2004 Ford Windstar Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 29%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 122,414miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Ford Windstar, 29% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 122,414 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Failure with the transmission. Slight noise from vehicle which was not identified. Driving down road total loss of motion within seconds with no sign of defect or sound which put my whole family in danger. The transmission is broke and will have to be replaced but has not yet been done.”
NHTSA complaint #10342792, filed 2010-07, 97,001 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Windstar. While driving in reverse 3 MPH the rear axle broke in half. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who stated that the rear axle beam needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure and current mileages were 153,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10344020, filed 2010-07, 153,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH , the overdrive warning lamp illuminated. The contact mentioned that she took her foot off the accelerator and the vehicle speed did not decrease. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 122,414.”
NHTSA complaint #10434263, filed 2011-11, 122,414 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10295064, filed 2009-12, 123,500 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 to 40 MPH the vehicle suddenly stalled. There were no warning lights prior or after the failure. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle; therefore, it was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic advised her that she needed to replace the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 97,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10395644, filed 2011-04, 97,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 29% |
| 2003 | 225 | 15% |
| 2002 | 97 | 7% |
| 2001 | 145 | 9% |
| 2000 | 271 | 16% |
| 1999 | 278 | 18% |
| 1998 | 332 | 23% |
| 1997 | 43 | 22% |
| 1996 | 322 | 23% |
| 1995 | 875 | 26% |
| 1994 | 8 | 35% |
| 1993 | 1 | 9% |
| 1990 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Windstar
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford Windstar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology