Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Ford Windstar Problems
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I had originally posted that I also had a grinding sound when occasionally starting the engine, and today it happened when shifting from park to drive. I notice that it happens mostly when the car has been not started in over a day. Actually that is the only time that it has ever happened.
I brought it into the dealers shop, and they seemed very interested in what I had told them, but they could find no problems. If you bring it in, and they do find a problem, please post it, so that I have something more to go by. Thanks!!
I will post if I find out anything about the noise.
Mine also has only made the noise when it has been started after sitting for a day or so.
Also it has only happened three times and I noticed the last two times it was rainy...very humid...I don't remember about the first time it happened...maybe a clue?
Anyone else with power doors having difficulty with their shutting completely on their own?
Our 2000 was driven by the "dealer's wife" for 1K mi prior to our purchasing it and that was one flaw the sales person and ourselves noticed on delivery. We were told a part had been ordered. Five weeks later, we called the dealer and scheduled the service. Got it back today. Door was "adjusted" but the problem remains.
Our own diagnosis shows that the door does fine anytime the van is NOT completely level. Otuside our garage (on an incline) it closes fine. Inside the garage (on a level plane) it closes and backs itself out an inch or so. Enough to keep the interior lights on and the door ajar readout lit.
Requires a firm push by hand defeating the purpose of the buttons.
Curious to knwo if anyone besides the guy in the Toyota Sienna topic area is experiencing the same.
Thanks in advance. Need dealer service confrontation ammo.
manufactured by someone other than Ford. I love
the size and ride - But if you have a problem, Ford is, without question, the most difficult
automobile manufacturer to deal with. Further, and this is just my experience, but it seems to me
that Ford dealer service is very expensive compared to the service I have had with my Mazda,
Oldsmobile, Nissan, or Saturn.
As an example of what I meant... if Nissan would take the Windstar body (they already have a relationship with Ford in the Villager) and put in their own engine and and transmission, that would be very attractive...
Just my 2 cents...
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
van for the last two months and have looked at
the Mazda MPV, Grand Caravan and Windstar. During
my search, a neighbor on mine mentioned that a
friend of hers was looking to sell her 98' Windstar LX. At first I wasn't interested in buying a used vehicle, but then I learned the
history of this particular Windstar. The owner
had purchased the vehicle new early in 1998.
Nine months later he became very sick and had to
go into the hospital. Unfortunately, he passed away three months ago. He rarely drove the van
after he became ill, and the van has only 11,000
miles on it. This van also has every option that was available for that particular model year. I saw the original window sticker and the MSRP was over $32,000. After some negotiation, we agreed on a price of $16,000. I know I got a good deal,
but after reading most of the posts regarding reliability, I want to head off any problems before they become major headaches. I've had the van for two weeks and I notice that when I accelerate ( such as merging onto a highway) their
is a vibration coming up through the gas pedal. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Also, if any 98 LX owners have experienced problems or practice any type of special preventative maintanance, I would appreciate any advice. I love the way the Windstar rides and the roominess, but I just want to make sure I made the right choice. Also, I should mention that the original owner bought an extended warranty which is transferable,
so at least I'm covered for another three years.
Thanks for your help!
Don't get me wrong, I understand you are in a tight spot here, but maybe a little research into the various alternatives might be a good idea.
Would like to hear about Windstar transmission issues. Especially resolutions !
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/engaged/edmund.cgi?c=Vans&f=0&t=815&q=515
This was in the middle of a series of posts regarding whether or not the BuyBack was a good idea. You should read them through. You know, the thought of owning another Ford really rattles my cage, however, if I know I am going to dump it two years down the road, it makes a LOT of sense...
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
We have called Ford and they claimed that only a few people have reported to them any door problems.
Has anyone else had problems with their power doors?
I also have had a problem with the van "shuddering" when on a straightaway or while climbing a hill, also I noted that the transmission sometimes "slams" into gear. I assumed that the shuddering was caused by the fuel mixture being too rich and had the ever so competent technicians at Autonation take it for a spin and fix the problem. Of course, they were "unable to duplicate the symptoms." They also told me that the transmission had normal shifting.
They were able to correct the stalling, and cleaned up the carbon significantly, but the shuddering continued. I lived with this problem for a few months because my hectic lifestyle kept getting in the way of arranging an appointment where I could drive the shop foreman in the van myself to show him what was happening. I finally was able to take him for a drive last week, and he immediately determined that the transmission was slipping! Why couldn't they have noticed that earlier or interpolated that possibility when I presented them with those symptoms months ago? Probably because they will have to absorb the cost of fixing the transmission.
I have an appointment this Friday to have the transmission worked on, and they told me that it would be about an 8 hour job at least, possible 2 days! Fortunately for me, I purchased an extended warranty and this item is covered with a $100 deductible. I will re-post after the appointment to let you all know how my van is running, and if I can get them to eat the deductible since this problem was detected by me so shortly after my purchase, yet baffled their technicians.
I'm heading over to the Odyssey or the Sienna- see you later Ford!!
I would go by the book in terms of keeping the vehicle well serviced--especially in terms of the transmission being serviced every 30K mi (I would do it more often) and other things. Keep a close eye on coolant levels--if you are finding yourself filling the coolant reservoir frequently, think blown gasket (similarly, if the 02 sensor goes, think this).
The conversion may add extra weight to the vehicle which will put more strain on the transmission--you may want to think about an auxiliary transmission fluid cooler.
Above all, drive the vehicle gently--assume there is an egg between your foot and the gas pedal.
Keep all of your receipts documenting that you have done all recommended services.
Consider selling the vehicle before the extended warranty runs out.
I'm on day 1 of a 95 WS transmission problem.
Anyone been through this specific situation before? What was found as the cause? Any other postings welcomed!
Situation:
- 95 WS. 51K miles. Routine maintenance, plus ensured that tran fluid was periodically flushed, not just changed.
- With cold engine, no trouble (so far)
- With hot engine, and from a stop on level ground, the engine revs to about 2000-2500 rpm in neutral, and then the trans pops into gear. Feels like being rearended.
- Doesn't occur when on an uphill or downhill slope.
Going into the shop tomorrow.
Thanks,
Ed
rlnpr@yahoo.com
I have to say that the transmission is remarkably smoother now and the van rides much better. No more shuddering when the gears are at that "in between" point. I no longer feel the transmission slipping at all. The shop manager did say that the transmission should be flushed at around 35,000 miles, mine has 45,000.
We'll see how long this fix lasts.
Now that I have had that problem fixed, I actually feel more confident about driving my windstar. I was about to trade it in if the problem couldn't be fixed.
We are planning a long trip next month and I will let you know how things hold up.
So, my wife is thrilled she finally gets her minivan and this is our first American car since the Jeep Cherokee fiasco a while back.
Luckily we purchased the extended warranty - bumper to bumper out to 93K miles or 2005, whichever comes first.
PLEASE tell me you guys don't represent the majority of Windstar owners out there...
Jon
Is this typical of the Windstar or worse than average.
Does anyone know what can be done about this?