1995-1998 Ford Windstar: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1995-1998 Ford Windstar and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Antilock brakes
- Ride/handling
- Passenger and cargo room
Cons
- Instruments/controls
- Steering feel
- Fuel economy
- Rear-seat entry/exit
Vehicle Highlights
Ford's first front-drive minivan went on sale as an early 1995 model. Windstars came in one size, with a sliding right rear door and a one-piece liftgate. Dual airbags, antilock brakes, and seating for seven were standard. Windstar's 120.7-inch wheelbase was the longest of any minivan. At 201 inches overall, it measured 8.2 inches longer than a Grand Caravan, and about 11 inches longer than a Mercury Villager. Cargo volume is 144 cubic feet. GL and upscale LX models held a 155-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine. All models used a 4-speed electronic automatic transmission. Standard towing capacity was 2000 pounds, but a 3500-pound towing package became optional later.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Ford Windstar LX 3.8-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 6 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 8 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 49 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1995-1998 Ford Windstar. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1995-1998 Ford Windstar.
Year to Year Changes
1996 Ford Windstar:
The Windstar's 3.8-liter engine gained 45 horsepower in its second season. A smaller (3.0-liter) V6 became standard in the GL, with the 3.8-liter an option. All-disc brakes now were available, with a trailer towing package or new all-speed traction control. Seatbelts got new automatic locking retractors. In midyear, a tip-slide feature for the driver's seat became available, to allow passengers to enter the middle row of seats from the driver's side.
1997 Ford Windstar:
A lower-priced base model (called Standard) joined the Windstar lineup, with limited option availability.
1998 Ford Windstar:
Changes for '98 included a wider driver's door that allowed easier access to the middle and rear seat and new front styling. A line-topping Limited model was also added. Windstar was redesigned for '99.
Our road test for the 1995-1998 Ford Windstar includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1995-1998 Ford Windstar and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1995-1998 Ford Windstar is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Start-up acceleration with the 3.8-liter engine is okay, but the relatively heavy Windstar fails to feel truly lively. The automatic transmission typically pauses before downshifting to pass, and often shifts roughly. The stronger 1996 version of the 3.8-liter doesn't improve performance dramatically, but its extra passing power is appreciated. The 3.0-liter V6 has to struggle, and feels sluggish when passing. Gas mileage is not the greatest either way. We averaged 15.9 mpg with one Windstar and just 13.8 with another. A 3.0-liter Windstar averaged 16 mpg in urban driving and 20-21 mpg on the highway. The absorbent suspension delivers a comfortable, stable ride at highway speeds and also on bumpy urban streets. Body lean is moderate, and tires grip well in spirited cornering. On the downside, steering feels loose and imprecise. Getting in and out of the front seats is just about as easy as in most passenger cars. Climbing into the rear requires ducking around a shoulder belt for the middle seat. The rear seat must be pushed all the way back on its 7-inch track to produce adequate leg space. Major controls are backlit at night, and the dashboard is conveniently laid out. The stereo is easy to reach, but controls are small and hard to decipher. Round dials for the climate system are easy to use. With all seats in place, Windstar offers 16 cubic feet of cargo room--more than a Grand Caravan/Voyager.
Value for the Money
Windstars haven't proven to be quite as successful as Ford had hoped, but Ford's front-drive model equals or beats Chrysler's minivans in key areas of performance and accommodations. Therefore, Windstar is well worth a try.
Windstars haven't proven to be quite as successful as Ford had hoped, but Ford's front-drive model equals or beats Chrysler's minivans in key areas of performance and accommodations. Therefore, Windstar is well worth a try.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Ford Windstar LX 3.8-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 6 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 8 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 49 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Ford Windstar includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Ford Windstar .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Air conditioner:
Moaning air conditioners are repaired by replacing the A/C compressor clutch and pulley. (1995-97)
Airbags:
Diagnostic trouble codes for the airbag system flash intermittently requiring reprogramming. (1995)
Audio system:
Whining noises in the radio speakers are caused by the fuel pump in the gas tank. An electronic noise filter must be installed on the fuel pump. (1995-96)
Brakes:
The parking brake may fail to release because the release rod breaks. (1995-98)
Engine noise:
A clunk heard and/or felt from the floor on acceleration, deceleration, or turns is caused by movement between the body and subframe, which is corrected by installing revised insulators. (1995-96)
Oil leak:
Ford extended the warranty on 3.8-liter Windstars to 7/100,000 and may compensate owners for repairs related to head gasket failures. (1995)
Poor transmission shift:
Vehicles with the AX4S automatic transmission may shift harshly from first to second gear. (1996-97)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $380 |
| Alternator | $430 |
| Brakes | $320 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $476 |
| Exhaust System | $425 |
| Radiator | $425 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $515 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $520 |
Our price chart for this generation Ford Windstar details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1998 | |||
| Windstar 3.0L, GL | $1,900-2,600 | $1,300-1,800 | $300-400 |
| Windstar LX | $2,400-3,100 | $1,700-2,200 | $500-600 |
| Windstar Limited | $2,800-3,500 | $2,100-2,600 | $600-800 |
| 1997 | |||
| Windstar LX | $2,200-2,800 | $1,600-2,000 | $400-500 |
| Windstar, GL | $1,700-2,300 | $1,100-1,500 | $300 |
| 1996 | |||
| Windstar GL | $1,500-2,100 | $1,000-1,400 | $200-300 |
| Windstar LX | $1,800-2,400 | $1,200-1,600 | $300-400 |
| 1995 | |||
| Windstar GL | $1,300-1,900 | $800-1,200 | $200 |
| Windstar LX | $1,500-2,100 | $1,000-1,400 | $200-300 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Ford Windstar include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 3-door van | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 120.7 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 201.2 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 75.4 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 68.0 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3800 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 144.0 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 20.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 7 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.3 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 40.7 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.9 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 39.2 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
For their first season, all Windstars had the same engine: a 3.8-liter V6, developing 155 horsepower. A 150-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 arrived in 1996 (standard in GL), as the 3.8-liter rose to 200 horsepower. All Windstars have a 4-speed automatic transmission.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V6 | 3.0 / 182 | 150 | 170 | 4-speed automatic: 17/25 | 4-speed automatic: 20.9 |
| ohv V6 | 3.8 / 232 | 155-200 | 220-230 | 4-speed automatic: 17/24 | 4-speed automatic: 15.9 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Canada
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Ford Windstar include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1998 Windstar |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1995-1998 Ford Windstar directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1995 in certain hot-weather states:
Cracks can develop in standard 20-gallon fuel tank.
1995:
Improperly tightened alternator-output wire may result in overheating and possible fire.
1995:
Some passenger airbags may not inflate properly; also, igniter end cap can separate, releasing hot gases.
1995:
Wiring-harness insulation can abrade on a brace between instrument panel and cowl, resulting in short-circuit and possible fire.
1995-96:
Tearing of bond between inner and outer hood panels during minor front-end collisions can result in gap at leading edge of hood; could lead to total separation of outer hood panel.
1996:
Due to improperly torqued fasteners, driver's seat on a few minivans may not hold properly in an accident.
1996:
Park-pawl abutment bracket has sharp edge, which can cause pawl to hang up and not engage gear; vehicle can move even though indicator shows Park.
1996-98:
Brake master cylinder on certain vehicles is oriented so warning statements are not entirely visible by direct view.
1996-98:
Certain off-lease vehicles, Canadian in origin but sold in the U.S., have daytime running lights that do not meet U.S. specifications.
1997:
Servo cover can separate, causing transmission fluid to leak and contact catalytic converter; could result in fire.
1997-98:
Front coil springs could fracture as a result of corrosion. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
1998:
Damaged bearings on a few minivans can increase steering effort.
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