1998 Ford Windstar GL review from North America

2 days after we bought this vehicle it was in the shop for inoperable power door locks, check engine light for for some sensor, and I believe windshield wipers not working.

It was back in the shop at least 3 to 4 other times shortly after that for other (what I thought to be) little annoying problems (sorry I can't remember them all I lost count). A couple of times it had to stay in the shop for a day or two to order parts or what ever they do. So I had to fight with the dealer about a rental car, because all this took place well within the first 2 months.

These "little problems" kept on occurring on and off for the next year or so. Always being told by the dealer that can't diagnose over the phone, bring it in and we'll run diagnostics on it (which is no less than 70.00 each time)

Then in approxamately April of 2001 with "only" about 50,000 miles, the little problems turned into one big one. A full blown transmission replacement. That blew a 2500.00 gasket in my wallet.

Now it's making a loud rattling noise in the back mostly when the brakes are being applied, but ther is nothing wrong with the brakes. So this will in the next episode of Unsolved Mysteries.

I grew up on Ford cars and trucks, and believed that Ford was the best. In fact in all my years I can't remember seeing one with so many problems. Sad to say that the Windstar does not get my endorsement. In fact, this vehicle has made me think twice about getting any car from Ford. I will only stick with their trucks. If this van were half as reliable as my 1992 Ranger (which has 123,000+ and still runs like the day I bought it) I wouldn't be writing this. Ladies and gentlemen this is a Pinto in a Windstar body.