Speed needle goes up and down from 50mph to 120mph register on the speedometer . Consumer had the speedometer replaced at 45181 miles by ford dealership, mechanic did the actual work. *ak transmission failed at about 32,000 miles.
1996 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 7 of 12: complaints 161 to 190 of 322, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While traveling on a busy interstate, engine light went on. Van lost speed and started overheating. I was able to make it off highway. Van died had to be towed. Told it was cracked head due to coolant leakage. Warranty company refuses to pay claim.. Speedometer flips around, estimate repair cost is $475. Warranty company refusee to pay.
Speedometer fluctuated all over dial when car went over 30 MPH; transmission just failed while car was being operated, it failed to shift and did not move while in traffic; brakes fade when coming to a stop all the time (I have requested repairs repeatedly, told no problem detected); car continues to roll 6-8 inches when parked on an incline; rear suspension creaks when getting in and out of car; several leaks in engine had to be repaired (gasket??).
Speedometer begins to fluccuate at 50 MPH, randomly jumping from 50mph to 80mph - previously went out at 47k miles, and only solution offered by hansel ford was to replace speedometer/odometer assembly ($400) because of "broken" speedometer head assembly - 52k later, exact same problems, and ford's only recommendation is replace speedometer/odometer again at my expense - given that the speedometer displays an erroneous reading starting at 50mph and the freeway speed limit is 55+MPH, I have no reliable indication of my actual speed, which is particularly worrisome when I tow a tent-trailer. Additionally, I don't know if the odometer is recording mileage correctly. There has been a tsb refering to this problem, but I have not been able to find the details out about it, so I don't know how to begin to correct the problem.
The automatic transmission will either refuse to shift into the higher gear or will downshift on its own. Continuing so that eventually (after 10 to 15 minutes) it will no longer shift from first into second. The problem is not continual. The dealship had the van for three days after it first occurred. They were unable to get the problem to reoccur for them. The day after we picked the van up from them the problem arose once again. At present we are trying to figure out what step to take, what the problem could be and how to get the problem to reoccur while at the dealer. Of, couse the problem always occurs on the weekend or in the evening after closing.
Consumer was traveling about 55mph and engine check light blinked on and off on the dashboard. Also, transmission slipped out of gear. Computer chip was replaced, but problem still continued. Anti-freeze was leaking from the transmission. In addition, spark plugs were replaced, and head gasket needed to be replaced. *ak computor diagnosis indicated that cylinder #4 malfunction. The dealer said that doing tune up will solve this problem but did not.
At about 60000 miles the windstar would fail to move after stopping at a traffic light. On occasion the vehicle would make noise, similar to what you would expect if a plastic container was caught under the vehicle. Took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. Vehicle is less than five years of age and less than 60000 miles. Dealer offered no assistance, financial or otherwise.
I purchsed the vehicle with the knowledge that it had 50,000 miles on it. The car was not runnig as well as I thought it should for a car with "low miles" I had it back in the shop where I purchsed it several times when the mechanis there mentioned carfax.com. I got a report which stated there was a odometer rollback. I took it back to the dealer where they did a title search which in my mind had been doctored. I don't feel I received the all the information needed. I have the carfax report which shows mileage at 103,443 on 9-21-98. Then on 10-9-98it shows mileage at 34,818. The car continues to run terribly. I need to get to the bottom of this and find some answers. I feel I was ripped off and I want my money or a new car for the same amount I paid with the same low miles. Please help me if you can or put me intouch with an agency that can help me. Thank you.
Speedometer has been replaced twice because the needle fluctuated from 0 to 120 erratically. First speedometer was replaced with 35,000, and the second at 38,000. Please provide any further information.
While going down interstate 75 car pulled back, rpms went very high to 3 and 4, and speedometer declined very rapidly. Contacted dealer who said that vehicle's speed sensor needed to be repaired.
Speedometer failure
Dealer states I have a"implied warranty" whatever that mean. No safety defect listed in summary.
Speedometer does not register properly. Needle would jumps back and forth while driving. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was out of warranty, and repairs would only be done at consumer expense.
Speedometer jumps between 70 - 100 MPH at low (40) or high (65) speeds. Makes buzzing noise. Very dangerous as it is misleading and distracting (unnerving) to the driver. Dealer "never heard of" this problem. Owner paid $525 repair.
Consumer has complained to manufacturer about speedometer not working & nothing was being done. Consumer couldn't determine speed, and felt that it was a safety hazard. Consumer informed by mechanic of a tsb issued by ford regarding this problem, which calls for replacement under 3 yr warranty. This problem occurred in this vehicle just after 3 years, and dealer refuses to repair it under warranty. *ak
Engine coolant needs filling every 2-3 days, transmission skips, engine check light always illuminated and interior door ajar light never goes off.
The speedometer fluctuates abructly 10 to 25 MPH at different speeds, it is difficult to judge the proper speed. Ford declined to help in matter and acted as if they never heard of the problem. Problem occurred in my daughter's '96 windstar as well and replaced same at her expense for $550, ford wanted $880.
Speedometer does not register correctly, speed always erratic. Fails at different speeds at different times during the day. Unknown how many times replaced on vehicle. I bought it used. Have not yet tried to price the repair. Looking to see if any info on help on how to handle. This is very inconvenient.
Torque converter blew. Stranded vehicle. Almost caused fire from spewing transaxle fluid onto hot engine parts.
While driving about 40 MPH feels like transmission is shifting into second gear. Then vehicle will move slowly without a warning. Consumer contacted ford, the dealer repaired the failed sensor at no cost. *ak.et.
After three fairly reliable years and only 58,000 miles, I have had head gaskets blown and a transmission that is showing signs of failure. After researching on the internet, I see that I am not alone in having these problems with the windstar. I have never felt compelled to complain about a vehicle before. The thought of this car leaving my family stranded on a busy stretch of freeway (which it almost did) due to a premature engine failure and factory defect is inexcusable.
Speedometer jumps while going 50mph or faster. Also, makes rattling noise.
The speedometer reads near 100 MPH while the vehicle is only traveling at speeds betweem 30 and 70 MPH. Nlm
Vehicle will not shift into gear when on an incline. A recall has been issued on the vehicle's make and model. However this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Dealer has inspected vehicle.
The speedometer wavers wildly from 55 to 110 with no increase in vehicle speed. This may be caused by oil not being injected properly during manufacturing. Nlm
Transmission failed. Yh
While traveling noticed speedometer reading 40 rpms. Then would jump to 100 rpms without depressing the gas on normal traveling. Also, the reading for how fast the vehicle is travelling jumps around and is inaccurate. Ford is aware of the problem and has issued a tsb. *ak
While traveling noticed speedometer works eratically.
While driving along all of sudden vehicle experiences hard upshifting or down shifting. Occasionaly when coming to a stop sign then proceeding, motor revs and transmission does not engage. Took it back to the dealer in september. Dealer replaced a sensor, but still has not taken care of the problem. Vehicle is not longer under warranty.
Speedometer needle jumps, will not indicate correct speed, causing safety hazard.dealer has been notified.
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