1996 Ford Windstar complaints

AT 60000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 1. MECHANIC PULLED PLUG AND FOUND COOLANT IN CYLINDER DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET.*AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE POSSIBLY DUE TO LOW TRANSMISSION FLUID FOLLOWING GUIDELINES IN OWNERS GUIDE . AFTER FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT REPLACEMENT. I FOUND AN ARTICLE IN NEWSPAPER QUOTED FROM FORD REGARDING FLUID LEVEL MAINTENANCE WHICH WAS DIFFERENT THAN RECOMMENDATION IN THE OWNERS GUIDE. *LA

WHEN STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, VAN HESITATED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN JERKED INTO DRIVE. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES..TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG, JUST THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAD TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED...$1800 THAT I DIDN'T HAVE. 1 YR LATER NOW HAVING MORE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS VAN SEEMS TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL UNTIL IT'S STRAIGHTENED OUT. WHEN PROCEEDING FROM A STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT'S SPINNING THE TIRES, BUT THE POWER ISN'T GETTING THE TIRES, AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS IT MOVES, BUT THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS, ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC..WILL BE TAKING THE VAN TO GET FIXED....AGAIN. NO MORE FORDS FOR ME!!!!*AK

1996 FORD WINDSTAR ENGINE FAILURE - SYSTEMIC HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH THE V6 3.8L ENGINE, WHICH FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR MANY YEARS. SYMPTOMS: HARD TO START, ROUGH IDLE, WHITE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE, ENGINE COOLANT DRIPPING FROM EXHAUST, OIL LOOKS LIKE BROWN MAYONNAISE. *LA

WHEN SPEED EXCEEDS 40 MPH SPEEDOMETER FAILS TO READ VEHICLE MILEAGE CORRECTLY. *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

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER SMELLED BURNING WIRES. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. OWNER CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY PUT OUT THE FLAMES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

IN HOTTER CONDITIONS, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION ALARM" RINGS EVEN WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BURNS CONTINUOUSLY. I KNOW OF THREE WINDSTARS THAT ARE DOING THIS. *LA TEMPERATURE OR MOISTURE SEEMS TO AFFECT THE "KEY ALARM" AND IT CONTINUES TO SOUND. ONE FRIEND WHO IS A MECHANIC, HAS TO PULL THE FUSE NIGHTLY ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR HER BATTERY RUNS DOWN. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE STARTER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START ON THE EVENING SO I DID. IT'S STILL NOT STARTING RIGHT. ACTS AS IF THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED. TRIED TO DISCONNECT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BUT SAME FUSE RUNS THE WIPERS. *LA

CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE WAS SURGING . ALSO, THERE WAS AN ANTI FREEZE SMELL. CHECKED ENGINE, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STARTED SURGING, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH MINIVAN STALLING, LOSS OF COOLANT IN VEHICLE.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKING A LOT OF OIL, THE ENGINE PUMP NEEDED REPLACING, WHICH RESULTED IN A WHOLE NEW ENGINE BEING INSTALLED. *CB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

I HAVE 1996 WINDSTAR (85K) 3.8 V-6 WITH A COOLANT LEAK IN THE >COMBUSTION CHAMBER. IT DEVELOPED LAST YEAR. I KNOW THIS IS A >CHRONIC PROBLEM THAT PLAGUED 1994/1995 3.8 V-6 WINDSTARS TOO. >FORD EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTIES TO 7 YEARS & 100,000 MILES. WHILE >FORD MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE '96 MODELS, THEY DIDN'T REALLY >UPGRADE THE HEAD GASKET UNTIL 1997. >PLEASE SEE LINK. >HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/OWNERSHIP/DRIVING/ARTICLES/42970/ARTICLE.H >TML) >I HAVE SEEARCHED THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY '96 >WINDSTAR AS WELL AS OTHER 3.8 V-6 FORD OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING >SIMILAR PROBLEMS. >(HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_WND_96_GAS.HTM) >HOW CAN I GET FORD TO BITE THE BULLET AN ADMIT THAT THERE IS AN >ON GOING PROBLEM AND FIX MY CAR?

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE AS WE ENTERED INTERSECTION, HOWEVER BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINE. THREE CARS IN ACCIDENT.

SPEEDOMETER IS NO LONGER SHOWING THE ACTUAL SPEED DRIVEN, NEEDLE JUMPS AROUND, IF DRIVING 75MPH IT SHOWS 120MPH. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS, THERE IS ALSO A TICKING NOISE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY A DEALER.*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

PROBLEMS WITH GAS FUMES COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.*MR( DORIS STEWART ON BEHALF OF HER PARENTS ROBERT STEWART AND JACQUELINE STEWART).*TS. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AT IDLE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKETS, THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. *JB

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE TO GET FORD TO EXTEND THEIR HEAD GASKET RECALL TO INCLUDE THE 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE GASKET ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NLM *JB

WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES. A RUPTURE IN THE BRAKE LINE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *AK

SPEEDOMETER BOUNCES ERRATICALLY, AND DOES NOT REGISTER ACTUAL SPEED. IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL SPEED OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

SPEEDOMETER FAILED. BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM SPEEDOMETER. SPEEDOMETER SWINGS WILDLY FROM 0 TO 120 MPH. SPEEDOMETER NOT RECORDING ACTUAL SPEED.*AK

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. HAVE REPLACED O-2 SENSORS AT LEAST TWICE. IN PAST 6 MONTHS, THE ENGING HAS BEEN RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND I HAVE A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE . 2ND TUNE-UP AND COIL REPLACED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. ENGINE NOW RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND GASOLINE ODOR IS SO STRONG THAT YOU COULD NOT LIGHT A MATCH IN THE VEHICLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN AS WELL AS BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT. RADIATOR COMPLETELY EMPTY FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 2 WEEKS.*AK

BRAKE PEDAL WHEN TO FLOOR. RESULTING IN NO BRAKES. METAL BRAKE LINE CORROSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THE LUG NUTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WERE SHEARED OFF. CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHIMMY VIOLENTLY ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL. *PH

REPLACED RACK AND PINION FOR THE SECOND TIME 8/01 ( BY DEALERSHIP) AND 5/03. ALSO REPLACED FRONT END BEARING IN 1999 AND TRANSMISSION. WIRING HARNESS IN 2000. REAR A/C DOES NOT WORK AND THAT'S ONLY THE ITEMS I CAN REMEBER.*AK

WITH DOORS SECURELY CLOSED THE DOOR ADJAR LIGHT COMES ON. THIS CAN LAST FOR MINUTES TO HOURS, THE SAME WITH THE BATTERY CHECK LIGHT. LASTLY, THE CHIMES WILL INTERMITTENTLY COME ON. THIS IS STARTING TO BECOME MORE AND MORE FREQUENT AND CONTINUE FOR LONGER AND LONGER PERIODS OF TIME. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. I HAVE HEARD MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE AND OCCURRENCES IE, COMPLAINT # 10020993. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE GENERALLY HARD TO PINPOINT BUT CAN BE VERY SERIOUS IN NATURE. ELECTRICAL FIRES START AND SPREAD FAST. I HAVE A FAMILY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND I AM VERY CONCERNED. FORD CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE NO COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE. *PH I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE.

CONSUMER STATED THAT HEAD GASKET IS CRACKED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

1996 FORD WINDSTAR VAN HAS REAR BRAKE LINE IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING BRAKELINE FAILURE. BRAKELINE GETS VERY HOT AND CAUSES IT TO RUS,T DETERIORATE AND LEAK ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER. FORTUNATELY THIS FAILURE DID NOT RESULT IN A ACCIDENT.THE CAR IS PRESENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT A GOODYEAR REPAIR CENTER. NO RECALL NOTICE OR OTHER WARNING HAS EVER BEEN RECEIVED FROM FORD REGARDING THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. I HAVE THE BRAKELINE AND IT CLEARLY SHOWS THE EFFECT OF THE EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE CONVERTER. *AK

REPLACED HEAD GASKET ON 1996 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 66, 712 MILES ON ENGINE.*AK

CONTINUOUS FAILED TRANSMISSION. HAVE HAD 4 ACTUAL REBUILT/REPLACEMENTS. BEGGED FOR EXTEDED WARRANTY, RECEIVED. SHORTEST LIVED TRANSMISSION WAS 300 MI. 1 MO. OUT OF WARRANTY, TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN, ON HIGHWAY, 100 MI FROM HOME WITH 3 DISABLED CHILDREN IN CAR. WILL BE VEHICLES ACTUAL 6TH TRANSMISSION. HAS NOW 98K MI, BOUGHT NEW OFF LOT (1ST TRANSMISSION IN 1ST YR OWNED). IRIONICALLY PERSON 1 MI DOWN THE HIGHYWAY HAD 1999 WINDSTAR WHO'S TRANMISSION HAD ALSO JUST FAILED. BOUGHT CAR FOR CHILDREN DUE TO SAFETY, IS NOTHING BUT A LEMON AND FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK

THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR HAS BROKEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT THE POINT WHERE THE BAR ATTACHES TO THE FRAME.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

1996 FORD WINDSTAR SWITCHES ARE BAD IN DOORS CAUSING DOOR AJAR LIGHT TO STAY ON. WHEN DRIVING, STAYS ON UNTIL YOU ARE GOING APPROX. 15-18 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS A HAZARD ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. DUE TO THE GLARE ON THE WINDOWS INSIDE THE VAN. I HAVE WENT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE 400.00 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I DON'T HAVE 400.00. I WAS ALSO VISITING FAMILY IN INDIANA THIS LAST WEEK AND AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE HAS THE EXACT VAN AND PROBLEM. I CURRENTLY LIVE IN COLORADO AND THOUGHT THAT IT WAS ODD THAT SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN INDIANA HAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE WITH OUR WINDSTAR. SO, THEN I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. AND MAYBE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE.*AK

96 WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE .BLOWN HEAD GASKET .90,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. DEALER QUOTE $1500. -$1800. TO REPAIR HEAD GASKET. SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED REPLACE ENGINE $4000. SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM . THE SERVICE MANAGER GAVE ME THE TELEPHONE # FOR FORD CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND WISHED ME GOOD LUCK. THREE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TOLD ME THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE AND WINDSTARS. ONE OF THE MECHANICS " 9 OUT OF 10 WINDSTARS BLOW HEAD GASKETS". HIS SUGGESTION OF VEHICLES TO AVOID WHEN SHOPPING FOR A VEHICLE -------------FORD WINDSTAR-------- FORD DEALER OFFERED TO TAKE MY WINDSTAR IN TRADE AND THEY WOULD RE-WHOLESALE THE VEHICLE NOT REPAIR IT. NO THANKS FORD WILL BE LAST ON MY LIST OF VEHICLE'S TO OWN." MADE IN AMERICA AND PROUD OF IT" ??? HOW ABOUT IT FORD? *NLM

MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR WAS PARKED "IN PARK" IN MY DRIVEWAY, WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, AND JUST ROLLED DOWNED THE DRIVEWAY AND CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND WALL DAMAGE. *NLM

PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKETS / IF COMPRESSION CHECK HAD BEEN DONE BENDING OF PISTON RODS MAY NOT HAVE OCCURRED. *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED, ROUGH IDLE ALONG WITH THE SMELL OF ANTI FREEZE(INDICATED A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM), THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AS A RESULT OF A MISFIRE CODE(THE RADIATOR WAS FLUSHED), THERE WERE NOISES THAT HAD COME FROM THE ENGINE(LOST POWER/SLOWED TO A CRAWL), AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING HAD COME LOOSE IN THE ENGINE. (THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT MISS IN CYLINDER #1) THE ROUGH IDLE AND THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE WAS REPAIRED, THE SERVICE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER REPLACE THE ENGINE. *SCC *JB

1996 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8 LITER ENGINE WITH 83,000 MILES ON IT BLEW HEAD GASKET IN DECEMBER 2002. PAID OVER $1200 FOR REPAIRS. SENT A COMPLAINT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY REQUESTING ASSISTANCE. RESPONSE WAS THAT THE 1996 MODEL IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. JUNE 19, 2003 AFTER PAYING REPAIRS MENTIONED ABOVE, THE ENGINE BLEW. THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DISABLED AND WILL COST OVER $3500 TO REPAIR. *NLM

CONSUMER HAD JUST PARKED AND EXITED VEHICLE WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING.*AK

1996 FORD WINDSTAR, SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION. SPEED IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE AS THE NEEDLE FLUCTUATES WILDLY. PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED NOW FOR AT LEAST 50,000 MILES , BUT I JUST LEARNED THAT YOU SHOULD BE NOTIFIED SO THAT FORD CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR POOR QUALITY AND NON SUPPORT. AS I WAS ADVISED THAT REPAIR WOULD BE ABOUT 600.00. AS I HAVE A TACH, I SIMPLY USE THIS TO DETERMINE MY SPEED. I WAS NOT ABOUT TO SPEND THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY ON WHAT I CONSIDER A DESIGN FLAW.*AK

ENGINE SPEWING WATER. DIAGNOSED AS FREEZE PLUGS BLOWING 72,000 MILES. AT 42,000 MILES TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE WORKED ON. JUMPED OUT OF DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. VEHICLE HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE SINCE PURCHASED NEW. *JB

ALL WINDOWS CAN'T BE PUT DOWN SINCE ALL FOUR MOTORS ARE NOT WORKING. DEALER WILL REPLACE AT $365.00 EACH MOTORS. *AK

THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD RECALLED THE 95 MODELS AND WILL NOT HONOR THE 96 MODELS. THERE WAS AN INADEQUATE PERFORMANCE AND ABNORMAL ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATIONS, COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE HEAD GASKET AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE DEALER MISDIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER SPEND MORE MONEY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND FOR THE REPAIR COST. *MR

INTERIOR LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AND DOOR AJAR CHIME RINGS NON-STOP. ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED AND SECURED. FROM SEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTAR'S. *NLM

FOR THE 3RD TIME THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. THE FIRST WAS AT 56,000; THE SECOND AT 90,000, AND NOW AT 125,000. ON SEARCHING FOR USED ENGINE TO REPLACE MINE, I FIND THAT MOST OUT OF WINDSTARS HAVE BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *TT

THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY ENGINE (3.8). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED EIGHT TIMES FOR ENGINE RELATED PROBLEMS. *TT

THE RIMS INSIDE OF THE WHEEL HAD A HOLE THAT DEVELOPED CRACKS INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WHICH CAUSED IT TO DETERIORATE. *TT

1996 3.8 FORD WINDSTAR HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET WHICH RUINED MY ENGINE. FORD REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM. *NLM

FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION

THE FRONT FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSE. *NLM