# 1999 FORD WINDSTAR — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
> NHTSA complaint `558371` · 2005-10-12 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** WINDSTAR
- **Year:** 1999
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- **Speed:** 50 mph
## Narrative
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY (60 MPH), THE OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND MESSAGE BOARD SHOWED CHECK MESSAGE. I PUSHED INFO BUTTON, AND TXT. MESSAGE DISAPPEARED. I PULLED OVER TO FIRST LANE AND OBSERVED A LOT OF SMOKE IN THE REAR MIRROR. I STOPPED THE CAR AND OBSERVED FIRE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. FIRE CONTINUED FOR APP. 4 MINS. AND EXTINGUISHED SLOWLY. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER, WHICH HAS STATED THAT TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN OVERHEATED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE CHECKED SOME OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND IT LOOKS LIKE FORD HAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH WINDSTARS. LUCKILY ME AND MY TWO CHILDREN CAME THROUGH THIS INCIDENT UNSCATHED BUT IT CAN BE A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. NO HELP FROM DEALER AND ACCORDING TO OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS IT SEEM LIKE FORD ALSO IS VERY RELUCTANT TO LOOK INTO SUCH PROBLEMS.  *NM
---
*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*