Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1996 Ford WINDSTAR: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1,386 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

86,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1996 model year. Data updated: . 216 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 300 of 1,386 complaints (21.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior24717.8%
Transmission and shifting1379.9%
Steering behavior413.0%
Electrical and battery issues352.5%
Engine operation302.2%
Fuel system concerns302.2%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
300
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
149
Power Train
138
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
112
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
84
Unknown Or Other
79
Vehicle Speed Control
63
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
59
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine300
Power Train:Automatic Transmission149
Power Train138
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip112
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline84
Unknown Or Other79
Vehicle Speed Control63
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs59

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 300; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 149; Power Train: 138; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 112; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 84; Unknown Or Other: 79; Vehicle Speed Control: 63; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 59

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
10
25,000 to 49,999
10
50,000 to 74,999
48
75,000 to 99,999
65
100,000 to 149,999
57
150,000 and above
26
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00010
25,000 to 49,99910
50,000 to 74,99948
75,000 to 99,99965
100,000 to 149,99957
150,000 and above26

Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 48; 75,000 to 99,999: 65; 100,000 to 149,999: 57; 150,000 and above: 26

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (65). 1,170 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
1
1996
43
1997
91
1998
90
1999
156
2000
244
2001
263
2002
180
2003
129
2004
70
2005
42
2006
24
2007
9
2008
10
2009
8
2010
11
2011
5
2012
3
2013
4
2015
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19951
199643
199791
199890
1999156
2000244
2001263
2002180
2003129
200470
200542
200624
20079
200810
20098
201011
20115
20123
20134
20153

1995: 1; 1996: 43; 1997: 91; 1998: 90; 1999: 156; 2000: 244; 2001: 263; 2002: 180; 2003: 129; 2004: 70; 2005: 42; 2006: 24; 2007: 9; 2008: 10; 2009: 8; 2010: 11; 2011: 5; 2012: 3; 2013: 4; 2015: 3

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 247 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 137 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 41 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10000514 · 2003-01-04 (January 4, 2003)

PROBLEM WITH 1996 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE 45,000 MI. W/ DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. FORD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON 94-95 MODELS BUT WON'T COVER 96 MODELS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM W/ ALL THE 3.8L ENGINES AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURING AND SELLING A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS PRODUCT. TS

Owner-reported narrative. 45,054 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000514 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10001803 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING HEAD GASKET/TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001803 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10001902 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)

CONSUMER STATES THAT SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE NEEDLE MOVES ERRATICALLY AND MAKES A TICKING NOISE. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO ASCERTAIN CORRECT SPEED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR 2 TIMES BY REPLACING SPEEDOMETER CABLE. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001902 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002214 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 2MPH STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING,THEN DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN CONSUMER FACE. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002214 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002428 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS PUNCTURED THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE ALMOST RESULTING IN VEHICLE CRASHING. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002428 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002728 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)

I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAVE JUST LEARNED THE HEAD GASKET ON MY VEHICLE HAS BLOWN OUT WITH JUST 70K MILES ON IT. I KNOW FORD RECALLED 1995 MODELS AND AFTER SOME RESEARCH OF MY OWN, HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE JUST AS MANY 96'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING WITH THAT MODEL YEAR.

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002728 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003256 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 1996 FORD WINDSTAR, REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMEN AT APPROX 70K MILES

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003256 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003546 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)

THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK WITH THE GEAR IN THE PARKING POSITION ON THE DRIVE WAY

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003546 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

00V168000 · Exterior Lighting

Reported: 2000-06-19 (June 19, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ACCORDING TO FORD, THE VEHICLES WERE IMPORTED INTO THE U.S. ERRONEOUSLY.

Consequence: THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
02V101000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2002-04-04 (April 4, 2002)

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. DURING ASSEMBLY, SOME BRAKE LINES WERE INSTALLED IN A TWISTED POSITION, CAUSING CONTACT WITH THE DASH PANEL INSULATOR ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS CONTACT COULD ABRADE THE BRAKE LINE CORROSION PROTECTION, CONSEQUENTLY, SALT OR WATER ABSORBED IN THE DASH PANEL INSULATOR WOULD PROMOTE CORROSION. THIS CORROSION COULD ULTIMATELY LEAD TO A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE.

Consequence: LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID WILL RESULT IN BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATION. EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD ALSO RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE FOR CORROSION AND CLEARANCE CONDITIONS. A BRAKE LINE THAT IS NOT CORRODED WILL BE REPOSITIONED. A BRAKE LINE THAT IS CORRODED OR LEAKING WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NYLON COATED BRAKE LINE AND SECURED USING THREE RETAINING CLIPS TO ASSURE CLEARANCE FROM THE INSULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Reported: 2009-10-13 (October 13, 2009)

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
96V086000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Reported: 1996-05-14 (May 14, 1996)

THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WHEN THE ROLL PIN THAT RETAINS IT WAS INSTALLED DURING TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. IF THE SHAFT WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED, THE ROLL PIN MAY NOT HAVE LINED UP WITH THE GROOVE IN THE SHAFT AND HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AT ASSEMBLY. ALSO, A BURR COULD HAVE BEEN RAISED ON THE SHAFT.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PARK PAWL OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROLL PIN. IF THE ROLL PIN IS DAMAGED, BOTH THE ROLL PIN AND THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, OWNERS WILL BE REMINDED TO FULLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE, IN ADDITION TO PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
96V114000 · Seats

Reported: 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)

THE FOUR FASTENERS SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE FLOORPAN WERE NOT TORQUED TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence: THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY NOT PROPERLY HOLD IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FASTENERS AND RETORQUE TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
96V166000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

Reported: 1996-09-05 (September 5, 1996)

THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.

Consequence: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
97V180000 · Structure:Body:Hood

Reported: 1997-10-20 (October 20, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS. TEARING OF THE BOND BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS DURING MINOR FRONT END COLLISIONS CAN RESULT IN A GAP AT THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. AIR FORCED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER PANELS CAN PRODUCE ENOUGH PRESSURE TO FORCE THE OUTER PANEL UPWARD.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE OUTER HOOD PANEL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD AREA FOR ANY DAMAGE ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. IF THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, THE HOOD WILL BE REPLACED. IF THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE WILL BE APPLIED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
99V147000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder

Reported: 1999-06-14 (June 14, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER IS RECESSED AND ORIENTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING STATEMENT EMBOSSED ON BOTH THE TOP OF THE FILLER CAP AND THE SIDE OF THE RESERVOIR BODY ARE NOT ENTIRELY VISIBLE BY DIRECT VIEW. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1,386 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

15.6%Usable mileage216 / 1,386 records
84.2%Valid incident date1,167 / 1,386 records
100.0%Valid filing date1,386 / 1,386 records
84.1%Ordered incident and filing dates1,165 / 1,386 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

327.3%
ODI 737461

FORD KNOWS THAT THESE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. THEY HAVE HAD A RECALL BUT ONLY FROM 1994 AND ONLY MADE IN A CERTAIN PLANT. *AK

Look up ODI 737461 at NHTSA ↗

521.7%
ODI 10055815 · 114,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Look up ODI 10055815 at NHTSA ↗

1,16134.9%
ODI 10000120

1995 FORD WINDSTAR WAS RECALLED FOR THE HEAD GASKETS, HAD DEALER FIX PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED.

Look up ODI 10000120 at NHTSA ↗

30021.6%
ODI 10000514 · 45,054 mi

PROBLEM WITH 1996 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE 45,000 MI. W/ DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. FORD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON 94-95 MODELS BUT WON'T COVER 96 MODELS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM W/ ALL THE 3.8L ENGINES AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURING AND SELLING A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS PRODUCT. TS

Look up ODI 10000514 at NHTSA ↗

2211.5%
ODI 10000312 · 77,000 mi

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 3.8 ENGINE ON 1997 FORD WINDSTAR, WITH ONLY 77,000 MILES. FORD WITH NOT OFFER ANY HELP. AFTER OWNING A FORD FOR PAST 28 YEARS, THIS IS THE LAST FORD PRODUCT THAT MY FAMILY WILL EVER OWN. EVER! TS

Look up ODI 10000312 at NHTSA ↗

503.5%
ODI 10002872 · 80,000 mi

I HAVE MAINTAINED MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR VERY WELL - HAVING ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENACE PERFORMED. IT HAS ONLY 80,000 MILES ON IT AND THE HEAD GASKET NOW HAS A LEAK. COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO THE #4 CYLINDER. THE DEALER WANTS $3500-4500 TO PUT A NEW ENGINE IN IT. THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH WINDSTARS. FORD HAS HAS A PROGRAM FOR EARLIER MODELS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. BUT FORD HAS YET TO APPLY THE PROGRAM TO THE 1998 MODELS. I EXPECT A FORD VEHICLE TO GET AT LEAST 180,000 MILES WHEN THE OWNER HAS ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE…

Look up ODI 10002872 at NHTSA ↗

352.3%
ODI 10001133 · 53,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 35/40 MPH THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ABS FAILED. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS ENGAGED WITHOUT CAUSE. THE PARTS REPLACED IS UNKNOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO APPEARED ON DASH. TS *JB

Look up ODI 10001133 at NHTSA ↗

291.7%
ODI 10003471 · 44,000 mi

MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR HAD TO HAVE A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEN IT HAD ONLY 44,000 MILES DUE TO A DEFECT CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO RUN TOO LEAN. THE CODE WAS 0171. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE TO REPLACE A PART OF THIS NATURE WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY THIS MANY MILES ON IT AND ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

Look up ODI 10003471 at NHTSA ↗

181.1%
ODI 10011746

AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR SEAL HAD TO BE INSTALLED, THE SEAT BUCKLES AND REAR WIPER MOTOR COVER WERE REPLACED, THE ABS FAILED, AND RIGHT BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD ILLUMINATED, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, SPEED SENSOR AND BRAKE SENSOR FAILED. *PH *JB RQ04011.*PCO

Look up ODI 10011746 at NHTSA ↗

60.4%
ODI 10011175 · 20,000 mi

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. *JB

Look up ODI 10011175 at NHTSA ↗

90.6%
ODI 10026274 · 47,592 mi

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE ENGINE RACED WHEN A STOP WAS MADE. CONSUMER HAD TO PLACE THE ENGINE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK THE MOTOR RACED THREE TO FOUR RPM'S WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP. THE COMPUTER DIDN'T SHOW A SIGN OF FAILURE. *SCC *JB

Look up ODI 10026274 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 878925

FRONT BRAKE PROBLEM; WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL BRAKES MADE A LOUD RATTLING NOISE . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS ALREADY ROTATED ROTORS, AND PUT NEW BRAKE PADS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED .*AK ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *YH

Look up ODI 878925 at NHTSA ↗

19.1%
ODI 986884

VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED WHILE DRIVING AND WILL GO UP HILL WHEN APPLYING ACCELEATOR WILL NOT PICKUP SPEED. *AK

Look up ODI 986884 at NHTSA ↗

521.7%
ODI 10001449 · 40,000 mi

WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A COMPLETE STOP OR IDLING AND GAS IS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE, THEN LAUNCHES FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATOR ENGAGES. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS IS A RESULT OF A FAULTY PISTON IN THE TRANSMISSION, AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

Look up ODI 10001449 at NHTSA ↗

70521.2%
ODI 10002867 · 110,000 mi

1995 FORD WINDSTAR ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE - FORD WILL NOT ADMINT TO A DEFECT IN QUALITY. THIS VAN NOW SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR OVER A YEAR AND NO ONE WILL FIXIT FOR UNDER 3500.00. PROBLEM IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTS IN THIS VAN, THE VALUE OF IT IS 1000.00. I ALSO PUT TWO TRANSMITTIONS INTO IT, WATER PUMPS, THERMOSTATS, RADIATOR AND NO ONE INFORMED ME OF A POTENTAL DEFECT WITH THE HEAD GASKETS

Look up ODI 10002867 at NHTSA ↗

14910.8%
ODI 10003256 · 70,000 mi

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 1996 FORD WINDSTAR, REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMEN AT APPROX 70K MILES

Look up ODI 10003256 at NHTSA ↗

157.8%
ODI 10000833

SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1996 WINDSTAR, 86,000 MI. PROPER MAINTENENCE HAD BEEN DONE. I SEE THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS HERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NHTSA IT IS TIME TO STEP UP AND FORCE A RECALL. HOW LONG DO THE CONSUMERS HAVE TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. WE DON'T HAVE THE $3000 THEY WANT FOR REPAIRS. WHAT HAPPENED TO COMSUMER RIGHTS? THE WAY IT STANDS NOW I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERCIAN CAR. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT FOR THE ECONOMY. YOU HAVE TO HOLD CORPORATE AMERICA RESPONSIBLETOPUT OUT QUALITY VEHICLES…

Look up ODI 10000833 at NHTSA ↗

24817.3%
ODI 10003938

NAR 1/15/2003. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, THE SELLING DEALER OFFERED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK, BUT THE CONSUMER DECLINED AND INSTEAD CONTINUED TO FORD AND HARASS THE EMPLOYEES TO POINT THAT THEY BECAME DEATH THREATS. *JB

Look up ODI 10003938 at NHTSA ↗

18212.0%
ODI 10000054 · 29,131 mi

AUTOMATIC TRANMISSION FAILURE AT 29,131 MILES.

Look up ODI 10000054 at NHTSA ↗

1488.8%
ODI 10004491 · 37,502 mi

CONSUMER TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE BAY BRIDGE. NAR 1-22-03 THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD ON 2 OCCASIONS IT WAS NORMAL. THE ABS LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE RELAY. THE WINDSHIELD WASHER WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE WASHER BOTTLE HAD TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHUDDERED WHILE BRAKING. *JB

Look up ODI 10004491 at NHTSA ↗

472.8%
ODI 10050181

VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE GEAR AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WOULD COST 1800-2000 MILES. *JB *NM

Look up ODI 10050181 at NHTSA ↗

211.6%
ODI 10051841 · 8,000 mi

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE CONSUMER ALMOST INJURED HER SON. *SC *JB

Look up ODI 10051841 at NHTSA ↗

946.2%
ODI 10020366

NAR 05/21/2003 *MR THE CONSUMER HAS MADE TWO MAJOR SAFETY RELATED REPAIRS (TRANSMISSION, AND STEERING PULL) MADE TO THE VEHICLE OVER AN 11 MONTH PERIOD. PLEASE REVIEW FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS. *CB

Look up ODI 10020366 at NHTSA ↗

312.5%
ODI 10295340 · 101,000 mi

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY & SUDDENLY LOST POWER, ALTHOUGH ENGINE WAS STILL ON. TOWED TO DEALER & TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Look up ODI 10295340 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

421.3%
ODI 10023209 · 123,000 mi

BRAKE LIGHT COME ON FREQUENTLY. DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON OCCASIONALLY CAUSING INTERIOR LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON EVEN WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SHUT. DASH LIGHT QUIT WORKING. TOOK TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE ASHTRAY LIGHT, DISCONNECTED ASHTRAY LIGHT AND DASH LIGHTS STARTED WORKING AGAIN. ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON. TOOK TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT VACUUM HOSE WAS OFF THE EGR VALVE. MECHANIC PUT VACUUM HOSE BACK ON. PROBLEM RECURRED 3 DAYS LATER BUT THIS TIME NOT VACUUM HOSE. BELIEVE THE PROBLEM TO BE EGR VALVE ITSELF…

Look up ODI 10023209 at NHTSA ↗

251.8%
ODI 10008147 · 62,000 mi

ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANT, REPLACED O2 SENSOR, REPLACED ABS BRAKES, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN RUNNING OR PARKED, COOLANT LEAKING AND DOOR SENSORS ARE BAD. ALL DOCUMENT KNOWN ISSUES ON.*JB HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/MODELYEAR_FORD_WINDSTAR_1996.HTML - SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS HAS GONE ON FAR TO LONG AND IS PUTTING PEOPLES LIFE AT STAKE. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY VAN AND ALL OF THESE ARE BIG ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY.

Look up ODI 10008147 at NHTSA ↗

42.1%
ODI 10055244 · 170,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND PULLED OVER. THE DRIVER WENT FOR HELP AND CAME BACK TO FIND THE VEHICLE IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

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422.9%
ODI 10001393

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE RECALL RECEIVED ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER NEVER PAID ATTENTION TO THE COMPLAINTS. TS

Look up ODI 10001393 at NHTSA ↗

1097.2%
ODI 10002754 · 36,570 mi

MY VAN WAS BARELY OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS A RESULT OF A BROKEN SENSOR WELD ON MY INTAKE MANIFOLD TO THE TUNE OF APPROX. $900. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE O/D OFF LIGHT MEANT THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $2,700. ALL THIS FOR BEING 1 MONTH AND 500 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. PLUS, I SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH FORD WINDSTARS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AT 35,000 MILES AND 70,000 (TWICE) SO I SEE THAT …

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17210.3%
ODI 10006871 · 8,000 mi

THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE AND THE SLIDING DOOR OPENED BY ITSELF.*JB

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20111.9%
ODI 10006909

THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE NO LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE.*JB

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23517.4%
ODI 10008062 · 9,000 mi

ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT, I ENGAGED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROST BUTTON ON THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STALLED, AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. AFTER THAT, EVERY TIME THE SAME BUTTON WAS PUSHED, THE ENGINE STALLED. THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH OCCURRENCE, THE LAST TIME WAS IN APRIL, 2002 WHEN ENGAGING THE AIR CONDITIONER CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL.*JB

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26217.4%
ODI 10060521 · 10,450 mi

VEHICLE IS A FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED 2003 MINIVAN. THE ADVANCE TRAC SYSTEM CAME ON DURING NORMAL OPERATION AND ON DRY PAYMENT AND UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SPINNING AND I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEN SLOWED TO A STOP ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS A TERRIBLE NOISE AS IF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS BEING TORN APART. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ADVANCE TRAC SYSTEM. AFTER TESTING THE TRANSMISSION AND I PROCEEDED TO MY DESTINATION. WHE…

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312.5%
ODI 10375452 · 129,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD ALSO OPEN AND SHUT INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE FAILURE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

Look up ODI 10375452 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

300.9%
ODI 10006337

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED ON AVERAGE EVERY 6,000 MILES. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED AT 40,000 MILES, THE HEAD GASKET AT 20,000. THE CUTTING OUT, ENGINE FAILURE HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE HEAD GASKET WAS CORRECTED. FORD HAS RESPONDED TO A WRITTEN LETTER, AT WHICH TIME I WAS ACCUSED FOR FORGING MY HUSBAND'S SIGNATURE (LATER I WAS TOLD HE WAS JUST KIDDING). THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR MY 3 CHILDREN. WHEN MOVING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, WE ARE IN DANGER OF A COLLISION IF THE ENGINE FAILS, AS IT OFTEN DOES. PLEASE F…

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130.9%
ODI 10040514

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

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42.1%
ODI 10070667 · 87,000 mi

I BOUGHT THIS 1997 FORD WINDSTAR IN MARCH OF 2003. THE VERY NEXT DAY I RETURNED TO THE INDEPENDENT CAR DEALER DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THEY RESET THE LIGHT. WITHIN A WEEK IT WAS ON AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A FLUXATION IN THE ELECTRICAL CURRENT AND IT WAS MAKING THE LIGHT COME ON. THEY RESET IT. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER IT IS LOSING COOLANT SOMEWHERE AND RUNNING ROUGH, THEY CHECK IT AND NOW IT NEEDS 2 OUT OF 4 OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACED IM TOLD. THEY PAY FOR IT IF THEY TRULY FIXED IT BECAUSE ABOUT…

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322.2%
ODI 10033260

I AM SEEKING ACTION TO ALLEVIATE THE COST OF MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 1998 3.8L V6 FORD WINDSTAR GL. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, MY WINDSTAR HAS DISPLAYED REOCCURRING AND EXTENSIVE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE FRONT END, BRAKES, AND ENGINE THAT HAVE RESULTED INCREASING AMOUNTS OF TIME AND MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS. FROM RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT OUR DIFFICULTIES ARE NOT AN ISOLATED EVENT, AND ARE IN FACT A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 1998 WINDSTAR, AND ARE THE SAME PROBLEMS FOUND IN THE 1995 WINDSTAR. THE MOST RECENT EVENT WAS T…

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765.0%
ODI 10046741 · 76,504 mi

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND MADE A TICKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP BUT THE MECHANIC ARE WAS UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB

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1317.8%
ODI 10018008

WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TOT HE FLOOR. *NLM

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22313.2%
ODI 10018143

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVING TO THROW IT NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE.B PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

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25919.1%
ODI 10009784

WHEN THE VEHICLES BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. *NLM *TS

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20913.8%
ODI 10039656

THERE IS A NOISE IN THE REAR BREAK DRUMS CAUSED BY MOISTURE. *MR THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE REAR BRAKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO MOISTURE AND NOT TO WORRY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS PROBLEMATIC, AND THE REAR BRAKES HAD STARTED TO NOT STOP PROPERLY. THE REAR BRAKES WERE READJUSTED, AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS ADDED. THE NOISE IN THE BRAKES HAD RETURNED. *SCC *JB

Look up ODI 10039656 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

20.1%
ODI 10504408

WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM ROME GA TO CARTERSVILLE GA MY VAN MADE A FUNNY NOISE AND MY SPEED DROPPED FROM 60 TO 50 AND THEN MY BACK TIRES FELT FUNNY LIKE I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING BUT I KNOW I HAD NOT HIT ANY THING SO AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE EXIT THEN MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER I STOPPED AT A STATION I CHECKED MY BRAKE FLUID BUT IT WAS FULL, I CHECKED MY TIRES THEY WHERE GOOD BECAUSE THEY ARE NEW. WHEN I GOT HOME I HAD MY BREAKS & PLUGS CHECKED AND THEY ARE GOOD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. THE ABS LIGHT IS STILL ON, WHILE DRIVING MY VAN STILL L…

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10.1%
ODI 10549528 · 152,000 mi

ABS LIGHT ON DASHBOARD COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, AFTER 5 MINUTES OF OPERATION LIGHT WILL COME ON, THEN STAY ON, BUT AFTER SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND START AGAIN LIGHT IS FFF AND COMES BACK ON AFTER FEW MINUTES OF TRAVEL. *TR

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

70.5%
ODI 10493718 · 233,456 mi

BRAKE FLUID ALL LEAKS OUT WEAR HOLE IN BRAKE FLUID TUBE TO REAR BRAKES BETWEEN FRAME AND GAS TANK. CAUSING VIRTUALLY NO BRAKING POWER. DRIVERS SIDE NEAR REAR WHEEL. WOULD REQUIRE 200.00+ TO REPAIR. *TR

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724.7%
ODI 10464807 · 200,000 mi

SKIMMED TO A STOP,VEHICLES ARE DANGEROUS,BRAKES TIED UP AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TOOK IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT ADVISED SYSTEM WAS GOOD,NOW I READ YOU GUYS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAPPEN TO ME,PROVING ITS A DEFECT I WANT TO BE GIVEN CREDIT FOR A NEW FORD WINDFREE. *TR

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1247.4%
ODI 10458072 · 96,000 mi

AS IS TYPICAL WITH THE WINDSTAR, THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THUS, CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS AND CRUISE. UNFORTUNATELY, FORD ALREADY HONORED THE RECALL (09S09) ON THIS VEHICLE. AT THAT TIME THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS NOT LEAKING SO THEY INSTALLED A WIRE HARNESS TO AVOID A FIRE WHEN IT DID START LEAKING. (WHY PUT ON A WIRE HARNESS? BECAUSE THEY KNEW THE SWITCH WAS GOING TO FAIL. WHY NOT JUST REPLACE THE SWITCH IN THE FIRST PLACE?) NOW FORD WILL NOT RE-OPEN THE RECALL TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND FIX THE OTHER RELATED PROBLE…

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19311.4%
ODI 10458580 · 89,700 mi

THE BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. I CALLED RUSS MILNE FORD MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL, BUT WHEN I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE IT STATES IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $90 OR SO TO FIX IT. I HAVE ALREADY PUT A OVER $2000 IN REPAIRS IN THE LAST 2 YEARS ON THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE BEING IT IS A PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE VERY WELL AWARE OF. *JS

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23317.2%
ODI 10460259 · 94,000 mi

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2012 AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. ACCORDING TO FORD ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE ON THIS VEHICLE BUT HERE IS A LIST OF THE ISSUES WITH THE VAN: ABS LIGHT COMES ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, VAN HAS NO CRUISE CONTROL AT ALL, AND LAST FRIDAY I COULD NOT PUT THE VAN IN GEAR. AFTER THE FORD DEALERSHIP "REPAIRED" THE SOLENOID FOR THE VAN NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS CURRENTLY NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS VAN IS LESS THAN SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD AND HAVE SEEN THAT SOME OF THE RECALLS WOULD HAVE SOLVED THE…

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29619.6%
ODI 10457210

MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN I CUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON. IT MAY COME BACK OR NOT UNTIL LATER WHILE DRIVING. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE SEEM LOOSE. I SEE A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THE INTERNET FOR ABS AND BRAKE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON? *JS

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14.2%
ODI 10462988 · 152,000 mi

PURCHASED THE CAR USED ON 5/26/12, DROVE AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND THE BREAK WARNING LIGHTS BOTH CAME ON, INDICATING ISSUES WITH ABS. TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS MODULE (??) WAS CAUSING THE ISSUES. CAR DEALERSHIP AND WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSED TO COVER IT BECAUSE IT'S AN OPTIONAL SYSTEM. THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED - IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN CANADA, SO I'M NOT SURE IF THAT EFFECTS RECALL INFORMATION. ON 6/12/12 DRIVING IN TO …

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Suspension
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

14.3%
ODI 10111739 · 143,000 mi

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY IT'S HAPPENING. ALSO, THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS ARE LEAKING. ALSO, THE BRAKE HOSES WERE REPLACED. OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THESE BRAKE PROBLEMS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT KNOW ONE CAN SEEM TO REPAIR THE PROBLEMS. *NM THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP AT TIMES. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES. REFER TO RECALL CAMPAIGN #02V101000. WHEN THE VAN WAS STARTED FOR A 5TH OR 6TH TIME, IT WOULD SPUDDER/BUBBLE …

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150.5%
ODI 10010475 · 70,000 mi

ABS LOCKS AND VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 TRYING TO FIX BRAKING ISSUE. TONE RINGS, STRUTS, SUSPENSION, FRONT BRAKES, REAR BRAKES, BEARINGS, CV JOINTS, MASTER CYLINDER, AMONG OTHER REPLACEMENTS. OVER BUMPS, SMALL HILLS, STRAIGHT ROADS, ANYTIME COMING TO A STOP, VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO STOP COMPLETELY. HAVE PUMPED BRAKES AND FOUND THAT BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD AND LOUD, STILL DOES NOT HELP TO STOP VEHICLE. STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE AT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. BRAKE PEDAL ALSO KICKS BACK, SOMETIMES WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE, MAKES A LO…

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90.6%
ODI 10074121

VEHICLE HAD CONSTANT ENGINE PROBLEMS ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS THAT SURFACED AND ENDED ITS LIFE CYCLE. *LA THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COOLANT LEAKS, HARD STARTING, ELECTRICAL NOISES, RADIO NOISES, VIBRATION UPON ACCELERATION ALONG WITH THUMPING NOISES, ERRATIC DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATION, INTERMITTENT DOOR AJAR LIGHT, BEARING NOISE AND THE ENGINE BLEW OUT PREMATURELY. *SC *JB FROM A NORMAL SITTING POSITION THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SEE THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. IT WASN'T UNTIL HE DROPPED SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR AND LOOKED UP THAT HE S…

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52.6%
ODI 10436452

I PURCHASED A 1997 FORD WINDSTAR AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COIL SPRINGS/SUSPENSION. (RECALL#01I00700) < I BELIEVE THIS IS THE RECALL #. LONG STORY SHORT MY FRONT TIRES ARE FLAT DOUE TO THE COIL SPRINGS. NONE OF THE DEALERS I TOOK IT TO ARE WILLING TO FIX THIS. THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL... PLEASE HELP ME BETTER UNDERSTAND WHY FORD WONT FIX THIS DEFECT. *TR

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553.8%
ODI 10001346

WHILE BRAKING THERE WAS A CLANKING NOISE IN FRONT END. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD, FORD REPLACED SUBFRAME BUSHINGS AND TIE ROD ENDS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS. *AK

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825.4%
ODI 10068875 · 74,500 mi

TRANSMISSION IS PRIMARY ISSUE HAS SHIFTING PROBLEM AT LOW SPEED, HAS OVER 8 TSB ON THE ISSUE AND HAS NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEM THE OTHER ISSUES ARE CLEARLY COMMON FOR THIS MODEL AS WELL, BUT THIS TRANSMISSIONAND FORDS LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THEIR SERVICE AND DEALERS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

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1297.7%
ODI 10070317 · 70,000 mi

I COMPLAINED OF A RATTLING NOISE SOUNDING LIKE CHAINS UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VAN , STARTING FROM 7,700 MILES TO THE PRESENT. EACH TIME TAKING IT IN AND BEING TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, TO THEM FIXING SOMETHING AND THE NOISE STILL BEING THERE. I STATED TO THEM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE VAN WAS NOT RIDING RIGHT. I COMPLAINED OF A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. AGAIN, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE BRAKES WHERE ALWAYS RUBBING AND THEY REPLACED THE PADS. I WAS TOLD SEMI-METALLIC PADS MAKE NOISES. THEY REPLACED THE C…

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18811.2%
ODI 10007355

THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS ON 3 OCCASIONS.*JB

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17112.6%
ODI 10173041 · 4,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING FROM 10 MPH UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, ALMOST GOING OVER A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE PCM AND RE-FILLED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE SHIFTER WAS RE-ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT OCCASIONALLY, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INA…

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18412.2%
ODI 10033327 · 633 mi

I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR ON JULY 7, 2003. SHORTLY AFTER I LEFT FOR PA, FOR VACATION. AFTER ONE WEEK AND A HALF ON WAS ON RT. 380 IN PA, AS I APPROCHED THE EXIT THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. I DID KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, I PRAYED AND GOT FOR THE EXIT. AT THE END OF THE EXIT I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, WALKED AROUND IT AND I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. SO I THOUGHT IF I COULD MAKE IT ONE MORE MILE TO THE GAS STATION I WOULD BE FINE. I WENT 8' AND I HEARD THIS NOISE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE WHEEL BROKE AWAY FROM THE WHEEL. MY BUMPER COUGHT THE WHEEL A…

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625.0%
ODI 10461065 · 141,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, GREY SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE BROKE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141,000.

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Vehicle Speed Control
133.3%
ODI 10294792 · 65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD WINDSTAR. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. HE NOTIFIED SIX DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO SCHEDULE RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENTS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. EVENTUALLY HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A DEALER THAT WAS WILLING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

842.5%
ODI 10066377 · 49,780 mi

SPEEDOMETER INOPERABLE ABOVE 45 MPH (BOUNCES AND GRINDING NOISES); OUTER DOOR LOCKS INOPERABLE (EXCEPT DRIVERS DOOR), KEY ONLY OPENS DRIVERS DOOR; DOOR AJAR SENSOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. *AK

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634.5%
ODI 10007333

THE SPEEDOMETER MOVED ERRATICALLY AND MALFUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY LEAVING CONSUMER UNSURE OF SPEED. SPEEDOMETER HAD TO BE REPLACED 2 TIMES. *TT *JB *TS

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189.4%
ODI 10003593

DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER UNITS IN 1997 FORD WINDSTARS.I HAVE HAD MY SPEEDOMETER REPLACED 3 TIMES AND IS IN NEED OF ANOTHER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTARS AND THE TAURUS.YOU CAN NOT JUDGE HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE.ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU REPLACE THE UNIT AND IT KEEPS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED.CAN IT BE RECALLED?

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543.8%
ODI 10058692

ENGINE RAMPED UP BY ITSELF DURING HIGH-SPEED DRIVE. *JB

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785.1%
ODI 10008822

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE PUT GEAR INTO DRIVE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD WITH A SUDDEN THRUST, I HAVE MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TAKEN IT TO ASHLEY FORD, 395 MT PLEASANT ST, NEW BEDFORD MA 02745, [phone removed], THIS LAST TIME 04-16-02 THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY ORDERED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE IT IS SOMETHING ELSE OTHER THAN THE TRANSMISSION. ON 4-15-02 MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE GARAGE I PARKED IT FACING THE STREET AS I BACK IT INTO THE GARAGE AND WHEN I STARTED IT UP, PUT IT INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD NEAR…

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1056.3%
ODI 10001975

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. AS CONSUMER MERGED WHILE ACCELERATING IN THE PASSING GEAR, THE SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH BUT RAPIDLY CLIMBING. CONSUMER TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING, WHICH MADE A LOUD MAXIMUM RPM ENGINE SOUND. THERE WAS A DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE PEDAL, AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, THE CONSUMER STOMPED THE PEDAL, BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP. THE POWER STEERING AND THE POWER BRAKES WENT OFF WITH THE ENGINE. (COASTING AT 85 MPH WITH NO BRAKES OR POWER STEERING) SCC *JB…

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1005.9%
ODI 10011746

AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR SEAL HAD TO BE INSTALLED, THE SEAT BUCKLES AND REAR WIPER MOTOR COVER WERE REPLACED, THE ABS FAILED, AND RIGHT BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD ILLUMINATED, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, SPEED SENSOR AND BRAKE SENSOR FAILED. *PH *JB RQ04011.*PCO

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1299.5%
ODI 10037948 · 18,000 mi

WHEN AT A STOP AND WITH FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE VEHICLE REVVED AND RPMS INCEASED. CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTOFIED. *AK

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755.0%
ODI 10063339

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO MANEUVER ONCE THE ACCELERATION KICKED IN. APPLYING THE BRAKE DURING ACCELERATION WAS INEFFECTIVE. *AK THE AIR INTAKE CONTROL WAS REPLACED. *JB

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312.5%
ODI 10201596 · 86,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2004 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GASKET WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. AS OF AUGUST 31, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Look up ODI 10201596 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

14.3%
ODI 805750

APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS BRAKES DID NOT KICK IN . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

Look up ODI 805750 at NHTSA ↗

2768.3%
ODI 10010475 · 70,000 mi

ABS LOCKS AND VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 TRYING TO FIX BRAKING ISSUE. TONE RINGS, STRUTS, SUSPENSION, FRONT BRAKES, REAR BRAKES, BEARINGS, CV JOINTS, MASTER CYLINDER, AMONG OTHER REPLACEMENTS. OVER BUMPS, SMALL HILLS, STRAIGHT ROADS, ANYTIME COMING TO A STOP, VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO STOP COMPLETELY. HAVE PUMPED BRAKES AND FOUND THAT BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD AND LOUD, STILL DOES NOT HELP TO STOP VEHICLE. STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE AT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. BRAKE PEDAL ALSO KICKS BACK, SOMETIMES WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE, MAKES A LO…

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1128.1%
ODI 10006946

THE LEFT FRONT EXCITOR RING OF THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. DUE TO A CRACK IN THE RING, WHICH ALLOWED THE RING TO SLIDE INWARD ON THE AXLE DISENGAGING FROM THE SENSOR. MY WIFE CAME TO THE END OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP. THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM PREVENTED THE BRAKES FROM ENGAGING PROPERLY. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO METRO FORD IN RAYNHAM, MASS. THEY SAID THE RING IS MADE RIGHT ON THE AXLE AND CAN NOT BE REPLACED BY ITSELF. AND REPLACED THE AXLE WITH RING. THAT INFO PROVED TO BE A LIE AS OTHER FORD DEALERS I LATER C…

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105.2%
ODI 10088085

ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKING ENGAGES DURING NORMAL DRY BRAKING. THIS CAUSES A LESSENING IN BRAKING JUST BEFORE A COMPLETE STOP. COULD CAUSE A COLLISION BY NOT STOPPING CAR WITHIN THE DISTANCE EXPECTED. *JB

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785.4%
ODI 10008346 · 35,000 mi

ABS SYSTEM IS CONSTANTLY MALFUNCTIONING, BRAKES GIVE OUT, TRACTION CONTROL IS TURNING OFF AND ON. DRIVERS SIDE LOCK DOES NOT WORK WITH ALARM REMOTE.*JB

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271.8%
ODI 10001133 · 53,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 35/40 MPH THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ABS FAILED. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS ENGAGED WITHOUT CAUSE. THE PARTS REPLACED IS UNKNOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO APPEARED ON DASH. TS *JB

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321.9%
ODI 10004491 · 37,502 mi

CONSUMER TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE BAY BRIDGE. NAR 1-22-03 THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD ON 2 OCCASIONS IT WAS NORMAL. THE ABS LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE RELAY. THE WINDSHIELD WASHER WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE WASHER BOTTLE HAD TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHUDDERED WHILE BRAKING. *JB

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291.7%
ODI 10011746

AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR SEAL HAD TO BE INSTALLED, THE SEAT BUCKLES AND REAR WIPER MOTOR COVER WERE REPLACED, THE ABS FAILED, AND RIGHT BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD ILLUMINATED, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, SPEED SENSOR AND BRAKE SENSOR FAILED. *PH *JB RQ04011.*PCO

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292.1%
ODI 10029477

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHTWILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK

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271.8%
ODI 10137869

EXHIBITING INTERMITTENT ANTI-SKID BRAKE SYSTEM AND RED BRAKE LAMP ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. *JB

Look up ODI 10137869 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine69,000–86,000 mi80,000 mi41
ODI 10000514 · 45,054 mi

PROBLEM WITH 1996 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE 45,000 MI. W/ DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. FORD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON 94-95 MODELS BUT WON'T COVER 96 MODELS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM W/ ALL THE 3.8L ENGINES AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURING AND SELLING A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS PRODUCT. TS

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ODI 10003928 · 85,571 mi

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

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ODI 10004919 · 65,000 mi

96 WINDSTAR, 3.8L ENGINE, 65,000 MILES. FAILURE OF HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. $1700 TO REPLACE GASKETS AND RELATED PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE FAIURE.

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Power Train:Automatic Transmission62,000–125,000 mi85,550 mi21
ODI 10003256 · 70,000 mi

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 1996 FORD WINDSTAR, REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMEN AT APPROX 70K MILES

Look up ODI 10003256 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10008147 · 62,000 mi

ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANT, REPLACED O2 SENSOR, REPLACED ABS BRAKES, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN RUNNING OR PARKED, COOLANT LEAKING AND DOOR SENSORS ARE BAD. ALL DOCUMENT KNOWN ISSUES ON.*JB HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/MODELYEAR_FORD_WINDSTAR_1996.HTML - SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS HAS GONE ON FAR TO LONG AND IS PUTTING PEOPLES LIFE AT STAKE. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY VAN AND ALL OF THESE ARE BIG ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY.

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ODI 10008655 · 10,335 mi

THE ABS LIGHT HAD FLASHED PERIODICALLY, THE TRANSMISSION HAD BURNT OUT, AND THE ENGINE HAD BECOME CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT. THE CONSUMER HAD REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CHARGE OF THE REBUILT ENGINE. SCC *JB

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Power Train58,772–71,500 mi62,000 mi7
ODI 10012217 · 30,000 mi

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR LACK OF RECALLS ON SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS. *MR. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CLUNKING SOUND, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE CLUNKING SOUND WAS NORMAL AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FORD TRANSMISSION, WHICH FAILED ON A TEST DRIVE AND ONE OTHER OCCASION. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE INTAKE GASKET, WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE 95 MODELS. THE TIMING CHAIN LEAKED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COILS IN THE SUSPENSION, WHICH F…

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ODI 10070140 · 88,580 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHITE SMOKE EMITTING FROM TAILPIPE, MISSING, WILDLY ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER AT 35-40, REAR AIR BLOWS HOT. REPLACEMENTS: HAD GASKETS, LOWER INTAKE GASKETS, UPPER INTAKE GASKETS, SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, THERMOSTAT, GASKET, ? BELT, TIMING COVER, TIMING COVER GASKET, WATER PUMP. SPEEDOMETER AND A/C PROBLEM NOT YET FIXED.

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ODI 10070177 · 78,000 mi

MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR VAN'S ENGINE ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED DUE TO PERSISTENT INTERNAL COOLANT LOSS INTO THE ENGINE, DESPITE REPEATED TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH COMPLAINTS OF CLASSIC HEAD-GASKET SYMPTOMS. FORD DISPLAYED BLATANT NEGLEGENCE AND DISHONESTY IN ITS DEALINGS WITH ME. I TOOK MY VAN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR HEAD-GASKET-LIKE SYMPTOMS: EXCESSIVE LOSS OF COOLANT WITH NO EXTERNAL LEAKAGE, GRAY SMOKE OUT OF EXHAUST, AND ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP SAID NO PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND. TWO WEEKS LATER I RETURNED TO …

Look up ODI 10070177 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipToo few reports for a range58,000 mi4 (sparse)
ODI 10008147 · 62,000 mi

ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANT, REPLACED O2 SENSOR, REPLACED ABS BRAKES, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN RUNNING OR PARKED, COOLANT LEAKING AND DOOR SENSORS ARE BAD. ALL DOCUMENT KNOWN ISSUES ON.*JB HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/MODELYEAR_FORD_WINDSTAR_1996.HTML - SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS HAS GONE ON FAR TO LONG AND IS PUTTING PEOPLES LIFE AT STAKE. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY VAN AND ALL OF THESE ARE BIG ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY.

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ODI 10014822 · 58,000 mi

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD, AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. *JB

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ODI 10086467 · 58,000 mi

MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR WITH ABS 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE ON THE NY CROSS ISLAND HIGHWAY. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A PARKING LOT. DESPITE HAVING DUAL ZONE BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUID REMAINING IN THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM I HAD ZERO BRAKING. I WOULD THINK THAT PAYING EXTRA FOR 4 WHEEL DISK ABS BRAKES WOULD NOT BE AT THE COST OF LOSING THE VALUE OF THE DUAL MASTER CYLINDER. I EXPECTED IMPROVED BRAKING WITH THE ABS 4 WHEEL DISK OPTION. THE LOSS OF ANY BRAKING MOTE THAN OFF-SETS THE HEAT DISCIPATATION…

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Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline71,500–99,550 mi78,100 mi6
ODI 10007764 · 56,000 mi

THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN EXCESSIVE NUMBER OF 1996 FORD WINDSTAR'S WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE HAVING MULTIPLE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. MY VEHICLE IS NOW HAVING TO BE REPLACED AFTER A THIRD HEAD GASKET HAS TO BE REPLACED.

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ODI 10016565 · 73,000 mi

96 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 3.8 LT V6 ,HAS BLOWN HEAD GASKET,FORD SAYS THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR PART WITH MY VIN# AFTER LOOKING UP PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE ON THE WEB I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET FOR THE 94 AND 95 MODELS AND IT SEEMS THEY HAVE FOLLOWED OVER TO THE 96 MODELS ESPECIALLY WITH THE 3.8 ENGINES. UPON CALLING FORD AND TALKING TO A REPRESENTATIVE THEY SAID THE REPAIR COST WERE BASICALLY IM MY HANDS ,I TOLD THEM FROM WHAT I READ THERE HAD BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE GASKETS IN THE 96 AND FOR THEM TO GO AT 73,OOO MILE…

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ODI 10021321 · 71,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10021321 at NHTSA ↗

Unknown Or Other54,500–100,819 mi66,000 mi6
ODI 10010523 · 70,000 mi

HEAD GASKET FAILURE . A COMMON DEFECT IN FORD WINDSTARS, THEY WERE COVERED IN THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS, BUT NOT THE '96 MODEL. FORD, SO FAR, WILL NOT COVER THIS. ALSO SPEEDOMETER "JUMPS" AROUND ABOVE 45 MPH. THIS TOO, IS COMMON IN THIS AND PRIOR MODEL WINDSTARS. REPAIRS ARE USUALLY $500 AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW HOW FAST THEY ARE TRAVELING. *NLM

Look up ODI 10010523 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10069638 · 20,000 mi

MISFIRING AND LOSING COOLANT. AM SURE IT IS A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. FATHER-IN-LAW CURRENTLY IN DISPUTE WITH FORD FOR SAME MODEL/YEAR AND THEY WON'T REIMBURSE HIM. MAY ATTEMPT REPAIR MYSELF IF FORD UNWILLING TO RECALL OR PUT RIGHT. ALSO, SPEEDOMETER FAILURE INTERMITTENT OR INCORRECT READING.

Look up ODI 10069638 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10070217 · 62,000 mi

ENGINE: HEAD GASKET FAILURE @ 62,218 MILES. NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH CYLINDER GASKET HEADS AND RESURFACE SAME. POWER DOOR: FAILURE OF POWER DOOR LOCK ON PASSENGER SIDE. TRANSMISSION: WAS REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY. OTHER: IGNITION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. HAVE BEEN ADVISED ENGINE HAS A SLUDGE CONDITION DESPITE REGULAR OIL CHANGES PER FORD GUIDELINES.

Look up ODI 10070217 at NHTSA ↗

Vehicle Speed Control91,102–140,000 mi100,000 mi21
ODI 10010277 · 91,240 mi

THE SPEEDOMETER HAS FAILED ON MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR PLACING MY WIFE AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN AT RISK. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT TONY BETTEN FORD IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM ON MARCH 7, 2003. BETTEN REPORTED TO ME THAT A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF SPEEDOMETERS HAVE FAILED ON 1996 FORD WINDSTARS AND 1996 FORD ESCORTS. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THE MODELS BECAUSE "THEY (FORD MOTOR COMPANY) DON'T CONSIDER A FAILED SPEEDOMETER A SAFETY ISSUE." IN MY VIEW FORD SHOULD RECALL AND PAY FOR REPAIRS…

Look up ODI 10010277 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10032779 · 105,000 mi

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 LEAS…

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ODI 10033169 · 92,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10033169 at NHTSA ↗

Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs81,000–117,400 mi100,000 mi5
ODI 10012217 · 30,000 mi

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR LACK OF RECALLS ON SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS. *MR. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CLUNKING SOUND, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE CLUNKING SOUND WAS NORMAL AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FORD TRANSMISSION, WHICH FAILED ON A TEST DRIVE AND ONE OTHER OCCASION. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE INTAKE GASKET, WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE 95 MODELS. THE TIMING CHAIN LEAKED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COILS IN THE SUSPENSION, WHICH F…

Look up ODI 10012217 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10049592 · 100,000 mi

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 1996 WINDSTAR. GREAT VEHICLE, WE NOW HAVE 140000 MILES. COMPLAINT: FORD CAMPAIGN #01I007000 (FRONT COIL SPRINGS) MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED VIA LLOYD-MANWELL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE SPRING BROKE ON THE HIGHWAY, LUCKY I (OR FAMILY) NOT INJURED. TOOK VEHICLE FOR REPAIR TO 3RD PARTY. FORD HAS THE FILE DETAILS. INCREDIBLE THAT FORD WOULD DENY A $200 CLAIM ON A TECHNICALITY AND THUS RISK A LIFETIME CUSTOMER. I WILL APPEAL ALL THE WAY TO BILL FORD IF NECESSARY.*AK

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ODI 10091706 · 117,400 mi

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 01I007000 NOTICE CONCERNING FRONT COIL SPRINGS. CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER WHEN THE RECALL WAS RECOGNIZED. HOWEVER, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS UNTIL ONE WAS BROKEN. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE SPRING BROKE IT PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL. *TC

Look up ODI 10091706 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 24 reports

2004: 4 complaints · 2005: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2004114
2005000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
20042400
2005100

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentEngine And Engine Cooling:EnginePower Train:Automatic TransmissionPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlSuspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine—
5
ODI 10008655 · 10,335 mi

THE ABS LIGHT HAD FLASHED PERIODICALLY, THE TRANSMISSION HAD BURNT OUT, AND THE ENGINE HAD BECOME CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT. THE CONSUMER HAD REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CHARGE OF THE REBUILT ENGINE. SCC *JB

Look up ODI 10008655 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 721103

AFTER THREE FAIRLY RELIABLE YEARS AND ONLY 58,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD HEAD GASKETS BLOWN AND A TRANSMISSION THAT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSTAR. I HAVE NEVER FELT COMPELLED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A VEHICLE BEFORE. THE THOUGHT OF THIS CAR LEAVING MY FAMILY STRANDED ON A BUSY STRETCH OF FREEWAY (WHICH IT ALMOST DID) DUE TO A PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AND FACTORY DEFECT IS INEXCUSABLE.*AK

Look up ODI 721103 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 726359

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED ALL OVER DIAL WHEN CAR WENT OVER 30 MPH; TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT AND DID NOT MOVE WHILE IN TRAFFIC; BRAKES FADE WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALL THE TIME (I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS REPEATEDLY, TOLD NO PROBLEM DETECTED); CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL 6-8 INCHES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE; REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR; SEVERAL LEAKS IN ENGINE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (GASKET??). *AK

Look up ODI 726359 at NHTSA ↗

10
ODI 528000

BLOWN ENGINE GASKET AND SPEEDOMETER OFF BY FIVE MILES (RECALLED).

Look up ODI 528000 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 726359

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED ALL OVER DIAL WHEN CAR WENT OVER 30 MPH; TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT AND DID NOT MOVE WHILE IN TRAFFIC; BRAKES FADE WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALL THE TIME (I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS REPEATEDLY, TOLD NO PROBLEM DETECTED); CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL 6-8 INCHES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE; REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR; SEVERAL LEAKS IN ENGINE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (GASKET??). *AK

Look up ODI 726359 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 726366

WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. VAN LOST SPEED AND STARTED OVERHEATING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OFF HIGHWAY. VAN DIED HAD TO BE TOWED. TOLD IT WAS CRACKED HEAD DUE TO COOLANT LEAKAGE. WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO PAY CLAIM.. SPEEDOMETER FLIPS AROUND, ESTIMATE REPAIR COST IS $475. WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSEE TO PAY.

Look up ODI 726366 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 726359

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED ALL OVER DIAL WHEN CAR WENT OVER 30 MPH; TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT AND DID NOT MOVE WHILE IN TRAFFIC; BRAKES FADE WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALL THE TIME (I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS REPEATEDLY, TOLD NO PROBLEM DETECTED); CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL 6-8 INCHES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE; REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR; SEVERAL LEAKS IN ENGINE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (GASKET??). *AK

Look up ODI 726359 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 758671

THE ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. THE DEALER MECHANIC REPLACED SPEED SENSORS AND THEN TOLD ME THE COMPUTER WAS ALSO BAD. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING AND SAID THAT FORD HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.8L V6 ENGINE. HE TOLD ME I SHOULD GET RID OF THE CAR. *AK

Look up ODI 758671 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 885230

CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE WHOLE HEAD GASKET SET REPLACED, ALSO BRAKES FAILED COMPLETLY.*AK

Look up ODI 885230 at NHTSA ↗

11
ODI 10212195

I OWN A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR WITH A 3.8L V-6 ENGINE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 72,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET THAT WILL REQUIRE A NEW LONG-BLOCK MOTOR AND POSSIBLY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAUSE ANTIFREEZE/OIL WAS PASSING THROUGH IT DUE TO THE GASKET FAILURE. I'M CURRENTLY LOOKING AT A $5,800 BILL TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. MY QUERY TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY RESULTED IN A RESPONSE THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME...THAT THERE ARE "NO WARRANTIES, RECALLS OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS"…

Look up ODI 10212195 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 551681

LEAKING OIL ONTO ENGINE RESULTING IN ALL NEW SEALS, GASKETS AND HEAD GASKET, DUE TO FAILURE.

Look up ODI 551681 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 721103

AFTER THREE FAIRLY RELIABLE YEARS AND ONLY 58,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD HEAD GASKETS BLOWN AND A TRANSMISSION THAT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSTAR. I HAVE NEVER FELT COMPELLED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A VEHICLE BEFORE. THE THOUGHT OF THIS CAR LEAVING MY FAMILY STRANDED ON A BUSY STRETCH OF FREEWAY (WHICH IT ALMOST DID) DUE TO A PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AND FACTORY DEFECT IS INEXCUSABLE.*AK

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36
ODI 722807

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. FOUND OUT IT WAS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. CONTACTED FORD AFTER A WEEK OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE NEEDED PARTS FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL LIST. ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO HELP SINCE VEHICLE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. TOOK 2 WEEKS IN SHOP TO GET FIXED AND REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE ORDERED OUTSIDE OF FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET THE RIGHT PART. IT ENDED UP COSTING $300 ADDITIONAL TO ORIGINAL ESTIMATE. *AK

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ODI 723049

REPEATED EXPENSIVE REPAIRS TO TURN OFF " ENGINE" CHECK LIGHT ONLY TEMPORAIRLY SUCCESSFUL. LOSS OF COOLANT FOR UNKNOWN REASON. ENGINE NOW NOTICABLY "SMOKING".*AK

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ODI 723523

JULY OF 1999 WHILE ON VACATION IN PENNSYLVANIA THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. A FAMILY FRIEND RECOMMENDED THAT WE NOT WORRY ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNLESS THE LIGHT STAYED ON. THE LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THEN CAME BACK ON A COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. FINALLY IN APRIL OF 2000 THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE FORD DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT THEY WOULD PAY MOST OF THE $1400.00 REPAIR BILL BUT WE STILL ENDED UP WITH $600.00 ON OUR PART. WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD TWICE ABOUT THIS …

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0
2
ODI 562478

THE TIMING GASKET COVER CRACKED. *YH

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ODI 747836

PROBLEM 1- ENGINE BLEW A HEAD GASKET AS BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, WE HAVE ONLY 72000 MILES ON IT AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 1995 FORD ENGINE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR IS GOING TO COST $1,000.00. FORD HAS GIVEN US NO OPTIONS. 2ND-PROBLEM- ON THE SAME VEHICLE A MONTH BEFORE, AGAIN AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE THE FRONT SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURED MY TIRE AND COLLAPSED THE SHOCKS, THAT COST $600.00. AGAIN, WHEN WE CALLED FORD WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE TAURUS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT IT WASN'T FOR…

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Power Train:Automatic Transmission
5
ODI 10008655 · 10,335 mi

THE ABS LIGHT HAD FLASHED PERIODICALLY, THE TRANSMISSION HAD BURNT OUT, AND THE ENGINE HAD BECOME CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT. THE CONSUMER HAD REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CHARGE OF THE REBUILT ENGINE. SCC *JB

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ODI 721103

AFTER THREE FAIRLY RELIABLE YEARS AND ONLY 58,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD HEAD GASKETS BLOWN AND A TRANSMISSION THAT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSTAR. I HAVE NEVER FELT COMPELLED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A VEHICLE BEFORE. THE THOUGHT OF THIS CAR LEAVING MY FAMILY STRANDED ON A BUSY STRETCH OF FREEWAY (WHICH IT ALMOST DID) DUE TO A PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AND FACTORY DEFECT IS INEXCUSABLE.*AK

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ODI 726359

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED ALL OVER DIAL WHEN CAR WENT OVER 30 MPH; TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT AND DID NOT MOVE WHILE IN TRAFFIC; BRAKES FADE WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALL THE TIME (I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS REPEATEDLY, TOLD NO PROBLEM DETECTED); CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL 6-8 INCHES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE; REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR; SEVERAL LEAKS IN ENGINE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (GASKET??). *AK

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—
4
ODI 562109

CONSUMER STATES THE SPEEDOMETER SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB

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ODI 726359

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED ALL OVER DIAL WHEN CAR WENT OVER 30 MPH; TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT AND DID NOT MOVE WHILE IN TRAFFIC; BRAKES FADE WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALL THE TIME (I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS REPEATEDLY, TOLD NO PROBLEM DETECTED); CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL 6-8 INCHES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE; REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR; SEVERAL LEAKS IN ENGINE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (GASKET??). *AK

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ODI 873955

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON VEHICLE SPED UP. WHILE GETTING READY TO EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE STAYED UNDER CRUISE CONTROL MODULE. AS CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, VEHICLE WAS MOVING 65 MPH WITHOUT ANY CONTROL FROM CONSUMER. IN ORDER TO MAKE VEHICLE STOP CONSUMER HAD TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET, AND SHIFT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. EVENTUALLY, VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN, AND CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE OFF, DEALER REPLACED 2 LOCK TABS BECAUSE ONE HAD SLIPPED ON THE CRUISE CAUSING IT TO STAY ON. TRIP SPEEDOMET…

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9
ODI 10008147 · 62,000 mi

ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANT, REPLACED O2 SENSOR, REPLACED ABS BRAKES, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN RUNNING OR PARKED, COOLANT LEAKING AND DOOR SENSORS ARE BAD. ALL DOCUMENT KNOWN ISSUES ON.*JB HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/MODELYEAR_FORD_WINDSTAR_1996.HTML - SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS HAS GONE ON FAR TO LONG AND IS PUTTING PEOPLES LIFE AT STAKE. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY VAN AND ALL OF THESE ARE BIG ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY.

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ODI 512604

TRANSMISSION GROWLS AND SOUNDS LKE IT IS GOING TO DROP/HIT THE GROUND; ALSO BRAKE PEDAL GETS MUSHY/SOFT, VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL. THERE IS ALSO LOSS OF STEERING POWER. *AK

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ODI 513286

DEFECTIVE ANTILOCK BRAKES.

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5
ODI 10021321 · 71,000 mi

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

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ODI 721103

AFTER THREE FAIRLY RELIABLE YEARS AND ONLY 58,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD HEAD GASKETS BLOWN AND A TRANSMISSION THAT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSTAR. I HAVE NEVER FELT COMPELLED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A VEHICLE BEFORE. THE THOUGHT OF THIS CAR LEAVING MY FAMILY STRANDED ON A BUSY STRETCH OF FREEWAY (WHICH IT ALMOST DID) DUE TO A PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AND FACTORY DEFECT IS INEXCUSABLE.*AK

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ODI 742200

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

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3
ODI 722019

ENGINE COOLANT NEEDS FILLING EVERY 2-3 DAYS, TRANSMISSION SKIPS, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ALWAYS ILLUMINATED AND INTERIOR DOOR AJAR LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF. *AK

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ODI 769828

CURRENTLY, THE VAN IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WE ARE AWAITING AN ESTIMATE ON THE HEAD GASKET. OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED ON AUGUST 31, 2002 AND FORD WILL NOT HELP WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE TRANSMISSION IS ALSO BEING CHECKED AS IT HAS BEGUN LEAKING ONLY 10 MONTHS AFTER WE HAD IT REPLACED. OUR MECHANIC STATED THAT THESE ARE COMMONLY SEEN WITH THIS VEHICLE AND STATED THE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET IS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE FIRE RING. NO REASON WAS GIVEN AS TO WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN JANUARY OF 2002 AND TO WHY IT IS NOW LEAKING. DT

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ODI 865676

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED, AND HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK COMPUTOR DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT CYLINDER #4 MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER SAID THAT DOING TUNE UP WILL SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT. *YH

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10
ODI 605582

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING HARD SHIFT. NLM

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ODI 705939

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

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ODI 727625

VEHICLE BOUGHT IN 3/99 THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE BROKE REPAIRE BILL $500.00 SHORTLY THEREAFTER SENSOR WENT OUT (FUEL)BILL 256.00 LATER NOTICED SQUEKING IN FRONT END ADVISED IT WAS TIE ROD ENDS NOT FIXED YET THIS THING HAS BROKE ME HAVE HAD MANY OCCURENCES WITH SPEED ODOMETER GOING CRAZY AFTER 45MPH RECENTLY NOTICED POPPING WHEN TURNING STEERING OR APPLING THE BRAKES BUT BEFORE I COULD GET IT FIXED TRANSMISSION BEGIN TO EITHER NOT SHIFT UPWARD ,SLIP AT 45MPH AND HAS DOWNSHIFTED AFTER REACHING SPEEDS OF 45MPH (ON I-85) HAS JERKED SEVERAL TIMES ..WAS…

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0
Power Train
10
ODI 528000

BLOWN ENGINE GASKET AND SPEEDOMETER OFF BY FIVE MILES (RECALLED).

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ODI 726359

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED ALL OVER DIAL WHEN CAR WENT OVER 30 MPH; TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT AND DID NOT MOVE WHILE IN TRAFFIC; BRAKES FADE WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALL THE TIME (I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS REPEATEDLY, TOLD NO PROBLEM DETECTED); CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL 6-8 INCHES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE; REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR; SEVERAL LEAKS IN ENGINE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (GASKET??). *AK

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ODI 726366

WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. VAN LOST SPEED AND STARTED OVERHEATING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OFF HIGHWAY. VAN DIED HAD TO BE TOWED. TOLD IT WAS CRACKED HEAD DUE TO COOLANT LEAKAGE. WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO PAY CLAIM.. SPEEDOMETER FLIPS AROUND, ESTIMATE REPAIR COST IS $475. WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSEE TO PAY.

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4
ODI 562109

CONSUMER STATES THE SPEEDOMETER SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB

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ODI 726359

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED ALL OVER DIAL WHEN CAR WENT OVER 30 MPH; TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT AND DID NOT MOVE WHILE IN TRAFFIC; BRAKES FADE WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALL THE TIME (I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS REPEATEDLY, TOLD NO PROBLEM DETECTED); CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL 6-8 INCHES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE; REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR; SEVERAL LEAKS IN ENGINE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (GASKET??). *AK

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ODI 873955

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON VEHICLE SPED UP. WHILE GETTING READY TO EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE STAYED UNDER CRUISE CONTROL MODULE. AS CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, VEHICLE WAS MOVING 65 MPH WITHOUT ANY CONTROL FROM CONSUMER. IN ORDER TO MAKE VEHICLE STOP CONSUMER HAD TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET, AND SHIFT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. EVENTUALLY, VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN, AND CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE OFF, DEALER REPLACED 2 LOCK TABS BECAUSE ONE HAD SLIPPED ON THE CRUISE CAUSING IT TO STAY ON. TRIP SPEEDOMET…

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—
2
ODI 726359

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED ALL OVER DIAL WHEN CAR WENT OVER 30 MPH; TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT AND DID NOT MOVE WHILE IN TRAFFIC; BRAKES FADE WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALL THE TIME (I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS REPEATEDLY, TOLD NO PROBLEM DETECTED); CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL 6-8 INCHES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE; REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR; SEVERAL LEAKS IN ENGINE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (GASKET??). *AK

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ODI 833475

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

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2
ODI 562713

THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. *YH

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ODI 899517

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTL/SIMUTANEOUSLY COME ON AND CAUSE LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING ERRACTICALLY, PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE,ALSO THE POWER WINDOWS WERE INOPERATIVE.*SLC

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2
ODI 10070217 · 62,000 mi

ENGINE: HEAD GASKET FAILURE @ 62,218 MILES. NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH CYLINDER GASKET HEADS AND RESURFACE SAME. POWER DOOR: FAILURE OF POWER DOOR LOCK ON PASSENGER SIDE. TRANSMISSION: WAS REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY. OTHER: IGNITION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. HAVE BEEN ADVISED ENGINE HAS A SLUDGE CONDITION DESPITE REGULAR OIL CHANGES PER FORD GUIDELINES.

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ODI 899517

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTL/SIMUTANEOUSLY COME ON AND CAUSE LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING ERRACTICALLY, PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE,ALSO THE POWER WINDOWS WERE INOPERATIVE.*SLC

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3
ODI 744239

SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE FLOATS, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. CONTINUES.

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ODI 753366

FAILURE OF THE SPEEDOMETER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE JUMPS ERRATICALLY WHILE DRIVING FASTER THAN 30MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL EVENTUALLY PEG AT 120MPH, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. ACCORDING TO MY REPAIR SHOP, THE SPEED SENSOR BROKE, BUT FORD REQUIRES A VERY COSTLY REPAIR THAT INCLUDES REPLACEMENT OF THE WHOLE SPEEDOMETER HEAD AND SPEED SENSOR. *AK

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ODI 873955

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON VEHICLE SPED UP. WHILE GETTING READY TO EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE STAYED UNDER CRUISE CONTROL MODULE. AS CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, VEHICLE WAS MOVING 65 MPH WITHOUT ANY CONTROL FROM CONSUMER. IN ORDER TO MAKE VEHICLE STOP CONSUMER HAD TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET, AND SHIFT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. EVENTUALLY, VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN, AND CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE OFF, DEALER REPLACED 2 LOCK TABS BECAUSE ONE HAD SLIPPED ON THE CRUISE CAUSING IT TO STAY ON. TRIP SPEEDOMET…

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1
ODI 10012217 · 30,000 mi

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR LACK OF RECALLS ON SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS. *MR. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CLUNKING SOUND, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE CLUNKING SOUND WAS NORMAL AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FORD TRANSMISSION, WHICH FAILED ON A TEST DRIVE AND ONE OTHER OCCASION. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE INTAKE GASKET, WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE 95 MODELS. THE TIMING CHAIN LEAKED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COILS IN THE SUSPENSION, WHICH F…

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Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
ODI 726359

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED ALL OVER DIAL WHEN CAR WENT OVER 30 MPH; TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT AND DID NOT MOVE WHILE IN TRAFFIC; BRAKES FADE WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALL THE TIME (I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS REPEATEDLY, TOLD NO PROBLEM DETECTED); CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL 6-8 INCHES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE; REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR; SEVERAL LEAKS IN ENGINE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (GASKET??). *AK

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ODI 758671

THE ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. THE DEALER MECHANIC REPLACED SPEED SENSORS AND THEN TOLD ME THE COMPUTER WAS ALSO BAD. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING AND SAID THAT FORD HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.8L V6 ENGINE. HE TOLD ME I SHOULD GET RID OF THE CAR. *AK

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ODI 885230

CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE WHOLE HEAD GASKET SET REPLACED, ALSO BRAKES FAILED COMPLETLY.*AK

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9
ODI 10008147 · 62,000 mi

ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANT, REPLACED O2 SENSOR, REPLACED ABS BRAKES, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN RUNNING OR PARKED, COOLANT LEAKING AND DOOR SENSORS ARE BAD. ALL DOCUMENT KNOWN ISSUES ON.*JB HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/MODELYEAR_FORD_WINDSTAR_1996.HTML - SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS HAS GONE ON FAR TO LONG AND IS PUTTING PEOPLES LIFE AT STAKE. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY VAN AND ALL OF THESE ARE BIG ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY.

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ODI 512604

TRANSMISSION GROWLS AND SOUNDS LKE IT IS GOING TO DROP/HIT THE GROUND; ALSO BRAKE PEDAL GETS MUSHY/SOFT, VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL. THERE IS ALSO LOSS OF STEERING POWER. *AK

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ODI 513286

DEFECTIVE ANTILOCK BRAKES.

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2
ODI 726359

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED ALL OVER DIAL WHEN CAR WENT OVER 30 MPH; TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT AND DID NOT MOVE WHILE IN TRAFFIC; BRAKES FADE WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALL THE TIME (I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS REPEATEDLY, TOLD NO PROBLEM DETECTED); CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL 6-8 INCHES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE; REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR; SEVERAL LEAKS IN ENGINE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (GASKET??). *AK

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ODI 833475

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

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—
2
ODI 720275

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES OF SYSTEMS IN MY VAN. THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED, THE SPEEDOMETER IS OUT AGAIN. *AK

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ODI 770314

ENGINE LIGHT ON. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT HEAD GASKET NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET RELATING TO DEFECT IN 1995-1997 WINDSTARS WITH HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT PROBLEM. CONTACTING FORD, BUT GETTING RUN AROUND AND TENDS NOT TO SPEAK TO ME SINCE MILEAGE IS OVER 100,000. OBVIOUS PROBLEM, AS EVIDENCE BY THE ABILITY TO EASILY FIND OTHERS WITH SAME ISSUE. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT $4,000 OR GASKET REPLACE AT $1,200. ANOTHER ISSUE…

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2
ODI 720275

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES OF SYSTEMS IN MY VAN. THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED, THE SPEEDOMETER IS OUT AGAIN. *AK

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ODI 802833

THE ELECTRICAL ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

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1
ODI 860866

WAS PARKING VEHICLE ON A STREET AND PULLING UP INTO A CORNER PARKING SPOT, APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE KEPT ON ACCELERATING. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

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0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
11
ODI 10212195

I OWN A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR WITH A 3.8L V-6 ENGINE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 72,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET THAT WILL REQUIRE A NEW LONG-BLOCK MOTOR AND POSSIBLY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAUSE ANTIFREEZE/OIL WAS PASSING THROUGH IT DUE TO THE GASKET FAILURE. I'M CURRENTLY LOOKING AT A $5,800 BILL TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. MY QUERY TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY RESULTED IN A RESPONSE THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME...THAT THERE ARE "NO WARRANTIES, RECALLS OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS"…

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ODI 551681

LEAKING OIL ONTO ENGINE RESULTING IN ALL NEW SEALS, GASKETS AND HEAD GASKET, DUE TO FAILURE.

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ODI 721103

AFTER THREE FAIRLY RELIABLE YEARS AND ONLY 58,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD HEAD GASKETS BLOWN AND A TRANSMISSION THAT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSTAR. I HAVE NEVER FELT COMPELLED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A VEHICLE BEFORE. THE THOUGHT OF THIS CAR LEAVING MY FAMILY STRANDED ON A BUSY STRETCH OF FREEWAY (WHICH IT ALMOST DID) DUE TO A PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AND FACTORY DEFECT IS INEXCUSABLE.*AK

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5
ODI 10021321 · 71,000 mi

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

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ODI 721103

AFTER THREE FAIRLY RELIABLE YEARS AND ONLY 58,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD HEAD GASKETS BLOWN AND A TRANSMISSION THAT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSTAR. I HAVE NEVER FELT COMPELLED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A VEHICLE BEFORE. THE THOUGHT OF THIS CAR LEAVING MY FAMILY STRANDED ON A BUSY STRETCH OF FREEWAY (WHICH IT ALMOST DID) DUE TO A PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AND FACTORY DEFECT IS INEXCUSABLE.*AK

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ODI 742200

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

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2
ODI 562713

THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. *YH

Look up ODI 562713 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 899517

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTL/SIMUTANEOUSLY COME ON AND CAUSE LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING ERRACTICALLY, PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE,ALSO THE POWER WINDOWS WERE INOPERATIVE.*SLC

Look up ODI 899517 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 720275

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES OF SYSTEMS IN MY VAN. THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED, THE SPEEDOMETER IS OUT AGAIN. *AK

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ODI 770314

ENGINE LIGHT ON. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT HEAD GASKET NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET RELATING TO DEFECT IN 1995-1997 WINDSTARS WITH HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT PROBLEM. CONTACTING FORD, BUT GETTING RUN AROUND AND TENDS NOT TO SPEAK TO ME SINCE MILEAGE IS OVER 100,000. OBVIOUS PROBLEM, AS EVIDENCE BY THE ABILITY TO EASILY FIND OTHERS WITH SAME ISSUE. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT $4,000 OR GASKET REPLACE AT $1,200. ANOTHER ISSUE…

Look up ODI 770314 at NHTSA ↗

—
7
ODI 720275

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES OF SYSTEMS IN MY VAN. THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED, THE SPEEDOMETER IS OUT AGAIN. *AK

Look up ODI 720275 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 725944

ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, STAYS ON ENGINE RUNS ROUGH. THIS CONTINUED FORM JANUARY TO JULY WITH VEHICAL GOING IN TO SHOP AS MUCH AS 5 TIMES IN ONE DAY . SAYVILLE FORD ON LAST ARRIVAL SAID HEAD GASKET FALURE AS IN ALL WINDSTARS FROM 1995 AND 96. THEY SAID THIS IN JANUARY AND EVERY VIST AFTER THAT UNTIL THE LAST ONE WHEN WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT OF EXHAUST. THEN THEY SAID REPLACE HEAD GASKETS. AT THIS TIME THEY FOUND THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER ROD BENT AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. THEY STILL HAVE THE VEHICAL AND WANT ME TO PAY FOR DAMAGES I WILL NOT SEEING…

Look up ODI 725944 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 743122

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND AT TIMES REMAINS ON. THE ENGINE HESITATES WHILE ACCELERATION. PER THE DEALER THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS DEVELOPED A SMALL CRACK WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT TO SEEP INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE AN OCCATIONAL MISFIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND WILL COST $1,800 TO REPAIR. PER NHTSA RECALL REPORT IN 1995 THE SAME ENGINE AND IN WINDSTARS WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. ALSO SIMLAR ISSUE NOTED IN 1996 WINDSTAR COMPLAINTSS.

Look up ODI 743122 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 10032779 · 105,000 mi

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 LEAS…

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ODI 10051280 · 118,000 mi

OUR 1996 FORD WINDSTAR GL, WHICH WE PURCHASED NEW, HAS 118000. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A BROKEN (BOUNCING) SPEEDOMETER, DOME LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED, AND MORE RECENTLY, LEAKING COOLANT WHICH IS LINKED TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. THE COST HAS BEEN ASTRONOMICAL. ACCORDING TO MANY OTHER CONSUMERS, ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE COMMON WITH THE 96 MODEL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHETHER FORD INTENDS TO MAKE ANY RECALLS REGARDING THESE ISSUES. *AK

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ODI 8011010

WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT, ENGINE SOMETIMES WILL DIE. VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AFTER PULLING OFF FROM A STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED SOMETHING, AND TWO WEEKS LATER PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK THE ENGINE STALLS WHENEVER MORE THAN ONE DEVICE IS TURNED ON AT THE SAME TIME. THIS PROBLEM MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN HEAD LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR FEW HOURS. *YH

Look up ODI 8011010 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 723452

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS FORD WINDSTAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 8/98. IN JULY OF 99 MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THEN IT BECAME A STALLING PROBLEM. FOR 3 MTHS THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEN ON APRIL 21,00 THE COIL SPRING BROKE, AND THE SPRING WAS JAMMED INTO OUR TIRE WHILE DOING 70 ON THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT KILLED OR INJURED. FORD HAS RECEIVED A LETTER CONCERNING THESE ISSUE'S AND HAS NOT RESPONDED. *AK

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Unknown Or Other
36
ODI 722807

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. FOUND OUT IT WAS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. CONTACTED FORD AFTER A WEEK OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE NEEDED PARTS FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL LIST. ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO HELP SINCE VEHICLE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. TOOK 2 WEEKS IN SHOP TO GET FIXED AND REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE ORDERED OUTSIDE OF FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET THE RIGHT PART. IT ENDED UP COSTING $300 ADDITIONAL TO ORIGINAL ESTIMATE. *AK

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ODI 723049

REPEATED EXPENSIVE REPAIRS TO TURN OFF " ENGINE" CHECK LIGHT ONLY TEMPORAIRLY SUCCESSFUL. LOSS OF COOLANT FOR UNKNOWN REASON. ENGINE NOW NOTICABLY "SMOKING".*AK

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ODI 723523

JULY OF 1999 WHILE ON VACATION IN PENNSYLVANIA THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. A FAMILY FRIEND RECOMMENDED THAT WE NOT WORRY ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNLESS THE LIGHT STAYED ON. THE LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THEN CAME BACK ON A COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. FINALLY IN APRIL OF 2000 THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE FORD DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT THEY WOULD PAY MOST OF THE $1400.00 REPAIR BILL BUT WE STILL ENDED UP WITH $600.00 ON OUR PART. WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD TWICE ABOUT THIS …

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3
ODI 722019

ENGINE COOLANT NEEDS FILLING EVERY 2-3 DAYS, TRANSMISSION SKIPS, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ALWAYS ILLUMINATED AND INTERIOR DOOR AJAR LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF. *AK

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ODI 769828

CURRENTLY, THE VAN IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WE ARE AWAITING AN ESTIMATE ON THE HEAD GASKET. OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED ON AUGUST 31, 2002 AND FORD WILL NOT HELP WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE TRANSMISSION IS ALSO BEING CHECKED AS IT HAS BEGUN LEAKING ONLY 10 MONTHS AFTER WE HAD IT REPLACED. OUR MECHANIC STATED THAT THESE ARE COMMONLY SEEN WITH THIS VEHICLE AND STATED THE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET IS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE FIRE RING. NO REASON WAS GIVEN AS TO WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN JANUARY OF 2002 AND TO WHY IT IS NOW LEAKING. DT

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ODI 865676

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED, AND HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK COMPUTOR DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT CYLINDER #4 MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER SAID THAT DOING TUNE UP WILL SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT. *YH

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2
ODI 10070217 · 62,000 mi

ENGINE: HEAD GASKET FAILURE @ 62,218 MILES. NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH CYLINDER GASKET HEADS AND RESURFACE SAME. POWER DOOR: FAILURE OF POWER DOOR LOCK ON PASSENGER SIDE. TRANSMISSION: WAS REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY. OTHER: IGNITION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. HAVE BEEN ADVISED ENGINE HAS A SLUDGE CONDITION DESPITE REGULAR OIL CHANGES PER FORD GUIDELINES.

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ODI 899517

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTL/SIMUTANEOUSLY COME ON AND CAUSE LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING ERRACTICALLY, PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE,ALSO THE POWER WINDOWS WERE INOPERATIVE.*SLC

Look up ODI 899517 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 720275

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES OF SYSTEMS IN MY VAN. THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED, THE SPEEDOMETER IS OUT AGAIN. *AK

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ODI 802833

THE ELECTRICAL ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

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7
ODI 720275

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES OF SYSTEMS IN MY VAN. THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED, THE SPEEDOMETER IS OUT AGAIN. *AK

Look up ODI 720275 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 725944

ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, STAYS ON ENGINE RUNS ROUGH. THIS CONTINUED FORM JANUARY TO JULY WITH VEHICAL GOING IN TO SHOP AS MUCH AS 5 TIMES IN ONE DAY . SAYVILLE FORD ON LAST ARRIVAL SAID HEAD GASKET FALURE AS IN ALL WINDSTARS FROM 1995 AND 96. THEY SAID THIS IN JANUARY AND EVERY VIST AFTER THAT UNTIL THE LAST ONE WHEN WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT OF EXHAUST. THEN THEY SAID REPLACE HEAD GASKETS. AT THIS TIME THEY FOUND THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER ROD BENT AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. THEY STILL HAVE THE VEHICAL AND WANT ME TO PAY FOR DAMAGES I WILL NOT SEEING…

Look up ODI 725944 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 743122

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND AT TIMES REMAINS ON. THE ENGINE HESITATES WHILE ACCELERATION. PER THE DEALER THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS DEVELOPED A SMALL CRACK WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT TO SEEP INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE AN OCCATIONAL MISFIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND WILL COST $1,800 TO REPAIR. PER NHTSA RECALL REPORT IN 1995 THE SAME ENGINE AND IN WINDSTARS WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. ALSO SIMLAR ISSUE NOTED IN 1996 WINDSTAR COMPLAINTSS.

Look up ODI 743122 at NHTSA ↗

—00
Vehicle Speed Control0
10
ODI 605582

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING HARD SHIFT. NLM

Look up ODI 605582 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 705939

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

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ODI 727625

VEHICLE BOUGHT IN 3/99 THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE BROKE REPAIRE BILL $500.00 SHORTLY THEREAFTER SENSOR WENT OUT (FUEL)BILL 256.00 LATER NOTICED SQUEKING IN FRONT END ADVISED IT WAS TIE ROD ENDS NOT FIXED YET THIS THING HAS BROKE ME HAVE HAD MANY OCCURENCES WITH SPEED ODOMETER GOING CRAZY AFTER 45MPH RECENTLY NOTICED POPPING WHEN TURNING STEERING OR APPLING THE BRAKES BUT BEFORE I COULD GET IT FIXED TRANSMISSION BEGIN TO EITHER NOT SHIFT UPWARD ,SLIP AT 45MPH AND HAS DOWNSHIFTED AFTER REACHING SPEEDS OF 45MPH (ON I-85) HAS JERKED SEVERAL TIMES ..WAS…

Look up ODI 727625 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 744239

SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE FLOATS, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. CONTINUES.

Look up ODI 744239 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 753366

FAILURE OF THE SPEEDOMETER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE JUMPS ERRATICALLY WHILE DRIVING FASTER THAN 30MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL EVENTUALLY PEG AT 120MPH, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. ACCORDING TO MY REPAIR SHOP, THE SPEED SENSOR BROKE, BUT FORD REQUIRES A VERY COSTLY REPAIR THAT INCLUDES REPLACEMENT OF THE WHOLE SPEEDOMETER HEAD AND SPEED SENSOR. *AK

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ODI 873955

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON VEHICLE SPED UP. WHILE GETTING READY TO EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE STAYED UNDER CRUISE CONTROL MODULE. AS CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, VEHICLE WAS MOVING 65 MPH WITHOUT ANY CONTROL FROM CONSUMER. IN ORDER TO MAKE VEHICLE STOP CONSUMER HAD TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET, AND SHIFT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. EVENTUALLY, VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN, AND CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE OFF, DEALER REPLACED 2 LOCK TABS BECAUSE ONE HAD SLIPPED ON THE CRUISE CAUSING IT TO STAY ON. TRIP SPEEDOMET…

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1
ODI 860866

WAS PARKING VEHICLE ON A STREET AND PULLING UP INTO A CORNER PARKING SPOT, APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE KEPT ON ACCELERATING. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Look up ODI 860866 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 10032779 · 105,000 mi

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 LEAS…

Look up ODI 10032779 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10051280 · 118,000 mi

OUR 1996 FORD WINDSTAR GL, WHICH WE PURCHASED NEW, HAS 118000. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A BROKEN (BOUNCING) SPEEDOMETER, DOME LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED, AND MORE RECENTLY, LEAKING COOLANT WHICH IS LINKED TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. THE COST HAS BEEN ASTRONOMICAL. ACCORDING TO MANY OTHER CONSUMERS, ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE COMMON WITH THE 96 MODEL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHETHER FORD INTENDS TO MAKE ANY RECALLS REGARDING THESE ISSUES. *AK

Look up ODI 10051280 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 8011010

WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT, ENGINE SOMETIMES WILL DIE. VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AFTER PULLING OFF FROM A STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED SOMETHING, AND TWO WEEKS LATER PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK THE ENGINE STALLS WHENEVER MORE THAN ONE DEVICE IS TURNED ON AT THE SAME TIME. THIS PROBLEM MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN HEAD LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR FEW HOURS. *YH

Look up ODI 8011010 at NHTSA ↗

0—0
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
2
ODI 562478

THE TIMING GASKET COVER CRACKED. *YH

Look up ODI 562478 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 747836

PROBLEM 1- ENGINE BLEW A HEAD GASKET AS BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, WE HAVE ONLY 72000 MILES ON IT AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 1995 FORD ENGINE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR IS GOING TO COST $1,000.00. FORD HAS GIVEN US NO OPTIONS. 2ND-PROBLEM- ON THE SAME VEHICLE A MONTH BEFORE, AGAIN AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE THE FRONT SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURED MY TIRE AND COLLAPSED THE SHOCKS, THAT COST $600.00. AGAIN, WHEN WE CALLED FORD WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE TAURUS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT IT WASN'T FOR…

Look up ODI 747836 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 10012217 · 30,000 mi

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR LACK OF RECALLS ON SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS. *MR. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CLUNKING SOUND, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE CLUNKING SOUND WAS NORMAL AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FORD TRANSMISSION, WHICH FAILED ON A TEST DRIVE AND ONE OTHER OCCASION. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE INTAKE GASKET, WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE 95 MODELS. THE TIMING CHAIN LEAKED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COILS IN THE SUSPENSION, WHICH F…

Look up ODI 10012217 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 723452

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS FORD WINDSTAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 8/98. IN JULY OF 99 MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THEN IT BECAME A STALLING PROBLEM. FOR 3 MTHS THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEN ON APRIL 21,00 THE COIL SPRING BROKE, AND THE SPRING WAS JAMMED INTO OUR TIRE WHILE DOING 70 ON THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT KILLED OR INJURED. FORD HAS RECEIVED A LETTER CONCERNING THESE ISSUE'S AND HAS NOT RESPONDED. *AK

Look up ODI 723452 at NHTSA ↗

00—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

7 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

65 mentions · 4.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 80,360 mi (13 usable records).

ODI 10008147 · 62,000 mi

ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANT, REPLACED O2 SENSOR, REPLACED ABS BRAKES, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN RUNNING OR PARKED, COOLANT LEAKING AND DOOR SENSORS ARE BAD. ALL DOCUMENT KNOWN ISSUES ON.*JB HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/MODELYEAR_FORD_WINDSTAR_1996.HTML - SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS HAS GONE ON FAR TO LONG AND IS PUTTING PEOPLES LIFE AT STAKE. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY VAN AND ALL OF THESE ARE BIG ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY.

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ODI 10009855 · 44,400 mi

SINCE WE DROVE THIS CAR OFF THE LOT, IT HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AS SOON AS OUR WARRANTY RAN OUT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 44,400. TWO ADULTS AND 4 CHILDREN WERE ON OUR WAY TO A 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STALLED AT AN INTERSECTION. LUCKY FOR US ALL TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AND NO MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WE TOOK IT TO OUR DEALER AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WAS A TSB OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION IN FORD WINDSTAR'S. WE WERE DENIED ASSISTANCE. OUR PROBLEM WAS THE ALUMINUM PISTON THAT WERE REPORTED IN TH…

Look up ODI 10009855 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10010223

LOCAL GARAGE DIAGNOSED THAT OUR 1996 FORD WINDSTAR VAN'S 3.8L ENGINE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO CONTINUALLY COME ON. COMBUSTION GASES WERE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM, AS WAS OIL RESIDUE. OIL ALSO FOUND IN THE TOP PART OF THE ENGINE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. IT IS SUSPECTED THAT COOLANT AND MAYBE WATER HAVE FOUND THEIR WAY INTO THE CYLINDERS. DON'T KNOW YET WHAT DAMAGE IS DONE INTERNALLY TO THE ENGINE. LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS A $2000 CHARGE TO REPAIR. ENGINE NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY PROG…

Look up ODI 10010223 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

53 mentions · 3.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 93,000 mi (11 usable records).

ODI 10007440 · 86,000 mi

MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER REPLACED FOR 3RD TIME. BRAKE PEDAL WOULD SLOWLY GO TO THE FLOOR. 1ST REPLACEMENT BEFORE 25000 MILES. 2ND REPLACEMENT AT 43282 MILES BY BAYTLEFIELD FORD 8980 MATTHAS AVE, MANASSAS, VA. 22110. 3RD REPLACEMENT AT 87808 MILES BY BATTLEFIELD FORD. THIS VAN WAS PURCHASED BY ME AS A "REACQUIRED VEHICLE" WITH BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER BEING ONE OF THE REPORTED CONCERNS. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768024

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ODI 10012518

WHILE DRIVING 25-35 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE CLAMP RUSTED AND CAUSED A LEAK. *NLM.....*AK

Look up ODI 10012518 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10014822 · 58,000 mi

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD, AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. *JB

Look up ODI 10014822 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Stalling or loss of power

35 mentions · 2.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 74,905 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10009182

THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, A NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. *JB

Look up ODI 10009182 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10009855 · 44,400 mi

SINCE WE DROVE THIS CAR OFF THE LOT, IT HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AS SOON AS OUR WARRANTY RAN OUT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 44,400. TWO ADULTS AND 4 CHILDREN WERE ON OUR WAY TO A 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STALLED AT AN INTERSECTION. LUCKY FOR US ALL TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AND NO MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WE TOOK IT TO OUR DEALER AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WAS A TSB OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION IN FORD WINDSTAR'S. WE WERE DENIED ASSISTANCE. OUR PROBLEM WAS THE ALUMINUM PISTON THAT WERE REPORTED IN TH…

Look up ODI 10009855 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10022530 · 84,452 mi

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 ANTIFRE…

Look up ODI 10022530 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

11 mentions · 0.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 62,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10008147 · 62,000 mi

ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANT, REPLACED O2 SENSOR, REPLACED ABS BRAKES, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN RUNNING OR PARKED, COOLANT LEAKING AND DOOR SENSORS ARE BAD. ALL DOCUMENT KNOWN ISSUES ON.*JB HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/MODELYEAR_FORD_WINDSTAR_1996.HTML - SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS HAS GONE ON FAR TO LONG AND IS PUTTING PEOPLES LIFE AT STAKE. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY VAN AND ALL OF THESE ARE BIG ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY.

Look up ODI 10008147 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10043645

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…

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ODI 10118467

START VAN EVERYTHING FINE. STOP AT STORE,ETC. RESTART VAN STARTS JERKING AND GOES INTO SECOND GEAR AND WILL NOT GO BACK INTO DRIVE MOSTLY JERKING ALL THE WAY OR SLIPS INTO DRIVE AND THEN BACK TO SECOND WITH A JERK OVER AND OVER AGAIN. DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX IF REALLY BAD SO PLEASE WHAT COULD THIS BE?? GIVE TIME TO SIT OVERNIGHT AND START ITS OK AGAIN??*AK

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Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

9 mentions · 0.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 148,500 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10055296

THE CONSUMER STATED GAS LEAKED FROM ONE OF THE STRAPS WHICH SUPPORTED THE FUEL TANK. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB

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ODI 10138012 · 147,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. VEHICLE HAD A CRACK IN TOP OF FUEL TANK, ALSO AT STRAP. RECALLS ON 1995 FORD WINDSTARS PERTAINED TO THE MAKE OF VEHICLE. S MELLED GAS FUMES AND GAS TANK REGISTER WAS NOTICEABLY DIFFERENT. SMELLED GAS FUMES WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OR WHILE DRIVING . INCIDENT HAPPENED SEPTEMBER 25, 2005. NO CRASH . NO POLICE REPORT.*AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - *NM

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ODI 10230440 · 92,000 mi

ON JUNE 7 I WAS OUTSIDE OF OUR HOME AND NOTICED I SMELLED GAS NEAR MY WIFE'S VAN. AFTER INSPECTING I SAW THE TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. I TOOK THE TANK OFF AND NOTICED THERE WAS PRESSURE TO THE TANK FROM THE FRONT STRAP. THE PRESSURE CAUSED WHAT APPEARS TO BE A STRESS CRACK WHERE THE STRAP HOLDS THE TANK. IT APPEARS TO ME THE STRAP IS TOO SMALL FOR THE TANK. FORD REFUSES TO FIX THIS AND WOULD RATHER MY WIFE AND CHILDREN RIDE AROUND IN A GAS LEAKING DANGER MACHINE. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 95000 MILES AND I FEEL THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCC…

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Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Steering assistance concerns

6 mentions · 0.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 96,293 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10118128 · 134,000 mi

I BROUGHT MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND WAS TOLD TIE RODS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. , THEN, NEXT DAY, THEY PHONED AND ADVISED ME THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE PAN WAS FULL OF SHAVINGS, ALSO, POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING, AND INTAKE GASKET NEEDED REPLACEMENT. , A TOTAL OF $5000 TO FIX THIS VEHICLE. I BOUGHT IT AT 118,000 MILES, AND THIS HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER OWNING IT FOR ONE YEAR. CURRENTLY, IT HAS 134,000 MILES, AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. I PARKED VEHICLE THEN STARTED IT AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A …

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ODI 10522406 · 58,586 mi

DEAR FORD MY MOTHER AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET ANSWERS FROM THE DEALER AND SINCE THEY GAVE UP. BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIX IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. EVEN THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME. THE VAN A 1996 WINDSTAR WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT AND IT STARTED THE ENGINE STARTED STALLING, WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS NOT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL LOSES POWER STEERING. MY MOM ALMOST WENT INTO A DITCH TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR. WITH LITTLE INTERNET SEARCHING FOUND HUNDREDS OF VANS WITH SAME PROBLEMS, AND APPEARS THERE IS NOT ONE RESOLVED. AND SINCE THIS HAS…

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ODI 700373

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 NUMERO…

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Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

3 mentions · 0.2% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10042936

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 DIS…

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ODI 10069811

12-15-97 AT 21,145 MILES I REPORTED NOTICING THE COOLANT LEVEL ALWAYS BEING LOW. NO LEAK WAS FOUND AND I WAS TOLD THERE MUST BE A LEAK SOMEWHERE IN THE RADIATOR. 12-27-99 AT 56,526 MILES I BEGAN HAVING A &#34;COLD START&#34; PROBLEM. IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING FUEL. 12-1200 AT 74,306 MILES I HAD THE SAME &#34;COLD START&#34; PROBLEM AND THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPACED. 12-22-00 AT 74,930 A NEW THERMOSTAT & GASKET. 12-29-00 AT 75,113 A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. 03-02-01 AT 77,569 MILES A NEW FUEL PUMP RELAY(CCRM), FUEL PUMP AND PVC VALVE…

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ODI 723452

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS FORD WINDSTAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 8/98. IN JULY OF 99 MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THEN IT BECAME A STALLING PROBLEM. FOR 3 MTHS THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEN ON APRIL 21,00 THE COIL SPRING BROKE, AND THE SPRING WAS JAMMED INTO OUR TIRE WHILE DOING 70 ON THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT KILLED OR INJURED. FORD HAS RECEIVED A LETTER CONCERNING THESE ISSUE'S AND HAS NOT RESPONDED. *AK

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Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b