Dt*: the contact stated while driving on normal road conditions at any speed the transmission slipped continously and would not go into overdrive when gas was applied while trying to pass other vehicles. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who advised the contact to take the vehicle to a reputable transmision service. The contact disregarded the option because it was too far and the towing too expensive. A tire was also punctured while repairing a coil spring. After the tire was replaced without being balanced the vehicle lost its aligment.
1996 Ford Windstar: transmission slipping
16 of the 1,386 complaints about the 1996 Ford Windstar describe transmission slipping.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 40 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Transmission slipping by model year
What owners say
When stopped at stop sign, van hesitated to shift into gear for about 5-10 seconds and then jerked into drive. This happened numerous times..took to dealer and they couldn't tell me what was wrong, just that it needed to be replaced. Had transmission overhauled...$1800 that I didn't have. 1 yr later now having more problems with transmission, when going around corners van seems to slip into neutral until it's straightened out. When proceeding from a stop at a light or stop sign, vehicle feels like it's spinning the tires, but the power isn't getting the tires, after letting off the gas it moves, but this is very hazardous, especially in heavy traffic..will be taking the van to get fixed....again. No more fords for me!!!!
Transmission slippage. Occasionally during stop and go transmission will not up shift out of 1st to higher gear. Appears random. Dealer could not re-create problem, and therefore could not find a problem. However, after doing some research, this appears to be a very common problem with 1996 ford windstar's. The only solution appears to require a rebuilt transmission. But, again nhsta complaints include owners having to have transmission rebuilt more than once.
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???
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
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.
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.
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.
Transmission stalls when driving and stopping at the stop sign. Also, transmission slips putting vehicle in drive from park.
Auotmatic transmission slips out of gear into a neutral after you come to a stop. You then have to put it in a low gear to get in back in drive. This can be a hazard in traffic. The power steerinng pump makes a loud grinding noise much louder than the normal sound the pump makes, the dealer has said previously that it is normal for the windstar. The passenger side power window has stopped working, unk reason has not been looked at. These problems are occurring in other windstars of the same year .
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.
Forward clutch piston failed , cracking transmission, causing fluid to leak, and resulting in transmission slipping.tsb has been sent out # 98-22.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline
- New transmission cooler flusher - service tips
- Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes P0741 or P1744 stored...
- Some vehicles may exhibit a groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park
- Some vehicles may exhibit a park pullout clunk noise when shifting from park to another gear position
- Brake shift interlock
- Transaxle - AX4S - replacement application chart - windstar vehicles only
- Information on indexing orange dot on torque converter to flexplate
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
- Risk
- Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Recall number 96V166000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly positioned, the roll pin may not have lined up with the groove in the shaft and have been crushed at assembly. Also, a burr could have been raised on the shaft.
- Risk
- This could result in the park pawl occasionally not engaging when the transmission selector lever is placed in the park position. This could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral if the vehicle operator does not apply the parking brake.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft roll pin. If the roll pin is damaged, both the roll pin and the park pawl shaft will be replaced. In addition, owners will be reminded to fully apply the parking brake, in addition to placing the transmission in park.
Recall number 96V086000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1996 Ford Windstar slipping
Is transmission slipping a common problem on the 1996 Ford Windstar?
16 of 1,386 owner complaints about the 1996 Ford Windstar (1%) mention transmission slipping. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Ford Windstar?
There are 2 recalls and 40 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Ford Windstar
ABS 99Engine failure 83Check engine light 78Coil spring 63Overheating 57Brake failure 46Fire or smoke 41Transmission failure 40Misfire 30Stalling 27Ball joint 26Grinding brakes 25Adaptive cruise 22Loss of power 13Tire blowout 13Wipers 13Knocking 11Door locks 10Fuel leak 10Fuel smell 9Won't shift 9Sudden acceleration 9Jerking 8Harsh shifting 7Premature wear 7Fuel pump 6Headlights 6Power steering loss 6Seat belt 6
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