1996 Ford Windstar GL review from North America

The speedometer failed at 63,000 miles.

The front wheel bearings failed at 70,000 miles.

The head gasket failed at 73,000 miles.

This car has been a significant disappointment compared to our results with Honda Accords. We had two Accords, one that we drove for 12 years, with only the replacement of the water pump and our current one that has 160,000 miles with no work other than routine maintenance. The car was maintained with all service at less than the recommended intervals, yet after 6 ½ years and 63,000 miles we replaced the instrument cluster because the speedometer failed. One year and 10,000 miles later the front wheel bearing failed, with minimal warning. Two months later and 2,000 miles later, the head gasket failed, resulting in a $1,500 head gasket repair and $800 in additional repairs as a result of the head gasket failure. To date, Ford has refused to take any responsibility for these repairs, in spite of the history of problems with the 3.8L V-6.

If American car companies wonder why people buy Japanese cars, their lax attitude toward design and quality shows that they are the root of their own problems.