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1999 Ford Windstar: stuck in gear or won't shift

8 of the 1,519 complaints about the 1999 Ford Windstar describe stuck in gear or won't shift.

owner complaints
8
of this car's complaints
1%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 51 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 12, 2017 · 183,000 miles · KS

The transmission wont go into drive. When it does, it shifts very hard and at every stop sign it goes out of gear again.

Filed Dec 28, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 127,445 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was abnormally pulling to the right in would sporadically become stuck in park. On a separate occasion the contact was driving 30 MPH when the check engine and overdrive warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where unknown repairs were performed yet the failure persisted after the repairs. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times where several unknown repairs were made but to no avail. In addition, the contact stated that the battery was replaced five times and the she was recently made aware of two open recalls on the vehicle; the federal safety agency campaign id numbers: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). Neither recall repair had yet been performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 127,445 and the approximate current mileage was 150,000.

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 Dec 13, 2004 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · WA

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.

Filed Sep 29, 2003 · Transmission · 49,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Sep 30, 2002 · Transmission · OH

Consumer states vehicle will not go into gear. Had vehicle towed. Transmission failure.

Filed Aug 20, 2002 · Acceleration, Transmission · NJ

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.

Filed Mar 22, 2000 · Body, Transmission · IL

Consumer had problem with transmission twice. Transmission wouldn't shift due to a cable being loose, and dealer replaced transmission twice. Also, dealership replaced a cable on the sliding door, and instrument panel performs erratically.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: axle assemblyReported May 3, 2012 · 27,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, and currently registered or originally sold in virginia. Over time, corrosion can weaken the rear axle making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which, if undetected, can increase and result in a complete fracture of the axle.
Risk
A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on june 19, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 12V193000 · Recall details

Questions about the 1999 Ford Windstar won't shift

Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 1999 Ford Windstar?

8 of 1,519 owner complaints about the 1999 Ford Windstar (1%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. The model year with the most reports is 1995.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Ford Windstar?

There is 1 recall and 51 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 1999 Ford Windstar

ABS 212Transmission failure 84Check engine light 57Adaptive cruise 53Ball joint 52Fire or smoke 51Grinding brakes 44Stalling 41Harsh shifting 33Power steering loss 31Wipers 27Jerking 26Steering noise 25Door locks 23Loss of power 18Sudden acceleration 16Coil spring 15Pulling 15Brake failure 14Engine failure 14Slipping 14Tire blowout 14No deployment 12Knocking 12Fuel gauge 9Overheating 9Shudder 9Headlights 8Hesitation 8Whining noise 8Won't start 8Airbag light 7Fuel pump 7Seat belt 6Fuel leak 5

All model years of the Ford Windstar

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