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Ford Windstar Should I buy one?

15 messages,  Last post on Aug 08, 2009 at 3:59 PM

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#11 of 15 Re: Should I buy one? [leesanray] by jeff71 Jun 29, 2009 (11:55 am)
Replying to: leesanray (Jun 18, 2009 2:28 pm) I agree with Lee. We are up to 151,000 miles on the '98 windstar and it runs right along down the highway, a/c works and no transmission or head gasket problems - knock on wood. I know someone who got 215,000 on theirs. I expect mine would go 225-250k miles.   You can get some real bargains on used ones if you don't mind that it is not as 'refined' as an Oddessy or Sienna. Lotta value without much downside.   My only regret is it now qualifies for cash for clunkers incentive, so I will probably be trading in shortly. If I miss it, I may later pick up a used one.   I would add another caveat:   Run a car fax report before buying and make sure that it was not in a rental fleet.
#12 of 15 I would have to say nay by nimbusbrain Jul 21, 2009 (9:05 am)
2002 Windstar bought new. 1) Oil pan cracked almost immediately due to road hazard. Ford refused to replace under warranty. Pan is CAST ALUMINUM!!! Cast metals are brittle. Oil pan is exposed to road hazards so a rock or other road debris can kick up and hit it. Would not have happened to a steel oil pan. 2) Intake manifold gasket had to be replaced. Mechanic noted that dealer had kit in stock, indicating it is a common problem (no recall). This happened just after the warranty expired, so that's an outrage. 3) Brake light switch died and could not start car. This happened at about 80,000. 4) Alternator replaced a couple of weeks after brake light switch. 5) At 108,000, rear axle housing cracked 3/4 of the way through. Mechanic stated wheels could have fallen off if it cracked 100% because the only thing holding them on would have been a bushing. Interestingly, the axle housing was in stock at the dealer, indicating another common issue. 6) Electrical problems - door ajar indicator incorrectly lit. Battery light, ABS & Emergency Brake lights lit for no apparent reason. They come on and off as you drive. 7) Transmission reportedly (by mechanic) shot at 108,000 - trans "chatters". Feels like you are running over a rumble strip. This is common when slowly accelerating or decelerating at between 35 - 45 mph in city driving. There is also a secondary "bump" - I would not call it "chatter", it's more like hitting 1 or 2 potholes when there are no potholes. Again, commonly at 35-45, but also at higher speeds, such as 65 and going up hills. Symptom usually associated with torque converter, but they say the whole thing is shot.   Many of the same problems can found all over the net. Buy if you dare.
#13 of 15 Decent van by gar_fanatic Jul 23, 2009 (12:16 pm)
We have had ours (a '99) for only a few months, but have been servicing it for the original owner for the last 5 years. She's had her share of problems with it, needing tie rod ends, and EGR valve, and DPFE sensor and finally (when I got it) a transmission. But she never did any maintenance to it, other than oil changes. She didn't fix any of those items other than the tie rod ends just because she was saving up for a Toyota Rav-4 (didn't want a minivan anymore), so the day the transmission went out, she cheerfully skipped down to the Toyota dealership.   I got the van, completely fixed everything on it and have been happily driving it for the last several months. Love the space in it. Kids love the auxilary sound system in it.   I do have to second what leesanray stated regarding flushing the transmission frequently and lubing the locks and hinges.
#14 of 15 Windstar Problems - No more Fords by jtrai491 Jul 29, 2009 (4:50 am)
Bought my 2000 Windstar with 27K miles in 2002 and has been nothing but trouble. Cracked intake manifold, eats rotors, water pump and aluminum water hoses on top of engine, fuel pump, ac doesn't work. Currently has 116K miles and they want $800 to replace the fuel pump, I was told the part is $350 alone. A/C another $1200 to fix and the trans needs replacing. Van was always maintained, always used synthetic oil and changed the filter each time. By this time next week I hope to have my Honda Odyssey.... Wife already got rid of her Ford for a Camry.
#15 of 15 windstar half radio by casperjp Aug 08, 2009 (3:59 pm)
when radio plays only drivers side speakers work from time to time the others would come on but that stoppped

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