Ford Windstar 1996 - Structure - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Ford Windstar 1996

Recalls
Technical Service Bulletins
Defect investigations
Consumer Complaints

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Manufacturing date	Type	# of units affected	Date Owner notified Mfg	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date
STRUCTURE - BODY - HOOD
97V180000	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	from 01/31/1994 to 12/31/1995	V (Vehicle)	769000	11/10/1997	ODI	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	10/20/1997	10/21/1997
Defect Summary	Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans. tearing of the bond between the inner and outer hood panels during minor front end collisions can result in a gap at the leading edge of the hood. air forced between the inner and outer panels can produce enough pressure to force the outer panel upward.
Consequence Summary	This condition can result in total separation of the outer hood panel.
Corrective Summary	Dealers will inspect the hood area for any damage along the leading edge of the hood. if there is any evidence of bond separation, the hood will be replaced. if there is no evidence of bond separation, additional adhesive will be applied between the inner and outer hood panels.
Notes	Owner notification began november 10, 1997. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Item no.	Summary	Added
STRUCTURE - BODY
9855	03/16/1998	601295	Wet carpet and/or headliner in cargo area. *yc	07/20/1998
95161	08/01/1995	45947	Sheet metal-roof panel and drip rail replacement- seam sealer application procedure.*sd	04/25/1996
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
99-8-15	05/03/1999	606419	Subject regarding door trim panel replacement - service tip. *tt	01/05/2001
9811349	02/01/1998	607518	Vehicles with power door locks may exhibit an intermittent operation or grind when cycled. *tt	09/24/1999
983303	02/04/1998	607464	Concerns of broken and or binding blend door. *tt	09/23/1999
983094	02/25/1998	607384	Some vehicles with power door locks may exhibit an intermittent operation or grind when cycled. *tt	09/22/1999
98416	03/02/1998	601277	Experiencing a grinding noise or inoperative door lock may occur when cycling the power front door locks on some vehicles. *tt	07/16/1998
951911	09/01/1995	46467	Excessive windnoise may be heard around the upper door or door glass areas. this may be caused by poor glass seating of the weatherstrips during initial installation which results in small gaps. properly seat the weatherstrips to reduce th	04/25/1996
STRUCTURE - BODY - HOOD
9775	03/31/1997	51912	Hood- service repair tips. *jd	07/17/1997
STRUCTURE - BODY - TAILGATE
13931	03/01/2000	612927	Some vehicles may exhibit the metal tabs on the liftgate inner panel that bond to the outer skin separating and causing a rattle in the liftgate. *tt	06/14/2000
8249	03/01/2000	612685	Some vehicles may exhibit the metal tabs on the liftgate inner panel that bond to the outer skin separating and causing a rattle in the liftgate. *tt	06/12/2000
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS
14222	06/01/2000	613908	Concerns with subframe clunk on acceleration / deceleration from front of vehicle. *tt	09/21/2000

Investigations

NHTSA ID	Manufacturer	Date open	Date close	Subject	Recall campaign
STRUCTURE
EA97018	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	09/30/1997	10/22/1997	OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT	97V180000
	Alleged the outer body panel of the two piece bonded hood separates from the inner panel while driving.the hood latch remains latched.
PE97011	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	03/13/1997	09/30/1997	OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT
	The outer body panel of the two piece bonded hood separates from the inner panel while driving.the hood latch remains latched.

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
STRUCTURE
06/09/2003		1
	1996 ford windstar, speedometer malfunction. speed is impossible to determine as the needle fluctuates wildly. problem has persisted now for at least 50,000 miles , but i just learned that you should be notified so that ford can be held accountable for poor quality and non support. as i was advised that repair would be about 600.00. as i have a tach, i simply use this to determine my speed. i was not about to spend that amount of money on what i consider a design flaw.*ak
STRUCTURE - BODY
01/01/2000
	Vehicle is leaking antifreeze from underneath hood area. engine check light appears on the dashboard. dealership is aware of problem.*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

	While driving metal support system completely split. please provide any further information.*ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
03/03/2001		1	05/01/2000
	Tail gate lock actuator inoperative. *slc
02/19/2001			06/01/1996
	Power lock on driver side doesn't work. *ak
10/20/2000		7	08/01/1998
	While driving 65 mph with cruise control on vehicle sped up. while getting ready to exit off the highway vehicle stayed under cruise control module. as consumer attempted to slow down, vehicle was moving 65 mph without any control from consumer. in order to make vehicle stop consumer had to press brake pedal with both feet, and shift vehicle into neutral. eventually, vehicle was able to slow down, and consumer turned vehicle off, dealer replaced 2 lock tabs because one had slipped on the cruise causing it to stay on. trip speedometer was replaced, it would not go past 799 miles. at 30 mph and over, the over drive light will flash. left front wheel cover was replaced due to it making ticking noises at lower speeds. sliding door squeaked, dealer lubed the sliding door. front rotors replaced and rear drums turned, a clicking noise was heard. ak slc
03/01/2000		3	11/01/1997
	Head gasket leaking, master cylinder froze up and caused smoke and damage to brake system on 3 wheels, abs light kept coming on, in for repairs on several occasions and light was disconnected by dealer, engine light on: o2 sensor replaced, speedometer failed to register speeds, driverside window goes down while driving, replaced by dealer, door open light turns on randomly, sliding door fails to lock with electric locks. what is going to be next?
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
05/08/2000		1	01/01/1997
	Qualified mechanic tried to repaid with electronic control module but this did not work. locks are grinding constantly so we were forced to disconnect to avoid burning it up. this should be a recall situation.

	When driving door locks automatically lock up. also, door panel was ringing noise. *ak

	While driving or when vehicle is in different gears , door ajar chime will sound when the doors are actually closed. also, the abs brake warning light illuminates, indicating a malfunction within the abs system. cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak
05/11/1999		15
	Reoccurring/ ongoing problem with automatic lock locking all doors without system being on. door should only lock when shifted into drive, but there are times it locks itself without cause. can nhtsa help in this matter. *yc
06/10/1997		3	11/01/1996
	Front brake rotors: due to rotors warping, they have been replaced 3 times since i purchased the vehicle. all have been covered under original warranty. now, my warranty has expired, and therefore, i am stuck with any future problems. passenger side sliding door: rust was found on inside bottom of door. it was temporarily fixed; dealer is waiting for ford to approve new door to be installed (under original warranty).
06/20/1999		3
	The electrical door lock for the back tailgate , does not automatically lock when vehicle is put into drive. the dealer is aware of the problem. the problem has not been corrected.
09/23/1998		3
	Light for door ajar, comes on when door is closed. when at stop light/sign, door chimes would sound. when speeding up, chimes go off, but door ajar. and light stays on. an intermittent problem. been to dealer & was informed will not check until it happens again. *ak
03/01/1998		6	04/02/1997
	Outer hood panel separated from body of vehicle prior to recall (97v-180). in addition, replaced front electric door latch/multifunctioned wiper switch/windshield wiper switch/engine cylinder head gaskets due to coolant leak, and differential seal.
		8
	The automactic locks will not unlock when using the manufacturer's key. the van has been repaired (8) times within the last year for this problem, scheduled for appointment again on december 20, 1997. *ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
10/19/1995
	Pinch point on rear door upon opening. owner has to open with palm and squeeze upward with four fingers, still pinching motion. *ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - HOOD
02/13/2004		1
	While driving 65 mph hood separated from the outer panel. consumer was able to pull over, called roadside assistance, and had vehicle towed to consumer's home. consumer contacted the dealer, and mechanic informed the consumer that vehicle was not covered by recall. *ak
03/22/1999		1	10/01/1997
	No summary listed for this vehicle. *ak
03/01/1998		6	04/02/1997
	Outer hood panel separated from body of vehicle prior to recall (97v-180). in addition, replaced front electric door latch/multifunctioned wiper switch/windshield wiper switch/engine cylinder head gaskets due to coolant leak, and differential seal.

	Recall no. 97v180000; there is no sign that that recall work has been taken care. *ak
12/24/1996			02/19/1996
	Driving approxiamtely 55mph when the top part of the hood just flew off the van. this is a two part hood and the bottom part was still locked. vehicle was also involved in a minor accident while going 20-25 mph. took in for repair, but did not get repaired because they said it was not under warranty. *ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - HOOD - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
10/11/2003	80000	1
	While driving 65 mph hood separated from the hinges and broke the windshield. driver pulled the vehicle to the side of the road without incident. the hood was replaced. *ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - ROOF AND PILLARS
02/07/2003	78000		02/20/1996
	Paint falling off '96 ford windstar
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS
		1
	The front frame of the vehicle was loose. *nlm
03/12/2003	96000	1
	The dealership noticed a crack in the sub frame. which could had caused the engine to fall out, if the vehicle was in an accident. ak jb
03/28/2000			07/01/2096
	Ford extended warranty on 3.8 l engine for 1995 model due to engine failure caused by defective gasket sets. however, is not doing so for like failure on 1996 model 3.8 l engines. engine seized on our vehicle with approximately 48000 miles despite maintenance and timing chain gasket set replacement an approximately $1200 repair. dt
10/30/2001			02/01/2096
	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.*ak
11/03/2001
	Consumer heard a noise coming from lower passenger's side of vehicle. after inspecting vehicle dealer determined subframe was cracked. *ak
10/02/2001
	Had just pulled out onto the street then heard a snap. checked , and noticed left rear wheel had kicked out sideways and was hitting the mud flap. rear frame holding rear axle had broken in half. rear axle needed to be strapped up before vehicle was towed to dealership. *ak
06/19/2000			01/20/1997
	Trailing arm attached to the body of rear axle fractured while driving at low speed. no evidence of any impact to the trailing arm or body of the rear axle. dealer / manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that warranty expired, and vehicle was not covered under a recall. ak ml

	The front subframe bushing rotted / corroded. dealer has been contacted. ak yc
08/15/1998
	A popping noise was coming from the front end. four bolts and mounts attached to the frame had deteriorated and needed to be replaced. ford manufacturer states the vehicle was out of warranty and cannot duplicate the problem. *ak
06/10/1998		8
	Had the sub-frame insulator replaced twice. had new abs brakes put on vehicle. the rotors were cut twice. the subframe bushing thread loader was worn down. tie rods replaced twice, and the struts were replaced twice also. *ak