Overview & Reviews

Ford boosted output on the 3.8-liter V6 from 155 to 200 horsepower. Trim and equipment have been revised, and four-wheel disc brakes come with traction control or the tow package. A new integrated child safety seat has been added to the options list. Tune-ups happen every 100,000 miles. Traction control is now optional.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 102.00

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  Too Many Repair Bills - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By springers - April 14 - 1:00 pm

  Admittedly bought this car "as is" from a used car lot, but seems like an awful lot in repair bills in one year for a vehicle with only about 110,000 miles: Head gasket $1,700. Alternator $560. Transmission $2,300. Already more in repairs than I paid for it. Which is frustrating as otherwise its comfortable to drive, and has the room I need to haul stuff around when the seats are taken out.

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  Turned In The Clunker - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By webwandererx - August 26 - 6:12 pm

  We finally traded our Windstar as our clunker. It served our transportation needs over a decade and it protected us through two accidents. Power steering that growled and Ford replacements that growled worse did not give us confidence about Fords. The worst part was that the Ford dealership was essentially telling me that the vehicle was used up well under 100K. The engine blew up at 80K when a non-dealership mechanic was doing a head gasket leakage test didnt help matters. We were nursing a sick transmission when the CARS program came on. We jumped at the chance!

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  FORD (Frequent Overhaul Repair Damage) - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Getting _Me_A_Honda - December 29 - 8:18 am

  Bought new - continuing trips to the dealership for repair from the first 100 miles (now have 70K miles) while under warranty and the problems described by other posts just escalated after warranty expired. Total cost of repairs to date: $5,000.00. NO MORE. Buying a Honda CR-V this week. Most unfriendly mechanics, but with a product this bad one should expect nothing but bad.

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  3.8L FWD - Ford Stinks - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By ca2stay - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Had a 91 Taurus (3.8L FWD) tranny @ 25k & 54k miles. Traded in for 96 Windstar LX 3.8L FWD. Tranny started giving trouble slipping @ 50k and finally replaced @ 90k $3k, head gaskets @ 85k $2k and engine still runs poorly, radio/CD @ 50k. Fortunately w/tow package & 4W Disc Brakes so none of the brake pblms my frinds w/drum brakes had. Now CV joints and the rest of the steering and suspension. My wifes next vehicle will be Japanese.

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  Be Cautious - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Date83R - April 20 - 2:00 am

  We bought ours new @ 60K. It was great until last year. When it hit 100K the fur hit the fan. We have put well over 3000 into it in the last 9 months. Everything from tie rods to all sorts of electrical problems. The problems just keep piling up though. Even the techs at the dealership were scratching their heads with the last one. Were trading it in for a Caravan tomorrow.

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  Buy with caution - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By mario starr - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Paid too much for the van to benign with that was my fault. Let me begin by listing the numerous problems I’ve encounter as an owner of a “Quality” Ford product: Power steering pump, water pump gasket, lower intake gasket, popping noise from front end, A/C condensation leaked inside van, shifting cable, speedometer, door ajar caution light works intermittently, intake breaker valve ($200)... My local dealership has been very friendly to me while they have me over this barrel called Windstar.

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  Was good for a while, but... - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By smilingbrownbear - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought this program vehicle in 1997. Had 22,000 miles and now has 120,000. Was very good (although it had some irritating electrical problems) until it hit 100,000 miles. Needed a transmission - surprise! Got a remanufactued one for $2,400. New tranny is fine. Terrible electrical system now requires trips to the shop every few months. Also has some problems when just started and idling.

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  DON - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By jennyl - March 1 - 2:00 am

  purchased because of comfortable, roomy interior... everything Ok for SHORT while... it is costing a fortune to own it! Head gasket replaced ($2500) which Ford would not cover... transmission...door ajar alarm stays on all the time while driving (it does go off though if you drive over 25mph, with the lights off- go figure- trying to trade it, but nobody wants it!!! DON"T BUY!!!!

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  These should all be recalled - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Ike-69 - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car used with about 28000 miles. Had no problems for a while, then it seemed like a new problem every week. Water pump, alternator, power steering pump, continues problem with brake lines/master cylinder, electrical problems such that it thinks a door is open, so it leaves the dome light on (have just removed this bulb permanently), radio goes out, and now the motor blew at 107,000 miles. I still like Ford, bur this model sucks!

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  Do not buy a Ford Windstar - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By bcorgn - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Took care of my Ford Windstar with regular maintenance and oil changes. At 69,000 miles, mechanic now tells me I need to spend $1400 dollars on replacing the head gasket...a "common" problem, but Ford has issued no recalls. Cannot belive there is not a class action law suit yet on this common problem. Do yourself a favor and buy a Toyota or Honda.