2000 Ford Windstar Reviews - Page 7 of 17

We have made a total of 4 payments on the 2000 Wind star LX 3.8L.

The engine light comes on a running temp and idle is sluggish, and some times rough.

After reading similar problems with other Wind stars I am afraid of putting any money in to this car.

Especially if it is a manufacture defect.

We are pulling codes PO171 & PO174.

Which neither offer a fix just a list of expense and time taking trail and error. We are in the middle of trying to purchase a home and this could not be happening at a worst time. I am scared to death and what this will cost. And can't afford the time away form work to get it fixed. I feel ford should be taking some responsibility for this defect and helping the customers out. Fix it or pay it off so that we can afford to fix it, is my suggestion.

This car runs OK, but idles rough, research states it will only get worse.

The interior light come on and off on there own.

Since the engine lite starting coming on we have noticed a drop in gas mileage.

Engine noise I cannot identify, but sounds like metal on metal tapping hard when accelerating up hill.

My water pump went at 45,000 miles.

Replaced battery at 50,000 miles.

The control arm, lower tire rod and ball joint went at 70,000.

I like the Windstar, it's very comfortable and drives well.

- Electrical system: Rear windows work intermittently, Tire light on constantly, Check Engine light on intermittently

- A/C: Condenser failed and was replaced, had to replace A/C hose/manifold

- Emergency brake is broken (intermittently)

- Driver's seat was not installed properly, had to be re-installed.

I bought this car for safety reasons (small child). However, I don't think the trade off of safety for bad quality was a good choice. (Other cars are safe too.) The van handles like a tank, is a gas-guzzler par excellence, and keeps having mechanical and electrical problems. I'm just wondering when the transmission will fail. I am very disappointed with Ford's non-response to the bad quality of their Windstars. We have owned Fords for years (my father even owns a Model T!) However, after this experience, we will not buy a Ford vehicle again. Ever.

Ah yes... someone mentioned service bulletin 3-16-1 for the Ford Windstar. I know it well. My lightly-driven, religiously serviced, leased/owned since new, 2000 Windstar LX was just out of warranty and I had the misfortune of just turning my new vehicle lease into a purchase. BIG mistake. The "check engine" light came on and it was time to learn about service bulletin 3-16-1 and pay pay pay... I have my invoice right here... Upper intake carbon removal and replacement of isolator bolt $763.36... replace MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor $67.92... Reprogram PCM $84.90... Purge injector system $104.95... + misc... Total = $1174.30... Ford's response to an apparent isolator bolt assembly failure (that now that I have read up about it, it seems to be a common failure and probably an engineering design flaw)... "Sorry, but we can't do anything, goodbye." The van has now started to regularly stall at a mileage of 55,000 miles. What a piece of crap. I really regret buying it.

Conclusion = DO NOT BUY A FORD WINDSTAR