8.6

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,197 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Ford Windstar drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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1996 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 3 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #98

Jul 011999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At speeds of 40-50 mph speedometer will jump from 30-90 mph intermittently. Vehicle not taken to dealer yet.

- Prospect, CT, USA

problem #97

Jun 262001

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Speedometer would move back and forth when vehicle reaches 30 mph or more. Dealer was notified, and repairs were made. Speedometer was replaced, however new speedometer makes the same abnormal noise that the old one did prior to failure, consumer feels this one will also fail and speed will not be able to be determined.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #96

Jan 012001

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer does not read actual speed driven. Also, speedometer jumps at times. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer is not willing to provide any assistance.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #95

Apr 302001

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Speedometor needle is erratic after 55 mph needle bounces between 95-60 mph also makes a irratating buzzing noise

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #94

Aug 082000

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer needle floats, cruise control doesn't work. Continues.

- West End, NC, USA

problem #93

Mar 012000

Windstar

  • miles
I have a 1996 Windstar and the speedometer is unable to indicate speed of vehicle. The speedometer just jumps around. It use to just jump around at round 40-50 mph but it has completed failed now. It jumps around and make a clicking sound all the time.

- Crofton, MD, USA

problem #92

Jun 012000

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have researched this on the internet and it is a problem that has affected many Windstar owners. Ford has even issued a tsb - 99-7-9 re speedometer needle wavers and sticks. That's the problem I have. It costs over $500 to fix - so many people are opting not to fix it. Also, those that repair have the same problem occur over and over again. You shopuld make Ford recall on this issue.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #91

Feb 012001

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving and turning wheel or with any movement in steering there comes a loud squeaking noise, contacted dealer, and dealer stated that there could be a problem with ball joints. Problem began about 50000 miles. Also this vehicle has a faulty speedometer.

- Talbott, TN, USA

problem #90

Feb 012001

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer display is erradic. At approx. 30 mph, the speedometer can register up to 65 mph. At 65 mph, the gauge needle is on the peg at the extreme speed. This is not isloated, I know of 2 other vans, same year, that have this problem, one belongs to a salesman at the Ford dealer. Dealer says the computer unit needs replacing, minimum of $600. No Ford recall has been issued. No one seems willing to help.

- Signal Mountain, TN, USA

problem #89

Feb 062001

Windstar

  • miles
The speedometer had to be replaced (not covered under extended warranty) because it was jumping all over the place. Secondly, the door ajar light and audible bell indicate a door is open, when in fact, all of them are tightly closed; this happens intermittently, seems to happen more in inclement (cold and/or wet) weather.

- Hampton, NH, USA

problem #88

Apr 122001

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving over 45 mph speedometer is not reading the actual speed driven which prevents consumer from knowing actual speed traveling. Consumer has contacted dealer.

- Burrton, KS, USA

problem #87

Mar 202001

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
At speeds of 30 mph and higher speedometer does not register. Dealer found speedometer head needs to be replaced.

- Abingdon, MD, USA

problem #86

Jul 011999

Windstar

  • miles
When driving consumer noticed speedometer is bouncuing back and forth, and is making a noise. Speedometer is not providing the actual speed driven. Consumer has contacted dealer.

- Wpsilanta, MI, USA

problem #85

Mar 262001

Windstar

  • miles
While driving could not determine what is speed that vehicle is traveling. Also, sometimes could feel that vehicle was going fast, but speedometer would not show what was current speed.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #84

Mar 072001

Windstar

  • miles
Bought this van used. On second day of ownership this started. Speedometer is erratic after 35 mph. Have read hundreds of complaints on this problem online. I beleive there should be a recall on this as this can be a safety problem. How can you tell how fast you are going?

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #83

Feb 152001

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Speedometer operates erratically. When traveling at speeds of 40 mph or above, bar indicating speed jumps around.

- West End, NC, USA

problem #82

Jan 012000

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer fluctuates at speeds above 40mph. This makes it hard to tell how fast your going.

- Glen Rock, NJ, USA

problem #81

Feb 102001

Windstar

  • miles
The day I bought this 96 Ford winstar minivan, I had tested 2-3 others. They each had the bouncing speedometer problem - once you went past 50 mph, it would bounce from 50-70 or 60-90 or whatever. Also, after a certain speed it didn't work at all - at one point my speedometer said I was going 110 mph and people were passing me left and right. Anyway, when I test drove the Windstar I bought, it was the first one that didn't have a bouncing speedometer. My friends and I all commented on it at the time. But that evening, as I drove back to my friend's house (I bought the van in their city, not mine), the speedometer began bouncing. It was Saturday and the dealership was closed, so I called Monday morning. They kept repeating that it was "as is" and there was nothing they would do about it. After I brought the car home and started asking around, I found out the bouncing speedometer was a common Windstar problem. So I brought it to the closest dealer, about 1-1/4 hours away, and they also agreed it was a common problem but had not been recalled. It cost me $350 to fix it! I was thoroughly disgusted and E-mailed a complaint form to Ford but to no avail. I guess I'm just stuck paying the money.

- Ely, MN, USA

problem #80

Feb 012000

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer becomes erratic when speed over 45 mph, accompanied by buzzing sound from instrument cluster. Needle jumps up 15-20 mph making it very difficult to judge speed.

- Van, TX, USA

problem #79

Jan 012000

Windstar

  • miles
The speedometer "jumps" above 45 mph. The needle bounces around and we have no idea how fast we are going. This is a safety hazard that has effected thousands of Ford owners. Ford needs to recall the speedometers.

- St. Joseph, IL, USA

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