10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 5,421 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.
Timing cover gasket failure allowed coolant to mix with engine oil. Gasket replaced but engine damage may have already been done. Speedometer wavers between 20 and 60 mph at 30 mph, headlight lenses have yellowed to the point that the headlights are useless. Most Ford vehicles from 1990 to 2000 have the yellowing headlight problems and should be recalled as a safety problem.
- Lindenhurst, NY, USA
Other is the head gasket went and leaked oil in my engine causing it to be replaced. Ford denied any problems with this and I believed them until I read your web site article on the head gasket problem with 1995 Windstar. I called Ford this morning again and read the article and they still will not step up to the plate on this. Nothing else has gone wrong with my car.
- Brewster, MA, USA
Engine: Head gasket failure @ 62,218 miles. Needed to replace both cylinder gasket heads and resurface same. Power door: Failure of power door lock on passenger side. Transmission: Was replaced twice under warranty. Other: Ignition control module needed replacement. Have been advised engine has a sludge condition despite regular oil changes per Ford guidelines.
- Westbury, NY, USA
Misfiring and losing coolant. Am sure it is a head gasket problem. Father-in-law currently in dispute with Ford for same model/year and they won't reimburse him. May attempt repair myself if Ford unwilling to recall or put right. Also, speedometer failure intermittent or incorrect reading.
- Prairie View, IL, USA
The consumer requested that the manufacturer investigate a speedometer problem on Ford Windstar and escorts.
- Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Head gasket failure. A common defect in Ford Windstar, they were covered in the previous model years, but not the '96 model. Ford, so far, will not cover this. Also speedometer "jumps" around above 45 mph. This too, is common in this and prior model Windstar. Repairs are usually $500 and is a safety concern as driver does not know how fast they are traveling.
- Wernersville, PA, USA
In addition, the following are warranty/recall issues that need to be addressed on this vehicle.
- Arroyo Grande, CA, USA
Currently, the van is at the dealership and we are awaiting an estimate on the head gasket. Our warranty expired on August 31, 2002 and Ford will not help with the cost of the repair. The transmission is also being checked as it has begun leaking only 10 months after we had it replaced. Our mechanic stated that these are commonly seen with this vehicle and stated the failure of the head gasket is due to the defective fire ring. No reason was given as to why the transmission failed in January of 2002 and to why it is now leaking.
- Fairlawn, OH, USA
No summary.
- Lebanon, IN, USA
Engine light illuminated and was registering hot. Took to dealer, and they stated theathead gasket failed, and vehicle would need a rebuilt motor.
- Lakewood, NJ, USA
Door ajar indicator light is inoperative, doesn't know if doors are open or not. Contacted dealer.
- Saint Paul, MN, USA
This complaint consist of four failures that are engine related: (1) head gasket failed while being driven, and leaked fluid onto hot engine. (2) timing gasket failed along with gasket failing. (3) intake manifold runners failed, and the check engine light came on. The van is undrivable. (4) faulty main engine bearings.
- Marietta, GA, USA
Engine check light displayed, white smoke billowing out of tail pipe.
- Springboro, OH, USA
My Windstar blew its headgasket with 60K miles on it- the engine never ran hot---when check engine light came on I took it to dealer--blown gasket 1800 dollars--checked internet and found at least 200 people with same problem--called Ford but they refuse to assist.
- Everett, MA, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Chesterfield, MO, USA
Had on numerous occasion taken my 1996 Ford Windstar for engine light was told problem fixed only to have light come back on. Proceeded to have all work done due to not being able to afford another vehicle. While searching for aditional information concerning this problem discovered that this is known Ford motor problem with this model. If this known by the company as known defect why has nothing been to resolve this beside having the consumer to absorb the financial burden of fixing a known manufacturer's defect.
- Fairborn, OH, USA
The sub-frame broke where the strut arm connects in the front( in area of the strut arm bushings. At first thought that the noise was from at loose heat shield. Strut arm rattles everytime van iecounters rough pavement. The speedometer just went haywire. Needle bounces all over the place. Have found other people on the internet with the same speedometer problem. I feel that both of these failures are a saftey issue. Ford motor doesn't.
- Oneonta, NY, USA
After driving about 4 hours from Alabama with 1 or 2 stops we stopped at the SC welcome center for 5 minutes. When we restarted the engine, the oil pressure light came on and the engine started making a noise. We drove about 20 miles, then had the van towed to fairway Ford in anderson, SC. We were told the engine needed to be replaced. We authorized a replacement, but asked for a diagnostic to be performed so we would know what caused the old engine to fail. To date, that information has never been revealed to us by Ford. Ford Corp. Has been extremely uncooperative in returning phone calls, and has basically told us "tough luck".
- Southlake, TX, USA
Ongoing problem with 3.8L V6 engine check light coming on, running rough and loss of coolant. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
- Derwood, MD, USA
- Klamath Falls, OR, USA