Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
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. …
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 NHTSA recall history: 1995: wiring-harness insulation can abrade on a brace between instrument panel and cowl, resulting in short-circuit and possible fire.
Dt: windshield on passenger's side was hit by a turkey and the turkey came in the cab of van. Caller was injured. Windshield shattered and glass went everywhere. The turkey came in through a big hole. Caller wanted to know if windshield was made of safety glass. Insurance company took the van, and caller had not yet heard from insurance company. Caller has not talked to dealer or manufacturer.
Engine: head gasket failure @ 62,218 miles. Needed to replace both cylinder gasket heads and resurface same. Power door: failure of power door lock on passenger side. Transmission: was replaced twice under warranty. Other: ignition control module needed replacement. Have been advised engine has a sludge condition despite regular oil changes per Ford guidelines.
In the past two weeks the transmission has slipped twice. When at a complete stop and accelerating the vehicle has to be put into park and then back into drive. This is very dangerous. There is only 56000 on vehicle. Battery light continually comes on this can be very nerve wracking when in heavy traffic. . Speedometer fluctuates and flops around after 40mph, sometime sticks at 50mph. Rear wipers work when they want. We have just returned from serving 8 years overseas, this is our only vehicle and from the research we have just been able to start this Windstar is headaches with the same problems. I would like to be able to take my family to see relatives they have not seen in over 8 years but this vehicle is unsafe.
I don't know if this is the right place or not. But I paid the Ford dealer ship $60.00 to tell me why my power window would only work part of the time, and they said it was my motor which they wanted $353.00 for. So I told them I didn't think it was so I went home and worked on it myself and found out it was only sticking at the top. I went back on the 24th of March to try to get my money back, because to me this is complete fraud on their part. Well, I talked with the service manager (mark kisch) and he was very rude, and refused to return my money. He even laughed when I told him I was going to report him. It is not my problem that he has bad people working there that don't know what their doing.
Nothing but problems since purchasing 1)door ajar light constantly illuminated-all doors checked none ajar 2) engine check light occasionally comes on-happened right after purchase and catalytic converter replaced obviously didn't fix problem 3)occasionally power windows/locks and A/C will go out unless adjustable fan speed turned to high 4)recently front passenger door will open at random usually during a turn-luckily no one sits in that seat 5)speedometer will occasionally flicker higher while driving at speeds greater than 65mph all of these problems have surfaced in the past 1-1.5 yrs and have continued since then.
Auotmatic transmission slips out of gear into a neutral after you come to a stop. You then have to put it in a low gear to get in back in drive. This can be a hazard in traffic. The power steerinng pump makes a loud grinding noise much louder than the normal sound the pump makes, the dealer has said previously that it is normal for the Windstar. The passenger side power window has stopped working, unk reason has not been looked at. These problems are occurring in other windstars of the same year .
The speedometer starts moving erratically once speeds of 25 MPH are reached. Also, sometimes, the windshield wipers will only work on high speed. I have contacted the dealer, and am told it will be $500.00 for the speedometer. I feel this, as well as the problems with the wipers is a serious safety issue. I've read several complaints on this site about problems with speedometers on 1996 windstars, and I think Ford should be responsible for repairs, not me.
Engine check light and the air bag light would intermittentl/simutaneously come on and cause loss of acceleration while traveling at highway speed. Dealer notified. Consumer was informed that vehicle had a transmission leak, the speedometer was acting erractically, parking brake and brakes were inoperative,also the power windows were inoperative.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1996 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1996 Ford Windstar, 2% of the model year's 1,386 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Windstar window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 1996 Ford Windstar, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Windstar window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.