1996 Ford Windstar Interior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,386 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the interior lighting of the 1996 Ford Windstar, 1% of the 1,386 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Our 1996 Ford Windstar gl, which we purchased new, has 118000. We have experienced a broken (bouncing) speedometer, dome light malfunctioned, ABS and brake light malfunctioned, and more recently, leaking coolant which is linked to a blown head gasket and check engine warnings. The cost has been astronomical. According to many other consumers, all of these issues are common with the 96 model. Please investigate whether Ford intends to make any recalls regarding these issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10051280, filed 2003-12, 118,000 miles“The dome light and the door ajar sensor light stays on. The consumer is concerned that the battery will drain completely. The cause has yet to be determined. The vehicle would shake when it was started. One injector was changed. The consumer felt that the other five injectors may go bad.”
NHTSA complaint #10117616, filed 2005-04, 91,623 miles“1996 Ford Windstar switches are bad in doors causing door ajar light to stay on. When driving, stays on until you are going approx. 15-18 miles per hour. This is a hazard especially at night. Due to the glare on the windows inside the van. I have went to a dealer and they said it would be 400.00 dollars to fix it. I don't have 400.00. I was also visiting family in indiana this last week and an old friend of mine has the exact van and problem. I currently live in colorado and thought that it was odd that someone who lives in indiana has the same problem that I have with our Windstar. …”
NHTSA complaint #10023828, filed 2003-06“When engine is started and all doors are closed and latched, the door ajar light stays on and interior dome lights stay on as well as the door ajar chime rings. This is continuous while driving, and eventually turns itself off. This creates a hazard especially while backing as it is not possible to see behind vehicle at dusk or dark. There is no consistency as to when this happens. It has been found that if a door is indeed ajar, that the door ajar light will stay on, but the dome light will go off as will the chime.”
NHTSA complaint #10064369, filed 2004-04“Door ajar light and courtesy light would remain on after shutting doors. Dealer/manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that there are no recalls concerning that problem.”
NHTSA complaint #880441, filed 2001-02Interior lighting: other model years
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 complaintsFuel system
52 complaintsSteering
50 complaintsWheels
42 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaintsBody and structure
37 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Windstar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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