Faults:

Transmission went out at 80000.

Rear air conditioning went out at 82000.

Steering rack has had issues for last 6000.

Tie Rods now need to be replaced.

Strut Arm cracked.

Power steering pump needs replacement.

Intermittent door ajar dinging and interior lights staying on.

General Comments:

Van is a very comfortable ride. Have 3 kids and its nice to have so much room to keep them from fighting and screaming.

Complied with prescribed maintenance, but it seems as though there is one issue after another with this car.

The entire front end is very weak.

Ford customer service has issues they need to resolve, both at the corporate level and at the dealer level. Dealer had supposedly no clue about the interior lights and the chiming staying on. Luckily, I was able to resolve the issue having a background in electronics (cleaned contacts on sliding door with eraser and lubed all latches). Then I find these other similair issues on the Internet.

It seems as though there are common faults with the vehicle as well as the manufacturer after researching on teh internet. What more is there to say?

The car is driven under normal conditions for the most part and my wife doesn't pretend there is a number 3 on the side of the door.

Compared to Dodge minivans, Ford seems to be lacking in reliability. I have driven 3 Dodge's and have had transmission issues on one of them to where it had to be replaced. They were all company cars with about 150,000 on them. Ill be lucky if my Ford lasts that long.

Faults:

Front-end felt loose, replaced right axle.

Check-engine came on, diagnosed at Auto Zone as Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open, replaced it myself.

Transmission range sensor went bad on a long trip, made it home partly on 1st gear and partly on back-up mode that diagnosed a problem with transmission (blinking overdrive light) and shifted normally.

Noise from steering pump, flush of power steering fluid has been suggested.

General Comments:

Overall, considering the problems reported by others, I have had a good experience with my Windstar. The problems seem reasonably predictable. I have taken it on many long-distance trips and it failed only once, but still brought us back home.

Faults:

Noticed there was a rip in the vinyl on the driver left side seat, looks like from repeated in and out.

General Comments:

After having this vehicle for such a small time and looking for reasons it should fail, haven't seen any of the problems that most of the people have stated yet. and I have twice as many miles so far on it when I bought it. I have a 3 year warranty on this vehicle so it is covered on engine and drivetrain issues.

There hasn't been any lighting problems, sensor problems, shaking noises, odometer issues.

This vehicle is in immaculate shape for the year and (Make) mileage that it has.

All the bells and whistles work so far and are quite neat. This however is my first vehicle with ABS and Air bags so I am kind of leery with the new technology, but if I have the luck as one of the people that did one of these surveys I welcome ford!!!

And just to make a comment my Dodge Caravan only had 120,000 when it died goodness where to start with it!!!

Thanks FORD!!! I think with the Windstar you have given us a F.O.R.D.

"Finally Offered Real Deal!!!"