Seven problems related to door latch have been reported for the 1996 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Driver's and passenger doors/tailgate and the sliding door are defective due to a pin in the handle to breaking or falling apart, causing the doors to get stuck and they won't open or close.
Door locks activate while exiting vehicle (as to close a garage door) with engine running after backing up . This leaves driver locked out of vehicle with engine running and key in ignition. Imagine the situation if an infant is in the car and mom is locked out!!! dealer says it is the way vehicle is designed.
Consumer has gotten brakes repaired over 15 times. Each time brakes only lasted one month. Also ruining rotors and pads. Also, vehicle pulls to one side, shakes and acts like it is stuck in neutral. Door sliding locks and unlocks on its own, no exit at times.
Door lock design allows doors to be opened from inside when locked.
Can't open the rear front from inside. * ak consumer states the only way people can get out is through the driver's side door, passenger and sliding door can not open rear door or rear window from inside off van hit on right side or rolls on right side, then the only escape for all occupants is the driver's door.
When you put the car in park, engage the emergency brake and take your foot off the brake pedal, the car lurches forward or backward (depending upon incline of vechicle on a hill) and the sliding door, if opened, forcefully rolls and slams shut. Someone exiting the vehicle can be seriously injured, as can anyone (especially children) standing in front or behind the vehicle when it lurches. My son was injured when the door slammed shut as he was exiting the car after I put the car in park and engaged the emergency brake but before I took my foot off the brake pedal. I have asked the dealer to correct this obvious dangerous condition several times, but their response has been that I should engage the emergency brake before I put the vehicle in "park" - a process most people do not use when parking a car.
When closing the sliding door all other doors lock without operator operating the door lock function, thus, locking the parents out vehicle. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.
| Door Latch problems | |
| Hood Latch problems | |
| Hatchback/liftgate Lock problems |