1996 Ford Windstar problems
The 1996 Ford Windstar has 1,855 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (26%) concerns engine. Next are brakes (14%) and transmission (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,855 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 27% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 71 and 53
- Injuries and deaths
- 62 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 86,000 miles 279 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 11 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 13 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 25 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 62 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 64 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 44 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 25 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 16 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 9 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 7 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Of the 279 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 86,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 80,000 miles (93 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 71 complaints mention a crash; 53 complaints mention a fire; 62 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 11 model years of the Ford Windstar with enough data (1,072 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 8 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
On june 6th as I was leaving my driveway to go to work the front drivers side spring broke off causing the left front to drop down on the tire. After calling the dealership (artino ford in huron, ohio) I found out this was not covered under warranty. I asked them if they have had this problem with other windstars and they said "a few".
Shoulder part 0f the seat belt wasn't working properly, causing the consumer to hit the windshield. While driving at 35MPH on wet pavement and when applying the brakes, another vehicle was coming head-on and collided. The shoulder belt didn't hold the driver. 4 occupants sustained injuries.
I applied my brakes at least 3 times and they did not grab or make any sound, no skid marks. I slid under the flat bed of a semi truck. My van was totaled. My daughter and I were injured. I called ford motor co., and was told they would do whatever my insurance agent said. My case is now under review with the adjuster board through nationwide insurance in dayton, ohio, where the accident occured.
I have been having problems with my check engine light coming on and staying on since sept. 2000 when vehicle had under 100,000 miles on it. Took it to dealer while under warranty. Now have a private certified auto tech who does my repairs and code read outs. I have had a tune up at 95,000 miles, and had to have another one at 121,000 miles. Had problems with engine stalling while driving down the interstate and up a hlll. In summer of 2001, I had the iac valve changed which corrected the stalling problem.
Our 1996 ford windstar gl, which we purchased new, has 118000. We have experienced a broken (bouncing) speedometer, dome light malfunctioned, ABS and brake light malfunctioned, and more recently, leaking coolant which is linked to a blown head gasket and check engine warnings. The cost has been astronomical. According to many other consumers, all of these issues are common with the 96 model. Please investigate whether ford intends to make any recalls regarding these issues.