1996 Ford Windstar
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1990 | 6 |
| 1991 | 3 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 11 |
| 1994 | 23 |
| 1995 | 3326 |
| 1996 | 1386 |
| 1997 | 192 |
| 1998 | 1433 |
| 1999 | 1522 |
| 2000 | 1675 |
| 2001 | 1686 |
| 2002 | 1353 |
| 2003 | 1509 |
| 2004 | 24 |
| 2005 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
22% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 300 distinct reports on file.
FIRE11% of complaints: power train — 149 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY10% of complaints: power train — 138 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 112 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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
6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 84 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
FAILURE OF AUTO TRANS PARK LOCK SYSTEM
BRAKE PEDAL FADE/EXTENDED STOPPING
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
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
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
BRAKE PEDAL FADE/EXTENDED STOP DISTANCE
OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT
OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT
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
REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM
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
FUEL TANK CRACKS
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
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
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
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
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
FUEL TANK FATIGUE CRACKING
HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE FAILURE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
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
WORST YEARS
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.