MYRModel Year Report

1996 Ford Windstar

● Typical for this model
1996 Ford Windstar
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
1,386
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
13

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 5 complaints 1985 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 11 complaints 1994: 23 complaints 1995: 3,328 complaints 1996: 1,386 complaints 1996 1,386 1997: 192 complaints 1998: 1,433 complaints 1998 1999: 1,522 complaints 2000: 1,675 complaints 2001: 1,686 complaints 2001 2002: 1,353 complaints 2003: 1,510 complaints 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaint
1985: 5 complaints 1985 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 3 complaints 1991 1992: 2 complaints 1993: 11 complaints 1993 1994: 23 complaints 1995: 3,328 complaints 1995 1996: 1,386 complaints 1996 1,386 1997: 192 complaints 1997 1998: 1,433 complaints 1999: 1,522 complaints 1999 2000: 1,675 complaints 2001: 1,686 complaints 2001 2002: 1,353 complaints 2003: 1,510 complaints 2003 2004: 24 complaints 2005: 1 complaint 2005
1985: 5 complaints 1985 1990: 6 complaints 1990 1991: 3 complaints 1991 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 11 complaints 1993 1994: 23 complaints 1994 1995: 3,328 complaints 1995 1996: 1,386 complaints 1996 1,386 1997: 192 complaints 1997 1998: 1,433 complaints 1998 1999: 1,522 complaints 1999 2000: 1,675 complaints 2000 2001: 1,686 complaints 2001 2002: 1,353 complaints 2002 2003: 1,510 complaints 2003 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaint 2005

1996: 1,386 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19855
19906
19913
19922
199311
199423
19953,328
19961,386
1997192
19981,433
19991,522
20001,675
20011,686
20021,353
20031,510
200424
20051

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

37% · 507 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE

Power train

24% · 335 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle rolled back with the gear in the parking position on the drive way

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-28

Service brakes

18% · 254 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Suspension

8% · 113 reports

Most commonly citing coil springs and front.

CRASHDEATH

Electrical system

6% · 86 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and front underhood.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer had just parked and exited vehicle when it caught on fire under the hood without warning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-09

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 13 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1996-02-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-05-22 Failure of auto trans park lock system
  2. I
    1996-06-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-10-31 Brake pedal fade/extended stopping
  3. R
    1996-07-17Power train96V086000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1996-08-14Seats96V114000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1996-09-23Power train96V166000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1996-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 2000-02-18 Brake pedal fade/extended stop distance
  7. I
    1997-03-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-09-30 Outer hood panel detachment
  8. I
    1997-09-30Engineering analysisClosed 1997-10-22 Outer hood panel detachment
  9. R
    1997-11-10Structure97V180000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    1998-10-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-02-24 Rear axle trailing arm
  11. R
    1999-06-16Service brakes, hydraulic99V147000 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…

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with new labels and installation instructions.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    1999-07-26Engineering analysisClosed 1999-12-16 Fuel tank cracks
  13. I
    2000-06-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-12-08 Suspension coil spring breakage
  14. R
    2000-07-19Exterior lighting00V168000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. I
    2000-12-08Engineering analysisClosed 2001-07-31 Suspension coil spring breakage
  16. R
    2001-12-10Suspension01I007000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2002-05-10Service brakes, hydraulic02V101000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. I
    2002-08-29Recall queryClosed 2003-03-14 Fuel tank fatigue cracking
  19. I
    2004-05-27Recall queryClosed 2004-10-07 Hydraulic brake line failure
  20. I
    2008-05-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-09-17 Engine compartment fires
  21. I
    2008-09-17Engineering analysisClosed 2009-10-14 Engine compartment fires
  22. R
    2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Ford Windstar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 507 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 335 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 254 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V086000 · Power train
  • Recall 96V114000 · Seats
  • Recall 96V166000 · Power train
  • Recall 97V180000 · Structure
  • Recall 99V147000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 00V168000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 01I007000 · Suspension
  • Recall 02V101000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

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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, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Windstar have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.