1995 Ford Windstar GL from North America - Comments

Windstar 1995.

Antilock brake system Warning Light at 9692 miles - hardshell connector repaired.

Heater Fan squeaked - replaced at 11088 miles - dealer returned car without plugging in heater fan, so the owner completed the repair.

Sliding Door recall repair 905B73 at 9692 miles.

Check Engine Light at 16500 miles ($60 to reset computer)

Replaced O2 sensors as per Ford recommendation at 16689 miles.

Hood reinforcement recall repair 30003 miles.

Check Engine light failure at 33638 miles ($60 to reset computer)

Check Engine light failure at 35623 miles, Ford reset computer (cleared codes) and said they could not find a problem.

Check Engine light failure at 41058 miles, due to head gasket failure (owner asked Ford to check for hydrocarbons in the coolant). Head gaskets replaced, heads machined, spark plugs replaced.

Rough running engine and coolant loss 43822 miles due to failure of timing belt cover. Ford denied responsibility, so owner paid $626 for repairs.

Severe connecting rod bearing knock under mid-rpm acceleration at 50698 miles. After denying responsibility, Ford finally accepted owners explanation that the head gasket had probably failed at about 16,000 miles and that engine had driven with contaminated oil causing a premature failure of the connecting rod bearings. Ford replaced engine (with a rebuilt long-block engine) and owner paid for a replacement transmission ($1640)

Replacement transmission started slipping between first and second gears at 53001 miles. Ford replaced the transmission (car was at dealer for about 2 weeks to complete repair)

Front disk brakes squeak when taken from dealer after transmission repair. Front disk pads replaced and rotors turned at 53034 miles (owner pays).

Car starts rough until engine revved to higher rpm, owner suspects head gasket failure at 61390 miles. Ford dealer says they don't see any problem.

Car continues to start rough so returned to dealer at 63981 miles. Dealer says "90% of Fords that come in to our repair shop run rough when they are started cold" Dealer also says "it is not our fault that there is a design defect in this engine. The car was built by Ford and we are not Ford, we are 'Ford of Kirkland'". Dealer also suggested that the problem might be due to the engine being "out of balance". When challenged by the owner who wanted to know how the balance could change when the engine was revved, the dealer said "it was only a theory we had".

Taken to an independent carburetor and fuel injection repair shop (Carburetor Connection in Kirkland WA) at 64090 miles. The repair shop quickly diagnosed a head gasket failure with a chemical hydrocarbon test (15 to 60 parts per million hydrocarbons in coolant). Repair shop refused to charge for the diagnosis saying "it only takes about 5 minutes to do a hydrocarbon check".

Returned to Ford dealer for confirmation of head gasket failure at 64092 miles. Dealer said it took 2 hours of labor to confirm head gasket failure. Asked by owner, said it would consider helping pay for head gasket repair.

This car has been into repair shops 19 times in 64,000 miles!

There are serious problems with the aluminum heads and graphite composition head gaskets on the Ford 3.8 liter V6 engine!

Hi

Just wanted to state that I also have had many problems with my wind-star and that I have been a fool for keeping it for so long and paying out for the constant non ending repair bills. And also for not going after Ford to recover the cost.

I have had all or most of what everyone has said from head gasket to transmission to electrical shortages... in the shop every 2 month and sometimes more.

I highly recommend NOT to buy Ford not just the wind-star, but any because of the product that they have put out and make no attempts to correct their problems unless taken to court... and even then they fight it all the way.

If you are considering a Ford do the research on the vehicle first so that you are fully aware of what your getting in to.

I chec periodically fo pmy current problems such as today and found that there was a recall on the slider that I have had in numerous times with no one wanting to fix the problem so now I have something hopefully that I can bring to them... so thanks and keep your comments coming not just on Fords, but any other vehicle you own to help others out with their car purchases. We pay a lot for the purchase cost we shouldn't have to pay additional to keep it running.

I am the owner who made the original review above on the "terrible repair record on this Windstar"...the saga continues...unbelievably!

This vehicle was finally repaired at Ford expense at 64092 miles (Ford replaced the head gaskets). I sold the car 1000 miles later, believing that the car was now in good shape, with the engine finally repaired. My wife and I had actually considered driving it for a few more years...

The new owners purchased the vehicle "as is" for $4975. They drove the vehicle 1,400 miles in the first week on a cross country trip... and the connecting rod bearings blew after the "newly replaced" head gasket failed... with less than 2,500 miles on the engine since head gasket replacement. Ford denies any responsibility ("it is out of warranty". The new owners are understandably extremely upset and want to be paid... a replacement engine costs $4,200. It seems we've all hired attorneys, and though it seems that WA state law is on my side since the vehicle was sold "as is" without warranty to a buyer who could have decided to not purchase the vehicle or to have had it inspected prior to purchase...ultimately, it seems they are free to sue in Superior Court. Now I am potentially out not only for the bad vehicle repair record, but another engine replacement... and potentially attorneys fees and court costs to defend myself.

How helpful has Ford been? After denying any responsibility for the head gasket failure 2,500 miles after installation, the local dealer service manager has told the new owners of the vehicle that I told him to make a less than adequate repair on the vehicle when he replaced the head gasket and that he was "prepared to testify to that fact in a court of law". He has further gone on to tell the new vehicle owners that if the dealership would not provide them with any vehicle records, and that if they wanted to obtain them, they'd have to subpoena them.

I certainly don't recall EVER having authorized a "less than adequate repair"... certainly I never expected that the head gasket repair would not fix the engine. I certainly NEVER expected that the replacement gasket would fail within 2,500 miles. I understand from several mechanics that ordinarily, most mechanics would stand behind their work better than that. I fully disclosed the repair record (I turned over my file folder of receipts to the new owner at the time of purchase)...somebody must surely see that I never would have done this if I was trying to hide anything on the vehicle!

Yet, the story continues. I am not covered on this vehicle on my homeowner's "umbrella" liability coverage because the vehicle blew up AFTER the title was transferred to the new owner... so the insurance company says the car isn't mine, they are not responsible.

Who is left holding the bag? Right again... the original owner of the Ford Windstar. Clearly, I could NEVER recommend doing business with Ford.

Lets all paint the wind star vans Lemon yellow and circle the headquarters until they recall them all I to have had the samr problemd.

I'm amazed at reading the first post. I just looked over my lengthy repair records on my 1995 Ford Wind star yesterday, as I was putting away another $400 repair bill. I have almost the same history. I thought it was just me. We had something even more bizare. At about 40,000 miles my wife was pulling into a parking spot and heard a loud noise. When she got out and looked at the van, she noticed that the front tires were pointing in different directions! Some linkage holding the left front tire had broken. We sent Ford a letter expressing our shock and concern over what could have happened if this had broken on a highway, but they never replied. They wouldn't even provide a rental car while this repair was being made. My check engine light is on again (last time for the Head Gasket failure at 60,000 miles). I am reluctant to take it in because I really don't want to put another $500 into this vehicle. The transmission hesitates. Incredible for a vehicle just passing 100,000 miles.

I can't believe this. My 1997 Windstar just started getting these problems. I won't be finished paying for it for another year (bought used from a dealer).

I seems, with all of these comments, that I only have more problems to look forward to.

I'm gonna be sick.

Iam the owner of a 95 windstar with the terrible engine 3.8. I've been fairly lucky with it tho as I do basic maintaince myself. My head gasket went at 162,000kms 2kms over the limit of the extended warranty. New engine ended up costing over 4gs. Ever since it hit 150,000kms the tranny has been slipping and it has been babied ever since. Surprisingly its got 195,000 on it and the tranny is still holding up. Just last night it started to run real rough and it through a check engine light. I found this site when I was searching on how to read what the engine light says. I've owned 2 fords in my lifetime, never will I purchase one again!

I am very sorry to hear that I am by far not the only person who is suffering all of these automotive problems. I have had my 95 Windstar for about a year and a half and so far I have put over $2500 into major repairs, so with any regular vehicle you might think that this should cover most of the problems. Not even close. As my van sits it could use at least another $2,700 in repairs. Some of these repairs include a new wiring harness, a new starter, fixing the speedometer, fixing the temperature gage and repairs to both the front passenger power window and lock buttons and repairs to the sliding door. Will it ever end? After reading this review and so many others just like it I have little hope for my poor van. I would never buy another vehicle from ford! Not after the song and dance about how its not their problem or "recall, what recall?" I wish you and all others readers better luck than I am having.

1995 Windstar:

Blown head gasket after owning the car for 4 days.

Anti lock light came on and would not go off.

Was this car designed in a Timbuktu? Never again shall I own anything spelled F. O. R. D. again.

I also own a 1995 Windstar. I bought it with 132,000 miles on it. This was less than a year ago. So far I have had to replace the head gasket, right front wheel bearing, water pump, master cylinder, timing belt and cover, and the list goes on and on... The electrical problems include rear vent windows only work when they want to, driver electric door lock does not work, ABS and Brake light are always on, High beams and indicator light are always on, and a multitude of other things. I have to replace the tires every 1000 miles in the front because of uneven wear even though I have been told the alignment is correct. The van also creeks and groans when I turn corners and hit bumps. I don't know who designed this Van, but I feel that a great injustice has been served by Ford allowing this model to stay on the road and their lack of commitment to standing behind their product.

I believe that the Winstar was designed and built by Ford of Canada, or something like that.

I have a Ford Windstar 1995 and I have had nothing, but problems from day one. At present the check engine light is, the door opened indicator is on even though all doors are closed and the transmission seems to be acting again. Reading all the other comments I realize that Windstar of any year seem to have the same problems,. I have a friend who has a new Windstar and already the check engine light is on and the door open indicator is on. I'm trying to believe in FORD, but with this record and all these comments I don't know if I will consider a FORD Van, Car or Truck again.

I also own a 1995 Windstar, and have experienced all of the problems listed above. I bought the van in 2000 with 70,000 miles on it. The head gasket blew at 107,000 miles, and the new engine cost me $4,000. Let's see, what was next. Tied rods I guess ($350). Then the starter ($400), then the fuel pump. I've also experienced all of the electrical problems with the door locks and windows described above. I've been kicking myself for 5 years for buying a used vehicle with that many miles on it. But, after reading the other reviews, maybe at least part of the blame needs to go to Ford. I'd get rid of the thing, but I've got so much invested now, I want to drive it until it drops. Hopefully that's soon!

I own a 1995 Ford Windstar and have only some of the problems discussed - but at 239,000+ miles! I thought I would share some of my experiences on how I managed to keep this vehicle with a bad reputation for so long with minimal trouble. I also noticed many of the problems weren't just vehicle related, but sometimes legal as well.

My experience? I have a BA and a Master's in Information Technology and currently I'm working on my JD. When I was 16, I started an apprentice program at the BMW factory in Germany as an auto-mechanic.

I got out after 5 years as a "Kraftfahrzeug Mechaniker" (auto-mechanic) but never completed the additional 3 years to become a "Meister Mechaniker" (master mechanic). It takes far less to become an ASE certified mechanic in the U.S. and this, is the nature of a great deal of problems.

Basically, anyone can study and pass a 60 question "idiot test" that requires no high level or advanced skills. This is not the fault of the ASE certified mechanic, because this is the only program we have in place in the U.S.A.

Some ASE certified mechanics are really good, but that is because they stay up-to-date, get additional training when needed and are also very talented. Others pass their test and remain stagnant.

Those are the ones to be careful of. Never be embarrassed to ask a mechanic if he or she is ASE certified or make sure the certificates that hang on the walls belong to those doing all the work in the shop.

I do most of my own work, so long as it doesn't require any special tools I might not have.

Basically, I'm my own mechanic and if I make a mistake, I can go to court, sue and win against myself.

I haven't taken my bar exam yet, so nobody should take any of my advice literally without checking in their local state first, with a qualified attorney.

Having been trained in a BMW factory and then dealership, I can only give expert advice on a BMW although I may work on other cars I drive such as Fords...

Well, hopefully I can help someone out there.

I have a 1995 Ford Winstar with 164,000 miles on it.

Te rear air fan made a horroble noise. Fixed it by un-plugging it. Same with rear radio controls (horrible idea with kids).

It does have electrical nuinense. It thinks a door is open and dings the bell for about 30-60 seconds after starting up and driving. The interior light evenually goes out. I can't figure if that is the sliding door switches or the driver's door switche.

Sometimes Cruise Control doesn't work. Pull off road, turn off engine, restart and it's fine.

Sometimes Wipers don't work. Same solution as Cruise Control!!!

For the most part it still runs very well. The engine jumps to life the first turn of the key and is smooth. Transmission clumks and hesitates occationally.

There is minimal body rust.

I currently have a pretty major exhast leak, I think near the exhast manifold. No exhast out the tailpipe. Sounds cool. It could use tires and brakes.

I am not sure if I will put money in to this van or not if it can last until instection in Novemeber of 2007. At that time I may take it to one of those trade anything in sales for a new one.

I use it as my get to work clunker and am happy with it. Would I be nuts to put tires and brakes on this thing and fix the exhast?