The paint has bubbled and peeled in large sections all over the vehicle but started on hood. I was told by several people that in this particular 4-5 year of fords made there were problems with the annealing process (sealing, hardening) of the paint. It does not appear to be a thick layer and nor does it show any undercoat or primed surface. My van is soooooo ugly. I've reported it on several occasions to Ford Motor Co. and did not give up easily on my complaint process, but after many attempts failed, I'm done.

Other problems have occurred with this windstar also such as the electrical system is pretty fail. The interior lights flicker the door locks lock 15 minutes down the road.

Additionally; the electric windows don't work, one auto rear door does not work, the other only on occasion.

The operation of the heat/ac switch has a huge issue that would cost $300 to replace, so I can only keep it on A/C or nothing.

Briefly: How come a 6.5 year old, well cared and maintained Windstar is "changing skin"? Mine began about two years ago (I bought it used in july 01 as a birthday gift for my wife). The problem began in the passenger front door, in the upper rear corner, as a small "bubble". Soon the paint began to fall off, uncovering the original primer (grey), until it looked junkish. I took it to the paint shop garage and the man charged me 100 USD for a perfect job. One year later, in 2003, the driver door began with exact symptoms, so I just let it fall off completely for about 3 months, took it again to the same paint shop and the man charged me with 200 usd, which I refused and finally negotiated to 140 USD. Two days later I payed for a mediocre job that had to be re-detailed and left, knowing I would never see that man again in my life. One year later, that is about two months ago, my wife noticed that the roof paint was starting to bulge and fall off, so I checked the Van thoroughly and now the problem is spreading to other distant points. Besides, all the roof paint has come rough and discolored. Now I estimate the crazy paint shop man will drain my wallet for the multiple "details" in my Van. I have not known of any other Windstar 98 with the same problem. Please post a complaint if you have encountered this stupid problem in your van. Mine is Champaign color. Thanks for reading: Gabriel Zamora. Mexico City. (I wish I could afford to buy a 2004 Toyota Sienna, I've heard it is awesome and bears a quality reputation that Ford Windstars will never have!!!)