Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
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
Good Luck!
I was not aware of the problems until talking with the Ford salesmen who willingly spelled out these deficiencies. Needless to say, I will not have another Ford. Have had many GM vehicles and a couple of VW's over the years and one International. The Scout was so bad that they went out of the Sport Ute business. Ford look out!!
I never had a car with this gizmo and I don't know if this is normal or not. I'm taking it to the dealer for the first time in a couple week and I'll get it checked but I'd like to know if somebody else has noticed this.
I didn't notice any other electrical problems.
When I replaced the battery my speedometer problems went away.
I don't understand. I don't have the compass in our 99 SE, but I do have one in our Jeep Cherokee. I just don't understand what you are asking.
Yeah, that is a problem. Does your owner's manual give a procedure for running a self diagnostic on the trip computer?
The self diagnostic doesn't indicate anything is wrong.
The owner's manual tells me how to recalibrate the compass driving it slowly in a small circle on a empty parking lot with no magnetic interference, which I've done.
The owner's manual also says something like... if it doesn't work perfectly it will get better after a few days of driving it. After couple weeks and some 800 miles since I last recalibrate it nothing has changed.
Also, probably no difference, but mine is a 99 SE not an '00 SEL. In my Cherokee however, from the day I drove it home the compass heading changed as my vehicle heading did. I did have to calibrate it for our particular magnetic variance zone, but even before doing that it still "changed" as the vehicle turned.
It is used with 17000mi. on it. It has rear a/c, center console, ceiling console, tinted windows, luggage rack, am/fm cassette, 4 - door. The dealer wants 19900 for it. What do you think? Can I get a better deal? Or should I buy new?
My wife and I love the WS, but the reliability scares me and like a dummy I didn't buy the extended warranty.
BTW, I have intermitantly had a whine in the radio as well.
the engine light always goes on and the car
trembles and shakes. Can anyone help?
Second, you might check yourself to see if any trouble codes are being stored. Since yours is pre 97, you may be able to get the codes this way.
If it only happens when it rains, then it seems likely a sensor somewhere is shorting, sending false information to the engine which is causing the "trembles and shakes".
Maybe you will be one of the lucky few, but there are alot of WS owners who would love to give you their van for the KBB average trade in value. Good Luck, happy van hunting.
After 86K miles, I finally unloaded my '95 Windstar at a pretty big loss. I could only depend on this machine to break down, and even when I took it to dealers for trade, I could smell antifreeze coming from the engine compartment. What a loser of a van, what a loser of a company!
Phil
At 11,000 miles, my vehicle's transmission would not shift. The vehicle was towed to Colonial Ford in Danbury, for warranty service. The "fix" was to clear the computer's memory that controls the transmission. A week later the problem reoccurred. For a second time the vehicle was towed to Colonial Ford; and again, the "fix" was to clear the computer's memory that controls the transmission.
At 38,000 miles my vehicle leaked oil. It was determined that the source was the engine seal, a job which called for the engine to be "pulled." I was quoted $1,200 for the repair. Given the history of the vehicle, I objected to this figure to your Customer Assistance Center and Colonial Ford's Service Manager, who addressed the matter with a Regional Representative. It was decided that I would be responsible for $190.
At 50,000 miles, my $22,000 vehicle's transmission has had to be replaced at a cost of $2,400. Even though it is documented and recognized by Ford that my vehicle's transmission had problems while under warranty (itemized above at 11,000 miles), Ford would not work with me to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion. Colonial Ford would not hear my complaint. Ford's Regional Representative, advised me that Ford would not assist in the cost of repair. When I asked to speak with her manager, she kept referring me instead to the Customer Assistance Center. Not only did the Customer Assistance Center (Debbie #226) not help, she refused to put me in touch with a supervisor and, in fact, advised me that my only recourse was to write to --- the CEO of the Company!
I did that, and received a call from a representative, that basically told me that they were not interested in assisting me with my complaints over their inferior product ... she also told me that there is no record of customer complaints with transmissions for my vehicle .... She concluded by telling me that they would do nothing for me, since I was not a loyal customer (I did not have them do oil changes and basic service), and only brought the vehicle to them with major problems ...
Additional problems that I have had with the Windstar include .... check engine light going on and off for no reason, oil pressure light flickering at low idle, and the speedometer not working above 40 MPH. ..... My personal mechanic told me not to drive the vehicle too far. This, with only 55,000 miles on it.
I have since unloaded the Windstar for $8700.00 and purchased an Astro (which I should have done 4 years earlier) ...
I will never purchase another Ford again ... All of the stories of the Ford / Firestone coverup's are very believable to me ..
This weekend I came across an ad from a dealer near my folks' place that is offering a new 2000 LX w/comfort group (my wife would shoot me if we got another vehicle without rear AC), fourth door, security group (the traction control is attractive), console and a handful of other options. It all comes in at ~$20,300 after you figure in the rebates, discounts, etc.
It appears to offer all the basics in a new car package at the price I was looking to pay for a slightly used vehicle. I don't plan on keeping the vehicle for more than 3-4 years so I would hope that if there are any serious problems they will be covered under the warranty. Any comments from the group on the performance and reliability(to date) of the 2000 LXs?
Thanks
I will not complain any more about nusance problems that I have with this van(or a new one if this one was totalled)because the bottom line is the safety of our loved ones, and this van came through on that!
KarenS
Vans host
On 2000 models, the Windstar LX comes standard with 3 drs and 3.0l engine. Both a 4th door and the 3.8l engine are options.
BTW. If you have young kids, get the 4th door.
The 2000 Base trim doesn't have the 3.8l option, but does have a 4th door option, so you might find one of those.
Re: Headlight flashing
When you lock the car, the headlights are supposed to flash once letting you know the antitheft system has armed. It usually flashes about 15 seconds after locking the car. Does yous flash just once? Or a bunch of times?
chris
I am in NY looking for 36m, 12k m lease on Windstar SEL. A local dealer offered 395 a month with a 14k residual. This is with side airbags and the family safety package 2. If I want the entertainment it would be about another 15 per month. The MSRP is around 32k, with the cap cost being around 30k if I paid cash. Taxes and Tags upfront. Is this price fair, a lowball or could I do better? I realize that the amounts when added together only add up to about 28,5K. However, on this site the Ford Leases Incentive Program seem to imply a price of $421 per month for 15k m per year
A friend ordered one 6 months ago and just picked it up and is paying 440 per month. Did she just get a bad deal or is there some reason Ford Dealers are more willing to deal now (beyond their holiday stockings). The tire problem (not on the Windstar anyway) or something else? The current incentive runs through 1/16/01, does it make a difference if I buy the last week in December or in January before the offer expiration
Thank you
PS. If you click on that link, you'll probably have to re login to post. The forum is under the "Finance/Warranty/Insurance" conference.
Best of luck!
Drew
Edmunds.com Townhall co-host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences
The login problem has been about 95% fixed. I believe it still bumps you off (or at least think it has) if you have an idle browser window open - such as when you're composing a message - for about 10-15 minutes. Again, something that we're aware of and fixing.
Drew
Edmunds.com Townhall co-host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences
I'm rapidly warming up to the new software.