Five problems related to battery have been reported for the 1996 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The dome light and the door ajar sensor light stays on. The consumer is concerned that the battery will drain completely. The cause has yet to be determined. The vehicle would shake when it was started. One injector was changed. The consumer felt that the other five injectors may go bad.
Interior lights stay on running the battery down. Doorbell & int. Lights stay on until 20 mph.
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. Ford is a company that does not stand behind it's promises. We will never own another Ford although our family has never owned anything but until now. Ford wake up!.
Engine check light remains on constantly, vehicle has been checked by dealer several times, but consumer was advised light was not reading a code. Head gasket blewout, and dealer advised consumer that light was reading a problem with the head gasket, which was leaking. Also the battery was replaced.
Door ajar, lights intermittently operate. Lights stay on, and at night are a distraction to driver. Even when vehicle is off, lights remain on, and run battery down. Dealer contacted. Consumer repaired lights at his own expense.