Ford Windstar

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Ford Windstar

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1995–2003
Assembly	Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Predecessor	Ford Aerostar
Successor	Ford Freestar
Class	Minivan
Layout	FF layout
Designer	Moray Callum

The Ford Windstar is a minivan that was produced and sold by the Ford Motor Company from March 1994 (for the 1995 model year) to 2003. This front-wheel drive minivan would eventually replace Ford's aging rear-wheel drive Aerostar minivan. The two ran concurrently for three model years until the Aerostar's demise in 1997. For the 2004 model year, it was replaced by the Freestar. All Windstars were built in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. It is Ford's only minivan in North America to date to spawn more than one generation.

Contents 1 First generation (1995–1998) 1.1 Year-by-year changes 1.2 Trim levels 1.3 Problems 2 Second generation (1999–2003) 2.1 Year-by-year changes 2.2 Trim levels 3 Redesign and name change 4 References

[edit] First generation (1995–1998)

First generation

Production	1995–1998
Body style(s)	3-door minivan
Platform	Ford D186 platform
Engine(s)	3.0 L Vulcan V6 3.8 L Essex V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic AXOD
Wheelbase	120.7 in (3066 mm)
Length	201.2 in (5110 mm)
Width	1995-96: 75.4 in (1915 mm) 1997-98: 75.8 in (1925 mm)
Height	1995-96: 68.0 in (1727 mm) 1997-98 Cargo: 68.5 in (1740 mm) 1997-98: 65.6 in (1666 mm)
Curb weight	3,800 lb (1,724 kg)
Related	Ford Taurus[1][2][3] Lincoln Continental Mercury Sable

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

Though its size was between the smaller front-wheel drive Mercury Villager and the larger rear-wheel drive Ford Aerostar, for its first year, it was priced above both of them. By 1997, however, the Villager's base price had surpassed the Windstar's by several hundred dollars, and top-of-the-line Villager Nautica models went for some $6,000 USD more.

Among standard features 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), but produced 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.

[edit] Year-by-year changes

• 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 upped to 200. The driver's seat gained an available tilt/slide feature for access to the rear from the driver's side. The only exterior change is the addition of a contrasting metal strip inside the side rub stripe (1995 models are solid plastic).
• 1997: A bare-bones unnamed base model was now available. A CD player became a new option on models.
  

  

  1998 Ford Windstar
• 1998: The Windstar received minor cosmetic changes including a new grille and headlights; in compensate for the lack of a driver's side rear sliding door, the driver's door was extended six inches (152 mm) , as it was not possible to create a driver's side sliding door with the current bodyshell. Ford, at the time, claimed that a drivers-side sliding door was not noted a key feature needed by focus groups. An ultra-luxury Limited model was new. It included leather seating and faux wood interior trim.

[edit] Trim levels

• Cargo Van • 1995–1998
• base • 1996–1998
• GL • 1995–1998
• LX • 1995–1998
• 3.0L • 1998
• Limited • 1998

[edit] Problems

Throughout its life, the Windstar developed a long list of reliability issues. The 1995 3.8 L V6 Essex engine was susceptible to headgasket failure, like in the Taurus and 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 AXOD-E/AX4S transaxle, which was prone to internal failure. The AXOD 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.

[edit] Second generation (1999–2003)

Second generation

Production	1999–2003
Body style(s)	5-door minivan 3-door minivan
Platform	Ford V platform
Engine(s)	3.0 L Vulcan V6 3.8 L Essex V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic AX4S AX4N
Wheelbase	120.7 in (3066 mm)
Length	200.9 in (5103 mm) 2001-03 Base/LX/SE/SEL/Limited: 201.5 in (5118 mm)
Width	76.6 in (1946 mm) 2001-03 Cargo: 75.2 in (1910 mm)
Height	66.1 in (1679 mm) Cargo: 68.0 in (1727 mm) 1999-2000 SE/SEL: 65.8 in (1671 mm)

The Windstar was completely redesigned for the 1999 model year, now featuring dual-sliding doors. The 3.0 L and 3.8 L V6 engines were carried over from the previous generation. 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, while base and LX models came with a 2-passenger 2nd row bench seat.

[edit] 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.
  

  

  2001-2003 Ford Windstar SE Sport
• 2001: Slight cosmetic changes were made to front and rear fascias for '01. LX became 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 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. ^[4]

• 2003: No major changes were made in anticipation of the redesign for '04.

[edit] Trim levels

• Cargo Van • 1999–2003
• base • 1999–2000
• LX • 1999–2003
• SE • 1999–2003
• SE Sport • 2001
• SEL • 1999–2003
• Limited • 2000–2003

[edit] Redesign and name change

For 2004, the Windstar nameplate was discontinued in favor of "Freestar" to go along with Ford's new theme of vehicles starting with the letter "F". Despite a restyled nose, front fascia, revised interior and new engine (4.2 V6 Essex), the new Freestar was built in the same factory as the Windstar and suffered the same problems. The redesign and new name did not help Freestar sales. The Freestar was pulled from the market after the 2007 model year as it was replaced with the new Ford Flex Crossover. The Freestar was not available in all wheel drive.

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ford Windstar

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v • d • e Ford Motor Company light truck timeline, United States and Canada, 1980s–present
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
Mid-size Crossover																												Edge
Full-size Crossover																														Flex
																										Freestyle			Taurus X
Compact SUV					Bronco II																	Escape							Escape
Mid-size SUV												Explorer				Explorer							Explorer				Explorer
Full-size SUV	Bronco																	Expedition						Expedition				Expedition
																					Excursion							Expedition EL/Max
Compact pickup	Courier			Ranger						Ranger				Ranger					Ranger
Mid-size Pickup																						Explorer Sport Trac						Explorer Sport Trac
Full-size pickup	F-Series							F-Series					F-Series					F-Series							F-Series					F-Series
																				Super Duty						Super Duty			Super Duty
Minivan							Aerostar																								Transit Connect
																Windstar									Freestar
Van	Econoline												Econoline/E-Series