Speedometer very erratic, going 55 will show 90 to 100. At 40 will spike at 60 no way of knowing true speed. To me a definite hazard.
1996 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 9 of 12: complaints 221 to 250 of 322, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tracking control system light/ ABS brake light illuminate, indicating malfunction within the systems. Please give any further details.
The tracking control light and ABS brake light illuminate, indicating a problem within the system. Please give any further details.
Automatic transmission malfunctioned, causing stalling and hesitation while driving which may resultin a crash. Common problem. Please provide further information.
Automatic transmission was built with an aluminum cylinder piston that loses forward line pressure and transmission slips into neutral when driving vehicle. Vehicle can slip into neutral at any time. A local dealer informed me that they replace approximately 5 of these transmissions a year. The replacement transmission from ford is built with a steel cylinder piston to remedy the problem. Vehicle is very dangerous and has the potential for a head on collision if you tried passing another vehicle and transmission slipped into neutral because of defective design of transmission with aluminum piston.
The transmission component that the dealer believes has failed is the thrust piston. My research on windstar mini-vans has shown this to be a chronic problem. This is especially true for 1995 models. It therefore should have been corrected in my 1996 model but obviously was not.
No summary.
Speedometer malfunctions intermittently while driving 60mph. Contacted dealer.
I was at a stop sigh attempting to cross a major highway,it hesistated like emergency brake was on, got 2-3 feet in middle of highway with oncoming traffic with truck right behind me (couldn't back up)and vehicle wouldn't go in drive. I finally got it to coast to parking lot. Took vehicle in to ford and the service manager told me it was the transmission, it had metal all through it. Which I said with this mileage and no warning at all. His reply was he hadn't seen it happen very often (often indicateds its happening and this is only one ford place)at this low mileage. Keep in mind I'm a 48 year old driver with no tickets or wrecks, I don't abuse a vehicle and this is my fourth ford (not van)it was very hazardous not to say horrifying.
When trying to take the vehicle out of park, the park pawl hung up, causing loud noise and it is very hard to get out of park. Dealer can't determine the cause of the problem.
3 transmission failures in less than 18 months
Whenever transmission gets hot it would make humming noises after driving 50-60 miles. Been to dealer & informed by mechanic, after test driving vehicle, the cause of humming noise could not be located.
Speedometer erratically changes its readings making it impossible to tell what speed the vehicle is going. This is the second time it has happened. Dealer is replacing the speedometer for the second time.
Stopped @ intersection & light changed. Transmission failed & van stalled. There was no previous indication of transmission problems. Luckly, all traffic was stopped or this could have been a major traffic accident. Failure is due to aluminum clutch pistons. Incident was reported to ford motor co. There are alot of premature transmission failures in ford windstars. 95 models were recalled. 96 models share the same components.
This speedo problem is a great safety hazard to the driver and people on the road. A driver may think he is driving at a certain speed and he may infact be exceeding the speed limit or hindering drivers on the road. This puts drivers at risk.
Forward clutch piston failed , cracking transmission, causing fluid to leak, and resulting in transmission slipping.tsb has been sent out # 98-22.
Transmission failed causing other components to fail.
Transmission failed 15,401 miles after it had been replaced. Manufacturer refuses to cover replacement since vehicle is out of warrenty even though failure is the same as the prior failure. First transmission failure occurred at 30,218 miles and second occurred at 45,619.
Abs system continually failing, several component replacement(sensors, module assembly and cleaning of the sensor rings), however failure indicator light continues to illuminate on occasions. Mjs
Without prior warning transmission went out. Dealer checked the vehicle out, and there was a lot of metal in the oil pan.
No summary
Research shows me that hundreds of others have had this same transmission failure.. Ford is unwilling to pay for any of my damage. My van is parked six hours away from me at a dealer because I don't have the money to have it fixed. This is a bad transmission design and ford needs to quickly reimburse all of us who have had this problem.
Total automatic transmission failure at 36.5 months, 44,400 miles
Original spedometer failed at 27000 miles, replacement by ford only lasted 20000 miles. Dealer and ford customer service both refused to cover the replacement saying it is out of warranty. Based on my experience and having read the reports on ford speedometers, they are placing defective equipment in thier cars and are not living up to their responsibility to their customers nor their suppoed commitment to quality.
While backing out vehicle, it felt like it was pulling. Also, it would make a lot of horrible noises prior to transmission breaking down. It cannot be shifted into gear or able to move.
Vehicle been experiencing ongoing problem with overdrive slipping. Dealer/manufacturer notified . Can the federal safety agency provide addtional information or help in this matter.
Transmission failed at 44,000 miles,irratic downshifting,required rebuild including replacement of forward clutch piston, ford covered 60%
Speedometer acts erratically when going over 50 MPH, and there is a grinding noise behind the dash when this happens. The speedometer head was replaced which corrected the problem at owner's expense.
While in florida I stopped at a traffic light at which time the transmision would not downshift.I had to manually down shift to move.vehicle taken to sarasota fl. Dealer.transmission was rebuilt for $1800.no explanation given for failure.manufacturer no help in solving situation.I have been a loyal owner of ford motor co. Products for well over40 years.very unsatisfied at this time.
No ummary listed for this vehicle.
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