Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER | |||||
| 02208 | 10/14/2002 | 10013060 | Climate control a/c service tech tips. *eh | 04/07/2005 | |
| 96724 | 03/25/1996 | 613346 | Experiencing a musty smell within the vehicle with the air conditioner operating on some vehicles built through 2/15/96. *tt | 06/22/2000 | |
| 985086 | 11/01/1998 | 613214 | Some vehicles may exhibit a customer concern described as an air conditioner hiss noise. *tt | 06/19/2000 | |
| 99196 | 09/20/1999 | 6090087 | Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems. *tt | 03/08/2000 | |
| 99195 | 09/20/1999 | 6090085 | Service information for musty and mildew type odors coming from the air conditioning / heating system. *tt | 03/06/2000 | |
| 9913073 | 08/01/1999 | 609037 | Climate control is investigating concerns of broken and / or binding blend doors. *tt | 12/07/1999 | |
| 09/23/1999 | 607465 | Climate control is investigating concerns of broken and or binding blend doors on some vehicles. *tt | 09/23/1999 | ||
| 98125 | 01/19/1998 | 605607 | Vehicle may exhibit a whistling noise heard from the a/c plenum. *tt | 07/13/1999 | |
| 97624 | 03/17/1997 | 52006 | Air conditioning- water dripping onto floor drain tube during a/c system operation. *jd | 07/17/1997 | |
| 9735 | 02/03/1997 | 51662 | Air conditioning- r-134a tracer dye installed in a/c system and three o-ring spring lock couplers- service tip. *jd | 06/27/1997 | |
| 96226 | 10/21/1996 | 50945 | Air conditioning - compressor failure - insufficient amount of refrigerant oil. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQUIPMENT | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 77000 | ||
| The 1996 ford windstar continues to have defective head gaskets as in 1994 and 1995 models. this lead to engine failure at 78,000 miles! the cost to replace the engine per miller ford was 4,778.00. we paid 19,000 for this vehicle and refuse to pay for a new engine! the nasa has stated the head gasket should last at least 120,000 miles or the life of the vehicle. we have had this ford windstar with a blown engine due to head gasket failure since last december, but continue to make monthly payments on this dead ford windstar. we pay taxes, insurance, and montly payments to ford credit for the next 18 months or so. we just discontinued registration fees as the dmv told us we could do this. ford refuses to acknowledge this problem and is not standing up to it's committment of quality care to it's customers. i urge anyone who is considering buying a ford to do their research. ford is a company that does not stand behind it's promises. we will never own another ford although our family has never owned anything but until now. ford wake up! | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 77000 | ||
| The 1996 ford windstar continues to have defective head gaskets as in 1994 and 1995 models. this lead to engine failure at 78,000 miles! the cost to replace the engine per miller ford was 4,778.00. we paid 19,000 for this vehicle and refuse to pay for a new engine! the nasa has stated the head gasket should last at least 120,000 miles or the life of the vehicle. we have had this ford windstar with a blown engine due to head gasket failure since last december, but continue to make monthly payments on this dead ford windstar. we pay taxes, insurance, and montly payments to ford credit for the next 18 months or so. we just discontinued registration fees as the dmv told us we could do this. ford refuses to acknowledge this problem and is not standing up to it's committment of quality care to it's customers. i urge anyone who is considering buying a ford to do their research. ford is a company that does not stand behind it's promises. we will never own another ford although our family has never owned anything but until now. ford wake up! | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER | |||
| 1 | |||
| Problems with gas fumes coming from the exhaust system.*mr( doris stewart on behalf of her parents robert stewart and jacqueline stewart).*ts. the vehicle overheated at idle, the dealer replaced the head gaskets, the air condition stopped working and there was a problem with the power train control module. *jb | |||
| 08/05/2003 | 85550 | 1 | 10/05/1999 |
| Replaced rack and pinion for the second time 8/01 ( by dealership) and 5/03. also replaced front end bearing in 1999 and transmission. wiring harness in 2000. rear a/c does not work and that's only the items i can remeber.*ak | |||
| 02/04/2001 | 1 | 03/01/1999 | |
| While traveling on the interstate, check engine light appears on dashboard, and vehicle was leaking antfreeze. dealership is aware of problem.*ak dealer found head gasket had blown, replaced head gasket and thermostat, on several occasions the air conditioning leaks, brakes making grinding sound, dealer found anti-lock sensor failed, rear fender is rusted on passenger side. *tt | |||
| 06/20/2001 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states the entire air condition system had to be replaced.*jb | |||
| 01/18/2001 | 1 | 01/01/1997 | |
| Original transmission failed at 37900 mi. - detected when trans fluid leaked onto hot engine part and smoked. original warranty expired at 36,000 mi. dealer told me that fmc would sell me an extended powertrain warranty for $250. the warranty would cover the previously diagnosed transmission failure and would cover any other major trans/engine problems up to 75,000 miles, provided i am still the owner of the vehicle. i purchased the extended warranty and was glad i did when the replaced trans failed ta 42,952 miles. the dealer replaced that trans, i had to pay a $50 deductible. in jan. 2001 (58,100 miles) the warranty had to be used again. this time it was for upper and lower manifold seals. however, this time it would cost me $213 because they also had to replace the spark plugs, which were not covered by the extended warranty. just last month, 6/22/2001 the vehicles engine light came on again, just as it had in january 2001. the vehicle was running rough, stalling, engine was 'misfiring. the end result this time was replacement of the spark plug wires, coil assembly, a-s sensor, and a spark plug. this vehicle was sold to me as not needing a tune-up until 100,000 miles. sure sounds to me like i've already had that tune-up and i'm only 1t 65,000 miles!! then theres the a/c problem(s). in june the a/c was only blowing air through my defrost vents on top of the dash. the dealer repaired a vacuum leak and now they replaced a high psi switch, cost was $100 each time. *ak | |||
| 08/03/2000 | 08/01/1997 | ||
| Nothing but problems since purchasing 1)door ajar light constantly illuminated-all doors checked none ajar 2) engine check light occasionally comes on-happened right after purchase and catalytic converter replaced obviously didn't fix problem 3)occasionally power windows/locks and a/c will go out unless adjustable fan speed turned to high 4)recently front passenger door will open at random usually during a turn-luckily no one sits in that seat 5)speedometer will occasionally flicker higher while driving at speeds greater than 65mph all of these problems have surfaced in the past 1-1.5 yrs and have continued since then. *ak | |||
| EQUIPMENT - OTHER - OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL | |||
| 1 | |||
| According to the manual and sales staff the built in child safety seats are supposed to accomidate a child up to 60 lbs., however the seat belt only fits around a child appr. 30-35 lbs, the consumers children are both appro 35 lbs or less and are unable to fit in the seat comfortably, the consumer believes that the pamphlets and manual are false and misleading. nlm | |||