It floats.

Engine(head gasket, value gasket), very soft brakes(has them replaced 3 times in the first 60K, doors, service, and resale.

I would never buy another Ford Windstar again. next time I will spend my money on the lottery.

Similar Products Used:

None

Comfort Reliability Great in the snow!

Better mileage Air conditioning fogs the windshield

Geeezzzeee. I like my Windstar. Any problem I have had, including new head gaskets under warranty, have been handled expertly by Miller Ford in Sanford ME. Surely, when you make as many vehicles as Ford has with the Windstar you come up with a few lemons. Luckily I got one of the good ones.

Similar Products Used:

Many ford products including other trucks and vans

Nice power from 3.8 liter engine. Power drivers seat. Power sliding door on passenger side. smooth comfortable ride.

Backup sensors a bit too touchy. (goes off when backing out of driveway with nothing nearby), Arm rests on the captains chairs are too hard.

Decided to give Ford a try after owning a Dodge Caravan for 7 years. Windstar is 7 inches longer than base caravan. Ride is smoother. Had a problem with wind noise due to an improperly seated windshield after about two months. Dealer (Faulkner Ford, Souderton, PA) diagnosed problem and replaced the defective windshield without a hassle. No noises or rattles to speak of after 1 year of service. Power drivers seat with lumbar support a big hit with my wife. Plenty of interior room for both luggage and people. On long trips I wished the arm rests on the captains chairs were a little softer but overall I am very pleased with the vehicle.
If you are looking for a vehicle that has a great safety rating, can haul a lot of people and gear, then give the Windstar a test drive.

Similar Products Used:

Dodge Caravan - not as big an engine and smaller than the Windstar

comfort, style, looks, family size, handles good in bad weather

reliability, transmission, air conditioner, all electrical aspects ( door ajar lights/bell, lighted buttons, cruise, window motor), noisy power steering, speedometer, cruise,

This Windstar was the first NEW vehicle we have ever purchased. Loved it for about three months until the problems started. At this time the front struts had to be replaced, a bolt was missing in the frame causing difficulty and moise when turning to the right. They fixed it. Within the next 30,000 miles it was one problem after another, from a new transmission, to cruise control replaced, the drivers side window motor replaced three times for going out or making noises, speedometer replaced, replaced all door sensors after complaint of door ajar light/bell going off when traveling on highway. There is more... replaced the passenger door window mechanics, the sliding door/ mechanics were replaced twice witht he door panel for a third time due to mechanics cracking it during installation.THe lights in the drivers bottons were replaced several times with no long term result. Now the vehicles had 64,000 miles and is out of warrantee and we STILL have air conditioner problem( cold air then changes to hot), check engine light comes on traveling long distance then goes off automatically when engine is cooled, ABS light comes on and stays on, no emergency brake working, overdrive does not work, The cruise sticks( setting cruise the vehicle kept accelerating until finally at about 90MPH i got it to brake, I now do not use the cruise control, the power brakes have been acting up by going to manual for a few seconds then kicking back into power. Power steering is still noisy. BUT THE WORST OF ALL IS THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AGAIN!!! Yea that right at 30,000 they replaced the transmission now at 64,000 WE have to replace it. this just shouldn't happen. I know this doesn't sound right but I really like the windstar for comfort and size and how it handles if it only would be reliable and they would fix their mistakes. I would love to purchase a windstar again, I believe everyone( dealer) puts out a lemon or two. I know I definitiely got one now just back up your mistake and help the consumer out.

Similar Products Used:

1991 Astro van - hated, terrible heating and air, terrible crash testing;
1990 Ford Bronco - bumpier ride but very reliable, has over 190,000 miles and never a problem except routine oil changes, tires, ect.

It's made of metal.

Engine & head gaskets, electrical, steering column, a/c, weight of tail gate, etc.

The worst vehicle my wife and I ever owned, and I've owned two other Ford clunkers. I honestly believe Ford builds these vans to blow up after a certain number of miles. Bought used, we've replaced most the A/C components. "Check Engine" light stays on constantly and was told by a local dealer "don't worry about that."

Then last year, head gaskets blew on a busy stretch of I-75. After no van and fighting for months with Ford, a small claims court summons magically made $3,000 toward repairs appear.

Now, most of the items in the steering column are not working, causing the wipers to only work on high speed. That's fun during a drizzle.

On top of that, there is a horrible noise coming from the front end that I'm guessing is either the power steering pump or tie end rods going or gone bad. This vehicle only has 65,000 miles and it's a shame that Ford put such little care into the quality of their products.

Oh yeah, the cargo net for the back hatch broke too!

Taking Ford and your local dealer to court is the only way to get some satisfaction.

Similar Products Used:

First and last Ford van, or any other Ford vehicle. A roomy rickshaw would be more reliable.

THE SEATS ARE COMFORTABLE

ALL MECHANICLE DEVICES

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DEC. 1998 WITH 25,000 MILES ON IT, IT RAN PERFECT FOR 9 MONTHS, IT THEN BLEW THE HEAD GASKETS AND THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH THE EXACT SAME ENGINE, KNOWING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THEM. AFTER THAT EVERYTHING WENT WRONG. FUEL PUMP,TEMP GUAGE WIPER MOTOR, FUEL SENSOR, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SLIDE, AC HAD A LEAK, TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID. INTERIOR LIGHT WAS STUCK ON DUE TO REAR HATCH, REAR WIPER MOTOR.THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW A SECOND TIME 13 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST TIME AND AGAIN THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. IT HAS BEEN STALLING ON ME FOR THE PAST 9 MONTHS, THEY CLAIMED IT WAS DUE TO BAD GAS, I PAID 150.00 TO CLEAN IT OUT AND IT STILL CONTINUED TO STALL, IT HAS SINCE BEEN IN AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR THE STALLING, THEY FIND THINGS AND REPLACE IT AND IT STILL STALLS. THEY JUST TOLD ME LAST WEEK THAT I HAD BAD GAS YET AGAIN, THIS TIME IT COST ME 500.00 TO CLEAN EVERYTHING OUT , AND IT IS STILL STALLING. IT WENT IN AGAIN YESTERDAY AND TODAY THEY SAID I HAD 2 BAD FUEL INJECTORS, BUT IT'S KIND OF FUNNY THAT THEY WERE FINE LAST WEEK. I WOULD NOT ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO PURCHASE THIS VAN. IT NOW HAS 61,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS A LEMON. I WAS LUCKY THAT I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRENTY ON THIS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE OVER $14,000.00 IN PARTS AND LABOR INTO THIS AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL MY RENTALS. I AM NOW TALKING WITH FORD TO GET SOME TRADE IN ASSISTANCE OR HAVE THEM PURCHASE MY WARRENTY AGAIN. BUT THEY DON'T SEEM TO SEE A PROBLEM! FUNNY HUH. MY HUSBAND IS BEGINNING TO THINK I'M HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH MY SERVICE ADVISOR!LOL! BUYER BEWARE!

Similar Products Used:

I HAVE NEVER SEEN, OWNED OR HEARD OF A VECHICLE WITH THIS MANY PROBLEMS

LOTS OF ROOM..POWERFUL ENGINE..DUAL SLIDING DOORS ARE VERY CONVENIENT

DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FOGS UP IN THE WINTER..FORD SHOULD HAVE DESIGNED THE SIDE WINDOW DEFOGERS IN THE DOOR PANELS RATHER THAN ON THE DASH..THE EARLIER MODELS HAD THEM..WHY DID THEY ELIMINATE THEM IN THE 1999 MODELS?

OVERALL, WE HAVE HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN. MY WIFE IS THE PRINCIPLE DRIVER. SHE NEEDED SOME TIME GETTING USED TO PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE WITHOUT NICKING THE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS. WITH TWO KIDS, THE VAN IS GREAT. LOTS OF INTERIOR ROOM. MY SON ENJOYS LISTENING TO HIS OWN MUSIC
ON THE HEADSETS WITH THE DUAL RADIO CONTROLS. THE REAR HEAT/AIR SYSTEM IS
A PLUS. WE ENJOY THE SMOOTH COMFORTABLE RIDE. HAVEN'T HAD TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. I STILL THINK FORD SHOULD DESIGN A MINIVAN WITH KIDS IN MIND. IE. WHY NOT HAVE PULL OUT TRAYS IN THE REAR SEATS, JUST LIKE THEY DO ON AIRPLANES SO THAT THEY COULD EITHER READ OR COLOUR ON THOSE LONG TRIPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

Similar Products Used:

I ALSO DRIVE A 1992 EXPLORER..THE RIDE ON THE WINDSTAR IS BY FAR ALOT SMOOTHER THAN THE EXPLORER

Ride, 25 gallon gas tank.

Just replaced the front outter tie rods at 56,000 - $200. Service asked if I drive it on a lot of bumpy roads but I told him it is not a Jeep-all highway miles. My Honda Accord with 206000 miles has the original tie rods! Can't Ford call Honda and ask how they do it? Replaced power mirror selector switch-$30. Replace intermittant wiper switch under warranty, but's it's quirky again. Transmission clunks loudly when on an incline or decline. Found it goes away if I park with the emergency brake on and then depress the brake pedal ALL THE WAY before engaging in gear. From the other reviews, I'm a bit concerned at this point. Everything else has been A-okay. Glad I didn't buy an earlier year with all of the head gasket problems. None here on the 3.8l engine. Seems solid. Had a stalling problem early on but the engine control module was reprogrammed and fixed it. They are suppose to "learn" your driving habits-guess mine was kinda dumb. Biggest concern at this time is the transmission. They have a bad and well deserved reputation. Will sell in the next couple of years. Hopefully before the tranny goes. Back seat is heavy but I figured out how to take it out with any lifting. Plastic panels don't clean very easily. Use any type of high strength cleaner and you'll remove the color.
Needs more cup holders for the middle seats. I bought a WalMart organizer to go between the front seats instead-works okay.

Overall nice ride, engine roars a bit when in passing gear but otherwise okay, comfortable seats (opt for the middle quads-forget the bench), good A/C. 3.8L engine has lots of power-get 23 or 24 mpg at 70 mph with the A/C on. Low wind and interior noise compared to company Caravan.

Similar Products Used:

Honda Accords(86, 87 and 90), Toyotas (85 and 83) all smoother and seem better built. Reliability is no question. Current Accord has 206,000 miles, gets 30 mpg and purrs. Going for 300,000. All switches and A/C still work. Next van will be Odessy or Sienna, if I get a van.

none

lots

I am on my 3rd motor , replace 1/2 of the front end , 3 window motors,and lots more with only 140000 miles. I hate this van

Similar Products Used:

None

The rear sensing system is great and well worth the money. The dual power sliding doors are nice and were the main reason we looked at the vehicle in the first place.

The A/C definitely. I was very surprised to see that there aren't many complaints about the A/C in this vehicle. No problems with the transmission yet, but we have only put 7000 miles on it in the first year.

Overall we are very disappointed with the vehicle. The A/C compressor had to be replaced twice within the first 6,000 miles (the first was at 1800 miles). Unfortunately, after all the work it doesn't seem to blow very cold air anymore (not a good thing in Arizona). We only drive it when necessary and can't wait to turn it back in when the lease runs out in a year.

Similar Products Used:

We've had Caravans '88 and '94, a '94 Chevy Lumina, a '95 Aerostar, a '97 Chevy Astro, and a '98 Chevy full size conversion. We liked the Lumina and Astro the best. Normally we don't keep anything long enough to encounter too many problems, so the Windstar surprised us with its early problems. If the A/C worked well now, we'd be fairly satisfied.