Automatic Transmission problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar - part 2

While driving vehicle will not shift from first gear, starts jerking, which causes seal pump to malfunction and transmission to blowout. Contacted dealer.

While driving, consumer smelled a funny smell and then saw flames coming up from the hood, consumer was injured in accident, possible transmission leak onto manifold, claim 40-2554-562.

Vehicle does not shift down into gear at stop, resulting in vehicle rocking backwards until gas pedal is depressed to go forward which results in car lurching forward violently. Inspected by jenkins and wynn Ford dealership on diagnostic computer. It was found to have a defective aluminum drum and piston assembly which sticks if there is not enough pressure built up for it to go forward. This was confirmed by the service manager john cornejo at jenkins-wynn on 08/27/01. At this time Ford motor company refuses to replace transmission as was recommended by the service staff at this location in clarksville, TN. A Ford motor company representative was contacted and told of the problem. She then contacted larry bryant, service manager at this location, who then proceeded to give erroneous information to the representative. The Ford motor representative then became indifferent to our situation. We requested to speak to someone of a higher authority and were told that we would be contacted back by her supervisor within 48 hours. Meanwhile mr. Cornejo, stating that the first option of flushing out the transmission would not benefit us, as originally suggested to us by mr. Bryant as an alternative to a rebuilt transmission, admitted that this was not a remedy for this type of defective part. We are currently awaiting mr. Cornejo to contact us on 08/28/01 regarding this fact after he consults with mr. Bryant. As Ford motor corp. Customers, we are expected to foot the bill on a defective part that will cost us $2500 to repair through no fault of our own. Defective part is made of aluminum. Ford motor only makes this replacement part in steel now due to the realization that aluminum will fail at some point.

Premature failure of autotransmission @ 50000 miles & $2200.

We were on vacation in pennsylvania after a trip to boston and had pulled into a parking area when we put the car in reverse to straighten out in the parking space and nothing happened. The car was towed to a Ford garage where we were told the transmission needed replacing. This took 5 days, when we left PA and drove home to iowa. The miles on this Windstar are highway miles and not city driving.

Can be turned off in gear--and put in gear when off--will roll.

This van is 3 years old. Corrosion most likely caused the problem with strut rods & sway bar links. Obviously this manufacturer was not concerned with quality b/c of all these problems. The Ford company will not reimburse me (my van is no longer covered by factory warranty) unless they issue a recall on any particular problem. I just don't understand why I would have all these problems with a vehicle that was less than 2 yrs old when the problems started. Maybe you can't help me, but I wanted to lodge a complaint.

On the 20th of may I was driving the van when it felt like it hesitated(slipped) and then it proceeded to drive normally. We went half a mile then stopped the van and parked. On returning to the van and starting it, it ran very rough(loud) and would not go past 30mph on our way home. We proceeded to take it to the dealership in the next week and found out the transmission had gone out at only 35000 miles. Our warranty had expired on 4/16/01. Barely a month out of warranty and a powertrain item had failed on us. We know two other family members that have owned Windstar vans that the transmission has gone out with low mileage. The dealership has offered to repair it for $495. This will inlcude an extended warranty on the powertrain for 75,000 miles. We feel with such low mileage, a recently expired warranty and knowing other people in our family that have dealt with the same thing, that Ford should stand behind there automobile and repair this free of charge. I am sure this is a more common problem than Ford wants to admit.

Transmission has been replaced five times. First replacement was a 30000 miles. Warranty fixed transmission. Mechanic told that vehicle that there was dust and a defect in assembly lane. Dealership was aware of problem.

While driving on highway vehicle downshifted to second gear, and consumer had to drive in second gear.

Took in the vehicle for a routine transmission fluid flush with removing the pan and replacing the filter, etc. At the local transmission shop, they discovered pieces of metal (pieces of a ring & an accumulator part) in the pan when it was removed. Serviceman said that it had probably been like that when we purchased. That it was most likely a defective part. He has seen many Windstars with the same problem. (our relative had the same problem with a 1997 Windstar) he has seen 1995-2001 with these same problems. He said it will cost from $1400 - $4500 if the dealer repairs the problem. I am going to contact the dealer today and possibly the Ford company as well.

Vehicle downshifted from 4th gear to 3rd gear and lower while driving at 65 mph. Dealer's response was that it did not happen.

While driving transmission could shift gear without prior warning. Had to be replaced due to slip shifting.

The transmission s blown I find that odd for a 3 yr old car with less than 65k miles and well maintained on my part. Ford has offered no financial help.

Transmission (replacement) sticks in 2nd gear just like orig. Did at 4400 miles. Orig. Stuck in second at 4400 mi. And was replaced. Replacement has rough shift and other problems reported to you by others. Ford trans. Have a defect that should be recalled!!.

After reviewing numerous complaints about this transmission of the Ford Windstar on various web sites, I am strongly encouraging the NHTSA to look in the continuing failure of Ford transmissions in the Ford Windstar.

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

Transmission went out, had to be replaced.

While traveling on freeway at 40 mph vehicle commenced to stop moving while engine was still running. Vehicle towed to dealer for repairs at consumer's cost. Also, manufacturer notified, and informed that vehicle was out of its warranty, and nothing could or will be done. Feel free to provide any further details.

Transmission suddenly started cycling through the gears causing engine to rev up and the gears shifting with hard clunks. Afterward, it would not shift into overdrive and we were forced to drive at slow speed on shoulder. Transmission shop could not reproduce problem. Fluid was clean and no codes were detected on scan.

On occasion the transmission willl become locked in second and sometimes third gear. It refuses to shift gears properly and when it does shift its shifts roughly and sporatically. My belief is that there is a short in the wiring somewhere.

Driving nys thruway @ 65mph about 5:30pm when suddenly without warning transmission dropped from overdrive to first gear. Sudden change from highway speed toparking lot speed required great skill of following drivers to aviod running over us and creating a rush hour chain reaction traffic pileup. Agency denies type problems with that transmission, Ford has not responded to my letter. Help!.

07/2000 problem involves automatic transmission downshifting causing critical handling situations. In the incidents to date 2 have occurred when traveling approximately 50mph, the vehicle would seem to downshift, the rpm was jump and the engine would be accelerating as a result of this. The other 2 incidents have occurred traveling approximately 70 mph with again the transmission apparently downshifting causing the rpms to jump, the engine to accelerate and a handling problem related to the noted factors. The power control module was reset by a Ford dealer after a staff when turning that nearly resulted in an accident. The vehicle would shut down (turn off) during slowing such as stopping for traffic lights or turning into a driveway.

Traveling on highway at 65mph. Complete loss of every gear. Was able to pull off and avoid incident, but this was a potentially dangerous situation. Needed a complete transmission replacement and was given the option to purchase an extended warranty for $495.

I have heard of many problems with transmissions on this model.

I have returned multiple times to the dealer with a "hard shift" problem, first to second. I even contacted Ford motor company, and they said there was nothing they could do, and referred me back to the dealership. I was told they could not duplicate the problem, one that occurs on a daily basis, at low speeds. The dealer drove my car for a day, but evidently did not notice any problem. As soon as I got the car back, the problem was back. I have spent upwards of $3000, for repairs that I was told would rectify the problem, but it persists. This included extensive front end work that they claimed would fix the problem; this included a front-end alignment and sub-frame shift; power steering flush; replace front struts; replace front shocks; replace front sway bar, links; problem persists.

No summary.

The transmission was replaced, but has still slipped again, I am writing this after hearing the report on tv about the transmission problems with the 95 minivans. This occured when I stopped at a light, and when it would finally go forward, it gave us all a real hard jerk, then drove it more and about 86 miles later, it did it again. The dealership replaced the transmisssion, but I am still not sure of the safety of this vehicle. I contacted Ford motor and no action taken. They had a recall on the day-light on the van. I took it to the dealereship and with the letter and they still have not done anything there. I wonder if the transmission problem is related to the 95 problems???.

The van stalled on two separate occasions at busy intersections. After stopping and then pressing the accelerator the van crept along. After going through the range of gears several times then it starting moving again.

While traveling 65mph the car downshifted to second gear!.

While driving and pulling away from a stop vehicle stalls and shuts off. Dealer is aware of this problem. The part to correct problem is on national back order.

Transmission stalls during down shifting at low speeds. Shifts hard into gear, causing the vehicle to lunge forward,three times has been repaired,first time @ 32000,3600,65,000. Dealer said that it's a known problem,but there is no fix.

The van will stall as if it is in neutral if the o/d is left on after several miles driving with the o/d on. On several occasions the van has staled at major intersections nearly causing accidents.

When vehicle is in drive gear and driver applies accelerator vehicle will not move, and the rpms will rev high. Eventually, vehicle will move but slowly.

Two incidents of sudden acceleration, one causing damage to our vehicle and the one ahead as I was parking next to a curb. Second time was in driveway when entering garage; slammed on brakes to not hit house. Numerous incidents of hard 1st to 2nd gear shift at 15 mph; sounds like a hard thud. Ford overfilled trans. Fluid 1/2 quart as a fix in November; replacing valve pump now in January.