1996 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONS WHEN ABOVE 45 MPH. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY WHERE I LIVE WITH THREE CHILDREN AT THE BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN TO HEAD 20 MILES TO MY HOME I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WENT NOWHERE. COULD NOT DRIVE OVER 35 MPH. WAS SEEN BY A BODY SHOP AND THEY REPLACED FUEL FILTER AND RETURNED VEHICLE TO ME. SECOND OCCASION DRIVING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AT 55MPH A STRONG JERK WHIPLASHED MYSELF AND HAS CAUSED INJURY IN MY BACK TOOK TO BODY SHOP AND NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION AND MUST BE TOWED. VAN STILL SITTING AT BODY SHOP NOW FOR 2 WEEKS AS I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND NOW NO TRANSPORTATION...THANKS FORD.

VEHICLE HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH JUST EXPIRED. FORD REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE REJECTED REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE. COMPLAINT LETTER SENT TO WC FORD. $1673.38 PAID FOR REPAIR OF DEFECTS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

MY 1996 WINDSTAR HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *AK

BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED BY GETTING STUCK WITH THE BRAKE PAD CONTACTING THE DISC, CAUSING PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR. MECHANIC REPORTED SEEING IDENTICAL FAILURES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TT

SHOULDER RETRACTOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN THE MIDDLE BENCH SEAT. WILL NOT RETRACT ENOUGH FOR BELT TO GO AROUND CONSUMER. CAN'T PULL OUT MANUALLY. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *JG

CYLINDER HEAD GASKET PROBLEM RESULTING IN INTERNAL ANTIFREEZE LEAK, CAUSING BEARINGS TO GO BAD - ENGINE REPLACEMENT REQUIRED.*AK

LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE STRUT BUSHINGS FAILED, CAUSING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO EXIST IN THE FRONT END. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS. IF SO, I FEEL THAT THE WHOLE SYSTEM SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER. OTHERWISE, I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REWELDING OF THE BUSHINGS ($100.00).*AK

VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIME, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR ALIGNMENT. DEALER STATED ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE DONE, DUE TO THE TIE ROD COUPLING BEING CRACKED. NLM

AT ORIGINAL NEW CAR DELIVER AND RECURRING AT APPROX. 800 MILE INCREMENTS, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (AN COMPONENT OF THE 4 WHEEL DISK ABS OPTION) DISABLES ITSELF AND CEASES TO FUNCTION. THE CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO FORD HAVE ALSO BEEN ISSUES. I LOSS THE VALUE OF TRACTION CONTROL WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS I PURCHSED THIS VEHICLE AND PAID A SUBSTANTIAL UPGRADE FEE FOR THIS OPTION. DESPITE MANY ATTEMTPS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. TRACTION CONTROL REMAINS DISABLED UNTIL THE CAR CAN BE SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED. THIS IS DANGEROUS TO DO ON A HIGHWAY AND MEANS I GO WITHOUT TRACTION CONTROL FOR LONG PERIODS. THIS PROBLEM WAS ALSO THE SOURCE OF A NYS LEMON LAW ACTION. MORE THAN 4 FORD DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT SUCCESS.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK WITH ENGINE RUNNING. CONSUMER GOT OUT AND WALKED AROUND THE SIDE, AND NOTICED VEHICLE ROLLING FORWARD. CONSUMER JUMPED IN VEHICLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE HIT GARAGE DOOR. CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

STABILIZER BAR COMPLETELY SNAPPED, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT BODY LEAN. REPLACEMENT IS NO LONGER HOLLOW.*AK

WHEN REACHING SPEED OF 25MPH SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE BOUNCES AROUND, CAUSING NO KNOWLEDGE OF SPEED.*AK

THIS CAR HAS BARELY 75,000 MILES ON IT. WE ARE TOLD IT COSTS $2,800 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE WINDSTAR IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM (ALONG WITH THE DOOR LOCKS AND REAR HATCH FAILING). I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED. JUST FYI-OUR EXTENDED WARRENTLY EXPIRED ONE YEAR AGO. *AK

MY ALUMINUM WHEELS HAVE CORRODED AT THE TIRE BEAD SEAT SEVERELY. THIS PRODUCES TIRE PRESSURE LOSS CONSTANTLY. THE WHEELS ARE NOT CORRODED AT THE FACE BUT AT THE AREA WHERE THE TIRE SEALS. MY LOCAL TIRE STORE IN MICHIGAN SAYS THEY SEE THIS SAME ISSUE REGULARLY. I AM A FORD ENGINEER AND HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS DEFECT TO THE WHEEL ENGINEERS AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO SUCH PROBLEM. THE TIRE STORE ALSO ADDED THAT ALUMINUM WHEELS COMBINED WITH MICHELIN TIRES ARE THE WORST. TWO OF MY WHEELS HAVE THIS PROBLEM NOW WITH THE ORIGINAL TIRES. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS THEY KEEP LOOSING AIR. I HAVE TO ADD AIR ONCE A WEEK.PLS CALL ME- I CAN SHOW THEM TO YOU. I DISMOUNTED THE REARS AND THE CORROSION IS SEVERE. I TAKE CARE OF MY CARS-THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS LEVEL OF CORROSION. THANKS. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215X70X15)

INTERIOR LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM HOOD AREA.*AK

RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BOLTS BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAD THEM REPLACED 3 TIMES PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRED. *AK *TT

DEALER INFORMED THAT ENGINE SHOT A BEARING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMNATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. *AK

VEHICLE WAS MISFIRING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE MISFIRES. CONSUMER FOUND WATER IN OIL AND EXHAUST. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED! THE 1996 WINDSTAR 3.8 LITRE V-6 ENGINE HAS HEAD GASKET LEAKS. I AM NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL FORD AGREES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. FORD DID PAY FOR REPAIRS TO '94 & '95 WINDSTAR OWNERS, BUT HAS NOT AND WILL NOT PAY FOR THE '96 MODELS. THE VEHICLE EMITS CLOUDS OF WHITE SMOKE AND CONSUMES ANTIFREEZE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL, BUT STATES THAT FORD WILL REJECT CLAIMS ON IT.

TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AS A RESULT OF NO HEAT. LOSS OF COOLANT, OIL PRESENT IN COOLANT, LEAK OF OIL AND WATER AT TIMING COVER SEAL, LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND SUSPECT ENGINE OIL COOLER. AUTO REPAIR SHOP INDICATES THAT IT HAS A CRACKED BLOCK AND WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE.

ACCORDING TO JERRY'S FORD LINCOLN MERCURY, AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER IN LEESBURG, VIRGINIA, MY ENGINE BLEW A HEAD GASKET. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. THERE WERE 2 PASSENGERS, AGES 15 AND 16, AND MYSELF, THE DRIVER IN THE CAR AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BUILD DATE OF MY ENGINE WAS 12/19/95 AND THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN BUILT IN THEIR OAKVILLE PLANT IN ONTARIO, CANANDA. ORSON, FORD EMPLOYEE BADGE #2092 ACKNOWLEDGED THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED ON ENGINES BUILT IN 1995 WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT THAT NO 1996 VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AS WELL. HE STATED THAT FORD WOULD NOT OFFER ME ANY ASSISTANCE, GOODWILL OR OTHERWISE, WITH THIS DEFECT AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT WILLIAM CLAY FORD, JR. IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN IF I WISHED TO PURSUE THE MATTER FURTHER.*AK

ON DECEMBER 13, 2001 MY WIFE RETURNED FROM A VISIT WITH HER MOTHER IN GALESBURG ILLINOIS. AS USUAL SHE PARKED OUR 1996 FORD WINDSTAR IN THE GARAGE. SINCE MY SON AND I HAD TO MAKE A TRIP TO IOWA CITY THE NEXT DAY, I DECIDED TO FILL THE VAN UP WITH GAS. UPON TRYING TRYING TO START THE VAN I NOTICE THAT THE HEAT GAUGE WAS INDICATING THAT THE VAN WAS OVERHEATING. I QUESTION MY WIFE ABOUT THIS AND SHE SAID THAT THE VAN HAD NOT SHOWN ANY SIGNS OF OVERHEATING ON THE WAY HOME. I TOOK THE VAN TO DENNISON FORD IN BLOOMINGTON ILLINOIS ON DECEMBER 17, 2001 AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN AND THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATEL $1700.00 TO REPAIR. ON DECEMBER 22, 2001 I AUTHORIZED DENNISONS TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. I GOT THE VAN BACK THE SAME DAY. ON FEBURARY 1, 2002 MY DAUGHTER TOOK THE VAN TO CHAMPAIGN ILLINOIS TO PICK UP MY SON. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE VAN HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY SINCE THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BEEN REPLACED. I RECEIVE A CALL FROM MY DAUGHTER FROM CHAMPAIGN TELLING ME THAT THE VAN HAD DIED AND THEY COULDN'T GET IT STARTED. ON THE WAY TO CHAMPAIGN I CALLED MY DAUGHTER AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE VAN STARTED AND WERE AT MY SON'S DORM. WHEN I ARRIVED AT CHAMPAIGN I INSPECTED THE VAN AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THERE WERE NO LIGHT OR ANY WARNING INDICATIONS. I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE VAN HOME AND GAVE MY VEHICAL TO MY KIDS. ON THE WAY HOME, APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES FROM MY SON'S DORM, I ATTEMPTED TO PASS A SEMI. WHILE PASSING THE ENGINE DIED. THIS LEFT ME IN A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. THERE WERE CARS IN FRONT AND BACK OF ME AND A SEMI ON THE RIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VAN OFF THE ROAD WITH OUT AN ACCIDENT, BUT JUST BARELY. THE VAN WAS TOLLED BACK THE DENNISON'S. LATER THAT DAY I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN AND THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3300.00 TO REPAIR.*AK

HEADGASKET PROBLEMS NEED NEW ENGINE, JUST LIKE THE 1995 RECALL BUT FORD WONT HONOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 1996. *AK

NO SUMMARY. DT

APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTARS AFTER 50,000 MILES, HOWEVER FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM IN EXISTING VECHICLES.* NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

CURRENTLY, THE VAN IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WE ARE AWAITING AN ESTIMATE ON THE HEAD GASKET. OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED ON AUGUST 31, 2002 AND FORD WILL NOT HELP WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE TRANSMISSION IS ALSO BEING CHECKED AS IT HAS BEGUN LEAKING ONLY 10 MONTHS AFTER WE HAD IT REPLACED. OUR MECHANIC STATED THAT THESE ARE COMMONLY SEEN WITH THIS VEHICLE AND STATED THE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET IS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE FIRE RING. NO REASON WAS GIVEN AS TO WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN JANUARY OF 2002 AND TO WHY IT IS NOW LEAKING. DT

GASKET FAILURE LEAKED COOLANT INTO ENGINE OIL DAMAGING ENGINE. *AK

SPEEDOMETER ERRATIC- SWINGS TO 120 MPH AT 60 OR SO. REPLACED ORIGINAL WITH TWO SALVAGED SPEEDO HEADS. ALL FAILED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WINDSHIELD STARTED TO FOG UP. DRIVER ROLLED DOWN WINDOW FOR DRIVER'S DOOR WHEN A "POPPING" NOISE COULD BE HEARD, AND FLAMES COULD BE SEEN COMING FROM VEHICLE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, HEAVY SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. A FIRE LIEUTENANT SUSPECTED THAT FIRE WAS DUE TO LEAKING FUEL IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

AFTER VEHICLE IS STARTED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. DEALER REPLACED HEAD GASKESTS WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

THE ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. THE DEALER MECHANIC REPLACED SPEED SENSORS AND THEN TOLD ME THE COMPUTER WAS ALSO BAD. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING AND SAID THAT FORD HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.8L V6 ENGINE. HE TOLD ME I SHOULD GET RID OF THE CAR. *AK

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THERE WAS NO WARRANTY FOR THE DEFECT. *TS *PH *JB

THESE 3.8 L ENGINES ARE KNOWN FOR BLOWN HEADGASKET PROBLEMS, AND FOR FORDS LACK OF STANDING BEHIND ITS SO CALLED QUALITY PRODUCTS , I'M NOT A BELIEVER OF THAT : THATS WHY I WILL NEVER OWN A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. *AK

VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING,.DEALER NOTIFIED , AND REPLACED WATER PUMP AND THE TIMING COVER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE AT INTAKE MANIFOLD & HEAD GASKET. SINCE WE BOUGHT,BEEN HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON & VARIOUS WORK DONE AT DEALERSHIP. ON 11/3/01 INTAKE GASKET REPLACED FOR WHITE EXHAUST SMOKE & ENGINE LIGHT ON. RETURNED 12/7/01 FOR ENGINE LIGHT ON & 02 SENSOR REPLACED. 1/3/02 HEATER BLOWING COOL AIR- DEALER STS HEAD GASKET BAD. CORPORATE FORD REFUSES TO DO GOODWILL GESTURE/PAY.(MILEAGE TO DATE APPROX SINCE CAR STILL IN SHOP).

I HAVE A 1996 3.8L WINDSTAR WITH HEAD GASKET FAILURE. I SEE THAT THE 1995'S WERE RECALLED BUT NOTHING SO FAR ON THE 1996'S. THESE ARE THE SAME ENGINE ALL THE WAY TO 98. FORD COMPANY WILL DO NOTHING SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRENTY. I WAS TOLD BY A SERVICE MANAGER TO SELL THE VEHICLE TO SOMEONE AND NOT DISCLOSE THE MECHANICAL PROBLEM. I CALLED THE MAIN COMPANY AND THEY TOOK MY INFORMATION BUT SAID THERE IS NO PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH 1996 WINDSTARS. I POINTED OUT THAT THEY NEED O CHECK THE INTERNET IF THEY WANT SOME FEEDBACK. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BECAUSE OF IT'S SAFETY RECORD TO TRANSPORT MY WIFE AND KIDS. NOW, AFTER LOOKING AT THE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, I KNOW THIS ENGINE IS NEITHER SAFE NOR RELIABLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BUT THE COMPANY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. I'M JUST THANKFUL THE ENGINE FAILED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON SOME BUSY FREEWAY WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE IS RIDING EXTREMELY ROUGH, CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN STEERING VEHICLE. MECHANIC STATED HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

1996 FORD WINDSTAR WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SAME ENGINE AND PARTS AS RECALLED 1995'S. WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY. NO ASSISTANCE FROM FORD. HAVE READ 100'S OF INTERNET ACCOUNTS OF SAME PROBLEM. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFTEY HAZARD. *AK

SPEEDOMETER CLICKING AND REPORTING A HIGHER SPPED THAN ACTUALLY TRAVELING... CANNOT TELL WHAT THE ACTUAL SPEED OF THE VEHICLE IS.*AK

AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 4 HOURS FROM ALABAMA WITH 1 OR 2 STOPS WE STOPPED AT THE SC WELCOME CENTER FOR 5 MINUTES. WHEN WE RESTARTED THE ENGINE, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A NOISE. WE DROVE ABOUT 20 MILES, THEN HAD THE VAN TOWED TO FAIRWAY FORD IN ANDERSON, SC. WE WERE TOLD THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE AUTHORIZED A REPLACEMENT, BUT ASKED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TO BE PERFORMED SO WE WOULD KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE OLD ENGINE TO FAIL. TO DATE, THAT INFORMATION HAS NEVER BEEN REVEALED TO US BY FORD. FORD CORP. HAS BEEN EXTREMELY UNCOOPERATIVE IN RETURNING PHONE CALLS, AND HAS BASICALLY TOLD US "TOUGH LUCK".*AK

MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE AT 72,201 MILES. ALL MAINTENANCE WORK PEERFORMED BY DEALER

MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR HAS AN ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER ABOVE 40MPH MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE HOW FAST I AM GOING.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST PASSES THE 30,000 MILES. IT IS BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE GAUGE. WITHOUT AN ACCURATE SPEED INDICATOR, IT IS NOT SAVE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. I THINK THAT FORD OUGHT TO RECALL THE WINDSTAR FAILED SPEEDOMETER ASAP. *LA

I BROUGHT IT WHILE I WAS LIVING IN TORONTO, ONTARIO. THE EXACT MILEAGE IS 98881KM (NOT K-MILES). I HAVE CONTACTED FORD BUT FORD REFUSED TO HELP ON SERVICING THE VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK