Ford Windstar

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Ford Windstar
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1995–2003
Assembly	Oakville, Ontario
Predecessor	Ford Aerostar
Successor	Ford Freestar
Class	Minivan
Layout	FF layout
Similar	Chevrolet Venture Dodge Caravan Honda Odyssey
Designer	Moray Callum

First generation
Production	1995–1998
Body style	3-door minivan
Platform	Ford D186 platform
Engine	3.0 L Vulcan V6 3.8 L Essex V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic AX4S
Wheelbase	120.7 in
Length	201.2 in
Width	75.4 in
Height	68 in
Curb weight	3800 lb
Related	Ford Taurus[1][2][3] Lincoln Continental Mercury Sable

Second generation
Production	1999–2003
Body style	4-door minivan 3-door minivan
Platform	Ford V platform
Engine	3.0 L Vulcan V6 3.8 L Essex V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic AX4S AX4N
Wheelbase	120.7 in
Length	200.9 in
Width	75.2 in
Height	68.0 in

The Ford Windstar was a minivan produced and sold by the Ford Motor Company from March 1994 (for the 1995 model year) to 2003. The new front-wheel drive minivan would eventually replace Ford's aging rear-wheel drive Aerostar mid-size van. 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 was available with 3.0 L and 3.8 L V6 engines. The smaller 3.0 L engine was discontinued with the 2000 model year.

When the Windstar premiered in 1995, the only available engine was the Taurus/Sable's 3.8 L V6 which produced just 155 hp (116 kW) but 220 lb-ft of torque. The engine was susceptible to head gasket failures, like in the Ford 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. Only a base model was available for the first year, but a more luxurious model followed for 1996. This year, the 3.0 L 150 hp (112 kW) Vulcan V6 was made the base engine, with the 3.8 L engine upgraded to 200 hp (149 kW). The engine also received better head gaskets. Unfortunately Windstars suffered from very poor transmissions, which often failed. There was originally a design problem with an internal part which broke, and supposedly the later replacement part was corrected. However, many owners have reported multiple transmission failures on vehicles with only normal use. The Windstar automatic transmission has a very unusual shift characteristic which is difficult for many drivers to become accustomed to, and it constantly hunts between drive and overdrive at normal traffic speeds around 40 MPH. Undoubtedly this flaw contributes to the failure of the transmission.

During its years on the market, the Windstar received two major design alterations. The last model year of its first generation, 1998, featured a slightly altered grill and headlights along with the rear blue oval "Ford" badge moved to the center of the tailgate above the license plate, rather than the opposite side of the Windstar badge. In 1999, the vehicle was redesigned, making it look more modern and sporty. The grille was also changed into a grid array and the B-pillars were hidden. In 2001, Ford refreshed the Windstar once again by changing the grille, using a tighter array of smaller rectangles.

Pre-facelift 2nd-gen Windstar (3-door)

Pre-facelift 2nd-gen Windstar (4-door)

Facelifted 2nd-gen Windstar

The original project codename for the Windstar was WIN88, which stood for "wagon, intermediate, North America". Some say that the codename inspired the Windstar name^{[citation needed]}. Subsequent freshenings of the vehicle for 1999 and 2001 model years used the VN (for "van, North America") nomenclature.

The Windstar was replaced by the Ford Freestar. Although Ford claims the Freestar is "all new", it is essentially an updated Windstar^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Trivia

• For the 1998 model year, Ford added an extension of 6 inches to the driver's side door to allow easier access to the middle and rear seats. This was done because with the current bodyshell, it was not possible to create a driver's side sliding door, which was introduced by its competitor Nissan in 1984 with the Stanza Wagon and popularized in 1996 with the redesigned Chrysler minivans.
• When the Windstar was redesigned for 1999, provisions were made for the driver's side sliding door (an option until 2001).

[edit] External links

[edit] References

1. ^ Author: Bill Russ. "New Car Review 1995 FORD WINDSTAR GL MINIVAN". Publication: The Auto Channel. Date Retrieved 8/19/06. [1]
2. ^ Author: John Lowell. "Light trucks: the hottest segment - light truck market trends and new products for 1994 - Industry Overview". Publication: Look Smart. Date Retrieved 8/27/06. [2]
3. ^ "4-Wheel Drive / Offroading" on about.com

Ford Motor Company light truck timeline, North American market, 1980s-present -  v • d • e
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	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
Pickup	F-Series
	Courier			Ranger
Van	E-Series
Compact SUV					Bronco II																	Escape
Mid-size SUV												Explorer
Full-size SUV	Bronco																Expedition
																					Excursion
Crossover Utility Vehicle																												Edge
																										Freestyle			Taurus X
																														Flex
Minivan							Aerostar
																Windstar									Freestar