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trans - engine -head gaskets brakes steering column/box

owned a 95 that blew head gasket at 42,000 miles Ford covered all the repairs. It happened again at 93,500. this time the engine needed to be replaced and none was available for 5 weeks.(ford had just voluntarily extented the head gasket warranty to 100,000 miles) They offered to buy back the vehical for $8600 they also offered a $3000 certificate towards the purchase of a new ford so I got 11,600. for a van with 93,500 miles i wasn't thrilled but better then some of the stories I heard about. I purchased a new 2000 Windstar lx for 23,000. the trans started bucking right away.the dealer couldn't find anything wrong. at 32,000 miles the head gasket blew and the dealer replaced the engine (ford coverd this also). the trans was bucking worse then ever but again they claimed it was fine.i now have 41000 miles and i need to have the steering column worked on and the trans gives me whiplash. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD.I cant stand the fact they tell me the trans is acting normal (for a windstar I geuss)and I see that the steering failure is common but God forbid they own up to the fact that they built a sub standard vehicle. I ve been dealing with this frustration now for 5 years.They swore to me that the engine problems were corrected on the 2000 model but its the same piece of $#%*& as the 95 I geuss changing a head gasket every 35,000 miles is a normal maintenance item like changing the oil or rotating tires

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95 windstar

room

gas commming out the tailpipe

The gas started to come out the tail pipe and we want to know how to fix and how the parts will cost. please contact me as soon as possible.

Comfort and spacious.

UNRELIABLE!!!

Bought the vehicle brand new. At approximately 29000 miles and less than 3 years old, the transmission blew and I ended up having to pay 3000 Euro (equiv to $3000 US) to get it fixed.

All overshadowed by 1800. transmission problem

Transmission

Bought car on way home to Tennesse from Arkansas..While on trip home noticed the transmission was slipping..Checking the web we find that the 1998 Windstar is notorious for this problem

acceleration/gas/ ride-Quad seats a must!!No fade on orig paint w/o clr coat. Steering/ABS.Tilt frwd drvr seat

Throttle Body & fuel injectors, must srvc religously!!

Purchased in July '97, logged in over 129K miles on 3.8L engine. Defects & recalls taken care by Ford. No majors w/trans or engine, minor electrical/door locks/windows-repaired. Good on gas/ride.This one's a keeper.

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None

Ride, durability

Rear seat very hard to move in and out

We have really enjoyed our van. 39000 miles used when we purchased,95000 now. Have had minor problems with switches failing, a few sensors over time, the cruise control and the ubiquitous whine thought to be the power steering. I have done the vast majority of the work myself so it has not been a huge financial drain other than the parts. (try fordpartsonlne.com). I wanted to point out to others that I recently fixed a loud whine coming from the serpentine belt drive accessories. It was a toss up as to what was actually causing the noise. I changed the idler/pulley just under and between the alternator/power steering and it took care of it. NAPA has the part for $22.00. Thankfully we have so far avoided the widespread tranny/head gasket problems (we have the 3.8L). We always drive in town with the OD off. Just fortunate I guess.

Appearance, ride is smooth, roomy interior.

Engine, Transmission

We just traded our 2000 Ford Windstar in for a 2002 Model. Our 2000 Windstar had the weak 3.0L Engine in it, which definately should never have been in the Windstar to begin with. Our 2000 Ford Windstar began having problems such as Engine not idling smooth, transmission slamming into gear at low speeds and not being able to make up its mind at speeds around 40 to 45, it would shift back and forth, after 2 visits to the Dealership here in Alaska, Ford determined everything was fine and the problems didn't exist, I am glad to have read more reviews from people having similar problems such as those we were experiencing. This new model we chose an extended warranty with. We still feel the over all functionality of the Windstar is good.

When it is running it's a smooth ride.

The engine, Transmission, head gasket.

I have had nothing but stress with my van. I'm on my third transmission and need a third engin after having a new one put in only a year and a half ago. I had the head gasket replaced. I've always brought my van to Ford for maintenance and repairs and they couldn't even fix the problems. I will never own a Ford again. They should be ashamed of themselves.

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First time

Good highway car. Happy and smooth at 75mph.

Transmission, engine, brakes top the list. Disgraceful quality. Ford should be ashamed.

Bought the '96 Windstar GL with the 3.8 liter engine. It only has about 85K on it and has been well maintained. The car eats front brake pads every 10K and sometimes less (Taurus brake system on a heavier vehicle I guess). The transmission is defective but hasn't quit yet -- on a hot day with the car in drive the transmission sometimes won't engage from a dead stop. I thought the engine was a strong point but I am now experiencing the $1200 head gasket problem that is apparently epidemic on these things. Many other relatively smaller but annoying reliability problems -- for example, the speedometer and odometer quit working for a while then resumed working; the cigarette lighter broke after sustained usage with a cell phone. Its a nice highway car and has a good safety rating but in all other respects it is very disappointing. Definitely my last Ford.

Great ride and low wind noise. Comfortable seating, Quads seats are a must with kids. Crash test ratings are 5 star, nice to feel safe.

Transmission failure, regular serviceing at ford dealership didn't help.

I would have to say this van is average. We bought this van used with one years use on it and 19000 miles. At 67000 miles we have had our first trouble with the van, and its big, transmission went out. Now a bit worried about others reporting head gasket failure at around 70000 so am getting ready to trade it off. Van was great on long trips with low wind noise and great smooth ride. Gas miliage was ok at 21 mpg on highway and 17 mpg for intown. 3.8 liter engine had good power and fairly quiet. I had a Dodge and Plymouth van previous and one also had its transmission go out at 62000 miles, we pulled a 16 foot boat with it. Buy extended warrenty if ya buy this van or any van, get 70000 mileage plan atleast or it will cost ya.

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1996 Plymouth Voyager AWD