What was Fords minivan called?
Ford's best-known minivan name is the Windstar, introduced in 1994 and produced through 2003. The brand's minivan lineage began with the Aerostar in the 1980s and continued with the Freestar from 2004 to 2009.
Historical lineup of Ford minivans
Here is a concise look at the main models that defined Ford's traditional family‑friendly minivans.
Aerostar (1986–1997)
Ford's first dedicated minivan, the Aerostar, launched in 1986 as a rear‑wheel‑drive, unibody minivan designed to compete with early imports. It offered seating for seven and, in some markets, optional four‑wheel drive. Production ended in 1997 as Ford shifted toward front‑wheel‑drive platforms.
Windstar (1994–2003)
The Windstar marked Ford's major shift to a front‑wheel‑drive minivan architecture and became the company's best‑known minivan during the 1990s. Introduced in 1994, it received regular updates and a mid‑cycle refresh before being phased out in 2003.
Freestar (2004–2009)
Replacing the Windstar in the 2004 model year, the Freestar carried forward the family‑oriented minivan concept with updated styling and equipment. It remained in production until Ford discontinued the nameplate in 2009 as the company refocused its van lineup.
These entries chart Ford's traditional minivan path, from the Aerostar through the Windstar to the Freestar, before the company pivoted to other van configurations.
Current status and broader context
Since 2009, Ford has not offered a consumer minivan with a Windstar‑like badge in the U.S. market. The company now emphasizes the Transit family—larger vans for passenger and cargo use—along with SUVs for family transport, rather than a dedicated minivan.
Summary
Ford's minivan history centers on three main models: the Aerostar (1986–1997), the Windstar (1994–2003) as the standout name, and the Freestar (2004–2009) that followed. Today, Ford's van strategy leans toward the Transit lineup and sport/utility options rather than a traditional consumer minivan.
When was the last time Ford made a minivan?
Ford stopped making traditional minivans in 2007 with the discontinuation of the Freestar model due to declining sales. However, the company later re-entered the 7-passenger segment in 2014 by offering a passenger version of the Ford Transit Connect compact van.
- 2007: Ford officially exited the traditional minivan market after the final model year of the Freestar, its last minivan. This decision was attributed to poor sales and the increasing popularity of crossover SUVs.
- 2014: Ford re-entered the market for seven-passenger vehicles with the introduction of the Ford Transit Connect Wagon in North America. This was a compact MPV, rather than a full-size minivan, and was initially imported for commercial use.
Did Ford make a minivan?
The Ford Windstar minivan was introduced to the public on March 24, 1994. This page from Ford's brochure for 1998 models touts the new Family Entry System for the 7-passenger vehicle.
What was the old Ford minivan called?
Ford Aerostar
Ford Aerostar. The Ford Aerostar is a range of vans that was manufactured by Ford from the 1986 to the 1997 model years. The first minivan produced by Ford, the model line was marketed against the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari and the first two generations of the Chrysler minivans.
What are Ford minivans called?
For nearly 40 years, the various Ford minivan models have included the Aerostar, Windstar, Freestar, and Transit Connect, a history we look back on here.
