Model year record
The 1996 Ford Club Wagon has 2 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (8 complaints).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 8 | — |
| Air bagsFrontal | 2 | — |
| Service brakes, airDisc › Rotor | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine | 2 | — |
| SteeringHydraulic power assist system | 1 | — |
| SuspensionFront | 1 | — |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | — |
| SeatsFront assembly › Recliner | 1 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Webbing | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap | 1 | — |
| EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner | 1 | — |
| Electrical system | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
FUEL FILLER PIPE ON THIS VEHICLE HAS FAILED THREE TIMES (FIRST FAILURE MILEAGE IS LISTED BELOW). EACH TIME THE FIRST SYMPTOM IS THE SMELL OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING, WHEN THE PROBLEM WORSENS, AT TIME OF FILL-UP GAS SPILLS ON THE GROUND. *TR
DT: CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE MASTER CYLINDER ON A 1996 FORD CLUB WAGON. THIS VEHICLE WAS OWNED BY HIS EMPLOYER. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DROVE APPROXIMATELY 8 HOURS BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. *AK
WHEN THE FAN SWITCH WAS TURNED TO THE FAST POSITION AND THE A/C WAS TURNED ON THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER A FEW SECONDS ALOT OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE DASH AND A/C AREA. THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE KNOB AND SAW FLAMES. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AND REMOVED THE CABLE. NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED. *AK *NM
ENGINE STALLS OCCASIONALLY WHEN IN DRIVE AND AT A STOP, AND SOMETIMES INSTEAD OF JUST DYING IT TRIES TO STAY RUNNING BY FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING ME TO HIT CURBS AND MY GARAGE WALL. I CAN AVOID THIS BY PLACING IT IN NEUTRAL TEMPORARILY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD ABOUT THREE TIMES FOR THIS ALONE, BUT THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT BECAUSE IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE. ALSO THE REAR BLEND DOOR FLAP FOR REAR A/C DETERIORATES EVERY YEAR AND NEEDS REPLACING TO STAY COOL IN PHOENIX, AZ. *JB
WHILE FUELING GAS CAME OUT FROM UNDER VAN, NOT AT THE FILL NECK. *AK
RUSTING OUT OILPAN WITH ONLY 38K MILES ON IT. HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A REACURING PROBLEM, LOOKING FOR A RECALL NOTICE. *AK
FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WORN PREMATURELY. NLM
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, AND VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. THEN VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.