Cars-Pickup-Truck: >>Ford Windstar

Ford Windstar

Ford Windstar

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1994–2007 (2004-2007 as Ford Freestar)
Assembly	Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Predecessor	Ford Aerostar
Successor	Ford Freestar, Ford Flex, Ford Transit,Ford Transit Connect
Class	Minivan
Layout	FF layout
Designer(s)	Moray Callum

The Ford Windstar is a minivan that was produced and sold by the Ford Motor Company from the 1995 to 2003 model years. This front-wheel drive minivan was the second minivan designed by the company, serving as a replacement for the rear-wheel drive Aerostar minivan. The two were sold concurrently for three model years until the Aerostar's 1997 discontinuation. For the 2004 model year, the third-generation Windstar was introduced as the renamed Freestar. All Windstars were assembled in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Although sold in the Ford car lineup, the Windstar followed a tradition set by its predecessor, the Aerostar, and did not have a Lincoln-Mercury counterpart, being completely unrelated to the Mercury Villager. The success of the Windstar led to the first Ford-developed Mercury minivan, the Mercury Monterey.

First generation (1995–1998)

First generation

Production	1994–1998
Body style	3-door minivan
Platform	Ford D186 platform
Engine	3.0 L Vulcan V6 3.8 L Essex V6
Transmission	4-speed AXOD automatic
Wheelbase	120.7 in (3,066 mm)
Length	201.2 in (5,110 mm)
Width	1995–96: 75.4 in (1,915 mm) 1997–98: 75.8 in (1,925 mm)
Height	1995–96: 68.0 in (1,727 mm) 1997–98 Cargo: 68.5 in (1,740 mm) 1997–98: 65.6 in (1,666 mm)
Curb weight	3,800 lb (1,724 kg)
Related	Ford Taurus Lincoln Continental Mercury Sable

The all-new Windstar was released in March 1994 as a 1995 model. Its sleek design, front-wheel drive layout, and better car-like handling made it more competitive with similar offerings from Chrysler and GM. The Windstar had beaten the third-generation Chrysler minivans to the market by over a year, which played a crucial role in Ford taking significant market share in the minivan market.

For its first year on the market, the Windstar was priced above both the Aerostar and the Mercury Villager. By 1997, however, the Villager's base price had surpassed the Windstar's by several hundred dollars, and top-of-the-line VillagerNautica models were priced some $6,000 USD higher.

Standard features on the Windstar were anti-lock brakes, dual airbags, seven-passenger seating, and a 3.8 L V6 engine, borrowed from the Taurus/Sable. This engine produced 155 hp (116 kW) and 220 lb·ft (298 N·m) of torque. For its inaugural year, the Windstar was available in base GL and high-end LX trim, as well as a cargo version called Cargo Van.

Year-by-year changes

1998 Ford Windstar

1996: A new 3.0 L 150 hp (112 kW)Vulcan V6 became standard on base GL models, while the larger 3.8 L V6's horsepower was increased to 200. The driver's seat gained an available tilt/slide feature for access to the rear from the driver's side. 1996 Windstars can be distinguished from 1995 models by a contrasting metal strip inside the side rub stripe; solid plastic was used in 1995.

1997: A bare-bones unnamed base model was now available. A CD player was a new option.

1998: The Windstar received minor cosmetic changes including a new grille and headlights, and the blue-oval Ford logo on the rear liftgate was centered above the license plate; previously, it was located in the lower right corner. An ultra-luxury Limited model was new. It included leather seating and faux wood interior trim. Second-generation airbags that deployed with less force were also new for 1998.

To compensate for the lack of a driver's side sliding door, the edge of the driver's door was extended rearward six inches (152 mm), as it was not possible to create a driver's side sliding door with the current body shell. When the Windstar was being designed in the early 1990s, Ford claimed that a drivers-side sliding door was not noted a key feature indicated by focus groups; also at that time, minivans with that feature had sold very poorly.

Trim levels

Cargo Van • 1995–1998

base • 1996–1998

GL • 1995–1998

LX • 1995–1998

3.0L • 1998

Limited • 1998

Problems

1998 United States Postal Service Ford Windstar, showing the larger driver's side door

Throughout its life, the first generation Windstar developed a long list of reliability issues. The 1995 3.8 L V6 Essex engine was susceptible to headgasket failure, as in the Taurus and Mercury Sable; however, the Windstar's problem was exacerbated by an even tighter engine bay and higher loads, the van being 700 pounds heavier. Ford extended the warranty on the headgasket to 100,000 miles on most Windstar models. The 3.0 L V6 Vulcan engine was not susceptible to headgasket failure, being a completely different engine design.

The Windstar was paired with an AX4S transaxle, which was prone to internal failure. The transmission suffered from cracked forward and reverse clutch pistons. These transmission failures were most susceptible with the 3.8L engine, as the transmission could not handle the extra torque and the extra vehicle weight. Windstars with the 3.0L engine could go far past 150k miles with regular maintenance.

IIHS Crash test results

The 1995-1998 Ford Windstar, which was tested as a 1996 model received a "Good" rating from the IIHS in all marks, in which the driver survives the accident without any injuries.

Second generation (1999–2003)

Second generation
Ford Windstar LX (1999-2000)
Production	1998–2003
Successor	Ford Freestar
Body style	3-door minivan 4-door minivan
Platform	Ford V platform
Engine	3.0 L Vulcan V6 3.8 L Essex V6
Transmission	4-speed AX4S automatic 4-speed AX4N automatic
Wheelbase	120.7 in (3,066 mm)
Length	200.9 in (5,103 mm) 2001–03 Base/LX/SE/SEL/Limited: 201.5 in (5,118 mm)
Width	76.6 in (1,946 mm) 2001–03 Cargo: 75.2 in (1,910 mm)
Height	66.1 in (1,679 mm) Cargo: 68.0 in (1,727 mm) 1999–2000 SE/SEL: 65.8 in (1,671 mm)

The Windstar was completely redesigned for the 1999 model year; the most visible part of the redesign was the inclusion of dual sliding doors. The 3.0 L and 3.8 L V6 engines were carried over from the previous generation. It was built on a dedicated platform, unlike the previous generation based on the Ford Taurus. Among new features were front seat-mounted side airbags, dual power-sliding doors, and rear reverse sensors. From lowest to highest, 1999 Windstars were available in Cargo Van, base, LX, SE, and SEL. Dual sliding doors came standard on SE and SEL models, and were optional on the other models. SEs and SELs were equipped with 2nd row captain's chairs and adjustable head restraints, while base and LX models came with a 2-passenger 2nd row bench seat and fixed head restraints.

Year-by-year changes

2000: The Limited model returned as the most luxurious model. A VCR-based rear-seat entertainment system featuring a flip-down LCD screen was a new option on SE, SEL, and Limited models.

2001: Slight cosmetic changes were made to front and rear fascias for '01. LXbecame the base model, and a new SE Sport model joined the lineup. The smaller 3.0 L was gone, leaving the 3.8 L as the sole engine choice. Models with 2nd row bucket seats now got their own center console. Front-seat side airbags became standard on Limiteds. The chrome grille on the SE and SEL models was redesigned. The steering wheel was updated to a more modern style, with the blue Ford Logo placed in the center.

2002: Dual sliding doors became standard on all models.

The 2002 Windstar was the most dependable minivan on the market in the JD Powers dependability survey at three years in service in the 2005 survey. The Windstar beat out the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey for these honors.

2003: The last year of the Windstar; no major changes were made in anticipation of a 2004 redesign. In a new marketing strategy, the upcoming third-generation Windstar was rebranded as the Ford Freestar. The last Ford Windstar was produced on July 25, 2003.

Trim levels

2001–2003 Ford Windstar SE Sport

Cargo Van (1999–2003)

base (1999–2000)

LX (1999–2003)

SE (1999–2003)

SE Sport (2001–2003)

SEL (1999–2003)

Limited (2000–2003)

Recalls

In September 2010 Ford recalled 500,000 1998–2003 Windstars over rear axle cracking.

In March 2011 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Ford announced another Ford Windstar recall over corrosion concerns. 425,288 of the model year 1999-2003 Windstar vans originally sold or currently registered in some cold weather states are part of the recall. The problem involves rusting of the subframe. Most of the corrosion occurs on the passenger side of the subframe. If the subframe collapses while driving, the vehicle could potentially lose all steering control and end up in an accident. According to the NHTSA action #PE10026, some Ford Windstar owners had their drive axle detach from the transmission. Ford is offering alternative transportation to owners if their vehicle is unsafe to drive. If the minivan can't be repaired, Ford will repurchase the vehicle.

IIHS Crash test results

The 1999-2003 Ford Windstar received an "Acceptable" rating by the IIHS for fair structural performance, moderate injuries to the left foot, and fair dummy control. Although most redesigned vehicles outperform their predecessors to cut down insurance costs and possible injuries to the driver, this generation Windstar did not perform as well as its first generation predecessor. The NHTSA graded the minivan an overall rating of 5 stars in both the frontal and side impact tests.

Yearly American sales

Calendar Year	Total American sales
1999	213,844
2000	222,298
2001	179,595
2002	148,875
2003	113,465

Third generation (Ford Freestar; 2004–2007)

Ford Freestar
Ford Freestar (2004-2007)
Production	2004–2007
Predecessor	Ford Windstar
Successor	Ford Flex, Ford Transit, Ford Transit Connect
Body style	4-door minivan
Platform	Ford V platform
Engine	4.2 L Essex V6 201 hp (150 kW)
Transmission	4-speed AX4N automatic
Wheelbase	120.8 in (3,068 mm)
Length	201.0 in (5,105 mm)
Width	2006–07: 76.4 in (1,941 mm) 2006–07: 76.6 in (1,946 mm)
Height	68.8 in (1,748 mm) 2006–07 SE, SEL & Limited: 70.6 in (1,793 mm)

The third generation Ford Windstar was renamed the Ford Freestar, as part of Ford's initiative to rename all their cars' names to ones beginning with the letter F. Like previous generations, the Ford Freestar and its twin, the Mercury Monterey, were built in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. The Freestar can accommodate up to seven passengers and features an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission as part of the van's standard equipment. Five trim levels were available: base, SE, Sport, SEL, and Limited. In the United States, the Freestar was available with two different gasoline-powered V6 engines. The smaller 3.9 L (available only in the United States) develop a maximum power of 193 hp (144 kW) at 4500 rpm and 240 lb·ft (325 N·m) of torque at 3750 rpm, while the larger 4.2 L produces 201 hp (150 kW) at 4,250 rpm and 263 lb·ft (357 N·m) of torque at 3650 rpm. While the smaller engine came on the base model in the United States, the larger 4.2 L engine is standard on all models in Canada and Mexico.

Trim levels

base (2004–2007)

SE (2004–2007)

Sport (2004–2007)

SEL (2004–2007)

Limited (2004–2007)

Name change controversy

Ford's decision to rename the Windstar as the Freestar has been somewhat controversial. The Toronto Star cited one naming expert who called it the "Ford Fiasco." Naseem Javed, president of ABC Namebank International predicted "It will cause confusion and chaos for consumers. Others called the scheme to rename Fords with a word starting with the letter F as "just foolish." Ford said that dealers suggested the idea, and that it fit the $600 million redesign of the Ford minivan. Joe Greenwell, vice-president of marketing and operations for parent Ford Motor Co. believed the new name would "stimulate interest in the product."

Mercury Monterey

Mercury Monterey

Production	2004–2007
Assembly	Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Predecessor	Mercury Villager
Successor	Lincoln MKT
Class	Minivan
Body style	4-door Minivan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Ford V platform
Engine	4.2 L Essex V6 201 hp (150 kW)
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	120.8 in (3,068 mm)
Length	201.5 in (5,118 mm)
Width	76.6 in (1,946 mm)
Height	68.8 in (1,748 mm)

The Mercury Monterey minivan was the Mercury version of the Freestar that arrived after Mercury stopped marketing the smaller Villager, itself a rebadged Nissan Quest, in 2002. Just like its Freestar twin, the Monterey offered seating for up to seven passengers. However, the Monterey offered more luxury options, and had the 4.2 L V6 engine as standard. Like the Freestar, sales of the Monterey minivan were very low as the design would prove uncompetitive against stronger entries from other automakers, as well as an overall decline in the minivan market. Only 567 Montereys were sold in August 2006. When production ended after a short run of 2007 models, only 1,354 were sold. The Oakville Assembly plant underwent retooling for the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossover SUVs. The last Monterey rolled off the assembly line on August 25, 2006. The Ford Freestar continues to be popular in used cars and still continues to sell many used vans.

Final sale numbers for the Mercury Monterey after a three year run totaled 32,195.

IIHS Crash test results

The 2004-2007 Ford Freestar received a "Good" rating in the offset frontal crash test from the IIHS and outperformed the 1999-2003 Ford Windstar, but resulted in moderate injuries only on the head and neck. In the side-impact tests, it received a "Poor" rating without the optional side airbags for poor structural performance, potential head and neck injuries, and high forces on the driver's torso, but fared better with the side airbags, but resulted in a moderate head and neck injury to the driver.