Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Windstar while driving at 20mph she smelled something burning and saw white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle and she also heard an explosion. She was able to get out of the vehicle and she saw that the left rear tire blew. The vehicle was towed to her home. The person who towed the vehicle found that rear axle broke in half which punctured the left rear tire causing it to blow. She contacted the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated there was not a recall for the failure and the vehicle is over one hundred thousand miles; therefore they will not assist with the repair. The vehicle will be repaired. The current and the failure mileage was 123,005.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 35 MPH she heard a peculiar noise outside of the vehicle. She applied pressure to the brake pedal, and then the vehicle began to shimmy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. The technician stated the failure was contributed to the rear axle. The vehicle was currently being repaired for the malfunction. The failure and current mileages were 123,500 updated 01/1410 the rear axle was rusted from inside out and cracked 3/4 of the way through which caused the tires to tilt inward at the top and outward at the bottom. Updated 01/10/10.
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
I just bought this car one week ago with 96000 miles on it. Because I previously got a 1995 Windstar with ax4s transmission, running over 190000 miles without any transmission issues. I then bought the 2003 car with relatively low mileage and hope it would last the similar length. This 2003 car is with 4f50n transmission. Both ax4s and 4f50n transmission are similar in design and dimensions but they perform totally different. Every time during the first week of driving the 2003 car, there were always a harsh reverse when the engine was warm after driving a few miles. I had to pump the gas to reach a high RPM just to gain a little reverse action. That makes me temporarily to park the car with the front facing the driving lane at shopping plaza. But I could still carry out the reverse action on the driveway during the morning while the engine is cold. …
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.
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 [phone] (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.
2001 Ford Windstar. I took it to the dealership to have some safety recalls done. A few days later I was driving along and smoke started boiling out from under the hood so I pulled over and by the time I got stopped and got the kids out safely it quit smoking. I raised the hood and could see some burned wiring under the brake master cylinder. We got back in and drove on then the transmission started shifting wrong and the brake pedal didn't feel right,it felt spongy. I took it to my mechanic who is ase master and Ford senior master certified. He replaced the trans range sensor and told me that the fire was caused by a defective cruise control deactivation switch leaking brake fluid.he replaced the switch and advised me to take it back to the dealer and have them do the recall which is what they were supposed to have done in the first place. …
I bought this car used 1 yr and 8 months ago .. Haven't had any major problems with it. We received the recall for the rear axle, they checked it out was fine, we never received this last recall in 2011 but it May have helped if we did. On dec 2 I was pulling out of a school, was at a complete stop then started pulling out to take a right only going about 5 MPH we heard a bang (something fell in the front end) then the car just took over, there was no steering, the throttle stuck took us from 5 MPH to about 30 MPH in like 3 seconds crossing 4 lanes of traffic and just missing 2 vehicles, I crashed into a sign, 2 fences and a tree which made us stop, there was this awful sound that was getting faster and faster, we jumped out of the car because we thought it was going to blow up!!! Everything that is in the front end is laying on the ground!! …
Related recalls (4)
Power train › Axle assembly
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997, through July 3, 2003, and currently registered or originally sold in virginia. Over time, corrosion can weaken the rear axle making it susceptible to torsional stress.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2012.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with ax4s automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover can separate from the transaxle while the vehicle is being driven. If this occurs, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Power train › Automatic transmission
The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly positioned, the roll pin May not have lined up with the groove in the shaft and have been crushed at assembly. Also, a burr could have been raised on the shaft.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft roll pin. If the roll pin is damaged, both the roll pin and the park pawl shaft will be replaced.
NHTSA investigations
Automatic transmission failure
There is no summary currently available
Failure of auto trans park lock system
The manufacturer has notified NHTSA that the subject vehicles will be recalled to correct a safety related defect identified under the scope of this investigation.the defect affects certain 1996 model year windstar, Ford taurus, and Mercury sable vehicles equipped with Ford ax4s model automatic transmissions.the safety recall action has been identified as NHTSA no. 96v-086.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Windstar years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (875), 1998 (332), 1996 (322), 1999 (278) and 2000 (271) model years. Transmission complaints make up 26% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Ford Windstar transmission problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 12V-193 (axle assembly, May 3, 2012); 97V-097 (automatic transmission, Jun 9, 1997); 96V-166 (gear position indication (prndl), Sep 5, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Windstar transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles; 15% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (1,643 mentions), followed by the axle assembly (185).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.