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1998 Ford Windstar transmission complaints

Page 7 of 12: complaints 161 to 190 of 330, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1998 Ford Windstar transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jun 11, 2001 · Steering, Transmission · NC

While traveling at approximately 10 MPH vehicle started pulling to right, and came to a stop. Consumer examined vehicle, and saw that left rear tire was positioned against bumper of vehicle. Dealership has examined vehicle and determined that rear axle/ tie rod broke. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Filed Jun 6, 2001 · Transmission · NJ

While traveling noticed transmission was slipping. Technician service stated transmission needed to be replaced. Please provide further infomation.

Filed May 28, 2001 · Transmission · TX

On the 20th of may I was driving the van when it felt like it hesitated(slipped) and then it proceeded to drive normally. We went half a mile then stopped the van and parked. On returning to the van and starting it, it ran very rough(loud) and would not go past 30mph on our way home. We proceeded to take it to the dealership in the next week and found out the transmission had gone out at only 35000 miles. Our warranty had expired on 4/16/01. Barely a month out of warranty and a powertrain item had failed on us. We know two other family members that have owned windstar vans that the transmission has gone out with low mileage. The dealership has offered to repair it for $495. This will inlcude an extended warranty on the powertrain for 75,000 miles. We feel with such low mileage, a recently expired warranty and knowing other people in our family that have dealt with the same thing, that ford should stand behind there automobile and repair this free of charge. I am sure this is a more common problem than ford wants to admit.

Filed May 22, 2001 · Transmission · TX

While driving on highway vehicle downshifted to second gear, and consumer had to drive in second gear.

Filed May 15, 2001 · Transmission · OR

Speedometer jumps around; consumer cannot have accurate speed because speedmeter jumps around and around. Dealership is aware of problem.

Filed May 10, 2001 · Transmission · MA

Total transmission failure at 44,000 miles.

Filed May 4, 2001 · Transmission · OH

Transmission has been replaced five times. First replacement was a 30000 miles. Warranty fixed transmission. Mechanic told that vehicle that there was dust and a defect in assembly lane. Dealership was aware of problem.

Filed Apr 30, 2001 · Body, Lights · MI

I have basically had everything that could go wrong with this vehicle.. Go wrong. It has been in several times for the seal around drivers side door (air flows in). The door ajar indicator continually goes on and the dome light comes on(making it very unsafe to drive at night. Especially when trying to back up. The dome light then stays on causing battery to die. I have had problems with the traction control light to blink have had in shop they say they replaced a sensor. As soon as my warranty was up. It happened again(cost me over $400.00) when either window is rolled down about 3 inches(as soona s it hits that point) a buzzing sound will occur. I had a huge gash on the interior of my right tire(no known cause) I believe the van was 3 months old at this time.... Had to purchase a new tire. I have had work done several times on the front passenger side. Including the bearings replaced.... A sensor ring that had broken in half, tie-rod... I am so disappointed in this vehicle, we bought this because it was convient to tote around 3 children but the fact that I am so afraid to drive it alot of times ins't very convenient at all. I am amazed that it has made it this far (90,000) the back hatch seems to have some electrial problems as whenever it is opened it woll set off the door ajar light and when closed it never goes off.. For some reason it has periods of time that it will stay on for weeks and then when that stops the window buzzing starts. I am not under warranty and am very tired of sinking money into a van that we apid well over 30,000 for. Why is something so expensive........... Such a money pit????? I feel I get no response from the dealers. They seem to be able to word it in a different way when they fix something and you have to take it back in to be re-fixed.. Although it does the same thing??? I guess we will have to do more research on vehicle manufactors when buying our next family vehicle. I have never been so disappointed. Please send recall informat

Filed Apr 25, 2001 · Transmission · NY

I have heard of many problems with transmissions on this model.

Filed Apr 18, 2001 · Transmission · NJ

After having two tires changed, consumer noticed vehicle would shake badly when going over 50 MPH, and steering wheel was hard to steer because of vibration. Dealer told consumer it was transmission. There was recall 97v097000 concerning transmission.

Filed Apr 16, 2001 · Acceleration, Transmission · IL

Vehicle is slipping out of gear while driving from 3rd to 2nd gear, causing vehicle to almost stop, RPM's will rev high. Manufacturer has issued a tsb. Please provide further information.

Filed Apr 11, 2001 · Transmission · IL

Vehicle downshifted from 4th gear to 3rd gear and lower while driving at 65 MPH. Dealer's response was that it did not happen.

Filed Apr 11, 2001 · Transmission · NJ

Consumer has replaced transmission 3 times within 51,000 miles. Ford was not able to determine cause of premature failure of transmission.

Filed Apr 7, 2001 · Electrical, Transmission · MD

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Apr 4, 2001 · Acceleration, Transmission · NY

Stopped at traffic light, upon acceleration transmission would not engage. Engine revved as if in neutral. Also occurred as accelerating from a stop to make a turn. Presented a very dangerous situation of being put into the path of on coming traffic. Turning engine off and then back on would allow transmission to engage. Dealer determined that the transmission had failed at 43,621 miles and had to be replaced. After four days in service and a complete new transmission, within 12 hours new transmission developed at least two serious leaks of transmission fluid. Dealer says this is not uncommon. The unit is sealed and can not be serviced by them. I am waiting to hear if I need another complete new transmission.

Filed Apr 2, 2001 · Transmission · WV

When driving at any speed vehicle started to jerk. Also, problem occurred more since transmission filter has been changed. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer noted that transmission shift gear is slipping within the transmission. Please provide any further details.

Filed Apr 2, 2001 · Transmission · NJ

While driving automatic transmission would fail to shift properly. When gas pedal was pressed vehicle would stop. Had it towed to dealership, and was informed that gears broke off.

Filed Apr 2, 2001 · Transmission · MD

I have returned multiple times to the dealer with a "hard shift" problem, first to second. I even contacted ford motor company, and they said there was nothing they could do, and referred me back to the dealership. I was told they could not duplicate the problem, one that occurs on a daily basis, at low speeds. The dealer drove my car for a day, but evidently did not notice any problem. As soon as I got the car back, the problem was back. I have spent upwards of $3000, for repairs that I was told would rectify the problem, but it persists. This included extensive front end work that they claimed would fix the problem; this included a front-end alignment and sub-frame shift; power steering flush; replace front struts; replace front shocks; replace front sway bar, links; problem persists.

Filed Mar 26, 2001 · Transmission · WI

Took in the vehicle for a routine transmission fluid flush with removing the pan and replacing the filter, etc. At the local transmission shop, they discovered pieces of metal (pieces of a ring & an accumulator part) in the pan when it was removed. Serviceman said that it had probably been like that when we purchased. That it was most likely a defective part. He has seen many windstars with the same problem. (our relative had the same problem with a 1997 windstar) he has seen 1995-2001 with these same problems. He said it will cost from $1400 - $4500 if the dealer repairs the problem. I am going to contact the dealer today and possibly the ford company as well.

Filed Mar 15, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Consumer has experienced several problems with the transmission, dealer has replaced it once, however problems continue, consumer has filed for a request for arbitration, vehicle bucks, jerks, and jumps into gear before taking off. Vehicle shimmies from one side to another upon acceleration, there is a thumping sound heard also at times while driving. Vehicle experienced a speed sensor circuit problem. Speedometer jumps. Problem with power steering, dealer adjusted rack and pinion and made other repairs to steering mechanism. Right side brake light bulb failed. Battery failed. Consumer stated it felt as if vehicle was going to stall sometimes, engine has no power at acceleration, engine belt was noisy and was replaced. Tire had a slow leak due to loose tire valve.

Filed Mar 8, 2001 · Transmission · CA

Transmission is shifting hard and rough, it makes a slamming noise while going into each gear.

Filed Mar 8, 2001 · Transmission · NY

The transmission s blown I find that odd for a 3 yr old car with less than 65k miles and well maintained on my part. Ford has offered no financial help.

Filed Mar 5, 2001 · Transmission · NY

While driving transmission could shift gear without prior warning. Had to be replaced due to slip shifting.

Filed Mar 5, 2001 · Transmission · CA · 1 injury

While warming vehicle up, it surged forward and then backward, it ran over conumer's toes and the door hit consumer in face, vehicle dragged consumer for about 6 feet before it stopped, it also took out 2 posts of the deck, consumer states a recall regarding the powertrain control module was received and feels this might be the cause of the accident, however vehicle is still at dealer awaiting repairs.

Filed Feb 28, 2001 · Transmission · OH

Transmission (replacement) sticks in 2nd gear just like orig. Did at 4400 miles. Orig. Stuck in second at 4400 mi. And was replaced. Replacement has rough shift and other problems reported to you by others. Ford trans. Have a defect that should be recalled!!

Filed Feb 23, 2001 · Transmission · OH

Transmission went out, had to be replaced.

Filed Feb 23, 2001 · Transmission · NY

After a full stop vehicle will not move in any gears. Problem is intermittent. Engine will still idle like it's in neutral. Dealer can't find what's wrong because won't duplicate.

Filed Feb 23, 2001 · Transmission · MN

After reviewing numerous complaints about this transmission of the ford windstar on various web sites, I am strongly encouraging the federal safety agency to look in the continuing failure of ford transmissions in the ford windstar.

Filed Feb 18, 2001 · Transmission · FL

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

Filed Feb 2, 2001 · Brakes, Electrical · GA

Three months after ownership the vehicle was experiencing vibration and stalling, three separate visits to the dealership to correct the computer software adjustments.

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