1996 Ford Windstar Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,386 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 130,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the wheels of the 1996 Ford Windstar, 3% of the 1,386 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,750 miles. 2 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.
“Had changed brake pads a week earlier. Driving 55mph and the car crashed down on it's axle as the tire and wheel passed by us going down highway, in 37 north. Studs had all broken off. The disc brake is ruined from skidding on it. Traffic was moderately heavy. We skidded to a stop on a bridge and feel lucky not to have crashed into anyone.”
NHTSA complaint #10449745, filed 2012-02, 198,000 miles“Consumer stated the lug nuts on the front passenger side wheel were sheared off. Consumer stated while driving on the highway at about 50 MPH, the vehicle started to shimmy violently almost out of control.”
NHTSA complaint #10032522, filed 2003-08, 129,000 miles“1996, Windstar experienced numerous broken wheel studs on the left front and right front wheels. Two studs broke on right front wheel on february 15, 2004.”
NHTSA complaint #10059256, filed 2004-02, 58,000 miles“Driving west bound on I-94 just part menomonie, wi, the left rear wheel fell off around 7:30 pm on 1/2/99. About 40 miles before that, the ABS light came on. The brake pedal would go to the floor, but you did have minimal braking power by pumping the brakes up. The tow truck operator and my brother (who came to pick us up), thought it was a froozen wheel bearing. The patrol officer who took the rest of the family to the perkins while I waited for the tow truck found the wheel with the drum attached to it (all lug nuts were tight). …”
NHTSA complaint #702112, filed 1999-01“My aluminum wheels have corroded at the tire bead seat severely. This produces tire pressure loss constantly. The wheels are not corroded at the face but at the area where the tire seals. My local tire store in michigan says they see this same issue regularly. I am a Ford engineer and have complained about this defect to the wheel engineers and they say there is no such problem. The tire store also added that aluminum wheels combined with michelin tires are the worst. Two of my wheels have this problem now with the original tires. This is a safety problem as they keep loosing air. …”
NHTSA complaint #759965, filed 2002-03Wheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 4% |
| 2003 | 20 | 1% |
| 2002 | 26 | 2% |
| 2001 | 28 | 2% |
| 2000 | 23 | 1% |
| 1999 | 23 | 2% |
| 1998 | 83 | 6% |
| 1997 | 6 | 3% |
| 1996 | 42 | 3% |
| 1995 | 38 | 1% |
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 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 28, 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