10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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 #8

Aug 082004

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle's door locks locked and unlocked on their own. There were problems with the front driver side wheel and the engine light and the ABS light was intermittent. The consumer experienced an accident which may be due to the brake lines. Refer to recall#02V101000. The sway bar rattled, the tie rods were replaced.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #7

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

problem #6

Mar 022000

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
When closing the sliding door all other doors lock without operator operating the door lock function, thus, locking the parents out vehicle. Consumer has contacted the dealer.

- Morris Plaines, NJ, USA

problem #5

Jun 011999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Driver's and passenger doors/tailgate and the sliding door are defective due to a pin in the handle to breaking or falling apart, causing the doors to get stuck and they won't open or close.

- Pocono Lake, PA, USA

problem #4

Jun 051996

Windstar

  • miles
Consumer has gotten brakes repaired over 15 times. Each time brakes only lasted one month. Also ruining rotors and pads. Also, vehicle pulls to one side, shakes and acts like it is stuck in neutral. Door sliding locks and unlocks on its own, no exit at times.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #3

Feb 161999

Windstar

  • miles
Door locks activate while exiting vehicle (as to close a garage door) with engine running after backing up. This leaves driver locked out of vehicle with engine running and key in ignition. Imagine the situation if an infant is in the car and mom is locked out!!! dealer says it is the way vehicle is designed.

- Sudbury, MA, USA

problem #2

Feb 011996

Windstar

  • miles
Door lock design allows doors to be opened from inside when locked.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #1

Jul 191996

(reported on)

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Can't open the rear front from inside. * ak consumer states the only way people can get out is through the driver's side door, passenger and sliding door can not open rear door or rear window from inside off van hit on right side or rolls on right side, then the only escape for all occupants is the driver's door.

- Melbourne, FL, USA