1996 Ford Windstar Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,386 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the seat belts of the 1996 Ford Windstar, 1% of the 1,386 complaints for this model year. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The safety belts located on the right front, and the rear seats, lock up while riding normally in the vehicle, actually squeezing the occupant, so the occupant has to remove the seat belt and then refasten it due to the pendilum locking up. Also if you are sitting in the seat with the seat belt on, and lean forward to pick something up, it will automatically lock up, and again you have to remove the seat belt, and then refasten it. I have contacted the freedom Ford dealer, and they advised me, that is what they are supposed to do! …”
NHTSA complaint #700665, filed 1998-11“Dt: when the contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle both front seat belts disconnected. The passenger sustained a broken collar bone and bruised ribs. A police report was taken at the scene. The contact was not able to drive the vehicle. It has not been inspected to see why this occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10142610, filed 2005-11“Sudden loss of control in winter conditions, impact with tree, seat belt did not lock up, driver's side door opened, driver's seat broke, driver ejected and held outside of vehicle in seat belt. Severe rib, lung injuries with heart contusion. Impact with tree left front quarterpanel, vehicle totaled. (DOT number: not known tiresize: 15)”
NHTSA complaint #741092, filed 2001-02“Shoulder part 0f the seat belt wasn't working properly, causing the consumer to hit the windshield. While driving at 35mph on wet pavement and when applying the brakes, another vehicle was coming head-on and collided. The shoulder belt didn't hold the driver. 4 occupants sustained injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #833576, filed 1999-02“While driving at 35 MPH on wet pavement consumer applied the brakes, and the shoulder strap belt didn't stop the consumer from hitting the window as another vehicle was coming head-on into the consumer. Consumer had to turn away from the other vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #833649, filed 1999-01Seat belts: 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 31, 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