1996 Ford Windstar: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 1,386 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (30% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 1,386 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford windstar. The contact stated that there was a very strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2015
“The k frame rusted out where the control arms mount to the frame and the front driver's side coil spring broke while driving at 65 miles per hour on the interstate”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford windstar. While at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 mph. The service brake warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2013
“Noticed fuel leak when returned after parking at slanted parking space. Inspection by licensed mechanic in columbus, ohio confirmed fuel tank leak. Removed tank for further investigation and found crack. Repaired by same mechanic. Total cost close to $300.00. Now no gasoline leak. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2012
“Had changed brake pads a week earlier. Driving 55mph and the car crashed down on it's axle as the tire and wheel passed by us going down highway, in 37 north. Studs had all broken off. The disc brake is ruined from skidding on it. Traffic was moderately heavy. We skidded to a stop on a bridge and feel lucky not to have crashed into anyone. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2012
“I brought kids to school and I was pulling out. I heard a noise and my tire went flat. I had to have it towed home. My husband checked it out and found the drivers side front coil spring broke and stabbed the tire. I saw there was a recall so hopefully it is still covered because I don't have 100.00 to fix something that's already been recalled. *ln”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford windstar gl (na). The contact stated that while waiting a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly died and the engine engulfed into flames. There were no injuries. The police and fire departments were called but no police report was filed. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2010
“My ABS light stays its been on for 6 months now, my cruise control wont work, and my speedometer goes crazy, no lights in my dash and got told there was a recall on several of these items and I want to know how to get past recalls on my van I've have seen all kinds of recalls and never sent nothing. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford windstar. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed an excessive amount of gasoline on the ground. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the independent mechanic located the failure as a fracture in the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 200,000 and the current mileage was 212,902.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 60 of these complaints and injuries in 53 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.
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.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 WINDSTAR MINI VANS ARE ALSO COVERED BY NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 01V-199/FORD RECALL 01S19. THE MINI VANS COVERED BY THE SAFETY RECALL WERE 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, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Remedy: FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACEMENT TO A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OF SERVICE FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE. THIS COVERAGE IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE. IF EITHER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES DURING THE COVERAGE PERIOD NOTED ABOVE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.
THE FOUR FASTENERS SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE FLOORPAN WERE NOT TORQUED TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FASTENERS AND RETORQUE TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1996 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Windstar by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Ford Windstar reliable?
NHTSA has 1,386 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Ford Windstar. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Windstar problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 86,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Ford Windstar have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.