1996 Ford Windstar complaints

ORIGINAL SPEDOMETER FAILED AT 27000 MILES, REPLACEMENT BY FORD ONLY LASTED 20000 MILES. DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE BOTH REFUSED TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT SAYING IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND HAVING READ THE REPORTS ON FORD SPEEDOMETERS, THEY ARE PLACING DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN THIER CARS AND ARE NOT LIVING UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS NOR THEIR SUPPOED COMMITMENT TO QUALITY. *AK

WHILE BACKING OUT VEHICLE, IT FELT LIKE IT WAS PULLING. ALSO, IT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF HORRIBLE NOISES PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION BREAKING DOWN. IT CANNOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR OR ABLE TO MOVE. *AK

THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN MASTER CYCLINDER. ALSO, ABS LIGHT IS ON AND LIGHT WON'T GO OFF. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

SPEEDOMETER READOUT NOT RELIABLE. NEEDLE SOMETIMES STICKS ON CERTAIN SPEED WHEN OBVIOUSLY ACCELERATING. NEEDLE OFTEN SWINGS SUDDENLY UP AND DOWN WHEN CRUISING AT STEADY SPEED. NEEDLE HAS CREPT UPWARD SEVERAL MPH WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. FIRST OCCURRED JUST UNDER 27,000 MI, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IS NOW REOCCURRING, AND DEALER WANTS $400 TO REPLACE AGAIN 18 MO LATER. DEALER SERVICE SHOPS IN ARKANSAS AND NORTH DAKOTA BOT SAID THEY'VE SEEN A LOT OF THIS - THE PLASTIC PARTS (GEARS?) IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL JUST WEAR OUT. *AK

VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH OVERDRIVE SLIPPING. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED . CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDTIONAL INFORMATION OR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP ENGINE CUTS OFF. HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 6 TIMES. ALSO DEALER REPLACED A SCREW THAT HELD THE GROUNDING FOR THE FUEL PUMP. *AK

THE ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCK FOR THE BACK TAILGATE , DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT INTO DRIVE. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE VIBRATES UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER HAS TO CUT THE VEHICLE OFF TO STOP VIBRATION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 44,000 MILES,IRRATIC DOWNSHIFTING,REQUIRED REBUILD INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON, FORD COVERED 60% *AK

SPEEDOMETER ACTS ERRATICALLY WHEN GOING OVER 50 MPH, AND THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE BEHIND THE DASH WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD WAS REPLACED WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE IN FLORIDA I STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT WHICH TIME THE TRANSMISION WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT.I HAD TO MANUALLY DOWN SHIFT TO MOVE.VEHICLE TAKEN TO SARASOTA FL. DEALER.TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT FOR $1800.NO EXPLANATION GIVEN FOR FAILURE.MANUFACTURER NO HELP IN SOLVING SITUATION.I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL OWNER OF FORD MOTOR CO. PRODUCTS FOR WELL OVER40 YEARS.VERY UNSATISFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHENEVER CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. DEALER NOTIFIED AND SOME REPAIRS WERE MADE. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK *ML

REAR SEAT BELT LOCKED, TRAPPING CHILD IN BELT. NO SAFETY RELEASE VISABLE, OR IN MANUAL. CONTACTED FORD, NO DATA AVAILABLE. FORD REFERED ME TO CONTACT N.H.T.S.A.

NO UMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

COMPUTER CODES INDICATE A HEAD GASKET FAILURE

LIGHT FOR DOOR AJAR, COMES ON WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. WHEN AT STOP LIGHT/SIGN, DOOR CHIMES WOULD SOUND. WHEN SPEEDING UP, CHIMES GO OFF, BUT DOOR AJAR. AND LIGHT STAYS ON. AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. BEEN TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED WILL NOT CHECK UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *AK

SPEEDODOMETER IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING HE CAN'T DETERMINE THE SPEED HE IS TRAVELING. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILS TO REENGAGE AFTER COMING TO A STOP. UPON ACCELERATION, MAY SUDDENLY ENGAGE AT A HIGH R.P.M. CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. ALSO WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND THEN RE-ENGAGES WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEEDS GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED.BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

VEHICLE HIT A DEER ON DRIVER'S SIDE AT 20MPH AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. *AK

AFTER EXITING THE PASSENGER WAS LEFT IN THE VEHICLE AS THE PASSENGER WENT TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION ,THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO THE REVERSE GEAR AND BACK INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

VEHICLE WAS IN COLLISION DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *YC

I AM UNABLE TO ATTAIN A REPLACEMENT PART FROM THE DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE ON EMERGENCY BACK ORDER AND THAT IT WILL TAKE 4-6 WEEKS TO GET THE PART. CURRENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE EXCEEDS 30MPH THE SPEEDOMETER JUMPS ALL OVER THE PLACE, AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE A RATE OF SPPED. I AM WONDERING ABOUT A EQUIPMENT RECALL, ETC. SINCE IT APPEARS THAT A GREAT DEMAND FOR THIS FAILED COMPONENT EXISTS. IS FORD TAKING ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION? THE WAIT FOR THE PART SEEMS EXCESSIVE. *AK

TRANSIMISSION FAILED. *YC

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS ON THE INTERSTATE, THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONS, I.E., TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER SHOT UP TO 90 MPH. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PREMATURE TIE ROD FAILURE AT 47,000 MILES, CAUSING A POTENTIAL SAFTY HAZARD. *AK

ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED WHEN I STARTED HEAT IN VEHICLE. UNDER DASH DRIVER'S SIDE FULLY INVOLVED. *AK

CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DECELERATE BY ITSELF AT 45 MPH, AND ACCELERATE BY ITSELF BACK TO ORIGINAL SPEED, INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCE. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

BRAKES FAILED (WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH OUR 6 YEAR OLD SON WITH HER) WITH NO WARNING, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND ONLY SLOWED THE VAN WHEN YOUR FOOT WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN. BROUGHT IT TO TWO FORD DEALERS BEFORE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS/HCU IS NOT WORKING, REPLACEMENT PART AND LABOR IS EST. AT $1,400. OUT OF MY POCKET, PLUS I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS AND COUNTING, AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. ALSO THE FIRST LOCAL GARAGE REPLACED THE MASTER CYL IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX IT ANOTHER $300.

SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO INDICATE MUCH HIGHER SPEED THAN ACTUAL ABOVE 50 MPH. NEEDLE WAS ERRATIC AND MADE A "CHIRPING" NOISE. COMPLAINED TO FORD. HAD DEALER REPLACE (SAYBROOK FORD, CT). MADE VIDEO SHOWING FAILURE MECHANISM (ROTATING ELEMENT RUBBING SPEED 'CUP') AND WROTE LETTER TO FORD. FORD SENT BACK VIDEO UNWATCHED AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON SPEEDOMETERS (SEE ODI ID 702130, 827746, 830141)

BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEEK WHEN DRIVING. THEY CAN LUBRICATE THEM WHICH ONLY LASTS SIX MONTHS. THEN THEY START SQUEEKING AGAIN. THE ONLY TIME IT IS QUIET IS WHEN YOU HAVE THE BRAKES APPLIED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.

ABS LIGHT CAME ON, WENT TO THE DEALER, DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND RESET THE ABS MODULE. TWO DAYS LATER ABS LIGHT BACK ON AT 60 MPH. DEALER SAYS NOW THE MODULE THAT WAS RESET IS BURNED OUT. WANTS TO CHARGE 531.00 PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE. IF THE MODULE WAS RESET, HOW DID THEY NOT KNOW THE MODULE WAS BURNED OUT THE FIRST TIME?

BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED THREE TIMES, BRAKE PADS REPLACED FIVE TIMES.

I AM REPORTING THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT FORD MOTOR FAILS TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY GARAGES IN THE CINCINNATI AREA AND THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY HEAD GASKETS. THE MECHANICS AT CASTRUCCI FORD SAID THEY HAVE REPAIRED TWO WINDSTARS AND WERE WORKING ON THE THIRD. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE CATASTOPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT!!!! I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES.

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. *AK

THREE SETS OF FRONT BRAKE PADS IN 30,000 MILES OR REPLACED EVERY 8 MONTHS. DRIVING STYLE IS CONSIDERED CONSERVATIVE. *AK

LEAK IN GASKET FOR TIMING CHAIN COVER NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *AK

FORD TOLD ME TSB'S WERE ONLY TO HELP MECHANICS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT THEY KNOW EXISTS, BUT THAT THEY DON'T GIVE ME ANY RIGHT UNLESS I PURCHASED THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. DON'T CONSUMERS HAVE ANY RIGHTS? I BOUGHT THIS VAN BECAUSE IT GOT 5 STARS IN CRASH TESTS. I DIDN'T KNOW IT WOULD FIRST INACTIVATE THE ABS BY LOSING ITS SENSOR. THEN ANOTHER SENSOR WOULD GO, CAUSING THE VAN TO DOWNSHIFT TO LOW 1 WHEN YOU WERE DRIVING 55 MILES AN HOUR DOWN THE ROAD. THEY SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. MY VAN ALSO CLUNKS WHEN I TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. I REFUSE TO PAY MY DEALER ANY MORE MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD FIX. I SPENT $140 TO FIND OUT MY ABS SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE, ANOTHER $90 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THEN ANOTHER $95 TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

DOOR LOCKS ACTIVATE WHILE EXITING VEHICLE (AS TO CLOSE A GARAGE DOOR) WITH ENGINE RUNNING AFTER BACKING UP . THIS LEAVES DRIVER LOCKED OUT OF VEHICLE WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND KEY IN IGNITION. IMAGINE THE SITUATION IF AN INFANT IS IN THE CAR AND MOM IS LOCKED OUT!!! DEALER SAYS IT IS THE WAY VEHICLE IS DESIGNED. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING SLIPPAGE IN GEARS AND THE RPM TO GO HIGH. SOMETIMES WONT GO INTO GEARS. DLR IS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AND MAKING ANY TYPE OF TURN OR GOING AROUND A CORNER, VEHICLE IS JERKING. WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT CONSUMER DOESN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. *AK

UPON ENTERING ROAD FROM STORE PARKING, A LOUD THUMP WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ANTI-SWAY BAR HAD BROKEN APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES FROM ITS CONNECTION POINT TO THE LEFT STRUT. THIS CAUSED THE REMAINING LINK TO INTERFERE WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION (BOTH TURNING AND TRAVEL). *AK

THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHEN IT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO. DEALER REPLACED THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED ON THIS VEHICLE.

2 RIMS FAILED CAUSING SLOW LEAK.

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE SHOULDER STRAP BELT DIDN'T STOP THE CONSUMER FROM HITTING THE WINDOW AS ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS COMING HEAD-ON INTO THE CONSUMER. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN AWAY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE. *AK

PARKING BRAKE KEEPS FAILING,ADJUSTED 5 TIMES,DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE

SOMEONE RAN INTO CONSUMER HEAD-ON, AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD HIM. DRIVER/WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE INJURED. *AK