2000 Ford Windstar: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 2, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 105,259 miles · NY

When shifting the car into p, r, n, or d, it makes a loud thumping sound and makes the whole car jerk. When I turn the steering wheel you can hear a loud grinding, creaky cracking like noise coming from the front of the car.

Filed Jul 11, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 73,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle jerked and all the electrical systems in the vehicle shut off completely. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle home. The contact also stated that the vehicle would overheat and the ant-freeze would leak. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was 73,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2011 · Transmission · 115,552 miles · TN

While driving my 2000 ford windstar in a grocery store parking lot, preparing to go onto a very busy road, the van made a loud bang and slammed to a stop. I was alarmed as I had my foot on the gas pedal at the time and I was going about 10 miles an hour. The jolt from the sudden stop was enough to jerk myself and my 3 children forward, it was rather shocking. If I had been going 65, or if there had been a car close behind me, and it slammed to a stop, it would have had catastrophic results. I pressed the gas to go, and nothing. The only gear that would work was reverse. I had to park it and call a tow truck, it was taken to a ford dealer who determined the transmission needed to be replaced. The van had 115, 552 miles on it.

Filed Oct 20, 2010 · Suspension, Transmission · 184,000 miles · IL

I was traveling on the chicago interstate I-290 at around 3:30 am when my rear axel snapped on my 2000 ford windstar minivan. The incident occurred on the morning of september 27th, 2010 on a clear day with ideal road conditions but in a long term construction zone. I was traveling about 45 miles per hour and in light traffic when the axel snapped on the passengers side causing me to jerk violently to the right and through construction barriers into an open lane and onto the shoulder a short distance later. Any other time, this could have been tragic but given the early hour of my travel to work and the reduced speeds due to ongoing construction I was able to control the violent movement to the right without injury or mishap. The car was towed a short time later to a local repair shop and I searched for information on broken axles and windstars I found the information on the ford recall. A local dealer paid for towing to their lot, and arranged for a long-term loaner vehicle and for vehicle rental insurance. The car was maintained in a regular fashion but was 10 years old and had 184 thousand real miles on the odometer. It remains at the ford dealer in elmhurst, illinois awaiting word from ford motor company on any repair or replacement discussions. No offers of correction, repair, or replacement have been made to this time, october 20th, 2010 best regards,

Filed Sep 26, 2010 · Transmission · 111,500 miles · NC

My 2000 ford windstar just died as I was pulling into the driveway today 9/26/2010. The car wont move forward in drive, but goes backwards in reverse. For the last few years its been jerking and racing and I called ford and told them about it. They said the jerking when you shift is normal. I took the vehicle to the dale jarret ford in charlotte nc to service another recall and I mentioned about the jerking when you shift and the needles flipping out. He said that his wife's car had similar issues and it was the alternator. The salesman shifted the gear up and down and said it was definetely the alternator and it would cost $350 to fix. I took it to another place that said the alternator was fine, it was the cluster that made the needles flip out. Nice goin' ford guy!! The overdrive light had been flickering since saturday morning and by sunday afternoon, the transmission looks like it is fried. Please let me know if there is a recall or any other options. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 8, 2010 · Transmission · 124,000 miles · WI

I was @ a stop sign with my 2 kids in the back. When I started to cross the busy intersection I heard a loud pop & the van lurched forward & stopped part way in the intersection. I could not drive forward. My kids were just screaming. Luckily I was able to only drive in reverse (no one was behind me) & get the van out of traffic. My father is a mechanic & said he sees this all the time with windstars, especially the 2000. It took a couple of weeks to actually find a salvaged transmission (I was not going to pay for it to be rebuilt). Apparently that transmission was only made for that one year because ford knew it was bad. But that made it that much harder to replace.

Filed Aug 19, 2010 · Transmission · 119,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle began jerking extremely hard. The contact was able to drive to her residence where she discovered a leak in the automatic transmission. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where she was advised that the transmission would need to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 119,000. Updated 11/16/10.

Filed Aug 6, 2010 · Suspension · 149,000 miles · PA

I own a 2000 ford windstar lx . On august 4, 2010 at approximately 5pm I was driving at about 30 MPH when suddenly I thought my tire had blown out. I saw lot's of smoke or dust coming from the rear end and the car was lurching to a stop. There was no other vehicle traffic on the road at the time. I pulled to a stop and got out to inspect my rear tires. I realized at that time that my rear axle had broken in half. I called a tow truck and was taken to my mechanic.

Filed Jun 14, 2010 · Body, Transmission · 94,000 miles · RI

I owned a 2000 ford windstar with approximately 94,000 miles. For about a week, it was difficult to control the car when driving over uneven surfaces, especially while braking on an uneven or bumpy surface because the rear end would shift to the right or left under these conditions. .a few days later, the front end began to jerk and I took it into the garage. Upon review, the mechanic told me the transmission needed to be replaced and the rear axle was broken almost completely through.

Filed Aug 21, 2008 · Transmission · 86,125 miles · FL

Our van has 86000 miles on it. The o/d light started flashing and I took it to the ford dealer to have it checked out. Three weeks later while my wife was driving the van, there was a loud noise and the van would not go in reverse, will ease forward in neutral and is jerky in drive.

Filed Nov 6, 2007 · Transmission · 67,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the overdrive light blinked. The mechanic stated that the vehicle needed a rebuilt transmission. As of november 6, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 67,000 updated 01-14-08. *kb updated 12/12/07.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Transmission · VA

I have a 2000 windstar sel. It is jerking when put in reverse or in drive. The gasket has a leak problem. The transmission light came on 9/29/05. I called a ford dealership to also question about the cruise control switch that is made of plastic that can heat and catch on fire located near the brake and they ignored my complaint. I had the oil changed and I asked the mechanic to point out that plastic piece and he showed it to me whereas, the dealer just refused. I am driving around with a van that jerks and possibly could catch on fire!