114 of the
1,855 complaints about the 1996 Ford Windstar are about the
suspension — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
107,454 miles.
I BROUGHT KIDS TO SCHOOL AND I WAS PULLING OUT. I HEARD A NOISE AND MY TIRE WENT FLAT. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND STABBED THE TIRE. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL SO HOPEFULLY IT IS STILL COVERED BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE 100.00 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10379894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesGardner, KS
SUSPENSION
FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE, ABS BRAKE, CRUISE CONTROL, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS REAR AXLE CRACKS!
NHTSA complaint #10371989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 164,954 milesGrand Rapids, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE. WHEN FURTHER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES WAS BEING PINCHED BY THE SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 164,954.
NHTSA complaint #10336148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,105 milesClarington, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. THE COIL SPRING TRAVELED THROUGH THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 169,105.
NHTSA complaint #10323050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oneonta, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
FRONT SWAY BAR IS FOUND TO BE HOLLOW AND BROKE IN HALF ON PASSENGERS SIDE. FORD SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR COST SINCE THEY WERE AWARE THAT THEY WOULD NOT HOLD UP IN SALTY AND SNOWY CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10208869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesNewport, MI
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM OF THE REAR AXLE HAS SPLIT IN HALF. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT. THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL TO SHIFT BACK THREE INCHES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO CALL NHTSA. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #10198144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilbraham, MA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
1996 FORD WINDSTAR COIL SPRING WAS FOUND BY NON-FORD DEALER MECHANIC TO BE BROKEN IN HALF AND CAUSING BANGING NOISE IN FRONT END. FORD DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM, BUT BOTH COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS WERE EVENTUALLY REPLACED BY NON-FORD MECHANIC BEFORE I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT FORD'S RECALL ON THE COIL SPRINGS. AM I ENTITLED FOR REIMBURSEMENT BY FORD FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR BILL?
NHTSA complaint #10155342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,450 milesZion, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKEN. TRIED TO GET PART. I WAS TOLD NOT YET AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10150289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesEden Prairie, MN
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
I HAVE A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE WITH A BROKEN FRONT STABILIZER BAR. ABOUT 12 INCHES OF IT ARE HANGING NEAR THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I CHECKED A FRIENDS WINDSTAR OF SIMILAR VINTAGE AND HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM! THAT'S TWO OUT OF TWO. I KNOW FORD HAS RECALLED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10140328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piscataway, NJCrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON MARCH 17, 2005. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP VERBALLY TOLD HER THAT VEHICLE WOULD PASS INSPECTION. HOWEVER, SHE DID NOT HAVE THIS INFORMATION IN WRITING. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. HOWEVER, THERE WERE CHILDREN IN THE CAR. AFTER EXAMINING THE BROKEN STABILIZER BAR ONE COULD TELL THAT THE BAR WAS SHREDDED, AND THEY SAW WHERE THE BAR HAD BEEN WELDED ONTO THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP SHE ASKED IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO PURCHASING IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. HOWEVER, THERE WERE PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO THE CONTACT'S OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10134211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lompoc, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE DRIVING MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE ARM CRACKED IN HALF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. WE WERE LUCKY TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OFF OF THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 55 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NOR DID WE HIT ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE MECHANIC WHO HAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AXLE. THE COST WILL BE OVER $1,000. WE HAVE CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10130377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrill, WI
SUSPENSION:FRONT
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE SWAY BAR BROKE IN HALF. THE SWAY BAR WAS CONNECTED TO THE CARRIAGE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE SWAY BAR SNAPPED ABOUT THREE INCHES OUTSIDE OF THE LEFT FRAME BUSHING. IT WAS ALSO RUSTED AND CORRODED. IT WAS A HOLLOW TUBE THAT HAD BEEN CRACKED FOR SOMETIME. THE CONSUMER COULD TELL IT WAS CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD WHO INDICATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WAS LEANING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10127557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesPrairie View, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
1996 FORD WINDSTAR - FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS JUST LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY. I DREAD TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELLING AT ANY SPEED. THE SPRING PUNCTURED AND WENT INTO MY TIRE - I COULDN'T REMOVE THE TIRE. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO REFERRED ME TO A DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE SPRINGS WERE BOTH REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE ALONG WITH A NEW TIRE. HOWEVER, THIS WAS A RECALL AND I ONLY KNEW ABOUT IT FROM WORD OF MOUTH. FORD SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME OF THE PROBLEM. THIS TYPE OF FAULT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO A FORD TAURUS AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10125274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,458 milesAkron, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE ABOUT 5 INCHES FROM THE TIRE AFTER THE BEND AND INTO THE STRAIGHT PART OF THE BAR. EFFORTS I HAVE MADE TO FIND A REPLACEMENT PART NEW OR USED IS PROVEING DIFFICULT BECAUSE EVERY SINGLE PLACE HAS BEEN OUT OF THEM, THIS WOULD INDICATE TO ME THAT THERE IS A RASH OF BRAKEAGES OF THIS PART AND NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10116219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesGladstone, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
CONSUMER STATED THE STABILIZER BAR RUSTED AND BROKE THROUGH. AS A RESULT, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10113382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NYCrash
SUSPENSION
THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED ON THEIR OWN. *NM THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT WHICH MAY BE DUE TO THE BRAKE LINES. REFER TO RECALL#02V101000. *SC THE SWAY BAR RATTLED, THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10109574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,400 milesGansevoort, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 01I007000 NOTICE CONCERNING FRONT COIL SPRINGS. CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER WHEN THE RECALL WAS RECOGNIZED. HOWEVER, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS UNTIL ONE WAS BROKEN. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE SPRING BROKE IT PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL.
NHTSA complaint #10091706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS SHEARED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT THEN FELL TO GROUND. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10083340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 161,066 milesMacedon, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
I JUST PAID OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (VAN WAS IN FOR A NYS INSPECTION) TO PERFORM WELD REPAIR ON THE "FRONT STRUT/CONTROL ARM SUPPORT ROD" BUSHINGS BECAUSE THEY WERE LOOSE AND, IN THE DEALERS WORDS, A SAFETY HAZARD (LOOSE DUE TO CORROSION AND QUESTIONABLE WELD QUALITY BY FORD MANUFACTURING). DEGRADATION OF WELDS ON A MAJOR SUSPENSION COMPONENT UNDER NORMAL WEAR & TEAR CONDITIONS- ISN'T THAT A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE? HOW MANY WINDSTARS HAS THIS HAPPENED TO? I CAN SEE REPLACING COMPONENTS (I.E. BRAKES, ALTERNATORS, TIRES, ETC.) OVER THE LIVE OF A VEHICLE BUT WELD REPAIR ON THE SUSPENSION SUB-FRAME? BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS, IS THIS A VIABLE CONDITION OR DID THE DEALER FLEECE ME?
NHTSA complaint #10078998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE HAD CONSTANT ENGINE PROBLEMS ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS THAT SURFACED AND ENDED ITS LIFE CYCLE. *LA THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COOLANT LEAKS, HARD STARTING, ELECTRICAL NOISES, RADIO NOISES, VIBRATION UPON ACCELERATION ALONG WITH THUMPING NOISES, ERRATIC DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATION, INTERMITTENT DOOR AJAR LIGHT, BEARING NOISE AND THE ENGINE BLEW OUT PREMATURELY. *SC *JB FROM A NORMAL SITTING POSITION THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SEE THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. IT WASN'T UNTIL HE DROPPED SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR AND LOOKED UP THAT HE SAW THE LIGHT ON.
NHTSA complaint #10074121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesAvon Lake, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
MY WIFE AND I OWN A 1996 WINDSTAR. GREAT VEHICLE, WE NOW HAVE 140000 MILES. COMPLAINT: FORD CAMPAIGN #01I007000 (FRONT COIL SPRINGS) MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED VIA LLOYD-MANWELL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE SPRING BROKE ON THE HIGHWAY, LUCKY I (OR FAMILY) NOT INJURED. TOOK VEHICLE FOR REPAIR TO 3RD PARTY. FORD HAS THE FILE DETAILS. INCREDIBLE THAT FORD WOULD DENY A $200 CLAIM ON A TECHNICALITY AND THUS RISK A LIFETIME CUSTOMER. I WILL APPEAL ALL THE WAY TO BILL FORD IF NECESSARY.
NHTSA complaint #10049592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,550 milesMarietta, GA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10030855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dublin, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR HAS BROKEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT THE POINT WHERE THE BAR ATTACHES TO THE FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #10025429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hudson, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
CONSUMER STATES THAT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10026303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 900,000 milesGeneva, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
FRONT LEFT SPRING BROKE PUNCTURING TIRE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN RETURNED FOR SERVICE ON DEFECTIVE PART, AT TIME WE WERE TOLD NOT TO WORRY WE WOULD KNOW WHEN PART NEEDED REPLACED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesKent, WA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR LACK OF RECALLS ON SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS. *MR. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CLUNKING SOUND, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE CLUNKING SOUND WAS NORMAL AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FORD TRANSMISSION, WHICH FAILED ON A TEST DRIVE AND ONE OTHER OCCASION. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE INTAKE GASKET, WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE 95 MODELS. THE TIMING CHAIN LEAKED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COILS IN THE SUSPENSION, WHICH FORD WOULD ONLY REPLACE WHEN THEY FAILED. THE BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AT 30000 MILES. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10012217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Ipswich, NH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS PUNCTURED THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE ALMOST RESULTING IN VEHICLE CRASHING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10002428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frankfort, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE CAUSING VERY UNSTABLE DRIVING. WIFE COMPLAINED AND I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW THE BAR HANGING. IT LOOKS RUSTED THROUGH. THE CENTER OF THE BAR HAS AN OVBIOUS HOLE SO EITHER IT WAS MADE DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE AND DANGERIOUS. MR
NHTSA complaint #767924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT
CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG NOISE AND A CLUNK NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AREA. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #566034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT, ENGINE SOMETIMES WILL DIE. VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AFTER PULLING OFF FROM A STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED SOMETHING, AND TWO WEEKS LATER PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK THE ENGINE STALLS WHENEVER MORE THAN ONE DEVICE IS TURNED ON AT THE SAME TIME. THIS PROBLEM MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN HEAD LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR FEW HOURS.
NHTSA complaint #8011010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.