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.
Head gasket failure; was told car engine was not under warranty and total repair cost was over $3,500. Asked to speak with district rep but told I could not. Told this person would contact me speedometer "bounces" at speeds over 40mph, making it useless for determining actual speed.
Speedometer is unreliable when drivng at speeds of 45mph or over due to a defective cable.. the service station reports indicated that there were 15 repairs done on these models in one year period.
Speedometer reads up to 45mph, then jumps erratically above that level. It is impossible to read speed between 45 and top speed. This is a common problem in 1996 Windstar and constitutes a safety defect!
When vehicle reaches 30 mph speedometer would commence to bounce back and forth, and a grinding sound from the odmeter area. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that the part was out of warranty, and not cover under a recall. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
- Blackstone, MA, USA
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When driving speedometer was waving back from 20 to 90 mph. Consumer contacted dealer, dealer noticed transmission pan had metal in it which caused transmission to be replaced. Also, noticed a fume odor in passenger compartment, and contacted the dealer. Dealer noticed that coolant and timing cover were leaking fluid onto head gasket.
Last year my speedometer began to make a whizzing sound and would jump eractically. So, I took it to Ford and they stated that it might be a speed sensor or the actual gear behind the dash. I had the gear module changed in 99, twice, I went to a professional certified speedo mechanic. Then, close to the year, after the repair, this speedo began doing the same thing. When I took it to the Ford service dept, they wanted to check everything from the cables, the sensor and even the drive gear. I went to my mechanic which has worked for Ford, and all of these things were changed, and the drive gears were inspected and they were fine. So, I called another Ford service tech, and he told me that yes, they had been having alot of incidents with these speedo's, and that the speedo would have to changed again. This has all cost me a fortune and to boot, they increased the part, knowing that it was a defective one. I called the Ford company, and they stated they could not help since the warranty had expired on thisvehicle. This has gotten so out of hand, that I have had to go to the emergency rooms having chest pains and am taking sedatives.......I have also checked the internet and it is filled witht he same situations.... I am scared that a police officer will stop me, this is my only vehicle and do not work... please help us..
My 3.8L Windstar was checked at 60K at dealer.at 68K the speedometer is erratic. Noticed about 60 very similiar complaints by consumers at this site. Cant drive confidently/safely.
My 3.8L Windstar was checked at 60K at dealer.at 68K check engine lamp stayed on. Dealer identified the problem as head gasket failure & informed engine has to be replaced.vehicle received back after repair (new engine) after paying heavy & now has speedometer problem
Speedo head jumps. When driving vechicle, the speedometer needle will start waving. You can't tell how fast your traveling. Service center stated this is real common on 1996 Windstar. Windshield wiper motor froze. Can't clean rear window.
Speedometer malfuctioned. Needle kept bouncing back and forth. Dealer had replaced speedometer at 65,000 miles, and problem reoccurred at 95,000 miles. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
While traveling speedometer started jumping around giving wrong reading. Dealer repaired speedometer, but problem returned. Please providr further information.
Consumer took car into dealer's shop for a broken speedometer, and mechanic noticed a head gasket leak. Alerted consumer to some recalls on those vehicles, but they had a different year.
When driving consumer noticed speedometer needle was making a clicking sound. Also, needle raised above actual speed traveling. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced speedometer, problem has reoccurred. Two years later, the speedometer head had to be replaced again. The consumer states that a new vehicle that experience speedometer failure every 50000 miles should have a defect and is unsafe.
While driving 65 mph with cruise control on vehicle sped up. While getting ready to exit off the highway vehicle stayed under cruise control module. As consumer attempted to slow down, vehicle was moving 65 mph without any control from consumer. In order to make vehicle stop consumer had to press brake pedal with both feet, and shift vehicle into neutral. Eventually, vehicle was able to slow down, and consumer turned vehicle off, dealer replaced 2 lock tabs because one had slipped on the cruise causing it to stay on. Trip speedometer was replaced, it would not go past 799 miles. At 30 mph and over, the over drive light will flash. Left front wheel cover was replaced due to it making ticking noises at lower speeds. Sliding door squeaked, dealer lubed the sliding door. Front rotors replaced and rear drums turned, a clicking noise was heard.
Speedometer became very erratic, jumped all around, had cable replaced but it is not completely working correctly still jumps slightly. Mechanic says we need to service the instrument cluster and Ford would have to repair original cluster. I would take up to at least a week. He has had to service many. (neuberts tire and auto repair, tabernacle, NJ 08088) I know the speedometer is not reading the correct speed.
The speedometer began to show erratic movements at all speeds. It would fluctuate up to 10 to 30 mph at highway speeds rendering it's function useless. Ford denies any known defect and refused an implied warranty for the item. Due to cost differences I chose to have it replaced at a local repair shop using a new ly purchased speedometer head from the Ford dealership.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA