Ford Windstar shudder problems

Filed Oct 31, 2023 · Suspension · WA

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering significantly. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Store, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was corroded and had fractured from the upper side to the lower side. The mechanic related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 23, 2011 · Transmission · 84,541 miles · TX

Van shuddered while accelerating, loud roar on driver side of van, problem persisted even after I took it into the shop, the shop claimed they were unable to find any codes for the problem. Drove all day june 15 with only above listed problems, got in the van the same night only to find the car would not move. No warnings, no check engine light, van was shifted into reverse with no movement, only rising rpms. I have checked numerous online forums only to discover hundreds of people having this same problem and ford has not reimbursed anyone or done a recall, even though it is the same year model on almost every forum complaint. My van is now in the shop, there is no telling how much I am going to be charged to get my van back, I have 5 children and have to have my van. I cannot afford to go out and put a down payment on a new van of a different make. Can someone please correct this problem?

Filed Jun 24, 2010 · Transmission · NY

1999 ford windstar van. Consumer states problem with front end shudders on acceleration, sometimes doesn't move at all when gas is pressed *tgw the consumer stated she took the vehicle to the dealer for a recall and shortly thereafter, problems developed. Four days later, the dealer informed the consumer the vehicle needed a new transmission.

Filed Jun 4, 2010 · Transmission · 114,000 miles · NM

1999 ford windstar experienced a sudden transmission failure at 114,000 miles despite having absolutely no prior issues of this nature. I was at a red light approximately 1/4 mile from the on-ramp of I-25 when the vehicle shuddered and jerked before accelerating; after pulling over to check for damage (as I was sure I had hit/run over something), I found nothing unusual and proceeded onto the interstate. The vehicle operated normally for approximately 25 miles at freeway speed until I was stopped at a red light. Upon trying to accelerate, the engine would only rev regardless of the gear I used, at which time I contacted an automotive shop to tow the vehicle. Currently, I am awaiting a call from the shop after their full diagnosis, which I will update this complaint. A sudden problem of this magnitude is perplexing as well as potentially costly. After reading pages of complaints similar to mine, I have no doubt that the high(er) mileage of my vehicle at the time of this incident speaks to the level of regular maintenance I have provided. Please consider seriously investigating the numerous complaints similar to mine before a life is taken as a result.

Filed May 27, 2010 · Body, Suspension · 166,100 miles · WI

I own a 2000 ford windstar se. I noticed my car shuddering a bit on the expressway late last week (5/20/10.) I slowed a bit and the movement stopped. I pulled off the expressway and continued driving on city streets. I tried increasing my speed but could not recreate the 'shuddering.' over the weekend, I felt the movement once more so I stayed at low speeds on city streets and planned on taking the car in on monday to have it checked. The movement had not returned. On sunday, may 23 I had to drive about 7 miles to work. About 1 mile short of my destination the shuddering returned, but much worse and at low speed. I slowly drove the car into a parking lot and saw my left rear tire was tilted. Thinking the tire was loose (I had new rear shocks put on about 1 month ago and thought maybe they had not tightened the nuts enough) I jacked the car up a bit and popped the hubcap. The lug nuts were all tight but the raised car gave me a clear view of my rear axle, completely split in half. The axle was still holding up the car only because the two halves were still pressed together. The axle was completely broken through (not just cracked) basically right at the mid point. I have had the car taken to a repair shop on a flat bed truck, but work has not started on it yet. Tonight I checked on line and found that this problem is being investigated by your agency. Here's another case for you to add to the list. I feel extremely lucky to be writing this to you without having been in the accident that this defect so easily could have caused. Interestingly, I have had work done on the car a couple of times in the past month and no one noticed/reported any axle damage. The car was riding fine up to this past week.

Filed May 26, 2010 · Brakes · PA

1996 ford windstar. Consumer requests a refund for money spent on repairs as a result of the problem described in a recall *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle had a brake fluid leak which damaged the ABS module, closkspring and caused the cruise control not to work. The consumer stated in mid-late december she and her husband began to experience problems with braking and the ABS light would come on and go off at random. Braking was sometimes interrupted by a shuddering which delayed the action of the brake after the brake pedal was depressed, as if the ABS did not want the brake to engage. This happened during normal braking as well as a quick press of the brake pedal, but in either case the braking was prolonged. The consumer stated the dealer repaired the problem with a kit and she was reassured the brake leak was fixed and there should be no more problems and there was nothing wrong with the action of the brakes. Several days later, the consumer and her husband experienced the shuddering again while driving 65 MPH. The consumers husband decided to purchase an ABS module from an online dealer. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, who agreed to install the part. The problem with the ABS light and shuddering has been resolved. When the consumer received the recall notice, he went to the dealership with the receipts from the repair, but was told his vehicle was not one of the years covered for a refund of previous repairs.

Filed Mar 24, 2010 · Body · 112,608 miles · MA

Vehicle: 2001 ford windstar lx; mileage approx. 113k today, I had a scheduled appt. For my local garage to inspect a noise/vibration issue with the family minivan. This is the vehicle which my wife and kids use routinely. While backing out of my driveway to get to the garage, I heard a large snap and the rear-end of the van slumped onto the driver's rear tire. The rear axle beam had snapped in half. In reviewing online forums with other ford drivers, this is failure is a frequent occurance with ford windstars after 100k miles. That is not a large number of miles, considering the "investment" typical middle class families need to make in order to have a vehicle for commuting. I shudder what could have happened if my family was traveling at higher speeds on an expressway. It is to a point that one can not find replacement rear axle beams for repairs because of the great number of repairs required in the market. Please investigate this trend with the ford windstar... This can be another toyota lying in wait.

Filed Feb 27, 2010 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · NY

Transmission failure 2003 ford windstar. No indication of transmission problems leading up to the event. Smooth shifting, no shudders, no hesitation on acceleration. Stopped at a traffic light-busy intersection. On acceleration, windstar moved forward into intersection, rpms increased rapidly without anymore forward movement. Ford dealership diagnostics reported transmission failure but could not be more specific than torque converter, input shaft or hydraulic fluid pump. Some ford windstars share a transmission type (ax4n/4f50n) with the ford freestar which is being investigated for a similar complaint with odi (the federal safety agency action number : pe09033). Vehicle had 95,000 miles with regular service actions. Found numerous other anecdotal evidence is more widespread than the 3 reported incidents with the federal safety agency. See http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/windstar/2003/transmission/transmission_failure.shtml. No action to repair vehicle yet. Transmission still available for investigation (for a little while longer anyway). 911 called on incident because of a dangerous traffic situation in a busy intersection.

Filed Jun 15, 2009 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · 00

The hard shifting started about a year ago. Now with 160,000km the transmission now shudders and shifts erratic. I was told by the transmission shop it's the torque converter not working right which is caused by the a defect in the valve body. A complete remanufacture making it better than ford can will run $2500. $1800 if I remove and install it myself.

Filed Sep 21, 2006 · Brakes, Transmission · 2,000 miles · CA

Our 2002 windstar has had numerous issues. From clunking front suspension; rattling sliding doors; interior lights and locks that would come on and off by themselves. However, there are two unresolved issues and it's been to dealers numerous times, and each time, they just blow me off. The transmission shudders between the first and second shift, and does a "two-step" shift. When it finally does the second half of the two-step and engages, there is an audible cookoo, just like a cookoo clock. The other infuriating problem and possible danger is the brake pedal. It squeaks like an old mattress and also sticks to the floor if you have to brake while you are driving at freeway speeds. You have to use the tip of your shoe to pull the pedal back up. Visit after visit after visit to 3 different dealers and they always claim there is nothing wrong. They were playing "beat the clock" with the warranty and now that's gone, and they are still doing it with the extended warranty. Infuriating. Nobody cares and nobody will help.