2000 Ford Windstar limited 3.8 gas from North America

Summary:

Mechanically a disaster

Faults:

Transmission replaced.

Power sliding door motor replaced on right side.

Power sliding door on left side worked on 3 times, still didn't close properly causing the light to come on.

Extreme wind noise, never resolved.

Warning sounds from dash cluster with no apparent reason.

Valve cover and gaskets replaced.

Intake manifold gaskets replaced.

Standing oil in the intake manifold.

General Comments:

Ford knows about all of these problems yet they do not address them.

My van was beautiful to look at, but seriously flawed mechanically.

11 miles to the gallon was the best mileage I got from this van. Ford told me that was normal.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th December, 2003

21st Nov 2004, 21:04

We have had trouble with the Windstar van electrical sliding door opening while we are driving. It will start to close, then hum, and partially open or open while the van is in motion. We have been fighting Ford on this matter for 3 1/2 years and are still trying to get them to stand behind their product since they declared it a lemon. Has anyone else had trouble like this?

Ddluley@charter.net.

2000 Ford Windstar 3.8 from North America

Summary:

A reasonably priced piece of junk

Faults:

I can remember all the things that went wrong with the van, but here are some of them.

Tire rod end at approximately 20,000 miles.

We had a problem with water leaking into the passenger side sliding door.

Had the van in a couple times for an electrical problem.

Brake/tail lights would stay on after the car was turned off.

I believe we had to have the instrument panel replaced.

Molding/trim on the drives side front door at the window kept coming loose.

The hood release never worked and still does not after have them look at it numerous times.

At about 53,000 miles we had to have the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets replaced.

General Comments:

After all the problems I’ve had with the van and after swearing I would never buy another Ford product I still could not bring myself to buy a non-American car. So what did I do? I bought another Ford Windstar. And what do you think happened? After only putting 200 miles on it there is an apparent transmission problem. I realize this will be covered under warranty, but what should I do keep it or trade it in for a Toyota (like I wanted to do in the first place)?

We have owned Toyota’s before and it would run and run and run. After 13 years with the last Toyota I wanted it to break down so I could buy a new car, but it wouldn’t so I sold it for about ¼ the price we paid for it.

I want to buy American; I want to support American companies and Americans. But what options do I have left. In the long run I can’t afford to buy to American.

I cannot recommend buying a Ford Windstar.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th December, 2003

16th Mar 2004, 12:03

I totally agree with you on Ford Windstar. I traded my Honda in for a Ford and that was the dumbest thing I have ever done in my life! I use to always say Ford stood for Found On Roadside Dead, and I should of stuck with that! I have a 2000 LX and bought it used. 2 months after I bought it the engine light went on and now I have all electrical problem's, the wiper's don't work on the timer, the passenger door no longer unlocks, the right side speaker's are all broken and all they do is sizzle. Come to find out all these problem's were recalls and were replaced a week over a year ago and they Ford only covers these parts for 12,000 miles so now I have to pay to get this done. I have never heard of such a thing. So I guess this is what I have to look forward to every 12,000 miles until the hunk of junk dies for good! My suggestion to you and anyone else who is reading this is to buy a Honda! You can't go wrong! I have had 2 Honda Civic's and they lasted 13 years. Unfortunately, the Odessey's are out of my price range and I guess this is what you get when you try to save some money... a HUNK OF JUNK!

20th Feb 2005, 08:54

Ask your service rep. about Technical Service

Bulletin 3-16-1, July 03 concerning a 3.8L engine defect not subject to recall and not covered by extended service contracts.

17th Nov 2005, 19:13

Interesting information. I have a 2000 Windstar SE and I thought I had bought a great van. It looks great, it drives pretty smooth. I guess I was already used to sinking my money into my old '83 VW, but reading about all of these transmission problems has really gotten me nervous. I always noticed that my van would choose the wrong gear to be and chug-a-lug up the hills. It also has a real hard time getting out of park when it's parked on a hill. I hope it goes out before my warranty ends, that's all I can hope for.

As for the rest of it well. the speakers hiss, the inside plastic molding rattles, the driver's side window gets stuck, the oxygen sensor just went out, but nothing catastrophic has happened to it yet, knock on wood.