Noises During Shifting Problems of Ford Windstar

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving various speeds, an abnormal odor and noise were noticed from the passenger side wheel. The vehicle moved in reverse when the gear shifter was in the drive position. The failure occurred constantly and the anti-brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was serviced for NHTSA campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 356,078.

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The incident occurred just after 9:00 pm on Sunday evening (12/4/11) when I was backing this car to a road in the parking lot of princeton alliance church, plainsboro, new jersey. I turned on the engineer and put the shift gear on reverse and immediately heard big noises of grinding/snapping sounds. I could not control the car and felt that I hit a car behind me. I turned off the engine and realized that I did not hit the car behind me. A gentlemen in the same parking lot came to me and said from his experience this was a transmission failure. He and our family members pushed the car back to the parking position and relieved the traffic after a holiday concert. I am scared to think if this incident happened on a highway. I also felt lucky that this happed in a parking lot.

Transmission failure. Driving in reverse out of my driveway. . No warning lights or noise. . . Transmission stopped. Car will now not move. Cannot shift into drive or reverse. . . Huge expense that we do not have the money for. . Very unhappy with this Ford Mini-van.

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The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle is very hard to shift. He hears a loud banging noise when shifting and the vehicle also looses power. The failure is more pronounced on an incline. Ford motor company has not been contacted nor has the dealer. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were approximately 130,000.

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1999 Ford Windstar sustained major transmission failure without any prior symptoms. Vehicle was parked in driveway and shifted into drive, a loud noise was heard followed by severe grinding. Transmission was found to be filled with metal and required overhaul. Vehicle had just over 75000 miles and has never been used for towing. Repair costs were over 2000 dollars.

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Stopped the vehicle to make a left turn, when I pressed the accelerator the vehicle did not move then jumped into gear violently. I managed to get teh vehicle into a parking lot where a loud grinding noise could be heard with the engine running and gearshift in park. I moved the gear selector into different gears and car would not move. The car had a history of noise when shifting from park into any gear, especially when parked on a incline. The transmission also downshifted harshly when decelerating to coast through a turn. Both issues were reported to the dan wachtel Ford in athens, al that services the vehicle. The transmission was flushed and had the filter changed twice, the secon only 8000 miles before this incident. Dealer reports that the car needs a new transmission with only 58,000 miles on the car. I purchased an 5 year/70,000 extended warranty when we bought the car, but of course the warranty has expired and I am looking at a $2800 repair bill. I looked at the Ford service bulletins and other complaints through this site and there seems to be a history of the same type of occurrences with the Windstar and the transmission. Seeking assistance from dealer and Ford since vehicle has been maintained, has low mileage considering it is 6 years old and has a history of such events.

Transmission failed while shifting from park to drive. A loud squeaking noise wa coming from the front. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced.

While starting the vehicle and shifting from park to drive consumer heard a loud noise coming from underneath of the vehicle. Then, vehicle won't move. An independent repair shop repaired the transmission.

I purchased a 2001 Ford Windstar in October 2001. I have had to have the transmission rebuilt in December 2003. I only have 46,640 miles on this vehicle. It has cost me $2158 to have this repaired. The transmission should not have been giving me problems with this few of miles on it. The transmission starting changing really hard and starting making loud clunking noises when shifting. It began to start slipping into neutral while driving down the road. The dealership has not helped me at all and Ford motor company has been informed of my problem. The state attorney general has also been notified. I think Ford motor should have a recall and pay for the repairs for these vehicles that have failed for those of us who trusted these to be reliable family vehicles. . Read more...

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While driving 65 mph with cruise control on vehicle sped up. While getting ready to exit off the highway vehicle stayed under cruise control module. As consumer attempted to slow down, vehicle was moving 65 mph without any control from consumer. In order to make vehicle stop consumer had to press brake pedal with both feet, and shift vehicle into neutral. Eventually, vehicle was able to slow down, and consumer turned vehicle off, dealer replaced 2 lock tabs because one had slipped on the cruise causing it to stay on. Trip speedometer was replaced, it would not go past 799 miles. At 30 mph and over, the over drive light will flash. Left front wheel cover was replaced due to it making ticking noises at lower speeds. Sliding door squeaked, dealer lubed the sliding door. Front rotors replaced and rear drums turned, a clicking noise was heard.

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My wife was coming off the freeway off-ramp and realized she had no brakes. The peddle had no give so she stood on the peddle and it slowed her down enough to make the turn and pull into a parking lot across the street. She then called to get the van towed to the shop. She was very lucky that she didn't have to make any sudden stop on the freeway because she wouldn't have had any brakes. She was also very lucky that there wasn't anyone in front of her on the off-ramp. It was the power booster that failed and then it took several weeks for them to get the parts as it was on a national back order, which lead me to believe alot more people were having the same problem. There was no warning the brakes were going out at all. The transmission has been making a loud clunking noise since about a month after we bought it and doesn't seem to shift right. We had it checked out in the shop at the time it was in for the brakes and the replaced a bracket. The van still does not seem to shift right at this time.

When we first took our Windstar in the front end was making a growling & grinding noise, and the transmission was shifting hard and jumping. The dealership checked the transmission out they said everything appeared to be normal, but they check the transmission fluid and it had "metal" in it. They also tols us that the front left & right tie rods needed to be replaced because they "had a defect" . The dealership has replaced the transmission in my van 2 times now, it still does not shift like it should but they "can't get it to duplicate" and now they want to "flush" my power steering fluid they say the power steering fluid has broken down. When I questioned them about this thay tell me this is normal. I have checked with several independant mechanics and they tell me that my power steering pump is going bad, or the rack & pinion is going out. There has to be something causing this. This van is not 2 years old yet and there are to many problems with this vehicle.

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Transmission is shifting hard and rough, it makes a slamming noise while going into each gear.

While backing out vehicle, it felt like it was pulling. Also, it would make a lot of horrible noises prior to transmission breaking down. It cannot be shifted into gear or able to move.

Transmission problem - problem noticed immediately after purchase date - problem with slow shifts noticeable at 20 and 40 mph. Grinding noise prevelant at these stages. Dealership said was normal. Around 25000 transmission began to experience "quick" shifts from acceleration, popping noise from one gear to next as transmission tries to determine appropriate gear for 5-10mph. Grinding at 20 and 40mph steadily becoming worse. Again dealership indicates normal. At 27mph transmission is beginning to jump into reverse. Shifting of gears - bang bang bang. Much worse. Many trips to dealership yeild same response. "new engine, no problems, or yes the engineers hear what you hear but no problem" I am afraid that with 2 children and my wife that transmission will quit putting them in an unsafe predicament. Notice that there are other complaints that outline the same or similar problem. Ford unwilling to recognize.

Tried to shift gears. Hard to shift into park properly. Makes loud noises when shifting. Also, brakes make loud noises when applied.

While driving 55-60 mph consumer heard noise, vehicle shifted into lower speed. Vehicle would not go over 30-35 mph. Possible cause defective transmission.

When shifting gears vehicle makes a loud noise. Also, the driver's side window doesn't work properly, and there is a problem with the slider, it won't work.

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There were problems with the transmission and brake equipment on 2003 Ford Windstar. The transmission downshifted at a low speed, the vehicle locked up while pulling out of a parking space, loud grinding noises, and the brake pads jumped.

Unknown exact problem at this time grinding noise after the engine has been started and nothing else has been touched. Sounds either like gears are shifting like a stick shift car in the wrong gear or like you trying to start the car after it has been started.

Transmission makes a loud clunking noise when shifting from part to reverse.

When driving vehicle fails to shift into gears which has caused problems when accelerating. Also, when brakes are applied a noise occurs in front end of vehicle cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Upon starting driver shifted the gear on the steering column but no movement of the van occurred. Also, transmission will make a clunking noise associated with the problem.