Automatic Transmission problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar - part 1

1999 Ford Windstar 3. 8l v6 99k miles driving to work transmission stopped working to make the vehicle move forward. It only would work in reverse. . Read more...

I was in my garage. I placed the Windstar in park. I left the engine running, opened my door and walked to the back of the van. I heard a clunk which apparently was the transmission shifting into reverse. The van immediately took off and the door caught me and slammed me into the garage wall and broke backwards. It drug me out the garage and I fell off. The van then proceeded down the driveway across the street. It damaged the neighbors yard, mail box, cable box and shrubs. It slowed on a berm and I was able to jump in and stop it. I moved it from reverse to park, turned off the engine and went to the emergency room with bruises and sprained wrists.

Pulled up to an intersection, put the van into park, got out to close the rear hatch. Got back into the van put it into drive and I heard a loud thunk and the van rolled into traffic. I hurried up and put it into reverse and thank god it worked. I was almost hit by another car moving at about 50 miles per hour. The shop that's rebuilding the transmission said that the (sungear) welds had broke and that they had repaired several Ford Windstars with the same problem of broken welds on the sungear. It seems that Ford has known about the problems with their transmissions, but have not offered any recalls for their defects of these bad welds on the sungears or the other defects in their transmissions.

I have a 1999 Ford Windstar minivan with just over 68k miles. I have just recently been told that my Windstar is in need of a new transmission. I have had it in and out of the shop over the last 3 months. I have spent close to $1000. 00 in repairs and now my transmission just drops. Why do I have to replace a transmission in a vehicle with less than 100k miles? I have heard from several people that this is common in this type of vehicle and I want to know what Ford is going to do about this. I am not happy!.

There have been no problems with the van since purchase, but then randomly while driving home from work the od light started flashing. The transmission seems fine, shifts a little roughly into first gear, but all other parts are fine. I have had the transmission serviced, and the light still flashes.

For the second time in 2 years I am replacing the transmission on the 1999 Windstar. Both times it just stopped working,, but was able to get car to safety. Now on second transmission overhaul at a cost of $1700 for he first time , and 1$400 the second. The mechanic said there was no reason for the failure.

1999 Ford Windstar transmission went up. Consumer states that the control arm fell off in March. Consumer again stated the transmission needs to be replaced again.

Complained to Ford about transmission while vehicle was under warranty. I was told there wasn't anything wrong with transmission. On Sunday 06/11/06, while exiting parkway the transmission went on the vehicle. The vehicle was purchased with only 17,000 miles on it in 7/01,vehicle now has 65,000 miles. Warranty expired last March, Ford refuses to help with the cost of repair for transmission.

While driving on the hwy (60 mph), the od light started flashing and message board showed check message. I pushed info button, and txt. Message disappeared. I pulled over to first lane and observed a lot of smoke in the rear mirror. I stopped the car and observed fire underneath the car. Fire continued for app. 4 mins. And extinguished slowly. Car was towed to dealer, which has stated that transmission has been overheated and has to be replaced. I have checked some other customer complaints and it looks like Ford has a common problem with Windstars. Luckily me and my two children came through this incident unscathed but it can be a very serious situation. Have been told that I will have to pay for a new transmission. No help from dealer and according to other customer complaints it seem like Ford also is very reluctant to look into such problems.

While driving on an interstate highway, the transmission in my wife's 1999 Ford Windstar se broke without warning, causing the vehicle to decelerate in morning rush hour traffic. The vehicle is currently being evaluated for repair cost.

While driving 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. The vehicle was towed to a body shop for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the transmission needed to be replaced. Please provide further details.

Transmission on our 1999 Ford Windstar had to be replaced costs us 2500. 00. Car has only 56,000 miles on it.

The poorly manufactured aluminum pistons in the transmission fractured and destroyed other components in the transmission at 99,000 miles.

Consumer was at a red light of a major intersection, heard a very loud explosion sound, and the car wouldn't move. Transmission literally exploded for no reason and no warning. Danger because of our location causing traffic problems. Car only has 55000 miles on it. We had the trans rebuilt - steel part exploded. Costing consumer $2400. Ford is not willing to help or acknowledge safety problems when a car just dies - could cause major accidents and injury, especially when you don't know when it's going to stop or die next on you. Afraid to drive it now with my family. Second time in 4 months this car has caused problems on a major interstate and intersection.

While slowing down to 25 mph the vehicle stopped going forward. Vehicle was able to go backwards, but not forward. Vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who determined that a new transmission was needed.

While sitting in traffic the driver applied the accelerate pedal the vehicle rolled backwards then stalled. The driver tried to restart the vehicle, but failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver a sun gear inside of the transmission needed replacing. Please fill in additional information.

While driving consumer heard a loud "popping" sound. When putting the vehicle in drive it went into reverse.

One day everything worked fine in the car, next day,the car won't shift properly in all gears and shudders while at a stop. Two different repair places have told me it is definitly a failed transmission. I'm currently at 49k miles on the car. . . Way too early for this to happen. According to all the posts at cartrackers. Com, lots of others have also had the same problem with Ford winstars.

Vehicle was parked in the driveway and without warning vehicle popped out of park into reverse. No one was hurt, dealer had been notified.

Transmission in '99 Ford Windstar failed after 85,000 miles.

My wife was proceeding from a stop,pressed gas and heard a pop or banging sound. Car would not move in forward gears,only in reverse. Towed to dealer. Haven't heard from them yet. But by my reserch into this it appears to be a common problem. Vehicle has 39,000 miles,never abused. Ford should do something about this before someone is seriously hurt.

Problems with vehicle's transmission and rack and pinion. The rack and pinion type gear had to be replaced at 71,900 miles. One month later while at a traffic light, the consumer stepped on the accelerator and the vehicle did not move, the vehicle was towed to a near by mechanic shop where the transmission was replaced.

Vehicle transmission went bad at 42,000 miles, Ford Windstar- manufacture would not assist in repairs, caused family to be stranded in remote area. Had to have a new transmission installed. Have had numerous other problems with the Windstar.

Car went "clunk" then wouldn't engage transmission while I was in the middle of heavy traffic. Had van towed to dealer; transmission replaced -- had to extract a broken bolt from the exhaust manifold.

I pulled out of a restaurant parking lot into a roadway median so I could merge into traffic. We felt a jolt and heard a loud "thunk" sort of sound. The engine revved up high suddenly, but we weren't moving much. I let off the gas. The van rolled for a bit, but once we stopped it wouldn't go any more. No gears at all. Dealer advised we need a new transmission. Warrenty just expired. Only 43,000 miles. I called Ford and their response was along the lines of "yeah, that's a real shame. ".

We just had to replace the transmission in our 1999 Ford Windstar. It has 107,000 miles on the odometer. When we had 63,000 miles, we had to replace the power steering rack. This is a very expensive vehicle to own - especially with the expensive repairs that it requires.

Y.

Transaxles failed only 2 miles after being serviced by dealer, phil long Ford invoice #focs570297. Service concluded "power-flush", item h. Parts invoice lists 14 "units of trans fluid @ $3. 28 per unit. The manufacturer's owner manual lists maximum dry capacity as 12. 25 quarts. The owner's manual also says ". . . While overfilling can cause foaming and loss of fluid. Either condition will cause transaxle damage. ".

Automatic transmission gears were reduced to metal dust. Dt.

1999 Ford Windstar, transmission experienced a complete failure. 78,000 miles, no warning given. Dealer quoted $2500. 00 for rebuilt tranny. As I understand, this vehicle has been plaqued with drivetrain problems. I would like to see Ford be forced to repair/replace/reimburse owners for repairs that should have never been necessary.

On numerous occasions, both rear doors have failed to open. One time one of the rear doors spontaneously as I was driving down the highway, and had a child in the back seat. Problems have been fixed each time by dealer under the warranty but problems reappear every time.

Automatic tranmission failure at 29,131 miles.

When making a left turn vehicle stalls. It is hard for consumer to keep control vehicle. Dealer notified.

The transmission on our 1999 Windstar has failed prematurely. I have done some research and have found out that this is a common problem with this model vehicle. I am seeking reimbursement for the repairs from Ford motor company. I would appreciate any information you can give me regarding complaints filed by other Ford customers who have had the same problem. Thank you.

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