My 2000 ford windstar with (46,000 miles) recently began making a small whirring or ticking noise under the hood. Examination by the service department at a local dealer indicated that the origin of the problem was the transmission. Upon teardown of the transmission, it was discovered that the stator support bearing had "blown apart." the dealer wished to replace the entire transmission for $3700. An independent mechanic also examined the car and found that in addition to the stator, the pump shaft, torque converter, and clutches would all need to be replaced. There was no damage to the gear train or the solenoids. It seems unbelievable that such extensive damage manifested itself in nothing more than a small ticking sound that mechanics at the dealership were at first unable to even detect. It is even more amazing and frightening that the vehicle was still drivable. There was nothing suspicious found in any previous service visits to suggest that such a failure was imminent and no dashboard warning lights of any kind. Had this vehicle failed while in transit, serious injuries may have been possible.
2000 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 8 of 10: complaints 191 to 220 of 271, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While leaving our parking lot the transmission made a few hard jerks while stopped and then would not go in a forward motion, tried to go in revese nothing. Pushed the van back to a parking space, called ford custermer service and was told no warranties or "customer satisfaction programs" (seceret warranties) exsited.called around to survey options and noted that the windstar has had at least 3 upgrade kits issused for the transmission. Found a lot of complaints for the same problem. Called ford again, asked about the various other complaints and was told that this transmisson has never had problems that any information obtained from non-ford sources is false or incorrect. When asked about the transmisson upgrade kits (info found on ford's website) was met with the same response that the transmisson has never had a problem and non-ford info.... Aamco estimates $2200 to $3500 for a rebuilt to new transmisson, ford offers no help. We are looking for a class-action or other information to get ford to own-up to and pay for a "known" failure in there transmisson that dates back to 1991 windstars/tauras. Odometer reading 55,000.
The transmission just quit without any prior warning or problems. Left wife and kids stranded in middle of busy street.
2000 ford windstar 43,000 miles, my wife was driving down the freeway and all of the sudden the transmission went out. There was no warning or noise of any kind. This happened while she was driving freeway speeds. I went to my mechanic and he said one of his employee had the same van and the same thing happened to him at 37,000 miles. I went to work and a co-worker said the same thing happened to his dads van around 40,000 miles. Ford should fins a transmission that will last longer than that few of miles.
While driving at 65 MPH automatic transmission failed.
Transmission ax4s failed at stoplight. Gear was sheared off drum. Vehicle had 50,623 miles when failure occurred. Transmission was overhauled at a cost of $2037.92.
Transmission has always kicked forcefully and abruptly in low speed or on deceleration at low speed. There has been a transmission fluid leak(indicated by red fluid on and around the the transmission pan) but the fluid level has remained constant and at approved limits. We have mentioned this to dealers but have always been told that was normal and that if the transmission fluid level was within specifications then there was not a problem. On this date as we accelerated from a four-way stop there was an extremely forceful kick and the van lost power and forward motion and actually began to drift backward. The dealer told us we required a new torque converter, some new gears replaced, and that we would be better off having the entire transmission replaced.
Vehicle stalled while driving at highway speed. Vehicle was towed to a dealer, who found that vehicle needed a new transmission.
The consumer stated that the anti-lock brake system warning light flashed intermittently while driving and the brakes made noise. The battery and wipers failed on the same day. The transmission was replaced but continued to experience problems. *ak
Complete transmission failure with only 48,000 miles.
Transmission on 2000 windstar needs to be replaced after 47,000 miles.
The consumer was able to put the vehicle into gear without pressing the brake pedal. *jb the consumer's son put the keys in the ignition and pulled the gear shifter into gear without the vehicle being started. The consumer was pulled and dragged behind the vehicle approx. 30 feet. The consumer sustained multiple injuries with road rash. His clothes were ripped to shreds. At that time, ford had done nothing to correct the problem. *ph
Automatic transmission failure twice. First failure at 29k mile in october 2001. Transmission was repaired under warranty. Second transmission failure was at 56k vehicle miles but only 27k miles on rebuilt transmission. Both failures occurred without warning. Second failure is 3k miles outside of 2yr/24k warranty provided by ford. I believe sudden transmission failure is a severe safety issue.
Bought van from dealer june 2001 with 28,000 miles; ongoing issues with automatic transmission over 24 month period; 34,000 miles, harsh vibration and slipping on acceleration (at times no faster than 35 MPH getting on interstate), rebuild under 3 yr, 36 warranty (torch converter other internals); 1 year later, 58,000 miles, same symptoms with fluid leakage, transmission totally gone, replace with new rebuilt transmission under purchased extended warranty; 4 months later, 64,000 miles same symptoms, slippage, harsh vibration, rebuild torch converter under warranty; 4 months later (june 2003) transmission starting to show same symptoms, dealer can not duplicate; now constant vibration when torch converter is locked in,clunking, slipping on acceleration around corners, end of july filed under lemon law at state, waiting to hear from them.
Sudden transmission failure at 34,000 miles. No warning. All forward gears failed. Manufacturer offering "secret warranty." problem appears to be common to all windstars as far back as 1994.
While pulling up to an intersection the vehicle jerked and the transmission wouldn't go backward or forward. The cost for repairs were $530.00. *ak
Automatic transmission is slipping primary when in overdrive. Cause unknown.
While attempting to make a left hand turn at stop sign I heard a "clunck" and could not drive forward. After a few cars drove around me and my young children someone finally stopped to push my windstar into a parking lot that was close by. I needed to have the van towed and was told the transmission needed to be replaced. I have 37200 miles on this vehicle and it is not quite 4 years old. As angry as I am I also have to be thankful that this sudden transmission failure didn't happen just 2 weeks earlier when my family and I were on vacation in virginia. I am looking to ford at this time to have my vehicle fixed with assistance through a "goodwill" program so far I have not been successful. I also understand that this is a common problem that ford seems to be aware of.
Consumer stated that transmission would not change properly. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and was told that a new transmission was needed.
While sitting at stop light, went to proceed, no acceleration--transmission went. Towed to dealer, not under warranty--$2700 later ford replaced with a brand new transmission--3 years, 36,000 mile warranty. Says to me that ford knows something is wrong here since they didn't replace with a rebuilt one. I would like to be reimbursed the $2700 and the cost of the rental car needed for 7 days.3 years with this van, 3rd year of problems--1st year-tie rods, 2nd year-fuel injection problem, 3rd year-replace transmission. Please help.
While attempting to make left turn at traffic light, vehicle failed to go forward. It would go in reverse, so I drove it backward into a parking lot and had it towed to dealer. Has 30,500 miles, ford will not assist me in the 2600.00 reapair of the required new transmission. I am very unhappy.
While driving at any speed transmission jerked. Dealer has inspected and could not duplicate or correct the problem.
While driving 35 MPH gears went out and vehicle would not shift into drive. Vehicle was towed to the owners residence. Owner will contact the dealer for an appointment.
The vehicle was in drive, but went into reverse when the gas pedal was pressed. This was caused by transmission failure per dealership. *jb *scc
2000 ford windstar lx park on slight incline, no keys in ignition or brake pedal depressed. 2 year old kneeling on drivers seat, pulled down on gear shift lever, transmission released and vehicle rolled 100 ft and collided with another parked vehicle. I took possession of the leased vehicle 8/30/2000, I found a repair was made for the exact condition 8/28/2000 after vehicle repair history report was run.
While traveling at about 55 MPH on the highway, the transmission failed.
My transmission failed at 42,000 miles in 09/01 and was replaced by dealer under extended warranty. The second transmission failed at 81,000 miles in 05/03 was told warranty was expired (only good for 24,000 miles). I had to pay $2900 to have transmission rebuilt. 3 transmissions in a car with less then 100,000 miles seems very excessive to me. Was told by at least 6 different transmission repair shops that ford windstar's was the number 1 auto they replaced transmissions on. Several shops told me ford was aware of the problem and have recently found the problem and vans made after 02/03 had the defect fixed but ford was not putting a recall on this known problem.
The automatic transmission failed while driving and caused the engine to cut off and the vehicle would only go into reverse gear.
Second failure of automatic transmission in 2240 miles.
Transmission failed at 43,000 miles and less than 3 years.
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