1997 Ford Windstar from North America - Comments

Timing cover gasket blew out, $1800 to fix, the gasket set alone is $380. My mechanic stated this a very common problem for the Windstar minivan. The motor never overheated, it just began to drip just the other side of the front passenger wheel. At 70,000 miles you would think that this motor has reached the halfway mark of its life expectancy, as most current engines are on average making it to the 200,000 mile mark on average. My old Dodge Caravan did.Ironic that the vehicle is about halfway paid off and hasn't reached half it's life expectancy.. Note to self: is this a design problem? Or rather a intentional design to get you back into the dealership..$$ Ka-ching $$ Naa they wouldn't do that,would they?

We have contacted the giant Ford Motor Company for open discussion about this common vehicle defect. They have Ignored my small world issues and have proven another worth while note: they don't care.. in conclusion we will be looking at the Dodge Town and Country..

Do not buy a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth, either. They are underpowered junk and have a lot of problems, mostly with transmissions and head gasket sometimes.

If you want a good vehicle, buy a Chevrolet venture or a used Astro. The Ford Aerostar are nice too and they're rear wheel drive which makes it a lot safer than front wheel drive on minivans. I have a 1992 Aerostar extended and it is 90 percent reliable. The only problems with them are associated with normal maintence. We have put well over 400,000 kilometers on it and it still purrs! Just make sure you buy a 92 to 97.

The Astro is the same as the Areostar rear wheel and it is built on a truck frame and it is very powerfull. Try looking for an Aerostar or Astro. Trust me you will never regret any penny you spend on them!

You'll regret getting involved with a dodge. the newer ones sold in the northeast are rusting out in two years. when you take it to the dealer for there so called rust warranty they call it normal wear and tear. transmission failure is practically a given with any dodge or Chrysler product. do yourself a favor and buy a Toyota sienna.

I thought I would find others with the “expensive head gasket problem” if I checked on line.

I was considering replacing the whole engine for about $3000 on my ‘97 Windstar. I’d get a three-year warranty that way. I was hoping to keep this car going for another 5 years. This is the only problem I’ve had to date. Are there other problems I can anticipate?

I thought I would find others with the “expensive head gasket problem” if I checked on line.

I was considering replacing the whole engine for about $3000 on my ‘97 Windstar. I’d get a three-year warranty that way. I was hoping to keep this car going for another 5 years. This is the only problem I’ve had to date. Are there other problems I can anticipate?

I have a 97 ford windstar. I love the car. But now I have to have the engine replaced. The dealer says the lower block of the engine in blown.. He quoted me $5000 to replace the engine.. I'm a single working mom. I have no money.. If ford knows this head gasket thing is a problem they need to face the music, fix it and make their customers happy.