Problem incident--- ford dealership using bg products transmission flush system to perform the 60000 mile emission service induces a serious transmission leak. Dealer says the bg process can not cause such a problem. Sent the vehicle away with a serious transmission leak.
2000 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 7 of 10: complaints 161 to 190 of 271, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The transmission failed with 55,000 mile on it. We took it to norristown ford in pa and we need a new transmission. It cost us $3000.00.
When I put the van in drive in the a.m., it hesitated like I had it in between gears. As I pulled out into the highway, we heard a loud crunch like we bottomed out. As we are sitting in the middle of a busy road with on coming traffic, the van only went in reverse!! Much to the surprise of on coming traffic. This mini van has only 47,000 miles and has been babied for a long time.
While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed.
A 2 year old child was able remove the gear shifter lever from park into drive without depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was parked with the engine running when this happened. This resulted in consumer's vehicle rear ending another vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted, but didn't provide any helpful assistance.
While driving pulling alight utility trailer my overdrive off light came on.when I tried to disengage the overdrive nothing happened. I took this vehichle to the dealer of purchase, and I was told there was no serious problem.I read in my ourners manual that this flashing od off light indicated that the transmission needed imeadiate service. I then took the vehicle to a larger dealership and they told me that the transmission would not go in overdrive and that the transmission fluid was burned. They said I needed a new transmission and they offered to install a ford rebulit for aproximatly $2400. The van had only 49900 miles. I told them I was not interested in purchasing anything from a companey who couldn't build a transmission that would not last more the 41000 miles. I contacted an independent transmission service who could install a rebuilt transmission at about the same cost and it would be garenteed for 75000miles. Ford would only gaurentee ther transmission for 36ooo. I told this dealership I would never do any more bussiness with ford , and I would spread the word every where I could about their infearior products.
While starting the vehicle and shifting from park to drive consumer heard a loud noise coming from underneath of the vehicle. Then, vehicle won't move. An independent repair shop repaired the transmission.
While driving at 40 MPH consumer heard a lot of squeaks and noises in the engine compartment. Several days later , while driving at 30 MPH, the noise was heard again ,and vehicle stalled while making a u-turn. Also, the right front axle broke. Mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be repaired.
Transmission broke when vehicle was just out of warranty this past winter. We have had to have it replaced 5 times since then. He continues to hesitate and we have talked to several other windstar owners who have also had to get multiple transmissions. Is there a problem with ford transmissions?
We purchased a 2000 ford windstar limited on 3/21/04 from a ford dealership in ionia, mi. We were told the van had been very well maintained and had been gone over mechanically by their people. It only had 38,549 miles on it. We have only had it a month and the transmission has gone out of it. Do we have any recourse? At the time this happen, the vehicle was being driven up a hill in heavy downtown traffic. Luckily no one was hurt, the van just would not go any where except backwards. My college age son and his buddie guided the van backwards into a parking lot a few feet away to wait for a wrecker. It was towed 35 miles, which is where it is sitting until we can decide what to do. I had mechanic look at it, but he felt it should be covered. He did not tear it down.
While driving and coming to complete stop at a stop sign automatic transmission would not go into gear. Transmission totally failed , only the reverse gear was working. Vehicle was towed to the dealer. Technician indicated they could replace it with a new transmission or rebuilt it at consumer's expense.
Transmission failure.
My complaint is with my 2000 ford windstar. In approx. June of 2003(don't have exact date because vehicle is at dealership), with no warning my transmission failed. Had it towed to dealership where purchased. Easy care warranty refused claim due to fact transmission was flushed 1000 miles past recommendation. Dealership nor ford motor co. Provided no help. Had vehicle towed to local mechanic for repair. Local mechanic documented that transmission had no impact on failure. Cost of repair was approx. $2100. In jan. 2004, engine light came on. Local mechanic ran diagnosis and stated it must be repaired by ford dealer. Stated that drivability was ok. Took into dealership today, feb.2, 2004. Once again, easy care refused claim because it was a poorly designed part and they were aware of this. Once again, ford motor co. Was no help. Stated that vehicle's warranty had expired. Per easy care, there is a revised valve cover that has better baffling system. Ford has a design flaw. Ford will not stand behind their parts, therefore, the warranty is meaningless and the customer must pay for poor design??!! The repair will cost in excess of $700. I would like ford to incur the cost of repair due to acknowledgment of defective design.
Complete failure of the transmission at 42,000 miles. No forward gears- only reverse. Heard a loud bang when attempting to accelerate from a red light.
Transmission failed. I was in heavy traffic, I stopped to let another auto pass. I was not able to move my car. The rear sun gear drum broke in two pieces, which was the cause of failure. Total cost $2,426.79 note: I have broken pieces. Many failures for 2000 to 2002.
Was stopped at a traffic light and once the light had changed and I was able to proceed the vehicle would not move forward. The vehicle would move in reverse but not in the forward gear. Had to have the vehicle towed to the dealership where it was purchased and it was found that the sun gear had broken causing additional damage to the transmission. Cost for the repair to the vehicle is estimated at over $2000.
Transmission on my 2000 windstar lx totally failed at 70,000 miles. Repair cost over $2,500. I wrote to ford and complained, as I am aware of this happening to many other people with windstars, many with less milage, one as low as 45,000 miles. Ford has refused to extend the warranty on the transmission, although it must be obvious there is a defect. Their customer service reps claim to have never heard of a transmission problem in a windstar before. I find this impossible to believe.
During the first 2 years of driving the vehicle there was always a noticeable thunk when the gearshift was first engaged. On two separate occasions I inquired of the dealer what this might be and was advised that it was not unusual and that I should use the parking brake at all times to minimize this problem. In any event, after 2 1/2 years of mainly highway driving the transmission simply failed one day while I was on a major highway driving about 110 km/hr. It was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the failure as arising from a hydraulic line that had burst inside the transmission leaking a contaminating fluid into the transmission fluid which subsequently resulted in a melt-down of the working parts inside the transmission.
I complained of a rattling noise sounding like chains under the hood of the van , starting from 7,700 miles to the present. Each time taking it in and being told that they could not find a problem, to them fixing something and the noise still being there. I stated to them on several occasions that the van was not riding right. I complained of a loud grinding noise when I turned the wheel. Again, they said nothing was wrong. The brakes where always rubbing and they replaced the pads. I was told semi-metallic pads make noises. They replaced the computer, because I complained that upon accleration the van would make a pinging noise. I was told it was combustion with the gas. I followed there recommendations about what gas to use, and other things to do. It still continued and they stated that they could do nothing else about it. I owned a '98 winstar and never had these problems and it did not drive the way my 2000 did. Right now the van is sitting in my garage, with a broken transmission and I cannot get help from ford.I lease the van and I refuse to pay for repairs on a van, that ford should be resposible for. My lease is almost over and they should back their product up. I put alot of extra money in this van to keep it well maintained. I feel ford should help me.
12/02 engine light came on - had to have upper plenum gasket, o-rings, vacuum elbow and valve cover with gasket replaced for $600.00. 4/03, car less than 3 yrs. Old but with 44k miles, the transmission blew: weld broke on the "drum over the planetary gear". So warranty expired at 36k miles but windstar still under 3 yrs. Old. I expect a car to last at least 3 years before anything this expensive happens. Want ford to pay for repairs and extend warranty til windstar is paid for in 2005.
Second transmission failure. First failure occurred at 29000 miles in october 2001. Second failure occurred june 2000 with 56000 miles on the car and only 27000 miles on the rebuilt transmission. Ford has offerred to pay 50% of the repair cost for the first transmission. I told them I believe this is a safety issue because both times the transmission failed without warning. I am very unhappy with the quality of the transmission and ford's offer to only pay 50% for an obvious defect in their transmission.
Right from the day I bought the van, I have had one issue or the other. Here are some of the major issues. 1. Tires - my new van had bumps on all 4 tires. Every tire dealer told me they would burst on driving. They were general tires. I went to ford many times and opened a case with them also to no avail. After 12,000 miles, I decided to buy 4 new tires myself for the safety of my family at my own expense. 2. At 15,000 miles, I had to get my front brakes changed as they had reached their end of life. 3. At 15,000 miles, I also had to get my transmission fluid as well as drop pan changed as they worn out 4. At 30,000 miles, I had to get my front brake pads again changed (these were also worn out). What is surprising is that my rear brakes are fine 5. At 30,000 miles, I also had to get my transmission fluid as well as drop pan changed as they worn out 6. At 40,000 miles, my check engine light came on, for which I had to get the entire cooling system changed as well as had major engine work done to remove the light. The bill was in a few thousand, and I still don't know what they did to get it all fixed 7. At 45,000 miles, I had to get front rotors and brakes again. 8. At 45,000 miles I also had to get my front tie rods changed as they were squeaking 9. My automatic door sensor has never worked since I bought the van. If you shut the doors using the electronic door openers, and if something is in the way, it will still shut the door trapping the item, rather than reversing the process. 10. My drivers side power seats have just failed, and I am yet again faced with a large expense. I will never buy a ford again
Transmission failure. Remanufactured transmission installed. As well as new tie rods.
Nature of failure: transmission failure vehicle: 2000 ford windstar lx 73,000 miles. Date of failure: october 22, 2003 cost of repair plus towing: 2,178.00
Vehicle could only go backwards as a result of transmission failure. *ph the vehicle was purchased as is therefore the transmission was not cover under any warranty.
Consumer stated that while driving and stopping at a light he had no gears, except reverse and park. Consumer had vehicle towed to the mechanic. After mechanic evaluated the vehicle consumer towed it to a transmission shop. He then called the manufacturer, and was told to contact a ford dealer in his area. Consumer contacted a ford dealer, and was told that they could not do anything because he did not purchase the vehicle from them or had the service done there . *ak transmission and torque converter had to be removed. Failure was the result of a broken sun gear. Consumer still has the part.
While driving 45 MPH, the automatic transmission stopped functioning. The transmission had to be rebuilt with new components. *ak *scc
While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the ford 2000 windstar experienced total transmission failure without warning of any kind. The vehicle had 39000 miles! It was never used in any heavy-weight situations and never towed anything. My wife used it to drive the kids around town and to do the grocery shopping. Ford has refused to stand behind this vehicle. My requests for assistance went all the way to detroit. Their customer service department representatives were rude. The costs for towing and replacement of the transmission were $2149.58.
Heard very loud noise, car would not go in gear. Transmission had to be repaired at cost of $2000.
The child was playing inside of the vehicle while it was parked. The child hit gear shift causing the vehicle to roll backwards and hit a tree. Please fill in additional information.
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