general problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar - part 1

Tl-the contact owns a 1996 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the gas pedal was depressed but the vehicle's speed did not go above 20 mph as the service brake warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Sg.

Consumer states that speedometer does not function properly. The needle moves erratically and makes a ticking noise. Consumer is unable to ascertain correct speed while driving. Dealer has unsuccessfully attempted to repair 2 times by replacing speedometer cable. Ts.

For the second time in three years the speedometer needle is jumping all over the place. After talking with two dealers, a speedometer repair specialist with 30 + years experience, and reviewing the 135 + other driver complaints of the same problem, I can only come to these conclusions: this is a faulty piece of equipment; Ford is aware of this defect and refuses to recognize and take responsibility for it; and this is most certainly a candidate for a recall. What else does it take to come to the same conclusion?.

The speedometer no longer gives accurate readings. It bounces up and down after 30 mph. Ford tells me there is no "known problem" with this, however, any internet complaint site certainly does "know" about this. The '95 Windstar has already had a recall for the same problem, why isn't the '96 being taken care of also?.

At speeds of 35mph or higher the speedometer needle wavers severely making it impossible to determine the correct speed. This defect has been reported to the NHTSA more than 100 times. I reported this to the local Ford dealership and was told I had to pay for repairs. At 49000 miles this should not be happening. As a law enforcement officer I have driven numerous Ford vehicles well over 100000 miles and none of them have had this problem. This should be considered a manufacturers flaw and be replaced by them. This is definatley a safety issue! if a vehicle operator cannot determine how fast they are going this cvould result in a serious injury. This is even more evident during reduced visiblity and/or at night when it is even more difficult to determine speeds. I appreciate any assistance in this matter if possible.

Speedometer needle fluctuates > ~40mph can't tell the speed *very dangerous* and *unsafe*.

Consumer reporting speedometer inoperative while driving, unable to determine the proper speed. Dealer and the manufacturer were notified. Consumer feels Ford should recall these vehicles or at least reimburse consumer for monies paid for repairs.

Speedometer malfunctions when above 45 mph.

When reaching speed of 25mph speedometer needle bounces around, causing no knowledge of speed.

Speedometer erratic- swings to 120 mph at 60 or so. Replaced original with two salvaged speedo heads. All failed.

Speedometer clicking and reporting a higher spped than actually traveling. . . Cannot tell what the actual speed of the vehicle is.

My 1996 Ford Windstar has an erratic speedometer above 40mph making it impossible to determine how fast I am going.

Speedometer began flucuating wildly at all speeds along with a clicking noise. Since numerous complaints of the same nature, looks like it should be investigated by NHTSA. Dealer states cost to fix is $600. Hundreds of occurences of same problem.

The speedometer "buzzes" and swings widely after ~ 30 mph, indicating up to 100 mph. The vehicle had been returned, when under warranty, to the dealership to find and fix a buzz in the dashboard. The problem typically occurred during cold weather, when the vehicle exeeded 30-40 mph, and came from the vicinity of the speedometer. The delaer was given these symptoms, but could not repair the cause. The problem was made worse by the fact that it occurred sporadically . The buzz never was eliminated by the dealer. The buzz now audible when the speedometer swings widely is a more pronounced version of that same buzz. The dealer and Ford refused to pay to repair the problem, even though I maintain the problem occurred while under warranty.

Odometer gives an inacurate reading past 30mph. Consumer is able to keep a designated speed. Ford was contacted. Please provide more information.

Speedometer bounces and is inaccurate, especially above 45mph. I have seen many other Windstar owners report the same thing!.

Failure of the speedometer while driving on the freeway. The speedometer needle jumps erratically while driving faster than 30mph. The speedometer will eventually peg at 120mph, even though you are driving at slower speeds. According to my repair shop, the speed sensor broke, but Ford requires a very costly repair that includes replacement of the whole speedometer head and speed sensor.

Speedometer would move back and forth when vehicle reaches 30 mph or more. Dealer was notified, and repairs were made. Speedometer was replaced, however new speedometer makes the same abnormal noise that the old one did prior to failure, consumer feels this one will also fail and speed will not be able to be determined.

Vehicle has its second replacement on speedometer since 54,000 miles. When vehicle reaches 30 mph or more needle would bounce back and forth. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.

Speedometor needle is erratic after 55 mph needle bounces between 95-60 mph also makes a irratating buzzing noise.

Speedometer malfunctioned. Consumer was unable to read the speed of the vehicle. Speedometer has been replaced.

While driving could not determine what is speed that vehicle is traveling. Also, sometimes could feel that vehicle was going fast, but speedometer would not show what was current speed.

Speedometer failure was gradual but is troubling because the speedometer needle still moves (very erratically) but does not indicate the right speed. The needle bounces around and the higher the speed the more it bounces. This faulty speedometer is a safety issue in that someone could glance at the speedometer and get an inaccurate reading, then increase speed which may contribute to a severe accident. Our private (non-manufacturer) mechanic indicated that this speedometer failure is common for this vehicle. We strongly believe Ford should recall or fix these speedometers as they fail. Thanks for your help!.

At speeds of 30 mph and higher speedometer does not register. Dealer found speedometer head needs to be replaced.

Bought this van used. On second day of ownership this started. Speedometer is erratic after 35 mph. Have read hundreds of complaints on this problem online. I beleive there should be a recall on this as this can be a safety problem. How can you tell how fast you are going?.

Speedometer started reading erratically as of approx. Failure date given. Has now become worse and at speeds >40mph speedo indicator jumps wildly. Dealer charged $70 to diagnose problem as failed speedometer head. Says Ford no longer makes or stocks this part and the head must be removed from the dash and sent out for repairs. Obtained a written estimate for this repair of $861. 00.

Speedometer malfunctioned. Please provide additional information.

Speedometer operates erratically. When traveling at speeds of 40 mph or above, bar indicating speed jumps around.

The day I bought this 96 Ford winstar minivan, I had tested 2-3 others. They each had the bouncing speedometer problem - once you went past 50 mph, it would bounce from 50-70 or 60-90 or whatever. Also, after a certain speed it didn't work at all - at one point my speedometer said I was going 110 mph and people were passing me left and right. Anyway, when I test drove the Windstar I bought, it was the first one that didn't have a bouncing speedometer. My friends and I all commented on it at the time. But that evening, as I drove back to my friend's house (I bought the van in their city, not mine), the speedometer began bouncing. It was Saturday and the dealership was closed, so I called Monday morning. They kept repeating that it was "as is" and there was nothing they would do about it. After I brought the car home and started asking around, I found out the bouncing speedometer was a common Windstar problem. So I brought it to the closest dealer, about 1-1/4 hours away, and they also agreed it was a common problem but had not been recalled. It cost me $350 to fix it! I was thoroughly disgusted and e-mailed a complaint form to Ford but to no avail. I guess I'm just stuck paying the money.

The speedometer had to be replaced (not covered under extended warranty) because it was jumping all over the place. Secondly, the door ajar light and audible bell indicate a door is open, when in fact, all of them are tightly closed; this happens intermittently, seems to happen more in inclement (cold and/or wet) weather.

While driving and turning wheel or with any movement in steering there comes a loud squeaking noise, contacted dealer, and dealer stated that there could be a problem with ball joints. Problem began about 50000 miles. Also this vehicle has a faulty speedometer.

Speedometer display is erradic. At approx. 30 mph, the speedometer can register up to 65 mph. At 65 mph, the gauge needle is on the peg at the extreme speed. This is not isloated, I know of 2 other vans, same year, that have this problem, one belongs to a salesman at the Ford dealer. Dealer says the computer unit needs replacing, minimum of $600. No Ford recall has been issued. No one seems willing to help.

Speedometer is unreliable when drivng at speeds of 45mph or over due to a defective cable. . The service station reports indicated that there were 15 repairs done on these models in one year period.

Speedometer does not read actual speed driven. Also, speedometer jumps at times. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer is not willing to provide any assistance.

My 3. 8l Windstar was checked at 60k at dealer. At 68k the speedometer is erratic. Noticed about 60 very similiar complaints by consumers at this site. Cant drive confidently/safely.