Dt*: the contact stated after exiting the driveway, smoke was observed coming from under the hood. Upon further inspection, under the hood a fire was also observed and extinguished. The vehicle as then parked and has not been inspected by a mechanic.
1996 Ford Windstar electrical complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 83, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
I discovered burnt wiring near the master cylinder on my 1996 ford windstar. I took the van to the local ford dealer, paradise ford in cocoa florida, they told me that the sensor/switch, that is attached to the bottom of the master cylinder, had malfuntioned and shorted out causing the wire and connector to burn until the wire was no longer connected to the sensor/switch.
Fire on the speed control switch, which is connected to the master break cylender while driving. I managed to put the fire off before it spread. The fire destroyd the speed control switch and the wires connected to it.
Vehicle had constant engine problems along with other problems that surfaced and ended its life cycle. *la the consumer experienced coolant leaks, hard starting, electrical noises, radio noises, vibration upon acceleration along with thumping noises, erratic dash light illumination, intermittent door ajar light, bearing noise and the engine blew out prematurely. *sc *jb from a normal sitting position the consumer could not see that the check engine light was on. It wasn't until he dropped something on the floor and looked up that he saw the light on.
I smelled some type of plastic burning while waiting at a stop light. After turning into the store I discovered the smell stayed with my car. After parking, I noticed smoke pouring from under the hood. I lifted the hood and discovered a connector was overheating and melting. I pulled the connector with a wet paper towel and the smoke cleared. I later learned it was the speed control switch located on the bottom of the master cylinder shorted and caused an overheating problem causing the connector to start smoking and melting. A few days later I could smell the burning again and decided to cut the connector completely off to prevent any further shorting. A couple of days later I heard about a similar recall and decided to notify you as my model was not part of the original recall.
1996 ford windstar caught on fire underneath the hood.****no answer required*** *mr the consumer noticed a faint smell then viewed smoke coming from under the hood on the driver's side of the vehicle. The consumer felt that maybe the problem was due to the speed control per research.
Dt: consumer owned a 1996 ford windstar. After parking the vehicle consumer smelled burning, and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The engine compartment was completely destroyed. Consumer called ford, and they declined to inspect the vehicle. Ford sent a letter stating they did not have any responsibility in the matter. The vehicle was inspected by the cambria, california fire chief. The fire report has not been received yet. The insurance company did not inspect the vehicle. This occurred on july 12, 2005. There was no injuries.
We parked the car at ruby tuesday parking lot and we went inside to eat and early dinner. Less than five minutes people started screaming to call 911. They said car on fire. When I looked out at the window, my 96 ford winstar was on fire at the front part, engine area of the vehicle. Fire department and police had to put down the fire. Good news, nobody was hurt. Would you please look in to it? Thanks sione.
Dt: 1996 ford windstar was parked when an explosion occurred. The consumer discovered the vehicle was on fire. The fire dept was called. The consumer felt the air bag may have exploded. The insurance investigator checked the vehicle to cover expenses. The vehicle was totaled. Consumer contacted ford about this problem. Ford investigators picked up the vehicle. The consumer has not heard from the investigators.
While driving, a sudden engine fire occurred in a 1996 windstar. The ford dealer (sound ford, renton wa) states that the fire originated in the cruise control cutout switch. It is clear from the burn pattern that this was indeed the cause. The single occupant was able to exit the vehicle, and the fire was extinguished using a dry chemical fire extinguisher from a local merchant (westmarine, seattle, wa). The ford dealer has been unable so far to repair the vehicle (it's been over three weeks).
The dome light and the door ajar sensor light stays on. The consumer is concerned that the battery will drain completely. The cause has yet to be determined. *ak the vehicle would shake when it was started. One injector was changed. The consumer felt that the other five injectors may go bad. *sc
The vehicle's door locks locked and unlocked on their own. *nm there were problems with the front driver side wheel and the engine light and the ABS light was intermittent. The consumer experienced an accident which may be due to the brake lines. Refer to recall#02v101000. *sc the sway bar rattled, the tie rods were replaced.
Complaint received via e-mail. My wife was driving to church when the electrical system caught on fire. My two kids were in the car. They were able to put out the fire, and had the car towed to an automotive center. The brake monitor system caught on fire.
Interior lights stay on running the battery down. Doorbell & int. Lights stay on until 20 MPH.
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!
Problem: power seat wiring short circuit from engine compartment main fuse and relay panel, 60 amp fuse repeatedly blows. Problem was first intermittent, then after second fuse change change, short circuit became continuous. Wiring is shorted out between the main fuse panel and the power seat connector. Power seat itself has no electrical problem. Model has a the federal safety agency recall history: 1995: wiring-harness insulation can abrade on a brace between instrument panel and cowl, resulting in short-circuit and possible fire.
Vehicle caught on fire while stopping at a stop sign. Consumer smelled rubber burning ,then smoke started coming from under the hood. Speed control linkages were completely burned. A recall was issued for speed control linkages, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN.
While driving driver smelled burning wires. Shortly afterwards vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Owner contacted the fire department and they put out the flames. Vehicle was totaled.
In hotter conditions, the "key in the ignition alarm" rings even while driving, the check engine light burns continuously. I know of three windstars that are doing this. *la temperature or moisture seems to affect the "key alarm" and it continues to sound. One friend who is a mechanic, has to pull the fuse nightly on the check engine light or her battery runs down. I was told to replace the starter because it would not start on the evening so I did. It's still not starting right. Acts as if the battery has been drained. Tried to disconnect the check engine light but same fuse runs the wipers.
Electrical system fails intermittently.
I have been having problems with my check engine light coming on and staying on since sept. 2000 when vehicle had under 100,000 miles on it. Took it to dealer while under warranty. Now have a private certified auto tech who does my repairs and code read outs. I have had a tune up at 95,000 miles, and had to have another one at 121,000 miles. Had problems with engine stalling while driving down the interstate and up a hlll. In summer of 2001, I had the iac valve changed which corrected the stalling problem. Have replaced o-2 sensors at least twice. In past 6 months, the enging has been running very rough and I have a strong smell of gasoline . 2nd tune-up and coil replaced about 2 weeks ago. Engine now running very rough and gasoline odor is so strong that you could not light a match in the vehicle. Check engine light on again as well as brake and ABS light. Radiator completely empty for the 2nd time in 2 weeks.
With doors securely closed the door adjar light comes on. This can last for minutes to hours, the same with the battery check light. Lastly, the chimes will intermittently come on. This is starting to become more and more frequent and continue for longer and longer periods of time. I have had it looked at numerous times and it is still not resolved. I have heard many other complaints of the same nature and occurrences ie, complaint # 10020993. Electrical problems are generally hard to pinpoint but can be very serious in nature. Electrical fires start and spread fast. I have a family with young children and I am very concerned. Ford claims that they have no complaints of this nature. *ph I find that hard to believe.
Consumer had just parked and exited vehicle when it caught on fire under the hood without warning.
Interior light will not go off and door ajar chime rings non-stop. All doors are closed and secured. From searching the internet this seems to be a common problem with ford windstar's.
The vehicle experienced an electrical failure.
Abs and check engine light constant, replaced o2 sensor, replaced ABS brakes, transmission problems causing vehicle to jerk and not change gears when running or parked, coolant leaking and door sensors are bad. All document known issues on.*jb http://www.carsurvey.org/modelyear_ford_windstar_1996.html - something needs to be done about this. This has gone on far to long and is putting peoples life at stake. I have children in my van and all of these are big issues that need to be address immediately.
Consumer stated repair work was performed on the steering box mechanism.
Engine failure at 88,000 miles, rough idle at times, computer replaced at 75,000 miles, head gasket blew, causing engine to fail.
Wiring harness diagnosed as causing fire under dash. Six replacement harness's have been installed, none fit. Been without my van now for two months waiting for the correct part. Have experienced electrical problems (off and on) since buying the van.
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