1996 FORD WINDSTAR Complaints

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE SWAY BAR BROKE, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALER CONTACTED.*JB *YH

ENGINE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, POSSIBLE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *NLM

RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BOLTS BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAD THEM REPLACED 3 TIMES PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRED. *AK *TT

AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 MINUTES THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HOT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED HEAD GASKET. *AK ENGINE OVERHEATS DUE TO HEAD GASKETS AND TIMING COVER GASKET FAILURE . CONSUMER STATED THAT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AFTER REPAIR. *YH

NHTSA RECALL 02 V 101 000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02S36 CONCERNING BRAKE LINE FAILURE WHICH OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. PROBLEM WAS DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED, LEAKING COOLANT INTO CYLINDER, FOULING SPARK PLUGS AND OXYGEN SENSORS. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE VEHICLE HAD 95,000 MILES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN PARKED IN DRIVEWAY (THANK GOD) I STEPPED ON BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND FLUID WAS FLOWING OFF OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER (ALLSTAR FORD, PRAIREVILLE, LA) TO FIX. THEY ADVISED SUBJECT LINE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION (I HAVE THE LINE AND IT IS CORROSION). FAILURE FITS NTHSA RECALL 02V101000 EXCEPT THAT VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND REGISTERED IN LOUISIANA, BUT I HAVE CHILDERN IN NJ AND PA AND SPEND TIME THERE EACH WINTER AND HAVE EXPERIENCED SNOW AND SALTED ROADS MANY TIMES. IN ANY CASE THERE SHOULD BE AN IMPLIED CONTRACT WHEN YOU PURCHASE A CAR THAT A CRITICAL COMPONENT WILL NOT FAIL DUE TO A PREVENTABLE DESIGN ERROR, OR IF IT FAILS NOT BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I BELIEVE ANY VEHICLE WITH THIS FAILURE REGARDLESS OF PLACE OF PURCHASE OR REGISTRATION SHOULD BE COVERED BY THIS RECALL. *AK

SINCE WE DROVE THIS CAR OFF THE LOT, IT HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AS SOON AS OUR WARRANTY RAN OUT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 44,400. TWO ADULTS AND 4 CHILDREN WERE ON OUR WAY TO A 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STALLED AT AN INTERSECTION. LUCKY FOR US ALL TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AND NO MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WE TOOK IT TO OUR DEALER AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WAS A TSB OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION IN FORD WINDSTAR'S. WE WERE DENIED ASSISTANCE. OUR PROBLEM WAS THE ALUMINUM PISTON THAT WERE REPORTED IN THE TSB. IN MAY 2001, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE IRMC VALUE. COST $1000. RECENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. WE TOOK IT TO CROSSROADS FORD, THE DEALER WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. THEY ONCE AGAIN DENIED TO HELP US WITH THE COST. WE TOWED THE VAN TO A QUALITY FORD IN DURHAM, NC. THEY HAVE CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THEY WILL ASSIST US WITH THE COST. THE ESTIMATED COST IS $3500-$4000. *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER ARTEMIS****761964

SHOULDER RETRACTOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN THE MIDDLE BENCH SEAT. WILL NOT RETRACT ENOUGH FOR BELT TO GO AROUND CONSUMER. CAN'T PULL OUT MANUALLY. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *JG

BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED BY GETTING STUCK WITH THE BRAKE PAD CONTACTING THE DISC, CAUSING PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR. MECHANIC REPORTED SEEING IDENTICAL FAILURES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TT