While driving down the highway at approx 35mph, unde rdry condition and approaching a stop sign to make a complete stop, started to proceed and the vehicle leaped forward. Contact dealer and manufacturer.
1995 Ford Windstar acceleration complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 116, newest first, as owners wrote them.
We were leaving a parking lot when the a plume of vapor came out of the exhaust pipe. Fortunately we saw it before getting on the freeway. The day before, the engine had begun to idle roughly. Repairs cost about 2,000.
When driving at 40 MPH there was a loss of power, when applying the accelerator vehicle won't pick up speed.
While approaching a stop vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing the engine to rev up to 3000 RPM. The dealer is inspecting the vehicle.
When sitting at a stop light or just stopping, vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control.
After a month of rough idling and 47800 miles the "check engine" warning light came on. Brought to dealer to indicated that item was covered under service "notification".
After bringing the vehicle to a complete stop transmission seemed to shift into neutral because when I take my feet off the brake and pressed on the accelerator, engine just revved and the van did not move. Then suddenly the transmission engaged, and the van jumped forward dangerously and accelerated. This vehicle was bought from di blasi ford, 112-21 northern blvd., corona, ny 11368 (tel: 718‑898‑6100). Montclair-bloomfield motors is the dealer closest to me and has inspected the vehicle. Both dealer & the manufacturer claimed that this was an unusual problem, and that I had to pay $2,000 for the repair because I am past the 3 year standard warranty (although I am under 36,000 miles). Again ford claimed this was an unusual occurrence and not a defect. But if anyone should research the various internet sites, it would become apparent that windstar 1995-6 owners have been complaiming about this transmission problem for sometime. Owners had their transmission replaced as many as three times for vehicle with less than 60,000 miles. Also majority of these owners felt that ford was aware of this problem, but refused to advise the public, and was putting profits ahead of their customers life. After being subject to this life threatening situation, I felt compelled to report this miscarriage of justice, hoping it could save life and property. In closing, I beg your involvement to cure this problem for the sake for public safety. I have three kids 7,5 & 2 and practically all other windstar owners have little kids, so please help us save lives. Thank in anticipation for your help.
Premature failure of the head gasket caused the car to start lurching severely while driving up an extended grade on highway 101. The sudden lurching caused the driver to temporarily lose control on this already hazardous section of freeway. Upon investigation I have found that this problem is widespread with this particular engine. Ford is aware that this is a design/manufacturing defect, and because of this ford has issued an extended warranty to cover this specific problem. However, this warranty is only valid after a problem occurs. By then it is too late. Ford should be recalling these vehicles proactively and correcting the problem before the failure occurs. The service people at my dealer agreed with me, but wasn't willing to take a stand with the manufacturer on my behalf. I was amazed when this small town dealer told me that they had 5 other '95 windstars in the shop at this same time with the same failure. There are hundreds of websites with people having this same problem and unable to get any satisfaction from ford.
Cruise control malfuctioned, causing throttle to stick and sudden accleration. This could result in a crash. The plastic piece on end of servocable or cruise cable in the cruise control frayed, causing the throttle to get stuck. *ak
Consumer could start vehicle in the morning. But when starting to run vehicle won't accelerate more than 5 MPH for a few minutes. Then after that it will work normal again.
Speedometer replaced at my cost of about$400 for part and labor at dealer. At the same time we requested the transmission be checked because, after being warmed up, at stops the van would not go when gas was applied, then would lurch forward after a second or two. The "transmission guy" was out, and we were told there might be an internal transmission problem. Someone advised us to change the transmission fluid and filter, as this can sometimes do the trick in what appears to be a serious problem, we did. The problem got worse while we waited for the dealer's tranmission man to return. We sought a private transmission repairman. This very reputable repair company told us there were quite a few problems with this model van and transmissions and that it was a cracked aluminium front clutch piston. We were given a repair estimate of $1200 to $1400. We began investigating and found hundreds of similar complaints on the internet. We returned to our dealer, information in hand. At this time the van is at the dealer, being repaired because ford has agreed to pay half the cost of parts and labor to repair the transmission, and will waranty the repair for 1 year, 12000 miles. I am unable to send my VIN because the van isn't here.
I have spent $2,650.00 on this van.it is still a death trap. No safety defect listed in summary.
On 1/18/99, vehicle was serviced after check engine light stayed on. Engine had been idling and running rough--"lurching" as noted in service invoice. Vehicle had 59363 miles. Had vehicle serviced at nearest equipped service center--merit inc, a goodyear service center. They performed most of a 60,000 mi service. Check engine light returned to normal operation and engine operation improved, but still ran rougher than normal. We returned the vehicle to merit on 1/20, but they were unable to offer further insights on problem. Problem remained unchanged for the next few weeks, then got noticeably worse the weekend of 2/20. On 2/22 or 23, we called crossroads ford in raleigh, nc, describing the problem and recent history. The first available appointment they offered was later the following week, so an appointment was made for 3/5. On the evening of 2/26, the vehicle overheated at 61,054 miles. The car was stopped and engine turned off before the temperature gauge needle reached red. Vehicle was towed to crossroads ford the following monday. They attributed the problem to the head gasket defect noted in service program 98m01, and advised replacing the engine at an estimated cost of just over $3400. Dealer and ford refused to cover under the warranty described in the service program, even though the problem began within the 5-yr, 60,000 mi period covered.
Ford admits defect in gasket, but will only replace if under 60,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first. Since it is known defect and barley over 60,000, I would expect at the very least they would make good on a percentage of the repaires. I bought the car at gene evans ford, but it is currently at boomershine ford 770‑476‑2090 3230 satellite blvd. Duluth ga 30136. I first noticed a problem in late november- early december of '98 (poor idle / running a little hot). Took to boomershine when problem got worse (closer than gene evans). Car now idles rough and runs hot to cold (mostly hot).
Sudden acceleration while shifting into reverse.
There is an ongoing accerlation failure and reverse failure. When put into drive the vehicle doesnot always proceed forward, but acts as if it is in neutral. This occurs about 20% of the time. When put into reverse about 70% of the time it acts as if it is in neutral and will not reverse. 100% of the time the transmission clunks into gear if it will go into gear at all.
Friday, 12/4/98, my wife was driving to work through east baltimore to johns hopkins hospital, when she noticed poor power on acceleration and the heat gauge maxed-out. She had no choice but to drive the remaining 10 blocks to hopkins (since the area where she was driving is famous for shootings, rapes, and murders). I took off work to assess the problem and to give her a ride home.
While driving and coming to a stop and appying the gas pedal, the vehicle jerked and took off. The aluminum piston went bad, and the kennedy transmission it with a steel pistion, and the shifting wasn't acting properly.
When applying the gas pedal the car would not move in reverse or drive, then suddenly jumped forward or in reverse.
Vehicle accelerated then engine would rev fast & then take off. Vehicle bucks & then slams into gear. Problem intermittent. Also, acts as if in neutral before shifting into gear hard.
Cruise control system failed.
When vehicle is at stand still it will roll backwards, and when gas pedal is depressed vehicle races forward. Dealer noted problem was forward piston clutch.
While traveling the vehicle would not accelerate while applying gas pedal. Dealer has been contacted.
Blown engine head gasket.
Transmission would not engage, then suddenly it would jerk forward.
Consumer pulling out of garage started to accelerate unexpectedly third time. Happened again hit side door. Cannot open door. Dealer cannot find problem.
Criuse control stuck, causing automobile to accelerate to approx 85 MPH. No injuries, just upset consumer.
Transmission failed.
Acceleration failed.
Vehicle suddenly accelerated even with brakes being depressed. Problem had occurred when driving into garage & hit back wall & continued thru shrubbery. Air bag did not deploy. Took to dealer & told could not find problem.
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