Ford windstar 1995-transmission had complete failure. Hit gas and was unable to go in any gear. Transmission repair facility said failure was caused by aluminum piston, replaced with steel. Also facility reported ford suggests overfilling transmission with fluid so sufficient fluid is available when turning corners. Total cost of repair was over $2000.
1995 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 2 of 30: complaints 11 to 40 of 875, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmission was overhauled by a ford dealer in 1997 with a $400 deductible. Transmission failed again in 2002 and was rebuilt. The van is currently in the shop again for more transmission work at the cost of $1995. The transmission failed again while driving. This created a hazardous condition for my children and I. The cost of repairs this time will exceed $2000 at an independent transmission shop. Ford is aware of this problem and has issued a tcp previously. I push for a recall and for ford to offset the cost of several transmission overhauls.
The automatic transmission on the vehicle needs to be rebuilt/replaced. At 80,000 miles. I do not tow with the vehicle nor did I abuse it. I am the original owner. Transmission repair shop found bits of metal in fluid.
Dt: the contact owned a 1995 ford windstar. The contact purchased the vehicle on june 3, 2005 and the odometer read 59,000 miles. Contact ran a car fax report, and in the year 2000 the report was showing 100,300 miles on the vehicle. Also, the vehicle was not drivable because the transmission, head gasket, and fuel injection broke. She spoke with the dealership, and stated when they sold the van for someone else they would try to get contact money back.
Defective 1995 ford windstar with recurrent mechanical malfunction. *bf the transmission was replaced soon after the vehicle was purchased. The consumer experienced an engine knock for the 3rd time which was due to a mechanical malfunction.
Car engine was skipping while driving down the road at mid speeds, auto shop said it was either the torque converter starting to go bad or the transmission had a short in the overdrive switch. Next night after driving approx 30 miles, parked car in driveway, 20 minutes later, whole front end of car was engulfed in flames. Car was totaled by insurance company.
Engine has been sputtering, flashing overdrive light keeps coming on. Rear passenger front and rear windows won't open, radio console started to get real hot and then went out. Engine continues to sputter as though its skipping a gear, and overdrive light constantly blinking.
I asked the seller at ford to completely service the van before I would buy it. He said his mechanic would. I checked the van out two weeks later, low on oil, no brake fluid, trans fluid very low, no water hardly at all in receiver, then the starter went out, replaced it no good, replaced switch, no good, brakes gone out, can't keep fluid in systems, engine light came on, emission problems, mechanic stalls for the hour amount, and still can't fix/test ii code. Inside lights dim when extra. Lights come on. It's a [xxx] piece of junk and they sold us a lemon. I paid over $4,000.00 cash for it, and all they wanted to so was sell it for money. What can I do? It has 72,000 etc mile and now has 82,000. We are both disabled with two kids. We have been screwed. I can get the ford info on the ford windstar 95 3.8 it rattles, water runs out of the exhaust pipe and the converter. I want to sue them, I called them and they said the hell with you, you bought it as it was. Ford products are the worst auto's on the market. We want revenge and all our money back now. [xxx]. What is next a head gasket? I heard that cost over $1,600.00 to fix. And there are alot of them going out. Ford needs to stand behind it's products or get out of the business. I have had my kids tossed to the dash when I step on the brakes before we even get out of our drive way. We wear seatbelts, I wouldn't dare ride in it. It is a death trap to me.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Problems with head gaskets, transmission, and faulty brakes on 1995 ford windstar.*mr
My 1995 ford windstar died out one day while parking at a store. It started up again and I ignored it. A month later it made a strange noise so I had it looked at. I was told a piston went out in my engine and I needed a new engine. I replaced it and now it costantlly dies out. I had replaced many parts such as the idle air control motor, idle speed control sensor,mass air flow sensor, and now I am in the process of replacing the powertrain computer module.
While driving consumer noticed a greasy substance on the rear windshield and smelt smoke. Consumer pulled off the road to check the smell, but didn't find any problem. Then, consumer pulled back onto the road, drove for a few seconds, before pulling into a gas station. Consumer was alerted by the gas station attendant that vehicle was on fire. A fire extinguisher was used to put out the fire. Vehicle was towed to a dealership, who indicated the fire occurred because of transmission seal failure.
I have owned my van since january 2000. Shortly after purchasing, my van had a blown head gasket, which was fixed under the ford recall. Still within the recall, a head gasket blew again. Ford told me the recall only allows for a one time repair. Since then, my van is on its third engine and third transmission. Most recently we have had to replace the main computer as well. We have spent more money fixing the van than what we paid for it.
Consumer wanted to know if there are any pending class action suits against ford motor company regarding engine and transmission problems with 1995 ford windstar. *la *sc
Had to have heads replaced, electronic brain, and the transmission failed all within 1 1/2 years from date of purchase.
While driving at any speed transmission failed to change gears smoothly as normal. Gears would slip and perform erratically. A technician was unable to duplicate the problem.
1995 ford windstar transmission "lurches" into 1st gear when in park. Extremely dangerous!!. Almost ran into someone in a parking lot, trying to turn into a space and it lurched forward missing them. Scared to death. *ak I went directly home and while at a stop sign it lurched again, however I was far enough away not to run into the back end of the vehicle in front of me. Getting this fixed at a ford dealership. They knew exactly what was wrong and qouted me a price quickly, after saying they do these all the time..... Maybe ford should be replacing this.....and reimbursing us...... Before someone dies!!!
Heater core failure that LED to immediate cylinder head cracking that LED to coolant entering engine oil system and total engine failure. Transmission failure of original and replacement transmission. Told by auto parts store employee about the cylinder head recall as his sister owned same 1995 windstar 3.8l, ford had a vendor answering calls. Representative stated that ford had mailed recall information to the wrong address, that is why I never recieved it. Rep unable to explain how ford mailed hood recall info to correct address, but not the cylinder head recall info. Rep refused to address issue further. I would love to taker part in any cylinder head or transmission class action proceeding.
On 6/13/2003, at 57049 miles, our 1995 windstar overheated and seemed to be losing coolant so we took it to zimmerman ford, st. Charles, il to be checked out. They reported no problem found and we paid $66.79 for a cooling system service and lube service. On october 4th,2003, the check engine light on our windstar went on. We took it to the same dealership to be checked. They charged $111 for sbds tests and told us we had head gasket failure and quoted $2100 to repair. We contacted five other dealerships in the chicago area who quoted between $900 and $1600 to do the job. Our van is currently with family ford of west chicago being fixed. We have been told to expect a bill of about $1300. Moving from zimmerman to family ford was not just a cost decision. Zimmerman refused point plank to help us get help from ford. Family ford have agreed to keep the faulty parts and help us in any way they can. We have contacted ford at several levels trying to persuade them that their 7 year / 100,000 extended warranty, plus the 6 year / 75,000 mile extended warranty that we purchased both imply that the head gasket should not have failed at 60,000 miles as ours did. We have also put forth the argument that the original extended warranty 5 year or 60,000 states or not whichever comes first so we feel we have a case to be covered under the terms of this warranty, given that we reported a possible problem at 57049 miles. Ford has said (several times by phone and e-mail)that they are unable to help as we are outside the terms of the extended warranty. They also say that they have very few complaints on this vehicle any more so they will not make an exception for me. I was told that they have made no exceptions outside the 7 year / 100,000 parameters. I feel that we have been penalized by ford because we have a low mileage on our vehicle and the poor engine construction on the 1995 windstar, in our case, still failed prematurely at 60,000.
Case 1 my family was coming home from vacation when the engine blew while we were on the highway. Smoke came up from under the hood and we were force to stop the van on a crowded highway. Thanks to a nearby truck driver who stopped behind us, we were able to call someone and get to safety. It took a lot of negotiation for me to get ford to take care of this matter, but they finally did. Now again on our recent trip to ga on 08-28-03 while driving home, our check engine light came on and overdrive light started blinking and the transmission blew. Transmission fluid leaked all out and on the back of our van too. It also started smoking underneath the hood and from the tailpipe. We were informed by freedom ford in norfolk va that we had transmission failure. Our check light has come on numerous occasions and despite their action it still keeps coming on. In addition, our overdrive lights blink, our cruise control do not work, the door adjar lights stays on at times even when the doors all locked and causing the inside interiors lights to stay on, our gears do not shift properly and gets stuck between gears and upon acceleration it sometimes hesitates, repaired coolant leak from timing cover gasket and front crankshaft seal, coil ignition, the air condition when on makes these strange noises, etc. Replaced. We are very dissatisfied with ford windstars and have spent more money on repairs than what it was worth. We even still owe on the van. Ford needs to issue a recalll or a refund. This is not a safe vehicle to drive. Please keep me informed. Thanks and god bless.
Ford windstar 95 shift lever prdnl does not match gear. When in park car rolls have to find d or r by moving shift lever. Sometime have to put lever in to park twice or three times befor it catched and car starts. When the car rolls back and kills someone it will get fords attention. Also replaced head gasket engine and head gasket again. Tranny sensor, door ajar sensor. What a car mark hershkowitz
The transmission tore up in our van at the end of 2000 and has failed again. When it tore up the 1st time, we were covered under warranty, but since we only had 60 days left the company refused to put in a new and put in a rebuilt. Now we have to fix it again. We have been luckier than alot of customers that I've researched, but we are still getting a raw deal with our van and we are very unhappy! We are still in the process of arguing our message to the ford co. But can tell it will be a failure also. And our heat quit this past winter and now the air is out. When it rains it pours.
The engine problem was the infamous head gasket problem. Even though the engine was over the arbitrary 7 year limit, it was far below the 100,000 mile extended warranty limit. In my opinion, setting a time limit is discriminatory against anyone who drives fewer miles than average. The transmmission problem appeared suddenly. After waiting to turn left, I attempted to accelerate, but the vehicle behaved as though it were stuck in neutral. By the time I had a transmmission expert check the problem, it would no longer shift either into reverse or first gear.
My 2 main problems are my transmission & timing gear cover. The tranmission is very hazardous. Mine is slipping between 1st & 2nd gear. I have been reading on the internet that on some of the transmissions they have been slipping out of gear. I sure don't want to have that surprise. I'm disabled & need my van to haul my powerchair with me when I go to the doctors office. I wouldn't know what to do. I talked to a mechanic & he said if it goes it will leave me on the road. I think this van is very dangerous on the road. Ford know they were having head gasket & transmission trouble on the 1995 windstar why don't they take care of there problems. They know they had bad gaskets on the heads,timing chain covers,& transmissions but they still went with the cheaper gaskets that leak. I think the government should step in & make them pay for those repairs before more people get killed like that ford police car that jumped out of gear & ran over some people in southern mn. A few yrs. Ago. Whats it going to take? A few more thousand people to get killed before they figure that there transmissions are no good.
Brake work x2 transmission x2 all belts tire & suspension work lugs on wheels not properly replaced ,it almost fell off still paying on vehicle while it sits in ashley ford parking lot w/ dead transmission I am unable to pay close to $2000 for repairs
I have owned this van since 1999. Since I have owned it we have had nothing but problems with it. I have had the rotors turned, and replaced at least 3 times, and they need it again. I have had the head gasket replaced 3 times and one of them times was at 99,000 miles when it was under the warrenty. It had been replaced at least one time before that. My sliding door won't stay closed, even though I just spent $300 getting a new latched put on. My windows won't work. I had larson motors fix a head gasket and my electronic windows, cost me over $250 for the window, that only worked 2 times. I called, and since they put "may not be the problem" on the invoice, they think that clears them, and they wanted me to spend more money on another part. My speedometor has been replaced once and is broke again. The alternator has been replaced. I could go on and on. I am getting no where with anyone. I have spent around 5,000.00 in repairs, and can't trade the thing off, since I still owe too much on it, due to a tornado that hit our home, and what the insurance didn't cover, the balance was put on our car loan. We don't have the best credit do to having to spend anywhere from $100-300+ a month on repairs to this lemon car. I have a family and need to know that I have a reliable car to drive. I have been stranded with my 3 children a minimum of 4 times this past year.
Total transmission failure. This is the 4th transmission in the vehicle. The transmission that will be installed will be the 5th transmission. Ford has continued to insist that there is not an inherent problem with the tranmission in thes model although there have been 634 complaints/investigations lodged with the national traffic and safety board.
Transmission- shifting rough since 30,000 mi. 2 dealers tested over the years & said no problem (just adjusted shift points. Same complaint in july, 2003. Dealer checked, said no problem. 1 month later had independent shop rebuild transmission. Engine- head gaskets replaced at 15,000 mi & 35,00 mi. Same symptoms now at 103,000. Just past extended warranty
This vehicle has had more than it's share of problems. The head gasket was brought in for a recall and it still malfunctioned.
In june '99 took van in as per owner notification to have head gasket checked. Dealership found nothing. In nov '99 head gasket failed. Ford would not do anything. In dec '99 sent letter to tx state atty general consumer division with lists of complaints found on this web site. In feb '00, ford moved warranty up to 100,000 miles and got refund. In may '00 engine failed. In aug '00 ford replaced engine with another 3.8 l. In sept '00 transmission started failing (but noticed problem since day purchased. Dealership states problem in all windstars, tauruses, and sables. In feb '03, replaced transmission. In nov '03 head gasket fails again in new motor close to 60,000 miles on this motor. Ford will do nothing. Seek help through your state atty general consumers affairs office, send copy of letter to ford, your local bbb, detroit bbb, and consumer reports. Also, my engine cuts off when taking off after stopped with wheels turned sharply left or right.
After driving several hundred miles on the interstate, we was driving in town, made a stop at the store, when we left the store we stoped at the end of the driveway, where the transmission would not do anything.*ak after talking to several transmission shops, and taking vehicle to ford shop we found out that this is a common problem for the windstar van. ( transmission failure without warning ) had this have happend on the interstate ity could have caused a severe accident, or even a fatality...
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