1996 Ford Windstar: engine overheating

Filed May 28, 2012 · Acceleration · 198 miles · UT · fire

My van was in great shape and great condition. I was driving to work on may 6th 2012 about 45-50 MPH entered the I-215 collector, started to smell a burned rubber smell, I looked at the temp gauge and it was normal, the van started to sputter like running out of gas, the van was not out of gas almost full, the service engine light started to flash on and off, I pulled over to the shoulder and came to a complete stop, looked at the temp gauge again and it still was normal, the burned rubber smell got worse and I noticed then a black smoke coming from under the hood. I got out of the van and stood at the front of the van to call aaa and the engine burst into flames under the hood. There was not indicator what so ever that the vehicle was overheating. This all occurred in about 5-10 minutes. The police came and could not put the fire out with extinguisher. The fire department had to put the fire out. It burned up my entire vehicle with all the contents inside. The fireman stated that even the front tires were burned up and melted. I did get pictures of what happened. I only had liability insurance so I thought I was just out of luck. A security specialist from work said that it sounded like the fire could have started due to a factory safety defect and told me to do some research. I did find that there was a recall on the speed switch or control on 1996 ford windstars. I always use my cruise control. I have filed a claim with my insurance based on a burn under the assumption that the fire occurred due to the speed control recall. Please let me know what I can do. I never received any notification of the recall or I would have taken it in to be fixed before this happened.

Filed May 7, 2011 · Engine · MO

Check engine stays on after tuneup ... Does not lose speed ... Runs rough after accelerating and doesn't not overheat ....what is the problem.

Filed Nov 13, 2008 · Acceleration · MA · fire

Owner went to start vehicle, and it started smoking. Examination revealed scds (speed control deactivation switch) overheated and melted off, causing small fire in left rear of engine compartment.

Filed Dec 26, 2006 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NC

I have a 3.8 engine that has had to have heads repaired/replaced 3 times. The last time the engine now requires replacing, it has been at garage for 2 years. Due to cost involved it is not cost effective ro repair. It has overheated in all cases and the second time it was determined that a faulty ford water pump may have been cause. I have notified ford and dealer multiple times without response.

Filed Jul 13, 2006 · Engine · 80,000 miles · CA

Ford windstar 1996. I have seen that many of these models and previous years as well have had severe head gasket problems. Head gasket regularly fails at around 80,000 miles. Nasa says a head gasket should last at least 120,000. Ford does not care. Ford does not stand behind their product. I am basically screwed because now I don't have a car. I still owe on it but it doesn't run. $2,000+ to fix it and it will probably fail again. The head gasket going out caused the upper 02 sensor to go bad. It also sprayed the number 2 cylinder causing it to fail thus alerting me to a problem, which may have resulted in a blown engine. At no time while I have owned this vehicle has it ever overheated even slightly. Heat was not the cause, it was faulty from the beginning. Car auto safety has reported 429 complaints about the windstar!

Filed Sep 20, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · PA

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.

Filed Sep 16, 2005 · Acceleration, Electrical · 168,400 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jul 21, 2004 · Engine · 72,400 miles · OH

My 1996 ford windstar has 72,000 miles on it. I had been losing coolant slowly and we couldn't find out where. After sitting for 2 days, when I started the van I heard a loud pop, and white smoke began coming out of the exhaust. I took it to my mechanic and it has a blown head gasket. I called ford, knowing there had been numerous recalls on other years for the same engine, and they basically said "sorry about your luck." they also told me I should bring it in to ford because they can't rely on a diagnostic done by an independent mechanic.

Filed May 21, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 66,000 miles · PA

Vehicle has been loosing coolant for many years. *la the vehicle was taken in for a routine oil change but ended up having major repairs. Approximately eight months after the repair, the engine quit and the consumer was informed by two dealers that the vehicle needed a short block installed. There was also noise in the steering and a coolant leak. The intake upper and lower manifold gaskets were also replaced. *sc

Filed Feb 25, 2004 · Engine · WA

My 3.8l, 1996 ford windstar gl at almost 100k started leaking coolant through a blown head gasket. I was able to get home safely despite almost completely overheating. I am now without transportation for me and my four small children, walking a total of 2 miles a day to get my 7 yr old daughter to/ from school with a 5, 3 and 1yr old. My husband's job is our only source of income so this will be a *huge* financial burden getting this fixed (not to mention the new problem over the malfunctioning 'door open' indicator). I have found windstar head gasket problems are very common after talking with several mechanics. The issue is acknowledged by ford as they extended warranty on the 1995 windstars. Why can't they own up to a defective engine and extend this to the 1996 windstars as well?! This blatant disregard by ford will get someone hurt or worse (god forbid) killed. Ford needs to take care of this!!

Filed Feb 6, 2004 · Engine · 160,000 miles · SC

Fuel was leaking into the converter. This caused the vehicle to overheat, and smoke started to come from under the hood. Dealership informed the consumer of the problem, but did not resolve it.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 20,000 miles · IL

Misfiring and losing coolant. Am sure it is a head gasket problem. Father-in-law currently in dispute with ford for same model/year and they won't reimburse him. May attempt repair myself if ford unwilling to recall or put right. Also, speedometer failure intermittent or incorrect reading.