1996 Ford Windstar complaints

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

LUGS: NUTS HAVE REPEATEDLY BROKEN OFF WHILE CONSUMER HAS DRIVEN VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER HAS ALREADY REPLACED LUGS: BOLTS FOUR TIMES, BUT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BREAK. *AK

CONSUMER WAS SMELLING GAS AND NOTICED A BIG PUDDLE OF GAS IN DRIVEWAY. CONSUMER FEELS THIS VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

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

FUEL TANK LEAKING. . DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WAS REGISTERING HOT. TOOK TO DEALER ,AND THEY STATED THEATHEAD GASKET FAILED, AND VEHICLE WOULD NEED A REBUILT MOTOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING FRONT BRAKE LINE RUBBED AGAINST VEHICLE'S STRUCTURE COMPONENT, CAUSING A HOLE TO DEVELOP IN LINE, AND RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES.*AK CONSUMER STATED BRAKE FLUID LEAKED ONTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER.*JB

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

FRONT TWO BRAKES WERE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR WITH ADDITIONAL RETURN FOR BRAKE ADJUSTMENTS DUE TO ERRATIC SOFT PEDAL. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ANTI LOCK BRAKES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

ENGINE FAILURE AT 88,000 MILES, ROUGH IDLE AT TIMES, COMPUTER REPLACED AT 75,000 MILES, HEAD GASKET BLEW, CAUSING ENGINE TO FAIL.*AK

CONSUMER STATES BRAKE (SERVICE) WARNING LIGHT STARTED COMING ON WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP. ALSO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT IS ON. DEALER FOUND LOW BRAKE FLUID, THE FRONT BRAKE LININGS, ROTORS, REAR LINGS, AND BOTH REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER CONSUMERS INSPECTION FOUND THAT DEALERSHIP HAD NEVER ADDED BRAKE FLUID. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR UNNECESSARY REPAIRS AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE BRAKE FLUID SENSORS RECALLED. *TT

HEAD GASKET FAILURE OF 3.8L FORD ENGINE AT A COST OF $1500 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A KNOW AND DOCUMENTED FAILURE MECHANISM ON THESE ENGINES THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

DOOR AJAR INDICATOR LIGHT IS INOPERATIVE, DOESN'T KNOW IF DOORS ARE OPEN OR NOT. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

TRANSMISSIONS FAILED 3 TIMES SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 1999. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. 1ST REPLACEMENT AT 33000/2ND AT 34000, AND 3RD AT 65000. *AK

SMALL COOLANT LEAK INTO ENGINE FROM HEAD GASKET.*AK

THIS COMPLAINT CONSIST OF FOUR FAILURES THAT ARE ENGINE RELATED: (1) HEAD GASKET FAILED WHILE BEING DRIVEN, AND LEAKED FLUID ONTO HOT ENGINE. (2) TIMING GASKET FAILED ALONG WITH GASKET FAILING. (3) INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNERS FAILED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VAN IS UNDRIVABLE. (4) FAULTY MAIN ENGINE BEARINGS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NEED TO REPLACE SPEEDOMETER HEAD, REPLACED TIE ROD, FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, CYLINDERS, HEAD GASKET AND NOW ENGINE BLEW NEED NEW ENGINE. *AK

DEALER MADE REPAIRS FOR RECALL 02V101 FOR THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE LINES, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATES THAT NOW THE OTHER BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED, CONSUMER FEELS ALL THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *SLC

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LINE AS STATED IN RECALL 02 V 101 000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO VIBRATE.*AK ALSO THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED WHEN COMING TO A SLOW STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO SUPPES FORD OF JOHNSTOWN PA WHO REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT EXCITER RING. (EXCELLENT SHORT FORM) *SCC

OWNER DROVE ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM HOME, STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL, AND IT DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR. VAN LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY DUE TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURING. TEN MINUTES LATER, VAN WAS ON FIRE DUE TO BRAKE FLUID MAKING CONTACT WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL 02V101000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

ENGINE BLEW A ROD WHILE CRANKING VEHICLE ON. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED.*AK MANUFACTURER NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THIS PARTICULAR VAN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *TT

AT SPEEDS OF 35MPH OR HIGHER THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WAVERS SEVERELY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT SPEED. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA MORE THAN 100 TIMES. I REPORTED THIS TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. AT 49000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER I HAVE DRIVEN NUMEROUS FORD VEHICLES WELL OVER 100000 MILES AND NONE OF THEM HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A MANUFACTURERS FLAW AND BE REPLACED BY THEM. THIS IS DEFINATLEY A SAFETY ISSUE! IF A VEHICLE OPERATOR CANNOT DETERMINE HOW FAST THEY ARE GOING THIS CVOULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS INJURY. THIS IS EVEN MORE EVIDENT DURING REDUCED VISIBLITY AND/OR AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE SPEEDS. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IF POSSIBLE.*AK

WIRING HARNESS DIAGNOSED AS CAUSING FIRE UNDER DASH. SIX REPLACEMENT HARNESS'S HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, NONE FIT. BEEN WITHOUT MY VAN NOW FOR TWO MONTHS WAITING FOR THE CORRECT PART. HAVE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (OFF AND ON) SINCE BUYING THE VAN.*AK

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE IS JUMPING ALL OVER THE PLACE. AFTER TALKING WITH TWO DEALERS, A SPEEDOMETER REPAIR SPECIALIST WITH 30 + YEARS EXPERIENCE, AND REVIEWING THE 135 + OTHER DRIVER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM, I CAN ONLY COME TO THESE CONCLUSIONS: THIS IS A FAULTY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT; FORD IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT; AND THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY A CANDIDATE FOR A RECALL. WHAT ELSE DOES IT TAKE TO COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION?*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RIM OF THE TIRE IS CUTTING INSIDE BEAD OF THE TIRE CAUSING A BLOW OUT. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB

BLOWN HEAD GASKETS ON A 3.8L ENGINE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD ENGINES THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED IN COMPLETE RECALLS, ETC. THIS VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED, NEVER OVERHEATED, ETC AND THE GASKETS JUST FAILED WITH NO WARNING. ESTIMATED COSTS TO FIX ARE $1500 MINIMUM IF HEADS OR BLOCK ARE NOT CRACKED. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX ALL 3.8L ENGINES.*AK

1. AUTO TRANSMISSION FRONT SEAL PREMATURE FAILURE CAUSING LEAKS. 2. 5.5 X 15 STEEL RIM CRACKED DUE TO MATERIAL DEFECTS, CAUSING DANGEROUS STEELING RESPONSES. BOTH DEFECTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO FORD SAN FRANCISOC REGION, BUT FORD DENY RESPONSIBILITY.

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

PLEASE CHECK INTO THESE PROBLEMS THANK YOU WAYNE KELLEY. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

THE SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER GIVES ACCURATE READINGS. IT BOUNCES UP AND DOWN AFTER 30 MPH. FORD TELLS ME THERE IS NO "KNOWN PROBLEM" WITH THIS, HOWEVER, ANY INTERNET COMPLAINT SITE CERTAINLY DOES "KNOW" ABOUT THIS. THE '95 WINDSTAR HAS ALREADY HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, WHY ISN'T THE '96 BEING TAKEN CARE OF ALSO?*AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ON CONSTANTLY, VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT CONSUMER WAS ADVISED LIGHT WAS NOT READING A CODE. HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT, AND DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT LIGHT WAS READING A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET, WHICH WAS LEAKING. *AK ALSO THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED.*JB

SPARE TIRE IS ON OUTSIDE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE RUSTED. THIS CAUSED SPARE TIRE TO BECOME UNUSABLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

THE BRAKES MAKE A LOUD SOUND LIKE A ROLLING DRUM WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP. IT SHAKES, RATTLES AND MAKES A LOUD DRAGGING LIKE NOISE UNTIL THE CAR STOPS. NOW YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN IN ORDER TO JUST SLOW THE VAN DOWN. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE THE VAN WILL START TO MOVE BACKWARDS WHEN IT'S IN DRIVE. THEN WITH A HARD KICK WHICH SORT OF FEELS LIKE SOMEONE IS REAR ENDING YOU, THE VAN WILL GO FORWARD. THE BRAKES ARE SO BAD AT THIS POINT THAT SOMETIMES THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS NEEDED JUST TO STOP THE VAN.*AK

CARBON HAS GONE THROUGH THE ENTIRE EMISSIONS SYSTEM , MANIFOLD NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT, CAUSING BLUE EXHAUST TO COME FROM TAIL PIPE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK INDICATORS ARE THAT RADIATOR COOLANT HAD BEEN LEAKING INTO OIL CAUSING 02 SENSORS TO FAIL AND BE REPLACED. DEALER ADVISED THAT ENTIRE ENGINE BE REPLACED. *TT

VEHICLE IS LOSING COOLANT AND RUNNING ROUGH WHEN FIRST STARTED. A QUART IS ADDED EVERY 800 MILES TO VEHICLE. NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ON DASHBOARD. COOLANT SMELL IS COMING THROUGH EXHAUST. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS GOING 65MPH RPMS ESCALATE HIGHER THAT NORMAL ,AND VEHICLE DIES OUT. NO WARNING IS DETECTED WHEN STICKING BETWEEN GEARS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

ODOMETER GIVES AN INACURATE READING PAST 30MPH. CONSUMER IS ABLE TO KEEP A DESIGNATED SPEED. FORD WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE JOLTS AND VIBRATES. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AKI

BRAKE LINE GOING TO RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CORRODED ,CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE AT 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE 85. *AK

AT 60-65 MPH, ENGINE BLEWOUT WITH NO WARNING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK PERSONAL MECHANIC FOUND BROKEN CONNECTING ROD WHICH DAMAGED TWO CYLINDERS AND CRANKSHAFT. CONNECTING ROD EXPERIENCED METAL FATIGUE DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TT

CONSUMER STATED THAT DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECT, THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS BROUGHT TO CONSUMERS ATTENTION BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD A FACTORY RECALL ON THE 1994 AND 1995 MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *YD *NM

ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK

IN THE 20 MONTHS THAT I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE THE ENGINE BLOCK HAS OVER - EXPANDED TWICE - CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. BOTH TIMES I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. THIER WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO FAILURE(COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER DUE TO HEAT FATIGUE). FORTUNATLY I WAS ABLE TO MANUEVER THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS DEFINATELY A SAFETY CONCERN FOR OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT DISPLAYED, WHITE SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF TAIL PIPE.*AK

UPON STARTING VAN, OWNER SMELLED COOLANT, AND THEN NOTICED THAT VAN WAS LOSING COOLANT. OWNER TOOK VAN TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD A BLOWN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO ENTER INTO EXHAUST SYSTEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. THE IGNITION SYSTEM NO LONGER TURNS THE ENGINE OFF, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!! I AM VERY MAD. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, ALSO A NEW ENGINE COVER WAS PUT ON, A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE CLEANED AND MILLED DUE TO THE SLUDGE BUILD UP, SERPENTINE BELT NOISY. *SLC