NHTSA Complaint #10125152 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

WHILE ON VACATION THIS PAST WEEK,MY WIFE, KIDS (5), AND MYSELF, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH WARNING NOR WERE THERE ANY SYMPTOMS TO INDICATE THAT OUR FAMILY VEHICLE WOULD LEAVE US STRANDED ON OUR FIRST FAMILY VACATION. WE PURCHASED A 2001 WINDSTAR SEL FROM UNIVERSITY FORD IN DURHAM, NC. WE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $1500, AND JUST WHEN THE VEHICLE BARELY SURPASSED THE 'EXPIRATION DATE', THE TRANSMISSION, JUST SUDDENLY QUIT. MY WIFE AND SON WERE EXCHANGING SANDALS AT THE LOCAL BEACH SHOP, AND WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE VAN, AND TRIED TO MOVE IT, THERE WAS NO GEAR AT ALL.......JUST PARK AND NEUTRAL, (THE TWO 'NO' GEARS). THEY WALKED 3 MILES IN 90 DEGREE WEATHER BACK TO OUR 'PLACE'. I HAVE CALLED THE UNIVERSITY FORD, AND SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS OUT BY LESS THAN 2500 MILES, I AM STUCK. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 78,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS BEEN SERVICED FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY WE HAVE OWNED IT. IT WAS BOUGHT 'SLIGHTLY USED', ONLY TO BE DRIVEN BEFORE BY A TOP SALESMAN/MANAGER, BEFORE WE PURCHASED IT. I HAVE A FAIRLY DECENT SIZED FAMILY AND AM MIDDLE CLASS, NOT RICH!! THE TRANSMISSION IS SUPPOSED TO BE $1500-$3000 TO REPLACE, AND I CANT AFFORD TO REPLACE AND REALLY DONT FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR A TRANSMISSION THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED, WITH NORMAL DRIVING, WELL INTO 100,000-150,000 MILES. I HAVE A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE THAT HAS ALMOST 215,000 MILES THAT HAS NEVER GIVEN ONE SECONDS TROUBLE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE SO MANY UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE AS MYSELF, THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE FROM YOUR DEPT. TO PLEASE CHECK INTO THE DURABILITY OF THE WINDSTARS TRANSMISSIONS, AS FORD, HAVE TOLD US (MYSELF AND OTHER DISGUSTED WINDSTAR OWNERS) THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FORD MAKING A DESIGN FLAW IN A TRANSMISSION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME IN READING THIS, I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE. WITH KINDEST REGARDS, I AM JOHNNIE WILKINS