1996 Ford Windstar: complete transmission failure

Filed May 16, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 125,000 miles · WA

I purchased a 1996 ford windstar van 3.0 l in june 2010. I have had numerous issues with this vehicle from day 1 to current most dangerous is the blowing spark plug which has blown out 2 times forcing me to drive it to a place where it could be parked for repair first time blow out was 7 days after purchase repaired by a mechanic now 2000 miles later again blew out ford should be ashamed of themselves for ignoring such a huge hazard this could seriously ignite fuel fumes and cause a major fire, explosion while some one is driving with there children to find a repair shop unaware of the danger and damage this could cause, second issue is a failing shifting module or tranny and this has happened alot driving and all of a sudden the vans transmission shifts to a 1st or 2nd gear causing extreme change in speed and in heavy traffic we have almost been rearended several times due to this issue, vessil must be pulled over and trans reset by shifting to park and sometimes shutting off the vehicle and starting it again.ford dealer gave us a 3000. Estimate to replace transmission and told us we would continue to replace trans aprox every 70,000 miles this is a chump way to build cars and they have managed to get more money out of repairs than sales I will never own another ford again safe or not. Ford should be forced to reclaim all these dangerous vehicles and replace all money spent on repairs and purchase of the vehicles due to endangering and there is no way they didn't know about these problems.

Filed Aug 25, 2005 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · MI

Dt: when the owner bought the car in 1996 he noticed that the gear shifter was hard to remove from park. The gear shifter developed a lot of play. When the car was in drive the gear position indicator showed that the car was in reverse or neutral. When the car was in reverse the gear position indicator showed park. The owner was concerned that the car may roll out of gear becuase it was usually parked on a small hill. The owner took vehicle to the dealership for the first time in 1996.the dealership did not know what was wrong. The transmission was replaced in 1997 while under warranty. The owner was unsure if the transmission was replaced. The owner stated that even after replacement of transmission, the vehicle always had the the gear position indicator problem. The owner took vehicle to the dealership a couple of years ago, and the mechanic told him that the car was hard to shift into gear. Then the owner checked and saw that there was a recall on the transmission. The owner's vehicle was not included in the recall.

Filed Nov 10, 2003 · Transmission · 116,786 miles · NY

1996 ford windstar auto transmission failure. Intermittently will lock in 1st or 2nd gear shifting up. Also transmission, intermittently will down shift into 2nd gear while crusing at 60-70 MPH. This sometimes lasts hours and then for no apparent reason desides to shift absolutly fine. I have changed the fluid, filter and gasket. Internally looks very clean minuscule amounts of filings and no apparent contamination. I would like to know what computer modules and or sensers are involved. I have heard of the,transmission control module (TCM) and the-----(PCM)?...what are this ? What is their purpose? Are there others?where are they located?what do they cost? I cannot beleive the transmissions needs a $2000 rebuild when it performs perfectly most of the time. Logic convinces me it may very well be as simple as plug and play. Yet no transmission shops want to hear of it, they want to rebuild. My complaint is not with the equiptment but with the experts , especially the dealers taking advantage of customers. Case in point, the head gasket blew out on the windstar dealer priced the repair no less than $1450.00 and not to be surprised at final cost upwards of $2200.00. I had it towed 70 miles to my local mechinic and the costs including the tow job was $237.00. I wish he was a transmission mech. But he is not.you have my e-mail address I assume you wanted that to help me. Answer my questions about the computer module etc..and please do not give my address to any other sites for that matter to anyone at all. Do this, you will earn my trust, I will be greatful, you just need to ask.

Filed Oct 30, 2003 · Transmission · 103,289 miles · CA

Automatic transmission failure possibly due to low transmission fluid following guidelines in owners guide . After failure and subsequent replacement. I found an article in newspaper quoted from ford regarding fluid level maintenance which was different than recommendation in the owners guide.

Filed Jul 4, 2003 · Transmission · 98,800 miles · PA

Continuous failed transmission. Have had 4 actual rebuilt/replacements. Begged for exteded warranty, received. Shortest lived transmission was 300 mi. 1 mo. Out of warranty, transmission failed again, on highway, 100 mi from home with 3 disabled children in car. Will be vehicles actual 6th transmission. Has now 98k mi, bought new off lot (1st transmission in 1st yr owned). Irionically person 1 mi down the highyway had 1999 windstar who's tranmission had also just failed. Bought car for children due to safety, is nothing but a lemon and ford won't do anything about it.

Filed Apr 5, 2003 · Transmission · 72,000 miles · WI

Transmission failed internally, causing outside case to crack, and started leaking transmission fluid. Needed to replace transmission for $2400. This at 72,000 miles, and after replacing entire engine (under extended warranty) at 59,000 miles. This vehicle has been serviced per the owner's manual, since buying new. The only satisfaction is that ford has lost money on this vehicle because of all the warranty work done for the first six years of it's life. Have had major problems with the last 4 fords I have owned, all at less than 60,000 miles. No more fords in my future.

Filed Apr 1, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · 30,000 miles · WA

The consumer requested an investigation of ford motor company and their lack of recalls on some serious defects. *mr. The vehicle experienced a clunking sound, however the dealer stated the clunking sound was normal and then the transmission failed, the transmission was replaced with another ford transmission, which failed on a test drive and one other occasion. Coolant leaked into the engine through the intake gasket, which was recalled for the 95 models. The timing chain leaked. There was a recall on the coils in the suspension, which ford would only replace when they failed. The brake rotors failed at 30000 miles. Scc

Filed Feb 9, 2003 · Fuel system · 114,500 miles · ND

I have a concern over the defect of the head gasket of our 1996 ford windstar. This vehicle is our family vehicle - very neccessary for a family of young children - family of 7. So far, we have replaced the transmission, replaced the speedometer, and most recently have been told to replace the head gasket. I understand that the head gasket repair/ replacement is a rather expensive repair. I also understand that ford has offered to some, to make good on this defect in workmanship. I have been advised to turn this in to the state's attorney here in north dakota, and to the better business bureau. I need this vehicle fixed. I don't care for the ford dealership in jamestown, nd - since the last repair left me without a vehicle for a month. I would like this defect taken care of. I think ford has made a safe van for my family, but I am very dissappointed with the quality of the parts under the hood - who would have thought that ford would have such poor workmanship that I would have this much trouble with this 1996 vehicle. Please advise me on how to obtain the paperwork that will get this defect on the head gasket properly paid for and taken care of by ford.

Filed Jan 23, 2003 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · MA

Transmission failure in 1996 ford windstar, requiring complete replacemen at approx 70k miles

Filed Jan 9, 2003 · Transmission · 39,500 miles · NJ

While driving the transmission failed which caused the vehicle to decelerate. *nlm transmission replaced.

Filed Nov 17, 2002 · Transmission · OH

Currently, the van is at the dealership and we are awaiting an estimate on the head gasket. Our warranty expired on august 31, 2002 and ford will not help with the cost of the repair. The transmission is also being checked as it has begun leaking only 10 months after we had it replaced. Our mechanic stated that these are commonly seen with this vehicle and stated the failure of the head gasket is due to the defective fire ring. No reason was given as to why the transmission failed in january of 2002 and to why it is now leaking. Dt

Filed May 16, 2002 · Electrical, Transmission · 44,400 miles · NC

Since we drove this car off the lot, it has been plagued with electrical problems. As soon as our warranty ran out, the transmission failed at 44,400. Two adults and 4 children were on our way to a 4th of july celebration when the transmission stalled at an intersection. Lucky for us all traffic was stopped and no major accident occurred. We took it to our dealer and asked for assistance since there was a tsb out on the transmission in ford windstar's. We were denied assistance. Our problem was the aluminum piston that were reported in the tsb. In may 2001, the check engine light came on and we took it to a ford dealer. They replaced the irmc value. Cost $1000. Recently, the check engine light came on again and smoke was coming out of the tail pipe. We took it to crossroads ford, the dealer we bought the car from. They once again denied to help us with the cost. We towed the van to a quality ford in durham, nc. They have contacted ford to see if they will assist us with the cost. The estimated cost is $3500-$4000. *jb ****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over artemis****761964