unbelievable! fifth transmiision.

2000 Windstar SE sucking me dry. The first two transmissions were replaced under warranty by Ford. The third was a knockdown fight with Ford and i'm glad to say I won. The fourth transmission was rebuilt by a highly recommended shop. 29,000 miles later same shop says it needs to be rebuilt. This will be transmission number 5. Last shop completely flushed cooler and installed a shift kit. The wife shuttles the kids to school and the occasional weekend trips. I have not been able to reach 30,000 miles on any of the trans. that have been in this van. Doesn't make sense to me. I think it's time to move on cuz this lemon is full of juice. I would like to thank this forum/moderators for all the input as it has helped me tackle other jobs on this van. I hope no one else has had this bad of a history with the Windstar trans.

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Sadly, yours isn't the only transmission horror story I've heard - though yours is probably the worst I've heard.

I'll at least note my own experience: At 130K miles, my '00 Windstar LX has the original transmission. The transmission has never been opened. I added a B&M auxiliary transmission cooler when I started towing my popup camper; I'd recommend an auxiliary transmission cooler for all Windstars. It still shifts fine, and is regularly used for everything from kid shuttling to trailer towing (I have both a utility trailer and popup camper).

My only secret: Super-frequent transmission fluid changes, using only Mobil 1 ATF in proper Mercon V formulation.

My only thought: Your situation is so bad that I suspect something going on that both Ford and the shop have somehow missed. I'm not sure I'd know where to turn, but I'd be trying to finding someone new who's willing to take a open-minded look at the entire problem and truly solve it.

I have a 1999 Windstar which I bought new right when they came out and I am on my fifth transmission too or is it the sixth I can't even remember anymore lol. All of mine were replaced under warranty in the first three years. But once my warranty was up and I stopped going to the dealer and started changing the fluid myself every year I had no problems ever again. So now I never go the dealer and fix everything myself and never have any problems.

I bought my '96 in '99 off lease with just under 39K miles on it.
It had a trailer hitch on it.
I had the transmission fluid and filter changed every 30K miles......until about 100K, when I ended up needing a replacement.
I bit the bullet at got a FORD remanufactured unit.....did a LOT of research online which is what led me to make that choice.
Also, eventually, led me to THIS forum.

What I did from that point.....went to yearly fluid changes with synthetic.
Installed a auxilary transmission fluid cooler.
Installed a Magnefine filter in the fluid return line from the coolers.
Replaced the in pan filter every other year.

SUPER IMPORTANT, verify that the in-radiator cooler is NOT clogged or restricted.
Install a Magnefine filer in the cooler line that carries fluid from the cooler TO the transmission......to catch any particles that are lodged inside the cooler that may come free.
FORD has several TSBs about the in-radiator cooler restricting the fluid flow.......which WILL lead the the replacement transmission overheating.

If you have had multiple transmissions fail......I would be SERIOUSLY looking into just replacing the radiator assembly (which is the only way to replace the stock transmission cooler).

Also, verify that your radiator fans are functioning in the low speed function.
To do this.....with the motor running at idle......turn the A/C ON, the radiator fans should come ON and STAY ON.
If they do not......the most likely cause is a broken radiator fan "low speed dropping resistor".
Mine was broken.....who knows how long.....
I suspect that this is more common than most people realize.
NOTE, the A/C does not come on in real cold weather, so this test might not be valid in COLD weather (winter).....above 40 degrees or so, it should work.
Restoring the low speed function of the radiator fans will help to keep your transmission cooler, particularly in stop and go traffic.
When in stop and go traffic, I turn the A/C ON, which forces the radiator fans to STAY ON, which keeps the transmission fluid much cooler.

I sold my Windstar this past spring with over 229K miles on it......and there was no sign of any issue with the transmission.