1995 Ford Windstar GL from North America - Comments

I am a single mom trying to support, "4" small children and have been since the middle of Jan 2001. My husband bought my Windstar for me last year for a Valentine's Day gift.

I guess I am thankful after reading the horror stories of other owners of Windstar vans.

Personally I have not had any problems with my van until about a month ago. I went to leave work and my engine light came on.

It was driving very sluggish with no pickup. I took it to my mechanic. He said I had a clogged fuel filter and replaced a couple of sensors.

It has been fine up until last Friday the 18th of May 2001. I went to leave from work and my van would not start. I kept trying to crank it and it finally cranked.

I made it into town to my moms house. She followed me home. I then got back out in it on Saturday.

That's when everything went wrong. My engine light came on. My thermostat gauge rose to "H". I had this cloud of white smoke that came out of the tail pipe.

I immediately had it towed Monday morning. I was just made aware yesterday, the 24th, that I too have a blown head gasket. I bought an extended warranty with a company called Wynn's. They tell me I am not covered for this type of repair. Being a second owner I was not made aware of the recalls on the head gaskets. I have called the local Ford Dealership here and explained my circumstances. I mean trying to support 4 kids on my own, I don't have $900.00 to just go get out of the bank to repair my problems. My husband left me with all the bills of a two income family and my credit is ruined. My van was all I have left and now I don't have this anymore.

What does a person do in this kind of situation? I don't know who to call or contact to see if I can get my repairs taken care of!

Sure I am over the mileage from when Ford said they would stand behind these gaskets, but the fact is this problem was known to Ford and was an existing problem. I was just one of the lucky few that got as many miles as I had on it before it blew! If anyone can help me and lead me in the direction I need to go I would appreciate it!!!

Tammy.Harp@shawinc.com

Thanks!

We have a 1998 Ford Windstar Conversion Van with a 3.8L.. Take care of the Windstar and It will take care of you!!!

While I am glad that the other comment was from people who had not had trouble, the same would not apply to everyone. It is very possible to take good care of these Windstars and still have significant trouble.

Ford is aware of these problems and is really beginning to feel the heat. Go to bat for yourself. Get backup from online of all of the other people having problems just like yours. Ask your Ford dealership about the "goodwill warranty." Get your receipts and file in small claims court. Most of all, don't feel alone. Or stupid. Or that you have done something wrong.

Unfortunately we went through the same thing and I fought with everything that I had to get help. I called Ford directly as well as our local dealerships daily and harassed them with no help at all. I filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau and I don't remember if it was someone in consumer affairs or the state attorneys office but no one would help.

We also purchased our Windstar used with 91,000 miles (May 2000) and it had 102,000 miles (Nov. 2000) when our head gaskets blew. No one notified us of the technical service bulletin either. We fixed our head gaskets only to have our engine blow 2 weeks later (Christmas Eve 200 miles from home), an additional $2300!!! Now several weeks after having it back we are still having engine problems. My advice to you is get rid of it now. However you can. Don't put a dime into it. We wish we never had. Good Luck!!!

We are considering joining a CLASS Action Suuit against Ford and our dealership over head gasket/engine problems. Have you heard of or started one yourself? We feel that Ford is responsible to pay the entire repair cost because if the part had not been faulty there would have been no damage.

I have a 1995 Windstar with only 56,000 miles. We bought the car new in 95. Have had everything replaced. Now my sliding door is about to fall off. The metal is cracking where the hinge attaches and Ford will NOT do anything about this. Has anyone had this problem?

I am really worried now after reading all the previous posting about 1995 Ford Windstar. We bought ours used on DEC 2001. After two weeks that we drove it locally, we had problem with the interior light that won't shut off for several hours, my husband had to take out the fuse. And then after couple months, the van started shaking when you step on the brake pad. We brought it to the Ford dealer and end up changing the brake up and the rotor (not sure of the spelling) Not even a year yet, now it won't start. I happened before, but after several tries, it finally started. Not this time. I can't wait to get rid of it, but we don't have a good credit so I don't know..

I have a 1995 Windstar, and I have had more go wrong with this one car than everything I have ever owned put all together:

1) The entire steering mechanism went at just under 10,000 miles and was replaced under warranty.

2) The head gasket blew and the head had to be replaced. It was in the shop for almost 2 weeks! Just covered by warranty with about 10 days left.

3) Got another two weeks use out of the Van and then the whole engine went. Another 2 weeks and still under warranty, but what a pain.

4) Dealer gave me back the Van on a Friday and got about a mile down the road when the transmission went. When I drove it back they were closed and gone for the weekend! Dealer and Ford would not stand behind their work, even though the transmission was fine before the new engine was slammed in on top of it. Another week to get a rebuilt transmission and that one really cost me.

5) Had the door problem with the poor hinge design and had to have the whole thing welded. That one cost me too.

6) Now I'm having problems with the check engine light and poor acceleration. Tune up did not help. The story goes on.

We have been a Ford family for several generations. I can be sure that I have steered at least 10 sales away from Ford due to these problems. There is a new Dodge Caravan in front of my house and I will never buy or recommend another Ford product ever again. As a matter of fact it is my personal goal to cost Ford at least 100 new sales as a justly deserved reward for their poor product quality and failure to stand completely behind their product.

Buyer Beware of the Caravans!! They look quite nice and are comfortable, but they can be unreliable Junk!! If you start to have nonstop problems with the caravan then sell it or trade it in.

Minivans are Gas guzzling machines so I would advise you to Get a Chevy Impala or a Honda. If you REALLY need a Minivan then I would advise you to get a GM Van or a Honda Oddysey.

Good Luck!!

I also have a 1995 Ford Wind star 3.8.I have had never ending problems with it, in fact I am suppose to be at work right now,but could'nt make it because I had another problem with it today, I had a strong smell of gas and the van was shaking, I knew from numerous problems in the past, transmission, censors, brake line, front springs, air conditioning, overdrive, anti-lock brakes, you name it, I've had it go bad, I knew it was going to be EXPENSIVE, and sure enough, it was the whole computer-needed to be replaced, another 514.00 and had to call in to have it replaced, I would never advise ANYONE to buy a Ford windstar!!!Martinezlo5@aol.com.

My first visit to this site and I must say that I found this site trying to understand the process of having my 1995 Windstar fixed since I also am on a minimal fixed income and cannot afford a new transmission - especially when this is just one of a series of problems I've experienced with the Windstar. I would Never Ever buy another one (although I like it's interior - or at least when the lights are functioning properly).

Just want to echo what has already been shared about the problematic Windstar and wish I knew what to do so I'd have a car to drive again without going further in debt.