Faults:

Had to replace power steering lines. both pressure and return.

Replaced serpentine belt at 28000 and also idler pulley.

Replaced transmission at 89000 and still leaks.

Replaced torsion bar gromitts at 96000.

Replaced struts and bearing plates at 98000.

General Comments:

Should not have had to replace return line on power steering pump.

Serpentine belt and pulley should have lasted at least 40000.

Ford knew about tranny problems and never addressed the problem. bad business as far as I am concerned.

The van has serious front end problems.

Very dangerous steering.

Faults:

Struts and related mountings replaced at age 4.

Front sway bar replaced at age 7.

No other unusual repairs.

General Comments:

Has never needed a tune-up after 120000 miles and almost 8 years.

Has served me well.

Test drove a 2005 Freestar in December 2004, saw no need to replace my Windstar.

It's been well-maintained and never died or left me stranded!

Faults:

The traction control light blinks and ABS light comes on at speeds over 65 mph.

There is an unidentified "crunching noise" on the front left side when driving on uneven surfaces.

The sending gauge in the gas tank has broken, so gas gauge won't work.

The door ajar sensor malfunctioned causing door chime and interior lights to stay on continuously.

The brakes continually grind despite proper maintenance.

General Comments:

The van has a wonderfully quiet and comfortable ride, handles turns well and has lots of interior room.

The engine has quick acceleration, plenty of power and fairly good gas mileage.

Faults:

Wiper washer malfunctioned since we bought the car.

Brakes makes a "grinding-metal" noise even though it's just been replaced.

The check engine light turned on at 80,000 miles.

You have to push the rear door harder just to get it to close.

The exhaust makes a "coughing" combustion.

General Comments:

The car is quite smooth when you're in open road the engine is quiet.

Lots of room. However since the check engine light kept turning on, we don't trust using it in long trips.

Faults:

Bad evaporative canister at 128,000 miles due to overfilling fuel.

Other than that: nothing but normal wear on brake pads and tires.

General Comments:

After reading all of these horror reviews, I gotta believe that I am the luckiest man alive to have 172,000 miles on the original engine, transmission, suspension, and steering. Great van. Do the maintenance!!!

Faults:

CV Joint failed @ 26,000 Miles.

General Comments:

We purchased our 1998 Ford Windstar 3.8 with 15K miles and have had only one serious problem with it. The CV joint had to be replaced at 26K and was under warranty. Regular oil changes, fluid changes and service has paid off on this vehicle. We now have 122K miles on our Windstar and it runs and drives great. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.