Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 2009 · reported 10/13/2009
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1996 Ford Windstar Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine — runs 2.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
1,386Complaints
9Recalls
60Crashes
45Fires
52Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (22.4% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints here are 2.8× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 311 · 22.4% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 153 · 11% | Recalled | Recall 96V086000 · Recall 96V166000 |
| Power Train | 138 · 10% | Recalled | Recall 96V086000 · Recall 96V166000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 115 · 8.3% | Recalled | Recall 02V101000 · Recall 99V147000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 88 · 6.3% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 63 · 4.5% | Recalled | Recall 09V399000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 1,386 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 9 campaigns
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 00V168000 · 2000 · reported 06/19/2000
THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
NHTSA campaign 01I007000 · 2001 · reported 07/12/2001
SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
NHTSA campaign 02V101000 · 2002 · reported 04/04/2002
LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID WILL RESULT IN BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATION. EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD ALSO RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
NHTSA campaign 99V147000 · 1999 · reported 06/14/1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER IS RECESSED AND ORIENTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING STATEMENT EMBOSSED ON BOTH THE TOP OF THE FILLER CAP AND THE SIDE OF THE RESERVOIR BODY ARE NOT ENTIRELY VISIBLE BY DIRECT VIEW.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seats
NHTSA campaign 96V114000 · 1996 · reported 07/01/1996
THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY NOT PROPERLY HOLD IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission
NHTSA campaign 96V086000 · 1996 · reported 05/14/1996
THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PARK PAWL OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Structure:body:hood
NHTSA campaign 97V180000 · 1997 · reported 10/20/1997
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE OUTER HOOD PANEL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
NHTSA campaign 96V166000 · 1996 · reported 09/05/1996
UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING THE VAN ABOUT 30 MPH HEARD A POPPING NOISE. WHEN OWNER LOOKED UNDER THE VAN THE REAR CONNECTING ROD WAS BROKEN IN HALF…”NHTSA complaint 823410 — filed 05/18/1998 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“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…”NHTSA complaint 534624 — filed 04/17/1998 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“BLOWN ENGINE GASKET AND SPEEDOMETER OFF BY FIVE MILES (RECALLED).”NHTSA complaint 528000 — filed 01/08/1998 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford Windstar?
Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 311 of 1,386 NHTSA complaints (22.4%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (153), power train (138), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (115). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1996 Ford Windstar have?
1,386 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 60 involved a crash, 45 involved a fire, and 52 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1996 Ford Windstar have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09V399000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 Ford Windstar's reported problems?
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
