Ford Windstar loss of power problems

Filed Jan 8, 2019 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle felt as if it shifted into neutral. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted, but failed to drive. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the torque converter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called gary crossley ford at (816) 781-4844 (located at 8050 n church rd, kansas city, mo 64158) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. *tt consumer stated 2002 ford windstar output shaft failed causing sudden loss of engine power without any warning which increased the risk of crash.

Filed Aug 2, 2014 · Transmission · 78,500 miles · VA

While driving lost all power to transmission. Car would start but not move in any gear. Code scanner shows no codes, engine light does not stay lit. Mechanic's guess in torque converter. Seems to be a too common problem.

Filed Mar 27, 2014 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and would not accelerate when the contact depressed the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the torque converter output shaft had failed. The torque converter was replaced by the mechanic and the defect was remedied. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 5/27/14*cn

Filed Jul 8, 2013 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · NJ

I purchased my 2002 ford windstar as a new vehicle and I have been the only owner and driver. It has received regular professional servicing and repairs and overall, is in superior condition. Since 2007 it has only been used on the weekends and I use a smaller car for work. A few years ago, the ABS light started coming on unpredictably and intermittently in rainy weather and the brakes would lose power dramatically increasing braking distances. Because the problem with braking was sporadic at first, the mechanic thought it was merely an electrical problem causing the ABS light to come on. The ford service department said there were no recalls for such a problem. I have had the brakes replaced, and although the pads and rotors are in good condition, the braking problem has worsened. The ABS light and intermittent brake failure is much more frequent. I have recently learned that other windstar owners have experienced the same problem and that ford recalled 1999-2003 windstars for ABS because the ecu master relay has a bad soldier joint that fails causing the intermittent contacts. When I brought that information to my ford service manager, I was told the recall did not include my particular VIN. I am not sure how ford determines which vins get recalled -- but I am sure that my vehicle should have been included. It is unsafe because the brakes are unpredictable at this point. It is scary to think that ford would allow this known and serious defect in it's vehicles to go unaddressed.

Filed Jun 29, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 58,586 miles · GA

Dear ford my mother and I have been trying to get answers from the dealer and since they gave up. Because they could not fix it right the first time. Even the second or third time. The van a 1996 windstar with 59,000 miles on it and it started the engine started stalling, when making slow turns not touching the gas pedal loses power steering. My mom almost went into a ditch to avoid a collision with another car. With little internet searching found hundreds of vans with same problems, and appears there is not one resolved. And since this has gone on for over a month. The last visit to the ford dealer in an attempt to fix the stalling. . The idle air control valve is new, and mass air flow is clean supposed to have been replaced also. I checked the air filter was clean, the fuel filter is original so I replaced it. I started looking at the throttle body, and noticed that the throttle plate screw was all gouged up. While I was sitting in drive way with engine running and unless ford engines are only good for 60,000 miles, with all the stalling and low engine idle that keeps oil pressure in the engine lubricating the crank shaft.!! So when engine stalled at very low idle there was no oil getting through the engine. This engine now has lower end knock, which I verified by pulling van onto floor ramps, test drove and confirmed the problem, is critical. Each time I slowed down to turn engine stalled every time, lost power steering and brakes. I could have been killed because ford is ignoring this problem.. And this also answers why other complaints were about engine failures and very expensive repairs. This letter will be put on all social networks, to warn others this could happen to them be aware. They said the ecu/PCM computer was updated. Could not find update on invoices, or in history I can access.

Filed Jan 20, 2013 · Electrical · MN

The battery light comes on occasionally. When it comes on, the electrical system has reduced power. This is confirmed by the headlights dimming, wipers moving at slower speed. If I turn the ignition off and then restart, the battery light goes off and everything functions normally. If I don't turn the car off, it will die in a short time.

Filed Nov 7, 2012 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65mph, the vehicle lost power and shut off. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road and was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that the transmission had to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 150,000.

Filed Aug 2, 2012 · Body, Engine · 85,243 miles · NY

Subframe gave out, engine dropped and car was towed to my home.I had just exited a highway going 55mph. I was driving the to car to attend a work related event early evening. I drove past the entrance and proceeded to turn around on the road. As I approached the intersection the van lost power. I stopped being able to steer and brake. I turned hard on the steering wheel to move off the road. I was able to pull into a turn lane and fortunately there was very limited traffic on the road. The car came to a full stop on its own and there was a loud scrapping noise coming from under the front of the car. I was towed to my home. The tow driver stated the " subframe had given away and was dragging on the ground. It required a flat bed truck to tow. My mechanic confirmed the subframe had collapsed . The cost to fix was prohibited and I was concerned about the safety of the vehicle I contacted ford about the problem and they responded that there was no recall at that time. The car remained in the driveway in the event there was a recall on the vehicle for over one year. I finally decided to donate the car having not been contacted by the manufacturer. I was contacted that there was a recall identifying the problem in 2011 I am filing this complaint due to the fact that I was financially disadvantaged by the delays of the manufacturer to identify and notify me of the recall in a timely fashion.

Filed Feb 11, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 114,089 miles · IL

While driving on the highway on a trip from chicago to north caroline, my car suddenly lost power. It was as if I just put it into neutral; I could hear the engine rev when I applied the gas but nothing else happened. Luckily, I was near an exit ramp and pulled to the side of the road without incident. I tried putting the car into another gear, but there was no change. We ended up getting the car towed to a garage, where they determined it was an issue with the transmission. Later, after pulling the transmission apart, they determined it was specifically the torque converter which had failed. My family and I (including 4 children and 4 dogs) had to stay in a hotel for 3 days until the car was repaired. During that time, I investigated this particular vehicle problem (via the internet) and found that it is common in windstars and freestars. There is a recall in place for the freestar but not enough complaints have been filed for the windstar yet. This needs to be rectified asap!!!! I was lucky that I was driving in conditions that allowed me to safely maneuver my car to the side of the road without causing or being involved in a accident. The safety of myself, my children and the other people on the road with me, a windstar owner, should not be put at risk because of a known torque converter defect. The windstar needs to be added to the ford recall for torqued converters immediately.

Filed Jul 27, 2011 · Transmission · 102,480 miles · MI

Traveling 65 miles an hour on I-96 eastbound , outside of the detroit area. Sudden loss of all powertrain function. Able to come to a complete stop on the right shoulder. Engine runs fine, and will go into park.