1996 Ford Windstar transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH. THE SERVICE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #10694170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THIS IS A SECOND CALL FOR HELP FORD CORPORATE WILL NOT EMAIL ME BACK. WILL NOT VERIFY IF PCM HAS BEEN UPDATED. THE VAN ONLY HAS UNDER 59,000 MILES ON IT . IT SHOULD NOT BREAK THIS BAD THIS SOON MAKES ME TELL ANYONE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND OUR LOCAL NEWS MEDIA AND CLARK HOWARDS TEAM. I DO NOT WANT TO CALL FORD UNLESS IT IS AGREED THE PHONE WILL BE RECORDED FOR COURT PURPOSES. I EVEN ASKED IS THE WOULD LET ME USE THE UPDATER. I SURE DO NOT WANT DON RICH FORD IN VILLA RICA EVER AGAIN. THEY STRIPPED THE SCREW. THAT SET MIN CLEARANCE ON THROTTLE PLATE. NO SHIFTS FUNNY AND SPUTTERS AND TERRIBLE NOISE IN OIL PAN AREA. ROD S KNOCKING. INTERNET HAS TONS OF COMPLAINTS OF PISTONS EXITING ENGINE OIL PAN.

NHTSA complaint #10522986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10522406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I PURCHASED A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR VAN 3.0 L IN JUNE 2010. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE FROM DAY 1 TO CURRENT MOST DANGEROUS IS THE BLOWING SPARK PLUG WHICH HAS BLOWN OUT 2 TIMES FORCING ME TO DRIVE IT TO A PLACE WHERE IT COULD BE PARKED FOR REPAIR FIRST TIME BLOW OUT WAS 7 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC NOW 2000 MILES LATER AGAIN BLEW OUT FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR IGNORING SUCH A HUGE HAZARD THIS COULD SERIOUSLY IGNITE FUEL FUMES AND CAUSE A MAJOR FIRE, EXPLOSION WHILE SOME ONE IS DRIVING WITH THERE CHILDREN TO FIND A REPAIR SHOP UNAWARE OF THE DANGER AND DAMAGE THIS COULD CAUSE, SECOND ISSUE IS A FAILING SHIFTING MODULE OR TRANNY AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ALOT DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VANS TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO A 1ST OR 2ND GEAR CAUSING EXTREME CHANGE IN SPEED AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN REARENDED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS ISSUE, VESSIL MUST BE PULLED OVER AND TRANS RESET BY SHIFTING TO PARK AND SOMETIMES SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE AND STARTING IT AGAIN.FORD DEALER GAVE US A 3000. ESTIMATE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND TOLD US WE WOULD CONTINUE TO REPLACE TRANS APROX EVERY 70,000 MILES THIS IS A CHUMP WAY TO BUILD CARS AND THEY HAVE MANAGED TO GET MORE MONEY OUT OF REPAIRS THAN SALES I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD AGAIN SAFE OR NOT. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECLAIM ALL THESE DANGEROUS VEHICLES AND REPLACE ALL MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS AND PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLES DUE TO ENDANGERING AND THERE IS NO WAY THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10401099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE PARK PAWL SHAFT OCCASIONALLY DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION OR OTHER POSITION. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE EITHER DOES NOT STAY STILL OR DOES NOT MOVE WHEN PLACED IN GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10239896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AT ANY SPEED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED CONTINOUSLY AND WOULD NOT GO INTO OVERDRIVE WHEN GAS WAS APPLIED WHILE TRYING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A REPUTABLE TRANSMISION SERVICE. THE CONTACT DISREGARDED THE OPTION BECAUSE IT WAS TOO FAR AND THE TOWING TOO EXPENSIVE. A TIRE WAS ALSO PUNCTURED WHILE REPAIRING A COIL SPRING. AFTER THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITHOUT BEING BALANCED THE VEHICLE LOST ITS ALIGMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10161094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

DT: WHEN THE OWNER BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1996 HE NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS HARD TO REMOVE FROM PARK. THE GEAR SHIFTER DEVELOPED A LOT OF PLAY. WHEN THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR SHOWED THAT THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE OR NEUTRAL. WHEN THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR SHOWED PARK. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE CAR MAY ROLL OUT OF GEAR BECUASE IT WAS USUALLY PARKED ON A SMALL HILL. THE OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 1996.THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 1997 WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. THE OWNER WAS UNSURE IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE OWNER STATED THAT EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION, THE VEHICLE ALWAYS HAD THE THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR PROBLEM. THE OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE CAR WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THEN THE OWNER CHECKED AND SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE OWNER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10134156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

START VAN EVERYTHING FINE. STOP AT STORE,ETC. RESTART VAN STARTS JERKING AND GOES INTO SECOND GEAR AND WILL NOT GO BACK INTO DRIVE MOSTLY JERKING ALL THE WAY OR SLIPS INTO DRIVE AND THEN BACK TO SECOND WITH A JERK OVER AND OVER AGAIN. DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX IF REALLY BAD SO PLEASE WHAT COULD THIS BE?? GIVE TIME TO SIT OVERNIGHT AND START ITS OK AGAIN??

NHTSA complaint #10118467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I BROUGHT MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND WAS TOLD TIE RODS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. , THEN, NEXT DAY, THEY PHONED AND ADVISED ME THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE PAN WAS FULL OF SHAVINGS, ALSO, POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING, AND INTAKE GASKET NEEDED REPLACEMENT. , A TOTAL OF $5000 TO FIX THIS VEHICLE. I BOUGHT IT AT 118,000 MILES, AND THIS HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER OWNING IT FOR ONE YEAR. CURRENTLY, IT HAS 134,000 MILES, AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. I PARKED VEHICLE THEN STARTED IT AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A WEEK. HEARD A NOISE FROM FRONT, AND THEN WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. I DO BELIEVE THAT PAUL CORNIES, THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED VEHICLE KNEW THAT THEY WERE SELLING ME A LEMON. IT HAS CAUSED ME A LOT OF HARDSHIP AS I NO LONGER WORK DUE TO HEALTH REASONS. I FILED FOR DISABILITY INSURANCE, AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A PREEXISTING DISEASE , AND REFUSED TO PAY THE INSURANCE. CURRENTLY, I HAVE A JUNKER IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX , AND A BILL FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS, SINCE I STILL OWE FOR IT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD.

NHTSA complaint #10118128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10083504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

12-15-97 AT 21,145 MILES I REPORTED NOTICING THE COOLANT LEVEL ALWAYS BEING LOW. NO LEAK WAS FOUND AND I WAS TOLD THERE MUST BE A LEAK SOMEWHERE IN THE RADIATOR. 12-27-99 AT 56,526 MILES I BEGAN HAVING A "COLD START" PROBLEM. IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING FUEL. 12-1200 AT 74,306 MILES I HAD THE SAME "COLD START" PROBLEM AND THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPACED. 12-22-00 AT 74,930 A NEW THERMOSTAT & GASKET. 12-29-00 AT 75,113 A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. 03-02-01 AT 77,569 MILES A NEW FUEL PUMP RELAY(CCRM), FUEL PUMP AND PVC VALVE. 09-11-01 AT 87,907 MILES A MULT-FUNCTION SWITCH. 01-31-02 AT 95,069 MILES A SECOND CCRM RELAY. 03-06-02 AT 99,348 MILES ON AN 80 DEGREE DAY "NO START" SAME SYMPTOMS AS "COLD START" PROBLEM. INSTEAD OF NOT GETTING FUEL IT IS SUSPECTED IT IS FLOODING. 4-23-02 AT 99,348 MILES COLD START PROBLEM, FUEL INJECTORS CLEANED. 05-30-02 AT 101,330 MILES WOULDN'T START, NO FUEL PRESSURE-INTERMITTENT. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. 6-7-02 AT 101,388 MILES "NO START" PROBLEM. NEW FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP AND SENDER O-RING. 12-01-2-01 109,530 MILES VAN STARTED STEAMING - APPEARED TO BE A COOLANT LEAK OR BROKEN HOSE. ADDED COOLANT DIRECT IN RADIATOR. I HAVE CARRIED OWN COOLANT AND ADDED FREQUENLTY SINCE 1997, WHEN I WAS TOLD THERE MUST BE A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR. I COULD NOT FIND ANY TRACE OF SUCH A LEAK BY PUTTING CARDBOARD UNDER VAN. SUSPECTED THE PLASTIC COOLANT CONTAINER HAD A LEAK. NO COOLANT LEAKS WHERE EVER FOUND DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGES. 12-04-02 109,568 M,ILES FOUND LEAKING FRONT TIMING COVER GASKET. REPLACED HEADGASKET AND ALL ELSE THAT GOES WITH IT. COST OF REPAIR $1,915.21. I BELIEVE THE HEADGASKET DEFECT HAS BEEN THE PROBLEM ALL A LONG, COSTING ME A SMALL FORTUNE.

NHTSA complaint #10069811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHITE SMOKE EMITTING FROM TAILPIPE, MISSING, WILDLY ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER AT 35-40, REAR AIR BLOWS HOT. REPLACEMENTS: HAD GASKETS, LOWER INTAKE GASKETS, UPPER INTAKE GASKETS, SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, THERMOSTAT, GASKET, ? BELT, TIMING COVER, TIMING COVER GASKET, WATER PUMP. SPEEDOMETER AND A/C PROBLEM NOT YET FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10070140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR VAN'S ENGINE ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED DUE TO PERSISTENT INTERNAL COOLANT LOSS INTO THE ENGINE, DESPITE REPEATED TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH COMPLAINTS OF CLASSIC HEAD-GASKET SYMPTOMS. FORD DISPLAYED BLATANT NEGLEGENCE AND DISHONESTY IN ITS DEALINGS WITH ME. I TOOK MY VAN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR HEAD-GASKET-LIKE SYMPTOMS: EXCESSIVE LOSS OF COOLANT WITH NO EXTERNAL LEAKAGE, GRAY SMOKE OUT OF EXHAUST, AND ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP SAID NO PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND. TWO WEEKS LATER I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS, ONLY THIS TIME MORE OBVIOUS, AND THE CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED MY ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED AND THAT COOLANT WAS LOST VIA THE TIMING COVER GASKET, WHICH THEY REPLACED AND THEN RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME. EXACTLY ONE THOUSAND MILES LATER I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AT WHICH POINT THEY CONDEMNED MY ENGINE DUE TO COOLANT ENTERING THE #1 CYLINDAR. THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR $3,650, WHICH INCLUDES A 20% DISCOUNT FOR THE TIMING COVER GASKET WORK THAT WAS DONE FOR NOTHING. I REFUSED THE OFFER AND MANAGED TO BARELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME, WHERE IT NOW SITS, UNDRIVABLE. AWARE OF THE WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS FROM THE BEGINNING, I REPEATEDLY STRESSED TO THE DEALERSHIP MY CONCERN THAT THIS WAS A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM, BUT THEY REPEATEDLY EXPLAINED THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THEY LIED BY SAYING NO KNOWN GASKET PROBLEMS EXIST ON THE 1996 WINDSTAR, BUT I RESEARCHED THE NHTSA'S RECORDS AND FOUND TSB 99-13-1 (TITLED "UNDERDETERMINED LOSS OF COOLANT"), WHICH INSTRUCTS DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE THE GASKETS IN SITUATIONS LIKE MINE. THE TSB IS VERY CLEAR. I WROTE THE DEALERSHIP A LETTER DEMANDING HELP REPLACING THE ENGINE, BUT RECEIVED NO REPLY. I RE-SENT THE SAME LETTER AND DOCUMENTS TO THE DEALERSHIP JUST YESTERDAY. I CAN PROVIDE COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS, AS I HAVE SCANNED THEM INTO A COMPRESSED PDF FILE FOR E-MAIL TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10070177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

ENGINE: HEAD GASKET FAILURE @ 62,218 MILES. NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH CYLINDER GASKET HEADS AND RESURFACE SAME. POWER DOOR: FAILURE OF POWER DOOR LOCK ON PASSENGER SIDE. TRANSMISSION: WAS REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY. OTHER: IGNITION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. HAVE BEEN ADVISED ENGINE HAS A SLUDGE CONDITION DESPITE REGULAR OIL CHANGES PER FORD GUIDELINES.

NHTSA complaint #10070217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES AT APPROXIMATELY EVERY 17,000 MILES. THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO THE CONSUMER BY THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10061434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1996 FORD WINDSTAR AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. INTERMITTENTLY WILL LOCK IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR SHIFTING UP. ALSO TRANSMISSION, INTERMITTENTLY WILL DOWN SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR WHILE CRUSING AT 60-70 MPH. THIS SOMETIMES LASTS HOURS AND THEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON DESIDES TO SHIFT ABSOLUTLY FINE. I HAVE CHANGED THE FLUID, FILTER AND GASKET. INTERNALLY LOOKS VERY CLEAN MINUSCULE AMOUNTS OF FILINGS AND NO APPARENT CONTAMINATION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT COMPUTER MODULES AND OR SENSERS ARE INVOLVED. I HAVE HEARD OF THE,TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) AND THE-----(PCM)?...WHAT ARE THIS ? WHAT IS THEIR PURPOSE? ARE THERE OTHERS?WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?WHAT DO THEY COST? I CANNOT BELEIVE THE TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS A $2000 REBUILD WHEN IT PERFORMS PERFECTLY MOST OF THE TIME. LOGIC CONVINCES ME IT MAY VERY WELL BE AS SIMPLE AS PLUG AND PLAY. YET NO TRANSMISSION SHOPS WANT TO HEAR OF IT, THEY WANT TO REBUILD. MY COMPLAINT IS NOT WITH THE EQUIPTMENT BUT WITH THE EXPERTS , ESPECIALLY THE DEALERS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CUSTOMERS. CASE IN POINT, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT ON THE WINDSTAR DEALER PRICED THE REPAIR NO LESS THAN $1450.00 AND NOT TO BE SURPRISED AT FINAL COST UPWARDS OF $2200.00. I HAD IT TOWED 70 MILES TO MY LOCAL MECHINIC AND THE COSTS INCLUDING THE TOW JOB WAS $237.00. I WISH HE WAS A TRANSMISSION MECH. BUT HE IS NOT.YOU HAVE MY E-MAIL ADDRESS I ASSUME YOU WANTED THAT TO HELP ME. ANSWER MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPUTER MODULE ETC..AND PLEASE DO NOT GIVE MY ADDRESS TO ANY OTHER SITES FOR THAT MATTER TO ANYONE AT ALL. DO THIS, YOU WILL EARN MY TRUST, I WILL BE GREATFUL, YOU JUST NEED TO ASK.

NHTSA complaint #10045897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE POSSIBLY DUE TO LOW TRANSMISSION FLUID FOLLOWING GUIDELINES IN OWNERS GUIDE . AFTER FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT REPLACEMENT. I FOUND AN ARTICLE IN NEWSPAPER QUOTED FROM FORD REGARDING FLUID LEVEL MAINTENANCE WHICH WAS DIFFERENT THAN RECOMMENDATION IN THE OWNERS GUIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10045131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, VAN HESITATED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN JERKED INTO DRIVE. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES..TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG, JUST THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAD TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED...$1800 THAT I DIDN'T HAVE. 1 YR LATER NOW HAVING MORE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS VAN SEEMS TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL UNTIL IT'S STRAIGHTENED OUT. WHEN PROCEEDING FROM A STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT'S SPINNING THE TIRES, BUT THE POWER ISN'T GETTING THE TIRES, AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS IT MOVES, BUT THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS, ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC..WILL BE TAKING THE VAN TO GET FIXED....AGAIN. NO MORE FORDS FOR ME!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10043645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

PROBLEMS WITH GAS FUMES COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.*MR( DORIS STEWART ON BEHALF OF HER PARENTS ROBERT STEWART AND JACQUELINE STEWART).*TS. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AT IDLE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKETS, THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE.

NHTSA complaint #10040361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

REPLACED RACK AND PINION FOR THE SECOND TIME 8/01 ( BY DEALERSHIP) AND 5/03. ALSO REPLACED FRONT END BEARING IN 1999 AND TRANSMISSION. WIRING HARNESS IN 2000. REAR A/C DOES NOT WORK AND THAT'S ONLY THE ITEMS I CAN REMEBER.

NHTSA complaint #10030855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CONTINUOUS FAILED TRANSMISSION. HAVE HAD 4 ACTUAL REBUILT/REPLACEMENTS. BEGGED FOR EXTEDED WARRANTY, RECEIVED. SHORTEST LIVED TRANSMISSION WAS 300 MI. 1 MO. OUT OF WARRANTY, TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN, ON HIGHWAY, 100 MI FROM HOME WITH 3 DISABLED CHILDREN IN CAR. WILL BE VEHICLES ACTUAL 6TH TRANSMISSION. HAS NOW 98K MI, BOUGHT NEW OFF LOT (1ST TRANSMISSION IN 1ST YR OWNED). IRIONICALLY PERSON 1 MI DOWN THE HIGHYWAY HAD 1999 WINDSTAR WHO'S TRANMISSION HAD ALSO JUST FAILED. BOUGHT CAR FOR CHILDREN DUE TO SAFETY, IS NOTHING BUT A LEMON AND FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10025417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ENGINE SPEWING WATER. DIAGNOSED AS FREEZE PLUGS BLOWING 72,000 MILES. AT 42,000 MILES TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE WORKED ON. JUMPED OUT OF DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. VEHICLE HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE SINCE PURCHASED NEW.

NHTSA complaint #10021321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SINCE WE DROVE THIS CAR OFF THE LOT, IT HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AS SOON AS OUR WARRANTY RAN OUT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 44,400. TWO ADULTS AND 4 CHILDREN WERE ON OUR WAY TO A 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STALLED AT AN INTERSECTION. LUCKY FOR US ALL TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AND NO MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WE TOOK IT TO OUR DEALER AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WAS A TSB OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION IN FORD WINDSTAR'S. WE WERE DENIED ASSISTANCE. OUR PROBLEM WAS THE ALUMINUM PISTON THAT WERE REPORTED IN THE TSB. IN MAY 2001, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE IRMC VALUE. COST $1000. RECENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. WE TOOK IT TO CROSSROADS FORD, THE DEALER WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. THEY ONCE AGAIN DENIED TO HELP US WITH THE COST. WE TOWED THE VAN TO A QUALITY FORD IN DURHAM, NC. THEY HAVE CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THEY WILL ASSIST US WITH THE COST. THE ESTIMATED COST IS $3500-$4000. *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER ARTEMIS****761964

NHTSA complaint #10009855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION

NHTSA complaint #10019157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. *NLM TRANSMISSION REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10019331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED INTERNALLY, CAUSING OUTSIDE CASE TO CRACK, AND STARTED LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. NEEDED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION FOR $2400. THIS AT 72,000 MILES, AND AFTER REPLACING ENTIRE ENGINE (UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY) AT 59,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED PER THE OWNER'S MANUAL, SINCE BUYING NEW. THE ONLY SATISFACTION IS THAT FORD HAS LOST MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF ALL THE WARRANTY WORK DONE FOR THE FIRST SIX YEARS OF IT'S LIFE. HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE LAST 4 FORDS I HAVE OWNED, ALL AT LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. NO MORE FORDS IN MY FUTURE.

NHTSA complaint #10013999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR LACK OF RECALLS ON SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS. *MR. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CLUNKING SOUND, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE CLUNKING SOUND WAS NORMAL AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FORD TRANSMISSION, WHICH FAILED ON A TEST DRIVE AND ONE OTHER OCCASION. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE INTAKE GASKET, WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE 95 MODELS. THE TIMING CHAIN LEAKED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COILS IN THE SUSPENSION, WHICH FORD WOULD ONLY REPLACE WHEN THEY FAILED. THE BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AT 30000 MILES. SCC

NHTSA complaint #10012217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. OCCASIONALLY DURING STOP AND GO TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UP SHIFT OUT OF 1ST TO HIGHER GEAR. APPEARS RANDOM. DEALER COULD NOT RE-CREATE PROBLEM, AND THEREFORE COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1996 FORD WINDSTAR'S. THE ONLY SOLUTION APPEARS TO REQUIRE A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. BUT, AGAIN NHSTA COMPLAINTS INCLUDE OWNERS HAVING TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT MORE THAN ONCE.

NHTSA complaint #10010875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.