Nine problems related to automatic transmission park/neutral start switch have been reported for the 1998 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While traveling between 40 and 65 mph smoke started coming out from underneath hood of vehicle. Driver stopped vehicle, raised hood to discover a fire in engine compartment. Dealership examined vehicle, and determined wiring for transmission caused the fire. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
Two-year old was able to able to turn the key in the ignition, shifted van into reverse without depressing the brake pedal. Van rolled down the hill into a wooded area. Daugher was not hurt in crash. Dealer has been notified about the incident. Please provide any further information.
While in park child was able to put car in park, consumer indicated that in order to put a car in park consumer has to put foot on the brake. But child was standing in the seat and put car into drive and it went into a chained fence. Consumer says when bringing it out of park or drive it makes a loud poping noise. Took to dealer, they can't find the cause of the problem.
Transmission jumped into gear while in park, almost hitting a small child. . Trans stuck in park, vehicle had to towed to dealer. Ford insisted nothing wrong with vehicle while under warranty, although it was looked at more than once. Took vehicle in again and was informed it needed a new transmission and would cost 2600. 00 because warranty had run out.
Vehicle was in a parking lot, no one in the drivers seat. Passenger seat had a person in it, transmission shift gear just went into reverse, and vehicle took off. Dealer contacted and cannot duplicate the problem.
The vehicle was in park position and the key was out of the ignition switch, the vehicle rolled backwards, knocking the consumer down. Then it rolled into the street. Contacted the dealer and the vehicle was towed.
Gear shift jumped out of parked gear into reverse resulting in collision.
1. 2 year old child was able to move automatic shift lever from park to drive without key in the iginiton wihtout applying brakes. 2. Also consumer heard a loud rumbling noise when shifting gears. Dealer could determine cause.
Consumer's child was able to put the keys in the ignition, shift gear into neutral, and vehicle rolled backwards, hitting a parked car. Consumer has contacted manufacturer. Owner believes that you should not be able to switch the vehicle into gear without pressing the brakes.