1996 Ford Windstar complaints

ON AUGUST 16, 2000 I WAS THE VICTIM OF A MINOR AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED WHEN A NEW FR440 TUWSPS21570R15 TIRE, PURCHASED ON MAY 22, 2000 AND LOCATED ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, EXPLICABLY BURST WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AROUND A CORNER AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. MY MINIVAN SLID OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INTO A TREE, DOING DAMAGE TO THE BODY AND THE FRAME. THE TIRE WAS SO SHREDDED AFTER SLIDING OFF THE ROAD IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT CAUSED IT TO BURST. HOWEVER, I HAD PURCHASED ROAD HAZARD INSURANCE ON THE TIRES (AFTER REPLACING TIRES I HAD JUST BOUGHT IN APRIL THAT WERE PUNCTURED BY A SHARP STONE). A FIRESTONE TIRE CENTER WOULD NOT FIX THE DAMAGE CAUSED IN THE ACCIDENT AND I WAS FORCED TO UTILIZE INSURANCE TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. THE TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MILES IN USAGE WHEN IT BURST.*AK (TIRESIZE: 21570R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 21570R15 )

VAN HAD BEEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND MAINTENANCE ON 9/21. NO PROBLEMS FOUND. WITH NO WARNING, TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IN 2ND GEAR TO REPAIR SHOP AND HOME, BUT TOLD NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION @$3500. THIS IS MY PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION USED FOR BUSINESS AND HOME. STILL OWE $10,000. CAN'T TRADE WITH BAD TRANSMISSION. PLEASE HELP

WAS AT STOP SIGN & STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD. SUDDENLY VEHICLE JUST STOPPED/STALLED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE TRANSMISSION & WOULD NEED TO REPLACE IT.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 20MPH & HEARD A STRANGE SOUND FROM REAR WHEEL AREA. CONSUMER STOPPED & SAW THE WHEEL UP AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL. UNDERNEATH THE METAL BAR (AXLE) WAS BROKEN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED,BUT CONSUMER WAS LOOKING FOR SOME TYPE OF REIMBURSTMENT. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DAMAGED FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.*AK

FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SEPARATED BECAUSE TIE ROD SEPARATED FROM WHEEL. DEALER REPAIRED TIE ROD. 30000 MILES LATER, DEALER REPLACED THE TIE RODS. EARLIER HAS RECENTLY INSPECTED VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK

FUELWAS ESCAPING FROM TANK AND FUMES GETTING INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

HEAD GASKET LEAKING INTO ENGINE. COOLANT ENTERING CYLINDER AND CRANKCASE, PRODUCING STEAM OUT OF THE EXHAUST. CONTACTED FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR ESTIMATE AND WAS QUOTED $600+ FOR LABOR AND ADDITIONAL COST FOR PARTS. HAVE DISCOVERED THROUGH THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD 3.8L V6 ENGINE AND THAT FORD HAS HELPED WITH COSTS ON 1995 VEHICLES, BUT NOT 1996. SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH ONLY 79000 MILES ON VEHICLE, AND SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON, MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER COSTS. LAST FORD I WILL OWN.

HEAD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACE, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED TO BLINK. TAKEN INTO MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACE ALONG WITH A FEW OXYGEN SENSORS. IS GOING TO COST APPROX. $1,800. FORD TOLD US THAT THE 96'S WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THESE PROBABLY STILL HAVE THE SAME BAD PARTS.

INTERMITTENTLY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED TWICE. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP AND ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THERE IS ONLY 56000 ON VEHICLE. BATTERY LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMES ON THIS CAN BE VERY NERVE WRACKING WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. . SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES AND FLOPS AROUND AFTER 40MPH, SOMETIME STICKS AT 50MPH. REAR WIPERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT. WE HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM SERVING 8 YEARS OVERSEAS, THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND FROM THE RESEARCH WE HAVE JUST BEEN ABLE TO START THIS WINDSTAR IS HEADACHES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE MY FAMILY TO SEE RELATIVES THEY HAVE NOT SEEN IN OVER 8 YEARS BUT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE.

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING OIL ONTO ENGINE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

SPEEDOMETER BECAME VERY ERRATIC, JUMPED ALL AROUND, HAD CABLE REPLACED BUT IT IS NOT COMPLETELY WORKING CORRECTLY STILL JUMPS SLIGHTLY. MECHANIC SAYS WE NEED TO SERVICE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND FORD WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR ORIGINAL CLUSTER. I WOULD TAKE UP TO AT LEAST A WEEK. HE HAS HAD TO SERVICE MANY. (NEUBERTS TIRE AND AUTO REPAIR, TABERNACLE, NJ 08088) I KNOW THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT READING THE CORRECT SPEED. *AK

ALL 4 GOODYEAR AQUATREAD II TIRES SHOWED SIGNES OF TREAD SEPARATION AND WERE REPLACED, TIRE SIZE P215/R0R15, DOT MKM02DHR477. *SLC

WATER WAS LEAKING OUT FROM LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE, A MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT 72000 MILES.*AK

ENGINE LIGHT ON, ENGINE MISFIRES,ROUGH

SPEEDOMETER HEAD FAILED TWO TIMES. *

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR OVER A WEEK BEFORE BEING STARTED. WAS DRIVING FOR AWHILE & NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF REAR EXHAUST. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THAT HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. PRIOR TO HEAD GASKETS BEING BLOWN, BEEN PUTTING WATER INTO THE SYSTEM TO COOL IT DOWN.*AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURE, MISFIRING, 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON', LOOSING COMPRESSION, NO REPAIRS ARE COVERED, FORD WINDSTARS PRODUCED UP UNTIL THE END OF 1995 ARE BEING RECALLED FOR THIS SAME DEFECT, MY WINDSTAR (BUILD 1/2/1996!!) IS NOT COVERED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY (I READ ABOUT THE DANGER OF SUDDENLY LOSING SPEED) AND YES, I AM ANGRY ABOUT BEARING THE COST OF REPAIR. *AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO FORD. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT THEY CLAIM THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ONE OF THE SPARK PLUG WIRES "ARCHING". THEY COULD NOT OR WOULD NOT TELL ME WHICH ONE WAS ARCHING, BUT WERE WILLING TO CHARGE ME $320 TO CHANGE THE SIX WIRES AND PLUS. I PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CHANGED THE PLUGS AND WIRES MYSELF. A WEEK LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH CYLINDER NUMBER FOUR. IT WAS CRACKED. THEY MADE THE REPAIR AND A WEEK LATER I WAS OUT OVER A $1000. MY MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED ME THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME THIS RIGHT AWAY. FORD WAS WILLING TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES AND I WOULD STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL & THE ENGINE REVVES UP BUT THE VAN DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD, THEN AFTER A MINUTE OR SO DELAY SOMETHING MUST ENGAGE AND THE VAN LUNGES FORWARD WITH TERRIFIC SPEED WHICH EVEN CAUSES THE TIRES TO SQUEAL.*AK

DUE TO HEAD GASKET WHICH HAD A CRACK AND CAUSED THE OIL AND THE ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK AND MIX TOGETHER. DEALER HAD TO WELD THE HEAD TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

3.8L V-6 BLOWN HEAD GASKET 1996 FORD WINDSTAR KNOWN PROBLEM. *AK

I HAVE HAD THE WINDSTAR IN AGAIN, WITH SAME SYMPTOMS AS BEFORE. HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TONIGHT TO SEE EXACTLY WHATS WRONG. VAN RUNS TERRIBLE AGAIN. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

WE WERE DRIVING AT APPROX. 45 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF AND ROLLED INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. MY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS SMASHED AS THE VEHICLE SKIDDED TO A STOP. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE REPAIR TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IT APPEARED THE BOLTS HAD SOMEHOW SHEARED OFF. WE HAD NOT HAD ANY RECENT REPAIRS TO THE WHEELS AND HAD NOT CHANGED TIRES SINCE NOVEMBER 1999. MY HUSBAND AND 2 YOUNG CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE POLICE DROVE BY AND WHEN THEY SAW THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED DID NOT STOP TO TAKE A REPORT. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND WE WERE REQUIRED TO PAY OUR $500.00 DEDUCTIBLE. WE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR, HOWEVER, THEY DENIED ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURED IN MARCH.*AK

HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN ON 3.8 LITER ENGINE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE PARTS. *AK

BOTH OF THE FRONT RIMS DEVELOPED CRACKS. THIS WAS DISCOVERED IN AN INSPECTION TO FIND A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM TIRE AREA. FORD WAS CONTACTED(LOCAL DEALER AND NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICES) THEY DO NOT SEEM CONCERNED AND WERE UNWILLING TO REPLACE THE RIMS. I FEEL THAT 2 (TWO) RIMS CRACKING ON ONE VECHICLE WITHOUT ANY APPARENT CAUSE MAY BE A SIGN OF FAULTY RIMS AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO ALL OWNERS OF LIKE RIMS.*AK

SINCE THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE I HAVE MET OTHERS WHO HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 96 WINDSTAR. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.. THE FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK

THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO SHOW ERRATIC MOVEMENTS AT ALL SPEEDS. IT WOULD FLUCTUATE UP TO 10 TO 30 MPH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS RENDERING IT'S FUNCTION USELESS. FORD DENIES ANY KNOWN DEFECT AND REFUSED AN IMPLIED WARRANTY FOR THE ITEM. DUE TO COST DIFFERENCES I CHOSE TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP USING A NEW LY PURCHASED SPEEDOMETER HEAD FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP.*AK

THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE AT 15,000 MILES BUT IS NOW STARTING TO ACT UP AGAIN. IT FREQUENTLY SHIFTS HARD WHEN UPSHIFTING AND OFTEN DOWNSHIFTS WHENEVER THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED. ALTHOUGH THE TRANSMISSION HASN'T FAILED YET, IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME AND THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY PROTECTION. I NOTICED WHEN CHECKING THE NHTSA WEB SITE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE TYPE.*AK

PLEASE,WE ARE PARENTS WHIT 3 KIDS,IS VERY HARD FOR US TO PAY THIS EXTRA MONEY FOR THIS DEFECT VEHICLE , TO THIS MOMENT WE CHANGED:TRANSMISSION -TWICE 02SENSOR (TRANSMISSION)-CATYLITIC CONVERTER LEFT/RAIGHT-COIL IGNITION SYSTEM ,WE GET THIS CAR WHIT 48.000MI. ON 1998 .FOR MY ALL FAMILY AND THE GOOD NAME OF THE FORD DELLER TANKS FOR YUO HELP. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK

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. MY ADJUSTER SAID THERE IS NO WAY TO CHECK THE ANTI LOCK SYSTEM SINCE THERE IS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE AND THE VAN CAN'T BE STARTED. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER OR SUGGESTIONS.

NO SUMMARY

WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF TAILPIPE & ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK

HEADGASKET REPLACEMENT.SAME PROBLEMS W/ OTHER WINDSTARS-FORD WON'T FIX.

FORD DEALER MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE HAS REPAIRED MANY OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS AT PREMATURE MILEAGE LEVELS (LESS THAN 80,000 MILES). FORD HAS AUTHORIZED REPLACEMENT OF MANY ORIGINAL PARTS WITH NEW DESIGNS TO RECONCILE THE SUBSTANDARD ORIGINAL DESIGN. FOR MY TRANSMISSION THE MECHANIC SAID FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM PISTON, A PROBLEM THAT HAS DEVELOPED IN MANY FORD TRANSMISSIONS. *AK

NO SUMMARY

WHILE DRIVING THE LUG NUTS ON THE VEHICLE BROKE CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE, LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE STRIKING THE GUARDRAIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE CAME FROM THE DASH AREA OF VEHICLE, CAUSING WIRING WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLY TO MELT TOGETHER, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

1996 FORD WINDSTARS HAVE MAJOR TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. WE HAVE ONLY HAD OUR VAN FOR 2 YEARS AND IT IS VERY UPSETTING THAT A CAR MANUFACTURER CANNOT MAKE A VEHICLE THAT WILL MAKE IT TO 100,000 MILES. FORD STATES THAT YOU CAN GO 100,000 MILES BEFORE NEEDING A TUNE UP BUT THEY DON'Y MENTION THAT THEIR TRANSMISSIONS WON'T MAKE IT THAT FAR. I HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERNET RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM BUT FORD DOES NOT REPLY WITH ANY HELP OR HOPE. THE FORD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM EXPANDS OUTWARD, NOT JUST ON THE WINDSTAR VANS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BECAUSE MOST OF THE OWNERS ARE STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THESE "NEW " VEHICLES THAT ARE SUPPOSE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT FOR 100,000 MILES. ON THE SITES I SEARCHED, ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ONLY GOTTEN 40,000-55,000 MILES ON THEIR VEHICLES BEFORE THE PROBLEMS BEGAN. THIS IS NOT ORDINARY AND CANNOT BE LOOKED UPON AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED TO TOO MANY PEOPLE. FORD NEEDS TO BE MADE TO RECALL AND CORRECT THEIR VEHICLES. THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT THEY BUILD AND SELL. WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN OUR VAN TO THE SHOP 2 TIMES, AND THE 3RD IS IN THE NEAR FUTURE BECAUSE IT STILL IS NOT FIXED.PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AND SEE IF SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO GET OUR VEHICLES REPAIRED SO WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE OUT LOANS TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY FORD, ON A VEHICLE WE ARE STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ONLY . THANK YOU.

NO SUMMARY

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE TIE ROD FAILURE. *MJS

VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, NO PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *AK

NO SUMMARY

NO SUMMARY

HEAD GASKET LEAKING, MASTER CYLINDER FROZE UP AND CAUSED SMOKE AND DAMAGE TO BRAKE SYSTEM ON 3 WHEELS, ABS LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, IN FOR REPAIRS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND LIGHT WAS DISCONNECTED BY DEALER, ENGINE LIGHT ON: O2 SENSOR REPLACED, SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO REGISTER SPEEDS, DRIVERSIDE WINDOW GOES DOWN WHILE DRIVING, REPLACED BY DEALER, DOOR OPEN LIGHT TURNS ON RANDOMLY, SLIDING DOOR FAILS TO LOCK WITH ELECTRIC LOCKS. WHAT IS GOING TO BE NEXT?

NO SUMMARY

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE DROPS TO 45 MPH AND RPM GOES TO 5000 AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ON SOME OCCASSION DURING STOP AND GO TRANSMISSION DOES NOT CHANGE FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. THIS IS BECOMING A DANGEROUS SITUTATION. *AK

PE 00 024/SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGES: RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT. VEHICLE TOWED TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND STILL WAITING ON PARTS. *AK

VEHICLE BOUGHT IN 3/99 THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE BROKE REPAIRE BILL $500.00 SHORTLY THEREAFTER SENSOR WENT OUT (FUEL)BILL 256.00 LATER NOTICED SQUEKING IN FRONT END ADVISED IT WAS TIE ROD ENDS NOT FIXED YET THIS THING HAS BROKE ME HAVE HAD MANY OCCURENCES WITH SPEED ODOMETER GOING CRAZY AFTER 45MPH RECENTLY NOTICED POPPING WHEN TURNING STEERING OR APPLING THE BRAKES BUT BEFORE I COULD GET IT FIXED TRANSMISSION BEGIN TO EITHER NOT SHIFT UPWARD ,SLIP AT 45MPH AND HAS DOWNSHIFTED AFTER REACHING SPEEDS OF 45MPH (ON I-85) HAS JERKED SEVERAL TIMES ..WAS TOLD ANYWHERE FROM 100.00-2000.00 ? SEEMS I HAVE NOT BEEN ALONE IN MY DISQUEST WITH FORD...ONLY PROBLEM NOT ENCOUNTERED HEAD GASKET THANK GOD PLEASE HELP US WORKING FOLKS AGAINST THIS BIG BOY ON THE BLOCK THANKS