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 1 through 10 of 148.00

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  Sad to see it go! - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Goodall family - August 6 - 2:21 am

  We have had our van for almost 9 years. Bought it with only about 32,000 miles on it. It now has just over 176,000 on it. The transmission is about to go out. We are now shopping for a used car. I will very much miss it! We havent had to put much money into it, so overall it was definitely a good car for us. I am disappointed the transmission is going out. I would have kept this car much longer otherwise. It is comfortable, roomy and I feel very safe in it. It has had its share of quirkiness though. We call it a "ghost car" as the interior lights will flash on and off sometimes and we have had lights on the dash go on and off but it would still run fine--didnt bother to have checked

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  Workhorse - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Banjo - February 16 - 10:15 am

  We bought this baby after it had been on the dealers lot for a long time and got a good deal on it. We had to replace the tranny at around 100K but otherwise its been a total workhorse. its got 150K on it and going strong. Its a bit banged up so we dont worry about throwing just about anything in it. A mechanic told us the 3.0 V6 is the best engine option and its been good getting around 20 mpg. We hope to get another couple of years out of it.

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  ford windstar 99 - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By lyle truax - October 8 - 2:00 am

  the car is very comfy. so far the only drawbacks were three call backs but they fixed them in a timely matter tires only lasted 19000 miles. so far we enjoy the car pretty much. it has about 31000 miles. we will see what the future brings.

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  engine light - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Eugene Stewart - April 21 - 9:17 pm

  Since i first had this van i loved it but know i just dont know? I had to replace the catatly conveter, manifold,oxygen sensor,all four of them witch is 200 a pieace,conveter was 800 maniford 120 and to put it on the machine and that was about 130 for a test yeah!!!! all n three month period all because the engine light keep coming on. i just cant win? plus it was time for and emmission test also .

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  Warning lights and rust galore - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Benzing Family - February 9 - 2:56 pm

  We have owned this vehicle for 7 years and change the oil every 3,000 miles. We have had no major repairs. It has been very reliable. It has 163,000 miles on it and going strong. However, despite routine underbody flushes with a car wash, it is extremely rusty and it has eaten its way through completely under the driver side sliding door. Never mind the warning lights on the dash, it doesnt mean a thing. We have driven with the engine light, ABS light, and traction control light on for 3 years. When only the check engine light was on, the mechanic said "it shows its running lean". He said it would be reflecting in MPG.

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  Mixed bag - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Norskie - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Mixed feelings: My wife (its her van) loves it. In all fairness its been reliable and strong running, no problems with engine, tranny or electrical. For all the bulk and weight mileage is no worse than expected, and it is responsive and powerful. Safety rating is wonderful. However, sheet metal seems very weak, dings appear at the lightest touch of someones door or shopping cart. Interior wears FAST, seats are just plain cheap. Sagging and worn looking at 45k, were never comfortable in the first place.

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  Solid, Dependable, Efficient - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By CarolynDan - January 2 - 3:47 pm

  As I get ready to pass along this, my second Windstar, I want to relate how very pleased I have been with this minivan. Through 200,000+ miles it has performed like a champ, very dependable, very easy to drive, very much the family car. Like other Fords of its ilk, the transmission was shot at about 140,000, but the rebuilt is doing fine. The only other major mechanical problem was replacing the steering rack at about 165,000. The engine is well sized, giving a lot of power and zip while at the same time consistently delivering 20+ mpg on evenly mixed city/highway driving.

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  Ford Let Us Down. - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Martha - April 23 - 6:24 pm

  I love the body of this minivan. It is comfortable and has plenty of room! It is a great car to drive. Now that said mechanically it stinks. Ford knows all about this vehicles problems, O ring failure, transmission failure, O2 sensors failure, door sensor failure, driver side door lock failure and on and on. If we knew then what we know now we would never have bought this car. Fortunately we bought it used and still have not spent up to the new price. We put over $5,000 in repairs into this car over 6 years. I will think twice before I risk another Ford purchase.

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  Mechanical design flaws - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Norma - February 22 - 7:52 pm

  There are design flaws in the oil pump that cause engine failure and the transmission is weak. Both had to be replaced BEFORE 100K miles.

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  1999 Ford Windstar LX - 3 Door - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By CCSM - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Bought it with 90K, five months later with 97K, have to replace intake manifold gasket, cost $435.