1995 Ford Windstar GL review from North America
"The 1995 Ford Windstar GL problems we've seen are just the tip of the Iceberg!!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Check Engine light on after 50 miles each trip.
Engine stalled causing wreck 94,500 miles.
Head gasket failed at 95,000 miles.
Engine replaced 95,000 miles.
Catalytic Converter's failed 114,000 miles.
Silicon tubes blew off EGR Exhaust pipe and burned the wiring harness and melted the plastic parts under hood causing a fire.
Rear lock motor failed.
Transmission "jerks" into and out of gear when it is shifting.
General comments?
My 1995 Ford Windstar had no problems when I bought it, but it quickly developed some of the problems that Ford has designed into this Van.
The Check Engine light has always come on during trips, usually after about 2 hours or less of driving.
The engine started to act up at about 94,000 miles and died once as I was making a left at a stoplight. The oncoming truck did not have time to stop as it smashed into the rear of the Van.
Only 500 miles later the engine started blew the head gasket and was replaced by Ford for free.
Shortly after the engine was replaced the
Catalytic Converter stopped up (because of all the Anti-Freeze that came from the bad engine through the exhaust). I parked
The van for a year until Aftermarket Catalytic Converter's was available for it.
The stopped up Catalytic Converter's blew off the little silicon tubes that go to the Temperature Sensor for the E.G.R. valve, causing the Wiring harness and the plastic air intake to catch on fire.
Rear Door lock motor failed and I have replaced it.
This 1995 Ford Windstar GL is the last Ford I will ever own. I have been working on this van for the last 2 months trying to get it working again so I can sell it.
I will be so happy when it's not in my garage anymore. Good thing I'm a Mechanic
!!!
One last note... As a Mechanic I am telling you that Ford has designed this Van so poorly that when the Catalytic Converter's fail it WILL catch the Engine on fire!!! Just watch over the next year as all these vans with new engines start having the Catalytic Converter's stop up!! I just hope no one gets Killed by these Vans's...
Recommended reviews
| Never again! |
|
| One major problem (head gasket), but otherwise dependable |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1995 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.8L Automatic |
| Performance marks | 0 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 0 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 60000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 114000 miles |
| Previous car | Chevrolet Lumina |
| Date of Entry | 20th August, 2003 |