1998 Ford Windstar: transmission slipping

Filed Oct 15, 2009 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · PA

I have a 98 for windstar gl. On oct 9th I was coming back from work and the rear of the car kept fish tailing / slipping to oneside and as well as that night when I had to take my son to the hospital and back. Almost lost control coming back from the hospital. I did not get in the car at all that 10th cause of that. On oct 11th 2009 I was backing out from my parking spot in my apartment complex with my family in the car. As I backed up and as I put it in drive I heard a loud bang like I backed up into a car. Got out to see my back tires bent in. I pulled up slowly and looked underneath it and saw that my rear axel assy split in half. My mechanic never saw anything like it. I searched the web to see if there was any recalls but there wasn't any but found a bunch of people having the same problem from 98 to 02 windstars esp. While driving. So my van still sits. I think their should be a recall the rear axel assy split in half. Nothing was done yet part is going to cost 400 dollar and to get it installed will cost as much. Part was available through ford. But looking for part in junk yard for the van.

Filed Feb 22, 2004 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · NY

Last year transmission problems started again. I had the van in the garage again in december to replace the pump on the transmission after it blew apart and left me stranded when it wouldn't go into any gear. After 10 days the van would move again. Now again the transmission is slipping between 1st and 2nd. The van is famous for downshifting from overdrive into 1st or 2nd gear. The overdrive light is constantly flashing and not working.

Filed Jan 10, 2004 · Electrical, Transmission · 65,985 miles · PA

I currently own a 1998 ford windstar. I have had this van for two years. I bought it with 38000 miles on it and now have 66000 miles on it. Up till about a month ago, I had no problems as I have loved this van. But I did run into a peculiar problem that seems that most people are having with this van as I have checked numerous websites and web posts on the internet as well as my friends that have formerly owned this vehicle. The door ajar censor inside the doors wear, causing the computers to recognize the car doors to be shut. This emits a beeping sound that steadily beeps till you rise above 15 MPH. Also, the lights stay on and since ford built these vans all the same way, you cannot simply fix it without spending at least 500 dollars if your lucky. Also, another problem has risen just recently. My transmission has started to slip. I expected normal wear-and-tear, but it seems that when you reach a certain threshold, as many of other people have experienced once hitting 65000 miles on this particular van, the transmission goes completely. I would like to send an awareness to ford to fix this problem in their newer vans, if a problem emerged and to future buyers of this year of van. This has cost me over 2500 dollars and I must admit, is not worth it. This van is by far the worst investment I have ever made, and I do not recommend buying one. Thank you.

Filed Oct 1, 2003 · Transmission · CA

While driving automatic transmission slips gears, causing the vehicle to hesitate.

Filed Aug 14, 2003 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Feb 15, 2003 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · NY

Transmission started slipping and stopped altogether within one day. Ph

Filed Apr 5, 2002 · Acceleration, Transmission · NY

Vehicle lost power, rpms went up, transmission slipped while travelling 55mph on local expressway.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Transmission · NM

Consumer experiencing numerous problems with torque converter, transmission slipping, and lurching forward, problem is intermittent making it difficult for dealer to diagnose problem.

Filed Aug 22, 2001 · Acceleration · MD

On various occasions when coming to a stop, the van attempts to accelerate. The van will not move forward. Upon pressing on the accelerator, the engine revs up. After 10-15 seconds, the van shifts into gear and lunges forward. This is a problem because there's no indication when this type of movement will occur. On occasions when breaking to slow the vehicle down, the vehicle slips into neutral and will not accelerate without warning. It goes back into drive mode. This again causes another safety hazard. The vehicle has almost been rear-ended nearly causing an accident.

Filed Aug 17, 2001 · Airbags, Engine · MO

While traveling in warm weather ,making sudden stops/parking and while in stop and go traffic, vehicle would stall without any indication. Please provide further informaiton.*ak air bag light illuminated due to faulty module, the drivers side door adjar switch was sticking causing the door adjar light to illuminate, outer tie rod failed causing noise in the front end, vehicle experiences loss of power/slipping due to faulty transmission, check engine light illuminated and vehicle stalled, dealer replaced sensor, speedometer was off. Nlm

Filed Jun 13, 2001 · Electrical, Transmission · NJ

While traveling 30 to 40 MPH transmission started slipping and smoke started coming from underneath hood of vehicle. Consumer pulled off to side of road and turned vehicle off. Consumer examined vehicle and found that there was fluid leaking from engine , pool of fluid was approximately 2 feet in diameter on the ground. Dealership examined vehicle and could not determine that there was a problem with vehicle. Informed consumer that no fluids leaked from vehicle. Also, this vehicle was not affected by any recalls. *ak dealer finally replaced transmission with a refurbished one after a field engineer stating it was faulty.

Filed Jun 6, 2001 · Transmission · NJ

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