1999 Ford Windstar Review
1999 Ford Windstar Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- As the most recent minivan to undergo a major redesign, the Windstar is now king of safety and high-tech features.
Cons
- The competitors, especially Chrysler, aren't known for giving up easily when it comes to minivan crowns.
What’s new
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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Ford Windstar LX 3dr Minivan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$247/mo for Windstar LX
Windstar LX
vs
$224/mo
Avg. Midsize Minivan
Vehicle overview
This is the Windstar's first major redesign since it was introduced in 1995. It now boasts a bevy of high-tech features like key fob operated, dual-power sliding doors, head and chest side airbags, and a sonar-based reverse sensing system.
Safety has also been addressed in the new Windstar with a government crash rating of five stars for both the driver and front passenger. The optional side airbags mean you can carry your family in style, comfort, and confidence.
The 3.8-liter V6 offers a robust 200 horsepower while still meeting the current low-emission vehicle (LEV) and Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards, meaning if produces 65 percent less hydrocarbon emissions than required for the average vehicle in its class.
An innovative seating design allows the second-row bench seat to be positioned on either the right or left side of the vehicle, meaning the aisle to the third row seat can be set-up based on owner preference. And speaking of preference, the Personal Audio System means that front seat passengers can listen to one type of media (radio, cassette, CD) while rear-seat passengers listen to a totally separate media, complete with volume control, through headphones.
With a list of standard equipment that includes an anti-theft system, power windows, a 26-gallon fuel tank and antilock brakes, the 1999 Windstar will enter 1999 ready to challenge all comers for minivan supremacy. It should prove an interesting battle
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Ford Windstar.
5 star(11%)
4 star(22%)
3 star(37%)
2 star(27%)
1 star(3%)
149 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
2.5 out of 5 stars
MONEY PIT! PLEASE DONT BUY!
chicmama004, 01/30/2013
1999 Ford Windstar LX 3dr Minivan
My husband and I bought this car at 90k miles. We have had nothing but trouble! This car was well maintained with records but around 100k the engine light came on and would not go off no matter what the mechanic fixed. We had to replace the water pump, timing belt and then 5k miles later another water pump. It drains batteries very fast. The worst thing is that the automatic doors jammed … and now won't open its to much money to replace them so my kids climb over the front seats to get in the back.
The horn quit working also the power locks. Now my mechanic is telling be the freeze plugs need to be replaced and the engine will have to be pulled out. 800 dollars for 49 cent plugs. Horrid!
1 out of 5 stars
Do not buy
Meechie, 12/18/2015
1999 Ford Windstar SEL 4dr Minivan
When I firt purchased in March of 2010 I was excited. We had our 4th child, we needed the room. I purchased with 128,000 miles. First 6 months of owning caliper was sticking which cracked my rotor on front driver side. 2 weeks later the heat sensor went and the water pump along with power steering pump. I knew it's was a older vehicle so I wasn't expecting top notch condition. Only … passenger side door unlock and lock when pressing the button, have to unlock and lock driver side doors manually. The driver sliding door keeps sticking so you have to keep putting oil on it or WD-40. I kept regular maintenance (oil changes, breaks etc.) Could never fix antifreeze leak, it would just leak in another spot. Seems like each time I turn around something else needed to be fixed. Each time I got the engine light off to get inspected if comes back on a month later for another issue so I gave up and just waited when it was time to renew the inspection. In 2011 experience signs of transmission failure. August of 2013 around 140,000 miles had head gasket replaced. February of 2014 transmission failed completely, replaced with another used transmission. The cluster instrument also goes hay wire I also had that replace and doing the same thing again. Emergency break never worked from the beginning and still don't. 2013 I had to replace the front frame that holds the transmission and engine due to it rusting out so bad, if i didn't the transmission would of fell on the ground, I talked to Ford but they said they can't do nothing about it. The van now has 146,000 miles on it. This is nothing but a money pit I would not recommend this vehicle to anybody. I wish I would of done my research but you live and learn. Not reliable at all, the only thing I can say I never was stranded I always got home when something went wrong.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Windstar - Maybe it will get you there
Nancy, 01/12/2007
1999 Ford Windstar SE 4dr Minivan
This van has been a total disappointment. We've had problem after problem, some of which left me stranded on the side of the road with my three kids in the car. Problems range from transmission to electrical to mechanical. Every problem that results in a visit to the Ford Service department takes days to fix. I bought the van because of the high safety rating - I didn't feel safe … stuck in the breakdown down lane of I-95. I cheaped out and didn't buy the Toyota Sienna back in '99, I won't make the same mistake this time. I hear Ford is getting out of the minivan business due to lack of demand of minivans. They must mean lack of demand of their poorly built piece of garbage van.
2.13 out of 5 stars
Never Again
Karen E, 11/30/2006
1999 Ford Windstar SE 4dr Minivan
Worst, most unreliable vehicle ever. We are looking at cars and won't even consider Ford after our Windstar experience. Nearing 50K miles needed new transmission. Interior lights and locks don't work properly. Noises galore. Check engine light perpetually on - need to clear this for third time at 60K. Clunky metal squeak from rear of car. Windshield cracked twice above rearview … mirror which kept falling off. Tires went bald at 20K. Nightmare.
1999 Windstar Highlights
LX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $247/month |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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