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1996 Ford Ford Truck

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
18Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1996 Ford Ford Truck

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 18 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Tires: 5 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 4 reports
  • Electrical System: 2 reports
  • Power Train: 2 reports
  • Equipment: 1 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    7
    1993    15
    1994    21
    1995    18
    1996    34
    1997    25
    1998    33
    1999
    Compare all Ford Truck years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Tires
    5    Engine And Engine Cooling
    4    Electrical System
    2    Power Train
    2    Equipment
    1
    All reported categories
    Fuel System, Diesel
    1    Fuel System, Gasoline
    1    Seat Belts
    1    Service Brakes, Air
    1    Structure
    1    Vehicle Speed Control
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    Limited mileage data: 4 of 18 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

    NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

    What to inspect

    Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

    • Tires. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

    Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

    4 reports
    Clear category filter
    79,900 miles · Mar 17, 2005
    Engine And Engine Cooling

    THE HEAD GASKET OF MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR VAN FAILED AT 79,900 MILES. THIS FAILURE IN 1995 FORD WINDSTAR VANS RESULTED IN A RECALL WHERE FORD MOTORS REPLACED THE ENGINES OF THOSE VEHICLES. I AM TOLD BY MY FORD PLATINUM MECHANIC THAT THE 1995 AND 1996 WINDSTAR ENGINES ARE THE SAME AND THAT THE GASKETS WERE SUPPLIED BY THE SAME S…

    Read full complaint

    THE HEAD GASKET OF MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR VAN FAILED AT 79,900 MILES. THIS FAILURE IN 1995 FORD WINDSTAR VANS RESULTED IN A RECALL WHERE FORD MOTORS REPLACED THE ENGINES OF THOSE VEHICLES. I AM TOLD BY MY FORD PLATINUM MECHANIC THAT THE 1995 AND 1996 WINDSTAR ENGINES ARE THE SAME AND THAT THE GASKETS WERE SUPPLIED BY THE SAME SUPPLIER. MY VAN WAS MANUFACTURED IN OCTOBER, 1995. THIS FAILURE OCCURS IN OTHER FORD MOTORS 3.8 ENGINES, SPECIFICALLY THE CROWN VICTORIA, AND LINCOLN TOWNCAR. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #10114234

    Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2000
    Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

    WHEN DRIVNG THOUGH A PUDDLE @ SLOW SPEEDS, BATTERY LIGHT BLINKED AND ENGINE SHUT OFF. BROUGHT CAR INTO SHOP, WAS TOLD LOOSE BATTERY CONNECTION. I READ ON YOUR WEB SITE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

    NHTSA ODI #721790

    Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 1998
    Engine And Engine Cooling

    OIL PAN RUSTED OUT CAUSING LEAKAGE.

    NHTSA ODI #534050

    Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 1996
    Engine And Engine Cooling

    HOLE IN ENGINE CYLINDER DUE TO NOT ADDING CHEMNICAL ADDITIVE TO COOLANT SYSTEM. *DH

    NHTSA ODI #504088

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

    Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.