Overview & Reviews
This year the Windstar has been totally redesigned. The biggest news for '99, in addition to the completely new exterior and interior styling, is a left-hand sliding door. The second- and third-row seats are now on rollers for easier removal/interchangeability and the instrument panel has been redesigned for improved ergonomics. There's also a more powerful and cleaner-burning 3.8-liter V6 plus upgraded suspension, transmission, brakes and air conditioning components. New options include side airbags and a trick reverse sensing system.
- As the most recent minivan to undergo a major redesign, the Windstar is now king of safety and high-tech features.
User Reviews:
Showing 61 through 70 of 148.00-
Very Happy - 1999 Ford Windstar
By Ethan - August 7 - 10:00 amWe bought our first Windstar in 1999, have since bought a second (2002), and will shortly buy our third. I cant tell you how happy we have been. The only time spent in the shop has been for the recalls and this seems to be a very small price to pay to make sure the van is running well. With cars from other manufacturers that I have owned in the past, this includes German and Japanese cars, I have had to make similar types of repairs, but I had to pay for them.
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Its good on the inside - 1999 Ford Windstar
By Nate1tate - July 30 - 3:37 amWe bought this van because we had a second kid on the way. It was fine for family trips and such at first, but the alternator went with under 60K miles. Had major engine problem that required installation of a special valve and head gasket. Trouble with power sliding doors staying on track. Had tranny gasket leak, speed sensors, etc. After reading these reviews Im worried about the steering and tranny now. Buying used we got an upgraded interior. Thats the best part of the whole van. Im not totally unhappy with it, just tired of spending money on it. Trade value is miserable and makes me want to hold on to a vehicle that will likely cost much more before I can afford another car.
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My Ford Nightmare - 1999 Ford Windstar
By Ron Melancon - July 9 - 1:00 amI bought a new 1999 Windstar and thank goodness I got the extended warranty. Because after 36,000 miles, every five months something has gone wrong. It has cost the warranty company over $18,000 dollars to date. It is so bad they did not offer to extend my coverage. Now the van has only 80,000 miles on it and my wife wants to get rid of it. Why in the world would anybody produce a car and have it break down so often? Here is some of what happened: 38,000 replaced transmission 42,000 replaced full rack and pinion steering 48,000 new head gasket 52,000 new left ball joint and strut, also checked weird thump on the driver side, did not find anything 58,000 new cold start valve.
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All FORD Acronyms Apply - 1999 Ford Windstar
By Ed Mann - June 30 - 11:56 amBought new. Less than 50k in almost six years. Paint peeled after 3rd year, power steering rack and other components replaced at 13k AND 43k, front disc brake pads replaced at 25k AND 48k, two power door locks intermittent, stereo cuts out on one side, head gasket failed at 43k, rear brake lights constantly failed (replaced sockets), gas mileage under 20 MPG. Whats next? Will not buy another Ford product. I have had great success with Toyota products and will go back to them next time we are in the market for a vehicle.
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feel like i was ripped off - 1999 Ford Windstar
By never buy a ford - June 29 - 4:08 pmWe bought the car new in 1999. In six years, we put only 50,000 miles on it and expected for it to last another four years to make it worth the money we paid. So far weve had to replace the steering rack, intake gaskets ($600), rod ends, brakes, and suffered with various unfixable noises and broken bits of interior plastic. Now the whole transmission has conked out the estimate is $2,700 to fix it, and we are done. We are not throwing good money after bad we walking away from our losses, giving the car to a mechanic for $1000. Ford has nothing to say, neither does the dealer. I am done with Ford I would never ever trust them again. Dont buy a Windstar, youll regret it.
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FIX OR REPAIR DAILY (FORD) - 1999 Ford Windstar
By maryann - June 20 - 1:24 pmI thought I was getting something that would be comfortable for my family and I BUT... This vehicle has been nothing but TROUBLE. After buying the vehicle I had to replace the speedometer that cost me $1700. Oh and that was only after I bought the car and owned it for 3 months. Ok, so a year goes by and guess where my car is at the dealership once again with a problem they dont know! I can no longer tell how fast I am going because that dont work and how many miles my vehicle has. Oh and the ABS light is on and the air conditioning is no longer working. Check engine light on and they say it is an O2 sensor Ford Motor has had lots of complaints and wont recall it
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Transmission Turmoil - 1999 Ford Windstar
By Bad Transmission 87K - May 19 - 6:42 pmI bought a 99 Windstar second hand. At 87,000 miles the transmission was replaced. Ford quoted me $2500. They ended up paying $700 of that due to my complaining. It is still jerking and snatching and I am too tired to take it back to the shop. As long as it gets me where I need to go, I will deal with it. Overall, Im disappointed! Im looking for a vehicle that is TOUGH and BUILT LIKE A ROCK! It was a roomy ride and my kids loved it, however, Im, ready to give this minivan the boot. Not to mention that the check engine light stayed on and no one could figure out how to get it to go off.
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Unreliable - 1999 Ford Windstar
By dsp - April 22 - 7:33 pmBought off lease with 15,000 miles, ran fine until warranty ran out. Around 60,000 miles had constant check engine lights. Would replace one sensor and then the following week it would be another one. Power steering rack started going out and traded it for a Toyota Sienna. I hate to admit but I will never again buy another Ford product.
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Start Saving for a New Transmission - 1999 Ford Windstar
By LGW - March 24 - 5:07 pmMy 1999 Ford Windstar will be the last American make vehicle I ever purchase. Despite following recommended maintenance guidelines, this vehicle has required: four new O2 sensors, replacement of front end bearings, countless recall fixes and the coupe de grace, a completely new transmission and I have only put 68,000 miles on this vehicle. Now Ive noticed that the automatic locks are disfunctioning, there is a short in the electrical panel and the horn doesnt work.
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Very Good Hauler - 1999 Ford Windstar
By cgking - March 20 - 10:00 amThis is my wifes van, and she wont give it up! Primarily because of its versatility, hauling grandkids, groceries, garden stuff, etc. One of our boys uses it to take his mountain bike to all sorts of places. Our dealer is very responsive and timely with service work. We also have a Lexus which has the best service weve ever experienced and while I wouldnt put our Ford Dealer quite on par, they are not far behind. The van has just over 27000 miles and we have had no problems at all since one minor fit & finish complaint at delivery which was corrected with no hassle.
