Transmission replaced around 40000 miles due to its jumping, RPM's went up and down. Currently, happening again. *ak the consumer states the transmission had been replaced six times but the problem was not solved. As the result the consumer was very much concerned about safety.
1996 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 6 of 12: complaints 131 to 160 of 322, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My 3.8l windstar was checked at 60k at dealer.at 68k the speedometer is erratic. Noticed about 60 very similiar complaints by consumers at this site. Cant drive confidently/safely.
My 3.8l windstar was checked at 60k at dealer.at 68k check engine lamp stayed on. Dealer identified the problem as head gasket failure & informed engine has to be replaced.vehicle received back after repair (new engine) after paying heavy & now has speedometer problem
Ford has a history of head gasket failures on the 3.8 engine from 1995 on.also speedometer cable head has went out for the 2nd time!
Last year my speedometer began to make a whizzing sound and would jump eractically. So, I took it to ford and they stated that it might be a speed sensor or the actual gear behind the dash. I had the gear module changed in 99, twice, I went to a professional certified speedo mechanic. Then, close to the year, after the repair, this speedo began doing the same thing. When I took it to the ford service dept, they wanted to check everything from the cables, the sensor and even the drive gear. I went to my mechanic which has worked for ford, and all of these things were changed, and the drive gears were inspected and they were fine. So, I called another ford service tech, and he told me that yes, they had been having alot of incidents with these speedo's, and that the speedo would have to changed again. This has all cost me a fortune and to boot, they increased the part, knowing that it was a defective one. I called the ford company, and they stated they could not help since the warranty had expired on thisvehicle. This has gotten so out of hand, that I have had to go to the emergency rooms having chest pains and am taking sedatives.......I have also checked the internet and it is filled witht he same situations.... I am scared that a police officer will stop me, this is my only vehicle and do not work... Please help us..
Consumer took car into dealer's shop for a broken speedometer, and mechanic noticed a head gasket leak. Alerted consumer to some recalls on those vehicles, but they had a different year.
When coming to a stop and trying to accelerate it was like vehicle was in neutral, it would roll, but couldn't go anywhere. Then, it would jump into drive.
When driving consumer noticed speedometer needle was making a clicking sound. Also, needle raised above actual speed traveling. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced speedometer, problem has reoccurred. *ak two years later, the speedometer head had to be replaced again. The consumer states that a new vehicle that experience speedometer failure every 50000 miles should have a defect and is unsafe.
My windstar has had several problems which cannot be found or corrected by the dealer until now, they can see that the slipping transmission needs to be replaced. I am afraid to spend $2,500 on a repair as the other "undetectable" problems are quite scary and have made me question the safety of this vehicle for a long time. The biggest problem is that the brakes will occasionaly "grab" hold of the front right tire for a split second while I am driving!! It happens and lets go so fast that it has never caused a problem but I am worried one day it won't let go! The car also has some electrical failings that just make me feel this car is not worth fixing, my speedometer bounces all over the place, the door ajar bell rings on and on sometimes, and the passanger window doesn't always go up and down. I really feel I need a new car, but am quite sad about having a $24,000 vehicle that is only 4 years old and is only worth $5,500 for a trade in. I have heard there were so many transmission & head gasket problems with the 95's that ford gives a special rebate upon trade in for a new ford, can you help me???
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. *ak
Van had been in for diagnostic check and maintenance on 9/21. No problems found. With no warning, transmission began to slip. Was able to drive in 2nd gear to repair shop and home, but told needed new transmission @$3500. This is my primary transportation used for business and home. Still owe $10,000. Can't trade with bad transmission. Please help
Was at stop sign & started to move forward. Suddenly vehicle just stopped/stalled. Had vehicle towed to dealership & was informed by mechanic the problem was in the transmission & would need to replace it.
Consumer was traveling 20mph & heard a strange sound from rear wheel area. Consumer stopped & saw the wheel up against the wheel well. Underneath the metal bar (axle) was broken. Vehicle has been repaired,but consumer was looking for some type of reimburstment. Vehicle has not been damaged for this to happen.
In the past two weeks the transmission has slipped twice. When at a complete stop and accelerating the vehicle has to be put into park and then back into drive. This is very dangerous. There is only 56000 on vehicle. Battery light continually comes on this can be very nerve wracking when in heavy traffic. . Speedometer fluctuates and flops around after 40mph, sometime sticks at 50mph. Rear wipers work when they want. We have just returned from serving 8 years overseas, this is our only vehicle and from the research we have just been able to start this windstar is headaches with the same problems. I would like to be able to take my family to see relatives they have not seen in over 8 years but this vehicle is unsafe.
Speedometer became very erratic, jumped all around, had cable replaced but it is not completely working correctly still jumps slightly. Mechanic says we need to service the instrument cluster and ford would have to repair original cluster. I would take up to at least a week. He has had to service many. (neuberts tire and auto repair, tabernacle, nj 08088) I know the speedometer is not reading the correct speed.
Speedometer head failed two times. *
Since the transmission failure I have met others who had the exact same problem with the 96 windstar. This is not an isolated incident.. The failure of the windshield wipers is a safety problem.
Please,we are parents whit 3 kids,is very hard for us to pay this extra money for this defect vehicle , to this moment we changed:transmission -twice 02sensor (transmission)-catylitic converter left/raight-coil ignition system ,we get this car whit 48.000mi. On 1998 .for my all family and the good name of the ford deller tanks for yuo help.
The transmission was replaced on this vehicle at 15,000 miles but is now starting to act up again. It frequently shifts hard when upshifting and often downshifts whenever the gas pedal is released. Although the transmission hasn't failed yet, it will only be a matter of time and the vehicle is now out of warranty protection. I noticed when checking the federal safety agency web site that this seems to be a common problem for this vehicle type.
The speedometer began to show erratic movements at all speeds. It would fluctuate up to 10 to 30 MPH at highway speeds rendering it's function useless. Ford denies any known defect and refused an implied warranty for the item. Due to cost differences I chose to have it replaced at a local repair shop using a new ly purchased speedometer head from the ford dealership.
Ford dealer mechanic told me that he has repaired many of these transmissions at premature mileage levels (less than 80,000 miles). Ford has authorized replacement of many original parts with new designs to reconcile the substandard original design. For my transmission the mechanic said failure was the result of a defective aluminum piston, a problem that has developed in many ford transmissions.
No summary
1996 ford windstars have major transmission trouble. We have only had our van for 2 years and it is very upsetting that a car manufacturer cannot make a vehicle that will make it to 100,000 miles. Ford states that you can go 100,000 miles before needing a tune up but they don'y mention that their transmissions won't make it that far. I have been on the internet researching this problem and have found that many people have this problem but ford does not reply with any help or hope. The ford transmission problem expands outward, not just on the windstar vans. There should be a recall or something should be done because most of the owners are still making payments on these "new " vehicles that are suppose to be able to make it for 100,000 miles. On the sites I searched, alot of people have only gotten 40,000-55,000 miles on their vehicles before the problems began. This is not ordinary and cannot be looked upon as normal wear and tear because it has happened to too many people. Ford needs to be made to recall and correct their vehicles. They should be responsible for what they build and sell. We have already taken our van to the shop 2 times, and the 3rd is in the near future because it still is not fixed.please, please, please check into this and see if something can be done to get our vehicles repaired so we don't have to take out loans to pay for repairs that should be repaired by ford, on a vehicle we are still making payments only . Thank you.
Head gasket leaking, master cylinder froze up and caused smoke and damage to brake system on 3 wheels, ABS light kept coming on, in for repairs on several occasions and light was disconnected by dealer, engine light on: o2 sensor replaced, speedometer failed to register speeds, driverside window goes down while driving, replaced by dealer, door open light turns on randomly, sliding door fails to lock with electric locks. What is going to be next?
Transmission slipping intermittently while driving, engine drops to 45 MPH and RPM goes to 5000 at highway speeds. On some occassion during stop and go transmission does not change from 1st to 2nd gear. Took vehicle to dealer and they cannot find any problem. This is becoming a dangerous situtation.
Have had the minivan in several times for symptoms of the head gasket failure only to find problem after warranty expired. Transmission has always "clunked" when shifting into drive or reverse, this is a daily problem the dealership cannot "find". Windshield cracked overnight in november. We don't think the windshield should have been so fragile.
Vehicle bought in 3/99 throttle body linkage broke repaire bill $500.00 shortly thereafter sensor went out (fuel)bill 256.00 later noticed squeking in front end advised it was tie rod ends not fixed yet this thing has broke me have had many occurences with speed odometer going crazy after 45mph recently noticed popping when turning steering or appling the brakes but before I could get it fixed transmission begin to either not shift upward ,slip at 45mph and has downshifted after reaching speeds of 45mph (on I-85) has jerked several times ..was told anywhere from 100.00-2000.00 ? Seems I have not been alone in my disquest with ford...only problem not encountered head gasket thank god please help us working folks against this big boy on the block thanks
Transmission rebuilt twice within a year, and new engine
Nothing but problems since purchasing 1)door ajar light constantly illuminated-all doors checked none ajar 2) engine check light occasionally comes on-happened right after purchase and catalytic converter replaced obviously didn't fix problem 3)occasionally power windows/locks and A/C will go out unless adjustable fan speed turned to high 4)recently front passenger door will open at random usually during a turn-luckily no one sits in that seat 5)speedometer will occasionally flicker higher while driving at speeds greater than 65mph all of these problems have surfaced in the past 1-1.5 yrs and have continued since then.
Speedometer reads differently than the speed vehicle is actually doing. Dealer will repair at consumer's cost. Dealer sya it's a common problem, but has no explanation*ak.
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