1995 Ford Windstar review from North America
"This car is nothing but a constant problem and would never buy a Ford product as long as I live"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Rear window defogger never worked.
Transmission failed at 75000.
Head gasket failed at 92000.
ABS brakes alarm light came on at 80000, 83000, 85000
90000, 93000, 99000.
Engine operating at high tempeture and low tempeture, 30000.
Tire ware was normal.
Replaced 3 oxygen sensors 35,000.
Water pump failed at 38000.
General comments?
The rear window defogger never worked in this car do to a broken wire in the rear window defogger.
Auto Transmission started shifting into gear hard upon purchase. Auto dealer said there was no problem with the transmission, but agreed to change the oil. The transmission failed at 75000 miles. Cost is about $4000 to replace.
Ford will not warranty this problem. The extended warranty purchased with the Winstar will not pay for replacement, due to the fact that I did not save the reciept for the transmission oil changes that were done at recommended intervals.
Head gasket failed, and the engine was replaced with a short block, at 92000 miles. Head gasket failed again, at 3000 miles on new rebuilt short block installed and rebuilt for Ford Motor Company. New replacement engine gets terrible fuel millage, and the local Ford dealer wants $90 to annalise the problem with the engine, that they rebuilt and installed.
ABS brake system has been nothing but problems. The brake ABS warning light has been coming on at regular intervales. The sensors have been the problem and was repalced under the extended warranty.
When this car was purchased the dealer was notified that the engine tempeture was operating all over the place. The dealer claimed that the sensor was bad and repalced it. This continued to be a problem so they then decided that it was the tempeture gauge. The gauge was not the problem at all, but a lose wire that I found on the sending unit.
Oxygen sensors turned out to be a problem on a trip across country at 35000 miles and was repalced under the extended warranty.
The Water Pump failed at 38000 miles and was replaced under the extended warranty.
Recommended reviews
  | One major problem (head gasket), but otherwise dependable |
| With creativity, you could turn it into a swimming pool! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | Automatic |
| Performance marks | 2/10 |
| Reliability marks | 2/10 |
| Comfort marks | 7/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 30000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 106000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Windstar |
| Date of Entry | 6th October, 2002 |