1996 Ford Windstar other reported problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REPEAT OF A SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. THIS IS THE THIRD FAILURE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS 1996 FORD WINDSTAR (PURCHASED 1999). IT COST ME OVER $400 IN 1999 TO REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD AND NOW IT IS FAILING IN THE SAME MANNER - THE NEEDLE BOUNCES ALL OVER THE PLACE UNTIL IT JUST PEGS OUT AT THE FAR RIGHT. I SUBMITTED MY LAST COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS PROBLEM IN DECEMBER, 2002 - REF#786265. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERS, PRIVATE REPAIR SHOPS AND EVEN YOUR AGENCY THAT THERE ARE OBVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH FORD SPEEDOMETERS BUT THERE HAS YET BEEN ANY ASSISTANCE OFFERED BY FORD. A SPEEDOMETER SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO WAY I SHOULD BE ON MY THIRD ONE AT 113,000 MILES (WITH A NEW ENGINE AND SUPERB MAINTENANCE RESORDS)! NOTE: IT IS NOT THE AIRBAG SWITCH THAT I HAVE ISSUES WITH AS IT SHOWS IN THE EQUIPMENT SECTION. I COULD NOT FIND THE RIGHT OPTIONS UNDER EQUIPMENT FOR A SPEEDOMETER.

NHTSA complaint #10127856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10069638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE: HEAD GASKET FAILURE @ 62,218 MILES. NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH CYLINDER GASKET HEADS AND RESURFACE SAME. POWER DOOR: FAILURE OF POWER DOOR LOCK ON PASSENGER SIDE. TRANSMISSION: WAS REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY. OTHER: IGNITION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. HAVE BEEN ADVISED ENGINE HAS A SLUDGE CONDITION DESPITE REGULAR OIL CHANGES PER FORD GUIDELINES.

NHTSA complaint #10070217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10070269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10070436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATE A SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM ON FORD WINDSTARS AND ESCORTS. *PH *NLM *CB

NHTSA complaint #10015089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

HEAD GASKET FAILURE . A COMMON DEFECT IN FORD WINDSTARS, THEY WERE COVERED IN THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS, BUT NOT THE '96 MODEL. FORD, SO FAR, WILL NOT COVER THIS. ALSO SPEEDOMETER "JUMPS" AROUND ABOVE 45 MPH. THIS TOO, IS COMMON IN THIS AND PRIOR MODEL WINDSTARS. REPAIRS ARE USUALLY $500 AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW HOW FAST THEY ARE TRAVELING. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10010523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING ARE WARRANTY/RECALL ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED ON THIS VEHICLE. DT

NHTSA complaint #770390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CURRENTLY, THE VAN IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WE ARE AWAITING AN ESTIMATE ON THE HEAD GASKET. OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED ON AUGUST 31, 2002 AND FORD WILL NOT HELP WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE TRANSMISSION IS ALSO BEING CHECKED AS IT HAS BEGUN LEAKING ONLY 10 MONTHS AFTER WE HAD IT REPLACED. OUR MECHANIC STATED THAT THESE ARE COMMONLY SEEN WITH THIS VEHICLE AND STATED THE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET IS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE FIRE RING. NO REASON WAS GIVEN AS TO WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN JANUARY OF 2002 AND TO WHY IT IS NOW LEAKING. DT

NHTSA complaint #769828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO SUMMARY. DT

NHTSA complaint #769585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WAS REGISTERING HOT. TOOK TO DEALER ,AND THEY STATED THEATHEAD GASKET FAILED, AND VEHICLE WOULD NEED A REBUILT MOTOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8018298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DOOR AJAR INDICATOR LIGHT IS INOPERATIVE, DOESN'T KNOW IF DOORS ARE OPEN OR NOT. CONTACTED DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #8017756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS COMPLAINT CONSIST OF FOUR FAILURES THAT ARE ENGINE RELATED: (1) HEAD GASKET FAILED WHILE BEING DRIVEN, AND LEAKED FLUID ONTO HOT ENGINE. (2) TIMING GASKET FAILED ALONG WITH GASKET FAILING. (3) INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNERS FAILED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VAN IS UNDRIVABLE. (4) FAULTY MAIN ENGINE BEARINGS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8017642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT DISPLAYED, WHITE SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF TAIL PIPE.

NHTSA complaint #762934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY WINDSTAR BLEW ITS HEADGASKET WITH 60K MILES ON IT- THE ENGINE NEVER RAN HOT---WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT TO DEALER--BLOWN GASKET 1800 DOLLARS--CHECKED INTERNET AND FOUND AT LEAST 200 PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM--CALLED FORD BUT THEY REFUSE TO ASSIST.

NHTSA complaint #762542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #762270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

HAD ON NUMEROUS OCCASION TAKEN MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR FOR ENGINE LIGHT WAS TOLD PROBLEM FIXED ONLY TO HAVE LIGHT COME BACK ON. PROCEEDED TO HAVE ALL WORK DONE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHILE SEARCHING FOR ADITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS KNOWN FORD MOTOR PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. IF THIS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY AS KNOWN DEFECT WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN TO RESOLVE THIS BESIDE HAVING THE CONSUMER TO ABSORB THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF FIXING A KNOWN MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #761576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE SUB-FRAME BROKE WHERE THE STRUT ARM CONNECTS IN THE FRONT( IN AREA OF THE STRUT ARM BUSHINGS. AT FIRST THOUGHT THAT THE NOISE WAS FROM AT LOOSE HEAT SHIELD. STRUT ARM RATTLES EVERYTIME VAN IECOUNTERS ROUGH PAVEMENT. THE SPEEDOMETER JUST WENT HAYWIRE. NEEDLE BOUNCES ALL OVER THE PLACE. HAVE FOUND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT BOTH OF THESE FAILURES ARE A SAFTEY ISSUE. FORD MOTOR DOESN'T.

NHTSA complaint #760881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 4 HOURS FROM ALABAMA WITH 1 OR 2 STOPS WE STOPPED AT THE SC WELCOME CENTER FOR 5 MINUTES. WHEN WE RESTARTED THE ENGINE, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A NOISE. WE DROVE ABOUT 20 MILES, THEN HAD THE VAN TOWED TO FAIRWAY FORD IN ANDERSON, SC. WE WERE TOLD THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE AUTHORIZED A REPLACEMENT, BUT ASKED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TO BE PERFORMED SO WE WOULD KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE OLD ENGINE TO FAIL. TO DATE, THAT INFORMATION HAS NEVER BEEN REVEALED TO US BY FORD. FORD CORP. HAS BEEN EXTREMELY UNCOOPERATIVE IN RETURNING PHONE CALLS, AND HAS BASICALLY TOLD US "TOUGH LUCK".

NHTSA complaint #759526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 3.8L V6 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON, RUNNING ROUGH AND LOSS OF COOLANT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8005612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT HEAD GASKET BLEW UP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8005008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD AREA. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8004529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD, AND VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTFREEZE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK DEALER FOUND HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN, REPLACED HEAD GASKET AND THERMOSTAT, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE AIR CONDITIONING LEAKS, BRAKES MAKING GRINDING SOUND, DEALER FOUND ANTI-LOCK SENSOR FAILED, REAR FENDER IS RUSTED ON PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #8004208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AFTER VEHICLE IS STARTED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. DEALER REPLACED HEAD GASKESTS WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8002681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. ROUGH IDLE. TUNE-UP PERFORMED. OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS NOW OFF. TWO DAYS LATER, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS BACK ON AND ROUGH IDLE RETURNS. REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR AND PLUG WIRES. NEXT DAY, DRIVING CAR AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE FALLS ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO COLD SIDE. HEATER BLOWING OUT JUST A LITTLE WARM. PRESSURE TESTED ENGINE. LEAKAGE IN A CYLINDER. UPON TEARDIOWN, HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED LEAKING COOLANT INTO ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #755738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTL/SIMUTANEOUSLY COME ON AND CAUSE LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING ERRACTICALLY, PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE,ALSO THE POWER WINDOWS WERE INOPERATIVE.*SLC

NHTSA complaint #899517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE HAS LEAKED 2 1/2 GALLONS OF COOLANT. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON, ANDVEHICLE IS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. HEAT IS WARM BECAUSE COOLANT KEEPS LEAKING OUT. MECHANIC SUGGESTED TO REPLACE ENGINE HEAD BECAUSE LEAKAGE WAS RUINING THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #898922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE STARTED OVERHEATING, ENGINE CHECK' LIGHT CAME. NOTICED OIL MIXED WITH COOLANT IN RESERVOIR. DEALER CONFIRMED HEAD GASKET FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #752325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3.8 V6 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL AND RUNNING ROUGH; VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER AND INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #896115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.