Following a decline in sales across the minivan segment in the mid-2000s, the Freestar and Monterey were discontinued after the 2007 model year with no direct replacement.

Codenamed "WIN88", development of the front-wheel drive minivan commenced in 1988 with a projected 1993 introduction (for the 1994 model year).

While the competing model lines roughly benchmarked each other, the Windstar was sold only as an equivalent to the long-wheelbase "Grand" Chrysler vans, with Lincoln-Mercury selling the smaller, unrelated Mercury Villager (jointly developed with Nissan).

In what would later become a design faux pas, this generation of the model line was marketed without a driver-side sliding door, a feature popularized by the introduction of third-generation Chrysler minivans.

During its development, Ford claimed its focus groups did not identify it as an important feature[citation needed]; previously, vans (of all sizes) with a driver-side sliding door had sold poorly in the United States.

As it wasn't available in right-hand-drive form and with left-side sliding door, it was not sold in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other left-hand rule of road countries.

Using a 120.7-inch wheelbase (nearly 15 inches longer than the Taurus), the Windstar replaced the integrated frame-rail design of the Aerostar with full unibody construction.

In 1996, four-wheel disc brakes were introduced as an option (when ordered with traction control or the towing package).

While far more vertically oriented, the curved dashboard of the Windstar shares influences of the multi-tiered design used by the Lincoln Mark VIII.

The GL did however get the option of Quad Command Bucket Seats which was coupled with alloy wheels and a premium audio system.

Largely to make up for the retirement of the Aerostar Eddie Bauer, a "Northwoods" appearance package was offered for the GL and LX, offering leather (LX) or cloth/vinyl (GL) seats, gold-trimmed wheels, and luggage rack, and a unique two-tone exterior and bodyside moldings.

While adopting the front-wheel drive form factor similar to the Chrysler minivans, the Windstar adopted several design features from the Ford Aerostar and Mercury Villager, including rear-seat audio controls, rear air conditioning and middle-row bucket seats; a digital instrument panel was coupled with a trip computer, automatic headlamps, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The 1995–1998 Ford Windstar, which was tested as a 1995 model received an "Excellent" (5-stars)[11] rating from the IIHS in all marks, in which the driver survives the accident without any injuries.

However, the Windstar's problem was a cast iron block with aluminum heads, coupled with higher loads than the Taurus, the van being 700 pounds heavier.

The front springs were prone to breaking (Covered under safety recall) in specific markets where extreme cold and heavy salt use in winter months occurred.Released in the summer of 1998 as an early 1999 model, the Ford Windstar was given a complete redesign.

As one of the first Ford vehicles in North America to adopt the New Edge styling language, the redesign also was distinguished by the addition of a driver's side sliding door.

Several major features made their debut, including front seat-mounted side airbags on vans with VINs starting with 2FMDA, dual power-sliding doors, and rear reverse sensors.

In place of the GL, the LX was the new base model, with the SE and SEL making their debut as the highest trim levels, respectively.

In August 2010, Ford issued a voluntary recall of 575,000 Windstar minivans for rear axle problems.

[14] The states covered by the recall were Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as Washington D.C.[15] In May 2012, 27,000 of the minivans from Virginia were added to the axle recall, bringing the overall total to more than 600,000 vehicles between the U.S. and Canada.

425,288 of the model year 1999–2003 Windstar vans originally sold or currently registered in some cold weather states are part of the recall.

In its development, the Freestar saw the addition of heavier-duty drive axles, larger wheel bearings, and the standardization of four-wheel disc brakes.

NHTSA launched an investigation into the 2004 and 2005 Freestar and Monterey due to numerous complaints with regard to the equipped 4F50N transmission.

In line with a number of competitive minivans, the Ford Freestar introduced a third-row seat that folded flat into the floor.

In the side-impact tests, it received a "Poor" rating without the optional side airbags for poor structural performance, potential head and neck injuries, and high forces on the driver's torso, but fared better with the side airbags, earning an overall "Acceptable" rating, but resulted in a moderate head and neck injury to the driver.

In line with the Freestar, the Monterey adopted design elements from other Mercury vehicles, including the Mountaineer and Montego.

Larger than the Villager, it was marketed as a competitor to the Buick Terraza (which replaced the Oldsmobile Silhouette) and the Chrysler Town & Country.

In line with the later Mariner, Milan, and Montego, three trim levels were offered for the Monterey: Convenience, Luxury, and Premier.

Sales of the Monterey fell far under projections, driven primarily by an overall decline of the minivan segment in North America.