2003 Ford Windstar: transmission slipping

Filed Apr 11, 2017 · Transmission · 129,000 miles · WA

Transmission just started slipping out of nowhere , stopped for a red light put in nuetral light turns green and I put it into drive and start to roll the van wouldnt budge looked out the window and leaking alot of transmission fluid . Parked it in nearby parking lot added tranny fluid still not drivable and wont move in any gear.

Filed Nov 8, 2014 · Transmission · 198,897 miles · MN · crash

I was on a 65 MPH highway and had to stop for a stoplight. When the light turned green, I put my foot on the gas and nothing happened. I put in 2 then 1 and then reverse and nothing happened. I had put my hazard lights on as I was afraid of being at a green light and getting rear ended with the other car going at least 65 MPH. I proceeded to shut the van off, turn it back on and put it in drive and it jerked forward, but I could tell the transmission was slipping and the o/d light started flashing on and off and the check transmission light came on. I had to continue to shut the vehicle off and turn it back on to get it to a safe place where I finally had to be towed home. I had my 14 year old daughter with me and had we been hit from behind, we both could have died.

Filed May 22, 2012 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · OH

Driving on highway, my 2003 ford windstar had a 100% transmission failure. The car was running, but would not go forward or reverse. I did previously report transmission issues (slipping) to ford on more than one occation. Ford was unable to locate or identify an issue with my transmission. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Nov 16, 2011 · Transmission · 100,054 miles · NJ

On monday, november 7, 2011, my wife was heading to work. She stopped at a red light. When the traffic signal turned green, she hit the gas and the car would not move. The RPM's would go up and the engine would rev up as if it was in neutral. This was the case in all gears. This could have been potentially dangerous since traffic approaching the signal are driving at 50+ MPH. Luckily, a few passers by helped my wife push the van into a local parking lot. We had it towed to a transmission shop and they are now rebuilding it for about $2,000. Due to the number of complaints about the transmissions on these vans, I believe this should be a recall issued by ford. I believe there should be some reimbursement for these costs I am paying for repairs. There was no indication (I.e.: knocking sounds, slipping, etc.) prior to the transmission failure.

Filed Oct 2, 2010 · Transmission · 103,403 miles · WA

Spouse was driving her 2003, ford windstar se, going up an on-ramp to a major high way, when the vehicle's engine revered high, slipping out of drive and the vehicle came to a stop afterwards. Drive and or reverse doesn't work on the van. Vehicle has all the power, but once put in drive / reverse hitting the gas, you go know where..

Filed Oct 14, 2008 · Transmission · 117,085 miles · OH

I have a 2003 ford windstar. I turned the corner at a busy intersection and the transmission went out, no forward or reverse. I barely missed being hit while the van coasted to the side of the road. I have owned two previous windstars that were a 1995 and a 1998 that I had the transmissions go out on but there was slipping and it was obvious the transmission was going. I bought another found because they are just about the only thing I can afford. There was no warning whatsoever this time. I had the vehicle towed to a transmission shop where they said the transmission was gone and the spline had been stripped off the torque converter. He said he sees this kind of thing all the time with fords. They are rebuilding it for me for $1800.00. This is a dangerous situation since I read on here another person with the same van had a similar experience. Ford needs to be responsible when they put out crappy transmissions that go out with no warning. What's going to happen when this situation occurs on a highway? Now I know why people refer to fords as found on road dead..because they will break with no warning!