Owners have filed 24 complaints
about the 1996 Ford Club Wagon with NHTSA between 1996 and 2008.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 45
Against the median year of the Ford Club Wagon. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1996 compares with every other Ford Club Wagon
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 1996peak 4Sep 2008
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Concordville, PAFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE MASTER CYLINDER ON A 1996 FORD CLUB WAGON. THIS VEHICLE WAS OWNED BY HIS EMPLOYER. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DROVE APPROXIMATELY 8 HOURS BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10131516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,000 milesSmyrna, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN THE FAN SWITCH WAS TURNED TO THE FAST POSITION AND THE A/C WAS TURNED ON THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER A FEW SECONDS ALOT OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE DASH AND A/C AREA. THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE KNOB AND SAW FLAMES. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AND REMOVED THE CABLE. NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10067100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whiteman AFB, MOCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, AND VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. THEN VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #848262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden City, MICrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MADE A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REAR SEAT BELTS, THAT LOCK DOWN THE WHEEL CHAIRS, CAME UNLATCHED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #812603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden City, MICrash
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
MADE A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REAR SEAT BELTS, THAT LOCK DOWN THE WHEEL CHAIRS, CAME UNLATCHED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #812603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 30,532 milesBedford, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
FUEL FILLER PIPE ON THIS VEHICLE HAS FAILED THREE TIMES (FIRST FAILURE MILEAGE IS LISTED BELOW). EACH TIME THE FIRST SYMPTOM IS THE SMELL OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING, WHEN THE PROBLEM WORSENS, AT TIME OF FILL-UP GAS SPILLS ON THE GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10243263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Concordville, PAFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE MASTER CYLINDER ON A 1996 FORD CLUB WAGON. THIS VEHICLE WAS OWNED BY HIS EMPLOYER. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DROVE APPROXIMATELY 8 HOURS BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10131516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,000 milesSmyrna, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN THE FAN SWITCH WAS TURNED TO THE FAST POSITION AND THE A/C WAS TURNED ON THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER A FEW SECONDS ALOT OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE DASH AND A/C AREA. THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE KNOB AND SAW FLAMES. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AND REMOVED THE CABLE. NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10067100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE STALLS OCCASIONALLY WHEN IN DRIVE AND AT A STOP, AND SOMETIMES INSTEAD OF JUST DYING IT TRIES TO STAY RUNNING BY FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING ME TO HIT CURBS AND MY GARAGE WALL. I CAN AVOID THIS BY PLACING IT IN NEUTRAL TEMPORARILY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD ABOUT THREE TIMES FOR THIS ALONE, BUT THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT BECAUSE IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE. ALSO THE REAR BLEND DOOR FLAP FOR REAR A/C DETERIORATES EVERY YEAR AND NEEDS REPLACING TO STAY COOL IN PHOENIX, AZ.
NHTSA complaint #10008491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ENGINE STALLS OCCASIONALLY WHEN IN DRIVE AND AT A STOP, AND SOMETIMES INSTEAD OF JUST DYING IT TRIES TO STAY RUNNING BY FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING ME TO HIT CURBS AND MY GARAGE WALL. I CAN AVOID THIS BY PLACING IT IN NEUTRAL TEMPORARILY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD ABOUT THREE TIMES FOR THIS ALONE, BUT THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT BECAUSE IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE. ALSO THE REAR BLEND DOOR FLAP FOR REAR A/C DETERIORATES EVERY YEAR AND NEEDS REPLACING TO STAY COOL IN PHOENIX, AZ.
NHTSA complaint #10008491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Market, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
WHILE FUELING GAS CAME OUT FROM UNDER VAN, NOT AT THE FILL NECK.
NHTSA complaint #741397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ypsilanti, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RUSTING OUT OILPAN WITH ONLY 38K MILES ON IT. HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A REACURING PROBLEM, LOOKING FOR A RECALL NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #725569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laughlin, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WORN PREMATURELY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laughlin, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WORN PREMATURELY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laughlin, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WORN PREMATURELY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laughlin, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WORN PREMATURELY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whiteman AFB, MOCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, AND VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. THEN VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #848262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
EXPERIENCING ONGOING BRAKE FAILURE. WHENEVER VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN WET CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED MAY BE. VEHICLE HAVE BEEN INSPECTED/REPAIRED BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT CONDITION STILL OCCURS. DEALER/MFR. WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #833836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glennallen, AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #781518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE PROBLEMS UNABLE TO BE REMEDIED.
NHTSA complaint #508407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwin, MO
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
THE SHOULDER BELTS ARE HOOKED TO THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE BELTS TO GO ACROSS THE NECK, IRRITATING THE DRIVER. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE BELT CROSSES THE BODY, IT IS AGAINST WHERE SAFETY REGULATIONS SAY SHOULDER BELT SHOULD GO. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #824020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canoga Park, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
BUTTON LATCH ON PASSENGER SEAT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; AT LOW VEHICLE SPEED, ON ANY SLIPPERY SURFACE, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ABS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED WHICH RELEASES THE LINE PRESSURE, AND THE VEHICLE KEEPS RIGHT ON GOING. THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO DETECT PROBLEM WITH THE WAGON.
NHTSA complaint #818695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden City, MICrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MADE A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REAR SEAT BELTS, THAT LOCK DOWN THE WHEEL CHAIRS, CAME UNLATCHED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #812603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden City, MICrash
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
MADE A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REAR SEAT BELTS, THAT LOCK DOWN THE WHEEL CHAIRS, CAME UNLATCHED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #812603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
FAILURE OF THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN YOU APPPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE.*AK ABS LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE, DEALER CAN NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #800634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
FAILURE OF THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN YOU APPPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE.*AK ABS LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE, DEALER CAN NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #800634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milburn, GA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE WANDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED. ATTEMPTING TO REMEDY THE WANDERING CAUSES AT TIMES A SERIOUS OVERSTEER PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #985495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milburn, GA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
VEHICLE WANDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED. ATTEMPTING TO REMEDY THE WANDERING CAUSES AT TIMES A SERIOUS OVERSTEER PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #985495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.