RoadVitals

1995 Ford Windstar

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3,326
Latest Jun 21, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest Oct 13, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
186
117 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 3,326 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Ford Windstar, most frequently naming the engine, transmission and brakes categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 14 NHTSA investigations name it; and 176 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09V399000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Oct 13, 2009
4,500,000 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 09S09View on NHTSA.gov
02V101000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 4, 2002
250,283 units potentially affected
The 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 INSULATOR WOULD PROMOTE CORROSION. THIS CORROSION COULD ULTIMATELY LEAD TO A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE.
The risk: LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID WILL RESULT IN BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATION. EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD ALSO RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 02S36View on NHTSA.gov
01I007000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Jul 12, 2001
948,492 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 WINDSTAR MINI VANS ARE ALSO COVERED BY NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 01V-199/FORD RECALL 01S19. THE MINI VANS COVERED BY THE SAFETY RECALL WERE 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, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The risk: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
The remedy: FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACEMENT TO A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OF SERVICE FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE. THIS COVERAGE IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE. IF EITHER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES DURING THE COVERAGE PERIOD NOTED ABOVE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA08021ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Sep 17, 2008
Closed Oct 14, 2009

EA08-021 IS CLOSED WITH FORD'S ACTIONS IN RECALL 09V-399 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 4.5 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).WITH THIS RECALL FORD HAS NOW RECALLED ALL OF THE APPROXIMATE 16 MILLION FORD MODEL VEHICLES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MY 1992 THROUGH 2003 WITH A TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SCDS.NHTSA WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES TO ENSURE REMEDIES INSTALLED BY FORD TOMITIGATE THE POTENTIAL FOR SCDS RELATED FIRES ARE EFFECTIVE.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 09V399000
PE08035ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened May 13, 2008
Closed Sep 17, 2008

ODI HAS RECEIVED 134 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, 285 MANUFACTURER COMPLAINTS, AND 137 MANUFACTURER WARRANTY CLAIMS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1995 THRU 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VEHICLES.TWO OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THE FIRES CAUSED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE COMPLAINANT'S HOME.OF THE 134 ODI COMPLAINTS, 36 ALLEGE THE FIRE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, 72 ALLEGE THE FIRE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND 26 OF THE COMPLAINTS DO NOT SPECIFY IF THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING OR NOT.FURTHER REVIEW OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS SHOWS THAT 72 ALLEGE THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) CAUSED THE FIRE AND 10 ALLEGE THAT THE SCDS LEAKED BRAKE FLUID ON TO THE ABS MODULE RESULTING IN THE FIRE.THERE WERE 52 THAT DID NOT IDENTIFY A CAUSE OR THAT IDENTIFIED MISCELLANEOUS OTHER CAUSES.ODI HAS ALSO RECEIVED 89 COMPLAINTS ( NOT COUNTED IN THIS RESUME) ALLEGING THAT THE SCDS DEVELOPED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.THIRTEEN OF THESE COMPLAINTS SAY THAT THE LEAK AT THE SCDS RESULTED IN BRAKED FLUID REACHING THE ABS MODULE.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO FURTHER EVALUATE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRES AND ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RQ04003ClosedRecall Query

HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE FAILURE

Opened May 27, 2004
Closed Oct 7, 2004

ON APRIL 4, 2002, FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES IN APPROXIMATELY 250 THOUSAND MODEL YEAR (MY) 1995 AND 1996 WINDSTAR MINIVANS SOLD OR REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES (RECALL 02V-101).ACCORDING TO FORD, IMPROPER BRAKE LINE ROUTING IN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AT THE OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM JANUARY 14, 1994 THROUGH MAY 21, 1996 RESULTED IN SOME VEHICLES WITH MIS-POSITIONED BRAKE LINES THAT COULD CONTACT A DASH PANEL INSULATOR.SUCH CONTACT COULD ABRADE THE BRAKE LINE PROTECTION COATING AND RESULT IN CORROSIVE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LINES. ODI OPENED RQ04-003 TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF BRAKE LINE FAILURE IN WINDSTAR VEHICLES THAT WERE:(1) LOCATED OUTSIDE THE RECALL REGION; OR (2) BUILT AFTER THE RECALL RANGE.REGARDING THE LATTER GROUP, FORD CHANGED THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS AFTER MAY 21, 1996 TO ELIMINATE THE MIS-BUILD PROBLEM.THE FAILURE RATES IN THE MY 1996 WINDSTAR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THE PROCESS CHANGE ARE RELATIVELY LOW IN BOTH THE SALT-BELT STATES. WITH RESPECT TO THE MY 1995 AND 1996 VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE PERIOD OF CONCERN THAT WERE NOT SOLD OR REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES, THE FAILURE RATE IS ALSO LOW.THE RELATED BRAKE LINE WARRANTY CLAIM RATE FOR THOSE VEHICLES IS ALSO LOW. ACCORDINGLY, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE MY 1995-96 WINDSTAR VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 02V-101.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
RQ02011ClosedRecall Query

FUEL TANK FATIGUE CRACKING

Opened Aug 29, 2002
Closed Mar 14, 2003

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLYLed to recall 99V309000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 3,326
Fuel system
Filed Jun 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A VISIBLE CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V309000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL PART THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE VEHICLE WAS NOT VISIBLE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000.

NHTSA ID
11000366
Incident
Jun 18, 2017
Mileage
143,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 2, 2017

SPEED CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE. THERE IS SMELL OF GAS WITH TANK FULL AND STATIONARY . THIS VEHICLE NOT DRIVEN OFTEN SO MAYBE A MONTH BETWEEN OCCURRENCES.

NHTSA ID
10949174
Incident
Dec 1, 2016
Mileage
155,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 9, 2015
Crash reported

SMALL DAMAGE TO THE LEFT OUTSIDE OF THE LEFT FENDER, CAUSED BOTH AIR BAGS TO GO OFF. THIS BROKE THE REARVIEW MIRROR ON THE WINDSHIELD AND BOTH REAR WINDOW LATCHES TO BREAK THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID
10789305
Incident
May 5, 2014
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 30, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10787319
Incident
Oct 28, 2015
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 28, 2015

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 NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IDLE AIR CONTROLLER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 245,000.

NHTSA ID
10786616
Incident
Oct 12, 2015
Mileage
245,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED OF A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10778394
Incident
Sep 15, 2015
EngineFuel systemVisibility
Filed Sep 26, 2015

THE ENGINE FREEZES UP AND SHUT DOWN WHEN DRIVING. HAD TO CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP AND PUT IN A NEW AC COMPRESSOR.

NHTSA ID
10777831
Incident
Aug 29, 2013
Fuel system
Filed Feb 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES COMING FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER A MONTH AGO AND THE CONTACT WAS STILL WAITING FOR THE RESULTS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V309000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10689631
Incident
Feb 1, 2014

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

16-0065

STRUCTURE

For 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 11S16 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a front subframe lower control arm (LCA) rear attaching flange or rear body mount could separate from the vehicle subframe. Separation of one LCA attachment or both rear body mounts may result in a loss of vehicle directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

16987

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SLIGHT AMOUNT OF FLUID RESIDUE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDER DUST BOOT ON VEHICLES WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES. *TT

02221

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE-GEAR DRIVEN SYNCHRONIZERS-INCORRECT INSTALLATION-CAMSHAFT POSITION SYNCHRONIZER (CMP) INSTALLATION TOOL CORRECT APPLICATION. *MJ

870197

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

INCORRECTLY INSTALLED GEAR DRIVEN CAMSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR SYNCHRONIZER ASSEMBLIES CAUSING SURGE, LOST OF POWER, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1336, P1309 AND P0340. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Windstar by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005100—
2004240034.0
20031,5109659.7
20021,3539662.2
20011,68616862.9
20001,67516862.1
19991,52213862.2
19981,433141063.1
19971926660.8
19961,38691362.8
1995Viewing3,32681461.6
1994230241.6
1993110038.9
1992200—
1991300—
1990600—
1989000—
1988000—
1985500—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.