1996 Ford Windstar

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #09V399000October 13, 20094,500,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  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.

  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 recall #02V101000April 4, 2002250,283 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

  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.

  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 recall #00V168000June 19, 200020,637 vehicles affected

  exterior lighting

  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.

  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 recall #99V147000June 14, 1999789,723 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

  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 recall #97V180000October 20, 1997769,000 vehicles affected

  structure: body: hood

  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.

  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 recall #96V166000September 5, 199640,000 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

  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.

  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 recall #96V114000July 1, 1996200 vehicles affected

  seats

  The four fasteners securing the driver's seat to the floorpan were not torqued to proper specifications.

  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 recall #96V086000May 14, 1996100,000 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission

  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.

  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.

Other model years

• 1995 3,326
• 1996
• 1997 192
• 1998 1,433
• 1999 1,522
• 2000 1,675
• 2001 1,686
• 2002 1,353
• 2003 1,510