25th Mar 2008, 20:02
Wow! Thank you all for your comments! I was just looking up the price of a new transmission for my 2000 Ford Windstar SEL. We HATE our van and will NEVER purchase another Ford!!! We have had to replace 3 of 4 door locks (the 4th needs to be replaced but waiting for more $.) We have had to replace both sliding door parts for them to work (automatic shut and open). The check washer fluid light is permanently on since right after purchase. We just had to pay $150 to have the driver's side window fixed (it wouldn't roll down). The oxygen hose kept popping off. We'd fix it, have to go have the check engine light turned off and then it would pop off again! Then we had to have the oxygen sensor and another part dealing with the oxygen intake just replace (another $500.) Have had to replace all tie rods, a couple of them twice. We have to fix the brakes constantly... this is just a few of the MANY problems!!! We get regular oil changes, rotate tires... I appreciate the person saying how wonderful their's is... hopefully by saying that you haven't jinxed yourself!
26th Mar 2008, 14:10
To 28th December 2007:
Thanks for following up on my question about fuel economy. 1 Canadian Gal= 1.2 US Gallon. My best result was 28 mpg Can. I just come back from a 2700 mile trip averaging 21.5 mpg US = 25.8 MPG Can. I have BF Goodrich Traction T/A tires, 32 to 36 psi, K&N air filter, Castrol high mileage oil, cruising at 76 mph. I also like the Lucas Oil fuel treatment and upper cylinder lubricant. I am going to fast: above 55 mph fuel efficiency suffers. I reviewed my 03 Windstar under "This vehicle is a competent van".
2nd Jun 2008, 15:22
WOW, I am surprised by all the problems. Our 2000 Windstar has been very reliable, and has taken a lot of abuse from 3 kids, and my wife who has a heavy right foot (braking AND accelerating). It cannot match our Japanese vehicles when it comes to finish quality (Toyo truck, Honda "3rd car"), but it sure is reliable.
The paint is starting to blow off the hood in large flakes.. makes the van look ugly, and like a beater. Outside door trim is falling off. All the black around the windows is faded. And I could not count all the dings and dents.. but she keeps on truckin..
2nd Jul 2008, 23:57
We have a 2000 Windstar SE and it is a piece of crap. Ever since we bought it, it has been in the shop for all of the problems listed in everyone else's comments.
The tranny was replaced at 65000, several head gaskets, the fuel pump, the power sliding doors, the ABS and engine light have been fixed several times (thank god for extended warranties).
All in all, this van looks good but is horrible mechanically, and Ford knows this which is why they stopped making them and completely changed everything on the new Freestar's.
Stick with Honda or Toyota. They stand behind their cars and trucks. My brother in law just got 8500 back from Toyota due to a recall because of the frame rusting. You don't see Ford or Chevy doing that.
4th Oct 2008, 00:53
I will never buy another Ford product, my 2000 SEL has been nothing but trouble; new transmission, fuel pump, leaking brake master cylinder, three shift interlock switches, that's just to name a few things.
I can't wait to trade this piece of junk. The used car dealerships should not be able to sell these vans, they should take them straight to the car crushing guy.
14th Feb 2009, 18:09
I bought a 1995 Windstar new which I still have and drive a 2000 Windstar SEL currently. Both have over 200,00 miles on them. Both have been extremely good on tires, brakes, tie rods and handling ability items. The problems I have experienced are with the bells and whistles more from age then anything. Love my Windstars but wish they were made in USA. They are almost 100% Canadian made. Canadians are slower to recognize and fix customer problems. I should know since I worked in warranty for Ford and retired from there.
25th Feb 2008, 10:54
Hello everyone from Texas.
Our Windstart was bought with 24k miles from Enterprise rent a car.
Very clean, nice and running good.
Troubles were many and very soon:
1) Mi wife tried to catch up with someone that just left out house and forgot something. She did started the van, put in on drive and accelerated real good. Transmission went out and never made it to second gear.
That was under 36k miles, then the guaranty covered it
2) We got at least three different recalls because electrical troubles. No cost for us, but every time that they worked on it, something else started giving electrical troubles or failed. The windows will not roll down, the defroster on the rear window will not operate, etc.
Many calls and trips to the dealer, we finally gave up on several minor issues and called it a day.
3) Right before 36k miles, the engine begin to make a rattling, metal to metal noise. Took it to the dealer, and they took the engine apart three diferent times. Every time they claim that it was fixed. The soones that I drove from the lot, I will acelerate and hear the noise again.
On the fourth try they replaced what seems to be half of the engine, and the noise went away.
4) Right after that engine work, we started with a new trouble. Engine will run fine, but when you started the engine, every once in a while, it will blow white smoke from the tail pipe.
We are talking about a cloud of smoke, good enough for your neighbors to come out to see what the hell is going on.
Several trips, no answer to that. We were even told that we were imagining things. For a while, every time that the van was to be started, we have one of my daughters with a camcorder rolling outside, pointing to the exaust pipe.
We finally caught it on the act, took the video to the dealership, show it to them, they claim that they never saw anything like that.
After about a couple of thousand dollars on repairs, the smoke issue went out by itself, after driving like that for a year or so.
5) Now the van have 106k miles, and I inherited it from my wife (she is driving a Pacifica, so far so good).
The latest trouble: It will run rough, hesitate and loose power when you are accelerating. Once you get it going full blast, it runs O.K., but until them you need to keep the pedal to the metal or pump it to get out of the lights or into the highway.
What could I say??? For sure no more Fords ever. Will go back to my old love, G.M. cards with a V6 or V8 engine.
I wish I have kept my old Chevy Celebrity. Sure you need to keep a extra alternator and water pump on the trunk, but I already was a expert replacing them under one hour.