I have my vehicle in a shop to replace the transmission. While working on the vehicle the mechanic noticed the front reservoir of the master cylinder was empty. Upon further examination, he found that the speed control sensor under the master cylinder was leaking and brake fluid is leaking on all the components below, I.e. Transmission, steering components, etc. I looked the issue up online and I found that there was a recall for this very issue with ford. When I checked my VIN for active recalls, the federal safety agency website states that there are no unresolved issues with my vehicle.
Ford Windstar transmission failure problems
607 of the 14,140 owner complaints about the Ford Windstar describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 607
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,200
- typical mileage
- 72,700
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 25Stalling 23Slipping 23Engine failure 22ABS 22Won't shift 18Hesitation 15Harsh shifting 15
What owners say
Transmission problem. The transmission was replaced 4 times within 60k mile interval while following the 30k transmission fluid flush. A flashing o/d light comes on and the transmission will die out of nowhere and the past few times it has been on the highway going 75 MPH with no warning, smoke, lights, etc. I had the transmission start smoking from the engine bay even though the fluid was changed. Now there is a massive transmission fluid leak. There have been thousands of owners who report a bad design of the ford windstar 2003 transmission and it needs to be recalled. The ford freestar was recalled for the transmission issue, but the windstar wasn't. Why not? Both models use the same transmission. It is a safety issue and ford is not willing to acknowledge the issue with the vehicle and recall the vehicle to fix the transmission problem.
Complete transmission failure after od light is flashing. From my research , this is a common widespread problem and ford should recall these transmissions. It is very dangerous to have a vehicle suddenly stop accelerating when driving at high speed or when pulling into traffic. I was pulling onto a busy highway at night when my transmission failed.
The radiator and water pump went bad and the transmission went out as I was driving. The electrical locks on the doors locks us in regularly, while driving it often slides on it's own. There's a good bit of things going on with my car that I don't know about to tell you about.
Shifted from park to drive and entered into traffic lane. Pressed down on gas pedal but all that happened was engine revved up but vehicle would not go forward. Luckily, there was light traffic or I would have been hit. A helpful person pushed me to a safe place to park. I started the car and found that only reverse worked. No forward motion when put in drive, 2 or 1. I checked transmission fluid level and it was at proper level had vehicle towed to my house. Searched online and found this is a common issue with 1999 windstar's. Called a transmission place and told them what happened and was told I likely had suffered a transmission failure and needed a new transmission. I'm the second owner and the vehicle has approximately 125,000 miles on it. Also, the brake master cylinder failed in october 2014. Updated 03/28/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the engine and the transmission failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was extremely corroded from the front of the vehicle to the rear, which caused the engine and transmission to separate from the sub frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
While driving down the highway my van van stopped accelerating and acted like I was in neutral. Luckily I had no cars behind me because I would have been rear ended if there had. My transmission went out and was told I need a new one at 2400 dollars. I had no gears forward or reverse but the van would still run and turn on fine. Had to have it towed. As a parent of four kids who regularly are in this van I am disappointed that ford has not recalled these for safety with all of these complaints. Will it take someone dying for them to do something? I can definitely say I will not be buying a ford again since they can't stick by there motor and make things right!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While driving at various speeds, the transmission failed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed intermittently and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 182,000.
My spouse was driving our 2003 ford windstar home from church and while turning right onto our street the transmission failed, no longer powering the vehicle. She coasted to a stop in front of our home. I had the vehicle towed to a local transmission repair shop and was told by the mechanic that this is a very common problem in ford windstars and that he has had to prematurely replace many of these transmissions. We were very lucky during this incident. It could have easily happened on the interstate highway and caused a severe crash, injuries or death. Ford customer relations informed me they had no recall actions underway for this problem on my vehicle, but to save any receipts in case there was a future reimbursement/recall effort.
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 transmission failure
Which Ford Windstar years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (225 complaints), 1999 (84 complaints) and 1998 (81 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the Ford Windstar?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,200 (median of 125 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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