22 problems related to transmission failure have been reported for the 1996 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Automatic transmission failure possibly due to low transmission fluid following guidelines in owners guide . After failure and subsequent replacement. I found an article in newspaper quoted from Ford regarding fluid level maintenance which was different than recommendation in the owners guide.
Continuous failed transmission. Have had 4 actual rebuilt/replacements. Begged for exteded warranty, received. Shortest lived transmission was 300 mi. 1 mo. Out of warranty, transmission failed again, on highway, 100 mi from home with 3 disabled children in car. Will be vehicles actual 6th transmission. Has now 98k mi, bought new off lot (1st transmission in 1st yr owned). Irionically person 1 mi down the highyway had 1999 Windstar who's tranmission had also just failed. Bought car for children due to safety, is nothing but a lemon and Ford won't do anything about it.
While driving the transmission failed which caused the vehicle to decelerate. Transmission replaced.
Transmission failure in 1996 Ford Windstar, requiring complete replacemen at approx 70k miles.
This car has barely 75,000 miles on it. We are told it costs $2,800 for a rebuilt transmission. Upon investigation on the internet, I found that transmission failure in the Windstar is a chronic problem (along with the door locks and rear hatch failing). I believe the transmission should be recalled. Just fyi-our extended warrently expired one year ago.
Currently, the van is at the dealership and we are awaiting an estimate on the head gasket. Our warranty expired on August 31, 2002 and Ford will not help with the cost of the repair. The transmission is also being checked as it has begun leaking only 10 months after we had it replaced. Our mechanic stated that these are commonly seen with this vehicle and stated the failure of the head gasket is due to the defective fire ring. No reason was given as to why the transmission failed in January of 2002 and to why it is now leaking. Dt.
Transmission failure, second failure due to accumulator seals, complete overhaul.
Since the transmission failure I have met others who had the exact same problem with the 96 Windstar. This is not an isolated incident. . The failure of the windshield wipers is a safety problem.
Transmission failed. Yh.
Transmission failed 15,401 miles after it had been replaced. Manufacturer refuses to cover replacement since vehicle is out of warrenty even though failure is the same as the prior failure. First transmission failure occurred at 30,218 miles and second occurred at 45,619.
Research shows me that hundreds of others have had this same transmission failure. . Ford is unwilling to pay for any of my damage. My van is parked six hours away from me at a dealer because I don't have the money to have it fixed. This is a bad transmission design and Ford needs to quickly reimburse all of us who have had this problem.
Stopped @ intersection & light changed. Transmission failed & van stalled. There was no previous indication of transmission problems. Luckly, all traffic was stopped or this could have been a major traffic accident. Failure is due to aluminum clutch pistons. Incident was reported to Ford motor CO. There are alot of premature transmission failures in Ford Windstars. 95 models were recalled. 96 models share the same components.
Transmission failed causing other components to fail.
Total automatic transmission failure at 36. 5 months, 44,400 miles.
Transmission failed at 44,000 miles,irratic downshifting,required rebuild including replacement of forward clutch piston, Ford covered 60%.
3 transmission failures in less than 18 months.
Speed needle goes up and down from 50mph to 120mph register on the speedometer . Consumer had the speedometer replaced at 45181 miles by Ford dealership, mechanic did the actual work. Transmission failed at about 32,000 miles.
Transmission failed.
Transmission failed due to the cracking of the forward clutch piston.
Transmission failure. Abs light comes on, rear hatch failing to open, ignition switch failing to start vehicle, blower motor failure, front brake pads wear quicly, and hood recall.
Transmission keeps failing.
Transmission failure causing surging.