at 70 miles
Long Beach, CA
Crash
TIRES
TRUCK DAMANGE DUE TO TIRE BLOW-OUT
NHTSA complaint #10119639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FaultScore report
1996 Ford Ford Truck problems
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 1996 Ford Ford Truck with NHTSA between 1996 and 2010. The largest single group is the tires. Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 10 worst.
B
FaultScore 39/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford Ford Truck.
How this is worked outThe numbers
22
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
52,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
20%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
What kind of bad
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.
- Complaint volume — 36
- Against the median year of the Ford Ford Truck. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
- Severity — 47
- 9.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
- Early failure — 34
- 20% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.
How 1996 compares with every other Ford Ford Truck
Click any bar to open that year's report.
What breaks on a 1996 Ford Ford Truck
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
6
27.3%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 70 mi
Engine & Cooling
4
18.2%
Median failure at 79,900 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
3
13.6%
Fuel & Propulsion
2
9.1%
Median failure at 151,000 miles
Electrical System
2
9.1%
Median failure at 52,000 miles
Equipment & Accessories
1
4.5%
Seat Belts
1
4.5%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
1
4.5%
Median failure at 52,000 miles
Body & Structure
1
4.5%
Brakes
1
4.5%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
1
20.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2
40.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1
20.0%
150,000+ miles
1
20.0%
When owners complained
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.
Jun 1996
peak 3
Oct 2010
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Escondido, CA
Crash
TIRES
THIS IS THE LETTER I E-MAILED TO FIRESTONE_CONSUMERS_AFFAIRS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2000. I HAVE HAD THREE OF MY SIX FIRESTONE TIRES FAIL WITH TREAD SEPARATION. THESE TIRES ARE NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL LIST. I DRIVE A 1996 27' GULFSTREAM CONQUEST 102 MOTOR HOME. I AM A BACHELOR: CONSEQUENTLY, I TRAVEL ALONE AND CARRY A RELATIVELY SMALL LOAD. ALL THREE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON ASPHALT ROADS. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 92 TO 95 DEGREES AND THE ROADS WERE SMOOTH, WITHOUT POTHOLES. MY INSTRUCTIONS ON THE DOORFRAME INDICATE MY REAR DUALS SHOULD BE INFLATED TO 80 PSI, THE FRONT TO 60 PSI. I PUT 80 PSI IN THE FRONT ALSO. THE FIRST FIRESTONE LT225/R75-16 M&S STEELTEX RADIAL R4S SEPARATED IN MOVILE, ALABAMA WITH ABOUT 8,000 MILES ON THE MOTOR HOME. THESE ARE ALL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES. I CAN'T FIND MY RECEIPT FOR THIS ONE AND THE ONLY INDICATION IS THAT I NOW HAVE A HERCULES TIRE WHERE I DID HAVE A FIRESTONE. THE SECOND FIRESTONE LT225/R75-16 M&S STEELTEX RADIAL R4S SEPARATED ITS TREAD NEAR FERMIE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA. THIS WAS THE LEFT INSIDE DUAL WITH ABOUT 27,000 MILES ON 08/04/2000. THE TREAD SEPARATED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ABOUT 4 MILES ON THE OUTSIDE DUAL AND REACH LARRY'S RADIATOR, MECHANICAL AND AUTO BODY, 6678 HWY #3 EAST, FERMIE, B.C., VOB 1MO, PHONE (250) 423-4111 OR (800) 866-8766. THE THIRD FIRESTONE LT225/R75-16 M&S STEELTEX RADIAL R4S SEPARATED ITS TREAD ABOUJT 3 MILES SOUTH OF THOMPSON FALLS, MONTANA ON 08/14/2000 WITH ABOUT 27,000 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL TIRES. THIS WAS THE RIGHT INSIDE DUAL. THE TREAD SEPARATED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ABOUT 3 MILES TO REACH RON'S SERVICE, P.O. BOX 88 - 606 MAIN ST., THOMPSON FALLS, MT59873 PHONE (408) 827-4653. MY COST: TIRE #1 - $126.47, TIRE #2 - $144.61 AMERICAN DOLLARS, TIRE #3 - $116.95, TOTAL $388.03 (DOT NUMBER: VNILIXA066 TIRESIZE: 225/75R-16)
NHTSA complaint #732974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 151,000 miles
Quakertown, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
CORROSION IN FORD LCF COMMERCIAL TRUCK FUEL TANKS, TRUCK RUNNING AT 5 MILES PER HOUR AND CONTINUOUS STALLING OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10360135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 miles
Lato Vista, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
RECEIVED A NOTICE, SEPTEMBER 2005, FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THAT A DEFECTIVE SWITCH IN THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM EXIST ON CERTAIN MODEL VEHICLES, INCLUDING MINE. THE SWITCH CAN CAUSE A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING OR OFF. SWITCHES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER 2005. AS OF THIS DATE NO AVAILABLE SWITCHES AT ANY DEALER I'VE CALLED. THEY KEEP SAYING NEXT MONTH. CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY ARE SAYING THE NEW SWITCHES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE 2008.
NHTSA complaint #10222951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 miles
Lato Vista, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
RECEIVED A NOTICE, SEPTEMBER 2005, FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THAT A DEFECTIVE SWITCH IN THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM EXIST ON CERTAIN MODEL VEHICLES, INCLUDING MINE. THE SWITCH CAN CAUSE A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING OR OFF. SWITCHES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER 2005. AS OF THIS DATE NO AVAILABLE SWITCHES AT ANY DEALER I'VE CALLED. THEY KEEP SAYING NEXT MONTH. CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY ARE SAYING THE NEW SWITCHES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE 2008.
NHTSA complaint #10222951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70 miles
Long Beach, CA
Crash
TIRES
TRUCK DAMANGE DUE TO TIRE BLOW-OUT
NHTSA complaint #10119639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,900 miles
Melrose, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEAD GASKET OF MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR VAN FAILED AT 79,900 MILES. THIS FAILURE IN 1995 FORD WINDSTAR VANS RESULTED IN A RECALL WHERE FORD MOTORS REPLACED THE ENGINES OF THOSE VEHICLES. I AM TOLD BY MY FORD PLATINUM MECHANIC THAT THE 1995 AND 1996 WINDSTAR ENGINES ARE THE SAME AND THAT THE GASKETS WERE SUPPLIED BY THE SAME SUPPLIER. MY VAN WAS MANUFACTURED IN OCTOBER, 1995. THIS FAILURE OCCURS IN OTHER FORD MOTORS 3.8 ENGINES, SPECIFICALLY THE CROWN VICTORIA, AND LINCOLN TOWNCAR.
NHTSA complaint #10114234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OK
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO A SPLIT IN THE SIDEWALL, CAUSING DRIVER TO PULL OVER, OFF THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10037922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gatesville, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRUCK WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 20,907 MILES. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 10,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN AT 21, 828 ABOUT 11,000 MILES LATER.
NHTSA complaint #9003410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sand Rock, AL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, DEALERS REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ON RECALL(FIRESTONE FR 480 P235R75/15).
NHTSA complaint #556013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sand Rock, AL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, DEALERS REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ON RECALL(FIRESTONE FR 480 P235R75/15).
NHTSA complaint #556013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escondido, CA
Crash
TIRES
THIS IS THE LETTER I E-MAILED TO FIRESTONE_CONSUMERS_AFFAIRS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2000. I HAVE HAD THREE OF MY SIX FIRESTONE TIRES FAIL WITH TREAD SEPARATION. THESE TIRES ARE NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL LIST. I DRIVE A 1996 27' GULFSTREAM CONQUEST 102 MOTOR HOME. I AM A BACHELOR: CONSEQUENTLY, I TRAVEL ALONE AND CARRY A RELATIVELY SMALL LOAD. ALL THREE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON ASPHALT ROADS. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 92 TO 95 DEGREES AND THE ROADS WERE SMOOTH, WITHOUT POTHOLES. MY INSTRUCTIONS ON THE DOORFRAME INDICATE MY REAR DUALS SHOULD BE INFLATED TO 80 PSI, THE FRONT TO 60 PSI. I PUT 80 PSI IN THE FRONT ALSO. THE FIRST FIRESTONE LT225/R75-16 M&S STEELTEX RADIAL R4S SEPARATED IN MOVILE, ALABAMA WITH ABOUT 8,000 MILES ON THE MOTOR HOME. THESE ARE ALL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES. I CAN'T FIND MY RECEIPT FOR THIS ONE AND THE ONLY INDICATION IS THAT I NOW HAVE A HERCULES TIRE WHERE I DID HAVE A FIRESTONE. THE SECOND FIRESTONE LT225/R75-16 M&S STEELTEX RADIAL R4S SEPARATED ITS TREAD NEAR FERMIE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA. THIS WAS THE LEFT INSIDE DUAL WITH ABOUT 27,000 MILES ON 08/04/2000. THE TREAD SEPARATED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ABOUT 4 MILES ON THE OUTSIDE DUAL AND REACH LARRY'S RADIATOR, MECHANICAL AND AUTO BODY, 6678 HWY #3 EAST, FERMIE, B.C., VOB 1MO, PHONE (250) 423-4111 OR (800) 866-8766. THE THIRD FIRESTONE LT225/R75-16 M&S STEELTEX RADIAL R4S SEPARATED ITS TREAD ABOUJT 3 MILES SOUTH OF THOMPSON FALLS, MONTANA ON 08/14/2000 WITH ABOUT 27,000 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL TIRES. THIS WAS THE RIGHT INSIDE DUAL. THE TREAD SEPARATED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ABOUT 3 MILES TO REACH RON'S SERVICE, P.O. BOX 88 - 606 MAIN ST., THOMPSON FALLS, MT59873 PHONE (408) 827-4653. MY COST: TIRE #1 - $126.47, TIRE #2 - $144.61 AMERICAN DOLLARS, TIRE #3 - $116.95, TOTAL $388.03 (DOT NUMBER: VNILIXA066 TIRESIZE: 225/75R-16)
NHTSA complaint #732974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Heloted, TX
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
RIGHT REAR TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE DAMAGING RIGHT LOWER QUARTER PANEL AND TAIL PIPE. NLM (FIRESTONE 2857516)
NHTSA complaint #554346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Normalville, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DEVELOPED LEAKS IN GAS TANK UNDER FRONT RESTRAINING STRAP .WAS REPAIRED AND ANOTHER LEAK DEVELOPED UNDER FRONT STRAP IN SAME AREA.COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY HAZERDOUS SITUATION.SEEMS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TANK,SIMILAR TO THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR RECALL
NHTSA complaint #729519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN DRIVNG THOUGH A PUDDLE @ SLOW SPEEDS, BATTERY LIGHT BLINKED AND ENGINE SHUT OFF. BROUGHT CAR INTO SHOP, WAS TOLD LOOSE BATTERY CONNECTION. I READ ON YOUR WEB SITE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #721790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
WHEN DRIVNG THOUGH A PUDDLE @ SLOW SPEEDS, BATTERY LIGHT BLINKED AND ENGINE SHUT OFF. BROUGHT CAR INTO SHOP, WAS TOLD LOOSE BATTERY CONNECTION. I READ ON YOUR WEB SITE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #721790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yelm, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH E4 OD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WHILE STILL UNDER ORIGINAL WARRENTEE I COMPLAINED OF JERKY AND ROUGH SHIFTING AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER, THAT THIS WAS NORMAL, TO PROTECT MYSELF AT 32,000 MILES I HAD THE TRANSISSIOM SERVICED AND CHECKED AGAIN FOR DEFECTS, AND WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS A-OKAY. THE ROUGH AND JERKY SHIFTING STILL OCCURRED. AT 67,000 MILES THE E4 OD TRANSMISSION FAILED. A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION AUTHORITY WAS CONTACTED, THE PROBLEM AND THIS IS KNOWN BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, IS THE TRANSMISSION IN THE E4 OD WHICH WAS STANDARD AT THE TIME FOR THIS MODEL, WAS NOT STURDY ENOUGH TO GET THE PREPORTED 100,000 MILES THAT THE DEALERS BRAG ABOUT. THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS TOO LIGHT WEIGHT FOR THE 7.3 LTR ENGINE AND WAS COMPLETELY DIS INTERGRATED, BY THE POWER OF THE ENGINE. THIS HAD BEEN ON GOING EVEN TO THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THIS E4 OD TRANSMISSION HAS HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS AND SEVICE BULLETINS SINCE IT'S CONCEPTION IN THE EARLY 1990'S.. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SENT ME A FREE 24 /24 EXTENDED WARRANTY DATED ACTIVE 4 DAYS AFTER I PAID $2500 FOR AN OVERHAUL OF THIS E4 OD TRANSMISSION. I HAVE 4 OTHER FORD PRODUCTS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND I'M SO UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS I FEEL LIKE MOVING OVER TO DODGE. MY FAMILY HAS ALWAYS USED FORD PRODUCTS, BUT THIS TIME WE ARE GETTING STUCK WITH A HUGE REPAIR BILL THAT THE FORD DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.
NHTSA complaint #712684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yelm, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH E4 OD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WHILE STILL UNDER ORIGINAL WARRENTEE I COMPLAINED OF JERKY AND ROUGH SHIFTING AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER, THAT THIS WAS NORMAL, TO PROTECT MYSELF AT 32,000 MILES I HAD THE TRANSISSIOM SERVICED AND CHECKED AGAIN FOR DEFECTS, AND WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS A-OKAY. THE ROUGH AND JERKY SHIFTING STILL OCCURRED. AT 67,000 MILES THE E4 OD TRANSMISSION FAILED. A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION AUTHORITY WAS CONTACTED, THE PROBLEM AND THIS IS KNOWN BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, IS THE TRANSMISSION IN THE E4 OD WHICH WAS STANDARD AT THE TIME FOR THIS MODEL, WAS NOT STURDY ENOUGH TO GET THE PREPORTED 100,000 MILES THAT THE DEALERS BRAG ABOUT. THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS TOO LIGHT WEIGHT FOR THE 7.3 LTR ENGINE AND WAS COMPLETELY DIS INTERGRATED, BY THE POWER OF THE ENGINE. THIS HAD BEEN ON GOING EVEN TO THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THIS E4 OD TRANSMISSION HAS HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS AND SEVICE BULLETINS SINCE IT'S CONCEPTION IN THE EARLY 1990'S.. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SENT ME A FREE 24 /24 EXTENDED WARRANTY DATED ACTIVE 4 DAYS AFTER I PAID $2500 FOR AN OVERHAUL OF THIS E4 OD TRANSMISSION. I HAVE 4 OTHER FORD PRODUCTS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND I'M SO UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS I FEEL LIKE MOVING OVER TO DODGE. MY FAMILY HAS ALWAYS USED FORD PRODUCTS, BUT THIS TIME WE ARE GETTING STUCK WITH A HUGE REPAIR BILL THAT THE FORD DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.
NHTSA complaint #712684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
RIVETS AND BOLTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT IN THE CHASSIS, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP WELDED FRAME INSTEAD.
NHTSA complaint #543013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davison, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL PAN RUSTED OUT CAUSING LEAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #534050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pleasant H, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SHOULDER BELTS MOUNTED TO WALL, CAUSING BELTS TO CROSS OVER THE AISLE OF VAN, BLOCKING AISLE.
NHTSA complaint #534836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas CIT, KS
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
WHEN PULLING TRAILERS THE ABS, ON THESE VEHICLES, IS ACTIVE AND IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 40% MORE BRAKING ROOM TO STOP. THIS HAS BEEN OBSERVED ON THE FORD AND DODGE ONE TON PICK-UP TRUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #522530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamburg, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HOLE IN ENGINE CYLINDER DUE TO NOT ADDING CHEMNICAL ADDITIVE TO COOLANT SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #504088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Haines CIT, FL
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
DRIVER HAS TO TAKE EYES OFF ROAD TO ADJUST RADIO DUE TO THE RADIO MISSING ITS KNOBS.
NHTSA complaint #504888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.