1996 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

DT: WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS HIT BY A TURKEY AND THE TURKEY CAME IN THE CAB OF VAN. CALLER WAS INJURED. WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND GLASS WENT EVERYWHERE. THE TURKEY CAME IN THROUGH A BIG HOLE. CALLER WANTED TO KNOW IF WINDSHIELD WAS MADE OF SAFETY GLASS. INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK THE VAN, AND CALLER HAD NOT YET HEARD FROM INSURANCE COMPANY. CALLER HAS NOT TALKED TO DEALER OR MANUFACTURER.*AK *SB *NM

1996 FORD WINDSTAR EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE.*MR CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A MAJOR FAILURE WITH THIS ENGINE. THE CONSUMER'S FORD WINDSTAR IS STILL SITTING AT THE DEALER AWAITING SOME SORT OF ANSWER FROM ANY GOVERING BODY. *BF

CONSUMER STATES: NEEDLE ON SPEEDOMETER WAS WOBBLING . ALSO, TIRE BLEW OUT WITH ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON IT. THE WHOLE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE BLEW OUT. 35 PSI, B.F.GOODWRICH, ADVANTAGE PLUS,1996 WINDSTAR VAN. *AK

1996 FORD WINDSTAR COIL SPRING WAS FOUND BY NON-FORD DEALER MECHANIC TO BE BROKEN IN HALF AND CAUSING BANGING NOISE IN FRONT END. FORD DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM, BUT BOTH COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS WERE EVENTUALLY REPLACED BY NON-FORD MECHANIC BEFORE I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT FORD'S RECALL ON THE COIL SPRINGS. AM I ENTITLED FOR REIMBURSEMENT BY FORD FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR BILL? *NM

THE DOME LIGHT AND THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE BATTERY WILL DRAIN COMPLETELY. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WHEN IT WAS STARTED. ONE INJECTOR WAS CHANGED. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE OTHER FIVE INJECTORS MAY GO BAD. *SC *JB

1996 FORD WINDSTAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.*MR WHILED PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF, BUT RADIO RUNNING, CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING UNDER HOOD IN FRONT OF STEERING WHEEL. SPEED CONTROL DETECTION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF FIRE. THERE IS RECALL BUT CONSUMER'S VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. *TT

CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSED SMOKE, CAUSED CRUISE CONTROL TO FAIL, REPLACED WITH NEW SWITCH. FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR AS PART OF RECENT PICKIP TRUCK RECALL ON THIS SWITCH. HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIR.*AK I HAVE ORIGINAL FAILED SWITCH WHICH LEAKS BRAKE FLUID INTO SWITCH CAUSING SHORT AND SMOKE.

CONSUMER STATED THE STABILIZER BAR RUSTED AND BROKE THROUGH. AS A RESULT, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION.*AK

DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF LEAKING HEAD GASKET. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS CLEAR PLASTIC LENS. OVER TIME PLASTIC HAS DISCOLORED WHICH DEGRADES LIGHTING . ALSO LAMP ASSEMBLY COLLECTS MOISTURE INSIDE UNIT FURTHER DEGRADING LIGHTING THIS CONDITION PREVALENT NOT ONLY ON MY VEHICLE BUT ALSO ON OTHER CARS I HAVE OBSERVED. *JB

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

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE ENGINE WAS PRODUCING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. THE DEALER STATED HEAD GASKET FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE HEAT WOULD NOT WORK IT ONLY BLEW COLD AIR. A FEW MINUTES INTO DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE TEMPRETURE GAUGE WAS GOING IN THE RED ZONE. THE ENGINE STARTING RATTLING AND DIED. THE CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *TC

I HAVE A '96 FORD WINDSTAR WITH A 3.8 LITER V6 ENGINE. THIS IS THE 2ND HEAD GASKET FAILURE I'VE HAD WITH IT. THE FIRST WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 2003. I PAID ABOUT $2500 TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED THEN. THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN AFTER A SHORT TIME I NOTICED MY CAR HEATER WASN'T WORKING, JUST BLOWING COLD AIR. A SHORT TIME LATER, I NOTICED MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS GOING UP, AND AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, IT WAS IN THE RED ZONE. A FEW MINUTES AFTER THAT, MY ENGINE BEGAN MAKING TERRIBLE CLUNKING AND RATTLING NOISES AND I HAD TO PULL OVER. AS SOON AS I DID, THE ENGINE DIED AND WOULDN'T RESTART AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF COOLING DOWN. I HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC'S GARAGE WHICH COST ME $127, AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE CAR'S BEEN AT HIS GARAGE FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS WHILE I DECIDE WHAT I SHOULD DO. I'M CONVINCED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT FOR WHICH FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE, ESPECIALLY AFTER READING THE COMPLAINT LOG CONTAINING SO MANY STORIES FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE A CAR WITH THIS TYPE ENGINE. FORD CLAIMS THEY SOLVED THIS PROBLEM AFTER 1995, BUT THE COMPLAINT LOG TELLS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT STORY. *JB

1996 FORD WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET FAILURE LEADING TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION. AFTER THE VAN SAT FOR ONE WEEK WE STARTED IT AND THE HEADGASKET BLEW ALLOWING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE.

THIS MORNING, I WAS PREPARING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD COMPLETELY LOST MY BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUID WAS SPILLING ONTO THE DRIVEWAY.*AK UPON INVESTIGATING THE LEAK, MY NEIGHBOR AND I WERE ABLE TO LOCATE A CRACK IN THE RIGHT FRONT HARD LINE. THERE WAS OBVIOUS SIGNS OF CORROSION ON ALL OF THE HARD BRAKE LINES. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINES AND WAS UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL I REVIEWED THE INFORMATION ON THIS SITE. I AM NOT SURE WHETHER TO CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY OR SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY FIRST. I SHUDDER TO THINK OF WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE RESULT IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE ON A FAMILY TRIP RATHER THAN IN MY DRIVEWAY.

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO CHURCH WHEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY TWO KIDS WERE IN THE CAR. THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE CENTER. THE BRAKE MONITOR SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

FORD WINDSTAR WITH A 3.8 L V-8 BLEW THE HEAD GASKET AT 75,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT THE TIME.*AK

LEMON CAR. *NM

I HAVE A '1996 FORD WINDSTAR. IT WAS TAKEN INTO THE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY DISCOVERED WATER IN THE OIL. I KNOW THAT FORD KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR BUT THE HEAD DOES NEED TO BE FIXED. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN DONE YET BECAUSE THEY ARE COSTLY. I FEEL FORD SHOULD AT THE LEAST HELP COVER SOME OF THE COST.*AK

I ALSO HAVE A 1996 WINDSTAR WILL ALL OF THE MENTIONED HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS.VAN SITS IN REAR, AM CURRENTLY DRIVING TOYOTA WITH 200+ I PULLED FROM BACK YARD AFTER BEING STAGNENT FOR 3 YEARS. NO MONEY TO REPAIR,CAUSING HARDSHIP IN FAMILY.I BELIEVE TO BE FORDS PROBLEM BUT DOESNT LOOK LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO ADMIT AS A TROUBLE, WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER AND WILL NOT SUPPORT 6 FAMILY MEMBERS WHEN THEY LOSE THEIR JOBS DO TO THIS PROBLEM. MY VAN WAS ALSO MANUFACTURED IN CANADA 12/96 AND VIN SEEMS TO BE IN SEQUENCE WITH OTHERS. VAN JUST TURNED 100,000 A WEEK AGO.*AK

THE ORIGINAL WHEELS ON MY 1996 WINDSTAR HAVE DEVELOPED AIR LEAKS AT THE WELDS. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WENT TO A SALVAGE YARD FOR A REPLACEMENT, AND THEY SAID WINDSTAR WHEELS ARE SCARCE BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR WHEELS WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS. I BELIEVE THE OEM WHEELS ARE DEFECTIVE. (IN 34 YEARS OF DRIVING, I'VE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH EVEN ONE WHEEL ON ANY CAR. 4 OUT OF 4 WHEELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS VAN TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE PRODUCT.) OUR DRIVING IS ON GOOD ROADS, SO IT CANNOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO ROUGH USE. THE ONLY CONSEQUENCE SO FAR IS THAT TIRE PRESSURE IS SLOWLY LOST, LEADING TO LOW PRESSURE. OUR ONLY EXPENSE SO FAR IS THAT WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE WHEELS, ONE AT A TIME. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES INCONVENIENCE AND EXPENSE AT THE VERY LEAST, AND COULD RESULT IN WHEEL FAILURE, INJURY AND DEATH IF NOT ADDRESSED.*AK

THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES NOT ENGAGING WHEN VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON ICE OR SNOW. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED.*AK *TC

1996 FORD WINDSTAR, MISFIRED UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. THIS IS INDICATIVE OF A MISFIRE ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM TO THE 1996 MODEL. THE COMPUTER WILL SAY THE ENGINE IS MISFIRE IN CYLINDER X WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER Y. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS ANYTHING FROM A FAULTY SPARK PLUG TO A BLOWN PISTON RING, CAUSING A LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN A CYLINDER. SEEMS TO BE A VERY VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG 1996 WINDSTARS. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH TIRES ON 1996 FORD WINDSTAR.*MR THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A SET OF NEW TIRES FOR HIS VEHICLE. AFTER 50,000 MILES THE CONSUMER HAD A FLAT TIRE SHORTLY WHICH RESULTED FROM RIM SEPARATION (A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE OUTER RIM THAT HOLDS THE TIRE AND THE INNER PART THAT HAS THE LUG HOLES). THE CONSUMER PURCHASED ANOTHER RIM AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM TWO MONTHS LATER. TC

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE FRONT PORTION OF THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE THE ENTIRE LINE ON HIS VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS NEARLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE DEFECT WITH THE BRAKES. NO RECALLS FOUND. *JB A LEAKING BRAKE LINE WAS FOUND. *SC

I HAVE A 3.8 ENGINE THAT HAS HAD TO HAVE HEADS REPAIRED/REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE ENGINE NOW REQUIRES REPLACING, IT HAS BEEN AT GARAGE FOR 2 YEARS. DUE TO COST INVOLVED IT IS NOT COST EFFECTIVE RO REPAIR. IT HAS OVERHEATED IN ALL CASES AND THE SECOND TIME IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A FAULTY FORD WATER PUMP MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSE. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD AND DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT RESPONSE. *NM

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

THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE ABOUT 5 INCHES FROM THE TIRE AFTER THE BEND AND INTO THE STRAIGHT PART OF THE BAR. EFFORTS I HAVE MADE TO FIND A REPLACEMENT PART NEW OR USED IS PROVEING DIFFICULT BECAUSE EVERY SINGLE PLACE HAS BEEN OUT OF THEM, THIS WOULD INDICATE TO ME THAT THERE IS A RASH OF BRAKEAGES OF THIS PART AND NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.*AK

THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED ON THEIR OWN. *NM THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT WHICH MAY BE DUE TO THE BRAKE LINES. REFER TO RECALL#02V101000. *SC THE SWAY BAR RATTLED, THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. *JB

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 AND ABS FEATURES. SHOULD HAVING ABS AND DISC BRAKES MAKE A CAR LESS SAFE? THE CAR WITH ONLY 58,500 MILES ON IT HAD A METAL BRAKE HOSE RUST OUT. THIS LINE WENT TO THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES AND THE FAILURE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR ABOVE THE SPARE WHEEL. OTHER BRAKE LINES STILL APPEAR RTO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS ONE FAILED AT THIS DATE. THE REAL REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT IS THAT I WAS SURPRISED BY THE TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING. I THINK THIS MAY BE A DESIGN FAILURE. SHOULDN'T THE FRONT BRAKES STILL HAVE WORKED? INDEED WITH THE IGNITION AND SYSTEM OFF SOME PEDAL WAS ENCOUNTERED BUT WITH THE POWER ON THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO PEDAL. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS DID INDICATE A BRAKING PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FORD AND TO SEVERAL DEALERS AS THE ABS/TRACTION CONTORL OFTEN AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES. DESPITE MORE THAT 20 ATTEMTPS TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED AT MULTIPLE DEALERS THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS IS ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT RESULTS IN THE LOSS OF BENEFITS IN WHAT SHOULD BE A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT. HOWEVER, THIS REPORT IS NOT ABOUT THE RECURRING TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE. THIS IS ONLY TO SURFACE THE FACT THAT BRAKING FORCE IS TOTALLY LOST WHEN A BRAKE LINE FOR THE REAR BRAKES FAILS.*AK

THIS IS A SECOND OR FOLLOW-UP FOR MY EARLIER COMPLAINT FILED ON THE DAY OF TEH INCIDENT. I JUST FOUND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WANTED TO APPEND THIS TO MY COMPLAINT.*AK FIRST COMPLAINT WAS ABOUT THE TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING IN MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 4 WHEEL DISCS AND ABS. WITH A DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM THE RUPTURE OF A BRAKE LINE SHOULD NOT CAUSE TOTAL BRAKE LOSS BUT THIS FAILURE DID CAUSE JUST THAT. IF THE ELECTRICAL POWER WAS NOT ON SOME PEDAL WAS EVIDENT. ONCE ELECTRICAL POWER WAS ON THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SINCE THE RUPTURED BRAKE LINE WAS IN THE REAR AND THE FRONT BRAKES STILL HAD FLUID AND DO MOST OF THE BRAKING I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO RETAIN SOME STOPPING CAPABILITY. I PURCHASED THE 4 WHEEL DISC SYSTEM TO GAIN A SAFER AND MORE SECURE VEHICLE. IF THE ADDITONAL OF ABS 4 WHEEL BRAKING RESULTS IN THE LOSS OF THE DUAL MASTER CYLINDER FUNCTION , WHICH IS MORE CRITICAL, I THINK THIS OPTION IS LESS SAFE. THE NEW INFORMATION IS THE FACT THAT OTHER FORD WINDSTARS HAVE A RECALL FOR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BRAKE LINES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO RUST THROUGH AND RUPTURE. FORD TELLS ME THAT MY VIN IS NOT IN THAT GROUP. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS CORRECT BUT THE SUMPTOMS SOUND IDENTICAL. ALL THE OTHER BRAKE LINES IN MY CAR WERE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE SAVE FOR THE ONE TO THE REAR BRAKES WHICH RUPTURED AND CAUSED THE LOSS OF THE FLUID IN THE REAR SYSTEM. THE FRONT SYSTEM RETAINED FLUID BUT DID NOT PRESSURIZE THE BRAKES. I ASSUEM THIS FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ABS BUT I CAN NOT BE SURE IF THAT IS THE ACTUAL CAUSE. FORD INDCIATES THAT MY NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE IS NOT THE SAME AS THE EXISTING RECALL. I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU INVESTIGATE IF THE BRAKE LINE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTAR PRODUCT IS LARGER THAT ORIGINALLY THOUGHT. MY CAR ALSO IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER SIGNAGE UPDATED ON A RECALL. FORD INDICATES MY WAS DONE BUT I DO NOT SEE ANY OF THE EXPECTED MARKINGS. PERHAPS THESE WERE APPLIED AND HAVE FALLEN OFF OR I COULD BE LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE.

CONSUMER STATED THAT ALL FOUR RIMS HAD CRACKS IN THEM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RIMS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK

GAS TANK LEAK. I LEAVE IN ONE OF THE STATES THAT IS LISTED IN RECALL 99V309000 THAT STATES HOT WEATHER INCREASES CRACKS IN FUEL TANKS ON 1995 FORD WINDSTARS. MY VEHICLE IS A 1996 WITH A BUILD DATE OF 10-02-1995. FORD MOTOR WILL NOT CONSIDER THIS VEHICLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THEY NEED TO RE-EVALUATE THE RECALL TO INCLUDE A WIDER RANGE THAN THEY NOW HAVE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY LEAK LOOKS JUST LIKE A 1995 THEY FIXED ON 07-23-2004. PLEASE HELP ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *AK

THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. ALSO, THERE WAS A STRONG ANTI FREEZE ODOR COMING INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *AK FORD CHANGED THE GASKET AND SINCE THAT TIME A BLOWN HEAD GASKET HAVE BEEN A MAJOR FAILURE. *SC

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS SHEARED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT THEN FELL TO GROUND. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD BEEN LOSING COOLANT SLOWLY AND WE COULDN'T FIND OUT WHERE. AFTER SITTING FOR 2 DAYS, WHEN I STARTED THE VAN I HEARD A LOUD POP, AND WHITE SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND IT HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I CALLED FORD, KNOWING THERE HAD BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS ON OTHER YEARS FOR THE SAME ENGINE, AND THEY BASICALLY SAID "SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK." THEY ALSO TOLD ME I SHOULD BRING IT IN TO FORD BECAUSE THEY CAN'T RELY ON A DIAGNOSTIC DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. *LA

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB *NM

I JUST PAID OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (VAN WAS IN FOR A NYS INSPECTION) TO PERFORM WELD REPAIR ON THE "FRONT STRUT/CONTROL ARM SUPPORT ROD" BUSHINGS BECAUSE THEY WERE LOOSE AND, IN THE DEALERS WORDS, A SAFETY HAZARD (LOOSE DUE TO CORROSION AND QUESTIONABLE WELD QUALITY BY FORD MANUFACTURING). DEGRADATION OF WELDS ON A MAJOR SUSPENSION COMPONENT UNDER NORMAL WEAR & TEAR CONDITIONS- ISN'T THAT A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE? HOW MANY WINDSTARS HAS THIS HAPPENED TO? I CAN SEE REPLACING COMPONENTS (I.E. BRAKES, ALTERNATORS, TIRES, ETC.) OVER THE LIVE OF A VEHICLE BUT WELD REPAIR ON THE SUSPENSION SUB-FRAME? BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS, IS THIS A VIABLE CONDITION OR DID THE DEALER FLEECE ME? *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND APPROACHING A RED LIGHT CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR FLUID LEAKED. THE BRAKE LINE THAT LED TO THE FIREWALL WAS DEFECTIVE. PREVIOUSLY, RECALL 02V101000 CONCERNING BRAKE LINES WAS ISSUED. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT FORD PERFORMED RECALL REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE FAILURE RECURRED. *AK

1996 FORD WINDSTAR WITH HEADGASKET PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED FORS, BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECORD OF THE 1996 ENGINES HAVING PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MY WINDSTAR, BOUGHT NEW HAS 68,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN SMELLING ANTIFREEZE FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS, BUT IT HAS NOW GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. BROUGHT CAR TO MECHANINC DUE TO ENGINE MISFIRING, ONE OF THE SYSMPTOMS LISTED FOR THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE REAPIAR WILL COST OVER $2,000.*AK

EVENFLO MODEL # 263120-P1, WHEN THE CONSUMER PUSHED THE RELEASE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE STRAPS THE STRAP BUCKLE FELL COMPLETELY APART. THE CLIP WAS STILL HOLDING THE CHILD SAFELY BUT THE CONSUMER COULD NOT REMOVE THE CHILD NORMALLY. *AK

I PURCHASED A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR AND FIVE DAYS LATER FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD A BAD ENGINE (BLOWN HEAD GASKET). IT LEFT MYSELF AND 6 CHILDREN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN/STOPPED, AND THEN STALLED. CONSUMER COULD NOT TRAVEL WHERE THERE WERE ANY INCLINES OR HILLS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, AND HAD VEHICLE ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES, AND NO ONE COULD REPAIR IT. *AK

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY CONSUMER ON 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. (NAR) *LA

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

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 WEEK. HEARD A NOISE FROM FRONT, AND THEN WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. I DO BELIEVE THAT PAUL CORNIES, THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED VEHICLE KNEW THAT THEY WERE SELLING ME A LEMON. IT HAS CAUSED ME A LOT OF HARDSHIP AS I NO LONGER WORK DUE TO HEALTH REASONS. I FILED FOR DISABILITY INSURANCE, AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A PREEXISTING DISEASE , AND REFUSED TO PAY THE INSURANCE. CURRENTLY, I HAVE A JUNKER IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX , AND A BILL FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS, SINCE I STILL OWE FOR IT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. *AK

WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED AND ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED AND LATCHED, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON AND INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS STAY ON AS WELL AS THE DOOR AJAR CHIME RINGS. THIS IS CONTINUOUS WHILE DRIVING, AND EVENTUALLY TURNS ITSELF OFF. THIS CREATES A HAZARD ESPECIALLY WHILE BACKING AS IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SEE BEHIND VEHICLE AT DUSK OR DARK. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY AS TO WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT IF A DOOR IS INDEED AJAR, THAT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WILL STAY ON, BUT THE DOME LIGHT WILL GO OFF AS WILL THE CHIME. *JB

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK *JB

BLOWN HEAD GASKET - ENGINE FAILURE - 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. *NM

VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD. FOUND CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHEEHY FORD RO# 611676