Does the 1996 Ford Windstar have any recalls?

8 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: vehicle speed control, service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting, structure, power train, seats. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1996 Ford Windstar recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Ford dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1996 Ford Windstar?

1,386 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1996 Ford Windstar recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

8 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1996 Ford Windstar. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Ford been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.

1996 Ford Windstar recalls, newest first

October 13, 2009NHTSA 09V3990004,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle speed control

Summary: Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 sd through F-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through E-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 Mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 F53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Consequence: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 4, 2002NHTSA 02V101000250,283 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Summary: On certain minivans originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. During assembly, some brake lines were installed in a twisted position, causing contact with the dash panel insulator above the catalytic converter. This contact could abrade the brake line corrosion protection, consequently, salt or water absorbed in the dash panel insulator would promote corrosion. This corrosion could ultimately lead to a leak in the brake line.
Consequence: Leakage of brake fluid will result in brake light activation. Extended stopping distance could also result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake line for corrosion and clearance conditions. A brake line that is not corroded will be repositioned. A brake line that is corroded or leaking will be replaced with a nylon coated brake line and secured using three retaining clips to assure clearance from the insulator. Owner notification began may 10, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 19, 2000NHTSA 00V16800020,637 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

Summary: Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of FMVSS 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to Ford, the vehicles were imported into the U.S. Erroneously.
Consequence: The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by U.S. Standards.
Remedy: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 14, 1999NHTSA 99V147000789,723 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder

Summary: Vehicle description: minivans. The brake fluid master cylinder is recessed and oriented in the engine compartment so that the brake fluid warning statement embossed on both the top of the filler cap and the side of the reservoir body are not entirely visible by direct view. These vehicles may not fully comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 135, "passenger car brake systems."
Remedy: Owners will be provided with new labels and installation instructions.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

October 20, 1997NHTSA 97V180000769,000 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body › Hood

Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans. Tearing of the bond between the inner and outer hood panels during minor front end collisions can result in a gap at the leading edge of the hood. Air forced between the inner and outer panels can produce enough pressure to force the outer panel upward.
Consequence: This condition can result in total separation of the outer hood panel.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the hood area for any damage along the leading edge of the hood. If there is any evidence of bond separation, the hood will be replaced. If there is no evidence of bond separation, additional adhesive will be applied between the inner and outer hood panels.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

September 5, 1996NHTSA 96V16600040,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)

Summary: The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
Consequence: Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

July 1, 1996NHTSA 96V114000200 vehicles potentially affected

Seats

Summary: The four fasteners securing the driver's seat to the floorpan were not torqued to proper specifications.
Consequence: The driver's seat may not properly hold in the event of a vehicle accident resulting in personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat fasteners and retorque to proper specifications.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 14, 1996NHTSA 96V086000100,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Automatic transmission

Summary: The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly positioned, the roll pin may not have lined up with the groove in the shaft and have been crushed at assembly. Also, a burr could have been raised on the shaft.
Consequence: This could result in the park pawl occasionally not engaging when the transmission selector lever is placed in the park position. This could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral if the vehicle operator does not apply the parking brake.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft roll pin. If the roll pin is damaged, both the roll pin and the park pawl shaft will be replaced. In addition, owners will be reminded to fully apply the parking brake, in addition to placing the transmission in park.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 1,386 complaints about the 1996 Ford Windstar with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 60
Fires reported: 45
Injuries reported: 52
Deaths reported: 1

Most complained-about components

Engine and engine cooling › Engine311
Service brakes261
Power train › Automatic transmission153
Power train138
Hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip115

Other Ford Windstar years

Other 1996 Ford models

Most recalled 1996 vehicles

1996 Dodge Caravan (16 recalls)
1996 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
1996 Dodge Ram (14 recalls)
1996 Plymouth Voyager (13 recalls)
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)

All of 1996’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1996 Ford Windstar have any recalls?: 8 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: vehicle speed control, service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting, structure, power train, seats. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1996 Ford Windstar recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Ford dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1996 Ford Windstar?: 1,386 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.