transmission problem
9.5
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$2,457.00
Average Mileage:
79,648 miles
Number of complaints:
19 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (9 reports)
- put in another tranny (9 reports)
- replaced torque converter (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2003 Ford Windstar transmission failure
2008Jun 25
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 61,000 miles
Ok well I bought this vehicle from CarMax two years ago. For the most part, I've had no problems really until a couple of months ago. The only "problem" that I had was that the check engine light kept coming on and going off. This started right after I bought it. I took it back to CarMax and they hooked it up to the machine. They told me they didn't know why the check engine light was on because it wasn't "throwing" any codes.
At that time, they told me it was probably just the seal on the gas cap and to just ignore it. He even told me that Ford Windstar's are known for this problem. Fast forward one year to time to get it inspected. It failed the emissions test. I took it back to CarMax and again they said it wasn't anything. I waited until the next morning and when I started the van up the check engine light was off so I rushed it back to the station to get it re-inspected. Guess what? It passed!
Well, now fast forward to June 25th... My mother went to WalMart and on her way back with no warning the engine revved up and she couldn't accelerate. It was pushed to a side street and I called a tow truck. The tow truck towed it to a friend's shop. I have an extended warranty but I really had to jump hoops to get them to fix it. Finally, my warranty company said that it couldn't stay at my friend's shop and had to be towed to AAMCO. AAMCO was great and got it fixed with no problems. BTW, remember that you need to get transmission flushes every 30,000 miles.
Anyways, I went back today for my 10 day post transmission inspection. The guy went and drove it and came back and hooked the van up to the computer and guess what? It's throwing a code! It's code P1633. I was told that it was a dealer problem and I would need to take it back to a Ford Dealer. I took it back to my friend's shop and he said that he could fix it. So, yet another time in the shop. I don't know how long I'll be out of the van this time, but I'm just so frustrated. I was without the van for a whole week while they were trying to get my warranty to pay up and approve the repairs.
I think I've decided that as soon as we get the income tax refund check in January or February that I'm going to trade in the van. There really should be a recall on the transmission and about the check engine light.
2008Jun 22
Windstar LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 89,000 miles
This is terrible as I still have another 22 months left to pay on this van and the transmission
went without a warning as we were driving home from church. We turned at the light and I
stepped on the gas and nothing! We were stranded! I had to have the van towed home as I
do not have the money to have it fixed and the Dealer will not do anything as all of the 1st
and extended warranties are no longer in effect. This really makes us want to own another
Ford! I think not! I will be paying over $300 a month for a yard decoration now. I believe that
Ford Company should have a recall on these Windstars right now!
2007Nov 16
Windstar 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 94,000 miles
On the way home from dinner, our transmission went into complete failure...no reverse or any forward gears. Had it towed to the local Ford dealer. Monday we received a call and were told $2500 for a repair with a 30 day warranty or $3300 for a brand spanking new Ford transmission with a 3 year 75,000 mile warranty. Being a total idiot I opted for the $3300 job. It's now June 2008 and the transmission is shuddering between every gear and that began about 60 days after the new transmission was installed. Brought it back to the Ford dealer and got a phone call to come up there. They found water in the transmission. The service manager told me that a new one could be ordered and would be in the next day. I just got back from the dealer as it's been 3 days since they ordered a new one. Now Ford won't cover my warranty and says now my radiator is leaking into the transmission. Monday, June 23rd they're going to do a pressure check on my radiator and I insisted they check the fluid in the transmission for Prestone. I fully expect to have to pay for a radiator now and another transmission. Ford sucks and will not stand behind their Windstars. This should have been a recall issue years ago.
2008May 31
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 87,300 miles
I was driving down the road in a wicked thunderstorm with my 4 kids to pick up my wife from a hard days work. There was no warning light, no noise, no nothing! I thought we were hydroplaning as I heard the engine racing but we were not accelerating. I left off the gas and turned the wheel slightly I could turn so I knew we were not hydroplaning. I hit the gas again and realized we were not in gear. I am really pissed. Extended Warranty expired @ 75,000 miles. Vehicle to be paid off next month. Should I sink 3,000 dollars into this or trade it in and by something else?
2008May 15
Windstar SE 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
I was driving down the freeway when the transmission disengaged. I never had any transmission problems. I came with warning. The fluid was full. I am looking for some advise or similar experiences.
2008May 21
Windstar SEL V6
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
This van I have a feeling is on its way down hill. First the Door alarm wouldn't go off until was driving for about 1 minute which started months after coming home new, Then the alternator died 6 months ago and now the transmission. Wife was driving down the road last week (May 2008) and all of a sudden, no warning the van went into neutral. NO gears what so ever. NO warning or feeling of slipping I have seen. Re-manufactured transmission from AAMCO is about 2700. This should of been a re-call as I am finding multiple complaints of this same problem.
1920May 01
Windstar SEL V6
- Automatic transmission
- 86,000 miles
I have had SEVERAL problems with this piece of crap...1st interior lights go off and on...not a big problem just keep them off all the time....2nd Back windows wont operate...3rd Alternator goes out....4th side mirrors don't work......5th tail light...blinker on right side go out and now the transmission... I HATE FORD
2008May 05
Windstar V6
- Automatic transmission
- 119,000 miles
was 200 miles from home trans died had to be towed husband recently redeployed had to handle everything alone no warning just driving and bingo no forward reverse nada
ford should be held responsible mechanic said trans could not be rebuild had to buy new one from ford
2008Apr 16
Windstar Limited 3.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
I was calmly driving down a side road, approached an intersection and made a right turn. Then without any warning, light, noise, etc., the transmission went into neutral and I had to coast to a stop on the side of the road. I had no forward or reverse gears, no leaks, transmission fluid was full and recently changed. Had the vehicle towed to a Ford Dealer, who looked at it, said I needed a new transmission. There were no outward signs of problems on the transmission, the cables and linkages were intact. No cracks or leaks visible. They are stumped, don't know what the problem could be, had it for a whole day, but never pulled it in the garage (at least I think so, because I went there and it was parked exactly where the tow truck left it.) Any way, the estimated repair/replacement cost $2195.00 for a refurbished transmission and $1100.00 in labor (which includes $300.00 for miscellaneous expenses). This vehicle was great until the warranty ran out - then all hell broke loose. This was the third major repair problem. First the Alternator blew, then the check engine light came on, $400.00 later new intake gasket for lean codes. The car is in great shape, but now it's costing $$ to maintain. Hopefully mine will only be $600.00 bucks for a converter!!!!!!! I think Ford has these cars pre-programmed to break down after the warranty expires.
2008Jan 29
Windstar SEL
- Automatic transmission
- 71,000 miles
I thought I had a great vehicle. I planned on keeping this minivan till it was lifeless.
On my way home from work, I stopped at a stop sign and it would not go again.
Just like that it quit. No loud bang, no leakage, nothing leading up to it. It just
quietly slipped out of running.
I then turned off the engine, put it in park, restarted it, checked all lights, then put it
into gear. Nothing but the rev of the engine. I tried reverse. Nothing.
So I had it towed to the shop, and started looking online for transmissions. That's
when I came across this website.
I will find out tomorrow what exactly is wrong and how much it will cost.
Any recommendations?
2007Dec 28
Windstar Limited V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
August 17, 2007 buy from Ford Dealership. "Will be great dependable, had all service work done here". Sign papers and drive 2 blocks for lunch and have electrical problems. Take it back, and they had it more than us the first 3 weeks..... but to the transmission... 3 months of ownership and it gives no warning just backs up 2 feet and won't go backwards or forwards. Dealership says, get it here and we will look at it. Pay tow charges. Dealership says it's your transmission (duh, do ya think?). A few days later when checking on it, we are told it will cost us $600 just to tear it down and diagnose the problems. We call a transmission shop who towed it from the dealer to their business for free and replaced the torque converter for about $650. Ford and the dealer was not willing to work with us in any way. Transmission shop said they had seen this in several of these mini vans.
2008Jan 23
Windstar LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
My transmission failed in a 2003 Windstar originally Oct 2007. I paid to have a new Ford 3 year factory warranty transmission installed by an independant mechanic that I have been going to for 20 years. Now four months later the 2nd transmission has failed. The mechanic sent it to the dealer to check out due to the Ford warranty. They are telling me the warranty is voided, for I have water in the upper section of the transmission. I have no idea how this could have happened and no one can give me a reasonable explanation. I am stuck, getting ready to have this 2nd transmission rebuilt and then trying to sell this vehicle, I have been a loyal Ford customer for 20 years..No more...Any comments?
2008Jan 16
Windstar LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 152,000 miles
While driving down the road at 60 mph the transmission suddenly went out. I had to coast to the side of the highway where I tried putting it in every gear...none of which worked. The only gear that works is neutral, which doesn't get you very far! I dread finding out how much this is going to cost.
2007Dec 19
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 0 miles
I was searching for recalls when I came upon this site and read someone that has had the SAME problem my brother in law is having now with his ford windstar. He got in the van today and got half way out of the drive way, and that was it, the transmission was gone! My brother went to take a look at it and says the transmission is shot. My brother in law does not know what he will do, he does not have the money to fix this. I am surprised there has not been a recall about it. It is just another problem added to the list of the windstar?
2007Dec 21
Windstar LX 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 100,556 miles
Had the same tranny problem, reverse only, no drive gears 1 2 3, OD. Not sure what it will take to fix, but it's Christmas time.... JUST OUT of extended warranty at 100,000 miles. Only 556 miles over. Imagine that....
2007Dec 07
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 67,000 miles
It's the same sad story--no warning, nothing, and then you put the car into gear and nothing happens except a loud whirring noise--no drive, no reverse. The transmission place could not believe the mess when they cracked it open. Basically the planetary gear pretty much "exploded" and totaled most of the other parts, torque converter, sun gear, to name a few. I will NEVER buy another Ford. Almost every car I have ever known has been a Ford, but never again. What can you say about a company where this has happened this many times to a fairly new car? Without a thought of issuing a recall? Crap! It's all crap. We pay top dollar for an American made car, trying to be good Americans...and look where it gets us? Buying new transmissions for exorbitant amounts of money. As soon as I can I am going to ditch this pile of garbage and get something more dependable.
2007May 29
(reported on)Windstar Limited 3.8 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 39,459 miles
This Ford windstar has been a piece of junk since I got it a year ago. It started when I start my car the O/D off light blinks on and off again and again. Then you hear a loud humming sound I don't know from where. This also affects your reverse lights as I found out as I almost was rear ended at a grocery store if your O/D light is blinking your reverse lights don't work! It does not go faster than 55 mph and that is forcing it I was on highway going 70 mph and the car down shifted on its own forcing me to slow down to about 55 mph. dinging and beeping from chimes is very annoying I don't even know why it's dinging for one minute after I start it. FORD WINDSTARS ARE JUNK 2003 LIMITED IN DRIVEWAY COLLECTING DUST WITH ONLY 39,000 MILES AND STILL OWE OVER $12,000 ON LOAN NEVER BUY A FORD
2006Dec 27
(reported on)Windstar SE 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
My 2003 Ford Windstar is a lively nightmare.. I've replaced the tranny for about 2 grand and now its gone again... Only this time there's another problem with it... engine light on now, reading codes p0171 and p0174 system too lean.... possible vacuum leak in the intake.. engine races at about 3,000 rpm.... someone said it could be my idle control sensor doing that... not really sure... So you do the math... vacuum leak in the intake and new tranny... it really sucks... I'm about ready to drive my van into the river... bad enough I still owe about 15 grand.... Can anyone solve or give some good advice of this problem? And if no one knows what ford stands for... here it is... FOUND ON THE ROAD DEAD!!! If you have one, trade it in, shoot it, whatever... just don't purchase a Ford, it can be headache.
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your transmission problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jul 19
Windstar LX 3.8L
Took the family of 5 to yellow stone park (1,500 miles away)checked all fluids. The van was running perfect no sign of any problems - then without warning we it seamed to go into neutral the trans pump blew out and left us stranded in the middle of nowhere for hours before we got it towed to two different places ( $ 1,200 just in towing plus a rental car ) Thank God we found a good trans shop( ATS the second shop) who cared and got us on the road again in just 2 days ($ 2,700 ) .I thought we had a good van but it left us in the worst possible place.I never would have taken that van that far if we had some problems with the trans but again no signs at all. The mechanic said FORD made a bunch of bad pumps out of cheap metal and he fixed a lot of them .Don't take your windstar on vacation . also we had many other weird problems with it not related to the trans. Ford needs to address this problem and take responsibility for it if they want us to buy their junk cars!
Mark C.
Oaklawn, IL, USA
SEND A COMMENT »