RoadVitals

1996 Ford Windstar Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
1,386
Latest Oct 14, 2015
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.
105
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Dec 29, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 1,386 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Ford Windstar. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 1,386 · page 1 of 56

Body & structure
Filed Oct 14, 2015

THE K FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS MOUNT TO THE FRAME AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE

NHTSA ID
10782238
Incident
Jun 14, 2015
Mileage
114,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.

NHTSA ID
10778214
Incident
Sep 24, 2015
Mileage
240,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH. THE SERVICE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA ID
10694170
Incident
Mar 6, 2015
Mileage
65,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 25, 2013

ABS LIGHT ON DASHBOARD COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, AFTER 5 MINUTES OF OPERATION LIGHT WILL COME ON, THEN STAY ON, BUT AFTER SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND START AGAIN LIGHT IS FFF AND COMES BACK ON AFTER FEW MINUTES OF TRAVEL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10549528
Incident
Oct 21, 2013
Mileage
152,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 3, 2013

THIS IS A SECOND CALL FOR HELP FORD CORPORATE WILL NOT EMAIL ME BACK. WILL NOT VERIFY IF PCM HAS BEEN UPDATED. THE VAN ONLY HAS UNDER 59,000 MILES ON IT . IT SHOULD NOT BREAK THIS BAD THIS SOON MAKES ME TELL ANYONE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND OUR LOCAL NEWS MEDIA AND CLARK HOWARDS TEAM. I DO NOT WANT TO CALL FORD UNLESS IT IS AGREED THE PHONE WILL BE RECORDED FOR COURT PURPOSES. I EVEN ASKED IS THE WOULD LET ME USE THE UPDATER. I SURE DO NOT WANT DON RICH FORD IN VILLA RICA EVER AGAIN. THEY STRIPPED THE SCREW. THAT SET MIN CLEARANCE ON THROTTLE PLATE. NO SHIFTS FUNNY AND SPUTTERS AND TERRIBLE NOISE IN OIL PAN AREA. ROD S KNOCKING. INTERNET HAS TONS OF COMPLAINTS OF PISTONS EXITING ENGINE OIL PAN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10522986
Incident
Jul 2, 2013
Mileage
58,958 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 29, 2013

DEAR FORD MY MOTHER AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET ANSWERS FROM THE DEALER AND SINCE THEY GAVE UP. BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIX IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. EVEN THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME. THE VAN A 1996 WINDSTAR WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT AND IT STARTED THE ENGINE STARTED STALLING, WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS NOT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL LOSES POWER STEERING. MY MOM ALMOST WENT INTO A DITCH TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR. WITH LITTLE INTERNET SEARCHING FOUND HUNDREDS OF VANS WITH SAME PROBLEMS, AND APPEARS THERE IS NOT ONE RESOLVED. AND SINCE THIS HAS GONE ON FOR OVER A MONTH. THE LAST VISIT TO THE FORD DEALER IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE STALLING. . THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE IS NEW, AND MASS AIR FLOW IS CLEAN SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALSO. I CHECKED THE AIR FILTER WAS CLEAN, THE FUEL FILTER IS ORIGINAL SO I REPLACED IT. I STARTED LOOKING AT THE THROTTLE BODY, AND NOTICED THAT THE THROTTLE PLATE SCREW WAS ALL GOUGED UP. WHILE I WAS SITTING IN DRIVE WAY WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND UNLESS FORD ENGINES ARE ONLY GOOD FOR 60,000 MILES, WITH ALL THE STALLING AND LOW ENGINE IDLE THAT KEEPS OIL PRESSURE IN THE ENGINE LUBRICATING THE CRANK SHAFT.!! SO WHEN ENGINE STALLED AT VERY LOW IDLE THERE WAS NO OIL GETTING THROUGH THE ENGINE. THIS ENGINE NOW HAS LOWER END KNOCK, WHICH I VERIFIED BY PULLING VAN ONTO FLOOR RAMPS, TEST DROVE AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM, IS CRITICAL. EACH TIME I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN ENGINE STALLED EVERY TIME, LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE FORD IS IGNORING THIS PROBLEM.. AND THIS ALSO ANSWERS WHY OTHER COMPLAINTS WERE ABOUT ENGINE FAILURES AND VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THIS LETTER WILL BE PUT ON ALL SOCIAL NETWORKS, TO WARN OTHERS THIS COULD HAPPEN TO THEM BE AWARE. THEY SAID THE ECU/PCM COMPUTER WAS UPDATED. COULD NOT FIND UPDATE ON INVOICES, OR IN HISTORY I CAN ACCESS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10522406
Incident
Jun 4, 2013
Mileage
58,586 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 26, 2013

FORD RECALL LETTER DATED DECEMBER 2011 RECALL NUMBER 09 S 09 SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION. I RECENTLY TOOK MY FORD WINDSTAR ON JANURARY 3, 2013 FOR A RECALL. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I DROVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS SLOW AND WON'T PICK UP SPEED IT MAKES A PUT PUT SOUND AND HAS ALMOST NO POWER. I CALLED THE DEALER TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND THEY WANT $90.00 JUST TO LOOK AT IT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS JUST IN THE SHOP FOR THE RECALL. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER COMPLAINT AND ALL THEY SAY IS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORD DEALER ACTIONS OR INACTIONS. THE LETTER FROM FORD WAS THE MAIN REASON I TOOK THE VAN IN BECAUSE IT SAYS THERE IS A FIRE HAZARD BUT NOW THE VAN IS A PIECE OF JUNK. FORD REFUSES TO RECHECK THE VEHICLE AND LOCATE THE REAL CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM THE VEHICLE IS THE ONLY WAY FOR ME TO GET AROUND. THANKS FORD FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND LACK OF CONCERN. SIGNED DISSATIFIED VICTIM OF A SCAM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504616
Incident
Jan 3, 2013
Mileage
198,649 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 25, 2012

NOTICED FUEL LEAK WHEN RETURNED AFTER PARKING AT SLANTED PARKING SPACE. INSPECTION BY LICENSED MECHANIC IN COLUMBUS, OHIO CONFIRMED FUEL TANK LEAK. REMOVED TANK FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND FOUND CRACK. REPAIRED BY SAME MECHANIC. TOTAL COST CLOSE TO $300.00. NOW NO GASOLINE LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10476963
Incident
Sep 4, 2012
Mileage
170,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 28, 2012
Fire reported

MY VAN WAS IN GREAT SHAPE AND GREAT CONDITION. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON MAY 6TH 2012 ABOUT 45-50 MPH ENTERED THE I-215 COLLECTOR, STARTED TO SMELL A BURNED RUBBER SMELL, I LOOKED AT THE TEMP GAUGE AND IT WAS NORMAL, THE VAN STARTED TO SPUTTER LIKE RUNNING OUT OF GAS, THE VAN WAS NOT OUT OF GAS ALMOST FULL, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF, I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, LOOKED AT THE TEMP GAUGE AGAIN AND IT STILL WAS NORMAL, THE BURNED RUBBER SMELL GOT WORSE AND I NOTICED THEN A BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I GOT OUT OF THE VAN AND STOOD AT THE FRONT OF THE VAN TO CALL AAA AND THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS NOT INDICATOR WHAT SO EVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THIS ALL OCCURRED IN ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES. THE POLICE CAME AND COULD NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. IT BURNED UP MY ENTIRE VEHICLE WITH ALL THE CONTENTS INSIDE. THE FIREMAN STATED THAT EVEN THE FRONT TIRES WERE BURNED UP AND MELTED. I DID GET PICTURES OF WHAT HAPPENED. I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE SO I THOUGHT I WAS JUST OUT OF LUCK. A SECURITY SPECIALIST FROM WORK SAID THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED DUE TO A FACTORY SAFETY DEFECT AND TOLD ME TO DO SOME RESEARCH. I DID FIND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SPEED SWITCH OR CONTROL ON 1996 FORD WINDSTARS. I ALWAYS USE MY CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE BASED ON A BURN UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE FIRE OCCURRED DUE TO THE SPEED CONTROL RECALL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL OR I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO BE FIXED BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10459815
Incident
May 6, 2012
Mileage
198 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Feb 29, 2012

HAD CHANGED BRAKE PADS A WEEK EARLIER. DRIVING 55MPH AND THE CAR CRASHED DOWN ON IT'S AXLE AS THE TIRE AND WHEEL PASSED BY US GOING DOWN HIGHWAY, IN 37 NORTH. STUDS HAD ALL BROKEN OFF. THE DISC BRAKE IS RUINED FROM SKIDDING ON IT. TRAFFIC WAS MODERATELY HEAVY. WE SKIDDED TO A STOP ON A BRIDGE AND FEEL LUCKY NOT TO HAVE CRASHED INTO ANYONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10449745
Incident
Feb 29, 2012
Mileage
198,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 20, 2011

BLOWS HEADGASKET EVERY35000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10436510
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
Mileage
40,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 18, 2011

THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK AT THE FUEL TANK. I REMOVED THE TANK TO SEE THAT THE TANK LOOKED LIKE IT WAS PINCHED AND DEVELOPED A CRACK. THE FUEL TANK IS PLASTIC SO I FOUND THIS TO BE ODD. I HAD TO PUT EPOXY ON THE TANK TO PATCH THE CRACK SO I COULD GET IT HOME AS I WAS OUT OF TOWN WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WHEN I GOT HOME I STARTED LOOKING ONLINE FOR A TANK AND FOUND THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS MATTER. I CALLED LAFAYETTE FORD AND EXPLAINED THE RECALL AND GAVE MY VIN #. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPAIR IT MYSELF. IF I HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE OF THE RECALL AND THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE RECALL WHY DOES FORD NOT HONOR IT. THE RECALL STATES THE CRACK AT THE FRONT STRAP AREA AND THAT FORD WILL REPLACE THE TANK AND THE STRAP WITH A LONGER ONE AND A BUSHING. MY TANK HAS THE CRACK AT THE FRONT STRAP AND THE TANK WAS PINCHED BECAUSE THE STRAP IS TOO SHORT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10430647
Incident
Oct 11, 2011
Mileage
150,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed May 16, 2011

I PURCHASED A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR VAN 3.0 L IN JUNE 2010. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE FROM DAY 1 TO CURRENT MOST DANGEROUS IS THE BLOWING SPARK PLUG WHICH HAS BLOWN OUT 2 TIMES FORCING ME TO DRIVE IT TO A PLACE WHERE IT COULD BE PARKED FOR REPAIR FIRST TIME BLOW OUT WAS 7 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC NOW 2000 MILES LATER AGAIN BLEW OUT FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR IGNORING SUCH A HUGE HAZARD THIS COULD SERIOUSLY IGNITE FUEL FUMES AND CAUSE A MAJOR FIRE, EXPLOSION WHILE SOME ONE IS DRIVING WITH THERE CHILDREN TO FIND A REPAIR SHOP UNAWARE OF THE DANGER AND DAMAGE THIS COULD CAUSE, SECOND ISSUE IS A FAILING SHIFTING MODULE OR TRANNY AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ALOT DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VANS TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO A 1ST OR 2ND GEAR CAUSING EXTREME CHANGE IN SPEED AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN REARENDED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS ISSUE, VESSIL MUST BE PULLED OVER AND TRANS RESET BY SHIFTING TO PARK AND SOMETIMES SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE AND STARTING IT AGAIN.FORD DEALER GAVE US A 3000. ESTIMATE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND TOLD US WE WOULD CONTINUE TO REPLACE TRANS APROX EVERY 70,000 MILES THIS IS A CHUMP WAY TO BUILD CARS AND THEY HAVE MANAGED TO GET MORE MONEY OUT OF REPAIRS THAN SALES I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD AGAIN SAFE OR NOT. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECLAIM ALL THESE DANGEROUS VEHICLES AND REPLACE ALL MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS AND PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLES DUE TO ENDANGERING AND THERE IS NO WAY THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10401099
Incident
Jul 1, 2010
Mileage
125,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 7, 2011

CHECK ENGINE STAYS ON AFTER TUNEUP ... DOES NOT LOSE SPEED ... RUNS ROUGH AFTER ACCELERATING AND DOESN'T NOT OVERHEAT ....WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10399436
Incident
Jul 13, 2010
Suspension
Filed Feb 1, 2011

I BROUGHT KIDS TO SCHOOL AND I WAS PULLING OUT. I HEARD A NOISE AND MY TIRE WENT FLAT. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND STABBED THE TIRE. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL SO HOPEFULLY IT IS STILL COVERED BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE 100.00 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. *LN

NHTSA ID
10379894
Incident
Feb 1, 2011
Mileage
168,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Dec 21, 2010

FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE, ABS BRAKE, CRUISE CONTROL, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS REAR AXLE CRACKS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10371989
Incident
Dec 20, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 3, 2010
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR GL (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED AND THE ENGINE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED BUT NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10369110
Incident
Dec 3, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 16, 2010

THE BRAKE & ABS LIGHTS WERE COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY THEN THE BRAKES STARTED SQUEAKING AND EVENTUALLY STARTED AT LEAST SCRUBBING ON THE RIGHT SIDE. ALSO, WHEN YOU PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN, IT FELT SOFT. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN AT THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR AND THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKES ARE SCRUBBING. AND, THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SOFT, AGAIN. MY HUSBAND REPLACED THE BRAKES ON 12/28/09 AND WE HAD TO HAVE THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE AND SPINDLE REPLACED ON 01/13/10. WE HAD THE RECALL NO. 09S09 WORK PERFORMED AT RICHARD HANEY FORD IN CARROLLTON, GEORGIA ON 12/17/09. NEW FRONT BRAKES WERE ALSO PUT ON BY MECHANICS ON 12/12/08 & 09/17/07.

NHTSA ID
10366328
Incident
Nov 23, 2009
Mileage
180,609 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 21, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOCATED THE FAILURE AS A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 212,902.

NHTSA ID
10361520
Incident
Aug 15, 2010
Mileage
200,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 10, 2010

MY ABS LIGHT STAYS ITS BEEN ON FOR 6 MONTHS NOW, MY CRUISE CONTROL WONT WORK, AND MY SPEEDOMETER GOES CRAZY, NO LIGHTS IN MY DASH AND GOT TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON SEVERAL OF THESE ITEMS AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GET PAST RECALLS ON MY VAN I'VE HAVE SEEN ALL KINDS OF RECALLS AND NEVER SENT NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10359908
Incident
Oct 10, 2010
Fuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2010

1996 FORD WINDSTAR FUEL TANK HAS A CRACK IN IT AND IS LEAKING FUEL I SEE THE RECALL ONLY EFFACED 1995 WINDSTARS BUT APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED ON THE 1996 WINDSTARS BECAUSE MINE HAS A 3 INCH CRACK IN IT. I DO NOT KNOW IF SOME OF THE 1996 WINDSTARS WERE IN THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10350867
Incident
Aug 8, 2010
Mileage
175,120 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 14, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE. WHEN FURTHER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES WAS BEING PINCHED BY THE SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 164,954.

NHTSA ID
10336148
Incident
Jun 11, 2010
Mileage
164,954 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 6, 2010
Fire reported

I WENT TO GO TO THE STORE MAY 26TH, 2010 6:30 - 7:00 PM, I GOT IN MY VEHICLE WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I PROCEEDED TO GO DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH ITS A LONG DRIVEWAY AND I STARTED TO SMELL A FAINT SMELL OF PLASTIC BURNING AND I GOT TO THE ROAD AND I STARTED TO GO AND I DECIDED I SHOULD MAYBE PULL OVER TO SEE IF I COULD SEE ANYTHING ON THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE CAUSING SMELL THEN WHEN GOT BACK IN CAR SAW THE STEAM COMING FROM HOOD AND I DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND HAVE MY BOYFRIEND TAKE A LOOK BEFORE I LEFT. WHEN GOT TO HOUSE SAW LITTLE STEAM BUT NOTHING BIG, TURNED OFF VAN AND GOT MY DAUGHTER FROM CAR SEAT AND WALKED INSIDE HOME NOT BUT 5 MINUTES LATER MY OTHER DAUGHTER RAN SCREAMING OUT HER ROOM, MOM THE VANS ON FIRE. WHEN OPENED THE DOOR THE FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF THE HOOD AND TRIED TO OPEN HOOD, WHILE OTHER HALF GOING FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS BUT MOTOR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES GOT FIRE OUT WITH 2 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. NOTHING INDICATED BEFORE FIRE OTHER THEN THE FAINT SMELL THAT I SMELLED WHILE GOING DOWN DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE CAME FROM THE WIRING AND IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSE IF ME AND MY DAUGHTER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO US WHILE ON THE ROAD IT COULD OF SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED US. I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THE VAN YET CAUSE I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE ON THE VAN AND THE FIRE WASN'T COVERED. I ALSO DO NOT FINANCIALLY HAVE THE MEANS TO FIX THE VAN MYSELF SO I AM WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION RIGHT NOW! MY BOYFRIEND DID FEEL AFTER LOOKING AT VAN THE FIRE STARTED WITH THE WIRING OVER THE TOP OF THE CENTER OF THE MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10334773
Incident
May 26, 2010
Mileage
152,515 mi
Brakes
Filed May 26, 2010

1996 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER REQUESTS A REFUND FOR MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN A RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A BRAKE FLUID LEAK WHICH DAMAGED THE ABS MODULE, CLOSKSPRING AND CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL NOT TO WORK. THE CONSUMER STATED IN MID-LATE DECEMBER SHE AND HER HUSBAND BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING AND THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF AT RANDOM. BRAKING WAS SOMETIMES INTERRUPTED BY A SHUDDERING WHICH DELAYED THE ACTION OF THE BRAKE AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AS IF THE ABS DID NOT WANT THE BRAKE TO ENGAGE. THIS HAPPENED DURING NORMAL BRAKING AS WELL AS A QUICK PRESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IN EITHER CASE THE BRAKING WAS PROLONGED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM WITH A KIT AND SHE WAS REASSURED THE BRAKE LEAK WAS FIXED AND THERE SHOULD BE NO MORE PROBLEMS AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ACTION OF THE BRAKES. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND EXPERIENCED THE SHUDDERING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND DECIDED TO PURCHASE AN ABS MODULE FROM AN ONLINE DEALER. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO AGREED TO INSTALL THE PART. THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABS LIGHT AND SHUDDERING HAS BEEN RESOLVED. WHEN THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE, HE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE RECEIPTS FROM THE REPAIR, BUT WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE YEARS COVERED FOR A REFUND OF PREVIOUS REPAIRS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10331749
Incident
Dec 1, 2008
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 2, 2010
Fire reported

THE 1996 WINDSTAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE (ATTACHED TO THE HOME) WITH THE IGNITION OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS WHEN FAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR QUADRENT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT WAS OBVIOUS THE FIRE COULD NOT BE EXTINGUISHED. THE FAMILY LEFT THE HOME, WHICH WAS SOON COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

NHTSA ID
10323505
Incident
Mar 18, 2009
Mileage
235,000 mi

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.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .