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
Designer	Moray Callum

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 AX4S
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	3800 lb (1724 kg)
Related	Ford Taurus[1][2][3] Lincoln Continental Mercury Sable

Second generation
Production	1999–2003
Body style(s)	4-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 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. The new 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.

Contents 1 Name Origins 2 First Generation (1995-1998) 2.1 Year-by-year changes 2.2 Trim levels 2.3 Problems 3 Second Generation (1999-2003) 3.1 Year-by-year changes 3.2 Trim levels 4 Redesign and Name Change 5 Trivia 6 References

[edit] Name Origins

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.

[edit] First Generation (1995-1998)

The all-new Windstar was released in March 1994, as a 1995 model. While smaller than its predecessor, its front-wheel drive design and better car-like handling made it more competitive with similar offerings from Chrysler and GM. Though size wise it 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 antilock brakes, dual airbags, seven-passenger seating, and a 3.8 L V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable. This engine only produced 155 hp (116 kW), but produced 220 ft•lbf 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.
• 1997: A bare-bones unamed base model was now available. A CD player became a new option on models.
• 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 extened six inches, as it was not possible to create a driver's side sliding door with the current bodyshell. 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
• Limited • 1998

[edit] Problems

The 3.8 L V6 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. The 3.0 L V6 engine 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 had a very unusual shift characteristic which was difficult for many drivers to become accustomed to, and it constantly hunted between drive and overdrive at normal traffic speeds around 40 MPH. Undoubtedly this flaw contributed to the failure of the transmission.

[edit] Second Generation (1999-2003)

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 equipted 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: 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.
• 2002: Dual sliding doors became standard on all models.
• 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

2001-2003 Windstar Limited

2001-2003 Windstar Sport

[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". Apart from a restyled nose and front fascia, as well as a revised interior, the new Freestar was basically the same as the old Windstar. The poor redesign and new name together proved to be a mistake, as sales started slow and only got worse. The Freestar was pulled from the market after the 2007 model year.

[edit] Trivia

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

• 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 standardized 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).
• The television series How it's Made featured on how to build cars such as this one built in the factory.
• In the second generation, only the sport model had the option for a fog light, other models had option for a turn light that comes on when you use your signal
• The rear suspension, and steering componentry are shared with the Ford Explorer fitted onto the Taurus/Sable platform, thus contributing to its somewhat stiffer, truck like handiling.
• The floorpan on the first generation is actually the stretched Lincoln Continental floorpan, which in turn was a stretched Taurus/Sable floorpan, and also was a vehicle on the D186 platform.

[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

v • d • e Ford Motor Company light truck timeline, North American market, 1980s–present
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
Compact pickup	Courier			Ranger
Mid-size Pickup																						Explorer Sport Trac
Full-size pickup	F-Series 7G							F-Series 8G					F-Series 9G					F-Series 10G							F-Series 11G					F-Series 12G
																				Super Duty 1G						Super Duty 2G			Super Duty 3G
Van	Econoline 3G												Econoline/E-Series (after 2001) 4G																E-Series 5G
Compact SUV																						Escape
Mid-size SUV					Bronco II							Explorer Sport
												Explorer
Full-size SUV	Bronco																	Expedition
																					Excursion							Expedition EL/Max
Crossover																												Edge
																														Flex
																										Freestyle			Taurus X
Minivan							Aerostar
																Windstar									Freestar