1996 Ford Windstar Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 52about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,386 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,250miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 52 complaints about the fuel system of the 1996 Ford Windstar, 4% of the 1,386 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,250 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1996 Ford Windstar fuel tank has a crack in it and is leaking fuel I see the recall only effaced 1995 windstars but apparently the problem was not fixed on the 1996 windstars because mine has a 3 inch crack in it. I do not know if some of the 1996 windstars were in this recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10350867, filed 2010-08, 175,120 miles“Moderate leak of fuel was observed after filling up the tank. We brought this to an auto repair shop and they indicated that the top of the tank was cracked. The tank needs replacement. We have a 1996 Ford Windstar gl. This was purchased in 1995. When I looked at the 1995 recalls I noticed that the 1995 models were recalled for this problem. I also think that this could have resulted in to a fatal accident if it had caught fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10122415, filed 2005-05, 62,000 miles“While the van was park, I notice a strong smell of gasoline. I took it in to my auto repair shop to be fixed. The shop found a crack in fuel tank that was not the results of impact damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10260029, filed 2009-02, 120,000 miles“The vehicle had a fuel leak at the fuel tank. I removed the tank to see that the tank looked like it was pinched and developed a crack. The fuel tank is plastic so I found this to be odd. I had to put epoxy on the tank to patch the crack so I could get it home as I was out of town when this happened. When I got home I started looking online for a tank and found that Ford had a recall on this matter. I called lafayette Ford and explained the recall and gave my VIN #. I was told that my vehicle does not fall under the recall that I will have to repair it myself. …”
NHTSA complaint #10430647, filed 2011-10, 150,000 miles“Gas tank leak. I leave in one of the states that is listed in recall 99v309000 that states hot weather increases cracks in fuel tanks on 1995 Ford windstars. My vehicle is a 1996 with a build date of 10-02-1995. Ford motor will not consider this vehicle for replacement. They need to re-evaluate the recall to include a wider range than they now have. I was told by the dealership that my leak looks just like a 1995 they fixed on 07-23-2004. Please help on this safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10082854, filed 2004-07, 99,921 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 8 | 1% |
| 2002 | 13 | 1% |
| 2001 | 23 | 1% |
| 2000 | 33 | 2% |
| 1999 | 29 | 2% |
| 1998 | 71 | 5% |
| 1997 | 5 | 3% |
| 1996 | 52 | 4% |
| 1995 | 148 | 4% |
| 1990 | 2 | 33% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Windstar
470 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
322 complaintsBrakes
229 complaintsSuspension
111 complaintsOther or unknown
86 complaintsElectrical system
83 complaintsVehicle speed control
82 complaintsSteering
50 complaintsWheels
42 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaintsBody and structure
37 complaintsAir bags
25 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Windstar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology