1996 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING OVER 55 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. THE NUMBERS FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN AT HIGH SPEEDS. ONCE THE VEHICLE GOT BELOW 55 MPH THE SYSTEM WENT BACK TO NORMAL. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

MY 3.8L, 1996 FORD WINDSTAR GL AT ALMOST 100K STARTED LEAKING COOLANT THROUGH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME SAFELY DESPITE ALMOST COMPLETELY OVERHEATING. I AM NOW WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR ME AND MY FOUR SMALL CHILDREN, WALKING A TOTAL OF 2 MILES A DAY TO GET MY 7 YR OLD DAUGHTER TO/ FROM SCHOOL WITH A 5, 3 AND 1YR OLD. MY HUSBAND'S JOB IS OUR ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME SO THIS WILL BE A *HUGE* FINANCIAL BURDEN GETTING THIS FIXED (NOT TO MENTION THE NEW PROBLEM OVER THE MALFUNCTIONING 'DOOR OPEN' INDICATOR). I HAVE FOUND WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON AFTER TALKING WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS. THE ISSUE IS ACKNOWLEDGED BY FORD AS THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE 1995 WINDSTARS. WHY CAN'T THEY OWN UP TO A DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND EXTEND THIS TO THE 1996 WINDSTARS AS WELL?! THIS BLATANT DISREGARD BY FORD WILL GET SOMEONE HURT OR WORSE (GOD FORBID) KILLED. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS!!*AK

1996, WINDSTAR EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS BROKEN WHEEL STUDS ON THE LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEELS. TWO STUDS BROKE ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ON FEBRUARY 15, 2004. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HOOD SEPARATED FROM THE OUTER PANEL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO CONSUMER'S HOME. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY RECALL. *AK

INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON RUNNING THE BATTERY DOWN. DOORBELL & INT. LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL 20 MPH.

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. *NM

1996 FORD WINDSTAR VIN [XXX] MFTD. 08/95 FORD MOTOR CO OF CANADA. HEAD GASKET FAILURE ALLOWING COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL TO MIX, WITH MAIN RESULT BEING LOST OF COOLANT. I HAVE TO KEEP FILLING COOLANT RESOVOIR. *JB *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN 3.8 I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IF THE ENGINES WERE HAVING PROBLEMS. HE TOLD ME NO. I TOOK HIM ON HIS WORD AND NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. I HAVE A 1994 T-BIRD THAT HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD WAS GREAT TO WORK WITH. I WISH THEY WOULD STAND BEHIND THIS ENGINE AS WELL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED.

FUEL WAS LEAKING INTO THE CONVERTER. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE IT. *AK

MY 1996 WINDSTAR HAD HEAD GASKETS REPAIRED LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO. AT THE TIME, THE GARAGE DOING THE WORK INDICATED THE ENGINE HAD A DESIGN PROBLEM, AND THE GASKETS WOULD PROBABLY, OVER TIME, FAIL AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED, AS RADIATOR FLUID HAS BEGUN LEAKING ONCE AGAIN INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS IS A PROBLEM FORD KNOWS EXISTS WITH THE 1996 WINDSTAR, AS IT DID WITH THE 89-95 MODELS, AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *AK

FORD WINSTAR HEAD GASKET PREMATURE FAILURE

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

SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE BOUNCES ALL OVER THE SPEED DIAL. PROBLEM CAME ALL OF A SUDDEN. HAPPENS WHEN YOU GO OVER 30 MPH OR SO. THIS HAS BEEN LISTED MANY OTHER NTHSA HOTLINE STATEMENTS ON SAME VEHICLE. WILL ANYTHING BE DONE BY FORD??*AK

1996 FORD WINDSTAR, 3.8 L, LOWN HEAD GASKET. *AK

I'VE HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SINCE 9/98 (6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE)-APPROX 40000 MILES. I'VE SPENT OVER $2000 OVER 5 TRIPS TO THE SHOP- LAST ONE 11/27/03- TRYING TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I JUST HAD MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT FOR ADDT'L $1600 (JAN 2004) AND NOW I HAVE THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. I AM DESPARATE FOR SOME ASSISTANCE AS I HAVE NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION AND HAVE INVESTED WAY TOO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS VAN TO REPLACE IT WITH MORE CAR PAYMENTS.

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN. CONSUMER SMELLED RUBBER BURNING ,THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES WERE COMPLETELY BURNED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED WENT TO THE FLOOR AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE VAN. THIS OCCURRED WHILE IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY A MECHANIC, THEY NOTICED A PIN HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE. THERE'S A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LINE 02V10100, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP DID INSPECT THE VAN'S BRAKE LINE AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL LETTER, BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND AT THAT TIME SO THE PART WASN'T REPLACED. *PH

ENGINE FRONT COVER GASKET FAILED IN LINE WITH RECALL 99B29. FORD DOES NOT INCLUDE MY WINDSTAR MODEL, BUILT IN 03/96 IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 99B29, INDICATING THAT THE ORIGINAL RECALL HAS BEEN INADEQUATE." *AK

I HAVE SEVERAL SERVICE ISSUES THAT FALL UNDER THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS FOR MY 1996 WINDSTAR. MOST RECENTLY I TOOK THE VAN TO MIKE SHAD FORD IN JACKSONVILLE, FL BECAUSE THEY HAD REPLACED THE PLUGS AND WIRES EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO SPUTTER AND AFTER DIAGNOSIS, I AM TOLD THAT IT NEEDS THE FOLLOWING: 02 SENSORS - PCV TUBE- EGR PORTS INTAKE GASKETS. SINCE THE REASON I TOOK IT TO FORD IN THE FIRST PLACE WAS BECAUSE OF THE SPUTTERING AND MY SERVICE ADVISOR TOM SUMMERS WHEN I TOLD HIM I WANTED A TUNE-UP ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED DONE AS IF I WAS THE MECHANIC AND KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG NEVER BOTHERED TO HAVE THE VAN CHECKED OUT. AS THE ADVISOR, I WOULD EXPECT HIM TO INFORM ME AS TO THE PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT THEY JUST DO WHAT THE CUSTOMER ASKS OF THEM. I ASKED THAT THE PLUGS AND WIRES BE CHANGED AS THAT IS ALL I KNEW TO TELL HIM. THERE IS THE INCIDENCE OF MY LOCKS GOING HAYWIRE AND REAR WINDOWS BEING STUCK ALSO THE SPEEDOMETER HAD TO BE REPLACED AS IT STUCK. ALL OF THESE ARE ON THEIR VARIOUS TSB. SHOULD THEY NOT HAVE REPAIRED THEM AT NO CHARGE TO ME? WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF A TSB AS OPPOSED TO A RECALL? THIS VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED IT. ALL OF THE INCIDENCES LISTED HERE DID NOT OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE LISTED THEM NEVER-THE-LESS. THE INCIDENT DATE IS FOR INTAKE GASKET. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE, I APPRECIATE YOUR EARLIEST RESPONSE. *LA

1996 FORD WINDSTAR ENGINE FAILURE - SYSTEMIC HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH THE V6 3.8L ENGINE, WHICH FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR MANY YEARS. SYMPTOMS: HARD TO START, ROUGH IDLE, WHITE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE, ENGINE COOLANT DRIPPING FROM EXHAUST, OIL LOOKS LIKE BROWN MAYONNAISE. *LA

THE 1996 FORD WINDSTAR CONTINUES TO HAVE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS AS IN 1994 AND 1995 MODELS. THIS LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE AT 78,000 MILES! THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE PER MILLER FORD WAS 4,778.00. WE PAID 19,000 FOR THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSE TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE! THE NASA HAS STATED THE HEAD GASKET SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 120,000 MILES OR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD THIS FORD WINDSTAR WITH A BLOWN ENGINE DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE SINCE LAST DECEMBER, BUT CONTINUE TO MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON THIS DEAD FORD WINDSTAR. WE PAY TAXES, INSURANCE, AND MONTLY PAYMENTS TO FORD CREDIT FOR THE NEXT 18 MONTHS OR SO. WE JUST DISCONTINUED REGISTRATION FEES AS THE DMV TOLD US WE COULD DO THIS. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND IS NOT STANDING UP TO IT'S COMMITTMENT OF QUALITY CARE TO IT'S CUSTOMERS. I URGE ANYONE WHO IS CONSIDERING BUYING A FORD TO DO THEIR RESEARCH. FORD IS A COMPANY THAT DOES NOT STAND BEHIND IT'S PROMISES. WE WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD ALTHOUGH OUR FAMILY HAS NEVER OWNED ANYTHING BUT UNTIL NOW. FORD WAKE UP!

AT 60000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 1. MECHANIC PULLED PLUG AND FOUND COOLANT IN CYLINDER DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HOOD SEPARATED FROM THE HINGES AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE HOOD WAS REPLACED. *AK

1996 FORD WINDSTAR AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. INTERMITTENTLY WILL LOCK IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR SHIFTING UP. ALSO TRANSMISSION, INTERMITTENTLY WILL DOWN SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR WHILE CRUSING AT 60-70 MPH. THIS SOMETIMES LASTS HOURS AND THEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON DESIDES TO SHIFT ABSOLUTLY FINE. I HAVE CHANGED THE FLUID, FILTER AND GASKET. INTERNALLY LOOKS VERY CLEAN MINUSCULE AMOUNTS OF FILINGS AND NO APPARENT CONTAMINATION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT COMPUTER MODULES AND OR SENSERS ARE INVOLVED. I HAVE HEARD OF THE,TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) AND THE-----(PCM)?...WHAT ARE THIS ? WHAT IS THEIR PURPOSE? ARE THERE OTHERS?WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?WHAT DO THEY COST? I CANNOT BELEIVE THE TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS A $2000 REBUILD WHEN IT PERFORMS PERFECTLY MOST OF THE TIME. LOGIC CONVINCES ME IT MAY VERY WELL BE AS SIMPLE AS PLUG AND PLAY. YET NO TRANSMISSION SHOPS WANT TO HEAR OF IT, THEY WANT TO REBUILD. MY COMPLAINT IS NOT WITH THE EQUIPTMENT BUT WITH THE EXPERTS , ESPECIALLY THE DEALERS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CUSTOMERS. CASE IN POINT, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT ON THE WINDSTAR DEALER PRICED THE REPAIR NO LESS THAN $1450.00 AND NOT TO BE SURPRISED AT FINAL COST UPWARDS OF $2200.00. I HAD IT TOWED 70 MILES TO MY LOCAL MECHINIC AND THE COSTS INCLUDING THE TOW JOB WAS $237.00. I WISH HE WAS A TRANSMISSION MECH. BUT HE IS NOT.YOU HAVE MY E-MAIL ADDRESS I ASSUME YOU WANTED THAT TO HELP ME. ANSWER MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPUTER MODULE ETC..AND PLEASE DO NOT GIVE MY ADDRESS TO ANY OTHER SITES FOR THAT MATTER TO ANYONE AT ALL. DO THIS, YOU WILL EARN MY TRUST, I WILL BE GREATFUL, YOU JUST NEED TO ASK.*AK

WHENEVER VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER 40 MPH SPEEDOMETER JUMPS BACK AND FORTH. WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER JUMPS BACK AND FORTH CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW HOW FAST HE IS DRIVING.*AK

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

TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE AS WE ENTERED INTERSECTION, HOWEVER BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINE. THREE CARS IN ACCIDENT.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE POSSIBLY DUE TO LOW TRANSMISSION FLUID FOLLOWING GUIDELINES IN OWNERS GUIDE . AFTER FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT REPLACEMENT. I FOUND AN ARTICLE IN NEWSPAPER QUOTED FROM FORD REGARDING FLUID LEVEL MAINTENANCE WHICH WAS DIFFERENT THAN RECOMMENDATION IN THE OWNERS GUIDE. *LA

TIMING COVER GASKET FAILURE ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH ENGINE OIL. GASKET REPLACED BUT ENGINE DAMAGE MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN DONE. SPEEDOMETER WAVERS BETWEEN 20 AND 60 MPH AT 30 MPH, HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE YELLOWED TO THE POINT THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE USELESS. MOST FORD VEHICLES FROM 1990 TO 2000 HAVE THE YELLOWING HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AS A SAFETY PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES. A RUPTURE IN THE BRAKE LINE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *AK

OTHER IS THE HEAD GASKET WENT AND LEAKED OIL IN MY ENGINE CAUSING IT TO BE REPLACED. FORD DENIED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND I BELIEVED THEM UNTIL I READ YOUR WEB SITE ARTICLE ON THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH 1995 WINDSTARS. I CALLED FORD THIS MORNING AGAIN AND READ THE ARTICLE AND THEY STILL WILL NOT STEP UP TO THE PLATE ON THIS. NOTHING ELSE HAS GONE WRONG WITH MY CAR.

PROBLEM WITH WATER SEEPING IN AND SOAKING THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR PADDING AND CARPET.

1996 FORD WINDSTAR WITH PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE.

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 LEAST TWICE. IN PAST 6 MONTHS, THE ENGING HAS BEEN RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND I HAVE A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE . 2ND TUNE-UP AND COIL REPLACED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. ENGINE NOW RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND GASOLINE ODOR IS SO STRONG THAT YOU COULD NOT LIGHT A MATCH IN THE VEHICLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN AS WELL AS BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT. RADIATOR COMPLETELY EMPTY FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 2 WEEKS.*AK

BRAKE PEDAL WHEN TO FLOOR. RESULTING IN NO BRAKES. METAL BRAKE LINE CORROSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

REPLACED RACK AND PINION FOR THE SECOND TIME 8/01 ( BY DEALERSHIP) AND 5/03. ALSO REPLACED FRONT END BEARING IN 1999 AND TRANSMISSION. WIRING HARNESS IN 2000. REAR A/C DOES NOT WORK AND THAT'S ONLY THE ITEMS I CAN REMEBER.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THE LUG NUTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WERE SHEARED OFF. CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHIMMY VIOLENTLY ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL. *PH

WITH DOORS SECURELY CLOSED THE DOOR ADJAR LIGHT COMES ON. THIS CAN LAST FOR MINUTES TO HOURS, THE SAME WITH THE BATTERY CHECK LIGHT. LASTLY, THE CHIMES WILL INTERMITTENTLY COME ON. THIS IS STARTING TO BECOME MORE AND MORE FREQUENT AND CONTINUE FOR LONGER AND LONGER PERIODS OF TIME. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. I HAVE HEARD MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE AND OCCURRENCES IE, COMPLAINT # 10020993. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE GENERALLY HARD TO PINPOINT BUT CAN BE VERY SERIOUS IN NATURE. ELECTRICAL FIRES START AND SPREAD FAST. I HAVE A FAMILY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND I AM VERY CONCERNED. FORD CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE NO COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE. *PH I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE.

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.

CONSUMER STATED THAT HEAD GASKET IS CRACKED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

1996 FORD WINDSTAR VAN HAS REAR BRAKE LINE IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING BRAKELINE FAILURE. BRAKELINE GETS VERY HOT AND CAUSES IT TO RUS,T DETERIORATE AND LEAK ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER. FORTUNATELY THIS FAILURE DID NOT RESULT IN A ACCIDENT.THE CAR IS PRESENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT A GOODYEAR REPAIR CENTER. NO RECALL NOTICE OR OTHER WARNING HAS EVER BEEN RECEIVED FROM FORD REGARDING THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. I HAVE THE BRAKELINE AND IT CLEARLY SHOWS THE EFFECT OF THE EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE CONVERTER. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED, SAME PROBLEM AS 95, WHICH WERE REPAIRED. I WAS TEACHING MY TEEN AGE DAUGHTER TO DRIVE AND THE ENGINE COULD HAVE EASILY FAILED CAUSING A VERY INEXPERIENCED DRIVER TO CRASH. IN A LETTER TO FORD AND A SEVERAL CONSERVATIONS, THEY STATE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. PERSUSAL THROUGH NUMEROUS CAR WEB SITES INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. FORD TOLD ME IT WAS MY PROBLEM. *AK

CONTINUOUS FAILED TRANSMISSION. HAVE HAD 4 ACTUAL REBUILT/REPLACEMENTS. BEGGED FOR EXTEDED WARRANTY, RECEIVED. SHORTEST LIVED TRANSMISSION WAS 300 MI. 1 MO. OUT OF WARRANTY, TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN, ON HIGHWAY, 100 MI FROM HOME WITH 3 DISABLED CHILDREN IN CAR. WILL BE VEHICLES ACTUAL 6TH TRANSMISSION. HAS NOW 98K MI, BOUGHT NEW OFF LOT (1ST TRANSMISSION IN 1ST YR OWNED). IRIONICALLY PERSON 1 MI DOWN THE HIGHYWAY HAD 1999 WINDSTAR WHO'S TRANMISSION HAD ALSO JUST FAILED. BOUGHT CAR FOR CHILDREN DUE TO SAFETY, IS NOTHING BUT A LEMON AND FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR WAS PARKED "IN PARK" IN MY DRIVEWAY, WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, AND JUST ROLLED DOWNED THE DRIVEWAY AND CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND WALL DAMAGE. *NLM

1996 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8 LITER ENGINE WITH 83,000 MILES ON IT BLEW HEAD GASKET IN DECEMBER 2002. PAID OVER $1200 FOR REPAIRS. SENT A COMPLAINT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY REQUESTING ASSISTANCE. RESPONSE WAS THAT THE 1996 MODEL IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. JUNE 19, 2003 AFTER PAYING REPAIRS MENTIONED ABOVE, THE ENGINE BLEW. THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DISABLED AND WILL COST OVER $3500 TO REPAIR. *NLM

96 WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE .BLOWN HEAD GASKET .90,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. DEALER QUOTE $1500. -$1800. TO REPAIR HEAD GASKET. SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED REPLACE ENGINE $4000. SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM . THE SERVICE MANAGER GAVE ME THE TELEPHONE # FOR FORD CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND WISHED ME GOOD LUCK. THREE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TOLD ME THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE AND WINDSTARS. ONE OF THE MECHANICS " 9 OUT OF 10 WINDSTARS BLOW HEAD GASKETS". HIS SUGGESTION OF VEHICLES TO AVOID WHEN SHOPPING FOR A VEHICLE -------------FORD WINDSTAR-------- FORD DEALER OFFERED TO TAKE MY WINDSTAR IN TRADE AND THEY WOULD RE-WHOLESALE THE VEHICLE NOT REPAIR IT. NO THANKS FORD WILL BE LAST ON MY LIST OF VEHICLE'S TO OWN." MADE IN AMERICA AND PROUD OF IT" ??? HOW ABOUT IT FORD? *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

1996 FORD WINDSTAR, SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION. SPEED IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE AS THE NEEDLE FLUCTUATES WILDLY. PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED NOW FOR AT LEAST 50,000 MILES , BUT I JUST LEARNED THAT YOU SHOULD BE NOTIFIED SO THAT FORD CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR POOR QUALITY AND NON SUPPORT. AS I WAS ADVISED THAT REPAIR WOULD BE ABOUT 600.00. AS I HAVE A TACH, I SIMPLY USE THIS TO DETERMINE MY SPEED. I WAS NOT ABOUT TO SPEND THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY ON WHAT I CONSIDER A DESIGN FLAW.*AK