1996 Ford Windstar GL review from North America

Weather stripping around driver's door started coming loose and had to be replaced not once, but twice within first six months of ownership.

Transmission had to be replaced at 75,000 miles. Replaced under extended warranty.

Motor mounts had to be replaced at 75,000 miles.

Power lock on rear and side doors have jammed twice.

The automatic transmission seemed weak from the start, but the dealership would not do anything about it until it was extremely obvious and I had a diagnostic printout from another repair shop.

The dealership left the speedometer disconnected when the transmission was repaired. The check engine light was on too.

The dealership connected the speedometer and cleared the check engine light, but the speedometer has made a buzzing sound at highway speeds ever since. It is now out of warranty.

The dealer was very willing to sell me the vehicle but servicing it after the sale was another matter.

It took over a week to have the weather stripping repaired. We dropped off the van on a Monday and called to check on Tuesday and Thursday but was told they hadn't "had a chance to look at it yet". On Friday we were told they had to order the weather stripping and it wouldn't be in until the following week. I was furious because I told them what the problem was on Monday and it was obvious when one looked at the rubber falling off from around the drivers door. This experience is indicative of just about every experience that I've had with Ford.

I've had the vehicle maintained by an independant mechanic after such poor service from the dealer's service department. It has had it's oil changed every 3,000 miles along with other maintenance. I tried three different Ford Dealership Service Departments and received extremely poor service from all three.

I have driven Toyota's, Honda's and Acura's since the 1980's. I bought the Windstar because Toyota's Previa and Honda's mini-van were underpowered.

I'll never by another Ford.

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