1996 Ford Windstar

● Typical for this model
1996 Ford Windstar
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Windstar Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1985: 5 complaints 1985 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 11 complaints 1994: 23 complaints 1995: 3326 complaints 1995 1996: 1386 complaints 1996 1997: 192 complaints 1998: 1433 complaints 1998 1999: 1522 complaints 2000: 1675 complaints 2001: 1686 complaints 2001 2002: 1353 complaints 2003: 1509 complaints 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaints 2005
1996: 1386 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19855
19906
19913
19922
199311
199423
19953326
19961386
1997192
19981433
19991522
20001675
20011686
20021353
20031509
200424
20051

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22%

22% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 300 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 149 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 138 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 112 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING DOWN STREET ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON THEN AUTO WOULD NOT STOP, CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER AUTO FROM REAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960712

WHILE DRIVING DOWN STREET ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON THEN AUTO WOULD NOT STOP, CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER AUTO FROM REAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960712

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 84 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19960223 — PE (closed 19960522)

FAILURE OF AUTO TRANS PARK LOCK SYSTEM

I 19960613 — PE (closed 19961031)

BRAKE PEDAL FADE/EXTENDED STOPPING

R 19960717 — power train

THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WHEN THE ROLL PIN THAT RETAINS IT WAS INSTALLED DURING TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. IF THE SHAFT WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED, THE ROLL PIN MAY NOT HAVE LINED U

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROLL PIN. IF THE ROLL PIN IS DAMAGED, BOTH THE ROLL PIN AND THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, OWNERS WILL BE REMINDED TO FULLY APPLY THE PARKI

Campaign 96V086000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960814 — seats

THE FOUR FASTENERS SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE FLOORPAN WERE NOT TORQUED TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FASTENERS AND RETORQUE TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.

Campaign 96V114000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960923 — power train

THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.

Campaign 96V166000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19961031 — EA (closed 20000218)

BRAKE PEDAL FADE/EXTENDED STOP DISTANCE

I 19970313 — PE (closed 19970930)

OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT

I 19970930 — EA (closed 19971022)

OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT

R 19971110 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS. TEARING OF THE BOND BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS DURING MINOR FRONT END COLLISIONS CAN RESULT IN A GAP AT THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD AREA FOR ANY DAMAGE ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. IF THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, THE HOOD WILL BE REPLACED. IF THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATI

Campaign 97V180000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19981028 — PE (closed 19990224)

REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM

R 19990616 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER IS RECESSED AND ORIENTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING STATEMENT EMBOSSED ON BOTH THE TOP OF THE FILLER CAP

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Campaign 99V147000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990726 — EA (closed 19991216)

FUEL TANK CRACKS

I 20000623 — PE (closed 20001208)

SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE

R 20000719 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOME

Remedy: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Campaign 00V168000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20001208 — EA (closed 20010731)

SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE

R 20011210 — suspension

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. THE FRONT

Remedy: FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACEMENT TO A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OF SERVICE FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE. THIS COVERAGE IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO

Campaign 01I007000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020510 — service brakes, hydraulic

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE FOR CORROSION AND CLEARANCE CONDITIONS. A BRAKE LINE THAT IS NOT CORRODED WILL BE REPOSITIONED. A BRAKE LINE THAT IS CORRODED OR LEAKING WILL BE REPLACED WITH A N

Campaign 02V101000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020829 — RQ (closed 20030314)

FUEL TANK FATIGUE CRACKING

I 20040527 — RQ (closed 20041007)

HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE FAILURE

I 20080513 — PE (closed 20080917)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20080917 — EA (closed 20091014)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20091027 — vehicle speed control

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CO

Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Ford Windstar — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (300 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (149 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (138 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V086000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V114000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V166000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V180000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V147000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V168000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01I007000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V101000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1997 ● 2002 ● 1998

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ● 2001 ● 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Ford Windstar reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Ford Windstar is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford Windstar?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Windstar have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.