Automatic transmission gears were reduced to metal dust. Dt
1999 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 8 of 10: complaints 191 to 220 of 276, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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While driving vehicle I came to a stop at traffic signal. When signal turned green I had no forward vehicle only made noises from the transmission. This incident occured without prior notification. This incident caused me and my family to be stranded also rendering us without a vehicle for 2 weeks. Dt
Overdrive light began flashing on and off. Pulled over immediately and checked transmission fluid, which was slightly low. Drove 8 miles to automotive store, purchased fluid and refilled. Problem alleviated for two days, then overdrive light began flashing again. Disconnected battery to reset systems. Two weeks later overdrive light began flashing again. Noticed rpms were up to 3 at 69 MPH. Took van to our mechanic, who told us the overdrive was failing. He then referred us to local ford dealer, who confirmed the overdrive was failing and entire transmission would have to be replaced. Contacted ford motor company who told us financial assistance would be up to the dealership that inspected the transmission. They offered no financial assistance. Price 1,800 for new transmission, not including labor. When driving home from the dealership, engine began stalling at low idle speeds. Engine dies during take off or acceleration at low speeds. Our mechanic inspected van and could find no engine failure problems. Suspects association with transmission failure. Van is high milage, but had 66,000 miles when we bought it in 2000. Has been well maintained and is only 3 years old. This seems to be a common problems with ford windstar transmissions. In reading some of the other owners' stories, I feel very lucky my transmission went out slowly and gave us warning. Does someone have to actually get killed because of these problems before anything is done to make ford correct the problem? Considering most minivans are used to transport families, it seems that immediate action would be taken to correct an obviously life-threatening problem. Dt
Consumer states that while driving and no warning the over drive warning light will come on and if will be hard for the consumer to shift gear on the vehicle. Dealer will be notified ts
Premature transmission failure with no warning. Dt
Transmission "lurched" infrequently from day of purchase. I was told this was normal for a windstar. Transmission failed suddenly and without warning while in traffic. No accident occured but easily could have. Dt
I took it to the dealer they said they fixed the problem but he transmission still slips. The last van I had did the same thing it was a 1998 windstar. They told me there was nothing wrong with it and in 3 months I had to have the whole thing rebuilt. *nlm **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*768017
Consumer states vehicle will not go into gear. Had vehicle towed. Transmission failure.
On numerous occasions, both rear doors have failed to open. One time one of the rear doors spontaneously as I was driving down the highway, and had a child in the back seat. Problems have been fixed each time by dealer under the warranty but problems reappear every time.
There are several problems with out now three year old windstar that have either been corrected temporarily or not corrected at all. The most persistent issues are with the drivetrain in particular the transmission which shifts erratically when going around corner or climbing hills at low spead. The recall was performed at 25k but the transmission continues to operate poorly. Ford has offered no solution or warranty extension for these problems. The engine problems to date revolve around the innability to use regular or mid grade fuels as advertised on the vehicles sticker, we have been offered a valve cover replacement for $500 but in speaking with other windstar owners this only fixes the problem temporarily. Also it seems to me this is a defect that ford should fix not the owner. The other persistent problem is with the direver side power door, in hot temperatures the door does not close completely and pops open when driveing. The dealer has repaired this several times and while better that in was it continues to be an intermittent problem. We are frustrated with the probelms this vehicle has experienced including the replacement of the entire power steering system, rack, pump and hoses and more frustrating is fords unwillingness to stand behind the vehicle and its fault. Our overwhelming concern is that the transmission and engine will both fail before we have received any usefull value for our money. Ford needs to be held accountable for the products they develop, I hope you will be able to enforce some type of coverage or warrantee protection for the consumer.
Fire under hood: previous electrical problems: interiors lights coming on and staying on, dealers unable to find problem or duplicate. Radio turning on and changing stations, components on its own. Replaced on 03/06/2000. Sliding doors opening while vehicle is moving and refusing to close. Dealer unable to find cause. Computerizes keys not working in ignition on two occasions. System being reprogram both times. Am side of radio not working at night five days before fire. Noted that when headlights are turned off, am works, but when turned back on nothing but static. 2) transmission: several occassions it would hardly pull up a hill, others the car would stay at one speed although my foot was not on the accelerator. Extra braking was needed to slow vehicle down or stop. 3) computer module replaced several times and still worked erractic through 08/16/2002. 4) speedometer cluster performed erractic until relaced to include mileage doubling for any mileage driven on a given day. 5) suspension problems: spindle connecting rod replaced 03/07/2002, struts and ball joints replaced 05/29/2002, and lower arms and tie rod ends replaced 06/07/2002.
When making a left turn vehicle stalls. It is hard for consumer to keep control vehicle. Dealer notified.
Consumer applied accelerator at intersection engine revved, but vehicle would not move. Dealer rebuilt transmission. In july 2002, transmission would not shift into gear at start up, again transmission was rebuilt.
After coming to a complete stop hit gas pedal to pull off and vehicle would not accelarate.also, transmission had blown. Had transmission replaced 3 times; however, problem still occurred. . Contacted dealer.
Automatic transmission will shutter when speeds reach 35-50 MPH. Dealership has made 3 to 4 attempts to rectify failure, but problem still exists.
The transmission on our 1999 windstar has failed prematurely. I have done some research and have found out that this is a common problem with this model vehicle. I am seeking reimbursement for the repairs from ford motor company. I would appreciate any information you can give me regarding complaints filed by other ford customers who have had the same problem. Thank you.
While driving 30-40 MPH heard a whining noise. Dealer determined first and second gears have gone out. Transmission needs to be replaced.
Vehicle stopped for a light, and when attempting to take off, vehicle would not move. Consumers foot was pressed on gas pedal, and vehicle just made a noise and would not go. *ak consumer adds even though recall 00b51 was performed on vehicle, the tranny, which is possibly related to the recall, failed.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Total failure of transmission occurred at 35 months/48,000 miles - ford's response "tough luck"!
Consumer stated the check engine light would illuminate, the engine would hesitate when accelerating, the dealer replaced the cam sensor, crankshaft sensor, replaced all the plugs with platinum, and replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets.
Start vehicle put into drive, vehicle will suddently lunge forward (a sudden thrust) without touching the gas pedal. This happens atleast 95 per-cent of the time when vehicle is started. Vehicle has been taken to ashley ford, 395 mt pleasant street, new bedford, ma, 508-996-5611on more than one occassion, this last time 04/16/02 they stated that it was the transmission, and they ordered a new transmission, which is to be installed. On 04/15/02 auto was in my garage started it up put it into gear and it lunged forward almost striking my wife who was walking into the garage from the side, I park my auto facing the street, as I back it into the garage. I believe this is a serious problem have complain to ashley ford several times about this matter. I feel that it may be something else other than the transmission. (tiresize: p215/70rx-)
I was stopped at a toll booth and began to accelerate when a loud grinding/clanking sound was heard from the front of the vehicle. I then had no forward gears, however reverse still worked. I was towed to the ford dealer who informed me that there was "major internal transmission damage". This should not happen on a vehicle less than 3 years old and 44,000 miles. Cost of repairs >$2900.
Consumer noticed condensation in headlights. Dealer has been contacted. Technician stated that the headlights needed to be replaced. *ak the consumer stated that the entire headlight unit had to be replaced. After the three year warranty expired, the transmisson had to be replaced. The engine light had come on, and was told that it was the sensor.
While shifting vehicle into park vehicle would not engage properly. Vehicle was serviced, and technician replaced steel plate and reverse clutch. Please provide further information.
After reversing from a parking space onto street, the vehicle made a loud noise while the gears where changed to drive. Vehicle would no long to forward, we were able to put it in reverse and get out of the way of traffic. The transmission needs to be replaced at 41,000 miles.
Van was purchased less than 2 years ago, has been in and out for repairs at least 5 times, the first being within 3 weeks after it was purchased. I am a female so do not know the exact nature of the problems, but believe they were all related to the transmission, which has already been replaced. We continue to experience the same problem each time it needs repairs. Hard jerking when you slow down to stop and when you accelerate to go after being stopped, will go dead at times when you are idiling. We just had the alternator replaced a week ago and we out of state when the problem resurfaced 3/15.
While traveling on highway heard a noise underneath vehicle and transmission locked up. Vehicle had to be towed.
Vehicle stops moving while driving at highway speed of 70 MPH. This is second transmission failure within 69,000 mile of wear. *ak
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