Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1996 record →
DISC BRAKES ARE WARPING FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP WITHIN THE ABS BRAKES. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED THE DESIGN OF CAR HAS SMALL BRAKES. REPAIR WORK DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS ARE FILLING UP WITH WATER WHEN RAINING, COULD CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS/SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE CAN START THE VEHICLE UP WITHOUT KEY AND DRIVE OFF. WHEN CHILDREN GET INTO THE VEHICLE THEY CAN START THE VEHICLE UP, AND THAT IS A SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
TRANSMISSION KEEPS FAILING
DRIVING WEST BOUND ON I-94 JUST PART MENOMONIE, WI, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF AROUND 7:30 PM ON 1/2/99. ABOUT 40 MILES BEFORE THAT, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR, BUT YOU DID HAVE MINIMAL BRAKING POWER BY PUMPING THE BRAKES UP. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR AND MY BROTHER (WHO CAME TO PICK US UP), THOUGHT IT WAS A FROOZEN WHEEL BEARING. THE PATROL OFFICER WHO TOOK THE REST OF THE FAMILY TO THE PERKINS WHILE I WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK FOUND THE WHEEL WITH THE DRUM ATTACHED TO IT (ALL LUG NUTS WERE TIGHT). WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAD FROOZE AND LOCKED THE CAR UP. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO ADD ABOUT 4 OUNCES OF BRAKE FLUID EACH YEAR TO THE SYSTEM DUE TO THE BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON. WE HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED THAT WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL AND BRAKING HARD THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHIMMY PRETTY BAD. SOME OTHER BACKGOUND ON THE WHEEL FALLING OFF IS THAT WE LEFT GULF SHORES, ALABAMA AT 2:00 PM ON 1/1/99. WE DROVE I-65 UP TO I-90 IN INDIANA. AND THEN TOOK I-94 HEADING FOR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA. DUE TO THE BAD WEATHER THOSE DAYS (1/1/99 AND 1/2/99), WE HAD TO DRIVE THROUGH RAIN, FREEZING, RAIN, SNOW, AND HIGH WINDS. AS STATED, THE WHEEL FELL OFF AROUND 7:30 PM ON 1/2/99 ABOUT 3 MILES PAST (WEST OF) MENOMONIE, WI. I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL ABOUT 8:50 PM FOR THE TOW TRUCK DUE TO OTHER CARS BEING IN THE DITCH. THEY COULDN'T TOW IT TO STILLWATER, MINNESOTA (WHERE I LEAVE, ABOUT 50 MILES AWAY) SINCE THEY WERE BUSY T
THE SERVICE AND PARTS DEPATMENT OF APPLE FORD, COLUMBIA, MARYLAND REPORTS TO ME THAT THEY'RE SEEING A PATTERN OF FAILED SPEEDOMETER HEADS ON WINDSTARS. CURRENTLY, 7 OR 8 ARE BACK-ORDERED AT THAT DEALERSHIP ALONE. THE SERVICE MANAGER REPORTS THAT A SIMILAR PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH 1995 TAURUS'S. WHILE NOT DIRECTLY A SAFETY DEFECT, IF CONSUMERS ARE GOING TO BE MADE TO REPAIR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, MY SENSE IS THAT MAY WILL CHOOSE TO FORGO THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. ONE THEN HAS TO ASK, "HOW MANY FORD DRIVERS DO WE WANT ON OUR HIGHWAYS WHO ARE UNAWARE OF THEIR SPEED?" PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO SEE IF THEIR IS A PATTERN OF FAILED SPEEDOMETER HEADS IN FORD WINDSTARS, PARTICULARLY 1996 MODELS. IF THERE IS, CONSIDER A RECALL. THANK YOU.
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS,TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO LOWER GEAR WITHOUT WARNING, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. IF THE ROAD WAS WET, VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CRASHED.
PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED TWICE IN 36,000 MILES, EMERGENCY BRAKE REQUIRES ADJUSTMENT MONTHLY. ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN RESET ONCE.
NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER
TRANSMISSION MAKES CLUNKING NOISES WHEN BACKING VEHICLE UP OR WHEN STARTING TO MOVE FORWARD. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK
STEERING MAKES NOISE.
ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED ACORDING TO LOCAL FOR DEALERSHIP (KAYTES FORD) THEE APPEARED TO BE CONTAMINATION IN THE BRAKE FLUID THAT CAUSED THE SEALS TO WEAR DOWN AND DESTROY THE SYTEM. IN JULY OD 1998 I HAD THE CAR IN FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM WITH PEDAL PRESSURE IN THE VEHICLE. THEY FOUND NOTHIN WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AT THAT TIME. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL THE BRAKES FAILE IN AUGUST OF 98 AT WICH TIME FORD SAID THE FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED AND THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPKACED. I HAD THE FLUID TESTED AND HAVE A COPY WHICH SHOWS THAT THERE WAS NO CONTAMINATION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO HONOR ANY WARRANTY CLAIM AND I WAS FORCED TO PAY $2,300.00 IN ORDER TO HAVE THE SYSTEM FIXED. FORD NEVER OFFERED TO TEST THE BRAKE FLUID AND STILL DOES NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. IF THER WAS NO CONTAMINATION THE SEALS MUST HAVE FAILED BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN MATERIAL WHICH FORD SHOULD HONOR UNDER THE WARRANTY PLEASE HELP
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD WIRING REPAIRED. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. PROBLEM HAD REOCCURRED. WAS ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WIRES. *AK
THE FRONT BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE GRINDING & GRABBING WHEN THEY ARE APPLIED. THIS EXTENDS THE STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH RIGHT FRONT TIRE. WHILE DRIVING, FRONT TIRE FELL OFF. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
RECALL 96S50. WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK IT DOES NOT ENGAGE AND IT WILL ROLL. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON UNTIL CONSUMER SHUT OFF ENGINE. THEN WHEN HE APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN, THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *SLC
REPLACED ORIGINAL SPEEDOMETER ON 4-23-98. REPLACEMENT FAILED ON 8-20-98 WITH ONLY 15000 MILES. FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSED TO HELP. TED RUSSELL FORD OFFERED TO PAY 1/2 OF THE COST TO REPLACE.
WHEN DRIVING THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. CONUMER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A LOUD NOISE. THE BRAKES HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT BRAKES HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR. CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE IS ANOTHER SAFETY PROBLEM INVOLVING THE ELECTRICALSYSTEM. THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON , AS WELL AS THE LIGHT'S ON THE DASHBOARD KEEP COMING ON. IN ADDITION, GAS GAUGE FAILED TO INDICATE THE PROPER AMOUNT OF GAS LEFT IN THE TANK. *AK
THE ALUMINUM PISTON ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO STALL, ESPECIALLY AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS. IN SOME INSTANCES THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO THE INTERSECTION AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE FOR 5-10 SECONDS OR MORE UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY KICKED INTO GEAR HARD WHICH JOLTED THE CAR FORWARD. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE INTERSECTION. APPARENTLY FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS A NEW STEEL PISTON, BUT IT COSTS OWNERS $1600 - $2000 TO HAVE IT FIXED. MANY OF US CANNOT AFFORD SUCH A HIGH AMOUNT FOR REPAIR AND TAKE OUR CHANCES ON SAFETY WHILE WE SAVE UP MONEY FOR THE REPAIR.
CALIPER BOLTS FELL OFF OF VEHICLE.
THIS PROBLEM GIVES YOU NO WARNING. YOU WILL BE AT A STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE TRANSMISSION WILL DIS-ENGAGE CAAUSING YOU TO BECOME A HAZZARD. THIS FAILURE OCCURED AT 51000 MILES. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THERE WERE(3) OTHER PEOPLE THERE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MILEAGE. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE PROBLEM, HE STATED THIS DEFECT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. I WENT TO AN INDENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP, THEY SEE THE PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. FORD HAS ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM IN NEWER VEHICLES AND THE REBUILD KITS FOR THE TRANSMISSION BY CHANGING THE MATERIAL OF A PISTON. WE I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT STATED WE DO NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO RE-IMBURSE THE OWNERS WITH THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS UNLESS THE NHTSA FORCES US TO FIX IT. THIS FAILURE COSTS OWNERS OF FORD WINDSTARS $1400. I AM AN ENGINNER MYSELF. AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT AT 51000 MILES A MAJOR REPAIR LIKE THIS IS WARRENTED. WHERE I LIVE , THERE ARE (4) OWNERS OF WINDSTARS. THREE OUT OF THOSE (4) VEHICLES HAVE HAD TO HAVE THEIR TRANSMISSION REBUILT FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS BECAUSE FORD KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS YOU TELL THEM TO.
THE SAFETY BELTS LOCATED ON THE RIGHT FRONT, AND THE REAR SEATS, LOCK UP WHILE RIDING NORMALLY IN THE VEHICLE, ACTUALLY SQUEEZING THE OCCUPANT, SO THE OCCUPANT HAS TO REMOVE THE SEAT BELT AND THEN REFASTEN IT DUE TO THE PENDILUM LOCKING UP. ALSO IF YOU ARE SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH THE SEAT BELT ON, AND LEAN FORWARD TO PICK SOMETHING UP, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK UP, AND AGAIN YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE SEAT BELT, AND THEN REFASTEN IT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FREEDOM FORD DEALER, AND THEY ADVISED ME, THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO! I AM A POLICE OFFICER, AND HAVE ATTENDED NUMEROUS TRAINING COURSES, AND KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT THE PROPER WAY THAT THE SEAT BELT OPERATES, AND EXPLAINED THAT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONAL, BUT THEY DISMISSED MY COMPLAINT, AND STATED, DO WHAT EVER YOU HAVE TO!.
WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT APPROXIMATELY ONE MPH WHEN THE CONSUMER SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID IMPACT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
MY AUNT AND UNCLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THERE FORD WINDSTAR SINCE 1995. THEY BROUGHT THERE FIRST IN 1995 AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE FIXED AFTER 6 MONTHS, AND AGAIN AFTER 18 MONTHS. THEN THE TRANSMITTION FAILED AFTER TWO 2 YEARS. AFTER THIS CRYSTAL FORD OF SILVER SPRING, MD. DECIDED TO GIVE THEM A NEW 1997 MODEL. WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AFTER 18 MONTHS AND NOW IT'S IN THE SHOP FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS REALLY DOESN'T MAKE SINCE. OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS WEBSITE'S COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS MINIVAN. SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AWARE OF THE SEVERITY OF THIS COMPLAINTS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT LAWRENCE AND ALICE BROWN AT (202) 723-1530.
THE CONSUMER IS AN OWNER OF A FLEET OF FORD WINDSTARS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OF THE VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETERS HAVE NOT BEEN OPERATING PROPERLY. THE SPEEDOMETERS HAVE BEEN READING TOO HIGH. IN ADDITION, THE NEEDLE BOUNCES BACK AND FORTH TO DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *NLM
ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ON . DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE BRAKES 5 TIMES. IT IS A REPEATING PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FUTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR OF THE FRONT END SUSPENSION SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT REMEDY OF THE FAILURE.
HEAD ENGINE BLEW WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPORX. 55MPH ON A NORMAL ROAD CONDITION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE COST TO CONSUMER. CONSUMER POINTED OUT THAT A MANUFACTURER'S. RECALL WAS DONE TO 1994-1995, CONCERNING HEAD GASKET. *AK
FUSE CONTINUES TO BURN FOR THE OVERDRIVE CANCEL SWITCH ON THE GEARSHIFT.
WHEN BRAKING OR TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT CLUNKING NOISES COMES FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE ENTERING AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDED ON THE PAASENGER'S SIDE BY ANOTHE VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN CONSUMER. HIT REAR MIRROR AND SPLIT HEAD OPEN AND GOT A CONCUSSION. *AK
ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON / THE RIGHT WHEEL IS MAKING A HUMMING NOISE.
CONSUMER HAS GOTTEN BRAKES REPAIRED OVER 15 TIMES. EACH TIME BRAKES ONLY LASTED ONE MONTH. ALSO RUINING ROTORS AND PADS. ALSO, VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE SIDE, SHAKES AND ACTS LIKE IT IS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. DOOR SLIDING LOCKS AND UNLOCKS ON ITS OWN, NO EXIT AT TIMES.
FUEL PUMP FUSE WOULD SHORT OUT WHENEVER VEHICLE HIT A BUMP. IN RETURN, WOULD HIT THE RADIATOR SURPORT,CAUSING THE CONSTANT CONTROL RELAY MOUDULE TO SHORT OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER REPAIRS WOULD ONLY BE MADE IF CONSUMER PICKED UP CHARGES. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ABS LIGHT COMES ON, REAR HATCH FAILING TO OPEN, IGNITION SWITCH FAILING TO START VEHICLE, BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE, FRONT BRAKE PADS WEAR QUICLY, AND HOOD RECALL.
VEHICLE ON 4TH SET OF FRONT BRAKES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN OWNED FOR 21 MONTHS WITH 26000 MILES, DRIVEN IN NORMAL CONDITION.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SPEED COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING OF THE SPEEDOMETER. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *SLC
WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD NOISE, VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LOWER SPEED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 30-35 MPH. POSSIBLE CAUSE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. *AK
A POPPING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END. FOUR BOLTS AND MOUNTS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME HAD DETERIORATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD MANUFACTURER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
ON HIGHWAY DRIVING TAPPED ON BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKES AT ALL, SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 40-55MPH. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWER DOWN TO 35-40 MPH WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, JUST AVOIDED BEING HIT IN THE REAR BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED SENSOR THAT DETERMINES SHIFT LEVER LOCATION. AS CAR HAD 41,000 MILES, DEALER REFUSED TO COVER DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THROUGH CAR WAS JUST OVER 2 YEARS OLD.
PROBLEM W/TIRES. QCAW
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES GRIND AND SQUEAK. PLEASE PROVIGE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 30MPH WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF OIL STARTED TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED OWNER THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD EVAPORATED, CAUSING VARIOUS PARTS TO MELT TOGETHER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS FAILED CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK UP ON SLIPPERY SURFACES. (QCAW)
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN AN REVERSE POSTION. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK
THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WEAR AND TEAR AT 20,000. ALSO ABS LIGHT CAME ON, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
WHILE PARKED IN INCLINE POSITION AND THE KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION THE CHILD SWITCHED TRANSMISSION GEAR FROM PARK POSITION TO NEUTRAL POSITION WITH THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ON, THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN ALMOST. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 40MPH STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. THIS CAUSES DRIVING TO BE DIFFICULT. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER AS OF YET. *AK
WHEN TRAVELING AT 35 MPH WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, PUSHING THE VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER LANE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, AND RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1996 Ford Windstar → · Every Windstar year → · How the figures are calculated →