Ford Windstar problems
The Ford Windstar (later the Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey) is a minivan that was produced and sold by Ford. The replacement for the Ford Aerostar, the Windstar adopted the front-wheel drive configuration of the Chrysler minivans. From the 1995 to 2007 model years, three generations of the model line were sold, with the final generation renamed as the Ford Freestar.
Unrelated to the Nissan-developed Mercury Villager, the Windstar was marketed without a Lincoln-Mercury counterpart. As part of the 2004 launch of the Ford Freestar, Mercury introduced its first Ford-produced minivan in a revival of the Mercury Monterey nameplate.
Following a decline in sales across the minivan segment in the mid-2000s, the Freestar and Monterey were discontinued after the 2007 model year with no direct replacement. In North America, the model line was functionally matched by the 7-passenger 2008 Ford Taurus X wagon/CUV; in Mexico, the Freestar was replaced by the Ford Transit/Tourneo. In 2014, Ford reentered the segment as the Ford Transit Connect compact MPV gained 7-passenger seating in North America.
During its production the Ford Windstar/Freestar and the Mercury Monterey were sourced from Oakville Assembly (Oakville, Ontario). In total, 1,984,232 were produced (1,704,786 Windstars, 246,493 Freestars, and 32,953 Montereys).
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Ford Windstar model years
Common Ford Windstar problems
Based on the complaints from owners of Ford Windstar cars, several common problems have been identified:
- Transmission Failure: Owners have reported issues with transmission failure in various model years of the Ford Windstar, including the 2000 and 2003 models. This problem can lead to difficulties in shifting gears, jerking while driving, and even complete transmission failure.
- Rear Axle Failure: A significant concern among Ford Windstar owners is the rear axle's tendency to split apart or suddenly snap. This issue has been reported in multiple model years, such as 2000 and 2001, posing a serious safety risk as it can result in loss of control while driving.
- Electrical Problems: Complaints about electrical issues, including dashboard needle failures, door ajar lights staying on, and dome lights malfunctioning, have been raised by owners. These problems can affect the vehicle's functionality and safety.
- Engine Performance: Owners have highlighted engine-related problems like engines not staying running in the mornings, experiencing jerks while driving, and issues with engine power and misfires. These issues can impact the vehicle's performance, fuel efficiency, and overall driving experience.
- Subframe and Welding Concerns: Some owners have reported issues with subframe repairs and welding failures in the Ford Windstar, leading to safety risks due to structural integrity compromises.
- Instrument Panel Malfunctions: Problems with the instrument panel, such as erratic movements of dashboard needles, have been noted by owners. These issues can affect the driver's ability to monitor crucial vehicle information accurately.
- Brake Pedal Concerns: Complaints about brake pedal issues, including the pedal going to the floor without leaking fluid, have been raised. Brake problems can compromise the vehicle's braking performance and safety.
These common problems reported by Ford Windstar owners highlight a range of issues affecting different aspects of the vehicle's performance, safety, and reliability. Addressing these concerns is crucial to ensure the proper functioning and safety of Ford Windstar vehicles.
Are Ford Windstars reliable?
Cons. Disconnected ride and handling, poor interior space utilization, noisy V6 engine, poor reputation for reliability.
How long do Ford Windstars last?
How Long Will the 2003 Ford Windstar Last? Drivers are typically reporting mileage in the low 200,000 range before the transmission totally goes out, but we're also seeing reports as low as 100,000 before something needs to be rebuilt or swapped out. Expect a fairly meager typical lifespan of 180,000 miles.
Why did Ford stop making the Windstar?
Transmission issues plagued early models, and concerns about reliability dogged the minivan throughout its production run. Additionally, some criticized its handling, particularly in comparison to its nimbler competitors. In 2007, Ford discontinued the Windstar, replaced by the larger and more truck-like Freestar.
What kind of engine does a Ford Windstar have?
3.8-liter V-6
Engine: 3.8-liter V-6; 200-hp at 5000 rpm; 230 lb-ft torque at 3000 rpm.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Ford Windstar years
We have researched Ford problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Ford Windstar cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Ford Windstar model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Ford Windstar model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Ford Windstar years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Ford Windstar car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Ford Windstar , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Service brakes problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Suspension problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Ford Windstar vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Windstar model years
A total of 579 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Windstar model years
There were a total of 542 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Windstar model years
There were a total of 566 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Windstar model years
There were a total of 14 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 15902 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Ford Windstar . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Ford Windstar vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Ford Windstar 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-15
- VIN: 2FMZA51U9XB
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the contact became aware that the rear passenger's side wheel was pushed upward and was nearly rubbing the inner wheel well. The contact stated that upon inspecting the rear axle, he became aware that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension); and the recall repair was previously performed on the vehicle. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.
Ford Windstar 2003
- Date Of Incident: 2019-11-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-05
- VIN: 2FMZA50473B
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and Brake warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, there was smoke, and a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the ABS fluid had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that fluid had leaked from the Speed Control Deactivations Switch causing damage to the ABS Control Module connector. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 250,000.
Ford Windstar 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-15
- VIN: 2FMZA57422B
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The rear axle passenger side broke.
Ford Windstar 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-22
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-14
- VIN: 2FMZA5242XB
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started pulling to one side, almost causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the motor mounts were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance because the vehicle was not under Warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Ford Windstar 2003
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-27
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-06
- VIN: 2FMZA53433B
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor circulating inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle started losing motive power, and he was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Ford Windstar 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-24
- Date Complaint: 2024-05-28
- VIN: 2FMZA5349YB
- Components: SUSPENSION,WHEELS
- Summary: The rear axle broke for the second time on a Ford Windstar, after already breaking prior to a recall in 2010. It appears to have broken where a clamp was attached. This caused the rear wheels to fall into, and grind against the wheel well. This happened on a side street near my house. Had it happened at highway speeds, the rear wheels could have locked up or perhaps broken free causing loss of control. The axle problem has been known to Ford, but it is concerning that this is the second one to fail. I have not yet contacted ford or a a repair facility to evaluate. There were no warning lamps or other indication. The axle simply broke abruptly. I thought it was a tire blow out until I saw the wheels tilted in. The vehicle is older, but I maintain it well.
Ford Windstar 2003
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-06
- Date Complaint: 2024-05-06
- VIN: 2FMZA51423B
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving from the driveway, the front driver's side control arm detached from the vehicle. The vehicle made an abnormal scraping sound. While making a turn, an abnormal clicking noise was heard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.
Ford Windstar 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-02
- VIN: 2FMDA52462B
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the contact pulled over and noticed that the tire was not straight inside the wheel well. While hoisting the vehicle on a lift at the residence, the contact noticed that the tire was rubbing on the inside of the wheel well and that the rear axle had fractured. The contact stated that the failure occurred at the site of the repair on the patch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed about a recall. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Ford Windstar 2001
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-10
- Date Complaint: 2023-11-13
- VIN: 2FMZA50481B
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the rear axle fractured. There was no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a stress crack caused by excessive corrosion. The vehicle had not been repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Ford Windstar 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-24
- Date Complaint: 2023-10-31
- VIN: 2FMZA514XWB
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering significantly. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Store, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was corroded and had fractured from the upper side to the lower side. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Ford Windstar 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-25
- Date Complaint: 2023-09-22
- VIN: 2FMDA53482B
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was wobbling uncontrollably and almost caused an accident. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
Ford Windstar 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-22
- Date Complaint: 2023-09-07
- VIN: 2FMZA57462B
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and had the vehicle towed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the rear driver’s side axle had fractured. The axle was replaced. On another occasion while driving 20 MPH over railroad tracks, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact parked the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver’s side axle had fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who confirmed that the rear driver’s side axle had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was 139,619.
Ford Windstar 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-04
- Date Complaint: 2023-08-08
- VIN: 2FMZA5245YB
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while reversing at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal booming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the front spring had fractured and punctured the passenger’s side front tire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Ford Windstar 2003
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-01
- Date Complaint: 2023-08-07
- VIN: 2FMZA51423B
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from an undisclosed location of the vehicle. The contact veered off the roadway. The contact notified a tow truck company and inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced the NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Ford Windstar 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-08
- Date Complaint: 2023-07-21
- VIN: 1FMPU18L6WL
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: Bought replacement brake pads from RockAuto 07/08/2023 9:06PM order 244457897 that are supposed to be Bosch BSH BC702 ceramic. What arrived is unbranded, unnumbered tag torn off the box with no identifiers at all. All brake pads used should have numbers to identify street legal for use but these have NOTHING on them, the box, anything. Unsafe if cannot identify use. RockAuto wants me to pay for return for their mistake, but bigger problem is that unknown pads are being sent out by RockAuto. I still have unopened set if interested.
Latest 5 recalls Ford Windstar
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 100 recalls for different components of the Ford Windstar.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Ford Windstar 2003
- Report Received Date: 2015-09-29
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10V-385, 12V-193, and 12V-195.
- Consequence: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S27.
- Model: Ford Windstar 1999
- Report Received Date: 2015-09-29
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10V-385, 12V-193, and 12V-195.
- Consequence: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S27.
- Model: Ford Windstar 2001
- Report Received Date: 2015-09-29
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10V-385, 12V-193, and 12V-195.
- Consequence: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S27.
- Model: Ford Windstar 2000
- Report Received Date: 2015-09-29
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10V-385, 12V-193, and 12V-195.
- Consequence: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S27.
- Model: Ford Windstar 1998
- Report Received Date: 2015-09-29
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10V-385, 12V-193, and 12V-195.
- Consequence: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S27.
Latest negative Ford Windstar car reviews
Latest positive Ford Windstar car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2001
Congratulations on your new purchase! It's great to hear that you found a van that you love. It sounds like you did your research and found one with a powerful engine, a safe design, and plenty of space inside. I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying driving it and I hope you have many fun trips in the future!
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Vehicle year: 1997
Hello! I've been the proud owner of this vehicle since May of 1996. It was the perfect car for my family, as it could fit all of my kids' college stuff and still provide a comfortable ride for my wife during the 4-hour drive. Throughout the years, it has been a reliable companion, only requiring routine maintenance. I did recently replace the brakes this spring, but other than that, it has been smooth sailing. I'm excited to purchase another Ford in the future!
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Vehicle year: 1995
You've owned your Windstar for about six years and it has proved to be a very good vehicle. The ride is very comfortable and it is very quiet inside. It has most of the options you need and want and is very versatile. It has great cargo room when seats are removed. You have automatic lights and mirrors which you appreciate and the electronic dash has all the information you want. You've driven many newer vans and still have not found one that is equal to yours.
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Vehicle year: 2001
We purchased our minivan used with 171,000 miles and it appears to have been well-maintained. Fortunately, when we brought it in for a recall repair, the rush was over and replacement parts were readily available. The dealership replaced the rear axle and reinforced the front subframe free of charge. Since then, we've only needed to perform routine maintenance and haven't had any major issues. The only downside is that the legroom in the rear seats is a bit tight. It's amusing to hear people complain about routine maintenance, as it's to be expected after 100,000 miles on any vehicle. UPDATE: Our minivan is now 16 years old with almost 280,000 miles and still going strong. We've decided to upgrade to a 2013 Ford Flex, but the Windstar will still be my commuter car. It's running so well that there's no reason to get rid of it. UPDATE: The original engine and transmission have lasted us 291,000 miles and counting. We were planning to retire it at the end of the year, but it's still running so well that we've decided to keep it for at least a couple more years. It's great to have two vehicles that can accommodate our whole family. UPDATE: With 304,000 miles and still going, we have no plans to replace our trusty minivan anytime soon. UPDATE: After 329,000 miles and only routine maintenance, this minivan has been the most reliable and cost-effective vehicle we've ever owned. UPDATE: After 19 years and 337,000 miles, we're finally retiring our minivan. Unfortunately, the transmission gave out on our way to pick up our son from school, and it's no longer worth repairing. Nonetheless, it has served us well.With all the complaints I've heard about the Windstar over the years, I've never experienced any of those issues. I would gladly do it all over again if I had the chance. We will definitely miss 'daddy's van'.
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Vehicle year: 2001
Prior to this van we had another 2001 LX. We sold it with 165,000 miles. We currently have an SEL with 168,200 miles. Although we have encountered some issues, we have found these cars to be incredibly easy to repair and maintain. There are many forums available to diagnose problems, and parts are very affordable. We have never been left stranded by this car. Despite its bad reputation, we have found it to be a comfortable and reliable van overall.
Are you having problems with your Ford Windstar?
Dante Okuneva 2025-08-13
Vehicle year: 1996
My Windstar has been extremely dependable for the first 50k miles. Equipped with a 200hp engine, it has impressive acceleration. The ride is comfortable and the handling is excellent. Although there were a couple of issues with the oil pan that had to be fixed under warranty, overall it has been a reliable vehicle. The CD player occasionally has trouble ejecting, but this is a minor issue. Despite considering an Explorer sport, I ultimately found the van to be the superior choice.
Dallas Huel 2025-08-12
Vehicle year: 1996
I recently purchased another 3.8 engine, but unfortunately, I've had some trouble with my Ford Thunderbird and 96 Windstar. Despite my best efforts to maintain them, I've had to replace the head gaskets on both vehicles without any assistance from Ford. While it's frustrating, I understand that maintenance can be a tricky thing. For those considering a Ford, I would suggest doing your research and weighing your options carefully.
Carol Koepp 2025-08-12
Vehicle year: 1995
My Windstar may be green on the outside, but it has had some issues on the inside. In the first 75,000 miles, I had to have the transmission, brake system, wiper motor, power window motor, and head gasket replaced. It also seems to go through tires quite quickly, needing replacement about every 25,000 miles. However, I was fortunate that all of these issues were covered by warranty, which Ford extended to 75,000 miles due to the difficulties I experienced with the car.
Eleazar Weissnat 2025-08-11
Vehicle year: 1996
We recently said goodbye to our Windstar, which had been our trusty mode of transportation for over a decade. Despite being involved in two accidents, it always kept us safe. However, we had some concerns about the power steering and the Ford replacements, which didn't inspire much confidence in us. To make matters worse, the Ford dealership seemed to suggest that the vehicle was no longer of use, even though it had only done less than 100K miles. When the engine blew up at 80K during a head gasket leakage test by a non-dealership mechanic, we were left with a sick transmission. Fortunately, the CARS program came along, and we jumped at the chance to upgrade!
Brenden Hagenes 2025-08-08
Vehicle year: 1995
Hello! It seems like you have a minivan that has a lot of potential. Despite some issues with the transmission and brakes, it handles really well and is quite comfortable on long trips. It's also been reliable and has never left you stranded. While there have been some challenges, it sounds like you've been able to make it work. Thank you for sharing your experience!