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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 3 of 262

#15 of 2608 Arthur3(Buy Back Process) by lsg1

Apr 24, 2000 (3:22 am)

I had a 1998 Windstar which was bought back from Ford. I did not go through the DSB, so my experience may be a little different. My dealership was totally helpful, and I think they made all the difference in the world. I had a problem that they could not fix after about 5 attempts, and they brought in an engineer who decided it would be better for them to buy back the vehicle than to keep on fixing it, and it happen over and over again. The problem( TRAC OFF light intermittently flashing and ABS light on), was first noticed in May 1999 when I had the vehicle 6 months. It took them until November 1999 to decide to buy back the vehicle when I had it exactly 1 year, and 20,000 miles on it! I was thrilled when they decided to buy it back. I got fair market value for it, plus a $5000 buy back bonus, which put me in a 2000 LX with little out of my pocket. I have only good things to say about my dealership who always gave me a free loaner when ever they had my van, and even suggested picking up my van from my house, and bringing a loaner to me! I worked with the managers in the service department, and I really did notice that honey brings alot more respect and effect than vinegar does.

#16 of 2608 95 Windstar Nightmares by anightmare

Apr 25, 2000 (4:23 pm)

My 95 Windstar has had the head gaskets blow twice and two months after the second time, the engine blew (2/00 at 81000 miles). Each time I had to fight with the dealership to get them to take some responsibility for the costs. On our way to Florida, our engine blew again in the middle of the night in the middle of Alabama (4/00). Only 2 months after a small block engine repair had been made! We had to sleep in our van in a truck stop until we could get it towed to a Ford dealer the next morning. I have a family of six and it was a long night. We continued on our vacation with a rented van. It put a real dent in our trip as we arrived late, and each day we had to call to check status on the repairs. We were not sure how we were going to get home. By Thursday Ford had decided to offer us a buyout of $6650 plus $3000 certificate. I understand that the amount can only be used to buy another Ford product. I really do not want to deal with Ford again!!! Is there anyway I can get Ford to just give me the cash?? I am considering a foreign van now. Any advice??

#17 of 2608 Anightmare - what Ive heard/read by wholigan

Apr 25, 2000 (6:15 pm)

FYI - to this point, I have heard/read of NO PERSON that has received a cash only option. As bad as it sounds, you may want to take them up on the buyback option and get a 2000 WS. See posting #515 in the original Ford Windstar Problems topic for the economic reasons. Good Luck!

#18 of 2608 Then it isn't really a "buyback" by pjyoung

Apr 25, 2000 (8:16 pm)

It's a low $$ trade in combined with a $4000 credit from Ford. If it were truly a "buyback", then they should have no problem offering a reasonable price (something other than KBB "push pull drag it in" priceing) to take it off your hands.


Attention Honda, Toyota, GM, and Chrysler: offer 95 Windstar owners a $2000 incentive to buy one of your vans. Ford is offering KBB "poor" trade in values for them, so you can always offer the same and wholesale it to some "Sanford & Son" Ford dealer. I think you might find a lot of Ford owners who are willing to forgo the extra $2,000 and buy one of your vans.

#19 of 2608 A nightmare by anightmare

Apr 26, 2000 (6:47 am)

With the buyout program, do you know if a car rental offer is part of the deal? And if so, how long is the rental offered?

#20 of 2608 pinging - update by waynerp

Apr 26, 2000 (3:33 pm)

A while back I posted about problems I have had with engine pinging when under load. I took my '99 SE in for the third time to have this problem worked on. After some discussion with the service writer about by dissatisfaction with their efforts thus far, they apparently contacted Ford and obtained an updated program for the PCM. This new program was loaded, and I was advised to "use the highest available octane fuel if pinging is still objectionable". Well, the pinging is reduced but not eliminated. Some pinging can still be heard with A/C on when going up hill even with 93 octane premium. Pinging is still pronounced with regular fuel. I don't know if the pinging is doing any damage to the engine or how long it would take for damage to become apparent - any thoughts? I guess my options now are to (1) use high octane fuel and live with it, (2) pursue action against Ford via Lemon Law or DSB, (3) trade the vehicle I welcome any comments or advice -

#21 of 2608 pinging by bdemas

Apr 26, 2000 (6:03 pm)

waynerp: My dealer tried the same thing, they called it reflashing the PCM. Same results as yours. My dealer has advised against using higher octane fuel due to carbon build up. I had a discussion with the head service manager about the pinging (and other problems). He recommended trying different brands of gas, not different octanes. I told him I usually fill it with one brand while my wife uses 2 or 3 different ones, the pinging is still there. Then he told me that the pinging won't cause any harm anyway, to try and live with it. That goes against what I have heard.

#22 of 2608 nightmares and buybacks by ilovefarming

Apr 27, 2000 (2:26 pm)

My heart goes out to you, anightmare, and your experience with your 95WS. Makes mine pale in comparison. I think I had angels watching over me, but they must have been on their vacation when you had your troubles!
PJYoung's analysis of the "buyback" is pretty correct, and you should consider this carefully. As referenced above, too, many have looked at the economics of the "deal," and found it acceptable, many with the intent of getting rid of the new Ford before the 3 year warranty is up. You can do that, too, if you think that would be the only way to get out of this miserable situation. Only you can decide if you would be able to stand getting into another Ford product again. We lost a lot of money when we traded our 95WS in last year, but it was water under the bridge in my book. And I got to get rid of the knot in my stomach.
I think PJYoung's suggestion to Honda, Toyota, etc is a good one in this climate of the buybacks/trade-ins. But I don't think Honda will take them up on it, considering they don't really have to even try selling the Odys right now!
Good Luck to you anightmare. I hope you can figure out the best plan for your family.

#23 of 2608 Excitement to despair and repair ..... by ian17

Apr 28, 2000 (8:25 pm)

My initial excitement of owning my first new vehicle - Windstar SEL - soon turned to despair when I discovered that all was not that it should have been. After 300 miles my oil life setting showed 24%. Result new PC Board including new keys needing to be cut. Then a loud wind noise traveling at 40mph+. Result new windshield. I've only had the van four weeks and have resigned myself that the next wave of problems is imminent. Anyone else having problems with the so called "top of the line" Windstar, and is there any possiblity that the dealershiop will exchange this lemon for another one? Do

#24 of 2608 99 Problems by 18466

Apr 29, 2000 (1:05 am)

I had my share of problems with my 99 LX. Engine and Transmission problems with only 13k miles on it. I traded the Windstar in on a 2000 Sienna LE and never had any regrets. If I was to advise anyone on weather they should keep or trade their late model Windstar in if they are having problems, I would reccomend trade it because every quarter you keep it you loose more and more on trade in value and believe me with time the problems only get worse. Good luck to you all and hope you all do what suites you best but in my circumstance trading was my best alternative.

Messages Page 3 of 262

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