NHTSA Complaint #10071322 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

DURING THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS ALWAYS A NOTICEABLE THUNK WHEN THE GEARSHIFT WAS FIRST ENGAGED. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS I INQUIRED OF THE DEALER WHAT THIS MIGHT BE AND WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL AND THAT I SHOULD USE THE PARKING BRAKE AT ALL TIMES TO MINIMIZE THIS PROBLEM. IN ANY EVENT, AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS OF MAINLY HIGHWAY DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SIMPLY FAILED ONE DAY WHILE I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DRIVING ABOUT 110 KM/HR. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS ARISING FROM A HYDRAULIC LINE THAT HAD BURST INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION LEAKING A CONTAMINATING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY RESULTED IN A MELT-DOWN OF THE WORKING PARTS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION.