Faults:

Chevy has just won over a new customer. We own a 1997 Ford Windstar; it was purchased used, however it has had a complete overhaul and service before being put on the road. Rings replaced, head gasket replaced, transmission rebuild, COMPLETE new brake system put in, new fuel lines, all new fluids and filters; you name it.

Now the lovely jewel has decided to continually chime (sort of funny that our old Taurus, also made by Ford, did the same thing) telling you the door is ajar. The funny thing is the key isn't even anywhere near the ignition.

Brake fluid just evaporates; apparently for a bit the ABS or brake light would come on, indicating the fluid was low. Nope, I can't put it on the road because it just will not hold fluid, and I may not be able to stop.

The front end has also started making this clunk and hard jerking when putting it into gear or putting it in Park. I'm sort of wondering if the torque converter isn't starting to go out already. Now here's the real kicker; Ford is the one who did all the rebuilds and service to it... never again.

General Comments:

Van is very comfortable, but too unreliable to be put on the road.

Faults:

My steering pump (cause by bad cap) at 114,000 miles.

Tie rods at 114,000 miles (cause unknown).

Tires (replaced for travel) at 114,000.

Regular maintenance (full tune up before move) at 114,000 miles.

My passenger side window gears are going bad.

Power mirrors don't and have never worked

Rear wiper motor is shot.

Rear A/C - Air don't work (could never figure out why the rear heat fan works fine)

My power lock makes loud grinding noise when unlocked.

Interior lights (map lights) work only when manually turned on, not when the doors are opened.

Ignition sticks and is hard to turn.

Van dies or shakes when stopped at a light or stop signs (have never figured out why).

General Comments:

For a Ford I like it. I traveled from Kansas to Louisville Kentucky (700 Miles) and almost froze to death from the A/C (had my mother with me). Never had any problem on the way there; it drove great, maybe even too great considering I caught myself going 85MPH without trying LOL (lead foot).

When I did make it my brakes did needed replacing, but believe that it had a lot to do with long travel, I don't know.

Recently for reasons unknown it's been having a problem when at a stop it dies or shakes bad.

I did have a little problem with transmission sticking, but bought that expensive transmission treatment and haven't had a problem in months.

It's a great van, and as long as you keep it in good maintenance, it's a good traveling companion.

Faults:

I can't complain about this 1997 Windstar. I have 230,00 miles on it and the only things I've had done to it is a set of wheel bearings, struts, and shocks and one alternator. However I did buy a 1998 Windstar with 84,000 miles on it and have put an additional 40,000 miles on it and have had the exhaust manifold gasket replaced and the transmission has slipped twice on me at stop signs. The electronic mirrors don't work, door ajar lights sometimes stay on.

General Comments:

My wife and l looked at the Ford Freestar, but have to ask ourselves is it worth the risk of buying another Ford and I think Ford discontinued it after only two years!!! We also own a 2006 Honda Odyssey and love it.