1999 Ford Windstar: jerking or lurching

Filed Apr 14, 2014 · Acceleration, Body · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward violently. The failure would occur sporadically and at any given speed. The vehicle would sway abnormally when being driven and the steering wheel would often seize without warning. Additionally, the contact experienced the vehicle lunging forward and violently jerking when in drive or reverse on multiple occasions. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure) however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer advised the contact that the timeframe had expired for the contact to have additional repairs performed that had not been scheduled within the required timeframe for the recall repairs. The vehicle was to be inspected, diagnosed and repaired. The approximate failure mileage was not available. Updated 8/14/14*cn updated 8/22/2014

Filed Mar 27, 2012 · Suspension · 190,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH the vehicle started jerking and swerving abnormally, casuing the rear driver side wheel to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and discoverd that the bolts were rusted and corroded and had caused the axle to fracture. The mechanic did not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer because the axle was previously installed under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly). The dealer advised the contact that they would not repair the broken axle because it was repaired previously under the recall and had exceeded the 12,000 mile guarantee on the component. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated that they would be in contact at a later date. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Dec 22, 2010 · Body · 145,000 miles · PA

Front sub-frame corrosion on passenger side near mount resulting in complete break. There is no evidence of rust anywhere else on the sub-frame, the frame or underbody. Symptom was loud clanking from front-right and "jerking" sensation on some turns, acceleration. Did not feel safe driving, so brought to ntb for examination (thinking it was a balljoint, etc.) technicians invited me to investigate under the lift as they were incredulous of such a severe break amidst an otherwise rust-free sub-frame.

Filed Sep 3, 2010 · Body, Brakes · 172,000 miles · WI

Irregular braking, experienced as an odd, slipping lurch at the completion of a stop occasioned investigation of a supposed braking problem by our mechanic. Previously noted was the misalignment of the steering wheel about a quarter turn from vertical during straight-ahead driving. After checking the brakes the mechanic was puzzled by a rubbing noise he had heard on his test drive. While repositioning the car to investigate, the engine cradle suddenly separated from the sub-frame and dropped to the ground, wrenching the steering wheel forward and disconnecting the steering mechanism from the wheels. Ancillary damage is as yet unassesed. The cause of separation was massive,evident corrosion where the engine cradle attaches to the sub-frame. This vehicle is located in a "salt-belt" state.

Filed Jun 4, 2010 · Transmission · 114,000 miles · NM

1999 ford windstar experienced a sudden transmission failure at 114,000 miles despite having absolutely no prior issues of this nature. I was at a red light approximately 1/4 mile from the on-ramp of I-25 when the vehicle shuddered and jerked before accelerating; after pulling over to check for damage (as I was sure I had hit/run over something), I found nothing unusual and proceeded onto the interstate. The vehicle operated normally for approximately 25 miles at freeway speed until I was stopped at a red light. Upon trying to accelerate, the engine would only rev regardless of the gear I used, at which time I contacted an automotive shop to tow the vehicle. Currently, I am awaiting a call from the shop after their full diagnosis, which I will update this complaint. A sudden problem of this magnitude is perplexing as well as potentially costly. After reading pages of complaints similar to mine, I have no doubt that the high(er) mileage of my vehicle at the time of this incident speaks to the level of regular maintenance I have provided. Please consider seriously investigating the numerous complaints similar to mine before a life is taken as a result.

Filed Jan 27, 2009 · Body · 135,000 miles · MI

While driving in a residential area, steering wheel jerked to the right and transmission seemed to enter neutral. Upon inspection, found that the weld that anchors the control arm to the engine cradle/subframe had broken. Control arm pulled away from the cradle and dislodged the right halfshaft leaving vehicle immobile. Vehicle has not yet been repaired. A non-moving, frictionless part should not break under normal use.

Filed May 13, 2008 · Electrical, Visibility · GA

Not only does my 99 windstar stall and jerk and will not pick up speed properly but the check engine light will not go off and the ABS light will come on after I start the van and stay on as well. If I drive over 55 the o/d light flashes. When I take off from a light the o/d light flashes and the van will not pick up speed and then it jerks into gear.

Filed May 13, 2008 · Acceleration · GA

Not only does my 99 windstar stall and jerk and will not pick up speed properly but the check engine light will not go off and the ABS light will come on after I start the van and stay on as well. If I drive over 55 the o/d light flashes. When I take off from a light the o/d light flashes and the van will not pick up speed and then it jerks into gear. If I am at an incline the vehicle will not go into gear or it will make a real loud noise and jerk into gear. If anyone else who is having the same problem would like to file a class action suit against ford about this problem.

Filed Jun 1, 2007 · Brakes, Transmission · GA

The vehicle when parked at any degree of incline or decline has had repeated tendencies not to shift out of park. On this occasion, I had the vehicle on ramps changing my oil and went to put it in neutral to level it out. The vehicle appeared to have gotten stuck in reverse and neither the foot brake nor the emergency brake would stop it. It would not let me shift into any of gear until it reached level ground. I had an appointment with the dealer to look at the transmission on may 31, 2007 because I had been having trouble with the transmission shifting very rough and feeling a jerking sensation when I shifted from park to either drive or reverse.

Filed Apr 4, 2007 · Transmission · 28,000 miles · NY

Only 28,000 miles on car driven by elderly father a few miles every day for past 7 years. No indication of problem with transmission before this incident. Pulled from stop onto state road at point where a blind curve/no site distance for oncoming traffic-speed limit 45 MPH. Car jerked forward and transmission failed, no forward gears, leaving car sideways across 2 lanes of oncoming traffic. Got car to go in reverse to get off road which created an even more dangerous situation for me and all oncoming traffic. Told will cost $2,500 for re-built transmission. Ford sent standard reply to my complaint suggesting go to dealership and have checked out. Amazing that no recall has been issued or anything been done after seeing this and numerous websites with same complaints. So many of us lucky. How many deaths does it take before action will be taken? Have been a ford owner for years and will never, ever buy ford again.

Filed Nov 30, 2005 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · VA

I was sitting at a traffic light and went to pull away when the light turned green. There was very loud noise, like an explosion, and the van lurched forward. At first I thought another driver hit us and I was bracing for the impact. Fortunately, we had not been hit, but the van would not move more than a few feet at that point. I managed to pull as far over as I could in the traffic lane, although I could not reach the shoulder, and turned on my hazards. There had been no warning at all that anything was wrong with the van at that point. No warning lights, no leaking fluid, and it was still running-it just wouldn't move forward or reverse. I had been driving it all day, and I am the primary driver. The transmission seemed to be working just fine up until that point. I had not noticed any slipping or any other problems. Once it was towed to the dealer, we found out that the transmission had totally failed and we are now paying $2600 for a remanufactured transmission. The van has 89,000 miles on it currently, and we did have an extended warranty than ran out at 75,000 miles. We have had the power steering unit replaced already, in addition to ford sending mechanics out from michigan twice to repair our automatic sliding doors, which had been malfunctioning since we bought the van.

Filed Jun 25, 2005 · Engine · 50,780 miles · FL

When attempting to park, especially when parking between two vehicles and I need to proceed slowly and with caution, my engine has a sudden, momementary surge of approximately 500 RPM each time I turn the steering wheel. This causes the vehicle to suddenly lurch forward. I have had a few close calls due to this sudden movement when stopped for pedestrans to pass in front of me, I have turned the steering wheel slightly and when the vehicle surges forward, they look at me like I was attempting to run them down. As of this date, I do not know why it is doing this.