The Windstar is a great vehicle
My water pump went at 45,000 miles.
Replaced battery at 50,000 miles.
The control arm, lower tire rod and ball joint went at 70,000.
I like the Windstar, it's very comfortable and drives well.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 29th July, 2005
Do not buy this car. After the honeymoon is over, you will pay and pay and pay.
- Electrical system: Rear windows work intermittently, Tire light on constantly, Check Engine light on intermittently
- A/C: Condenser failed and was replaced, had to replace A/C hose/manifold
- Emergency brake is broken (intermittently)
- Driver's seat was not installed properly, had to be re-installed.
I bought this car for safety reasons (small child). However, I don't think the trade off of safety for bad quality was a good choice. (Other cars are safe too.) The van handles like a tank, is a gas-guzzler par excellence, and keeps having mechanical and electrical problems. I'm just wondering when the transmission will fail. I am very disappointed with Ford's non-response to the bad quality of their Windstars. We have owned Fords for years (my father even owns a Model T!) However, after this experience, we will not buy a Ford vehicle again. Ever.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 19th May, 2005
At Ford, responsibility is not their job
Ah yes... someone mentioned service bulletin 3-16-1 for the Ford Windstar. I know it well. My lightly-driven, religiously serviced, leased/owned since new, 2000 Windstar LX was just out of warranty and I had the misfortune of just turning my new vehicle lease into a purchase. BIG mistake. The "check engine" light came on and it was time to learn about service bulletin 3-16-1 and pay pay pay... I have my invoice right here... Upper intake carbon removal and replacement of isolator bolt $763.36... replace MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor $67.92... Reprogram PCM $84.90... Purge injector system $104.95... + misc... Total = $1174.30... Ford's response to an apparent isolator bolt assembly failure (that now that I have read up about it, it seems to be a common failure and probably an engineering design flaw)... "Sorry, but we can't do anything, goodbye." The van has now started to regularly stall at a mileage of 55,000 miles. What a piece of crap. I really regret buying it.
Conclusion = DO NOT BUY A FORD WINDSTAR
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 23rd March, 2005
I will not buy another Ford
At 60,000 miles the Engine light came on. Vehicle needed extensive smog device work.
A heater door was inoperable at 60,000 miles and had to be replaced. The cost of this and the above repair was $1,100.
At 70,000 miles the transmission blew without any warning at all. This will cost $3,000.
The Windstar is a comfortable vehicle and it rides well.
However, it is not terribly economical.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 14th March, 2005
6th Apr 2005, 13:55
Couldn't have said it better myself. My check engine light has been on forever! I figure the catalytic converter or something. I have really had no major problems though with my LX, but Friday 4/1 I get home and my transmission went out! No warning, nothing. I called my boyfriend and I think he thought I was going to say "April Fool's" but it never came out! I am on a very tight budget being a "single" mom, with 3 small children and a 17 year old sis I am responsible for. The total is going to be up near 2grand! I have no clue where I am going to get that. I am going through a divorce, and put myself through a vocational school graduating top of my class, but I still am getting my foot in the door at my new job! I can't sleep, I am a nervous wreck, and I am so Mad!!! When I first got the car it was one of the highest mini-vans for safety, yeah cuz they are never on the road, always broke in a garage!!! To all of the people out there that agree, LETS NEVER BUY FORD AGAIN!!!