Ten problems related to engine exhaust system have been reported for the 1996 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I purchased a 1996 Ford Windstar van 3. 0 l in June 2010. I have had numerious issues with this vehicle from day 1 to current most dangerous is the blowing spark plug which has blown out 2 times forcing me to drive it to a place where it could be parked for repair first time blow out was 7 days after purchase repaired by a mechanic now 2000 miles later again blew out Ford should be ashamed of themselves for ignoring such a huge hazard this could seriously ignight fuel fumes and cause a major fire, explosion while some one is driving with there children to find a repair shop unaware of the danger and damage this could cause, second issue is a failing shifting modual or tranny and this has happend alot driving and all of a sudden the vans transmision shifts to a 1st or 2nd gear causing exstream change in speed and in heavy traffic we have almost been rearended several times due to this issue, vessil must be pulled over and trans reset by shifting to park and sometimes shutting off the vehicle and starting it again. Ford dealer gave us a 3000. Estimate to replace transmission and told us we would continue to replace trans aprox every 70,000 miles this is a chump way to build cars and they have managed to get more money out of repairs than sales I will never own another Ford again safe or not. Ford should be forced to reclaim all these dangerouse vehicles and replace all money spent on repairs and purchase of the vehicles due to indagerment and there is no way they didnt know about these problems.
My 1996 Ford Windstar has 72,000 miles on it. I had been losing coolant slowly and we couldn't find out where. After sitting for 2 days, when I started the van I heard a loud pop, and white smoke began coming out of the exhaust. I took it to my mechanic and it has a blown head gasket. I called Ford, knowing there had been numerous recalls on other years for the same engine, and they basically said "sorry about your luck. " they also told me I should bring it in to Ford because they can't rely on a diagnostic done by an independent mechanic.
I had symptoms of water in the exhaust, rough idle, and hydraulic lock of the engine. Took to the shop, the head gasket was blown on #1 cylinder, and the connecting rod was bent on the cylinder, which has necessitated replacement of the engine. Ford has been contacted by me and by the dealer to the district rep, to no avail. After reading all the literature on the web about this problem, and it's continuing thru the 95 models which are covered to the 96 models which aren't; I need further help.
Vehicle misfires. Consumer found water in oil and exhaust. Took vehicle to dealer and dealer stated that it was a blown head gasket. Engine needed to be replaced. Please provide any further information.
Took vehicle to dealer 6 times since October 2000 for engine knocking/ shaking/ engine light on, and engine missing. Dealer could not remedy. Then on 31 Mar ch, 2001 vehicle was started. Driven about 10 yards when consumer heard a big bang, engine stalled. Towed to dealer who found coolant was coming out of exhaust. Engine needed to be replaced.
Engine light comes on, stays on engine runs rough. This continued form January to July with vehical going in to shop as much as 5 times in one day . Sayville Ford on last arrival said head gasket falure as in all Windstars from 1995 and 96. They said this in January and every vist after that until the last one when white smoke came out of exhaust. Then they said replace head gaskets. At this time they found the number 1 cylinder rod bent and I would need a new engine. They still have the vehical and want me to pay for damages I will not seeing they should have fixed it in the begining. I called Ford motor company and they would not step in saying the delership and the car is my problem. I even asked for the factory rep to look into this problem and was told the delership would have to request him. They will not call him where do people turn for a fair shake? please call me ?!!.
Consumer noticed a very bad odor in the passenger's compartment. Consumer contacted the dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause.
Problems with gas fumes coming from the exhaust system. ( doris stewart on behalf of her parents robert stewart and jacqueline stewart). . The vehicle overheated at idle, the dealer replaced the head gaskets, the air condition stopped working and there was a problem with the power train control module.
Exhaust fumes entered into vehicle.
Vehicle had been parked for over a week before being started. Was driving for awhile & noticed white smoke coming out of rear exhaust. Took vehicle to mechanic & was informed that head gaskets had blown. Prior to head gaskets being blown, been putting water into the system to cool it down.