2000 Ford Windstar Reviews - Page 8 of 17

At 60,000 miles the Engine light came on. Vehicle needed extensive smog device work.

A heater door was inoperable at 60,000 miles and had to be replaced. The cost of this and the above repair was $1,100.

At 70,000 miles the transmission blew without any warning at all. This will cost $3,000.

The Windstar is a comfortable vehicle and it rides well.

However, it is not terribly economical.

1). Reverse sun gear of the transmission. This seems to be a re-occuring problem, and so far I haven't heard a comment from Ford. I stopped at a stop sign in town, hit the gas to get through the intersection, and heard a "BANG". Then nothing worked. You could put it into reverse, but otherwise no power at all. Cost to us: $2500 and counting. Also had problems with Tie rod ends, power steering fluid leak, Antifreeze mysteriously leaking, then stopping. Do not ever buy this van. Over 50% of them end up with transmission problems. It is not worth the time or money. I for one will never buy a ford.

Never buy this van, even if you are desperate for a vehicle.

Transmission failed at 54K. This repair cost me $2350.

Power steering pump failed at 41K miles. This was less than $300 to repair.

The am radio receives static heavily when the headlights are on.

The seats are hard to remove, and the rear most seat is very heavy. One person really cannot remove it alone.

Nothing, this van has been perfect no problems at all.

I love the seating room, head room and no mechanical problems on the vehicle at 90,000 plus miles.

Van handles well, could get better gas mileage. Very pleased.

The Tie rods needed full repair around 15,000 miles.

The manifold (not sure if intake or exhaust) repaired twice- 30,00, 50,000 and now replaced completely at 82,000 also tie rod adjustment again 82,5000.

Wheel bearings 60,000.

Now full Transmission at 82,500.

Power doors 20,000.

Power seats 65,000.

The plus side-this van kept us safe in a severe crash and did not roll with impact. Its comfortable and plenty of room. Thank God for extended warranties.

I'm a life long Ford customer and was hoping to buy the Freestar, but may go with a Honda or Quest instead.

My transmission blew at 50,000 miles (80,000 K). Diagnosis: Faulty Reverse Sun Gear. Cost to repair: over $3,000 Canadian - cost to me - almost $1000.

The history: Under warranty it was brought in many times with complaints of the transmission (at least 10 times). The most recent time was four weeks ago. Continual diagnosis: nothing wrong. The vehicle is now not under warranty.

My issue: I have experienced an unreasonable, premature failure of a major vehicle component. When I paid $28,000 four years ago for my vehicle, nowhere in my wildest imagination did I think that I would have to replace the transmission in such a short period of time. And now Ford is stating that because I do not have an extended warranty, that I should be responsible to pay almost $1000 of the over $3000 cost of replacing my transmission. And this is even in their knowledge of the court decision over the '96 Windstar.

I can ill afford the cost of putting $1000 into a vehicle which has prematurely malfunctioned (it is a known manufacturers fault.. the "reverse sun gear malfunction") at absolutely no fault of my own. I have serviced and maintained this vehicle from day one.