The overdrive light began flashing when driving at highway speeds. An electronic diagnostic test performed revealed the failure of the torque converter clutch and the stator. The recommended action was to replace the transmission, at a cost of $3,086.72. A transmission shouldn't fail at 65,000 miles.
1999 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 6 of 10: complaints 131 to 160 of 276, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The consumer stated the vehicle rolled off a hill, went across the highway into a field there was damage to the drivers door and the muffler. The second time the incident happened the vehicle was in the consumers driveway and crashed into a tree, the vehicle sustained damaged to the fender. In both cases the consumer stated the air bags did not deploy. The steering wheel never locked on the vehicle as well. *ak
I really don't know where to begin. We purchased this vehicle used in 2000. The day after purchase it had to be returned to the dealer for electrical problems. The dealership fixed the problems. We noticed a hard shifting right away and inquired about it with the dealership. They said that it was because it had a large engine and we were just not used to it. We drove it for about 18 months when at 60,000 miles the o/d light began flasing. We took it to a ford dealership and was told the transmission went out. We were lucky and had purchased an extended warranty which after many phone calls and complaints finally put in a new transmission. Now 2 years and 30,000 later we need another new transmission. The van starting lurching when stopped at a stoplight and then tried to stall. We has also noted a noise that sounds like the whole front end is about to fall out. We also have electrical problems where the light come on and never go off. The A/C-heat, comes on when you start the van and the blower is in the off position. The electric door locks, which are supposed to lock when the car is put in drive, finally lock about 50 miles down the road. After much research on the van and all the problems it has I can't believe that ford will not do something. I guess the lives of the families with children that drives these vans mean nothing to them. I guess it will take the death of someone's children and a heafty lawsuit to finally get some action. My wife is now afraid to even get behind the wheel of our van since it has a tendency to have its failures in the middle of traffic ( guess we are glad it has a five star safety rating). We would get rid of it but have now found out that it has no value either.
While driving a van full of 6 young girls to a sports practice, the van started jumping when slowing down and accelerating. We stopped at a stop sign and then the car would not move in drive .suddenly, it jumped into drive, all the while , my carfull were very upset and thought we were going to crash. I barely made it to the practice parking lot. The van was jumping the whole drive. It then stalled in the driveway. I attempted to turn the car back on but there came a very loud, scary noise from the engine. I got it on, but it would not drive in drive, only in nuetral. I had to be towed. It was a major hassle. I came to find that th e transmission had gone at 72,000 miles. I had been complaining to the dealer that the engine light was always on. It was evaluated and they said it was a sensor problem that all started at about 30,000 miles. Come to think of it, the van "jumped from gear to gesr since day 1". Ford motor company will also be contacted. It seems pretty fishy that there are so many complaints about the same thing.
Transmission has been replaced twice! First time when we brought it in to dealer - they had no idea what could make the rattle sound (warrenty was still in effect). It was happening around 40mph - whole front end would rattle. They had transmission "expert" look at it and they said that it was not the transmission. About 10,000 miles later - wham! Could not drive. Took it back (after warrenty expired) and transmission "expert" says it is torque converter and it would need new/rebuilt trans - not covered under warrenty. I went else where for the repair, not a cent more to ford - ever. Next, after I got my trans rebuilt by 3rd party, it failed again 25,000 miles later. They got all the updates, etc - and trust me, they do a great job on trans (they repair fbi cars). After 2 rebuilds later - we are up and running again - but, if someone offers me money for this car, they can have it! Found on road dead - (and changing the name to freestar does not help the cover up)
While sitting in traffic the driver applied the accelerate pedal the vehicle rolled backwards then stalled. The driver tried to restart the vehicle, but failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver a sun gear inside of the transmission needed replacing. Please fill in additional information.
While driving consumer heard a loud "popping" sound. When putting the vehicle in drive it went into reverse.
While driving the consumer heard a popping sound. When depressing the gas pedal, the vehicle would not travel forward and when the vehicle was shifted into reverse the vehicle moved backwards. The mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. *ak
I just purchased this vehicle may 2003. I was having transmission problems wouldn't accelerate past 40 km's then would rev really high then kick into gear. I found out from another dealership that the vehicle has had a transmission put in dec'02 at 68,000kms then another went in jan'03 with 974 km's on that one & found out today I need a new one. I am fighting with the dealership that sold me this vehicle that I am not responsible for it. That they obviously knew there was a problem with it when they sold it to me. Still waiting to see who's going to pay for it. Been waiting for tuesday will be a week. Dealer I bought it from was totem ford mercury.
* vehicle leans since purchased sept 13, 2003. * allignment problems. * transmission does not properly change gears. * low treads on tires. * a frame problems. * suspension steering makes a clunking noise. * brakes must be pumped to stop, and make a ticking noise when applied. * vehicle has overheated. * power steering fluid leaked. * gears do not shift properly. * primer scotch guard on seats wearing after coat applied.
We first had to replace the transmission at 49000 miles for $2000.00. Just a few months later the engine failed at 53000 miles. To save money, we purchased a used engine from a wrecked windstar van for $900.00. My husband and father did the labor themselves. Then in july 2003 we had to replace the shift solenoids which cost $500.00 for parts and labor. Now, just a little over a year from replacing the first transmission, the van is in the shop again with transmission problems. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciate. Thanks for your time.
Purchased used 11/15/02. Upon 2nd routine oil change was advised that I had a trans. Leak pan gasket. Took the van to dealership (nemer ford) where purchased, advised them that the van was not shifting properly in addition to the gasket needing replacement.they advised me that the gasket did need to be replaced and that I should have the transmission flushed and serviced, I agreed to this service. There was still slight shuddering when shifting, but not like it was. Upon taking it in for the 3rd routine oil change, I advised them that not only was the shuddering getting worse, but now the o/d light is flashing and the RPM's are jumping around. Also told them that when you initially start the vehicle there is a momentary grinding noise. Picked up the van and returned it for the exact same issues 19 days later. I have yet to take it back to the dealership as we are still experiencing all of the exact same issues, with the added twists of interior lights coming on when we hit bumps and turning off when we hit the next bump, when using the right hand turn signal, upon straightening out from the turn the left turn signal comes on all by itself, and last but not least there is an odor that can only be compared to raw sewer coming from under my hood, not sulfer, but sewer. To date the solenoid has been replaced, as has the torque converter, (with much resistance from the warranty company) I have a hard time believing that the ford corporation is unaware of these problems, as I am clearly not the only consumer dealing with these issues. Thank you for your time, tiffany m. Sanchez
Mileage was 49600, total cost for the repair was $2600.00 but our cost was only $2072.00 because drew ford in san diego, ca helped us cover some of the cost. The itemized bill said the remanufactured transmission was $1702.28. The tranny went out with no warning lights and no sign of giving out. My wife usually drives it but I had just driven it the day before and I am in tune with odd noises and the van had none. 8/22/2003 in the evening when she pulled into our garage and was still moving forward, it stopped. It didn't move until the engine was rev'd pretty high then it would kick in violently. That lasted about 2 or 3 times while trying to finish moving it into the garage when a huge grinding sound took place and the van did not move again until the tow truck took it away! I am outraged that the van was so young when a major component went out like the transmission. And after combing the web for others who have experienced this, I found plenty of people. I think ford motor company should pay for this. I figure they won't, though.
We purchased the 1999 windstar in dec 1998. From the first weeks of ownership, we have complained about the transmission. Dealer changed transmission fluid and said nothing was wrong. Problems were as follows: loud clunks when shifting from park to reverse, while foot pressing firmly on brake pedal; transmission hesitates when down shifting going around corners; as a passenger I felt as if the whole car was lunging causing dizziness to motion sickness (did not occur while I was driving); hard shifts between first & second; rear window wiper failed; power steering pump replaced which caused the rack & pinion seals to fail, which resulted in a new rack installed; egr valve rubber boot kept popping off until I placed a small hose clamp to hold it in place; check engine light stays on every since 15,000 miles; o/d button never worked; o/d light flashed repeatedly minutes prior to the transmission going out. Now the ford dealer said I needed a new upper plenum, egr valve, pfe, valve cover gasket, battery cable and this was found while checking the transmission problem. I told them to forget it! $3k is enough to spend on a five year old car! This is all I can think of at this point.
We have taken this van in for repair fivetimesin one year. The first month we had it the head was replaced. The power steering has gone out for now the fifth time. I actually lost controlof the vehicle due to beingunable to turn the steering. My husband has to drive me everywhere because only he can turn the steering wheel. Each time we take it for repair we are charged a deductible and I can not do this anymore. This is obviously a lemon. Marshall mize ford in chattanooga tennessee is where the vehicle was purchased in january of 2001. They also have performed all service on this vehicle. Ford has not been understanding of why my payments have been late, but when you are having these kinds of issues such as electrical, transmission, air conditioning, and engine malfunctions, it does not take a genius to figure out why a woman with a family who depends on this vehicle as reliable, safe means of transportation is having difficulty. Maybe if their product was of better quality, my children would be in a safe vehicle, and ford would get their money on time.
I am having lots of troubles with 1999 ford windstar since the day I bought from dealer (lew webb ford, garden grove). 1. Currently my van has manifold leakage. This has occurred immediately after the ford dealer fixed my transmission leakage. The price quoted is $1200 out of which I have to pay $540. I have already spent lots of money in maint & repairs. Before this I had to take my van to dealer for following problems: transmission leakage at 37000 miles. Front & back brakes at 37000 miles. Electrical system failure. Couple of recalls. Currently it has approximately 50600 miles on odometer and I have been communicating to & fro with dealer. For the current problem dealer has offered me 55% in assistance. But my problem is I am wasting lots of time, money & energy to have all this problems fixed. I would prefer to hand this van back to dealer or atleast get more assistance from dealer or ford company. Please advise me of any further action I should take. My phone number is[xxx]. Thanks in advance for looking into this matter. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I was just over my warranty in july/2002 on a 1999 ford windstar with 31,000 miles. My wife was driving with my three kids the van stalled. The transmissions failed?
Transmission went out with no warning. Internal failure of components.
Transmission is primary issue has shifting problem at low speed, has over 8 tsb on the issue and has new transmission installed but still have problem the other issues are clearly common for this model as well, but this transmissionand fords lack of support from their service and dealers is unacceptable.
The transmission went out again on 6-21-03 with just under 60000 miles on van. Both transmission failures wre sudden without any warning slippage etc. Both trans failures left the vehicle with no forward gears, but reverese worked each time. The fluid has been changed properly and the van is well maintained.
The vehicle will not engage into gear, can move lever but vehicle will not move.
Consumer complained repeatedly about transmission problems, but nothing was done because the dealer could not duplicate the problem. *ak the door lock was inoperative with the key, when driven at low speeds a clunk noise was heard, but it was an intermittent problem, the vehicle lurched in low gear and the consumer had to downshift when going up hill. *sc
Transmission went out on my 1999 windstar van ...has 61,300 miles on it....was putting it in drive from a stopped postion and heard a loud noise and almost sounded like explosion of sorts....like a backfire in muffler....does not go in drive at all....speedometer doesnt work when motor is revved ...
Automatic transmission failure at 75000 miles. Sudden loss of forward gears. Reverse works. This transmission was replaced at 21,000 miles and has been rebuilt at the ford dealer as well. The windstar transmission is a lemon.
While driving my 1999 winstar the overdrive light came on, so I looked in my rearview mirror and saw smoke comming from under the vehicle. So, I pull over to the side of the road and stop, transmission fluid was leaking out. My winstar van broke down out side of nashville, tn with 70,401 miles on it. The costs at john barker's two rivers ford in nashville was $2017.81.
Problems with vehicle's transmission and rack and pinion.*mr the rack and pinion type gear had to be replaced at 71,900 miles. One month later while at a traffic light, the consumer stepped on the accelerator and the vehicle did not move, the vehicle was towed to a near by mechanic shop where the transmission was replaced. *jb
We replaced the transmission on our 99 windstar 4 weeks ago...two days ago the power steering started grinding and we brought it in for repairs...replaced the power steering pump within 30 miles of the dealer the noise in the power steering came back and after paying $800.00 for the power steering pump they want to now charge us $600.00 to replace the rack...in the last 4 weeks the repairs on the windstar have been over $4000.00... This on a vehicle with less than 70,000 miles...I have pages of windstar owner complaints of the same nature...the transmission and the power steering on the windstar is faulty and I hope ford listens...this will be the last ford we purchase!
One day everything worked fine in the car, next day,the car won't shift properly in all gears and shudders while at a stop. Two different repair places have told me it is definitly a failed transmission. I'm currently at 49k miles on the car... Way too early for this to happen. According to all the posts at cartrackers.com, lots of others have also had the same problem with ford winstars.
Transmission in '99 ford windstar failed after 85,000 miles
My 1999 ford windstar with 95000 miles experienced complete transmission failure due to three now updated problems that ford does not want to recognize or be responsible for. The first is a shudder during the 1-2 upshift caused by a faulty solenoid which is now updated in the reman transmission. The second is a faulty torque converter that was also an updated item and causes my van to not want to shift at the appropriate times. The third is slipping which occurs at highway speeds and is caused due to a faulty clutch piston which is also an updated item in all remanufactured transmissions for that make and model. For it to be a coincidence that all three caused premature trnsmission failure and all three also to be updates is undeniable evidence that the original transmission was not engineered correctly or not manufactured correctly. This should be recalled or be covered by extended warranty because after reading bulletins and similar complaints it is clear that ford know all about this and is trying to just cover it up.
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