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Used 1997 Ford Windstar Consumer Reviews

3.3 out of 5 stars
120 reviews

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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Windstar, so we've included reviews for other years of the Windstar since its last redesign.

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1.88 out of 5 stars

Crappy vehicle

khuri, 11/14/2002
1996 Ford Windstar GL 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Terrible can. Unreliable, poorly built.

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2.75 out of 5 stars

Windstar

tigger, 06/29/2002
1996 Ford Windstar GL 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Call me an idiot but I bought another 3.8 engine. I have a Ford Thunderbird with 3.8 engine and had the head gaskets replaced and now I'm changing the head gaskets on a 96 Windstar. Neither case has ford offered to help. I find it very funny that they say it is because of maintenance. I do my own maintenance. I changed the oil every 2,000 miles on the Thunderbird and followed the maintenance manual for flush and fills of the anti-freeze. My advice to anyone is stay away from Fords. If you do buy a Ford stay away from the 3.8 engine.

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3.75 out of 5 stars

Had pretty good luck so far.

RonL, 10/27/2005
1996 Ford Windstar LX 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bought van in '99 with 33,000 miles. Transmission rebuilt right after purchase under warranty. (Thank you, Ford!) Bought extended warranty, never used it. Items replaced so far - tie rod ends, power steering pump. We tow snowmobiles with it, no problems pulling. Check engine light comes on occasionally, usually after long trips. Very comfortable ride, no major engine problems to date w/ 120,000 miles. Only paid $13k for van in '99, and it has served us well. Not a Honda by any means, but we didn't pay Honda prices. If I get another year or 2 out of this van I think I will have got more than my money's worth.

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1.63 out of 5 stars

Ford is not Quality

Fred E, 01/01/2004
1996 Ford Windstar LX 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Like most others that own a 96 windstar, at @ 68,000 miles headgasket went out costing $2,500. Ford fixed 95s and declared 96 cured so they told me that it was my problem. I was first in my family to buy Ford and I'm doing my best to tell others in family and whoever else not to buy Ford. I have always bought domestic cars/trucks. This experience has taught me to look global. There is no quality or accountability at Ford

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2.25 out of 5 stars

Top 5 problems of a '96 Ford Windstar

rjf, 12/06/2002
1996 Ford Windstar GL 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

5-Electrical problems. 4-Speedometer fails. 3-Front suspension wore out. 2-Antifreeze leaking. 1-Oil leaking. Good bye Windstar. Hello Honda.

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