Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 15mph, there was a loud popping noise followed by a hissing sound. The vehicle was parked in the driveway for further inspection. The odor of smoke was present, the contact and passengers exited the vehicle immediately. Flames were visible from the front under hood area. The flames primarily surrounded the top of the transmission and master cylinder. The contact extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher. No injuries were sustained, but the vehicle sustained moderate fire damage. The police were not alerted. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who determined the fire originated from the master cylinder. The manufacturer was alerted. There was a NHTSA recall, # 05v38800, regarding the vehicle speed control. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Ford Windstar. After picking up his vehicle from the mechanic, the contact noticed smoke rising from under the hood. He pulled over, opened the hood, and noticed flames coming from the cruise control switch that connects to the bottom of the master cylinder. He notified the dealer and the manufacturer and they stated that nothing could be done because there was no recall. They advised him to call NHTSA. The contact extinguished the fire with water, but the vehicle continued to smoke. The vehicle has remained parked at his residence since August 6, 2007. The speed was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 130,000.
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).
I have a 1996 Ford Windstar van that caught fire while I was driving. The cruise control was on. The vehicle lost power, then a boom and there were flames around the firewall. The master cylinder, wiring harness, hoses etc. Were destroyed. The fire was located more on the driver's side of the vehicle. This vehicle has been more than properly maintained, and my mechanic can attest to this. This vehicle has not yet been repaired. I was not injured. This occurred prior to the current recall.
Dt: contact stated on July 19, 05 while pulling into driveway and foot was on the brake the car rapidly accelerated and it ran into the garage. Contact pressed on the brakes and the brake did not respond. When she coming to a stop the engine was raced very fast, and the engine sounded abnormally loud. Contact spoke with someone at dealer's service department, and they did not told her anything as of yet. This was the first time this happened.
The 1996 Windstar had been parked in the garage (attached to the home) with the ignition off for several hours when fames were seen coming from the left rear quadrent of the engine compartment. It was obvious the fire could not be extinguished. The family left the home, which was soon completely destroyed.
Cruise control switch shorted, caused smoke, caused cruise control to fail, replaced with new switch. Ford would not repair as part of recent pickip truck recall on this switch. Had to pay for repair. I have original failed switch which leaks brake fluid into switch causing short and smoke.
The cruise control deactivator sensor on the master brake cylinder shorted out due to brake fluid in it. This caused the wires to it to burn off the insulation and a large amount of smoke to enter the vehicle. All replacement parts are OEM leading me to believe it is an on going problem.
Dt*: the contact stated a puddle was observed under the vehicle. A week later, a small fire occurred under the hood which was extinguished by the contact. There was a NHTSA recall, # 06V286000, regarding the vehicle speed control. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
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.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 Mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair…
Acceleration complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1996 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 82 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1996 Ford Windstar, 6% of the model year's 1,386 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Windstar acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-399 (vehicle speed control, Oct 13, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Windstar acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 17 fires and 4 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.