Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,484 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Ford Windstar, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 376 | 25% |
| Power train | 263 | 18% |
| Service brakes | 173 | 12% |
| Suspension | 96 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 52 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 44 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 38 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 36 | 2% |
| Wheels | 35 | 2% |
| Steering | 34 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE K FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS MOUNT TO THE FRAME AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE F
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH. THE SERVICE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
ABS LIGHT ON DASHBOARD COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, AFTER 5 MINUTES OF OPERATION LIGHT WILL COME ON, THEN STAY ON, BUT AFTER SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND START AGAIN LIGHT IS FFF AND COMES BACK ON AFTER FEW MINUTES OF TRAVEL. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THIS IS A SECOND CALL FOR HELP FORD CORPORATE WILL NOT EMAIL ME BACK. WILL NOT VERIFY IF PCM HAS BEEN UPDATED. THE VAN ONLY HAS UNDER 59,000 MILES ON IT . IT SHOULD NOT BREAK THIS BAD THIS SOON MAKES ME TELL ANYONE ON SO
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DEAR FORD MY MOTHER AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET ANSWERS FROM THE DEALER AND SINCE THEY GAVE UP. BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIX IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. EVEN THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME. THE VAN A 1996 WINDSTAR WITH 59,000 M
NHTSA complaint: Power train
FORD RECALL LETTER DATED DECEMBER 2011 RECALL NUMBER 09 S 09 SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION. I RECENTLY TOOK MY FORD WINDSTAR ON JANURARY 3, 2013 FOR A RECALL. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I DROVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NOTICED FUEL LEAK WHEN RETURNED AFTER PARKING AT SLANTED PARKING SPACE. INSPECTION BY LICENSED MECHANIC IN COLUMBUS, OHIO CONFIRMED FUEL TANK LEAK. REMOVED TANK FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND FOUND CRACK. REPAIRED BY SAM
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 1996 Ford Windstar. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS
Risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CO
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ACCORDING TO
Risk: THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 WINDSTAR MINI VANS A
Risk: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
Fix: FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACEMENT TO A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OF SERVICE FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE. THIS COVERAGE IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND
Risk: LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID WILL RESULT IN BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATION. EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD ALSO RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE FOR CORROSION AND CLEARANCE CONDITIONS. A BRAKE LINE THAT IS NOT CORRODED WILL BE REPOSITIONED. A BRAKE LINE THAT IS CORRODED OR LEAKING WILL BE REPLACED WITH A N
| Reliability raw | 60 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,484 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 376 of them (25%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 60/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1996 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.