1996 Ford Windstar window and wiper problems

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

PROBLEM WITH WATER SEEPING IN AND SOAKING THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR PADDING AND CARPET.

NHTSA complaint #10069387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

PROBLEM: POWER SEAT WIRING SHORT CIRCUIT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAIN FUSE AND RELAY PANEL, 60 AMP FUSE REPEATEDLY BLOWS. PROBLEM WAS FIRST INTERMITTENT, THEN AFTER SECOND FUSE CHANGE CHANGE, SHORT CIRCUIT BECAME CONTINUOUS. WIRING IS SHORTED OUT BETWEEN THE MAIN FUSE PANEL AND THE POWER SEAT CONNECTOR. POWER SEAT ITSELF HAS NO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. MODEL HAS A NHTSA RECALL HISTORY: 1995: WIRING-HARNESS INSULATION CAN ABRADE ON A BRACE BETWEEN INSTRUMENT PANEL AND COWL, RESULTING IN SHORT-CIRCUIT AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10070307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

THE 1996 FORD WINDSTAR CONTINUES TO HAVE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS AS IN 1994 AND 1995 MODELS. THIS LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE AT 78,000 MILES! THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE PER MILLER FORD WAS 4,778.00. WE PAID 19,000 FOR THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSE TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE! THE NASA HAS STATED THE HEAD GASKET SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 120,000 MILES OR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD THIS FORD WINDSTAR WITH A BLOWN ENGINE DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE SINCE LAST DECEMBER, BUT CONTINUE TO MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON THIS DEAD FORD WINDSTAR. WE PAY TAXES, INSURANCE, AND MONTLY PAYMENTS TO FORD CREDIT FOR THE NEXT 18 MONTHS OR SO. WE JUST DISCONTINUED REGISTRATION FEES AS THE DMV TOLD US WE COULD DO THIS. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND IS NOT STANDING UP TO IT'S COMMITTMENT OF QUALITY CARE TO IT'S CUSTOMERS. I URGE ANYONE WHO IS CONSIDERING BUYING A FORD TO DO THEIR RESEARCH. FORD IS A COMPANY THAT DOES NOT STAND BEHIND IT'S PROMISES. WE WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD ALTHOUGH OUR FAMILY HAS NEVER OWNED ANYTHING BUT UNTIL NOW. FORD WAKE UP!

NHTSA complaint #10071043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THE 1996 FORD WINDSTAR CONTINUES TO HAVE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS AS IN 1994 AND 1995 MODELS. THIS LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE AT 78,000 MILES! THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE PER MILLER FORD WAS 4,778.00. WE PAID 19,000 FOR THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSE TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE! THE NASA HAS STATED THE HEAD GASKET SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 120,000 MILES OR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD THIS FORD WINDSTAR WITH A BLOWN ENGINE DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE SINCE LAST DECEMBER, BUT CONTINUE TO MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON THIS DEAD FORD WINDSTAR. WE PAY TAXES, INSURANCE, AND MONTLY PAYMENTS TO FORD CREDIT FOR THE NEXT 18 MONTHS OR SO. WE JUST DISCONTINUED REGISTRATION FEES AS THE DMV TOLD US WE COULD DO THIS. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND IS NOT STANDING UP TO IT'S COMMITTMENT OF QUALITY CARE TO IT'S CUSTOMERS. I URGE ANYONE WHO IS CONSIDERING BUYING A FORD TO DO THEIR RESEARCH. FORD IS A COMPANY THAT DOES NOT STAND BEHIND IT'S PROMISES. WE WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD ALTHOUGH OUR FAMILY HAS NEVER OWNED ANYTHING BUT UNTIL NOW. FORD WAKE UP!

NHTSA complaint #10071043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

ALL WINDOWS CAN'T BE PUT DOWN SINCE ALL FOUR MOTORS ARE NOT WORKING. DEALER WILL REPLACE AT $365.00 EACH MOTORS.

NHTSA complaint #10022565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE OR NOT. BUT I PAID THE FORD DEALER SHIP $60.00 TO TELL ME WHY MY POWER WINDOW WOULD ONLY WORK PART OF THE TIME, AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY MOTOR WHICH THEY WANTED $353.00 FOR. SO I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS SO I WENT HOME AND WORKED ON IT MYSELF AND FOUND OUT IT WAS ONLY STICKING AT THE TOP. I WENT BACK ON THE 24TH OF MARCH TO TRY TO GET MY MONEY BACK, BECAUSE TO ME THIS IS COMPLETE FRAUD ON THEIR PART. WELL, I TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER (MARK KISCH) AND HE WAS VERY RUDE, AND REFUSED TO RETURN MY MONEY. HE EVEN LAUGHED WHEN I TOLD HIM I WAS GOING TO REPORT HIM. IT IS NOT MY PROBLEM THAT HE HAS BAD PEOPLE WORKING THERE THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR DOING.

NHTSA complaint #10010928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

REAR VENT WINDOW FELL OUT ONTO THE STREET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

NHTSA complaint #10006423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY ON 3.8 L ENGINE FOR 1995 MODEL DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE GASKET SETS. HOWEVER, IS NOT DOING SO FOR LIKE FAILURE ON 1996 MODEL 3.8 L ENGINES. ENGINE SEIZED ON OUR VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 48000 MILES DESPITE MAINTENANCE AND TIMING CHAIN GASKET SET REPLACEMENT AN APPROXIMATELY $1200 REPAIR. DT

NHTSA complaint #770568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY ON 3.8 L ENGINE FOR 1995 MODEL DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE GASKET SETS. HOWEVER, IS NOT DOING SO FOR LIKE FAILURE ON 1996 MODEL 3.8 L ENGINES. ENGINE SEIZED ON OUR VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 48000 MILES DESPITE MAINTENANCE AND TIMING CHAIN GASKET SET REPLACEMENT AN APPROXIMATELY $1200 REPAIR. DT

NHTSA complaint #770568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD WAS REPLACE. *YH THE FUEL INJECTOR, TIMING COVER GASKETS AND WIPER BLADES WERE REPLACED. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS REPLACED . THE SWITCH HEADLIGHT CONTROL WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVERS DOOR AJAR SWITCH WAS REPLACED. UPDATED

NHTSA complaint #565966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR RATTLES WHEN THE WINDOW IS DOWN DUE TO WINDOW GUIDE FAILURE. WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #565966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR RATTLES WHEN THE WINDOW IS DOWN DUE TO WINDOW GUIDE FAILURE. WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #565966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 MINUTES THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HOT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED HEAD GASKET. *AK ENGINE OVERHEATS DUE TO HEAD GASKETS AND TIMING COVER GASKET FAILURE . CONSUMER STATED THAT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AFTER REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #8010115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

CONSUMER STATES HEATER STOPED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #564741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #757259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

DOOR TO DEFROSTER HAS BROKEN OFF. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE IT STOPS DEFROSTER FROM CLEARING WINDOWS, VISION BECOMES IMPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8000668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #755146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

WE BOUGHT THIS VAN 07/25/00, SINCE THEN IT HAS HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT, AND TWO ENGINES, 0-2 SENSORS, HEATER PLUG, NOW THE PCM, WE HAVE ONLY DRIVEN OUR VAN FOR @ 6 MONTHS, ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AT DEALERSHIP, TODAY IS 11/24/01. AND OUR VAN IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AS I SUBMIT THIS. I HAVE COPY OF ALL RECORDS. THANK YOU, [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #754843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON A MAIN STREET AND TURNED ON HEAT. VENTS WERE BLOWING OUT COLD AIR,AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WAS NOT LEAKING ANY FLUIDS. THERMOSTAT WAS ON HOT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #898651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND PASSENGER'S DOOR CAME OPEN WITHOUT TOUCHING ELECTRICAL WINDOWS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. ALSO, COIL SPRING FAILED DURING INSTALLATION. VEHICLE HAD SIX INCH SUSPENSION. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #894970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED TWICE. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP AND ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THERE IS ONLY 56000 ON VEHICLE. BATTERY LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMES ON THIS CAN BE VERY NERVE WRACKING WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. . SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES AND FLOPS AROUND AFTER 40MPH, SOMETIME STICKS AT 50MPH. REAR WIPERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT. WE HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM SERVING 8 YEARS OVERSEAS, THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND FROM THE RESEARCH WE HAVE JUST BEEN ABLE TO START THIS WINDSTAR IS HEADACHES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE MY FAMILY TO SEE RELATIVES THEY HAVE NOT SEEN IN OVER 8 YEARS BUT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #734258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED TWICE. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP AND ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THERE IS ONLY 56000 ON VEHICLE. BATTERY LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMES ON THIS CAN BE VERY NERVE WRACKING WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. . SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES AND FLOPS AROUND AFTER 40MPH, SOMETIME STICKS AT 50MPH. REAR WIPERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT. WE HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM SERVING 8 YEARS OVERSEAS, THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND FROM THE RESEARCH WE HAVE JUST BEEN ABLE TO START THIS WINDSTAR IS HEADACHES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE MY FAMILY TO SEE RELATIVES THEY HAVE NOT SEEN IN OVER 8 YEARS BUT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #734258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

HAVE HAD THE MINIVAN IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR SYMPTOMS OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE ONLY TO FIND PROBLEM AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS "CLUNKED" WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THIS IS A DAILY PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT "FIND". WINDSHIELD CRACKED OVERNIGHT IN NOVEMBER. WE DON'T THINK THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD HAVE BEEN SO FRAGILE.

NHTSA complaint #727628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING 1)DOOR AJAR LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED-ALL DOORS CHECKED NONE AJAR 2) ENGINE CHECK LIGHT OCCASIONALLY COMES ON-HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T FIX PROBLEM 3)OCCASIONALLY POWER WINDOWS/LOCKS AND A/C WILL GO OUT UNLESS ADJUSTABLE FAN SPEED TURNED TO HIGH 4)RECENTLY FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WILL OPEN AT RANDOM USUALLY DURING A TURN-LUCKILY NO ONE SITS IN THAT SEAT 5)SPEEDOMETER WILL OCCASIONALLY FLICKER HIGHER WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 65MPH ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE SURFACED IN THE PAST 1-1.5 YRS AND HAVE CONTINUED SINCE THEN.

NHTSA complaint #726844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE SPEEDOMETER STARTS MOVING ERRATICALLY ONCE SPEEDS OF 25 MPH ARE REACHED. ALSO, SOMETIMES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND AM TOLD IT WILL BE $500.00 FOR THE SPEEDOMETER. I FEEL THIS, AS WELL AS THE PROBLEMS WITH THE WIPERS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH SPEEDOMETERS ON 1996 WINDSTARS, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS, NOT ME.

NHTSA complaint #723235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

ELETRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED ONLY WHEN WASHERS WERE BEING USED, DOME LIGHT STAYED ON WHEN DOOR WAS CLOSED AND WON'T GO OFF.

NHTSA complaint #860297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES OF SYSTEMS IN MY VAN. THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED, THE SPEEDOMETER IS OUT AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #720275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.