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 41 through 50 of 102.00

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  Best vehicle so far - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Steve from Alberta - October 30 - 2:00 am

  Best vehicle we have ever owned. Bought in 98 with 25,000km in perfect condition. Now have almost 150,000km and have only done tires and brakes (once at 110,000km). Pulls our trailer (albeit a smaller one) and our 16ft boat with ease. Only knock we can come up with is a faulty speedometer (at 40,000km approx). Ford said this was normal and within the tolerances of manufacturing ($800 to fix). If the Windstar had a higher towing rating we would definitely buy another.

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  best van ever - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By ford dude - October 26 - 1:00 am

  I,ve had dozens of cars and this is the best Ive ever had for service, comfort, reliablity and fun to dirve on the highway.

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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.

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  NO PROBLEMS - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By andy77 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 1996 and have 122K on it and have not had any head gasket problem and it still has the original transmission. This thing is a tank. It has never stranded me and takes care of all of the stuff I have to carry around!

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  Great car - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By unknown2 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  It has 93k and never had a tune- up.Never let me down-would by another one

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  Comfortable Drive and Expensive Repairs - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Don Tucci - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 1996 Ford Windstar GL in April of 1999 (28,500 miles). The car performed solidly to about 68,000 miles. At this point, the engine cooling gasket went bad and the entire engine needed replaced. Ford replaced the engine at a local dealer, but it still cost me about $1000.00. Now at 90, 000 Miles I am having a multitude of problems. Speedometer broken, re- winshield washer motor burnt out, wheel sensor failing, and transmission beginning to slip.

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  SATISFIED - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By SATISFIED - September 4 - 2:00 am

  THE VAN HAS 107,000 MILES ON. DROVE IT TO CALIFORNIA TWICE AND TWICE TO ORLANDO NO PROBLEM. NEVER BEEN TO A DEALER FOR MAJOR REPAIR. I DO MY OWN REGULAR OIL, TRANS FLUID MAINT AND OTHER MINOR MAINT. I THINK IT WOUD LAST FOR ANOTHER 100,000 MILES

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  Never again - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By trspd - September 3 - 2:00 am

  NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A WINDSTAR! Bought it for its 5-star safety rating at 69K miles. Replaced the engine at 70K miles. Engine light is always coming on-$55 to diagnose and re-set computer every time. Since May, Ive put in $3300, including new transmission at 120K miles (never had warning codes on dash come on, and nothing showed up on diagnostic machine when trans. started slipping), alternator, partial catalytic converter, O2 sensors, and much more. Drivers window doesnt work, and ignition cylinder needs to be replaced. Stress fracture across windshield. Money pit! Im buying Japanese from now on.

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  tragedyinoregon - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By exxfiler - August 7 - 2:00 am

  My father bought it. Was decent but later began to have problems overheating, traction control disingaging Would bring it to Ford to have them fix it only for the problems to return within weeks They had terrible customer service and charged us every time He demanded they fix something that should have been fixed, they agreed When it was supposed to be ready one day he was told it wasnt. My father was forced to drive his 68 coug to work. On his way home was killed in an accident The police told us had he had an airbag he most likely would have lived Had ford cared about their customers, he might be alive. They finanly fixed it though.

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  Been had by Windstar - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Been had by Ford - July 25 - 2:00 am

  Transmission, Head and Engine Gasket failure and very expensive