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 5 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #58

Mar 012000

Windstar

  • miles

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

Head gasket leaking, master cylinder froze up and caused smoke and damage to brake system on 3 wheels, ABS light kept coming on, in for repairs on several occasions and light was disconnected by dealer, engine light on: O2 sensor replaced, speedometer failed to register speeds, driverside window goes down while driving, replaced by dealer, door open light turns on randomly, sliding door fails to lock with electric locks. What is going to be next?

- Eyota, MN, USA

problem #57

Jul 032000

Windstar

  • miles
While traveling on a busy interstate, engine light went on. Van lost speed and started overheating. I was able to make it off highway. Van died had to be towed. Told it was cracked head due to coolant leakage. Warranty company refuses to pay claim.. speedometer flips around, estimate repair cost is $475. Warranty company refusee to pay.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #56

Jul 042000

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer fluctuated all over dial when car went over 30 mph; transmission just failed while car was being operated, it failed to shift and did not move while in traffic; brakes fade when coming to a stop all the time (I have requested repairs repeatedly, told no problem detected); car continues to roll 6-8 inches when parked on an incline; rear suspension creaks when getting in and out of car; several leaks in engine had to be repaired (gasket??).

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #55

May 012000

Windstar

  • miles

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

Speedometer begins to fluccuate at 50 mph, randomly jumping from 50mph to 80mph - previously went out at 47K miles, and only solution offered by hansel Ford was to replace speedometer/odometer assembly ($400) because of "broken" speedometer head assembly - 52K later, exact same problems, and Ford's only recommendation is replace speedometer/odometer again at my expense - given that the speedometer displays an erroneous reading starting at 50mph and the freeway speed limit is 55+mph, I have no reliable indication of my actual speed, which is particularly worrisome when I tow a tent-trailer. Additionally, I don't know if the odometer is recording mileage correctly. There has been a tsb refering to this problem, but I have not been able to find the details out about it, so I don't know how to begin to correct the problem.

- Cotati, CA, USA

problem #54

Aug 032000

Windstar

  • miles
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.

- Andover, IL, USA

problem #53

Jul 011999

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer reads differently than the speed vehicle is actually doing. Dealer will repair at consumer's cost. Dealer sya it's a common problem, but has no explanation.

- Cape Girardau, MO, USA

problem #52

Jan 011999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Speed needle goes up and down from 50mph to 120mph register on the speedometer. Consumer had the speedometer replaced at 45181 miles by Ford dealership, mechanic did the actual work. Transmission failed at about 32,000 miles.

- Jefferson, IA, USA

problem #51

Jan 062000

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer does not work properly above 35 miles per hour. Failed at 35 mph-jumps to 60 the to 90mph.

- Bloomingto, IL, USA

problem #50

Jun 272000

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
I purchsed the vehicle with the knowledge that it had 50,000 miles on it. The car was not runnig as well as I thought it should for a car with "low miles" I had it back in the shop where I purchsed it several times when the mechanis there mentioned carfax.com. I got a report which stated there was a odometer rollback. I took it back to the dealer where they did a title search which in my mind had been doctored. I don't feel I received the all the information needed. I have the carfax report which shows mileage at 103,443 on 9-21-98. Then on 10-9-98it shows mileage at 34,818. The car continues to run terribly. I need to get to the bottom of this and find some answers. I feel I was ripped off and I want my money or a new car for the same amount I paid with the same low miles. Please help me if you can or put me intouch with an Agency that can help me. Thank you.

- Smithfield, UT, USA

problem #49

Jun 262000

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer has been replaced twice because the needle fluctuated from 0 to 120 erratically. First speedometer was replaced with 35,000, and the second at 38,000.

- Bedford, TX, USA

problem #48

Jun 182000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While going down interstate 75 car pulled back, rpms went very high to 3 and 4, and speedometer declined very rapidly. Contacted dealer who said that vehicle's speed sensor needed to be repaired.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #47

Jan 011998

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Speedometer failure

- Covington, WA, USA

problem #46

Jan 132000

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer jumps between 70 - 100 mph at low (40) or high (65) speeds. Makes buzzing noise. Very dangerous as it is misleading and distracting (unnerving) to the driver. Dealer "never heard of" this problem. Owner paid $525 repair.

- Wantagh, NY, USA

problem #45

Jan 012000

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer does not register properly. Needle would jumps back and forth while driving. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was out of warranty, and repairs would only be done at consumer expense.

- Fort Madison, IA, USA

problem #44

May 022000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer has complained to manufacturer about speedometer not working & nothing was being done. Consumer couldn't determine speed, and felt that it was a safety hazard. Consumer informed by mechanic of a tsb issued by Ford regarding this problem, which calls for replacement under 3 yr warranty. This problem occurred in this vehicle just after 3 years, and dealer refuses to repair it under warranty.

- Comack, NY, USA

problem #43

Jun 151998

Windstar

  • miles
The speedometer fluctuates abructly 10 to 25 mph at different speeds, it is difficult to judge the proper speed. Ford declined to help in matter and acted as if they never heard of the problem. Problem occurred in my daughter's '96 Windstar as well and replaced same at her expense for $550, Ford wanted $880.

- Oceanside, NY, USA

problem #42

Jan 202000

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer does not register correctly, speed always erratic. Fails at different speeds at different times during the day. Unknown how many times replaced on vehicle. I bought it used. Have not yet tried to price the repair. Looking to see if any info on help on how to handle. This is very inconvenient.

- Kearns, UT, USA

problem #41

Feb 012000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The speedometer reads near 100 mph while the vehicle is only traveling at speeds betweem 30 and 70 mph. Nlm

- Stoughton, WI, USA

problem #40

Jan 012000

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer jumps while going 50mph or faster. Also, makes rattling noise.

- Idleyld Pard, OR, USA

problem #39

Mar 152000

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
The speedometer wavers wildly from 55 to 110 with no increase in vehicle speed. This may be caused by oil not being injected properly during manufacturing. Nlm

- Springfield, TN, USA

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