NHTSA has 3,326 owner complaints on file for the 1995 Ford Windstar, received from 1995 to 2017. The most-reported system is engine (1,613 complaints, 48%), followed by power train (875) and service brakes (500). Owners reported 137 crashes, 50 fires, 120 injuries and 2 deaths. Median mileage at failure: 100,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999, with 810 received that year. 6 safety recalls cover this model year.
3,326NHTSA complaints
6safety recalls
137crashes reported
50fires reported
120injuries
2deaths
Quick answers
What is the most common problem with the 1995 Ford Windstar?
Owners report engine problems most often: 1,613 of 3,326 NHTSA complaints (48%), followed by power train (875) and service brakes (500).
How many recalls does the 1995 Ford Windstar have?
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 1995 Ford Windstar. The most recent is 09V399000 (speed control, 2009-10-13).
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Windstar problems happen?
The median mileage at failure is 100,000 miles, across 223 complaints that reported mileage.
Have owners reported crashes or fires in the 1995 Ford Windstar?
Yes. Owners reported 137 crashes, 50 fires, 120 injuries and 2 deaths in NHTSA complaints.
Problems by system
System
Complaints
Share
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Median miles
Engine
1,613
48%
10
10
8
81,539
Power train
875
26%
22
6
18
93,672
Service brakes
500
15%
44
5
30
106,400
Electrical system
168
5%
4
24
3
137,145
Fuel system
148
4%
2
5
1
105,000
Suspension
145
4%
6
0
2
118,000
Unknown or other
131
4%
1
1
2
58,900
Speed control
116
3%
7
6
10
137,145
Visibility and wipers
105
3%
4
2
5
101,414
Structure
99
3%
0
0
2
125,199
Air bags
92
3%
49
4
54
123,500
Steering
75
2%
3
1
2
70,500
Equipment
43
1%
1
1
0
49,780
Seat belts
41
1%
7
0
11
144,799
Wheels
38
1%
1
0
0
124,000
Interior lighting
30
1%
1
0
2
63,890
Latches, locks and linkages
29
1%
1
0
0
108,840
Exterior lighting
22
1%
2
0
2
107,829
Tires
22
1%
1
0
5
109,913
Seats
11
<1%
2
0
5
148,156
Parking brake
9
<1%
1
0
0
87,000
Electronic stability control
3
<1%
0
0
0
119,461
Child seat
2
<1%
0
0
0
–
A complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Defect: Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the abs control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Defect: On certain minivans originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. During assembly, some brake lines were installed in a twisted position, causing contact with the dash panel insulator above the catalytic converter. This contact could abrade the brake line corrosion protection, consequently, salt or water absorbed in the dash panel…
Risk: Leakage of brake fluid will result in brake light activation. Extended stopping distance could also result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake line for corrosion and clearance conditions. A brake line that is not corroded will be repositioned. A brake line that is corroded or leaking will be replaced with a nylon coated brake line and secured using three retaining clips to assure clearance from the insulator. Owner notification began may 10, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Defect: Vehicle description: minivans which were originally sold or currently registered in the following hot weather states: alabama, arizona, arkansas, california (10 southern counties), florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, nevada (clark county only), oklahoma, south carolina and texas, can develop cracks in the fuel tank in the forward strap area of the standard 20 gallon tank due to a combination of factors that are present in certain very hot areas of the country.
Risk: These cracks could result in fuel leakage if they propagate through the wall of the tank.
Remedy: Dealers will install a brace assembly at the strap bolt hole location and replace the tank strap with a revised, longer strap. Dealers will also inspect the tanks for leaks. If a leak exists and is the result of a crack in the fuel tank, the tank will be replaced in addition to the installation of a spacer and longer strap.
Defect: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans. Tearing of the bond between the inner and outer hood panels during minor front end collisions can result in a gap at the leading edge of the hood. Air forced between the inner and outer panels can produce enough pressure to force the outer panel upward.
Risk: This condition can result in total separation of the outer hood panel.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the hood area for any damage along the leading edge of the hood. If there is any evidence of bond separation, the hood will be replaced. If there is no evidence of bond separation, additional adhesive will be applied between the inner and outer hood panels.
Defect: The alternator output wire was not connected tightly to the power distribution box.
Risk: This can result in overheating of the connection and a possible vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the connection. Vehicles with visible damage to the plastic power distribution box housing will have the the underhood harness, including the power distribution box, replaced.
Defect: The wiring harness insulation can abrade on a brace that runs from the instrument panel to the cowl.
Risk: This condition can result in an electrical short and possibly a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a shield on the instrument panel to cowl brace, and installation of a piece of convolute wrap material on one of the adjacent harnesses.
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford windstar. When the vehicle was shifted to the drive position, the vehicle accelerated and the check engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The contact stated that there were difficulties shifting the vehicle to different gears. The failures recurred…
Engine · NHTSA complaint 10786616, received 2015-10-28
The engine freezes up and shut down when driving. Had to change the fuel pump and put in a new ac compressor.
Engine · NHTSA complaint 10777831, received 2015-09-26
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the rear axle shifted and fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Power train · NHTSA complaint 10787319, received 2015-10-30
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford windstar. When the vehicle was shifted to the drive position, the vehicle accelerated and the check engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The contact stated that there were difficulties shifting the vehicle to different gears. The failures recurred…
Power train · NHTSA complaint 10786616, received 2015-10-28
The abs light came on and remains on to this day. [redacted]
Service brakes · NHTSA complaint 10587943, received 2014-05-12
While driving back from rome ga to cartersville ga my van made a funny noise and my speed dropped from 60 to 50 and then my back tires felt funny like I had run over something but I know I had not hit any thing so as I got closer to the exit then my abs light came on. After I stopped at a station…
Service brakes · NHTSA complaint 10504408, received 2013-03-25
Other Ford Windstar model years
1985 · 5 complaints
1990 · 6 complaints
1991 · 3 complaints
1992 · 2 complaints
1993 · 11 complaints
1994 · 23 complaints
1996 · 1,386 complaints
1997 · 192 complaints
1998 · 1,433 complaints
1999 · 1,522 complaints
2000 · 1,675 complaints
2001 · 1,686 complaints
2002 · 1,353 complaints
2003 · 1,510 complaints
2004 · 24 complaints
2005 · 1 complaint
Source
Built from the NHTSA complaints flat file and the NHTSA recalls flat files, data as of 2026-10-22. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models collect more of them.