RoadVitals

1996 Ford Club Wagon

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Sep 23, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 1, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Ford Club Wagon, most frequently naming the brakes, airbags and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes630.0%
  • Airbags210.0%
  • Engine210.0%
  • Fuel system210.0%
  • Electrical15.0%
  • Steering15.0%
  • Suspension15.0%
  • Interior & seats15.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06V286000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 1, 2006
1,200,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
The risk: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov
96V214000

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

Oct 28, 1996
53,400 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLES ON A 20% GRADE WITH FOOT PEDAL EFFORTS OF 125 POUNDS OR LESS. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."
The risk: THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AFTER BEING PARKED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 17
Fuel system
Filed Sep 23, 2008

FUEL FILLER PIPE ON THIS VEHICLE HAS FAILED THREE TIMES (FIRST FAILURE MILEAGE IS LISTED BELOW). EACH TIME THE FIRST SYMPTOM IS THE SMELL OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING, WHEN THE PROBLEM WORSENS, AT TIME OF FILL-UP GAS SPILLS ON THE GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243263
Incident
Sep 22, 2008
Mileage
30,532 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 4, 2005
Fire reported

DT: CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE MASTER CYLINDER ON A 1996 FORD CLUB WAGON. THIS VEHICLE WAS OWNED BY HIS EMPLOYER. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DROVE APPROXIMATELY 8 HOURS BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10131516
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Electrical
Filed May 20, 2004
Fire reported

WHEN THE FAN SWITCH WAS TURNED TO THE FAST POSITION AND THE A/C WAS TURNED ON THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER A FEW SECONDS ALOT OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE DASH AND A/C AREA. THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE KNOB AND SAW FLAMES. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AND REMOVED THE CABLE. NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10067100
Incident
Apr 9, 2004
Mileage
139,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningEngine
Filed Mar 6, 2003

ENGINE STALLS OCCASIONALLY WHEN IN DRIVE AND AT A STOP, AND SOMETIMES INSTEAD OF JUST DYING IT TRIES TO STAY RUNNING BY FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING ME TO HIT CURBS AND MY GARAGE WALL. I CAN AVOID THIS BY PLACING IT IN NEUTRAL TEMPORARILY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD ABOUT THREE TIMES FOR THIS ALONE, BUT THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT BECAUSE IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE. ALSO THE REAR BLEND DOOR FLAP FOR REAR A/C DETERIORATES EVERY YEAR AND NEEDS REPLACING TO STAY COOL IN PHOENIX, AZ. *JB

NHTSA ID
10008491
Incident
Jun 15, 2000
Mileage
40,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 23, 2001

WHILE FUELING GAS CAME OUT FROM UNDER VAN, NOT AT THE FILL NECK. *AK

NHTSA ID
741397
Incident
Sep 23, 2000
Engine
Filed Jul 17, 2000

RUSTING OUT OILPAN WITH ONLY 38K MILES ON IT. HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A REACURING PROBLEM, LOOKING FOR A RECALL NOTICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
725569
Incident
Jul 17, 2000
Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 1999

FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WORN PREMATURELY. NLM

NHTSA ID
549299
Incident
Mar 9, 1998
Airbags
Filed Sep 21, 1999
Crash reported

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, AND VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. THEN VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID
848262
Incident
Sep 12, 1999

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

BC0313961101

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CODE P030X, WITH NO DRIVEABILITY COMPLAINT. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Club Wagon by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001200—
2000500—
1999400—
1998280037.0
1997280036.7
1996Viewing172052.8
1995151039.9
1994171045.0
1993120032.7
1992150041.8
1991500—
1990500—
1989800—
1988100—
1987110—
1986220—
1985120—
1984030—
1983030—
1982010—
1980030—
1979070—
1978040—
1976010—
1975010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.