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Ford Windstar Problems - READ ONLY

2608 messages,  Last post on Oct 27, 2006 at 8:51 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Van

Messages Page 114 of 262

#1126 of 2608 3.8 liter crapstar con't by flacko

Feb 06, 2003 (9:39 pm)

Windstarloser,
I took my daughter (age 9) to piano lessons tonight. As we walked from the "crapstar" to the door of the music studio, I looked back at the van and noticed that the dome light was staying on abnormally long AGAIN. But then about a minute later it shut off (I think I willed it to). I told my daughter that the crapstar was messing with us again. She ask why I called it a crapstar. I told her if I praised it, the van would probably break!
   So far it's working. It's a 1998 with 85K on it, and really the only problem I've had is with the dome lights. But I'll keep calling it a crapstar, so it doesn't get a big head (because we know it really is...it just hasn't shown it YET).
  At about 60K, I took it to Ford for some routine maintenance. At the time I had just bought my extended warranty. The service manager said, "That's good because you'll probably need it." So much for building ones confidence level! I think I even told the service manager that I call the van a crapstar.
   Maybe Ford can re-name it "Crapstar", and even write the name in that curly-Q writing like they did with the name "Windstar". Oh well, I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope it keeps running, or at least blows up BEFORE my extended warranty runs out at 100K.
   As for the Toyota engines, I have heard that the failures are due to excessive sludge forming in the engine even with regular oil changes. My brother-in-law is very religious about servicing his vehicles, so I don't think his engine blew because of lack of service. He is also very aggressive when it comes to demanding good service (we have gotten a number of free meals with him when he complains at a restaurant); therefore, if it took him 8 months to get Toyota to pay for some of his engine, then the average Joe would have gotten nothing.

#1127 of 2608 95 windstar problem by al_chan

Feb 10, 2003 (9:59 am)

Hi folks, after driving my 95 Windstar for more than 8 years and hoping the head gasket problem will never happened to me, WRONG. I had both the timing cover and head gasket problems happened to me last week after 8.5 years and 71,800 km (less than 50,000 miles). Of course, Ford will not cover it as the extended warranty has expired (7 years, 160,000 km whichever comes first). DON'T buy a Ford as Ford WILL NOT back their products

#1128 of 2608 2000 Windstar SE by mwassem

Feb 11, 2003 (5:27 am)

Bought mine brand new. Sticker price said $32,000 and change. We paid $25,000 at the end of year sale in year 2000. I put $5000 down. 27 months later I owe just under $12,000 We currently have just over 30,000 miles on it. Have not had any major problems YET but keeping my fingers crossed. We have noticed transmission acting kind of funny and have had dome light issue on several occasions. Also, had problem with auto sliding door staying shut. Well, we have been thinking about dumping it before the warranty is up. I was thinking I should be in pretty good equity standing since I put so much down at purchase...NOT!!!! I checked the value here on Edmunds and it had trade in at around $11,000 and selling myself at around $13,000. I thought surely this cannot be correct, I put $5000 down!!! Well I went to the Honda dealer last night just to test this info out. They came back with $10,000 offer and ultimately was willing to pay it off for me if I bought a new Honda...gee thanks. At least they confirmed what I could not believe. I am still in shock over the fact that this worthless (literally) vehicle has dropped $15,000 from what I paid for it 27 months earlier...quite possible the worst investment I have ever made. I should have paid more and put my $5000 towards the Honda. I am still trying to come to grips with the fact that I will have to sell this at break even or maybe a little more if I am lucky. After all of this and reading all of the postings, the question is "why do I want to own a vehicle?" Maybe there is something to leasing...always under warranty.

#1129 of 2608 MWASSEM/2000 SE by 5greyhounds

Feb 11, 2003 (5:53 am)

I know what you mean about losing value. Our 95 was totaled a few years ago and we got about 8k for it. A very generous payment. We picked up a 99 SE for 16 and them traded it in last month on a 2000 SEL. On a trade I was told it lost 50% of what I paid for it used. It was about the same as my 95 that was totaled. Did the usual going back and forth and the dealer came up 2k on mine and down 2k on the 2000. We tend to keep ours for along time so resale is usually not an issue for us but the trade of the 99 was a fluke. So, unless you intend to keep it for 6 or more years lease one.
However, do not sell it simply based on this board. The 95 was famous for lots of things, but only the head gasket showed up on mine. It was totaled with 135k on it and between 70K and when it was hit I only had the ground strap break. Other than that it never let us down. The rule of thumb I go by is unless you put out more than a car payment a month on repairs keep what you have if you like it.

#1130 of 2608 info to mwassaem about 2000 SE by tinker6

Feb 12, 2003 (11:34 am)

I bought one new in 2000, I decided to cut my loses and sell, read my post 1115. I had it on Autotrader, Trading Post magazine & flyers posted.(asking $13,000 under 40mi) Other vehicles with similar options selling for over $15000.NO bites in 4 weeks. The market is flooded with windstars in my area. went to 2 dealers for trade-in on a new van , the most they offered was $10,000. Carmax bought it for $11,500. I felt lucky just to get rid of this pile of junk & pay if off.NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A FORD PRODUCT !!!

#1131 of 2608 info to tinker6 and 5greyhounds, 200 Windstar SE 30500 miles by mwassem

Feb 13, 2003 (2:55 pm)

I have been doing a lot of homework the last few days and am seriously considering buying an extended warranty on the vehicle instead of selling it...that way I can at least have peace of mind. I hate to take such a loss by selling or trading it in. I found one dealer that will sell me a warranty, 6 years or 100,000 miles, for $1754 and no deductables. It is the Total Care which means bumper to bumper, basically an extension of the mfg warranty. Also includes Roadside Assistance and rental reimbursement for out of town problems. I will hit the six years before the 100,000 miles. So, that will keep me covered until October of 2006. I figure I should have between 80 and 85,000 miles on it by then. I will have it paid off in Ocotober of 2005, so I will have a year without payments before the warranty runs out. I can save up in that year and put money down on something more reliable like a Honda or Toyota. I am just trying to determine whether I think I will have more than $1754.00 of warranty work done on this vehicle between now and October of 2006. I guess it is a gamble. Any thoughts on this idea would be welcomed. Seems like a lot of people posting major issues with these vehicles.

#1132 of 2608 extended warranties by steve_ HOST

Feb 13, 2003 (3:01 pm)

Our warranty articles are here:
 
Tips & Advice - Warranty
 
Steve, Host

#1133 of 2608 2000 SE @ 62K by tmant

Feb 14, 2003 (12:01 am)

I say be glad you got the warranty! You are bound to have even the slightest annoyance of a failure! My cruise control stopped working, my windshiled wiper fluid alarm goes off anytime I use it. My cool/heat selector stopped working until recently it did work! Finally heat for the winter. These were things that I COULD live with since I was out of warranty and didn't want to pay to fix it, yet.
 
Just had a $3600 repair on transmission and lower intake manifold (I think the head gasket is part of this).

#1134 of 2608 oops by tmant

Feb 14, 2003 (12:10 am)

I didn't finish my post. Just last night my odometer read '------' and I had no idea what happened. The ABS light also lit up. Of course this is not good news. I found out later this morning my speedometer now longer functions and probably explains the odometer readout.
 
Still drivable, but I will be taking it in for more repairs. The transmission repair doesn't have the van performing like it used to. Only from a stopped position and engaging the first gear that I notice a hesisitation as if it was a manual transmission. With the original tranny, I could floor it and it would just go. Now, it revs 2k+ and just lulls down to 1800rpms until it catches the gear (less than 2 seconds) and then it goes.
 
I still owe $5000 left on this piece of junk and may start calling it crapstar as well. I really like this van, but I think it will be wise of me to considering getting rid of it!

#1135 of 2608 extended warranty by hault

Feb 21, 2003 (7:19 pm)

Wassem I had a 95(FORD bought back) and now have a 2000 w/25,000 miles. I purchased extended FORD warranty off internet. From my experience with 95 I would not own a Windstar without a warranty. I intend to trade it just prior to warranty expiring. I have always liked the Windstar. My 2000 has not had problems yet. Although I only have 25,000 miles. Also I experienced the big loss in value quote when I got a letter from FORD saying I probably had equity in my van come see us. Some equity my 2 year old $27,000 van was quoted at $10,000 and I owed $9900.

Messages Page 114 of 262

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