VehicleVerdict

1996 Ford Windstar suspension problems

The 1996 Ford Windstar has 114 suspension complaints filed with NHTSA — 6% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

114

Suspension complaints

6%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Suspension complaints by year

Windstar suspension complaints by model year421 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 3 complaints1995: 151 complaints1996: 114 complaints1997: 39 complaints1998: 242 complaints1999: 211 complaints2000: 362 complaints2001: 421 complaints2002: 282 complaints2003: 257 complaints2004: 9 complaints
Windstar suspension complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

01I007000SuspensionJuly 12, 2001 · 948,492 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 WINDSTAR MINI VANS ARE ALSO COVERED BY NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 01V-199/FORD RECALL 01S19. THE MINI VANS COVERED BY THE SAFETY RECALL WERE 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, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Consequence

SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Remedy

FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACEMENT TO A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OF SERVICE FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE. THIS COVERAGE IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE. IF EITHER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES DURING THE COVERAGE PERIOD NOTED ABOVE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.

What owners report

THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED ON THEIR OWN. *NM THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT WHICH MAY BE DUE TO THE BRAKE LINES. REFER TO RECALL#02V101000. *SC THE SWAY BAR RATTLED,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 8, 2004 · crash

Common questions

How many suspension complaints does the 1996 Ford Windstar have?

NHTSA has 114 complaints about the 1996 Ford Windstar suspension — 6% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Ford Windstar suspension?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the suspension: 01I007000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.