1998 Ford Windstar GL 3.8 liter from North America
Summary:
The worst family vehicle produced!
Faults:
The first problem that we have had was the transmission. We had to have it in the shop three times so far. The first time was 14 days after we purchased the vehicle. It was kept for 7 days than returned to us saying there was nothing wrong at all.
The second time was 1 hour after it had been returned to us we gave it back to the dealership, where a further look showed that the internal portion of the transmission had completely fallen apart, and it was replaced. The dealership however had had our vehicle a total of 18 days and returned the vehicle to us with body damage on it.
The third and most recent time, the same problem occurred. We have only placed 17,000 miles on the vehicle and the inside of the transmission has fallen apart. The dealership and service representative had tried to say at first that we had not maintained the transmission at 30,000 miles until they pulled the vehicle history to see that we had never reached 30,000 miles on one transmission. Than they had a expert come and look over everything making sure that we had not intentionally damaged the transmission. They did repair the problem, however this time they had broken an oxygen sensor on the exhaust.
I do believe this vehicle has definitely been much more trouble than it is worth.
I do not believe I wil ever purchase another Ford! I definitely will never purchase from the dealership that sold us this vehicle.
We have also had many of the same problem as other people, The interior lights stay on constant to the point of having to pull the fuse.
The ajar door alarm does not shut off until you reach 20 miles per hour.
Our state inspections for the past two years have totaled more than $1500.00.
This past year our mechanic did not think that this vehicle would pass inspection at all because of problems with the transmission and engine.
General Comments:
The 1998 ford wind-star has definitely been well overrated and I feel that this vehicle should be reevaluated for all of the obvious defective materials that have been put into the production of this vehicle.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 8th July, 2003