Automatic Transmission problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar - part 1

10/16/15 bought van. 10/30/15 stop had towed home. Call dealership had towed to there place. They ran a red wire from fuse relay to inside of dashboard took over a week got it back. Not in even week later transmission start messing up told them wouldn't change gears. It went out. They didn't want to fix it file complaint with (dmv) investigator got in touch with them agreement was they will have it fix we dont pay labor, we just pay for trans and fluids. Had it towed they been had van year. 10/2016 they found trans cost 515. Paid them. Then in 11/2016 said radiator was cracked we had to pay 102. 84 another month 12/26/2016 got van. Its messed up smoking brakes burnt up. The speedometer lines under van not connect just hanging dont match up one broke at the end. The odometer not hook up. Told them then carried to inspection failed. Make a long story short they lied the trans cost 250 the guy that was working on it busted radiator busted it they didnt tell us. They responsible . The miles have been rolled back. 2 times. 10/15/2015 says 144448. Now 01/02/17 says 144208. They been had a year and the odometer disclousuer statement was signed by the lady not me are my wife. She said she didn't but did. Want give us money back and they put all the invoices in his name and dealership name like we didn't pay for anything and she still want give me a invoice for the 515 for trans. The man going to tell me put it up for sale cant they messed it up and took all our money we only get paid once a month. Want our money back.

Popping in front end when turning or hitting bumps. The popping sound was often. Had new tires put on,and when I took it in to have front end alianed. Ford tech. Said front springs were broke. Was an est. Of $1200. 00 oni can"t afford. This was 5/20/2011. Contacted mftr about the recall that that was issued on this part 7/12/2001. Was told there was nothing they could do,because of a time limit. How can they put a time limit on safety & peoples lives?because the springs are broken,they can puncture the tires and cause an accident. Now we are without transportation. And my son is disabled and has numerous dr. Appts. Miles away. But my hands are tied. The mftr. Did advise to have another recall checked out which is the speed control because it can catch fire. When I asked why,you just told me it was unsafe to drive. He advised it could catch fire just setting in the drive not running. I was not notified of either one of these recalls by mail or other wise until I called to complain about the front coil springs. How does these billion dollar companys keep getting by with negligance. There are lots of recalls on this vihicle. Please help!.

Ford winstar will not stay in park.

Transmission: 1998 Ford Windstar Mini van: while trying to turn around in a driveway, I put it in reverse and there was not a reverse or drive gears ,nothing. The motor revved, but could not move. I was stranded with no warning. Had to have it towed since it would not move. After doing research online, other owners, this is a common problem with the Ford Windstar Mini van. I feel this is definitely a safety hazard. I agree with so many more consumers, why hasn't this been in a recall. It is very, very dangerous, since it just stops without any warning or problems. I realize it is too late for me since mine is in the shop already. However, I am on a limited income and probably will loose the vehicle due to no funds for the repair. If it had been on a recall, this would not have happened. This is my first Ford vehicle and more than likely, will be my last! please do your own research and you will see how common this problem has been. Thank you.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact observed red liquid leaking from the vehicle while attempting to park. Through online research, she discovered NHTSA campaign id number 97v097000 (power train:automatic transmission), but was unaware if her VIN was included in the recall or if previous recall repairs had been performed. The failure and current mileages were 124,528. Updated 02/24/09. Updated 02/24/09.

I bought a 1998 Ford Windstar 3. 0 l in 1999. In 2002 I received a recall to install front shields over the coil spring so I did. Yesterday the front coil spring punctured the front tire and broke the struts as well. When calling Ford, they inform me that they can not tell me when my vehicle was manufactured, just that they will do nothing about it. They issued the warranty for 10 years from manufacturer date even though the recall did not take place until 3-4 years after manufacture date and I took my vehicle in for the recommended cure to the problem.

I have a 1998 Ford Windstar van sv, I Ave some transmission issues. I have to have a whole transmission overhaul done. I fount out that alot of the other owners of this type of vehicle has suffered the same. What we have fount out is that that model of vans have default transmissions in them. I want to know if I could at least have the transmission repaired or to know any information that will help.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed smoke. She parked the vehicle, checked under the hood, and found that it was very hot and smelled like burned rubber. Fifteen minutes later, there was an engine fire underneath the hood. The vehicle was destroyed. A fire report was filed. Nhtsa campaign id number 97v097000 (power train:automatic transmission) was referenced. The purchase date, powertrain, and mileages were unknown. Updated 04-08-08 updated 04/08/08.

Front stabilizer bar broke in half inside bushing none of the auto techs could find the problem for the part 2 years (not even during NY state inspections) so they past the van anyways untill finally one gave a tug on the passangers side of the bar and it came out of the bushing in their hands the tech said he never saw a bar break like that before and that was the cause for having to get the wheel hubs lowerball joints &tie rod ends replaced twice in one year along with the tires on the front of the van so the van sits in the drive way untill it can get fixed (finding the bar is the hard part)dealer said he could not locate one now what???? any help would be greatly apreshiated also the dealer had to replace the tranny 4 times once about every 12000-17000 miles and one of the trannys only lasted for 325 miles before the van died on the NY state thruway on our way to canada from syracuse,n. Y. Then it took the 5 weeks to fix the van and get it back to me so how could I be sure that the breaking of the sawy bar was not caused from the techs removing the unit x amount of times???????????along with the tie rods,wheel hubs,ect.

1998 Windstar jerks when down shifting.

Transmission was slow going into gear,was very noisy and would not shift it finally locked up in gear and would not move. It was towed in to a repair shop and I was told the transmission was bad. The van has only 46,000 miles on it. A 30,000 dollar car should last longer than this.

1998 Ford Windstar transmission malfunctioned while driving at 55 mph. The consumer had the transmission replaced 2 1/2 years ago.

The vehicle was on the road when all of a sudden the drive gear popped out, causing the vehicle to slow down and not move. Manufacturer will be contacted by consumer.

The transmission on a 98 Ford Windstar failed after only 74482 miles. I had to have the transmission rebuilt at a significant cost.

Without warning, the speedometer went flat and the engine stayed in low gear and the "check engine light" came on when I was trying to drive up a steep hill. I called my husband and he put a little extra transmission fluid in it. I was able to drive it home. We took it the following day for a oil & air filter change and transmission fluid flush. We only made it a few miles until it broke down again with the same problems. When we had it checked at the shop, we were told it also has a broken motor mount. We called a "transmission specialist" and were told by the description, it sounded like the speed sensor had gone out. We had this van custom-built, no one else has ever owned it. It currently has about 94,000 miles on it. It has had regular mainentence and has never been iinvolved in a collision. Has Ford recalled any of this, it seems more than the regular wear and tear?.

Ihave a Ford Windstar min van it is a 1998 gl and my husband and I have only had it three and a half years we bought it at best Ford in nashua new hampshire. We bought an extended warranty but we were over by 600 miles so they wouldnt honor it. Come to find out there were two other Mini vans Windstars the same type and age in the shop getting transmission work done. This should of never happened to us and I think the company ought to reimburse us for this expensive fix there is obviously problems with these min vans transmission going to early . I hope I get some results on this its rediculous we are not even done paying on it yet karen roy.

Transmission has been replaced 3 time and is going again. Don't know what to do?.

While driving consumer heard a loud noise from under the vehicle. Then, vehicle started to decelerate, causing consumer to pull over. Consumer had made contact with dealer.

Powertrain failure transmission felt like it dropped into neutral and then would not respond. Family mechanic inspected vehicle and the transmission was completely locked up. . $2000. Later transmission was replaced. . If this is such a "known issue" with these vehicles why doesnt Ford do something to compensate their customers? I used to be a Ford gal but not anymore!!!.

My 1998 Windstar has 89,000 miles and the transmission completey broke apart, with no warning at all. No slipping or anything. Sitting at a red light, the van jerked like we had been hit in the rear by someone doing 80 miles per hour. It is going to cost me $1800. 00 to have it rebuilt. I know numerous complaints are filed with your organization on Ford transmissions. I want to register my complaint.

While driving vehicle lost all power and the ability to shift gears. Dealer notified.

Consumer states has a power train problem from the transaxles while the vehicle is being driven. Consumer stated there is a technical service bulletin on this issued, number #98-15-19.

Our '98 Ford Windstar (3. 8l) has just experienced a major transmission problem; it drives along just fine on the highway at 65 m. P. H. And then bang -- the transmission shifts from over drive into second (or first!) gear. This sends the engine from a casual 1,500 r. P. M. To a dangerous 5,500 r. P. M. , and makes for scary and dangerous highway driving. Ford (kachel Ford in shillington, PA) says that the valve body or possibly the entire transmission has gone bad, but I have uncovered literally thousands of complaints about this very same, and potentially life-threatening problem with the Ford automatic transmission being used in the Windstar. Something needs to be done about this immediately. Contact me at once if you would like full cooperation -- I am willing.

The gas pedal was pressed while driving 55 mph but the vehicle would not gain any speed. The dealer was contacted and the technician indicated that the transmission needed to be replace. Spoke with consumer 10/16/07 , was told to disregard complaint. Vehicle has been traded.

Power transmission on 98 Ford Windstar failed.

Nar 1/15/2003. The consumer complained that the vehicle had transmission problems. After numerous complaints, the selling dealer offered to buy the vehicle back, but the consumer declined and instead continued to Ford and harass the employees to point that they became death threats.

Transmission totally collapsed on highway, previously repaired twice.

Vehicle exhibited an erratic downshift which almost caused an accident since it occured on a major highway while travelling at 65mph. The incident happened twice and the dealer couldn't find the problem. The dealer told us that the vehicle was safe. Since this time, it has happened two more times on a one week period.

While driving down at highway speeds transmision down shifts into lower gears, 2nd or low gear. Which is very dangerous and could cause a very bad accident. I have talked to other people that had the same thing happed with the the same type vehicle! have you hade any other complantes? h ad taken the vehicle to autherized dealer he checked it out said nothing wrong! continued on trip and it keep doing it. This is very dangerous at highiway speeds and with a big truck behind you!! any information or help with this problem would be greatly appreciated. Ford is no help! thank you.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

We were stopped at an intersection. When the light turned green, the transmission locked up, and the engine revved as if it was in neutral. I took two men to push it to the side of the road on a downward slope. The dealership claimed to know of no problem with 1998 Windstar transmissions. We know of 3 other owners of these vehicles who have had the same problem.

Should be covered by Ford but they refuse. No safety derfec tlisted for above vehicle.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

We have owned two Ford Windstars, the first being a 1996, the transmission had to be rebuilt on it at 63,000 miles, the van was 3 1/2 years old at the time, we then traded it for a 1998 Windstar and at 3 1/2 years old and only 60,000 miles the transmission had to be rebuilt on it!.

Multiple problems with transmission kicking while at a stop sign or light, broken piston.