10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,553 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Ford Windstar fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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1996 Ford Windstar Owner Comments

problem #9

Oct 112011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle had a fuel leak at the fuel tank. I removed the tank to see that the tank looked like it was pinched and developed a crack. The fuel tank is plastic so I found this to be odd. I had to put epoxy on the tank to patch the crack so I could get it home as I was out of town when this happened. When I got home I started looking online for a tank and found that Ford had a recall on this matter. I called lafayette Ford and explained the recall and gave my VIN #. I was told that my vehicle does not fall under the recall that I will have to repair it myself. If I have the same vehicle of the recall and the same problem of the recall why does Ford not honor it. The recall states the crack at the front strap area and that Ford will replace the tank and the strap with a longer one and a bushing. My tank has the crack at the front strap and the tank was pinched because the strap is too short.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #8

Aug 082010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 175,120 miles
1996 Ford Windstar fuel tank has a crack in it and is leaking fuel I see the recall only effaced 1995 Windstar but apparently the problem was not fixed on the 1996 Windstar because mine has a 3 inch crack in it. I do not know if some of the 1996 Windstar were in this recall.

- Yukon, OK, USA

problem #7

Feb 162009

Windstar

  • 120,000 miles
While the van was park, I notice a strong smell of gasoline. I took it in to my auto repair shop to be fixed. The shop found a crack in fuel tank that was not the results of impact damage.

- Lahaina, HI, USA

problem #6

Jun 072008

Windstar

  • 92,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On June 7 I was outside of our home and noticed I smelled gas near my wife's van. After inspecting I saw the tank was leaking fuel. I took the tank off and noticed there was pressure to the tank from the front strap. The pressure caused what appears to be a stress crack where the strap holds the tank. It appears to me the strap is too small for the tank. Ford refuses to fix this and would rather my wife and children ride around in a gas leaking danger machine. This vehicle has less than 95000 miles and I feel the same problem has occurred here as in the 1995 Windstar.

- Laurel Hill, FL, USA

problem #5

Aug 042006

Windstar 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,860 miles
I have Ford Windstar,96. When I filled up gas in the tank, it started leaking and is continuously leaking. It seems that it is leaking from the tank.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #4

Jul 012005

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
Engine dies after either very short (1 second or less) or no misfire. Always on hot afternoon after long period highway driving, typically interstate with speed in the 70's. only once on a secondary road speeds of 45 - 50. All times in the rolling hills of Utah, Wyoming, and western North Dakota. All six incidents occurred during a cross country trip in July, 2005 with odometer readings in the 70,000's. typically, when it happens, the engine speed and throttle are continually adjusting to maintain speed across the hills. First indication often is simply the car slowing down rather that cruising along. All other electrical (air, radio, windows, etc) not affected. This is very dangerous. Other than sometimes a one second misfire, there is no warning. The car may be passing a truck, in a middle freeway lane, on on a road with no shoulder when it happens. Wherever and whenever it happens, the car simply coasts as the driver pulls off the road to extent possible. The engine will not restart for 15 minutes or so. Then it starts as if nothing ever happened, and car is good until the next incident. I made detailed notes of each incident, and can provide additional info on specifics of what was going on with car at the time. I took car to a Ford dealer. The dealer did diagnostics and could not identify problem. I have refrained from driving under similar highway conditions since then. The van was purchased new in Connecticut in Feb, 1997.

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 032001

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine light illuminated, dealer replaced intake manifold runner control retaining clip, cleaned the throttle body and found secondary egr ports partially plugged.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #2

Jan 092002

Windstar

  • miles
Engine light illuminated and vehicle runs rough and misses, dealer replaced number one injector, dpfe sensor, O2 sensor and intake gaskets, dealer found a vacuum leak and replaced the PCV tube.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #1

Jan 232002

Windstar

  • miles
While driving approximately 65 mph windshield started to fog up. Driver rolled down window for driver's door when a "popping" noise could be heard, and flames could be seen coming from vehicle. When vehicle was stopped, heavy smoke started coming from under the hood, and vehicle was engulfed in flames. A fire lieutenant suspected that fire was due to leaking fuel in engine compartment. Vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer or insurance company. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

- Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA

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