1996 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS I NOTICED LOSS OF COMPRESSION DURING ACCELERATION AND OCCASIONAL KNOCKING SOUND FROM BACK OF ENGINE. WITHOUT TEARING ENGINE APART IT SEEMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND ALLOWED FLUIDS INTO THE ENGINE. CONFIRMED ROD BEARING FAILED AT 94,000 MILES. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE NOW. *AK

TIRE ON 2 CASES BLEW THE TREAD AND BELT, THE LATER OF THE TWO INCIDENCES WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE, AND RESULTED IN TWO INJURIES TO BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER. BOTH NEEDED TO BE HOSPITALIZED.*AK

FRONT SWAY BAR IS FOUND TO BE HOLLOW AND BROKE IN HALF ON PASSENGERS SIDE. FORD SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR COST SINCE THEY WERE AWARE THAT THEY WOULD NOT HOLD UP IN SALTY AND SNOWY CONDITIONS. *TR

BRAKE FAILURE LINES ROTTED COMPLETLY THROUGH. *AK

HEAD GASKET FOR 3.8L V6 FORD ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE. FORD RECOGNIZES THIS FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS (1994-1995), BUT DOES NOT FOR MY MODEL. FORD HAS TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THEIR DEALERS AND SERVICE CENTERS, AS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 1996 - AND 3.8L ENGINES OF THAT TIME ACROSS THEIR PRODUCT LINE ACCORDING TO CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY, THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD NEVER NEED CHANGING. FURTHERMORE, ACCORDING TO A FORD DEALER SERVICE MANAGER, FORD AT 7 YEARS AND 78K MILES DO NOT WANT TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE DEALER I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM DID NOT DISCLOSE THAT THIS CAR WAS PAST ANY DEFECT RECALL AND WAS PAST TIME TO TAKE ACTION WITH FORD. (THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THEIR CLIMATE CONTROLS ON THIS MINIVAN AS WELL, AS THEY CEASED TO FUNCTION - AND THAT IS ANOTHER ITEM THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL UNLESS DEFECTIVE.) IN ANY CASE, THE HEAD GASKET IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR/REPLACE, AND SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED DURING THE LIFETIME OF A VEHICLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP, AND SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE HOOD WAS OPENED, AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE WIRES LOCATED BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD MELTED. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF A RECALL. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *AK

I HAVE FORD WINDSTAR,96. WHEN I FILLED UP GAS IN THE TANK,IT STARTED LEAKING AND IS CONTINUOUSLY LEAKING. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS LEAKING FROM THE TANK. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A PUDDLE WAS OBSERVED UNDER THE VEHICLE. A WEEK LATER, A SMALL FIRE OCCURRED UNDER THE HOOD WHICH WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V286000, REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

ABS LIGHT ON, BRAKE LIGHT ON, BRAKES FAILED DUE TO BROKEN BRAKE LINE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. ON 2 DIFFERENT BRAKE LINES. WE REPLACED BOTH BRAKE LINES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A HISSING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE ODOR OF SMOKE WAS PRESENT, THE CONTACT AND PASSENGERS EXITED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. FLAMES WERE VISIBLE FROM THE FRONT UNDER HOOD AREA. THE FLAMES PRIMARILY SURROUNDED THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION AND MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE FIRE DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE NOT ALERTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V38800, REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE DIED AT 21,000 MILES. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE DIED AT 21000 MILES. THERE WERE NO FAILURES THAT LEAD TO THIS INCIDENT. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

FORD WINDSTAR 1996. I HAVE SEEN THAT MANY OF THESE MODELS AND PREVIOUS YEARS AS WELL HAVE HAD SEVERE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. HEAD GASKET REGULARLY FAILS AT AROUND 80,000 MILES. NASA SAYS A HEAD GASKET SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 120,000. FORD DOES NOT CARE. FORD DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I AM BASICALLY SCREWED BECAUSE NOW I DON'T HAVE A CAR. I STILL OWE ON IT BUT IT DOESN'T RUN. $2,000+ TO FIX IT AND IT WILL PROBABLY FAIL AGAIN. THE HEAD GASKET GOING OUT CAUSED THE UPPER 02 SENSOR TO GO BAD. IT ALSO SPRAYED THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER CAUSING IT TO FAIL THUS ALERTING ME TO A PROBLEM, WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A BLOWN ENGINE. AT NO TIME WHILE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE HAS IT EVER OVERHEATED EVEN SLIGHTLY. HEAT WAS NOT THE CAUSE, IT WAS FAULTY FROM THE BEGINNING. CAR AUTO SAFETY HAS REPORTED 429 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WINDSTAR! *JB

WE OWN A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. IN DECEMBER OF 2005 THE VAN WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE OFF. WHILE MY WIFE AND I WORKED IN THE FRONT YARD, THE VAN SPONTANEOUSLY STARTED. I GOT IN, PUT IT IN GEAR AND IT DIED. IT RAN FINE FOR A TIME AFTER THAT. WE SPOKE TO OUR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. WE BASICALLY FORGOT ABOUT IT UNTIL MAY 30, 2006. THIS TIME IT HAPPENED IN THE GARAGE WITH ALL OF THE DOORS SHUT. MY DAUGHTER CAME IN THE HOUSE ASKING WHY THE VAN WAS RUNNING. WE DID THE SAME THING TO AGAIN MAKE IT STOP. THE GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH EXHAUST AND A BLACK EXHAUST STAIN ON THE FLOOR. THIS TIME WE BROUGHT IT TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER. HE DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH. CHARGE FOR THE REPAIR FOR PARTS AND LABOR WAS $175. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HELP BECAUSE THERE HAD NOT BEEN A RECALL OF THE ITEM AND IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP CITING THE SAME EXCUSE AS THE DEALER. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. HAD WE NOT CAUGHT IT IN TIME WE COULD HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING OR EVEN DEATH OF OUR PETS IN THE GARAGE OR FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE. WE'VE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD THROUGH THE YEARS. WE HAVE HAD GASKET PROBLEMS WITH OUR VAN, YET THE RECALL FOR THAT ITEM EXTENDS ONLY THROUGH 1995 AND THEY HAVE NOT STOOD BEHIND THE 96'S. *NM

I HAVE A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR THAT HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK IN ITS BRAKE LINE. I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO FIND A BRAKE LINE FOR THE CAR AND I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM FROM FORD. I CONTACTED FORD AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY STATED TO ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A FORD DEALER FOR THE RECALL IN 2002. THEY THEN TOLD ME TO CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALER AND FIND OUT IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IF THE CAR WAS ALREADY RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID FOR BY ME. I LOOKED AT THE BRAKE LINE AND IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE IT WAS EVER REPLACED. THE RECALL # IS 02V101000 . *NM

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES ERRATICALLY STARTING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH GAUGE JUMPS IN INCREMENTS OF 5-10-50 SPEEDOMETER SHOWS 65-85 WHEN ACTUALLY GOING 45-50 HAZARDOUS TO DRIVER AND ALL OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLE AND OTHER DRIVERS ON ROAD WAY. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL IN HIS GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT A DETERMINATION WAS NOT GIVEN. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V309000, REGARDING THE TANK ASSEMBLY; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 5/30/2006 - THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AT THE STRAP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE TANK BEGAN TO LEAK WHERE THE MANUFACTURER HAS APPARENTLY OVER-TIGHTENED THE SUPPORT STRAPS FOR THE TANK. THE 1995 MODEL WAS RECALLED (99V-309000), MANUFACTURER NUMBER 99R33 REGARDING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER BUT THEY PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. *NM UPDATED 06/27/06. *JB

THE 1996 FORD WINDSTAR HAS A FUEL TANK ON IT THAT IS IDENTICAL TO THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE 1995 WAS RECALLED FOR A LEAK ON THE UPPER PORTION OF THE TANK. THE 1996 VERSION WAS NOT RECALLED. MY 1996 LEAKS SAME PLACE AS THE 1995 RECALLED VERSION. DANGEROUS FUEL CAN SEEP DOWN TANK AND DRIP ON EXHAUST SYSTEM OR OTHER COMPONENTS TO CAUSE FIRE OR EXPLOSION. FORD DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE TANK ON 1996. NOTHING WAS DONE BY FORD TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER EXITING THE DRIVEWAY, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, UNDER THE HOOD A FIRE WAS ALSO OBSERVED AND EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE AS THEN PARKED AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. THE COIL SPRING TRAVELED THROUGH THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 169,105.

I HAVE A 96 FORD WINDSTAR WITH A 3.8 LITER ENGINE AND ONLY 80,000 MILES. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS FOR INSTALLING FAULTY HEAD GASKETS ON THESE 3.8 LITER ENGINES. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE ENGINES HEAD GASKETS FOR EARLIER MODELS AS WELL AS MINE. *JB

FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKEN. TRIED TO GET PART. I WAS TOLD NOT YET AVAILABLE. *JB

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING US GREAT PROBLEMS, IE: LOSS OF CAR TO DRIVE, FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. THE 1995 WINDSTAR'S HAD A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWED FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS ISSUE. WE BOUGHT OUR 1996 WINDSTAR ON FEBRUARY 16, 1996 AND WE ARE NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE OR RESOLUTION RE: THIS FAILURE AND DEFECT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING FLUID. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, THE REPAIR WERE MADE FOR A FEE. ALSO EVERY 25000 MILES, THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE CHANGED DUE A SMALL LEAK. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIRD, THE EXHAUST AND INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE LEAKING CAUSING A NOXIOUS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH MANIFOLDS, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK DRIPPING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY I EXPIRED A SUDDEN SPIKE IN TEMPERATURE ON MY 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT MY "PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION AND HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY SORT OF CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION FROM FORD. I HEARD ABOUT THE MANIFOLD ISSUE FROM A FELLOW EMPLOYEE. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS FOR THIS FAULTY MANIFOLD WAS $978.00. I FEEL IF THEY KNEW THEY NEEDED TO UPDATE IT WITH AN ALUMINUM MANIFOLD THAN THEY KNEW THE PLASTIC ONES WERE FAULTY.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AT ANY SPEED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED CONTINOUSLY AND WOULD NOT GO INTO OVERDRIVE WHEN GAS WAS APPLIED WHILE TRYING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A REPUTABLE TRANSMISION SERVICE. THE CONTACT DISREGARDED THE OPTION BECAUSE IT WAS TOO FAR AND THE TOWING TOO EXPENSIVE. A TIRE WAS ALSO PUNCTURED WHILE REPAIRING A COIL SPRING. AFTER THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITHOUT BEING BALANCED THE VEHICLE LOST ITS ALIGMENT.

DT: WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DISCONNECTED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN COLLAR BONE AND BRUISED RIBS. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO SEE WHY THIS OCCURRED. *AK

MY VEHICLE HAS A BRAKE LINE THAT BLEW. THE LINE THAT BLEW IS SUBJECT TO A RECALL FROM FORD. (RECALL # 02S36). ON THE PHONE FORD SAYS THAT THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED IN 2002 AND THEREFORE DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS OUTLINED IN THE RECALL. *NM

I HAVE A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE WITH A BROKEN FRONT STABILIZER BAR. ABOUT 12 INCHES OF IT ARE HANGING NEAR THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I CHECKED A FRIENDS WINDSTAR OF SIMILAR VINTAGE AND HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM! THAT'S TWO OUT OF TWO. I KNOW FORD HAS RECALLED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. *JB

I DISCOVERED BURNT WIRING NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER ON MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. I TOOK THE VAN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, PARADISE FORD IN COCOA FLORIDA, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SENSOR/SWITCH, THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER, HAD MALFUNTIONED AND SHORTED OUT CAUSING THE WIRE AND CONNECTOR TO BURN UNTIL THE WIRE WAS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE SENSOR/SWITCH. *JB

FIRE ON THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE MASTER BREAK CYLENDER WHILE DRIVING. I MANAGED TO PUT THE FIRE OFF BEFORE IT SPREAD. THE FIRE DESTROYD THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH AND THE WIRES CONNECTED TO IT.

MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR HAS BEEN LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FOR A FEW MONTHS. IT WAS DETERMINED YESTERDAY, BY MY MECHANIC, THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK. HE REPLACED THE PART AND INFORMED ME THAT FORD HAS A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. I CALLED MY FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WINDSTAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. *JB

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

I SMELLED SOME TYPE OF PLASTIC BURNING WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT. AFTER TURNING INTO THE STORE I DISCOVERED THE SMELL STAYED WITH MY CAR. AFTER PARKING, I NOTICED SMOKE POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED A CONNECTOR WAS OVERHEATING AND MELTING. I PULLED THE CONNECTOR WITH A WET PAPER TOWEL AND THE SMOKE CLEARED. I LATER LEARNED IT WAS THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER SHORTED AND CAUSED AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM CAUSING THE CONNECTOR TO START SMOKING AND MELTING. A FEW DAYS LATER I COULD SMELL THE BURNING AGAIN AND DECIDED TO CUT THE CONNECTOR COMPLETELY OFF TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER SHORTING. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I HEARD ABOUT A SIMILAR RECALL AND DECIDED TO NOTIFY YOU AS MY MODEL WAS NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL.*JB

DT: CONSUMER HAS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL 02S36 REPAIRS. THE BRAKE LINE WAS INSPECTED ON JULY 21, 2003 AS STATED IN RECALL. THE BRAKE LINE WAS CONSIDERED NOT A PROBLEM THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ON AUGUST 14, 2005 THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WHILE THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING ON CITY ROAD. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER AND HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE RECALL WAS CONSIDERED CLOSED BECAUSE THEY HAD ALREADY PERFORMED INSPECTION. HE FELT THAT RECALL REPAIR DID NOT FIX PROBLEM DUE TO PROBLEM RECURRING . HE THOUGHT BRAKE LINE MAY HAVE RUPTURED DUE TO RUBBING AND RUST.*AK

INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER OPENING HATCH AND NOW SIDE DOOR. DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON ALWAYS. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON MARCH 17, 2005. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP VERBALLY TOLD HER THAT VEHICLE WOULD PASS INSPECTION. HOWEVER, SHE DID NOT HAVE THIS INFORMATION IN WRITING. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. HOWEVER, THERE WERE CHILDREN IN THE CAR. AFTER EXAMINING THE BROKEN STABILIZER BAR ONE COULD TELL THAT THE BAR WAS SHREDDED, AND THEY SAW WHERE THE BAR HAD BEEN WELDED ONTO THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP SHE ASKED IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO PURCHASING IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. HOWEVER, THERE WERE PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO THE CONTACT'S OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE.*AK

WE PARKED THE CAR AT RUBY TUESDAY PARKING LOT AND WE WENT INSIDE TO EAT AND EARLY DINNER. LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES PEOPLE STARTED SCREAMING TO CALL 911. THEY SAID CAR ON FIRE. WHEN I LOOKED OUT AT THE WINDOW, MY 96 FORD WINSTAR WAS ON FIRE AT THE FRONT PART, ENGINE AREA OF THE VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE HAD TO PUT DOWN THE FIRE. GOOD NEWS, NOBODY WAS HURT. WOULD YOU PLEASE LOOK IN TO IT? THANKS SIONE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE ARM CRACKED IN HALF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. WE WERE LUCKY TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OFF OF THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 55 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NOR DID WE HIT ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE MECHANIC WHO HAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AXLE. THE COST WILL BE OVER $1,000. WE HAVE CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.

DT: CONTACT STATED ON JULY 19, 05 WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY AND FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AND IT RAN INTO THE GARAGE. CONTACT PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE DID NOT RESPOND. WHEN SHE COMING TO A STOP THE ENGINE WAS RACED VERY FAST, AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED ABNORMALLY LOUD. CONTACT SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY DID NOT TOLD HER ANYTHING AS OF YET. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. *AK

DT: CONSUMER OWNED A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER SMELLED BURNING, AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. CONSUMER CALLED FORD, AND THEY DECLINED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. FORD SENT A LETTER STATING THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE MATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE CAMBRIA, CALIFORNIA FIRE CHIEF. THE FIRE REPORT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED YET. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 12, 2005. THERE WAS NO INJURIES. *AK

REPEAT OF A SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. THIS IS THE THIRD FAILURE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS 1996 FORD WINDSTAR (PURCHASED 1999). IT COST ME OVER $400 IN 1999 TO REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD AND NOW IT IS FAILING IN THE SAME MANNER - THE NEEDLE BOUNCES ALL OVER THE PLACE UNTIL IT JUST PEGS OUT AT THE FAR RIGHT. I SUBMITTED MY LAST COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS PROBLEM IN DECEMBER, 2002 - REF#786265. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERS, PRIVATE REPAIR SHOPS AND EVEN YOUR AGENCY THAT THERE ARE OBVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH FORD SPEEDOMETERS BUT THERE HAS YET BEEN ANY ASSISTANCE OFFERED BY FORD. A SPEEDOMETER SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO WAY I SHOULD BE ON MY THIRD ONE AT 113,000 MILES (WITH A NEW ENGINE AND SUPERB MAINTENANCE RESORDS)! NOTE: IT IS NOT THE AIRBAG SWITCH THAT I HAVE ISSUES WITH AS IT SHOWS IN THE EQUIPMENT SECTION. I COULD NOT FIND THE RIGHT OPTIONS UNDER EQUIPMENT FOR A SPEEDOMETER.

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE SWAY BAR BROKE IN HALF. THE SWAY BAR WAS CONNECTED TO THE CARRIAGE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE SWAY BAR SNAPPED ABOUT THREE INCHES OUTSIDE OF THE LEFT FRAME BUSHING. IT WAS ALSO RUSTED AND CORRODED. IT WAS A HOLLOW TUBE THAT HAD BEEN CRACKED FOR SOMETIME. THE CONSUMER COULD TELL IT WAS CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD WHO INDICATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WAS LEANING. *AK *NM

ENGINE DIES AFTER EITHER VERY SHORT (1 SECOND OR LESS) OR NO MISFIRE. ALWAYS ON HOT AFTERNOON AFTER LONG PERIOD HIGHWAY DRIVING, TYPICALLY INTERSTATE WITH SPEED IN THE 70'S. ONLY ONCE ON A SECONDARY ROAD SPEEDS OF 45 - 50. ALL TIMES IN THE ROLLING HILLS OF UTAH, WYOMING, AND WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA. ALL SIX INCIDENTS OCCURRED DURING A CROSS COUNTRY TRIP IN JULY, 2005 WITH ODOMETER READINGS IN THE 70,000'S. TYPICALLY, WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE ENGINE SPEED AND THROTTLE ARE CONTINUALLY ADJUSTING TO MAINTAIN SPEED ACROSS THE HILLS. FIRST INDICATION OFTEN IS SIMPLY THE CAR SLOWING DOWN RATHER THAT CRUISING ALONG. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL (AIR, RADIO, WINDOWS, ETC) NOT AFFECTED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. OTHER THAN SOMETIMES A ONE SECOND MISFIRE, THERE IS NO WARNING. THE CAR MAY BE PASSING A TRUCK, IN A MIDDLE FREEWAY LANE, ON ON A ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER WHEN IT HAPPENS. WHEREVER AND WHENEVER IT HAPPENS, THE CAR SIMPLY COASTS AS THE DRIVER PULLS OFF THE ROAD TO EXTENT POSSIBLE. THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART FOR 15 MINUTES OR SO. THEN IT STARTS AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED, AND CAR IS GOOD UNTIL THE NEXT INCIDENT. I MADE DETAILED NOTES OF EACH INCIDENT, AND CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFO ON SPECIFICS OF WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH CAR AT THE TIME. I TOOK CAR TO A FORD DEALER. THE DEALER DID DIAGNOSTICS AND COULD NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. I HAVE REFRAINED FROM DRIVING UNDER SIMILAR HIGHWAY CONDITIONS SINCE THEN. THE VAN WAS PURCHASED NEW IN CONNECTICUT IN FEB, 1997. *NM

1996 FORD WINDSTAR CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD.****NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE CONSUMER NOTICED A FAINT SMELL THEN VIEWED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT MAYBE THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE SPEED CONTROL PER RESEARCH. *SC

1996 FORD WINDSTAR - FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS JUST LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY. I DREAD TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELLING AT ANY SPEED. THE SPRING PUNCTURED AND WENT INTO MY TIRE - I COULDN'T REMOVE THE TIRE. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO REFERRED ME TO A DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE SPRINGS WERE BOTH REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE ALONG WITH A NEW TIRE. HOWEVER, THIS WAS A RECALL AND I ONLY KNEW ABOUT IT FROM WORD OF MOUTH. FORD SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME OF THE PROBLEM. THIS TYPE OF FAULT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO A FORD TAURUS AS WELL.

WHILE PARKED, A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SPEED CONTROL DISCONNECTION SWITCH. *JB

ON 06/03/2005, A GOVERNMENT OWNED, 1996 FORD BRONCO, WAS OBSERVED ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT HOURS WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE FIRE WAS OBSERVED AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND BURNED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT COULD BE EXTINGUISHED. THE FIRE WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH.

MODERATE LEAK OF FUEL WAS OBSERVED AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. WE BROUGHT THIS TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE TOP OF THE TANK WAS CRACKED. THE TANK NEEDS REPLACEMENT. WE HAVE A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR GL. THIS WAS PURCHASED IN 1995. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE 1995 RECALLS I NOTICED THAT THE 1995 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO THINK THAT THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN TO A FATAL ACCIDENT IF IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE.

INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED ON 1996 THUNDERBIRD IN 2000. IT IS NOW CRACKED, AND AFTER SPENDING 550.00 TO FIND THAT OUT, THERE IS NOTHING FORD WILL DO EVEN THOUGH IT IS ON CAMPAIGN (97M91). NOW I CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR.

WHILE DRIVING, A SUDDEN ENGINE FIRE OCCURRED IN A 1996 WINDSTAR. THE FORD DEALER (SOUND FORD, RENTON WA) STATES THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE CRUISE CONTROL CUTOUT SWITCH. IT IS CLEAR FROM THE BURN PATTERN THAT THIS WAS INDEED THE CAUSE. THE SINGLE OCCUPANT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED USING A DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM A LOCAL MERCHANT (WESTMARINE, SEATTLE, WA). THE FORD DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE SO FAR TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE (IT'S BEEN OVER THREE WEEKS).