Ten problems related to transmission slip out of gear have been reported for the 1998 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
At 45,000 miles on 1998 Ford Windstar gl,transmission would not shift out of first gear. Had to turn vehicle off for a while then it would shift. Had to stop app. 6 times to travel 8 miles.
Vehicle would not shift out of first gear. Had to replace transmission. Dealer contacted.
While driving at 40 mph car shifted out of gear and the transmission would not reingage beyond 1st. Limped home on highway with flashers. Dealer declared 'internal problem' and $2,400 transmission replaced w/o any factory reimbursement. Customer service rep. At Ford contacted and I was told there was nothing they could do about this specific problem with Windstar transmissions (other than collect my money) and there were no recalls or tsbs on the transmission. The dealer reported that the transmission fluid looked ok so this was not traced to the failure. The transmission was returned for 'core' credit intact: no reason for the failure was determined.
Transmisson will not shift out of first gear. Dealer notified, and waiting on manufacturer who has a hold on all Windstar transmission until further notice. Please provide any further notice.
Transmission failed as driver stepped on the gas to cross the highway. Vehicle stopped, almost causing it to be hit. Consumer had experienced other problems with the transmission prior to this incident--sometimes would not shift out of first gear, or only work in second gear. Transmission replaced by dealer.
Vehicle jumps out of gear between 1st and 2nd gear. Dealer has been notified.
While driving on the highway the transmission abruptly downshifted to 2nd gear. After getting off the highway, vehicle would not shift out of 1st gear. This happened, 3 times and had vehicle had been towed to the dealership twice. The dealership has not been able to find anything wrong, or to duplicate the problem.
When traveling or when the vehicle is placed on an incline the vehicle will drop out of gear from drive into neutral. . Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced sensor, problem still occurs. Please provide any further details.
Vehicle in park positon,engine running,engine started to back out unexpectedly, jumped out of gear, causing side door to hit side house, dealer will check transmission.
Vehicle is slipping out of gear while driving from 3rd to 2nd gear, causing vehicle to almost stop, rpm's will rev high. Manufacturer has issued a TSB. Please provide further information.