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Ford Windstar Problems - READ ONLY

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

You are in the Ford Windstar Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Van

Messages Page 24 of 262

#223 of 2608 ford windstar problem II by 83666

Oct 07, 2000 (7:36 pm)

i purchased a 1995 windstar the car ran fine until
i took it back for the recall, thats when my problems started. two days later the gasket started to leak antifreeze, i took it back to metro ford in miami they redid the work the problem resurfaced two months later, when i took it back they told me it was the thermo stat and heater hose cost 17900 dollars, that did not correct the problem , next they said that it was the water pump 375.00 , that did not correct the problem, next the radiator had to be replaced 250,00 that did not fix the problem, finally they redid the head gasket ,which incidently i told them that was the problem , they kept the car 1 month. i am sure that the ford motor company knows about this problem and should declare this vehicle a lemon and give all the owners their money back, just like they are doing with those bad firestone tires they put on their explores never by a ford car or suv lets run them bums out of business.

#224 of 2608 Windstar Wheel Woes by bobshimizu

Oct 08, 2000 (3:00 am)

Our 97 WS has had its fair share of problems. The tranny went out at 28k, rear disc brake problems at 35k, steering rack at 48k, leaky wheel(!) at 52k and now again at 69k. What a piece o' crap! Any other suckers having any similar problems with the wheels? Called the Ford dealer (Folsom Lake Ford in Folsom, CA.) Says that the rims are on a nationwide backorder. No wrecking yards in Nor. CA have a single steel wheel in stock... Really sucks. Any suggestions?

#225 of 2608 95 Windstar- Bursting break lines by gil14

Oct 08, 2000 (4:21 am)

I own a 95 Windstar, which I bought with 34,000 miles on it, and now has 75,000. Compared to some of the stories I've read, I've been relatively lucky. The first owner got to replace the transmission.In the last two years, besides the normal maintenance, brakes, tune-up, oil changes, battery, etc, I've only gone through three starter motors and an alternator. The there was the $10 coolant system fitting which cost us $200 to replace and stranded us for three days of a week long summer vacation last year. The engine is now starting to run a little rough and I've got a little seepage betwwen the heads and the block, and the tranny is staring to slam a little. This year the car only cost us two days of our summer vacation when the brake lines burst when I had to hit the brake hard at about 40MPH. I was not even close to locking them up, and had slowed to about 10-15 MPH when I rear ended a couple of cars ahead of me. Fortunately they took it well and no one was hurt. The mechanic who fixed the brake lines said they had burst in two different places. Even though I didn't think to retain the parts as evidence, I've got a great insurance co. claims adjuster who believes me and is trying to recover their costs (about $7000) from Ford. From what she tells me, though, I'm not very optimistic. Has anyone out there had any similar experiences, trying to recover costs from Ford, or heard of this sort of brake line failure with other Windstars? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

#226 of 2608 Windstar Transmission Problems by jrags2

Oct 09, 2000 (2:49 am)

We just paid nearly 2,200 to AAMCO to rebuild the trans. in our 95 Windstar. Had to take it back for some minor adjustments, but it seemed to be working well. Van would not start after switching engine off, and at the time of this post, sits in a convenience store parking lot. (Did the same thing 6 months ago and had to have a new engine). Anyway, does anyone know if Ford has issued a transmission recall on the 3.8 95 Windstar? Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I'd love to get my money back! (Incidently, we did take it to the dealer whose mechanic could not find anything wrong with the transmission...the guy at AAMCO couldn't believe it since his diagnostic machine lit up like a Christmas tree). Any info. would be appreciated.

#227 of 2608 98Winstar by dcram1

Oct 11, 2000 (3:57 am)

Yes, I too have had numerous problems with my van, especially with the power sliding doors. It will be my last windstar, as long as the new dodge has a good saftey rating.

#228 of 2608 vibrating pedals - nickp by cptplt

Oct 13, 2000 (4:55 am)

my 2000 SE did the same thing and would also "click" before it started to do anything, the guy at the dealers service desk, the "advisor", said they all did that. I insisted they check it out, the tech took the assembly apart and found a bunch of plastic chips in there! They replaced the unit and its fine now though there is a slight vibration, my wife can't even tell but maybe I have a sensitive foot or something. But its nowhere near as bad as on a Previa I had before where it really was "normal" on all Previas!

#229 of 2608 steel wheels - bobshimizu by cptplt

Oct 13, 2000 (5:04 am)

are you in search of a 15 inch plain jane steel wheel to fit your WS or some special one or alloy?
If you just need a plain steel one I found out that the factory option full size spare for a Windstar is in fact a regular Taurus wheel. Unless the guy in the parts dept at the dealer is pretty savvy he won't realize this. I had to get 4 for my snowtires on my 95 WS and it was a lot cheaper asking the Ford dealer to get a Taurus one than a Windstar one! God knows why! There should be after market ones now also, there weren't any in 94 when I needed them. Those Taurus wheels have lasted 6 Midwest winters and I'm hoping they fit on my 2000 WS.Anyone know if the brake rotors/drums are bigger on the latest WS compared to the old one? Try tirerack.com for aftermarket steel ones if the Ford dealer wants too much for Taurus ones, they usually sell them for about $40 each.

#230 of 2608 Brake Problems by kjclow

Oct 13, 2000 (8:32 pm)

I have a 97 windstar with about 80,000 miles. It burns (?) brake fluid. Can't think of where else it is going. I have had to replace pads about every 30,000. Needs done again, probably rotars this time. Has anyone else noticed these problems?

#231 of 2608 STALLING by mprotzek

Oct 14, 2000 (3:12 am)

I'VE GOT A 98 WS WITH 42000 MILES.WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND TURNING OR QUICKLY BREAKING OUR ENGINE WILL OFTEN STALL THE MOST INCONVENIENT TIMES.THIS USED TO HAPPEN ONLY WHEN MAKING A HARD LEFT TURN.NOW THIS HAPPENS WHEN MAKING NORMAL TURNS.HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM,OR KNOW WHAT COULD BE HAPPENING.

#232 of 2608 stalling by rugmankc

Oct 14, 2000 (4:46 am)

this is a common problem on 98's and has been addressed in earlier posts. there is a tsb on the problem and is easily fixed. i think it should be free even if you are out of warranty, but am not sure. i had the tsb done 20k ago and never had the problem recur. good luck.

Messages Page 24 of 262

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