10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,060 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Ford Windstar:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #4

Dec 072003

Windstar

  • 105,000 miles
Vehicle caught on fire while stopping at a stop sign. Consumer smelled rubber burning, then smoke started coming from under the hood. Speed control linkages were completely burned. A recall was issued for speed control linkages, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #3

Mar 072003

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,240 miles
The speedometer failed. The manufacturer stated it was not considered a safety issue when the consumer asked would certain vehicle's be recalled.

- Rockford, MI, USA

problem #2

Apr 292000

Windstar

  • miles
Vehicle accelerated suddenly and unexpectedly, resulting in a collision which caused minor injuries.

- Dalton, GA, USA

problem #1

Mar 032000

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
When you put the car in park, engage the emergency brake and take your foot off the brake pedal, the car lurches forward or backward (depending upon incline of vechicle on a hill) and the sliding door, if opened, forcefully rolls and slams shut. Someone exiting the vehicle can be seriously injured, as can anyone (especially children) standing in front or behind the vehicle when it lurches. My son was injured when the door slammed shut as he was exiting the car after I put the car in park and engaged the emergency brake but before I took my foot off the brake pedal. I have asked the dealer to correct this obvious dangerous condition several times, but their response has been that I should engage the emergency brake before I put the vehicle in "park" - a process most people do not use when parking a car.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA