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

• 

  Made a Huge Mistake - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Don Benson - December 5 - 10:07 am

  Growing up my family never had Fords. I never knew why and when we needed the space of a minivan we thought we’d try the Windstar as our thinking was it was based on the Taurus so how bad could it be? Well it was bad ... really , horribly bad. In the 4 years of ownership ( bought Executive dealer car with 15k miles ) it went through 2 head gaskets , 3 transmissions, 1 AC compressor , 2 water pumps , an alternator and power steering pump. Ford covered the first transmission and head gasket but after that we were on our own. Every time we thought it was repaired another issue would surface. It was a horrible mistake and the final straw was the brake system. We found out the brake lines were rusted to the point that it was leaking and unsafe to drive. I drove it across the street to our local Honda dealer and traded it for a used Odyssey..which I should have purchased in the first place. We haven’t even considered a Ford since and with the latest news of countless transmission failures in their Focus , we probably won’t ever buy a Ford again.

• 

  Windstar 1996 for sale - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Forrest Jeffery - April 16 - 11:10 pm

  This has been a wonderful car to drive. I drove it to the east coast 3 times. It has new tires in the last 2 years, and a recent complete tuneup. It has air conditioning and it gives a smooth ride.

• 

  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.

• 

  Windstar1996 GL - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Jadlcg3 - December 18 - 12:46 pm

  I bought this van 6 years ago. It had 140,000 miles when I bought it. It ran pretty well. I have had to replace a few very expensive parts. The ABS keeps messing up my front breaks (I have to replace them every year). The speed sensor is bad, and have had to replace the O2 sensors. The rear defrost fried and does not work, thank goodness for my garage. The seats are very heavy to take out, as well. Over-all, the van has been pretty good to me. Has not left me stranded anywhere. Im able to drive long hauls with no problems. I do wished it had the drivers side sliding door. Its ok, though. My boys call it the NASCAR Van. lol

• 

  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!

• 

  Lots of problem but will get over it. - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Phil - September 18 - 11:33 pm

  Bought it in 1999, since then problem after problem. Head gasket, transmission, front end, wonder if there are anymore of the service lights at dashboard which is not turn on... but the van has 300K km now and done a lot of towing (pop up trailer) this van is our family pleasure since we have it.

• 

  11 years going strong - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By No problems ever - March 4 - 12:38 pm

  I bought this van new and have had it to the mechanics only twice in all these years easy to fix carburetor problem just 3 years ago, and fan fix for back seats. Extremely reliable. Everything still works perfectly. Gets 17 mpg, better than the mid-sized SUVs these days.

• 

  Where was Edmunds when I needed it? - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Seattle family - September 23 - 12:06 pm

  The biggest mistake of our automobile buying lives. We like the room and the ride in general. But it is now limited to going only to Home Depot and the dump on weekends. I would never trust it outside our neighborhood. Replaced everything so far, including engine. Read the other reviews here. They wont say anything we cant say.

• 

  I Hate Ford: The sad Windstar tale - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Ashwin Ramesh - May 5 - 5:35 pm

  The day I bought my Windstar, I thought I was going to have lots of fun with it and go on many adventures. However, I had a disappointment. After 15,000 miles, the transmission blew up. Then, at 20,000 miles, I had to replace a gasket. Finally, at 30,000 miles, the car caught fire in my garage! I had to call the fire department, because my house caught fire with it!

• 

  If your have any sense PLEASE AVOID! - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Intellegent Owner - January 18 - 9:46 pm

  We got van used (55,000) miles. As is, no warranty, BIG mistake! The first week we had the van, the power steering went out. Then spark plugs needed to be changed. Dont attempt yourself. Front brakes have been changed 5 times. We have a hard time putting key in the ignition. Awful dinging sound when head lights are on sometimes. When its below 30 degrees out, doors freeze shut, then wont close after you get in. Replaced water pump and now I fear we need a new transmission due to van jerking when shifting. Ive met 4 people that have trouble with theirs as well! Windstar= LEMON.