60 problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 1999 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Total failure of transmission occurred at 35 months/48,000 miles - Ford's response "tough luck"!.
I was stopped at a toll booth and began to accelerate when a loud grinding/clanking sound was heard from the front of the vehicle. I then had no forward gears, however reverse still worked. I was towed to the Ford dealer who informed me that there was "major internal transmission damage". This should not happen on a vehicle less than 3 years old and 44,000 miles. Cost of repairs >$2900.
There is a "skip" in the transmission that is a hard thud when it happens. I took it to the dealer, after several days and over 100 miles they "found" the problem and fixed it. It started to do it again about 6 months later. I just recently took it in for the console lights flickering when accelerating and told them again about the "thumping". They charged me for the diagnoses of there's nothing wrong, it's the a/c compressor that runs all the time. Also the brakes squeak horribly when you first start out with it for the day. They said the brakes rust and there wasn't anything they could do about it, that's just the way it goes. The date I'm using is an estimated date of when things first occurred.
No warning prior to forward sun gear failure , gear had sheared off at welds cleanly.
Vehicle stopped for a light, and when attempting to take off, vehicle would not move. Consumers foot was pressed on gas pedal, and vehicle just made a noise and would not go. Consumer adds even though recall 00b51 was performed on vehicle, the tranny, which is possibly related to the recall, failed.
Transmission forward drum broke, had to be replaced.
I have contacted Ford to see if I could get some help and they have been giving me the run around. No safety defect mentioned within summary.
I backed out of my driveway, put van in drive, reached about 25mph, van just locked up(tires did not roll). . . Threw me forward. I put the van in reverse, then back in drive, but it still wouldn't move forward. Backed back into driveway and contacted Ford dealer. Am now told "the transmission is broke". On a car only 2 years old. Ford motor company should make this wrong, right!.
My transmission is going out at 52,000 miles, and since I don't have an extended warranty, I'm stuck with the bill. This is unacceptable that a transmission on a new vehicle is defective!.
We have owned our 99' Windstar since the day it was new, and at first loved it. But there seems to be a major problem with the transmission and as I have found out with Ford employed investigators the 99' was a bad year for many areas to include the transmission. Our transmission goes into default limp-home mode(overdrive flashes on and off continuously rpm's increase and shifts hard). At 5 miles after starting up and getting under way. The dealer told me the best repair to the problem was to "drive the van till the trans dies" as this was an easier fix than the bad computer module. Supposedly cheaper as well. I strongly urge everyone in the Windstar transmission predickament to spread the news as Ford should correct this known problem befor it kills someone.
When putting gear in reverse vehicle went forward. Consumer had to put gear back into park to reshift. Consumer stated that gears operated roughly.
Van was running in park and jumped from park to reverse. Pinned my leg to a tree, then threw me to the ground and then proceeded into my garage through the closed door. It then stopped.
Transmission shifts hard from 1st gear to 2nd gear. Transmission downsihfts hard to 1st gear at times. Problem has continued to get worse over time. At first just a little bump feeling but after about 40,000 miles got worse and now at 150,000 car is not drivable. Problem occurs almost all the time, 95% or more of the shifts. Transmission has been serviced with filter and fluid change every 30, 000 miles but the problem does not go away. Will try a neutral safety switch but may have to replace the transmission if that does not clear up the problem because it currently is not safe to drive.
Consumer had problem with transmission twice. Transmission wouldn't shift due to a cable being loose, and dealer replaced transmission twice. Also, dealership replaced a cable on the sliding door, and instrument panel performs erratically.
Vehicle experiences sudden acceleration on its own up to 15-20 mph. The accelerator pedal does not have to be applied. On occasion transmission appears to be between gears. .
Vehicle was in park when transmission jumped gears, going forward on its own. The dealer replaced transmission . Manufacturer notified.
Van was returned to dealer to fix a minor problem with the transmission. When slowing down and then accelerating, the transmission would jump and jerk into gear. Ford elected to replace the transmission. Then the technician discovered the steering problems and replaced the rack and pinion. Then discovered the lower steering assembly was defective. Therefore, they have had my new van in the shop for 3 weeks.
1999 Ford Windstar van. Consumer states problem with front end shudders on acceleration, sometimes doesn't move at all when gas is pressed the consumer stated she took the vehicle to the dealer for a recall and shortly thereafter, problems developed. Four days later, the dealer informed the consumer the vehicle needed a new transmission.
Transmission often does not smoothly shift into gear. The overdrive on/off light will flash on and off for 30-40 seconds intermittently. The transmission will seem to have trouble shifting gears and will hesitate or roughly jerk into a gear. We have taken it in to be repaired several times and had it repaired under a transmission recall as well but it still is having problems.
After coming to a complete stop hit gas pedal to pull off and vehicle would not accelarate. Also, transmission had blown. Had transmission replaced 3 times; however, problem still occurred. . Contacted dealer.
Automatic transmission will shutter when speeds reach 35-50 mph. Dealership has made 3 to 4 attempts to rectify failure, but problem still exists.
While driving the consumer heard a popping sound. When depressing the gas pedal, the vehicle would not travel forward and when the vehicle was shifted into reverse the vehicle moved backwards. The mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced.
Start vehicle put into drive, vehicle will suddently lunge forward (a sudden thrust) without touching the gas pedal. This happens atleast 95 per-cent of the time when vehicle is started. Vehicle has been taken to ashley Ford, 395 mt pleasant street, new bedford, MA, 508-996-5611on more than one occassion, this last time 04/16/02 they stated that it was the transmission, and they ordered a new transmission, which is to be installed. On 04/15/02 auto was in my garage started it up put it into gear and it lunged forward almost striking my wife who was walking into the garage from the side, I park my auto facing the street, as I back it into the garage. I believe this is a serious problem have complain to ashley Ford several times about this matter. I feel that it may be something else other than the transmission. (tiresize: p215/70rx-).
Van was purchased less than 2 years ago, has been in and out for repairs at least 5 times, the first being within 3 weeks after it was purchased. I am a female so do not know the exact nature of the problems, but believe they were all related to the transmission, which has already been replaced. We continue to experience the same problem each time it needs repairs. Hard jerking when you slow down to stop and when you accelerate to go after being stopped, will go dead at times when you are idiling. We just had the alternator replaced a week ago and we out of state when the problem resurfaced 3/15.
While slowing down and then accelerating, transmission jumps and jerks into gear.