by a Ford mechanic. A stop into a local Lincoln-Mercury dealer popped up codes relating to a solenoid and another part of the transmission. When the vehicle was serviced, the transmission pan had needle bearings and metal shavings evident. This lead to the entire transmission being replaced at a cost of $2800 out of pocket. At this time, no recalls have been found for this problem.

- Saint Albans, VT, USA

While on vacation this past week, my wife, kids (5), and myself, the transmission went out with warning nor were there any symptoms to indicate that our family vehicle would leave us stranded on our first family vacation. We purchased a 2001 Windstar sel from university Ford in durham, nc. We purchased the extended warranty for $1500, and just when the vehicle barely surpassed the 'expiration date', the transmission, just suddenly quit. My wife and son were exchanging sandals at the local beach shop, and when she returned to the van, and tried to move it, there was no gear at all.......just park and neutral, (the two 'no' gears). They walked 3 miles in 90 degree weather back to our 'place'. I have called the university Ford, and since my warranty was out by less than 2500 miles, I am stuck. The vehicle has less than 78,000 miles on it, and has been serviced from the very first day we have owned it. It was bought 'slightly used', only to be driven before by a top salesman/manager, before we purchased it. I have a fairly decent sized family and am middle class, not rich!! the transmission is supposed to be $1500-$3000 to replace, and I cant afford to replace and really dont feel responsible for a transmission that should have lasted, with normal driving, well into 100,000-150,000 miles. I have a Pontiac Bonneville that has almost 215,000 miles that has never given one seconds trouble out of the transmission. I have checked online and there are so many unfortunate people as myself, that this has happened to. I would like someone from your dept. To please check into the durability of the Windstar transmissions, as Ford, have told us (myself and other disgusted Windstar owners) there is no such thing as Ford making a design flaw in a transmission. Thank you for your valuable time in reading this, I am very appreciative. With kindest regards, I am johnnie wilkins

- Timberlake, NC, USA

While driving 55 mph transmission lost power. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Allentown, PA, USA

Consumer stated the power doors locked on their own. Consumer was concerned that in an emergency they will be trapped inside. The transmission was difficult to move from park. Once it was pulled out of park it made a loud bang.

- Alcalde, NM, USA

Our 2001 Ford Windstar's transmission stopped working in the middle of a road. The warning light came on only moments before and said "check transmission". my concern is two fold. First, their was not adequate time to respond when the "check transmission" light appeared and the vehicle broke down. Luckily my wife was just pulling out of a parking lot onto a side street and was going at a low rate of speed. Secondly, the van has only 55,000 miles and the transmission malfunctioned. This is not the norm for a vehicle that is regularly maintained.

- Morgantown, WV, USA

The vehicle jerked forward when the gear was shifted to drive.

- Elmwood Park, NJ, USA

Towards the end of the month of July during a trip to Maine my pump seal on my transmission blew and I had to get a new transmission installed in the van. The van was just over 3 yrs old and the mileage was just at 51,000 the mechanic at the repair shop said at this mileage this problem never should have happened, after phone calls to my dealership they said that their was nothing they could do because it was out of warranty. I feel that the van never should have needed a transmission at this time and that I should be reimbursed my $1800.

- Abington, MA, USA

Transmission failed at 58,000 miles (mostly highway miles). $3000 to replace. I only had Windstar for 2 years. Purchased in Nov. 2002 with 11,000 miles on it. Power door locks have failed to lock since purchase. They must be manually pushed down ($300 to fix).

- Sanatoga, PA, USA

The transmission made a grind noise and engaged and slammed into my garage. While my foot was on the brake. And now the vehicle will not move.

- Burlington, MI, USA

While driving 45 mph vehicle lunged forward twice. As a result, transmission failed. The consumer stated that the vehicle gave no warning prior to the incident. The mechanic stated that the transmission gears broke causing the case to crack.

- Pekin, IL, USA

Numerous things have gone wrong since we bought the vehicle. Items covered under warranty: Electric seat stopped working twice, and transmission wouldn't shift when it was supposed to. Items not covered under warranty: Brakes replaced at 30,000+ miles-told was normal for them to wear out so quickly; rack and pinion replaced at around 55,000 miles; months after brakes replaced, brakes grind loudly when coming to a stop (brakes checked numerous times, but was told they were ok); ABS brake light comes on and stays on after driving (not illuminated on start up, but comes on later); back dome light not secure-falls out; dome lights sometimes come on when braking; check engine light on for months, didn't have it checked, but turned off by itself; sliding door drags-rusted on vechicle frame.

- Bothell, WA, USA

Golf mill Ford dealership induced transmission failure. Vehicle taken in for a recall and the dealership recommended a transmission flush, injector flush, throttle body service, power steering flush and fuel filter. On Feb.19, 2004 had a transmisson flush and throttle body serviced at golf mill Ford. It was never written or verbally told to me that I had any transmission problems prior to this service. After having this service I experienced a number of problems on the way home. The car ran rough, it hesitated will stopping a stop light, there was a mist that came from the front vent, the car started but then quickly cut off, and lastly when I went start the car I could hear a loud whosh sound which scared me. On Feb 26, 2004, I took the car back to gold mill Ford where I did inform them of all the problems I was having. After inspecting the car they stated nothing was wrong. The car was safe to drive. On March 1, 2004, while on the road I noticed fluid was leaking from the car. I went to a ray skillman Ford dealership in grenwood Indiana they stated that there was a leak around transmission seal & the pan was not tighted properly. Tony at ray skillman Ford also stated that golf mill did not place enough transmission fliud in the van. Golf mill Ford instructed tony to put some liquid transmission sealer in transmission & send us on our way. At the time tony told us he did not feel comfortable with doing so. Golf mill felt as though they did nothing wrong. However after waiting eight hours at the dealership tony descided to put the sealer in because he did not want to keep us any longer. After leaving Indiana, 4:oo am on March 2, 2004 the car stopped on the highway. The car had to be towed 600 miles at my expense. I have contacted the Ford motor customer care and golf mill Ford, they feel that because I am not in warranty that there is nothing that they are going to do. It has been two months and I am paying for a car I can not drive.

- Virginia Beach , VA, USA

When reversing vehicle stalled. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer this was normal.

- Hilham, TN, USA

Vehicle experiencing problems with transmission, brake lights and head light equipment. The light kept blowing out. The driver's side twice, rear driver and passenger brake light once and the rear center brake light twice. The consumer stated the transmission failed.

- Cedar Lake, IN, USA

While driving 30 mph consumer heard a loud noise coming from the transmission. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

While driving at 60 mph the engine revved the automatic transmission suddenly failed. The dealer replaced the transmission at the owner's expense. Please provide any additional information.

- Peabody, MA, USA

I purchased a 2001 Ford Windstar in October 2001. I have had to have the transmission rebuilt in December 2003. I only have 46,640 miles on this vehicle. It has cost me $2158 to have this repaired. The transmission should not have been giving me problems with this few of miles on it. The transmission starting changing really hard and starting making loud clunking noises when shifting. It began to start slipping into neutral while driving down the road. The dealership has not helped me at all and Ford Motor Company has been informed of my problem. The state attorney general has also been notified. I think Ford motor should have a recall and pay for the repairs for these vehicles that have failed for those of us who trusted these to be reliable family vehicles. Go to www.carsurvey.org and see all the consumer complaints for the Ford Windstar. The windshield wiper motor had to be replaced just shortly after I purchased this vehicle. Floor to seat safety latches have been replaced due to recall in December 2003. Windshield has constant crackling noise as I am driving.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

Consumer had difficulty shifting from park to drive. Vehicle was taken to an independent transmission shop where the mechanic found excessive metal in the pan and on the magnet. Mechanic suggested removal of the transmission for inspection.

- Fresno, CA, USA

We purchased our 2001 Ford Windstar with approximately 24,000 miles on it. One week after we purchased the van the indicator light for the air bags would not go off. We took the van to the dealer and they fixed the problem. Shortly after that incident the rear heat and A/C would not operate. We took the van to the local dealer again and they repaired the problem under warranty. A few weeks after that the check engine light came on and they tried to fix it but it came back on. They charged us for that visit. The check engine light is still on we now have around 70,000 miles on the van. When the van had accumulated about 35,000 miles the transmission started shuddering. The van would shake all over during driving. Recently I had to have the transmission replaced. There is a leak around the passenger door on the left side of the van. There is a clicking noise when I brake that no one seems to know what it is or how to fix it. Now there is a loud humming noise coming from the automatic power steering fluid pump. It is so loud that it can be heard even when the radio is turned on. It used to be loud when I turned a corner or onto another street but now it is loud when I am sitting at a stop light. When we first purchased the van there was a foul odor coming from the venting system. I asked the service tech at the local dealership about this but he did not know why this was happening. We still have an odor even after changing the filter twice for the vent system. We are very unhappy with our purchase and would never consider buying another Windstar.

- Owensboro, KY, USA

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar with 45,000 miles. Our transmission failed with a complete rebuild to be done. $2,100. My biggest complaint is that Ford's dealership was not willing to help us in getting a loaner car and with only 45,000 miles, you would think that these should not be failing so soon.

- Downingtown, PA, USA