Ford Windstar / 1996
1996 Ford Windstar problems
Owners have filed 1,855 complaints about the 1996 Ford Windstar with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 28.3% of them — the clear leader, ahead of power train at 18.4%.
Complaints1,855
Crashes71
Fires53
Injuries62
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 28.3% · 525
Power train 18.4% · 341
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.7% · 255
Suspension 6.1% · 114
Electrical system 4.7% · 88
Vehicle speed control 4.5% · 83
Unknown or other 4.3% · 79
Steering 3.0% · 55
Severity
Of those complaints, 71 describe a crash, 53 describe a fire, 62 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 9 model years of the Ford Windstar in this data, 1996 draws comparatively few complaints; 1995 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 14 in the last three years against 29 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 85,550 miles.
In owners' own words
Engine was running rough; a lot of white smoke cme out of tailpipe. Radiator was losing antifreeeze every day. Took to dealership & mechanic would not look at vehicle. Contacted Ford manufacturer & csr indicated not under extended warranty, no repair will be done. Took to another dealership & was placed on diagnostic machine. Was technical service bulletin on head gaskets, but manufacturer was going by vin. Engine and engine cooling
Head gasket failure in 3.8 I asked the service manager at the dealership when I purchased the car if the engines were having problems. He told me no. I took him on his word and now I have a car that needs a new engine. I have a 1994 t-bird that had to have the engine replaced due to the same problem. Ford was great to work with. I wish they would stand behind this engine as well. I am very disappointed. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Windstar. While stopped at a traffic light, the contact noticed smoke coming from the hood. The contact turned off the vehicle and the smoke ceased; however, the hood caught fire when the vehicle was started again. The contact extinguished the fire and there were no injuries. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 135,000. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 135,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…