Automatic Transmission problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar

7/21/2011 bought van from private party. Recall completed in March of 2011 regarding back axle. On 7/13/2012 8pm, my 18yr old son, while driving home from lacrosse practice, nearly killed. Upon pulling out onto the main road, he lost all controls, no steering, no brakes and no power. He coasted and prayed it would stop. I arrived, we called aaa. Flatbed to my home driver could not believe his eyes. The engine had fallen out. 7/16/12 called Ford in mich and spoke to rep. To be towed 13 miles away to route 23 auto at our expense. Really? route23 wanted nothing to do with me (they did recall). Went back and forth then per rt23 "it will be a month until we can look at it" getting know where. 7/18-22 borrowed friend car for tournament. 8/1/12 called magarino Ford and with great concern had a flatbed that night. This tow truck driver could not believe it. Fluids raced out and double stabilized for engine sliding during transport. 8/2/12 magarino called 9am, pictures sent to Ford and awaiting reply. 8/5/12 t/c from m stating Ford refuses to buy back and sending a subframe. You mean a recalled one? magarino caught in middle I questioned whether he would put his children in this van. He softly replied, "no" what am I to do, out of work 2 years, single parent with no car to find work. 8/8/12 I questioned Ford why this van ever left rt 23 auto, according to researched paper a part was waiting on. You mean to tell me that upon this fixed axle nobody noticed the subframe was rotted from inside out causing the engine to fall out the next summer nearly killing my son! but they signed it was fine! really? now we have case # 1373091992 8/10/12 picked up van. Broke= a/c, r-window, heater engine, airbag, brake light on, runs hot steering= thumps makes noise (full fluid) skip gears, sways, barely can get up a hill. 11yr old scared to drive in it.

I was driving my mother-in law to a restaurant with my husband and 3 children. On the way there was a squealing sound from the rear of the vehicle and we assumed it could have been a low tire. We stopped added air and went on but the squealing continued. We went around a very winding curve at 25mph [way below the recommended] and the van was almost uncontrollable. As though someone covered the road with oil [by the way, it is 92 degrees and very sunny here]. My husband thought that maybe we had a busted shock. When we came home, my husband removed the rear, driver's side tire to find that the tire had been rubbing the fenderwell - alot [which explains the burning tire smell on our way home]. Upon inspecting the rear end of the van, the rear axle is almost in two!!! we never had any problems with the rear of the van before and actually just had tires put on 3 months ago and it was not noticed!!! I cannot drive this vehicle until it is fixed and don't know when that will happen because of the cost of this major repair. We could have all been killed if this would have happened on our way home, or on our way out-of-town tomorrow!! thank god we found the problem today!!! I find it very irresponsible that Ford has not recalled this - they have recalled seatbelts, airbags and gas pedals due to safety concerns - why not this? I am not the only Windstar owner this has happened too. There are others and their complaints I'm sure you have also received- they are posted on numerous sites on the internet. I would understand it not being recalled if I was the only one it happened to - but I'm not!!!.

Abs light, brake light, and traction control light come on at once.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to his residence. The dealer stated that there was no recall for the vehicle and repairs would only be made at the contact's expense. The transmission was the cause of the failure. Through online research, the contact found numerous reports from consumers who were experiencing the same failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 154,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. From time to time he was unable to shift gears out of park without some maneuvering. The dealer stated that there was a safety recall and that it was performed with the first owner. The current mileage was 129,500 and the failure mileage was 124,000. Updated 06/25/08 the dealer informed the consumer the problem he experienced was not due to the recall, and that his problem was originated from somewhere else. The consumer wished to withdraw his complaint. Updated 06/25/08.

On a recent road trip, I noticed the transmission jumping from high gear to low gear. I took it to a Ford dealer and was told the transmission needed replacement at a cost of over 1400. 00. I bought my Windstar new and it only has 32,000 miles on it. I have always owned Fords and was looking at a fusion for my next vehicle. However, I think I will see what chevy has to offer.

I was at a busy intersection when my 2001 Ford Windstar jerked a little and when I gave it the gas to go , it would not hardly move. It took a while to get it to move, very slowly. I had it towed to the transmission repair shop. He has checked it out and says the reverse gears were melted together.

I was getting ready to leave work, put my car in reverse and heard a loud bang. My car wouldn't move. The transmission just died. No warning in advance. The car is a 2001 Ford Windstar with 51,000 miles on it and cost my $ 3000 for a brand new transmission. Ford stated " no warranty" over 30,000 miles sorry. Should this be happening to a van that is only 4 years old and that cost me $27,000. The garage that installed my transmission stated that the parts melted together and we were lucky it didn't start on fire.

While on vacation this past week,my wife, kids (5), and myself, the transmission went out with warning nor were there any symptoms to indicate that our family vehicle would leave us stranded on our first family vacation. We purchased a 2001 Windstar sel from university Ford in durham, nc. We purchased the extended warranty for $1500, and just when the vehicle barely surpassed the 'expiration date', the transmission, just suddenly quit. My wife and son were exchanging sandals at the local beach shop, and when she returned to the van, and tried to move it, there was no gear at all. . . . . . . Just park and neutral, (the two 'no' gears). They walked 3 miles in 90 degree weather back to our 'place'. I have called the university Ford, and since my warranty was out by less than 2500 miles, I am stuck. The vehicle has less than 78,000 miles on it, and has been serviced from the very first day we have owned it. It was bought 'slightly used', only to be driven before by a top salesman/manager, before we purchased it. I have a fairly decent sized family and am middle class, not rich!! the transmission is supposed to be $1500-$3000 to replace, and I cant afford to replace and really dont feel responsible for a transmission that should have lasted, with normal driving, well into 100,000-150,000 miles. I have a pontiac bonneville that has almost 215,000 miles that has never given one seconds trouble out of the transmission. I have checked online and there are so many unfortunate people as myself, that this has happened to. I would like someone from your dept. To please check into the durability of the Windstars transmissions, as Ford, have told us (myself and other disgusted Windstar owners) there is no such thing as Ford making a design flaw in a transmission. Thank you for your valuable time in reading this, I am very appreciative. With kindest regards, I am johnnie wilkins.

While driving 55 mph transmission lost power. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Our 2001 Ford Windstar's transmission stopped working in the middle of a road. The warning light came on only moments before and said "check transmission". My concern is two fold. First, their was not adequate time to respond when the "check transmission" light appeared and the vehicle broke down. Luckily my wife was just pulling out of a parking lot onto a side street and was going at a low rate of speed. Secondly, the van has only 55,000 miles and the transmission malfunctioned. This is not the norm for a vehicle that is regularly maintained.

The vehicle jerked forward when the gear was shifted to drive. Please provide more information.

Towards the end of the month of July during a trip to maine my pump seal on my transmission blew and I had to get a new transmission installed in the van. The van was just over 3 yrs old and the mileage was just at 51,000 the mechanic at the repair shop said at this mileage this problem never should have happened, after phone calls to my dealership they said that their was nothing they could do because it was out of warranty. I feel that the van never should have needed a transmission at this time and that I should be reimbursed my $1800. 00.

When reversing vehicle stalled. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer this was normal.

Consumer stated arm rest on the passenger side of the vehicle is broken, cause unknown. Clunk noise in front end while turning or accelerating from a stop, can also be felt with vibration, passenger side dash area hanging. Both sliding door rubber stops missing, driverside sliding door stop replaced. Grinding noise in rear when applying brakes. When heat is on vent smells like something is burning. Wipers will not clear windshield, washer solvent sprays in one spot. Normal operation.

While driving, and upon upon coming to a stop on an incline car rolls backward very freely, when on steep incline car rolls backward as if it is in neutral. Contacted manufacturer.

Consumer had difficulty shifting from park to drive. Vehicle was taken to an independent transmission shop where the mechanic found excessive metal in the pan and on the magnet. Mechanic suggested removal of the transmission for inspection.

Vehicle was placed in reverse gear and car would not move in reverse. The consumer was told the transmission would cost 1800-2000 miles.