Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While driving approximately 60 MPH, a clunking type noise was present coming from the subframe and the vehicle became unstable. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front passenger side subframe mounts separated due to rusting. The cause of the rust was not determined. The vehicle was previously repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v030000 (structure); however, the failure continued. Toycen ford (1000 chippewa crossing blvd, chippewa falls, wi) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 220,000.
Ford Windstar harsh shifting problems
157 of the 14,140 owner complaints about the Ford Windstar describe harsh or hard shifting, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 157
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,000
- typical mileage
- 99,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 15Steering noise 10Ball joint 9Coil spring 7Grinding brakes 7ABS 7Wipers 6Won't shift 5
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact heard a clunking sound emerging from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence where it was discovered that the rear axle fractured. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) back in 2015 for the second time. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the recurrence. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
Both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at rear of sub frame are rusted and broken . Making a left hand turn I heard a clunking sound . Upon inspection found the above problems
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving in a parking lot, a clunking noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front coil springs fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While reversing the vehicle from the driveway, a clunking noise was heard coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 224,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While driving 65 MPH, a clunking noise was heard and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a tire shop where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact received a recall notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension), but the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a clunking noise was present coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that the sub frame had cracked and separated due to rust and corrosion. The vehicle had previously been repaired under a related recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 236,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While driving over bumps in the road, a clunking noise was present coming from the rear of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 144,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While attempting to turn into the driveway, the contact heard a clunking noise and a snap. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the subframe fractured and the tie rod snapped. The vehicle was not drivable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While operating the vehicle, a clunking noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cradle mount fractured due to corrosion and rusting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Related recalls
Power train: axle assembly
- 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
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with ax4s automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover can separate from the transaxle while the vehicle is being driven. If this occurs, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.
- Risk
- The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
Recall number 97V097000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
- Risk
- Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Recall number 96V166000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly positioned, the roll pin may not have lined up with the groove in the shaft and have been crushed at assembly. Also, a burr could have been raised on the shaft.
- Risk
- This could result in the park pawl occasionally not engaging when the transmission selector lever is placed in the park position. This could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral if the vehicle operator does not apply the parking brake.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft roll pin. If the roll pin is damaged, both the roll pin and the park pawl shaft will be replaced. In addition, owners will be reminded to fully apply the parking brake, in addition to placing the transmission in park.
Recall number 96V086000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Windstar harsh shifting
Which Ford Windstar years have harsh or hard shifting problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (33 complaints), 2000 (26 complaints) and 1995 (22 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix harsh or hard shifting on the Ford Windstar?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 23 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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