NHTSA Complaint #735985 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

THE PLANETARY GEARS FAILED RESULTING IN MINOR OTHER DAMAGE. SEVERAL OF THE REPAIR SHOPS I CONTACTED TO GET A QUOTE STATED THAT THE PLANETARY GEARS WOULD BE WHAT FAILED BECAUSE THAT IS A PROBLEM THAT PLAQUES THIS TRANSMISSION TYPE IN WINDSTARS AND TAURUS/SABLES. ONE REPAIR SHOP EVEN STATED IF YOU HAD A WINDSTAR/TAURUS/SABLE AND YOU DID NOT EVER HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM YOU SHOULD CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY RATHER THAN ON THE BUSY STREET THAT HAD JUST EXITED. I REALIZE THAT THE NHTSA IS MORE CONCERNED WITH SAFETY RELATED ITEMS, BUT I HOPE BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE RATE OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD PRESENT WHEN THEY DO FAIL THAT THE NHTSA CAN PERSUADE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO DO THE RIGHT THING. HOWEVER, I NOT REAL SURE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO THESE POORLY ENGINEERED TRANSMISSIONS. I REALIZE MOST PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY ONLY CONCERNED WITH RECOUPING ANY MONEY THEY SPENT ON REPAIRS, BECAUSE YES I WOULD LIKE FORD TO REINBURSE ME THE $1167 REPAIR COST, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I FEEL SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE FROM A DESIGN STANDPOINT TO HELP ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THE FAILURES. EVEN AFTER HAVING HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPAIR I AM SKEPTICAL ABOUT HOW LONG THE REPAIR WILL LAST, NOT BECAUSE WHO/HOW IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT BECAUSE OF THE POOR FORD ENGINEERING/DESIGN. I GUESS THAT FORD WOULD HAVE TO HAD CHANGED SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THE LATER MODEL WINDSTARS AND I HOPE THAT THAT TECHNOLOGY COULD BE APPLIED TO THE EARLY MODELS HAVING PROBLEMS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE RIGHT FOR THE WINDSTAR OWNERS TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS THOUGH SINCE FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POOR DESIGN. I REALIZE THAT WOULD BE ASKING ALOT OF FORD, BUT I THINK THAT FORDS POSITIVE LONGTERM PUBLIC OPINION MIGHT BE IN JEOPARDY. I HAVE ALREADY DECIDED THAT THIS WILL BE THE FIRST AND LAST FORD I EVER OWN. I HATE THAT TOO, BECAUSE I TRY TO BUY AMERICAN AND THAT LIMITS MY CHOICES SOMEWHAT. THANKS FOR THIS SITE