Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1995 Ford Windstar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 166 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 166, in the owner's own words
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.
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.
ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT (YELLOW) COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND WON'T GO OFF. *TT
FORD WINDSTAR ABS/BRAKE LIGHT STILL COMES ON AFTER RECALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE PARKED AT A GAS STATION, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL AND AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE UNKNOWN RECALL HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWING REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM BEFORE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE AND HE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A DEALER WHO WOULD MAKE FURTHER REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 177,000.
MY SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO ON MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE RECALL HAVING TO DO WITH THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY CAR COULD CATCH FIRE WHEN UNATTENDED. WE HAVE BEEN LOSING BRAKE FLUID FOR SOME TIME. WHEN THE AREA IN QUESTION FOR THE RECALL UNDER THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS INSPECTED, THERE WAS INDEED FLUID LEAKING. WE HAVE ALSO HAD AN ABS LIGHT ON THE DASH LIGHTING FOR SOME TIME. MY HUSBAND HAS JUST BEEN ADDING BRAKE FLUID, BUT NOW THE LIGHT DOESN'T EVEN LIGHT. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING. MY MECHANIC WILL LOOK AT IT BEFORE FORD DOES. *TR
OUR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR BURNED. THE BUILDING IN WHICH IT WAS PARKED ALSO BURNED ALONG WITH A 1990 PACE ARROW MOTOR HOME, A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE $5000.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF LUMBER AND SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF MISCELLANEOUS MATERIAL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE FOR 1 TO 2 MONTHS. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WIRES LOCATED NEAR THE ENGINE WERE BURNED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS "JUNK" AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND THAT THE POWER LOCKS NEVER FUNCTIONED CORRECTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $3,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, SHE DID RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE (09V399000). SHE NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 179,000.
2 YEARS AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, THE DOOR CHIME WOULD NOT TURN OFF NOR THE DOME LIGHT. I STILL HAVE THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT INSPECTED AND WORKED ON OVER 10 TIMES AND NO ONE CAN FIX IT. *TR
MY HUSBAND TURNED ON OUR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR AND NOTICED A BRAKE LIGHT ON. HE LEFT IT RUNNING, OPENED THE HOOD AND WAS ABOUT TO CHECK THE MASTER CYLINDER WHEN A FIRE ERUPTED BELOW THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER (ALL HE HAD DONE WAS OPEN THE HOOD). *TR UPDATED 12/30/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DAYS PRIOR. UPDATED 01/05/09. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THREE DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED UP TO SEVEN TIMES PER DAY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. SHE CALLED A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. SHE REMOVED THE ALTERNATOR FROM THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT TESTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS NO GOOD; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW ONE AND PLACED IT INTO THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE AND RUN THE VEHICLE, BUT IT STALLED ONCE AGAIN 4 BLOCKS LATER. SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, DROVE HOME, AND CALLED THE DEALER FROM WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR, BUT IT STILL DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINS AT THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.
1995 FORD WINDSTAR VAN BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. OCCURRED DURING FILL UP AT GAS STATION. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE QUICKLY AS HEAVY BLUE SMOKE ALERTED ME TO THE PROBLEM. WHY WASN'T THIS VEHICLE PART OF THE RECALL FOR THIS SAME SWITCH? MY HOUSE COULD HAVE BURNED DOWN (GARAGED VEHICLE), AS I UNDERSTAND THE SWITCH IS ELECTRICALLY HOT EVEN WITH THE CAR OFF! *JB
STOPPED AT DINER TO EAT LUNCH AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES MY VAN WAS IN FLAMES. FIRE STARTED UNDERHOOD ON DRIVER SIDE. OFFICIALS STATED THAT CAUSE WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL WIRING AT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. CALLED FORD AND GO NO HELP. *NM
1995 WINDSTAR BURNED DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURER EQUIPMENT. *NM
1995 FORD WINDSTAR MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER LEAKED CAUSING CIRCUITS FOR THE HORN, BACK UP LIGHTS, AND CRUISE CONTROL TO BE INOPERABLE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL IS STILL INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM STEMMED FROM A BURNT CIRCUIT. *JB
1995 FORD WINDSTAR HAD A BURNT CIRCUIT AFFECTING THE BACKUP LIGHTS, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR *SC THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL REPAIRED DUE TO EXPENSE REASONS. *JB
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. IT IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED! AS SOON AS ONE REPAIR IS COMPLETED (TWO TRANSMISSIONS, HEAD GASKET, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BRAKES, SUSPENSION), THEN ANOTHER ONE OCCURS. NOW, AS IN EVERY CHRISTMAS, THE "ENGINE LIGHT" IS ON AND THE CAR IS RUNNING SO POORLY THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN PULL THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WITHOUT IT CHOKING AND SPITTING, LOTS OF SMOKE, AND THE CAR IS ACTUALLY SHAKING!!! I KNOW IT IS ANOTHER HEAD GASKET AND I JUST CAN'T PAY ANYMORE MONEY INTO THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR AND IT CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE A FORD!
ENGINE HAS BEEN SPUTTERING, FLASHING OVERDRIVE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. REAR PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS WON'T OPEN, RADIO CONSOLE STARTED TO GET REAL HOT AND THEN WENT OUT. ENGINE CONTINUES TO SPUTTER AS THOUGH ITS SKIPPING A GEAR, AND OVERDRIVE LIGHT CONSTANTLY BLINKING.*AK
I ASKED THE SELLER AT FORD TO COMPLETELY SERVICE THE VAN BEFORE I WOULD BUY IT. HE SAID HIS MECHANIC WOULD. I CHECKED THE VAN OUT TWO WEEKS LATER, LOW ON OIL, NO BRAKE FLUID, TRANS FLUID VERY LOW, NO WATER HARDLY AT ALL IN RECEIVER, THEN THE STARTER WENT OUT, REPLACED IT NO GOOD, REPLACED SWITCH, NO GOOD, BRAKES GONE OUT, CAN'T KEEP FLUID IN SYSTEMS, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, EMISSION PROBLEMS, MECHANIC STALLS FOR THE HOUR AMOUNT, AND STILL CAN'T FIX/TEST II CODE. INSIDE LIGHTS DIM WHEN EXTRA. LIGHTS COME ON. IT'S A [XXX] PIECE OF JUNK AND THEY SOLD US A LEMON. I PAID OVER $4,000.00 CASH FOR IT, AND ALL THEY WANTED TO SO WAS SELL IT FOR MONEY. WHAT CAN I DO? IT HAS 72,000 ETC MILE AND NOW HAS 82,000. WE ARE BOTH DISABLED WITH TWO KIDS. WE HAVE BEEN SCREWED. I CAN GET THE FORD INFO ON THE FORD WINDSTAR 95 3.8 IT RATTLES, WATER RUNS OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE CONVERTER. I WANT TO SUE THEM, I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THE HELL WITH YOU, YOU BOUGHT IT AS IT WAS. FORD PRODUCTS ARE THE WORST AUTO'S ON THE MARKET. WE WANT REVENGE AND ALL OUR MONEY BACK NOW. [XXX]. WHAT IS NEXT A HEAD GASKET? I HEARD THAT COST OVER $1,600.00 TO FIX. AND THERE ARE ALOT OF THEM GOING OUT. FORD NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND IT'S PRODUCTS OR GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS. I HAVE HAD MY KIDS TOSSED TO THE DASH WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES BEFORE WE EVEN GET OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY. WE WEAR SEATBELTS, I WOULDN'T DARE RIDE IN IT. IT IS A DEATH TRAP TO ME.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER'S HOME. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. FIRE INSPECTOR INDICATED THAT THE FIRE WAS AN ELECTRICAL WIRING FAILURE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE THEN PULLED OVER, BUT BEFORE HE COULD ACTUALLY GET OUT, OTHER DRIVERS NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. WITHIN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. *AK
HAD TO HAVE HEADS REPLACED, ELECTRONIC BRAIN, AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ALL WITHIN 1 1/2 YEARS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE. *JB
I OWN A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR THE PAINT IS BLISTERING OFF IN HUGE PIECES. FORD SAYS IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM , PAINT SHOULD NOT PEAL FROM A CAR LIKE THIS IT IS BLISTERING OFF IN SHEETS . I HAVE READ THAT FORD IS PAYING FOR PAINTING ONLY IF THE CUSTOMERS ARE REALLY LOUD ABOUT COMPLAINTS. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT HERE. THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE WITH DEFECTS AND RECALLS. ANYONE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS LAUGHS WHEN THEY HERE WHAT KIND OF CAR I OWN. 10 YEARS TO PAY IT OFF, 3 HEAD GASKETS LATER REBUILT TRANS ENGINE HEADS WARPED FROM FACTORY COILS SPRINGS BREAKING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS , PAINT LIFTING OFF THE VERTICAL SIDES, BRAKE PROBLEMS....THE LIST GOES ON AND NOW FORD NO LONGER LISTS THE WINDSTAR ON THEIR SITE. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE NAME TO FREE STAR I WONDER WHY?
HEATER CORE FAILURE THAT LED TO IMMEDIATE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKING THAT LED TO COOLANT ENTERING ENGINE OIL SYSTEM AND TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. TOLD BY AUTO PARTS STORE EMPLOYEE ABOUT THE CYLINDER HEAD RECALL AS HIS SISTER OWNED SAME 1995 WINDSTAR 3.8L, FORD HAD A VENDOR ANSWERING CALLS. REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT FORD HAD MAILED RECALL INFORMATION TO THE WRONG ADDRESS, THAT IS WHY I NEVER RECIEVED IT. REP UNABLE TO EXPLAIN HOW FORD MAILED HOOD RECALL INFO TO CORRECT ADDRESS, BUT NOT THE CYLINDER HEAD RECALL INFO. REP REFUSED TO ADDRESS ISSUE FURTHER. I WOULD LOVE TO TAKER PART IN ANY CYLINDER HEAD OR TRANSMISSION CLASS ACTION PROCEEDING.
FORD WINDSTAR 95 SHIFT LEVER PRDNL DOES NOT MATCH GEAR. WHEN IN PARK CAR ROLLS HAVE TO FIND D OR R BY MOVING SHIFT LEVER. SOMETIME HAVE TO PUT LEVER IN TO PARK TWICE OR THREE TIMES BEFOR IT CATCHED AND CAR STARTS. WHEN THE CAR ROLLS BACK AND KILLS SOMEONE IT WILL GET FORDS ATTENTION. ALSO REPLACED HEAD GASKET ENGINE AND HEAD GASKET AGAIN. TRANNY SENSOR, DOOR AJAR SENSOR. WHAT A CAR MARK HERSHKOWITZ
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.
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