When reaching speed of 25mph speedometer needle bounces around, causing no knowledge of speed.
1996 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 3 of 12: complaints 41 to 70 of 322, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmissions failed 3 times since vehicle purchased in 1999. Very concerned about safety while driving vehicle. 1st replacement at 33000/2nd at 34000, and 3rd at 65000.
At speeds of 35mph or higher the speedometer needle wavers severely making it impossible to determine the correct speed. This defect has been reported to the federal safety agency more than 100 times. I reported this to the local ford dealership and was told I had to pay for repairs. At 49000 miles this should not be happening. As a law enforcement officer I have driven numerous ford vehicles well over 100000 miles and none of them have had this problem. This should be considered a manufacturers flaw and be replaced by them. This is definatley a safety issue! If a vehicle operator cannot determine how fast they are going this cvould result in a serious injury. This is even more evident during reduced visiblity and/or at night when it is even more difficult to determine speeds. I appreciate any assistance in this matter if possible.
For the second time in three years the speedometer needle is jumping all over the place. After talking with two dealers, a speedometer repair specialist with 30 + years experience, and reviewing the 135 + other driver complaints of the same problem, I can only come to these conclusions: this is a faulty piece of equipment; ford is aware of this defect and refuses to recognize and take responsibility for it; and this is most certainly a candidate for a recall. What else does it take to come to the same conclusion?
1. Auto transmission front seal premature failure causing leaks. 2. 5.5 x 15 steel rim cracked due to material defects, causing dangerous steeling responses. Both defects have been reported to ford san francisoc region, but ford deny responsibility.
Speedometer erratic- swings to 120 MPH at 60 or so. Replaced original with two salvaged speedo heads. All failed.
The speedometer no longer gives accurate readings. It bounces up and down after 30 MPH. Ford tells me there is no "known problem" with this, however, any internet complaint site certainly does "know" about this. The '95 windstar has already had a recall for the same problem, why isn't the '96 being taken care of also?
Odometer gives an inacurate reading past 30mph. Consumer is able to keep a designated speed. Ford was contacted. Please provide more information.
When vehicle is going 65mph rpms escalate higher that normal ,and vehicle dies out. No warning is detected when sticking between gears. Please provide more information.
While driving at speeds above 50 MPH vehicle will drop into nuetral without the indicator ever moving. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.
Speedometer failure was gradual but is troubling because the speedometer needle still moves (very erratically) but does not indicate the right speed. The needle bounces around and the higher the speed the more it bounces. This faulty speedometer is a safety issue in that someone could glance at the speedometer and get an inaccurate reading, then increase speed which may contribute to a severe accident. Our private (non-manufacturer) mechanic indicated that this speedometer failure is common for this vehicle. We strongly believe ford should recall or fix these speedometers as they fail. Thanks for your help!
Axle broke at where wheel baering is. Causing ABS teeth grind against steering nuckle and lower ball joint. The drive axle should never break this way. Please let know where can I attach picture.
Speedometer needle fluctuates > ~40mph can't tell the speed *very dangerous* and *unsafe*.
Since we drove this car off the lot, it has been plagued with electrical problems. As soon as our warranty ran out, the transmission failed at 44,400. Two adults and 4 children were on our way to a 4th of july celebration when the transmission stalled at an intersection. Lucky for us all traffic was stopped and no major accident occurred. We took it to our dealer and asked for assistance since there was a tsb out on the transmission in ford windstar's. We were denied assistance. Our problem was the aluminum piston that were reported in the tsb. In may 2001, the check engine light came on and we took it to a ford dealer. They replaced the irmc value. Cost $1000. Recently, the check engine light came on again and smoke was coming out of the tail pipe. We took it to crossroads ford, the dealer we bought the car from. They once again denied to help us with the cost. We towed the van to a quality ford in durham, nc. They have contacted ford to see if they will assist us with the cost. The estimated cost is $3500-$4000. *jb ****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over artemis****761964
Consumer reporting speedometer inoperative while driving, unable to determine the proper speed. Dealer and the manufacturer were notified. *jb consumer feels ford should recall these vehicles or at least reimburse consumer for monies paid for repairs.
Speedometer started reading erratically as of approx. Failure date given. Has now become worse and at speeds >40mph speedo indicator jumps wildly. Dealer charged $70 to diagnose problem as failed speedometer head. Says ford no longer makes or stocks this part and the head must be removed from the dash and sent out for repairs. Obtained a written estimate for this repair of $861.00.
Speedometer malfunctions when above 45 MPH.
This is a copy of the complaint I sent to ford regarding problems with the speedometer in my 1996 windstar. I am starting to have the same problem again. Considering all the things I've read regarding this problem, I find it hard to believe their is not a recall for this yet. I recently purchased this vehicle (june 1999) in folsom, ca from a private party. The van is in excellent condition with 46800+ miles. Recently I started having problems with the speedometer. It would get to approximately fifty miles-per-hour and then start fluctuating +/- five to seven miles-per-hour. The problem gradually became worse, getting to the point that it started swinging wildly and would go all the way to the right. I figured it was probably a speedometer cable. I called my local ford dealer in yuba city to have them give me an estimate. Without even looking at the van, they told me it was likely not the cable, but the speedometer unit itself. I asked how they could be so sure and I was told that it was common to see the speedometer go bad in this vehicle. I was floored to learn that the cost of a new one was $333.33, not including labor. Now, I have been around long enough to know that new car parts arent cheap, but $333.33 seems rather ridiculous.I then called a speedometer specialty shop, speedometer electric, in marysville to have a second opinion. Not that I dont trust the dealer, but because as a technical sergeant in the usaf I just cant afford what the new speedometer cost. Mr. Larry witherow, longtime owner of speedometer electric, verified that it was not the cable, but indeed the speedometer itself. He also told me he has replaced approximately twenty speedometers from windstars and other ford vehicles in the past few months. This does not include those who had the same problem but could not afford the repairs. It is because of this and the dealers comments as well that I am writing this letter.
At original new car deliver and recurring at approx. 800 mile increments, the traction control system (an component of the 4 wheel disk ABS option) disables itself and ceases to function. The car has been returned to the dealer and numerous complaints to ford have also been issues. I loss the value of traction control which is one of the reasons I purchsed this vehicle and paid a substantial upgrade fee for this option. Despite many attemtps to resolve the problem still continues. Traction control remains disabled until the car can be shut down and restarted. This is dangerous to do on a highway and means I go without traction control for long periods. This problem was also the source of a nys lemon law action. More than 4 ford dealerships have been asked to correct this problem without success.
Vehicle was put in park with engine running. Consumer got out and walked around the side, and noticed vehicle rolling forward. Consumer jumped in vehicle and applied the brakes, and vehicle hit garage door. Cause was unknown. Please provide any further information.
This car has barely 75,000 miles on it. We are told it costs $2,800 for a rebuilt transmission. Upon investigation on the internet, I found that transmission failure in the windstar is a chronic problem (along with the door locks and rear hatch failing). I believe the transmission should be recalled. Just fyi-our extended warrently expired one year ago.
Speedometer malfunctioned. Consumer was unable to read the speed of the vehicle. Speedometer has been replaced. *ak
Transmission failure, second failure due to accumulator seals, complete overhaul.
The transmission in this vehicle failed at an unacceptably low mileage. When it failed, it caused a surging that was dangerous. The speedometer should not fail at such a low mileage. It fluctuates wildly. We do not have the resources to get it fixed and can't tell what speed we are driving.
Transmission shifts hard.
Speedometer 'bounces' above 45mph, cannot tell what speed is,unreadable.
Speedometer clicking and reporting a higher spped than actually traveling... Cannot tell what the actual speed of the vehicle is.
My 1996 ford windstar has an erratic speedometer above 40mph making it impossible to determine how fast I am going.
Speedometer malfunctioned. Please provide additional information.
Speedometer began flucuating wildly at all speeds along with a clicking noise. Since numerous complaints of the same nature, looks like it should be investigated by the federal safety agency. Dealer states cost to fix is $600. Hundreds of occurences of same problem.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Ford Windstar?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history