1999 Ford Windstar SEL 3.8 from North America

Summary:

They are junk

Faults:

I have a 1999 Ford Windstar, and my transmission hasn't went out yet, but it's on its way. I think Ford needs to get their heads on straight, and quit selling junk. They don't understand that it is already hard enough to have money to live, and an added car cost isn't going to help, so I think they need to fix the problem or buy all of them back. At least Toyota offered to buy theirs back. Ford cars and trucks and van are the most POS I have every seen, and I will never own another one.

General Comments:

I don't have anything to say, but the Ford Windstar is junk.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th September, 2011

24th Oct 2011, 22:39

We bought our 99 Windstar used with 74k miles on it.

Around 100k it needed new head gasket. I went ahead and had both head and intake gaskets changed.

It went to 190k with no repairs; at that time it needed a new fuel pump.

It now has 205k miles on it. I just replaced the EGR valve to fix rough idle, and the engine and trans run/shift smooth, clean exhaust.

An occasional wet carpet near the passenger side 3rd seat mount turned out to be the grommet where the tube for rear hatch glass washer passed through the body. 3M RTV fixed that easy.

I've wet sanded and polished the headlamps back to clear twice during the 205k miles.

I love my 99 Windstar, and most repairs have been expected maintenance items such as tie rods, brakes, struts/shocks, etc.

The 134a has just begun to leak this fall, which at 12 years and 205k miles is completely normal. I just looked at an 07 Freestar with 63k miles for $7,000 today, and think I will buy it this week. Have to work out a deal with the car lot to swap the ceilings, console, wiring harness to keep the LCD rear seat entertainment out of the 99.

Most of the complaints I've read on here about failures at 100k+ miles, are parts that usually fail at much less mileage on Chrysler and GM vehicles. Since GM switched to an electronic transmission around 94, I haven't had one last pass 90k. I've known Dodge owners that had trans rebuilds at 10k miles. I come from a family of GM owners, but can't deny that I've had much less problems out of my Fords than other brands I've owned.

5th May 2012, 21:47

"Ford cars and trucks and van are the most POS I have every seen, and I will never own another one."

Ford's "traditional" full-size cars are the only models worth owning.

1999 Ford Windstar 3.8 from North America

Summary:

Never, under any circumstance, even think about owning one of these

Faults:

Torque converter after 1 week. 100,000 miles.

Belt squeak -- power steering pump.

Lights go on and off.

ABS light stays on.

No temp control on front AC.

Transmission blew up at 110000.

General Comments:

Avoid this machine at all costs! If you have one... trade it at once! I have owned over 30 cars in my life. I work on them as a hobby. I honestly have never been exposed to something this bad.

The transmission cannot be repaired, it has to be replaced, and to the tune of about 2500 bucks for a used one! I made the mistake of not doing proper research before I jumped on this van at what I thought was a fair price. The most astounding thing, is that Ford continued to produce this piece of garbage for a number of years without making significant engineering changes.

Seriously.... DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE!!! IF SOMEONE GIVES YOU ONE, THEY OBVIOUSLY DISLIKE YOU.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th December, 2010

5th May 2012, 00:36

I was considering buying one of these, but I think I'll rethink this. I do think the design and perhaps workmanship suffered on these vans considerably. Too bad.