1996 Ford Windstar GL review from North America
"Marginal riding, questionable quality"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Check engine light came on, then began blinking.
The van was taken to a Ford dealer who said cylinder 1 was misfiring. Subsequent testing indicated that 5 fuel injectors were either bad or were marginal. Course of action was to replace all 6 fuel injectors at a cost of $945. The ok was given to proceed with the work, then found out that the fuel injectors were backordered for 6 months. Dealers response was don't take the van on any long trips. After checking with other dealers on parts availability, went to independent garage, who after painstakingly researching the parts shortage, ran his own tests and found only #1 fuel injector bad. Contacted NAPA manufacturer and found a replacement fuel injector. Van runs fine now. Total cost, including a transmission flush, $400.
General comments?
Bottom line...Ford dealer's service departments have questionable diagnostic
procedures. Are they purposely trying to have us pay for parts we don't need, as their repair work would have solved the problem? Only they can answer that question.
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| Disppointed with the dealer's service. Keep it for sentimental reason, but will choose others otherw |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 1996 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.8 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 5 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 5 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 100 miles |
| Most recent distance | 73000 miles |
| Previous car | Honda Civic |
| Date of Entry | 16th April, 2002 |