Ford Windstar Minivans | Wagons

Ford Windstar Minivans | Wagons 

DESCRIPTION

The Windstar is powered by a 150-hp 3.0-liter V-6 or a 200-hp 3.8-liter V-6. Both come with a 4-speed automatic transmission. It sits up to 7 passengers and ABS comes standard.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 171-180 of 338  
[Oct 18, 2001]
Mark
Model Reviewed: LTD

Strength:

strong engine/power doors/lots of room/looks nice/big windows for good vision

Weakness:

noisy engine/mini-van

Good roomy car with excellent features(park sensors, traction control, in-dash 6 CD changer, heated front seats, 2 power sliding doors). TV/VCR is great to keep the kids quiet on trips. So far so good but engine is noisy and at times sounds like it should sound smoother. No problems with acceleration or handling at this time.

Similar Products Used:

Toyota Previa/Explorer/Expedition

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Oct 18, 2001]
Mark
Model Reviewed: LTD

Strength:

strong engine/power doors/lots of room/looks nice/big windows for good vision

Weakness:

noisy engine/mini-van

Good roomy car with excellent features(park sensors, traction control, in-dash 6 CD changer, heated front seats, 2 power sliding doors). TV/VCR is great to keep the kids quiet on trips. So far so good but engine is noisy and at times sounds like it should sound smoother. No problems with acceleration or handling at this time.

Similar Products Used:

Toyota Previa/Explorer/Expedition

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Oct 16, 2001]
schroederm67
Model Reviewed: /Windstar

Strength:

Interior room and comfort.

Weakness:

The workmanship, reliablity, maintainability.

I purchased my ''95 Windstar when it was two years old. Shortly after, I had to replace the computer and then the head gasket,both window motors, power steering pump, and the ignition. It is definately the worst vehicle I have ever had.

Similar Products Used:

Never had a Ford before and will never buy one again.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Oct 12, 2001]
tellishab

Strength:

Provides plenty of room.

Weakness:

Poor quality

When i first purchased my van, it was great until later on in the year we have experienced failure with the power lock doors and also the squeaking every time I turn the wheels. I still have my van now which has over 98k miles on it ans now i''m having problems with the transmission which noone says that it can be fix. We have kept the van in good condition as far as tune-up''s and other. I wouldn''t purchased another one

Similar Products Used:

none

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Oct 11, 2001]
promedcarol
Model Reviewed: Dodge Ram Conversion Van

Strength:

Flashy, big, roomy.

Weakness:

Poor, poor customer service; faulty electric windows, wrong TV-unable to use with the wireless headphones. Difficult manuverability/steering.

We decided to give Dodge another chance after what we bought a lemon Caravan, what a mistake. NEVER another Dodge product. This van was in the shop five time for a leaky fuel tank and non-working electric window. The dealer finally replaced the fuel tank, but not before suggesting that they "just disconnect the fuse so the engine light no longer comes on" ???!!! In addition, the dealership failed to include the 4 wireless headphones so we could use our TV; when we finally did get the headphones (after 8 weeks wait)we found the wrong model TV had been installed. After literally dozens of calls to inquire if our TV had been delivered for installation, we gave up. We''re trading our piece of junk and cutting our losses.

Similar Products Used:

1999 Dodge Caravan; numerous tows and service visits for engine problems; 2 full transmission replacements, all of which that great "extended warrenty" refused to cover.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
1
[Oct 10, 2001]
lighthouse
Model Reviewed: Windstar GL

Strength:

This van represented the best value for a mini-van when it was built in 1996. It has a long wheelbase (optional on Chrysler) and came with captain''s chairs, aluminum wheels, four wheel disc brakes, heavy duty cooling, battery, etc.

Weakness:

Window tracks on both front doors have had welds break. Plastic pieces like the cup-holder have broken under normal wear. The engine seal problems are my only serious complaint.

This vehicle was totally reliable until it hit 100,000 kilometres. Then things started to fail. We have had a number of small problems like a bad seal on the oil pump and that sort of thing. Our most costly and time-consuming repair was the timing chain cover gasket which began leaking coolant. We had it replaced along with the head gaskets, knowing that the head gaskets would likely follow, even though they were not leaking yet. Ford paid 80% of our bill but we were still on the hook for $300 and the vehicle was in the shop for four days - partly because the brakes needed work at the same time. By the time the dust settled, we were out $944.

Similar Products Used:

This was our first mini-van and it is time to replace it now. We will be getting a Honda Odyssey next. It is unbeatable in terms of features, quality and service.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
[Sep 18, 2001]
BeccaJane
Model Reviewed: Ford Windstar

Strength:

NONE

Weakness:

Everything

This vehicle gives lemons a bad name. Since the purchase of this vehicle in 1997, we have spend over $5600 on repairs...brakes numerous times, transmission, fuel pump, you name it...we''ve had the problem. NEVER will we purchase a Ford again and we will tell everyone we know our story.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Sep 18, 2001]
Bill Hunton
Model Reviewed: Windstar

Strength:

None

Weakness:

Engineering of the engine and transmission

We purchased our 1995 Ford Windstar used about 2 years ago. All went well for about 15,000 miles. We gave the car excellent maintenance, with oil changes every 3000, transmission fluid change when we first bought the car at 65,000 miles, and then periodic checks. At 80,000 miles the head gasket blew. Ford has a recall on 1995''s for head gaskets, ours was covered and the local dealership did the work at no cost to us. One week after getting the car back, the transmission gave out. I have dealt with the same independent garage for 17 years and the owner and his mechanics have always treated us well and honestly. I never have to take work back to him. His estimate, as an independent, to replace the transmission was just under $3,500. That is over 70% of the current Kelly Blue Book trade in value and over 50% of the personal sale value. We are having to donate the car to charity. I called Ford''s corporate office and after having to spend 10 minutes proving that I am the current owner of this engineering marvel, they told me that Ford has no recalls on Windstars for transmissions and that they are not responsible. You know what that really says? It says the Ford builds mounds of steaming parts on wheels, that they could not engineer an outhouse to put it in, if their engineers even had a brain to work with. Don''t buy it.

Similar Products Used:

Plymouth and Toyota vans

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Sep 15, 2001]
Bruce

Strength:

Ford salesmen are ill trained and will fold under pressure. 0.9% financing.

Weakness:

The vehicle has the infamous 3.8 liter engine. My Sable recently blew the gasket and then the Ford replacement engine blew the gasket. Cost me $4600. Ford paid $800 of it.

Why did I buy this pile of ----? Transmission problems, electrical problems, paint problems. I will never buy another Ford. The 3.8 liter engine is the worst head gasket blowing piece of junk ever made. Buy American, they say? Make a decent car and I will.

Similar Products Used:

Maybe 30 other cars.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Aug 29, 2001]
JohnJ3
Model Reviewed: Windstar 3.8

Strength:

Comfortable, nice ride. Roomy. Good climate control (w/opt rear heat/ac), power, mileage.

Weakness:

Body integrity, squeaks.

I have a 98GL 3.8L purchased new in 97. It has 68k miles. The problems we had when new were limited to the brakes and fuel system. The front end shook badly when braking and the fuel gage would only read half when full. The dealer said he turned the rotors and replaced a faulty sending unit in the fuel tank. As I was driving off the lot (but not yet off), the fuel gage failed again. I still don’t think it’s quite right as it’s suppose to be a 25 gal tank, and I’ve never been able to get more than 20 in it (and I’ve run out once). The brake problem returned in short order and was only resolved after I replaced the pads twice and ended up having to replace the rotors to get the front end to quit shaking while braking. I change the oil regularly (at 3k miles) and change the transmission fluid at Ford recommendeds and have only just replaced the tires. They still looked good, but one shredded for no apparent reason (Goodyear, not F/S) and I guess after 4 years and 65k miles, a new set was not uncalled for. There is a persistent squeak in the front end that’s been there since new and was only noticeable on cold winter mornings, now it’s all the time. I’m told it’s strut towers (?) and feel it’s not worth worrying over. It takes the South Texas heat well and performed well in snow and ice during recurring drives to Oklahoma and back in the winter. The optional aft a/c works great and the mileage I get (18-20 in town and up to 25 on the road) is OK. The power is enough to merge with traffic and not have a coronary crossing an intersection. In the course of my work I’ve driven into muddy fields, getting stuck up to the frame in mud, and driven unimproved roads regularly and haven’t had any problems with the substructure or suspension. I did, just recently, receive a notice from Ford that the coil springs are now covered for failure for 10 more years. All-in-all, I’m satisfied with this particular Windstar, but after reading through here and Consumer Reports, I will not buy one again. After reading through the reviews, I suspect my next car will be something in the Subaru line.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 171-180 of 338  

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