Engine head gasket blew,causing white smoke to eminate from tailpipe and engine to overheat, resulting in destruction of engine. I had to replace both head gaskets, and had a remanufactured engine installed. My transmission and power steering rack also failed before this. What next?
1995 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 15 of 30: complaints 401 to 430 of 875, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The check engine light was coming on anytime I drove on an trip over 60 miles. After having it checked out and checked out, I could never get an answer about the problem. Found out later that it was due to the head gasket being bad and dumping engine coolant throug the exhaust which in turn destroyed the catatlytic converter and sensor. However the computer would never give the codes that this was the problem. While checking this problem out, I had it in a transmission shop that knew of ford's transmission problems, and stated that this windstar had all the signs of a leaking aluminum pump in the transmi. Cost was just under $1000. Still the problem was not fixed. A guy said to check the exhaust, so I had the exhaust checked and found the catalytic convertor had melted down. Had them replaced, still the problem was not fixed. My mechanic happened to be talking to the parts dept at a ford dealer and they mentioned the secret recall on the motor. So I checked on it and they said the mileage was too high (keep in mind that the van was doing this when I purchased it at 82,000). My mechanic pulled the head off and replaced the front head gasket where the #4 cylinder had blown the gasket. He replaced all fluids. Several hundred miles later the motors main bearings went out due to having had engine coolant mixed with it for so long (told to me by the springfield, il ford dealer where I was when the motor blew and by the springfield, mo ford dealer where I live). Ford refuses to fix the problem and I can give you addresses of hundreds of other people who are having this problem, and this is just a group of people on the web, how many thousands of people don't know anything about this problem? Ford claims to have sent out recalls, but I have never received one nor have any others that I have talked with except for one guy I work with. He bought his van used and received this recall. I have gotten a recall on my van hood so they know where I live. Thanks, db.
The head gasket blew and we received a recall notice that ford would cover up to 5 yrs. Or 60,000 miles, if they know they have a defective product, how can they put a cap on this. This has happened to many vans from 95 we were lucky we were not on the hi
While driving owner could hear a clicking noise coming from the cv joints. Dealer said inner cv joint assembly needed replacement.
Will it take a fatality before ford is made to recall this transmission? You say you do not need a specific number of complaints to force a manufacter recall . Why isnt something being done? Customer service reps at ford dont even understand, I was told by a customer service rep named nick that "ford must have its own reasons why they have not recalled the transmission" well of course money!! I have had several close calls in my van. It decides to not go into reverse or drive and will slip out of gear. I have to have another transmission installed at around 2grand. Why has nothing been done? This is a reoccuring problem! When someone is killed it will be to late!! Please investigate this problem. I wear my seatbelt, I dont drink and drive but im in danger everytime I drive this van. I just pray I dont kill myself or someone else. The amount of these vehicles on the road is staggering. Anyone one of them could have transmission failure at any time. So next time you see one keep your distance! One more question , would you let your family ride around in a death trap? I think not. Please make ford do what is right. They saved a few bucks by installing an aluminum piston, but they put a lot of lives in danger.
Transmission failed, burnt fluid, shuddering at highway speed, harsh engagement when starting out - required a transmission rebuild - ford contacted but provided no compensation
We have just experienced the same problems that many owners of 95 windstars complain about - blown head gaskets and transmission problems. We currently have our van in the shop and will be paying about $5,000 in repairs for both problems. Ford brushed us off since our car is over the 60,000 mile point.
We have replaced the transmission twice. The first time at 72,000 miles and then again at 94,000 miles. The brake pads, rotors, tie rods, rear whell cylinders, front drive axle have also been replaced. The pads 4 times and the rotors twice, ground down in between. Now the head gasket has blown and possible caused enough damage to warrant replacing the whole engine.
I have had numerous small problems with my windstar. Large problems begin with the transmission going out in august of 1998. November 2, 1999 while driving at a speed of 35 MPH my temperature guage read hot. I stopped immediately to allow the engine to cool down. When the guage showed within the normal range, I turned the car on and it shook and white billowing smoke rolled from the vehicle. I have also had problems with water being retained in the passenger side headlight, the doorlock motor, the driver window sticking and numerous additional small problems.
Head gasket failed. Nlm
While driving transmission would come out of gear and cause vehicle to stop operating until gear kicked back in. This condition could lead to a vehicle collision. Transmission was inspected and rebuilt by a independent repairs shop. *ak
While driving on highway about 30-40mph on vacation vehicle failed to shift into gear, ande was engulfed with smoke. Pulled over and had vehicle towed to a transmission shop. Contacted dealer, and had the transmission replaced but it was not under warranty.
Transmission failed. Mjs
Odometer failed. Mjs
We have had the same defects/repairs that most of the other windstar owners have had. Ford motor company will not assist in helping to pay for these repairs. We feel that ford motor company knows that these problems are because of their design flaws, but they are not standing behind their product. Our most expensive repair has been the engine which needed to be rebuilt. Per the ford dealers, and other sources, this is due to engine coolant leaking into the engines, and has been occurring approx. 10,000- 20,000 miles after the head gaskets have been replaced.
Sliding door rattle noise. Mjs
Virtually no first gear. At a complete stop it would hesitate until approximately 2.5 RPM and then take off. Transmission was replaced, but one week later engine head gasket blew.
No summary
Recall for engine head gasket, wiring, also had cracked wheel and transmission problems.
For the past week the vehicel randomly would hesitate during accelleration. Today the transmission would not go in reverse. Called the dealer , they said 36,000 miles was the warrenty limit. I asked if windstar's were having transmission problems. They claimed no. Called several shops and they said they had seen many ford winstar transmission failures and the repair cost could be between $700 to $3000. I checked your site and I see hundres of windsatr transmission failures. I want you to add me to your list and help me to get ford to take care of their poor design and manufacturing. Repairing my vehichle and all others in my situation at no cost is the only right thing to do. I will contact ford consumer affairs in the morning and see what they say.
Forward piston axod-e made of aluminum and fails replacement is now steel. This faul causes transmission to fail requiring complete overhaul or replacement
Vehicle is one of many 1995 windstars to blow a head gasket without owner neglect and have its transmission fail without owner neglect or overuse.
The automatic transmission on the vehicle needs to be rebuilt. At 80,000 miles. I do not tow with the vehicle nor did I abuse it. I am the original owner and the cars has been well maintained.
No summary
In the past four months, this vehicle has had the following repairs: 6/17/99: coolant leak, resulting in replacing head gasket and water pump, rear wheel brakes seized, scheduled tune-up.total cost $1688.21. Cost of tune-up was $272.92. 7/22/99: remove engine and install re-manufactured engine. Total cost $4,087.88. 8/23/99: oil leak. Main engine seal leaking: total cost: no charge. Prior to this we have had a temperature gauge malfunction, new starter motor, ABS brake malfunction, sliding door recall and rear courtesy light would not go off. Now the automatic transmision has failed.
Transmission replaced however continues to experience problems with surging. Mjs
In march 1999 the head gasket failed on my 1995 ford windstar.the failure occurred at 75000 miles which was beyond ford's extended warrenty for this defect by 15000 miles as well as being beyond the dec.1998 cutoff date.when we contacted ford's customer relations department we were told this was "normal wear and tear" so we had to eat the $1000 repair bill.in may 1999,on the way home from work after midnight the low oil pressure warning indicator came on.the upsot of this was a complete engine rebuild again at my expense;$2800.00.last monday,october 4,1999 on the way back to louisville,ky.from waymart,pa. In maryland the transaxle gave out 600 miles from home.repair bill for this,$1800.00.the safety issue in all of this?anytime you are stranded along the side of the interstate away from home after dark your safety is in jeapordy.
Oxygen sensor failed. Mjs
Internal transmission breakdown occurred caused by defective product and ford company refuses to accept responsiblity for repair.
I have found a plethera of information on the web about this defective foward clutch piston. It amazes me that ford has not recalled such an engineering failure! Please help. If you need me to send you the web site, please let me know.
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