15th Aug 2001, 14:20
I have a 1996 Windstar 3.0L. The the engine has stopped while 1) driving on I10 doing 70 mph. Was just like someone turned the ignition off. Tried starting several times, and it worked finally after sitting for approximately 20 minutes and has worked fine for a few months. Scary. Have 57000 miles.
This also happened a year earlier on a small country road doing about 50 MPH. Engine just quit. Two different dealers have not been able to find anything wrong. I do not trust this vehicle but we are going on a 4000 mile trip in two weeks. Caution will be my guide. Long range plan is to get rid of this van. No more Fords for me.
31st Aug 2001, 16:17
Add me to the head gasket list. 1996 3.8L nightmare. 86,000 miles and Ford won't do a thing. We have to complain complain complain. Not to Ford, but to NHTSA, our legislators, and our state consumer protection people.
8th Feb 2002, 05:18
Can you please tell me how you got your ABS replaced... my light comes on and trac light blinks too. Only problem is I live in England and they don't sell Windstars over here so I have to import the parts... please let me know what parts you replaced... THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Gradykarlson@yahoo.com.
6th May 2002, 17:18
My ABS light was intermittently on and off for several months on my 96 Windstar, and the brake light too, occasionally. When I took it in to have the brakes done, the mechanic said there was some "brake dust" on the ABS sensor, causing the light. He used a can of air to blow it clean, and it hasn't been back on in a year! I fear if I'd taken it to the dealership, I'd have been replacing my ABS system! At least it's something you can check, first!
13th Dec 2002, 22:51
I own a 1996 Wind star- the vehicle stalls while backing up and recently while starting the vehicle it will stall out. If I wait about 15 minutes it will restart and run fine.
I have a check engine light on- I have had a tune up and all necessary maintenance done- the light is still on. The speedometer is bouncing. help.
18th Feb 2003, 16:28
I am the only owner of a 1986 Ford Windstar with 86,000 miles on it. At 75,000 miles, I had to have the transmission replaced, even though I changed fluid every 25,000 miles. That was a $3,000 job. The Ford service technician actually said I was lucky to get 75,000 miles out of it! At 85,000 miles, I was back at the dealer: the engine was running rough; coolant level was dropping with no external signs of a leak; and gray smoke was emitting from the exhaust. Ford returned the car to me, saying nothing was wrong. Four hundred miles later--still having the same problems, I'm back at the dealer; this time the check engine light is on. Ford tells me I have a leak in the timing case gasket and that the check engine light was due to the car overheating. I'm out another $850 for that job. Not even 1,000 miles later, my Windstar is still losing coolant still and running rough--stalling in reverse. Sound familiar? I didn't make it to the dealer this time: gray smoke was blowing everywhere and the check engine light is flashing this time. It now awaits a tow after the worst snow storm in Maryland's history. A local mechanic tells me the head gasket is definitely blown, and possibly worse. The saga continues.
13th Jul 2004, 18:12
I had the same problem with my 96' van shutting off. I had the multi-relay system replaced, so far it's running fine except the dome lights keep coming on when it rains. For some reason the passenger side door acts like it's still open even slamming the door shut. I have a new born and will be buying a new vehicle this week-end.!!! We need something we can trust and a warranty... First and last ford!!!
13th Aug 2001, 19:18
My 96 Windstar GL also had head gasket replaced - at 70,000- (after complaining to the dealer about the smell of antifreeze from the vents since about 45,000 miles) and then mysteriously the whole engine needed replacing 2 months later. Within a month the transmission went out. I complained loud enough for Ford for them offer me a warranty on the engine and transmission to 100,000. Thinking "what else could go wrong? I held onto it. Now at 87,000, the rods were replaced ($800) Tomorrow the speedometer is being replaced for $385. I'm ready to cut my losses and sell it for salvage... Who would want to buy it?