1996 Ford Windstar review from North America
"Don't buy it used"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The idler pulley went out and stranded me twice.
Both window motors went out and there is a loose piece of metal in the door near the windows.
The transmission shifts jerkily.
The ABS and overdrive lights have come on many times.
Replaced the alternator and had the brakes completely redone.
The final straw was the leaking of antifreeze into the engine. The dealer said it was through the "water pump gasket", but clearly it is a head gasket failure.
General comments?
This van was the best choice of those available at the time. It is comfortable to drive and has run well until now. There are so many reports of the same problems that I guess I am lucky to have gotten it as far down the road as far as I did before having head gasket problems.
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 1996 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.8L Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 5/10 |
| Comfort marks | 8/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 139000 miles |
| Previous car | Plymouth Voyager |
| Date of Entry | 25th June, 2004 |