1995 Ford Windstar problems & reliability
3,326 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1995 Ford Windstar, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
76 complaints report injuries (120 injured, 2 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1995 Ford Windstar vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes with 2 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1,610 | 48% |
| Power Train | 875 | 26% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 484 | 15% |
| Electrical System | 168 | 5% |
| Suspension | 145 | 4% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 138 | 4% |
| Unknown OR Other | 131 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 116 | 3% |
| Visibility | 104 | 3% |
| Structure | 99 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 100,000 miles (middle 50% between 75,853 and 130,105 miles), based on 218 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Jun 21, 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.”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Feb 2, 2017
“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.”
Air Bags · filed Nov 9, 2015
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA08021 · opened Sep 17, 2008 · closed Oct 14, 2009 · led to recall 09V399000
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE08035 · opened May 13, 2008 · closed Sep 17, 2008
- HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE FAILURE
Recall Query RQ04003 · opened May 27, 2004 · closed Oct 7, 2004
- FUEL TANK FATIGUE CRACKING
Recall Query RQ02011 · opened Aug 29, 2002 · closed Mar 14, 2003 · led to recall 99V309000
- SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
Engineering Analysis EA00027 · opened Dec 8, 2000 · closed Jul 31, 2001 · led to recall 01V199000
- SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
Preliminary Evaluation PE00024 · opened Jun 23, 2000 · closed Dec 8, 2000
- FUEL TANK CRACKS
Engineering Analysis EA99020 · opened Jul 26, 1999 · closed Dec 16, 1999 · led to recall 99V309000
- FUEL TANK CRACKS
Preliminary Evaluation PE99025 · opened Apr 15, 1999 · closed Jul 26, 1999
Technical service bulletins
176 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1995 Ford Windstar. The 10 most recent:
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…
16-0065 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 20, 2020
Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt
03181 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 15, 2003
New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. *tt
03148 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 21, 2003
Slight amount of fluid residue on the outside of the rear wheel cylinder dust boot on vehicles with rear drum brakes. *tt
16987 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2003
Engine-gear driven synchronizers-incorrect installation-camshaft position synchronizer (cmp) installation tool correct application. *mj
02221 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 11, 2002
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
870197 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 22, 2002
Climate control a/c service tech tips. *eh
02208 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 14, 2002
Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock. *mj
02176 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 2, 2002
Grunt / popping noise coming from the front suspension at speeds below 20 mph when turning. *tt
02132 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 8, 2002
Subject regarding power steering line part ordering information. *tt
15767 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2002
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1995 Ford Windstar has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1995 Ford Windstar?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 100,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.