2,729 of the
19,460 complaints filed about the Ford Windstar
are about the transmission —
14% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
2,729
Complaints
14%
Share of all complaints
69
Crashes
41
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH out of the driveway, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and popping sound. The contact shifted to park(P). The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire was pushed inward, and the axle was fractured. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that an unknown recall was closed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11652242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact lost control of the vehicle and drove off the side of the roadway. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic who discovered that the rear axle had fractured due to severe rust. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #11507869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On May 23rd 2022 I was driving on interstate 45 the speed limit through where I was driving was 75 all of a sudden with no warning no engine light on my transmission stopped working and I could not break I was able to safely get over thank goodness but there is a recall on my transmission which almost killed me that needs to be replaced
NHTSA complaint #11465824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTOR, FILTER, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 172,000.
NHTSA complaint #11389820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED USED 2003 FORD WINDSTAR..IN 2005 ..WITH 30,000 MILES ..NOW HAS 107,000 MILES...AROUND TOWN DRIVING...GOT RECALLS..BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO DEALER FOR REAR AXLE FIX.INSPECTED TWICE..AFTER ......BRACKETS INSTALLED TO STABILIZE AXLE WERE INITIALLY INSTALLED TOLD IF AXLE WAS BAD , FORD WOULD REPLACE..DID NOT REPLACE. BENTELER AXLE WHOLE PROBLEM FROM START.WEAK METAL SUBJECT TO FATIGUE .BRACKETS WERE A BAND-AID.ACTUALLY MAY HAVE MADE PROBLEM WORSE.......AXLE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING AST LOW SPEED..AND WHILE TURNING........
NHTSA complaint #11384092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE 3 PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 60,000 MILES. ONE OF THEM IS THE GLASS IN FRONT WHEN I'M DRIVING IN THE RAIN I HAVE TO TURN ON THE WIPERS THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WIPER STAYS WET WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE CLEANS VERY WELL. THE OTHER PROBLEM I'VE ALWAYS HAD IS THE POWERSTEERING WHEN I'M DRIVING, I'M GOING TO TURN TO THE SIDE AND THE CAR TURNS OFF THE GUIDE GETS HARD AND I CAN'T STRAIGHTEN IT TO TURN IT ON AGAIN. THE LAST PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION, ONE DAY THE FAMILY WENT ALL TOGETHER IN THE CAR AND SHORTLY AFTER WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING WE PARKED IN THE GRASS WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE PART OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE REALIZED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LIQUEFIED OIL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND BEGAN TO GIVE SOME TIRESOME EVERY TIME I CHANGED GEARS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED WITH THE DAMAGED TRANSMISSION. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION
NHTSA complaint #11282498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE 3 PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 60,000 MILES. ONE OF THEM IS THE GLASS IN FRONT WHEN I'M DRIVING IN THE RAIN I HAVE TO TURN ON THE WIPERS THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WIPER STAYS WET WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE CLEANS VERY WELL. THE OTHER PROBLEM I'VE ALWAYS HAD IS THE POWERSTEERING WHEN I'M DRIVING, I'M GOING TO TURN TO THE SIDE AND THE CAR TURNS OFF THE GUIDE GETS HARD AND I CAN'T STRAIGHTEN IT TO TURN IT ON AGAIN. THE LAST PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION, ONE DAY THE FAMILY WENT ALL TOGETHER IN THE CAR AND SHORTLY AFTER WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING WE PARKED IN THE GRASS WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE PART OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE REALIZED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LIQUEFIED OIL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND BEGAN TO GIVE SOME TIRESOME EVERY TIME I CHANGED GEARS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED WITH THE DAMAGED TRANSMISSION. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS TRANSMISSION
NHTSA complaint #11282494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2001. THERE WAS A RECALL PUT OUT FOR THE SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY. IN 2011, ACCORDING TO SUNSET FORD DEALERSHIP (WHERE I TOOK IT FOR AXLE REPAIR AND WAS DENIED) THE RECALL WAS REMEDIED IN 2011. HOWEVER, AS STATED ALONG WITH THE RECALL NOTICE, THE TIME THAT THE BRACKETS WERE MIS INSTALLED CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR AXLE, CORROSION AND FRACTURING. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE RIGHT NOW AND THE DEALERSHIP ALONG WITH FORD CORPORATE IS SAYING THIS AXLE REPAIR WILL BE FULLY AT MY COST. ACCORDING TO THEIR AUTOMATED RECALL PHONE INFORMATION, UP UNTIL 2016 THEY WERE OFFERING TO REPLACE THE AXLE FOR $300 ( A DISCOUNTED RATE) FOR CUSTOMERS AFFECTED. I DO NOT AT ALL FEEL I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. I CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE A FEW TIMES NOW AND HAVE BEEN TOLD NO ITS NOT THEIR FAULT. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY SUNSET FORD, THAT I WOULD NEED TO PAY THEM $140 AN HOUR FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE IT AND TELL ME SPECIFICALLY WHAT IS WRONG. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN THERE ONCE TO CHECK THE RECALL WHERE THEY TOOK PICTURES ( INCLUDED) AND SENT THEM TO FORD CORPORATE WHERE I WAS TOLD NO THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE FULLY COVERED AND I NEED HELP GETTING FORD TO AGREE.
NHTSA complaint #11241531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON X WAY APPOX. 60 MPH, NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM REAR OF CAR AND BEGIN HEARING A CLICKING SOUND. AS I WAS PULLING CAR OVER TO SIDE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY DEFLATED. TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED, UPON LOADING OF VEHICLE ON BED OF TRUCK WAS ABLE TO SEE REAR AXLE IN THE MIDDLE TOWARD PASSENGER SIDE HAD RUSTED THRU RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BRACKET FORD HAD INSTALLED IN 2011 DUE TO A RECALL. WAS INFORMED THAT IN 2015-16 FORD DID ANOTHER RECALL ON THE BRACKET NOT BEING IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. AS SHOWED IN THE ATTACHED PHOTO THERE IS ONLY ONE BRACKET INSTALLED, MY UNDERSTANDING THERE SHOULD BE TWO. BUT EVEN THEN THAT DOES NOT RESOLVED THE RUST PROBLEM, IT JUST HOLDS THE AXLE WHEN IT DOES BREAK OR CORRODE THRU.
NHTSA complaint #11174950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHCULO DA CANTASOS Y JALONES AL CONDUCIR. UN DA NOS BAMOS DE CAMINO A UN RESTAURANTE LA TRANSMICIN EMPEZ A DAR CANTASOS NOS ESTACIONAMOS EN LA GRAMA, LA TRANSMICIN PARECE QUE LIQUEABA ACEITE Y EL ACEITE CALIENTE CAY EN LA GRAMA Y LA GRAMA SE ENCENDIO EN FUEGO Y HOY EN DA LA TRANSMICIN AUNQUE SE ARREGLE SIGUE LIQUEANDO Y DANDO CANTASOS
NHTSA complaint #11166709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11165119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11165119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRANSMISSION SLOW TO ENGAGE AFTER SITTING. THIS IS NOT ONLY A REPEAT PROBLEM AFTER BEING REPAIRED, BUT ALSO AFTER BEING TOTALLY REPLACED BY FORD DEALER. ABS NEVER RECALLED FOR SCDS 09S09. CONSTANTLY RESETTING AND DISENGAGING. AFTER 15 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, I HAVE YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF OR HAD ANYTHING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ( WHEN THE RPM'S WENT UP AND THE TRANSMISSION QUIT PULLING) ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, NO PLACE TO GO. NEARLY CAUSING A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT. WITH THE ABS PROBLEM, ANYTHING INDICATING A BRAKE FAILURE, POSSIBLE ONBOARD FIRE, OR LOSS OF CONTROL, LEAVES YOU WITH A HUGE LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11163100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR AXLE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WESTLAND FORD (LOCATED AT 3450 WALL AVE, OGDEN, UT 84401, (801) 629-5500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 16366106. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.
NHTSA complaint #11151741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR WHEELS WERE ANGLED INWARD INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED IN 2012 UNDER THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN) TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11143987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11112950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE REAR AXLE BROKE AT 45MPH BLOWING OUT BOTH REAR TIRES THANKGOD WE WERN'T HURT AND HAD NO CARS BEHIND US SEEN RECALL ONLINE CALLED FORD BUT WAS TOLD THE VAN WAS NOT PART OF RECALL WAS PURCHASED IN MI NEW AND HAS U DESIGN AXLE
NHTSA complaint #11110125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TIRE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED LILLISTON FORD AT (888) 397-9172 (833 N DELSEA DR., VINELAND, NJ 08360) AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED WITHOUT A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA complaint #11097917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.