Transmission will fail to engage after making a stop. On the first incident, dealership could not determine that there was a cause because no computer code came up when examining vehicle, and there was not a transmission specialist available. A second dealership/mechanic observed the defect, but could not determine cause due to no computer code showing on vehicle. A separate mechanic advised consumer that defect could be a result from a piston within transmission cracking. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
1996 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 5 of 12: complaints 101 to 130 of 322, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Speedometer needle floats, cruise control doesn't work. Continues.
I have a 1996 windstar and the speedometer is unable to indicate speed of vehicle. The speedometer just jumps around. It use to just jump around at round 40-50 MPH but it has completed failed now. It jumps around and make a clicking sound all the time.
I have researched this on the internet and it is a problem that has affected many windstar owners. Ford has even issued a tsb - 99-7-9 re speedometer needle wavers and sticks. That's the problem I have. It costs over $500 to fix - so many people are opting not to fix it. Also, those that repair have the same problem occur over and over again. You shopuld make ford recall on this issue.
When driving over 45 MPH speedometer is not reading the actual speed driven which prevents consumer from knowing actual speed traveling. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.
Automatic transmission has been rebuilt due to the transmission not shifting into gear. After the transmission has been rebuilt consumer noted that overdrive light was illuminating on dash. Due to overdrive light being illminated on dash transmission could wear out again.
Speedometer display is erradic. At approx. 30 MPH, the speedometer can register up to 65 MPH. At 65 MPH, the gauge needle is on the peg at the extreme speed. This is not isloated, I know of 2 other vans, same year, that have this problem, one belongs to a salesman at the ford dealer. Dealer says the computer unit needs replacing, minimum of $600. No ford recall has been issued. No one seems willing to help.
The speedometer had to be replaced (not covered under extended warranty) because it was jumping all over the place. Secondly, the door ajar light and audible bell indicate a door is open, when in fact, all of them are tightly closed; this happens intermittently, seems to happen more in inclement (cold and/or wet) weather.
At speeds of 30 MPH and higher speedometer does not register. Dealer found speedometer head needs to be replaced.
When driving consumer noticed speedometer is bouncuing back and forth, and is making a noise. Speedometer is not providing the actual speed driven. Consumer has contacted dealer.*ak
Vehicle has had two separate transmission overhauls. Vehicle has been to dealer five seperate times for engine problem. Manufacturer has been contacted but does not seem to be concerened with my issues or problems.
While driving transmission won't shift gears, and sometimes will stay in neutral where transmission will lose power while not shifting. A cause could not be found.
While driving could not determine what is speed that vehicle is traveling. Also, sometimes could feel that vehicle was going fast, but speedometer would not show what was current speed.
Speedometer operates erratically. When traveling at speeds of 40 MPH or above, bar indicating speed jumps around. *ak
Speedometer fluctuates at speeds above 40mph. This makes it hard to tell how fast your going.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Bought this van used. On second day of ownership this started. Speedometer is erratic after 35 MPH. Have read hundreds of complaints on this problem online. I beleive there should be a recall on this as this can be a safety problem. How can you tell how fast you are going?
At 40 MPH and higher speedometer jumps . Dealer will be notified.
The day I bought this 96 ford winstar minivan, I had tested 2-3 others. They each had the bouncing speedometer problem - once you went past 50 MPH, it would bounce from 50-70 or 60-90 or whatever. Also, after a certain speed it didn't work at all - at one point my speedometer said I was going 110 MPH and people were passing me left and right. Anyway, when I test drove the windstar I bought, it was the first one that didn't have a bouncing speedometer. My friends and I all commented on it at the time. But that evening, as I drove back to my friend's house (I bought the van in their city, not mine), the speedometer began bouncing. It was saturday and the dealership was closed, so I called monday morning. They kept repeating that it was "as is" and there was nothing they would do about it. After I brought the car home and started asking around, I found out the bouncing speedometer was a common windstar problem. So I brought it to the closest dealer, about 1-1/4 hours away, and they also agreed it was a common problem but had not been recalled. It cost me $350 to fix it! I was thoroughly disgusted and e-mailed a complaint form to ford but to no avail. I guess I'm just stuck paying the money.
Speedometer becomes erratic when speed over 45 MPH, accompanied by buzzing sound from instrument cluster. Needle jumps up 15-20 MPH making it very difficult to judge speed.
Speedometer is unreliable when drivng at speeds of 45mph or over due to a defective cable.. *ak the service station reports indicated that there were 15 repairs done on these models in one year period.
The speedometer "jumps" above 45 MPH. The needle bounces around and we have no idea how fast we are going. This is a safety hazard that has effected thousands of ford owners. Ford needs to recall the speedometers.
Head gasket failure; was told car engine was not under warranty and total repair cost was over $3,500. Asked to speak with district rep but told I could not. Told this person would contact me speedometer "bounces" at speeds over 40mph, making it useless for determining actual speed.
Speedometer reads up to 45mph, then jumps erratically above that level. It is impossible to read speed between 45 and top speed. This is a common problem in 1996 windstars and constitutes a safety defect!
When vehicle reaches 30 MPH speedometer would commence to bounce back and forth, and a grinding sound from the odmeter area. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that the part was out of warranty, and not cover under a recall. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Speedometer is erratic after 30 MPH, therefore, consumer cannot indicate correct speed. No satisfaction from manufacturer. *ak
When driving speedometer was waving back from 20 to 90 MPH. Consumer contacted dealer, dealer noticed transmission pan had metal in it which caused transmission to be replaced. Also, noticed a fume odor in passenger compartment, and contacted the dealer. Dealer noticed that coolant and timing cover were leaking fluid onto head gasket. Please provide any further details.
Speedo head jumps. When driving vechicle, the speedometer needle will start waving. You can't tell how fast your traveling. Service center stated this is real common on 1996 windstar. Windshield wiper motor froze. Can't clean rear window.
Speedometer malfuctioned. Needle kept bouncing back and forth. Dealer had replaced speedometer at 65,000 miles, and problem reoccurred at 95,000 miles. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
While traveling speedometer started jumping around giving wrong reading. Dealer repaired speedometer, but problem returned. Please providr further information.
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