2000 Ford Windstar: Transmission failed at 80K/50M

[kahjdh]

Im right around 50k in my van. What are some of the trouble signs for this?

[baumbr]

If you haven't had at least 2 flush and filter treatments by now you could be headed for trouble. Mine failed without any warning at about 120K miles. When we opened it up and looked, the pan and filter were full of metal shavings.

[wiswind]

Laws will vary from location to location..... I do think (in the USA) that if you took the car in for a concern while it was under waranty....and they did not solve the issue......until after the waranty was up....that it is still covered....as you raised the concern while it was under waranty. Documentation will be needed....

[DRW1000]

Excellent point wiswind. That same logic would apply in Canada too. Sometimes, in fact almost always, it will require one to go the chain of command at the dealer or Ford to get the "approval" but with proper documentation you would have a rock solid case.

[amp16412]

Mine went out with 63,000 miles on it. change filter & trans fluid at 30,000 miles and had it flushed at 50,000 miles. at stop sign it blew
no forward only reverse. $1,900 for new trans from ford. asked for some help recieved none

99 windstar lx

[12Ounce]

Another "flushing followed by failure" ... I can't help but imagine a connection!

[lonnnnnn]

We are in the same boat. My 2001 Windstar tranny died at 83,000. It is an Lx with a 3.8. I bought it one year old with 30,000. miles on it. Bought a Ford warrenty at that time and we just missed it by 3000 miles. Dealer said if it was less than 80,000. Ford would have helped with the $3100 replacement. I went new to get a 3yr/36000 mile warrenty on the new trans. I have also had both front wheel assemble replaced, speedo, brakes and rotors. This van has not been abused by us. I am not impressed. ]

[tigertom40]

Originally Posted by cclayton

I purchased my Windstar new in 2000. It now has 80,000 km on it. While driving it from a stop sign, the transmission just blew. It is now in with the dealership as the transmission needs to be replaced. Part that malfunctioned: Reverse Sun Gear.

The history: This vehicle has been maintained by the dealership for four years. Under warranty it was brought in many times with complaints of the transmission (at least 10 times). The most recent time was four weeks ago. Continual diagnosis when brought in previously: nothing wrong. The vehicle is now not under warranty.

The problem: Premature failure of a major vehicle component - transmission was replaced with a "remanufactured transmission". Ford split the cost 75% / 25%. Cost to me.. the consumer: $900 Canadian. I now own a vehicle that I cannot sell at market value. No one would purchase my vehicle knowing it has a rebuilt tranny.

When I paid $28,000 for my vehicle nowhere in my wildest imagination did I expect to have to replace the transmission at 80K. I can ill afford an extra $1000 to put into a vehicle which has prematurely malfunctioned at absolutely no fault of my own (and I regularly serviced and maintained my vehicle AND brought it in for problems with the same part while under warranty).

This is WRONG. I am a consumer caught in a "stereotypical" fight with a large car company.

Has anyone else experienced problems with their 2000 Ford Windstar?

Hi,
I also had the same problem with my 2000 windstar but it only had 70,000 km's. on it and Ford would'nt do a thing

[GOT2FORDS]

My wifes Windstar just turned 105000 km no transmission troubles and I have never touched the transmission fluid. It is clean and has no burnt smell. For that matter I have never replaced a transmission in any vehicle I have ever owned and I have never changed the fluid. My Dad worked in a garage for years and always said anytime a customer came in and had the fluid changed they always came back with problems. He believes the problem is the mix of old and new fluid. Just taking the pan down does not drain the fluid from the torque converter and as a result the new and the old mix. My F 150 has 110 000 KM no problems yet.