At 95,000 miles the transmission had to be replaced to the tune of $1800.
At 85,000 miles the "check engine" started to come on. In the following 6 months I've taken it to Ford at least 4 times, never able to determine the problem, until now...
The head gasket is bad. The van was built in the fall of 1995. The 1995's gaskets went bad, Ford replaced them, but not the 1996's.
After talking till I'm blue in the face to the 800 number lack-of-customer service, they said "save the receipts" if there is a recall they'll reimburse. I'm not holding my breath.
Because of the transmission and the head gasket, I now owe $4000 more on it than it's worth. Incidently, several dealers told me it's only worth about $5000... funny that a 5 year old $20000 van is now only worth $5000.
Advice? Buy a Toyota.
We can sympathize with you 100%. It strikes me funny that your van was manufactured in September 95! Ours was also. We have replaced engine due to head gasket problem. Repairs are topping $5000.
Same Problem. I have researched and researched and the story is the same. Get a clue FORD.
Purchased a new 96 Ford Windstar 89,000 some miles had the normal type maintenance tried to do the recommended manufactures maintenance did not do all I have had alternator replace the tires & brakes the GPM something to do with the transmission and engine speed and the GSM (general systems modulator) replaced. Of course the oil & filter changes we have owned over 30 vehicles of lots of makes this vehicle was one of the lower costly ones, Maybe we all have a tendency to take autos for granted and that they will never fell us.
9/27/02DMA.
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