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1995 Ford WindstarProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3,326 owner complaints about the 1995 Ford Windstar, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

31
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.2× the Windstar median · #1 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3,326263 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage80kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 21, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1995 Ford Windstar has problems

3,326 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling161022
Power train87528
Service brakes, hydraulic48455
Electrical system16829
Suspension1456
Fuel system, gasoline1388
Vehicle speed control11614
Visibility1047
Structure991
21 other systems45288

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

1995 Ford Windstar recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 02V-101 · Apr 4, 2002 · 250,283 vehicles

Risk. LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID WILL RESULT IN BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 99V-309 · Nov 2, 1999 · 70,116 vehicles

Risk. THESE CRACKS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THEY PROPAGATE THROUGH THE WALL OF THE TANK.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 94V-223 · Nov 4, 1994 · 112,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN OVERHEATING OF THE CONNECTION AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

80kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 108 engine and engine cooling complaints. 65% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 7% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
7under 30k miles70under 100k miles38100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

122 owners mentioned a cost

$2,163median

Middle half: $1,355 – $3,585

Power train

55 owners mentioned a cost

$2,000median

Middle half: $1,450 – $2,369

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1995 vs. every other Windstar year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Windstar median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1995 Ford Windstar safety ratings

1995 Ford Windstar in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
14 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1995 Ford Windstar, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILUREDP98004 · closed Jul 2, 1998
    No recall
  2. SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGEEA00027 · closed Jul 31, 2001
    Led to recall 01I007000
  3. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA08021 · closed Oct 14, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-399
  4. BRAKE PEDAL FADE/EXTENDED STOP DISTANCEEA96026 · closed Feb 18, 2000
    No recall
  5. OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENTEA97018 · closed Oct 22, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-180
  6. FUEL TANK CRACKSEA99020 · closed Dec 16, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-309
  7. SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGEPE00024 · closed Dec 8, 2000
    No recall
  8. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE08035 · closed Sep 17, 2008
    No recall
  9. BRAKE PEDAL FADE/EXTENDED STOPPINGPE96042 · closed Oct 31, 1996
    No recall
  10. OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENTPE97011 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    No recall
  11. REAR AXLE TRAILING ARMPE98056 · closed Feb 24, 1999
    No recall
  12. FUEL TANK CRACKSPE99025 · closed Jul 26, 1999
    No recall
  13. FUEL TANK FATIGUE CRACKINGRQ02011 · closed Mar 14, 2003
    Led to recall 99V-309
  14. HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE FAILURERQ04003 · closed Oct 7, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What Windstar owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN BURNING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL SINCE THE BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE O2 SENSORS, SPARK…
Complaint 10360351 · Oct 13, 2010 · 89,000 miles
I HAVE A 95 FORD WINDSTAR (89K) LX3.8; DTC P0306.... GAVE RICH CONDITION, BLACK SMOKE OUT TAILPIPE, EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION... DON'T STAY RUNNING. SPENT MORE THAN $4,000 ON THE REPAIRS DIDN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. - HAVE REPLACED ALL O2 SENSORS; - HAVE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS/ WIRES; - HAVE REPLACED…
Complaint 10359634 · Oct 8, 2010 · 89,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAD RISEN; WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING BLACK SMOKE TO FILL THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Complaint 10299846 · Jan 15, 2010 · 140,000 miles

Own a 1995 Windstar?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.