Eight problems related to transmission gear slipping have been reported for the 1996 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
: the contact stated while driving on normal road conditions at any speed the transmission slipped continously and would not go into overdrive when gas was applied while trying to pass other vehicles. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who advised the contact to take the vehicle to a reputable transmision service. The contact disregarded the option because it was too far and the towing too expensive. A tire was also punctured while repairing a coil spring. After the tire was replaced without being balanced the vehicle lost its aligment.
Transmission slippage. Occasionally during stop and go transmission will not up shift out of 1st to higher gear. Appears random. Dealer could not re-create problem, and therefore could not find a problem. However, after doing some research, this appears to be a very common problem with 1996 Ford Windstar's. The only solution appears to require a rebuilt transmission. But, again nhsta complaints include owners having to have transmission rebuilt more than once.
Van had been in for diagnostic check and maintenance on 9/21. No problems found. With no warning, transmission began to slip. Was able to drive in 2nd gear to repair shop and home, but told needed new transmission @$3500. This is my primary transportation used for business and home. Still owe $10,000. Can't trade with bad transmission. Please help.
In the past two weeks the transmission has slipped twice. When at a complete stop and accelerating the vehicle has to be put into park and then back into drive. This is very dangerous. There is only 56000 on vehicle. Battery light continually comes on this can be very nerve wracking when in heavy traffic. . Speedometer fluctuates and flops around after 40mph, sometime sticks at 50mph. Rear wipers work when they want. We have just returned from serving 8 years overseas, this is our only vehicle and from the research we have just been able to start this Windstar is headaches with the same problems. I would like to be able to take my family to see relatives they have not seen in over 8 years but this vehicle is unsafe.
Transmission slipping intermittently while driving, engine drops to 45 mph and rpm goes to 5000 at highway speeds. On some occassion during stop and go transmission does not change from 1st to 2nd gear. Took vehicle to dealer and they cannot find any problem. This is becoming a dangerous situtation.
Automatic transmission was built with an aluminum cylinder piston that loses forward line pressure and transmission slips into neutral when driving vehicle. Vehicle can slip into neutral at any time. A local dealer informed me that they replace approximately 5 of these transmissions a year. The replacement transmission from Ford is built with a steel cylinder piston to remedy the problem. Vehicle is very dangerous and has the potential for a head on collision if you tried passing another vehicle and transmission slipped into neutral because of defective design of transmission with aluminum piston.
Transmission stalls when driving and stopping at the stop sign. Also, transmission slips putting vehicle in drive from park.
Consumer says the transmission will not go into reverse when stopping, it shifts down with a loud thump, also when putting vehicle in gear there's a loud thump. When driving vehicle transmission slips, engine continues racing and the vehicle's not moving.