10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,302 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 engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 5 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #231

May 192002

Windstar

  • miles

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

In the 20 months that I've owned this vehicle the engine block has over - expanded twice - causing the head gasket to fail. Both times I was traveling on interstate highways. Thier was no warning prior to failure(complete loss of power due to heat fatigue). Fortunatly I was able to manuever the vehicle off to the shoulder without causing an accident. This is definately a safety concern for other owners of this vehicle.

- Fredonia, NY, USA

problem #230

Jun 092002

Windstar

  • miles
Engine check light displayed, white smoke billowing out of tail pipe.

- Springboro, OH, USA

problem #229

Jun 092002

Windstar

  • miles
Engine would overheat while driving. Vehicle taken to a repair shop, and was informed of a blown head gasket. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further infromation.

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #228

May 022002

Windstar

  • miles

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

Head gasket has gone out a couple of times. Consumer has had some oil leakage. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.

- Oregon, OH, USA

problem #227

May 102002

Windstar

  • miles
My Windstar blew its headgasket with 60K miles on it- the engine never ran hot---when check engine light came on I took it to dealer--blown gasket 1800 dollars--checked internet and found at least 200 people with same problem--called Ford but they refuse to assist.

- Everett, MA, USA

problem #226

Mar 072000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine loses power while driving, possible head gasket failure, dealer notified.

- Fort Atkinson, WI, USA

problem #225

May 012002

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Head gasket failed, leaking coolant into cylinder, fouling spark plugs and oxygen sensors. Problem has been ongoing since vehicle had 95,000 miles. Dealer was notified.

- Shrewsbury, MA, USA

problem #224

Feb 152002

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
Consumer states vehicle needs a replacement head gasket. Vehicle has been to the dealership numerous times for repeated "check engine light" illuminating. Recent repair done to vehicle was on the intake gasket and O2 sensor.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #223

Dec 182000

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
Vehicle experienced a blown head gasket.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #222

Apr 092002

Windstar

  • miles
Consumer states that the head gasket failed.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #221

Apr 182002

Windstar

  • miles

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

Consumer states while driving, the check engine light illuminated. Took to dealer and they stated that the head gasket needed replacing. Consumer feels that the gasket should not have went out, there is a common problem with winstars.

- Cinncanati, OH, USA

problem #220

Apr 282002

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
Check engine light came on repeatedly and dealership tried to fix as follows: 8,369 miles - replaced spark plug wires; 14,184 miles replaced "bad" hego bank; 34,442 miles replaces plugs 4 and 5; 34,479 miles replaced hego #2; 37,843 miles replaced spark plug wires (again); 38,111 miles replaced bad shaft in synchonizer sensor; 44,489 miles replaced "defective" vacuum elbow; 44,552 miles cleaned resistors and replaced upper intake O rings; 47,420 miles light came on and went off by itself; 50,000+ miles light came on and went off when battery was replaced; 56,000+ miles noticed coolant "disappearing from auxillary coolant tank - took in and dealership couldn't find anything wrong but put in dye -- took back in a few weeks when coolant disappeared again - diagnosis: Head gasket failure; had head gaskets replaced, but check engine light would not go off and engine was misfiring -- diagnosis: Bent rod.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #219

Feb 152002

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
Consumer states vehicle needs a replacement head gasket. Vehicle has been to the dealership numerous times for repeated "check engine light" illuminating. Recent repair done to vehicle was on the intake gasket and O2 sensor.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #218

Apr 092002

Windstar

  • miles
Consumer states that the head gasket failed.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #217

Dec 012001

Windstar

  • miles
My head gasket failed arounf 70000 miles! 94 and 95 Ford Windstar have already been recalled due to head gasket problems. There are many 1996 failures as well. What can we do to get Ford to address this same problem with the 96 Windstar?

- Mercer Island, WA, USA

problem #216

Dec 092001

Windstar

  • miles
Consumer states vehicle 3.8 V6 engine was losing coolants and running rough while driving, dealer notified and informed of a cracked head gasket. Nlm

- New Hope, MN, USA

problem #215

Mar 302002

Windstar

  • miles
Cylinder head gasket problem resulting in internal antifreeze leak, causing bearings to go bad - engine replacement required.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #214

Apr 012002

Windstar

  • miles
My 1996 Windstar has a blown head gasket.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #213

Feb 152002

Windstar

  • miles
Vehicle misfires. Consumer found water in oil and exhaust. Took vehicle to dealer and dealer stated that it was a blown head gasket. Engine needed to be replaced.

- Colleyville, TX, USA

problem #212

Dec 012001

Windstar

  • miles
Noticed check engine light on in December 2001. Looked in manual and said needed to complete 3 cooled complete cycles, but light didn't go off. Started leaking coolant and temperature gauge would go to hot. Heater would blow out cold air. Took to an independent mechanic and was told it had a cracked block and that Ford has had these same problems with previous years. Contacted dealership and they are unwilling to do anything to help out. Am in the process of contacting Ford company to see if they will be willing to help. Please follow up with any information. At this point my family of 5 is driving around in a small pick up truck beause I am unable to drive the van since told it could stop on me at anytime and cause even more damage.

- Westerville, OH, USA

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