Faults:

Poor fit on side and rear door. The factory neglected to install a striker plate. (adjusted 1 week after delivery)

Sub-frame mounts replaced at 15,000 (warranty)

Tie Rod ends replaced around 20,000 (warranty)

On it's third noisy blower motor.

Transmission module went at 22,000 miles

(warranty)

Rear shocks made noise internally at 36,000 miles (warranty after dialog)

Dealer installed (Sony) 6 disc changer has been replaced 6 times.

Intake gasket leaked internally to the engine at 50,000 (warranty)

Front springs broke (just like they said they would) at 72,000.

All five Right front wheel studs sheared off at 74,000 and 78,000 both times resulting in the wheel falling off. The first time was shortly after the front springs were replaced under warranty. The Service manager had never heard of it, but gave me free studs. I replaced both sides up front, and went on with life. Now, all five have broken again. I am replacing the entire hub on my own dime, but no longer trust the vehicle with my wife & small children.

General Comments:

A very practical vehicle when it works.

Faults:

Interior lights go off and on randomly.

Front end makes noises.

General Comments:

So far, our Windstar has been reliable.

I worry, though, about taking it in because I feel there may be a lot of potential repairs that could be done at a pretty price, especially with the front end and with the brakes.

For now, it's running and well.

By the way, the interior light problem is solved by scraping the brass sensors on the sliding door with a screwdriver. Fixes it every time.

Faults:

Intake Valve caused the engine light to come on, it was replaced.

Transmission sensor was replaced.

The ball joints had to be replaced.

The drivers seat wore and was replaced, and has since worn again.

General Comments:

The engine light has been a continuous problem, once because of the intake valve and other times because of fuel imperfections. During a long trip the transmission began to stay in 1st, the problem went away immediately then came back two days later. The van was serviced and a sensor was replaced under the extended warranty.

So far nothing has gone wrong, we do a lot of highway driving and towing of boats. The transmission shifts fine and nothing else has gone wrong.

The 200hp provides a good kick when you need it, and overall handling is not too bad for a van. Its very roomy, and rides smoothly. We have taken it from Montreal to West Palm Beach twice now, and it has made our trip very enjoyable. Some Windstars have certainly been Lemons, but ours has been great and worth every cent.

Its almost 7 years old now, Original: Transmission, Starter, Alternator, you can't ask for much more than that.

Faults:

Van was sold to me "certified." I got it home and the check engine light was on within the first week. It was leaking oil and when we checked the dipstick, the oil looked like mud. They sold it to me needing a head gasket replaced. (79,000 miles on van)

Power steering constantly growls and groans. We are told these are just "Ford noises... get used to it."

Check engine light is on again 4000 miles later and now we are replacing the front main seal and the water pump.

At 84,000 miles, we replace the motor for the driver side window AND the passenger side back window as neither one will move at all! At 93,000 miles the driver side back window goes out!

At 102,000 miles... I am replacing the transmission to the tune of $2088.00.

General Comments:

I have an extended warranty 3years/36,000 miles and "should" still have approximately 12,000 miles of coverage left. The original warranty carrier has gone insolvent and the new carrier tells me I am capped on my warranty, I only have $290.00 coming to me and under NO circumstances are they going to pay to replace my transmission.

I have never owned a Ford before and I never will again! I still have 4 years of payments left on this thing and am paying on a warranty that will not pay claims!