Consumer reporting speedometer inoperative while driving, unable to determine the proper speed. Dealer and the manufacturer were notified. Consumer feels Ford should recall these vehicles or at least reimburse consumer for monies paid for repairs.

- Marshfield, WI, USA

Speedometer started reading erratically as of approx. Failure date given. Has now become worse and at speeds >40mph speedo indicator jumps wildly. Dealer charged $70 to diagnose problem as failed speedometer head. Says Ford no longer makes or stocks this part and the head must be removed from the dash and sent out for repairs. Obtained a written estimate for this repair of $861.

- Soldotna, AK, USA

Speedometer malfunctions when above 45 mph.

- Normal, IL, USA

Transmission failure, second failure due to accumulator seals, complete overhaul.

- East Islip, NY, USA

This is a copy of the complaint I sent to Ford regarding problems with the speedometer in my 1996 Windstar. I am starting to have the same problem again. Considering all the things I've read regarding this problem, I find it hard to believe their is not a recall for this yet. I recently purchased this vehicle (June 1999) in folsom, ca from a private party. The van is in excellent condition with 46800+ miles. Recently I started having problems with the speedometer. It would get to approximately fifty miles-per-hour and then start fluctuating +/- five to seven miles-per-hour. The problem gradually became worse, getting to the point that it started swinging wildly and would go all the way to the right. I figured it was probably a speedometer cable. I called my local Ford dealer in yuba city to have them give me an estimate. Without even looking at the van, they told me it was likely not the cable, but the speedometer unit itself. I asked how they could be so sure and I was told that it was common to see the speedometer go bad in this vehicle. I was floored to learn that the cost of a new one was $333.33, not including labor. Now, I have been around long enough to know that new car parts arenT cheap, but $333.33 seems rather ridiculous.I then called a speedometer specialty shop, speedometer electric, in marysville to have a second opinion. Not that I donT trust the dealer, but because as a technical sergeant in the usaf I just canT afford what the new speedometer cost. Mr. Larry witherow, longtime owner of speedometer electric, verified that it was not the cable, but indeed the speedometer itself. He also told me he has replaced approximately twenty speedometers from Windstar and other Ford vehicles in the past few months. This does not include those who had the same problem but could not afford the repairs. It is because of this and the dealerS comments as well that I am writing this letter.

- Klamath Falls, OR, USA

Speedometer malfunctioned. Consumer was unable to read the speed of the vehicle. Speedometer has been replaced.

- Lowell, IN, USA

Speedometer 'bounces' above 45mph, cannot tell what speed is, unreadable.

- Carmel, IN, USA

Speedometer clicking and reporting a higher spped than actually traveling... cannot tell what the actual speed of the vehicle is.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

My 1996 Ford Windstar has an erratic speedometer above 40mph making it impossible to determine how fast I am going.

- Lagrange, OH, USA

Speedometer began flucuating wildly at all speeds along with a clicking noise. Since numerous complaints of the same nature, looks like it should be investigated by NHTSA. Dealer states cost to fix is $600. Hundreds of occurences of same problem.

- Sacrramento, CA, USA

Speedometer malfunctioned. Please provide additional information.

- Newark, OH, USA

In Dec. 1997 the speedometer in the vehicle started to vibrate and quit working. Warranty replaced part at no charge. In January 2000, speedometer started vibrating again. Told it was a problem with cable lubrication. Contacted dealer and Ford and they agreed to pay a percentage of repair cost. November 2001, speedometer has started to vibrate again. Contacted Ford. They indicated there is not a problem. I have contact with another car owner (same model/year) who's speedometer is not working properly and were told the same thing I was in January. They have elected not to repair due to the high cost. Quoted between $600-800 dollars. There is obviously a problem for one car the have 3 speedometers malfunction. How many other owners may have not reported this problem?please help!

- Topeka, KS, USA

Speedometer: Shakes back & forth on highway. Impossible to know speed travelling( unless equipped with good stopwatch & excellent math skills). Head gasket- failed.must be replaced. Does not meet any extended warranty criteria.

- Sydney Ns Canada B1n 1l2, AK, USA

Engine check light and the air bag light would intermittentl/simutaneously come on and cause loss of acceleration while traveling at highway speed. Dealer notified. Consumer was informed that vehicle had a transmission leak, the speedometer was acting erractically, parking brake and brakes were inoperative, also the power windows were inoperative.

- Montebello, CA, USA

The speedometer "buzzes" and swings widely after ~ 30 mph, indicating up to 100 mph. The vehicle had been returned, when under warranty, to the dealership to find and fix a buzz in the dashboard. The problem typically occurred during cold weather, when the vehicle exeeded 30-40 mph, and came from the vicinity of the speedometer. The delaer was given these symptoms, but could not repair the cause. The problem was made worse by the fact that it occurred sporadically. The buzz never was eliminated by the dealer. The buzz now audible when the speedometer swings widely is a more pronounced version of that same buzz. The dealer and Ford refused to pay to repair the problem, even though I maintain the problem occurred while under warranty.

- Greer, SC, USA

Failure of the speedometer while driving on the freeway. The speedometer needle jumps erratically while driving faster than 30mph. The speedometer will eventually peg at 120mph, even though you are driving at slower speeds. According to my repair shop, the speed sensor broke, but Ford requires a very costly repair that includes replacement of the whole speedometer head and speed sensor.

- Glendora, CA, USA

Speedometer bounces and is inaccurate, especially above 45mph. I have seen many other Windstar owners report the same thing!

- Roseville, CA, USA

The speedometer failed.

- Franklin, VT, USA

Consumer states the speedometer system had to be replaced.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

Vehicle has its second replacement on speedometer since 54,000 miles. When vehicle reaches 30 mph or more needle would bounce back and forth. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.

- Manila, AR, USA