1996 Ford Windstar LX review from North America

At 90000 miles break downs started to occur. The vehicle emitted a white cloud of smoke, like a jet in the sky, blinding anyone who was traveling behind it. The manifold gasket blew, 3 months after that the head gasket blows. After having these repairs all done at the dealer out of my own pocket, a month later the transmission went bad and I could only drive it in first gear.

Having spent already on manifold and head gasket, and being in the hole, we decided to repair the transmission. At a well known transmission franchise, we were sucked into a repair estimated that was reasonable only to find out that to complete the job we would be outrageously overcharged. We stopped the work and towed the vehicle to a small trusted and honorable mechanic shop. There we had the transmission repaired, and the hole that was punctured in the old pan by the vindictive transmission franchise that tried to outrage overcharge us repaired.

Other problems to date, the engine light remains on, they are shining in amber along with ABS brakes light. The ABS brake system no longer functions.

When heating or A/C is on it sucks up oil burning smell from the oil leaks and antifreeze leaks from the engine into the passenger compartment.

At 150000 miles, the vehicle now has a timing chain cover gasket leak, and needs to be repaired as all the antifreeze is leaking out.

I have maintained the vehicle and change the oil every 3000 miles. Give it an annual rust protection spray ever year.

Brakes have been replaced all around, tires, battery, alternator, starter motor, rear shocks, one exhaust converter, back door power lock assembly and left rear brake lines. These items are reasonable and I factor them in as regular maintenance due to wear and tear.

The vehicle is a gas guzzler. It has a 29 gallon tank and I only get 350 miles combined out of it.

When gas prices are high, it is not affordable to drive.

To sum it all up:

The engine and transmission on this vehicle are lemons due to early and expensive repairs.

With so many car manufacturer competing for my car dollar, you only have once in a life time to impress me.

Ford Windstar, you did not!