Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1995 vs 1996 FORD WINDSTAR

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 371 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 58.3% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1995 3,306 complaints 1996 1,379 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1995 share 1996 share Share change
ENGINE 40.4% 27.9% ▼ 12.4 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 3.2% 7.3% ▲ 4.1 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.5% 4.6% ▲ 2.1 pts larger share
WHEELS 1.1% 2.5% ▲ 1.5 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 11.6% 12.9% ▲ 1.3 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 2.5% 1.4% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
STEERING 1.3% 2.2% ▲ 0.9 pts larger share
TIRES 0.4% 1.1% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3.2% 3.8% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE 0.2% 0.4% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 3.5% 3.3% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 20.5% 20.3% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 1.1% 1.2% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 1.9% 1.7% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 2.0% 2.0% ▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 0.3% 0.3% ▲ 0.0 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 63.0% 62.2% ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1995 8

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

1996 9

Campaign components: POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
49 → 45
◆ Injuries
115 → 52