1995 Ford Windstar LX review from North America
What things have gone wrong with the car?
We bought this van new in 1995. And at first it was reliable and comfortable.
However, we have had nothing but problems with it ever since.
The first problems were covered under the warranty. One being something to do with the hood latch. However, we've never had it fixed due to the fact they've never had the parts when we've tried to take it in for repair.
There was a defective latch on the sliding side door.
The door locks malfunctioned several times.
Then the brakes started making a grinding noise when it rained. The technician never found a problem. However, we now have to replace the front brakes every year.
Then the check engine light came on and they covered that defect by using the warranty. They said that our fuel intake gaskets were stuck in the open position. This problem occured twice. We had to pay for it the second time around.
Then they have had to replace the head gaskets twice.
We had the key get stuck in the ignition and the vehicle would not start.
Our timing belt broke.
Our gas tank started to leak and they had to replace the gas tank. However, it just so happened that there had just been a recall on that.
We've had a busted motor mount.
The dealership paid the first time our power windows quit working. But now I have the passenger window stuck in the up position and the driver window stuck in the down position.
The rear driver's side window came loose from the mechanism that opens and closes it.
The lumbar seat on the passenger side no longer holds air.
The rear cigarette lighter has never worked.
The rearview mirror fell off and we put that back on ourselves.
The gasket that fits around the sliding door came loose and was falling down. We also fixed that ourselves.
I keep thinking that the air conditioning will be the next to go. Every once in a while you can hear grinding while the air conditioner is on. We've been told that the compressor is probably going out.
Our door chimes work sometimes and sometimes they don't.
I know we've had other problems, but there are too many to list.
General comments?
It's unbelievable that Ford has been allowed to continue to sell this vehicle with all its defects. And this will be the last time we buy one.
Recommended reviews
| A lemon by all standards |
| We must have been very bad in past lives... |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1995 |
| First year of ownership | 1995 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.8 Don't Know |
| Performance marks | 4 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 5 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 3 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 10 miles |
| Most recent distance | 84000 miles |
| Previous car | Oldsmobile Delta 88 |
| Date of Entry | 6th September, 2001 |