While driving on an interstate highway, the transmission in my wife's 1999 ford windstar se broke without warning, causing the vehicle to decelerate in morning rush hour traffic. The vehicle is currently being evaluated for repair cost.
1999 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 5 of 10: complaints 101 to 130 of 276, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The intake manifold gaskets and transmission have been replaced in the consumer's 1999 ford windstar. *bf
While driving 65 MPH, the over drive light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Black smoke poured out of the exhaust pipe . Consumer was able to pull over and drive the vehicle home by pouring a quart of the transmission fluid into transmission cooling unit and lines. Consumer had a mechanic inspect the vehicle, and mechanic determined that torque converter needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.
I was stopped at a 4-way stop, started to accelerate and heard a loud bang from the engine compartment. I then had no forward gears, but reverse still worked. The vehicle was towed to a local ford dealer, who informed me that I needed a new (remanufactured) transmission at $2500. The vehicle has only 43,423 miles and has been regularly maintained. I contacted the ford customer relationship center, but was offered no assistance or "goodwill" because the warranty period had expired. The number of 1999 windstar transmission failures reported at the federal safety agency and other websites appears to be inordinately high.
Transmission shifting problem, no leak. Had speed sensor replaced and while there had fluid flushed and changed. The day after returning home with vehicle noticed small amount of fluid on carport. Returned to dealer within 2-3 days. Was told that maybe some fluid had spilled while changing. Several days later noticed much more fluid on carport. Returned to dealer. Now they say the torque converter seal was cracked. It was not leaking at all before being serviced. This seal just mysteriously decided to leak immediately after the transmission was serviced?
The transmission failed at 56,000 miles and the second transmission has failed with 39,000 mile on it. Ford and the dealership are refusing to do anything. There is no acknowledgement on their part that there is an inherent problem with 1999 windstar transmissions. After much internet research< I say there is !
The vehicle's check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the fuel filter. *nm the alternator, right inner cv boot, ABS module, and brake master cylinder were replace.
My wife was driving our 1999 ford windstar and without any prior events, the transmission started to "slip" when taking off from a start. She promptly drive home 1.5miles and by the time she got home the van could not be driven because the transmission shuddered so bad when you stepped on the accelerator. We had the van towed the next day and were given news of a transmission failure and a $1900 repair bill. The car only had 57,000 miles.
While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. The vehicle was towed to a body shop for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the transmission needed to be replaced. Please provide further details.
We were stopped at a stoplight at the corner of 7th ave. And pike street in downtown seattle. When the light turned green, my husband pressed on the gas pedal. When he did that, we heard a "thunk" noise, and then the gears started grinding and the engine started revving because it would not go into gear. We had to have the vehicle towed back to tacoma to a transmission repair facility.
Just about everything that can go wrong with a car, I've experienced it as the owner of this 1999 ford windstar lx. I've had transmission work done, brake work, replaced tires (twice in 2 years), replace the battery and the starter. I came to this site because the car wouldn't start, wouldn't take a jump, wouldn't make a sound. I called to have it towed and the gentleman jiggled the key in the ignition and the car started. A few days later the same thing happened again. This time no one could start it. Testing the battery and primary parts for starting the car proved that these parts were all functioning normal. A few hours and $127.00 later (not including the cost of towing the vehicle) I'm told the problem is with the anti-theft device. It is broken and needs to be replaced to the tune of about $900.00 with a 90-day warranty. Recommendations to me were to get rid of the car. "this particular part in all ford vehicles is poorly built." I haven't decided what I'm going to do at this point, however, I feel pretty sure my decision will not involve staying with ford.
Consumer was driving through an intersection and while making a left turn passenger's side front wheel came off, pulling the axle out of the transmission. Vehicle has front wheel drive. Consumer contacted the dealer, and was told that the sub frame had to be replaced. *ak......according to a few dealerships the subframe has ha dnumerous problems causing the manufacturer to alter the manner in which the tie rod is mounted on the windstar subframe when the tie rod failed rusting completely off . Vehicle was pulling out from a stop sign making aleft turn when the wheel shifted and brought vehicle to a complete stop. If it happened earlier it would have happened at 55 which would have been much worse. Cost by ford was $1155.00.
Transmission on our 1999 ford windstar had to be replaced costs us 2500.00. Car has only 56,000 miles on it.
On oct 30, 2004 engine light came on toke to dealer leaking head gasket costing $459.00 now the transmission has failed which is going to cost 2398.00 to fix two major repairs in 2 weeks this is crap ford so fix the problem with a recall.
At approximately 79,000 miles, transmission failed catastrohically. I was stopped at a red light, and proceeded forward when the light changed. Almost immediately, I felt a violent forward jolt, then the vehicle would no longer go forward, though it would reverse. I had vehicle towed, and was informed the transmission needed replaced, costing $1800 (and that was with a discount for being frequent customers.) also, the o/d light began flashing days after we bought the vehicle used in 2002. Dealer repaired free, but informed us that the wiring harness connected to the o/d switch rested on the engine, where normal vibrations caused it to wear through and fail. The technician called it a "design flaw."
At 33,000 miles, sudden transmission failure. Rebuilt at a local shop for $2600 ... Ford contacted, but refused to stand behind its product.
Overdrive light will flash repeatedly after approximately driving 20-25 miles on the highway. When this happens, rpms increase and van attempts to lunge forward. Also, while putting van into gear loud clunking noise. Transmission was flushed completely, but problem persists. First occurance at 61,000 miles while driving family back from vacation. 2nd occurance at 63,000 miles and 3rd occurance at 63,800 miles.
The poorly manufactured aluminum pistons in the transmission fractured and destroyed other components in the transmission at 99,000 miles.
When parked on a hill, the vehicle rolled back. *bf when the vehicle rolled, it went a big field and caused damage to the drivers door and muffler. The second incident, the vehicle was sitting in the consumers driveway on a little hill when it rolled and hit a tree and caused damage to the fender and bumper. The consumer stated when both accidents happened the air bags never deployed. Also the steering wheel never locked.
Awful noise coming from front of vehicle with tendency to stall. Towed to lee myles transmissions, with diagnosis of a separated 1/2 drum asm epc solenoid. Repair cost $2148.03 minus $180.28 plus tax for a transmission cooler with labor.
Transmission problem with 1999 ford windstar on several occasion. *bf (transmission slippage) these problems have existed since the vehicle was first purchased; engine trouble, vaporization leaks, and a broken gear. There were also worn front brakes, steering was inoperative, and there was a vacuum leak due to the upper intake manifold. *sc
We were driving on the freeway in ohio without any problems. Upon exiting the freeway we stopped at a stop sign and barely accelerated and the van hesitated and we barely made a slight turn into a gas station when the van would not switch into gear. We managed to nurse it into a parking spot and put it in park and there is where it stayed, unable to shift into any other gear. We were on our way to florida from michigan. The van only had 53091 miles on it and was maintained well. We had the van towed to a dealer and were told the transmission needed to be replaced due to a faulty sun gear. Upon further questioning we were told that something not welded properly just "broke loose" and destroyed the transmission.
Driving locally at low speed, upon accelerating from a stop light, the vehicle experienced an abrupt transmission failure. No prior symptoms, just a loud bang and then it would not move forward and had to be towed. Dealer where the van was purchased and serviced at offered no recourse as I am out-of-warranty! In process of getting estimates to replace transmission.
Transmission failed while shifting from park to drive. A loud squeaking noise wa coming from the front. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced.
Complete transmission failure at 75,000 miles. Relaced transmission totaling $2,544.00.
First, the o/d light flashed. A few days later, whie driving on the higway with all my kids in the van, I saw tons of smoke coming from behind the van. I pulled off the highway and saw all the transmission fluid pouring out under the front end. I drove to an exit, called for a ride home (it took two separate drivers to come and get me and the kids!) and got the van towed. The torque converter clutch went, and then caused the transmission failure as well--at 74,000 miles. Every garage I called said that this is a bad transmission, and they replace/rebuild it all the time.
Two problems occurred in one month. First, the power steering went crazy. The ford dealer told me that it was leaking and had to replace the entire power steering assembly. But I was not sure because I do not know if ford dealer was trying to rip me off. Then I took it to carx in racine, wi to take a look at it. He said same thing but he can't fix it because he had to order the part. Then I decided to wait and leave. About 2 miles later, the transmission blew up in the middle of the road. The engine was running but can't drive or gear. I had it towed to towne ford inc. In racine, wi. The towne ford inc said that he found the problem. The problem was one of the gears snapped off the metal part. They had no idea why it happened. So, my option is to replace the entire transmission instead of several parts because of the cost and warranty coverage. But my van isn't old yet. It is 1999 ford windstar and it has 50,000 miles on it. It is still kind of new. Why did the transmission blow up at 50,000 miles? What is the life expectancy on transmission? By miles or age? Also, why did power steering get leaking?
Consumer was at a red light of a major intersection, heard a very loud explosion sound, and the car wouldn't move. Transmission literally exploded for no reason and no warning. Danger because of our location causing traffic problems. Car only has 55000 miles on it. We had the trans rebuilt - steel part exploded. Costing consumer $2400. Ford is not willing to help or acknowledge safety problems when a car just dies - could cause major accidents and injury, especially when you don't know when it's going to stop or die next on you. Afraid to drive it now with my family. Second time in 4 months this car has caused problems on a major interstate and intersection.
While slowing down to 25 MPH the vehicle stopped going forward. Vehicle was able to go backwards, but not forward. Vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who determined that a new transmission was needed. *ak
I lost all acceleration while in the outside lane on the interstate. Fortunately I was able to coast to the emergency parking lane without incident, however, without the ability to accelerate (no gears at all) it could have been quite dangerous on a busier stretch of highway. I was towed to the nearest ford dealer and had to replace the transmission pump, shaft, valve body and seals.
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