1998 ford windstar van came to a complete stop and the transmission failed. Van would not go forward until I down shifted to 2nd gear. Dealership has not found a problem code and not been able to duplicate the problem. Daily cut offs occur on pulling up my steep driveway and coming to a stop.
1998 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 4 of 12: complaints 71 to 100 of 330, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Automatic transmission failed at 65,000 miles. Checked with dealer and they said they had not heard of any problems from ford. I look at this website and find numerous problems. There should be an official recall for this problem. I would like my money refunded for the transmission replacement.
While driving automatic transmission slips gears, causing the vehicle to hesitate.
Problems with transmission, torque, power steering, and front end stable rods & arms. *mr the transmission and torque had been replaced twice, the power steering once, the font end stable rods and arms twice and remained bad. The battery light had come on and the idler pulley was replaced, there was a creaking/cracking noise when turning the wheel and the outer tie rods were replaced along with the toe being reset, there was a clunk when going over the bumps, there was a vibration underneath due to the transmission, the engine light would come on and off and seemed like the shifts were erratic, the transmission leaked badly, and on some occasions the starter did not engage. *scc
My windstar van, at 58,000 miles, had a premature catastrophic transmission failure while driving 65 MPH on highway I-84 east. This event put my young children and myself in danger on the side of the busy highway due to the smoke and steam coming from the vehicle that we had to rapidly evacuate. My van was out of my service for over one full week and has a repair price tag of just under $2,800. I have requested ford to pay the full cost of this repair through one of their "special" programs. Ford knows about the defects of these transmissions (I am glad I don't own a 1995 windstar!) and must be made to take responsibility and accountability for not using quality transmission units on these vehicles.
While driving consumer heard a loud noise from under the vehicle. Then, vehicle started to decelerate, causing consumer to pull over. Consumer had made contact with dealer.
While driving at 40 MPH, the transmission failed without warning. *ak
Powertrain failure transmission felt like it dropped into neutral and then would not respond. Family mechanic inspected vehicle and the transmission was completely locked up..$2000. Later transmission was replaced..if this is such a "known issue" with these vehicles why doesnt ford do something to compensate their customers? I used to be a ford gal but not anymore!!!
Intermittently while driving there was a kicking noise from the transmission, which resulted in the vehicle losing transmission fluid.*ak transmission jerked and seemed to kick more on turns and acceleration. On one occasion, transmission fluid leaked all over the engine which resulted in smoking. Transmission needed to be replaced. *ph
My 1998 windstar has 89,000 miles and the transmission completey broke apart, with no warning at all. No slipping or anything. Sitting at a red light, the van jerked like we had been hit in the rear by someone doing 80 miles per hour. It is going to cost me $1800.00 to have it rebuilt. I know numerous complaints are filed with your organization on ford transmissions. I want to register my complaint.
Ford 1998 windstar power train failure. In jan 1999, I purchase a used 1998 ford windstar. Also paid for a 72 month/60,000 premium care extended warranty. In 2000, the transmission failed almost causing and accident. I brought the vehicle back to the dealer and they replaced the transmission under warranty. After that I brought the vehicle back more than 5 times stating that the new replacement transmission was not working properly. The trans would slip coming out of first gear and bang into 2nd gear. Also, when driving on a highway the car would stall when downshifting coming off an exit. The dealer, springfield ford, stated that they could not find a problem. On july 18, 2003 the transmission failed while I was driving. The vehicle just stopped and would not go into gear. As a disabled individual this was a major problem and almost caused an accident. With my flashers on, I was able to put the car into neutral, and drive off the road and safely pack it. This seemed strange that I was able to drive the vehicle in neutral. The vehicle was towed to springfield ford on july 18, 2003. The dealer called and said that my warranty had expired and it would cost $3000.00 to fix the transmission. I spoke with ford and the manager at springfield ford. They stated that my warranty expired in june of 2003. I believe that my warranty is in effect thru 2005. This vehicle has 47,000 miles on it. I believe that a defective transmission was installed in my vehicle. This has created a major safty issue for me and my family. As of today ford has not offered to fix my car, offer me a loaner car, or offer any resolution to this problem. As a disabled individual, this van is my main transportation and family car. I am still waiting for ford to offer to fix my car, describe the failure, and provide a solution. At this point I believe that the entire power train needs to be replaced with oem certified new parts installed and paid by ford motor co. Thank you l
While driving vehicle lost all power and the ability to shift gears. Dealer notified.
Transmission failed and cost me $1900 to fix.
Transmission failure on 1998 windstar with only 61,000 miles on vehicle.ford refused to give us any type of compensation. After searching this database, it seems bad transmissions are a common problem with windstars.
Consumer states has a power train problem from the transaxles while the vehicle is being driven. Consumer stated there is a technical service bulletin on this issued, number #98-15-19.
Our '98 ford windstar (3.8l) has just experienced a major transmission problem; it drives along just fine on the highway at 65 m.p.h. And then bang -- the transmission shifts from over drive into second (or first!) gear. This sends the engine from a casual 1,500 r.p.m. To a dangerous 5,500 r.p.m., and makes for scary and dangerous highway driving. Ford (kachel ford in shillington, pa) says that the valve body or possibly the entire transmission has gone bad, but I have uncovered literally thousands of complaints about this very same, and potentially life-threatening problem with the ford automatic transmission being used in the windstar. Something needs to be done about this immediately. Contact me at once if you would like full cooperation -- I am willing.
Transmission stalls during down shifting at low speeds. Shifts hard into gear, causing the vehicle to lunge forward,three times has been repaired,first time @ 32000,3600,65,000. Dealer said that it's a known problem,but there is no fix.
The gas pedal was pressed while driving 55 MPH but the vehicle would not gain any speed. The dealer was contacted and the technician indicated that the transmission needed to be replace. *nlm spoke with consumer 10/16/07 , was told to disregard complaint. Vehicle has been traded.
While driving, the vehicle stopped in the middle of traffic without warning. The dealer stated the transmission and head gasket needed to be replaced.*ak
The vehicle jerked when driving at any speed.
Power transmission on 98 ford windstar failed.
Automatic transmission failed while driving (60,000 miles on van).
Reliability issue: 1998 ford windstar automatic transmission failed at 33,000 mi, then their replacement failed after another 65,000 mi, then the $2700 rebuild failed after another 29,000 miles. This is garbage!!!
Nar 03/05/2003 the consumer experienced ongoing problems with moving the column shift from one shift to another.
The vehicle experienced transmission problems. *tt *jb
Transmission started slipping and stopped altogether within one day. Ph
The automatic transmission failed. Mr scc
At 45,000 miles on 1998 ford windstar gl,transmission would not shift out of first gear. Had to turn vehicle off for a while then it would shift. Had to stop app. 6 times to travel 8 miles.
Driver front seatbelt malfunctioning, persistent vibration in rt front end at 60-65mph not cured by new struts, sway bar links, springs alignment, multiple wheel balance. Ts
Nar 1/15/2003. The consumer complained that the vehicle had transmission problems. After numerous complaints, the selling dealer offered to buy the vehicle back, but the consumer declined and instead continued to ford and harass the employees to point that they became death threats.
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