1995 Ford Windstar Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Windstar years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 11 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 3,326 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Ford Windstar. That is the most of any Windstar model year in the database (11 years). The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (1,610 complaints, 48%), typically at around 80,540 miles. Complaints mention 137 crashes, 50 fires, 120 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 14 defect investigations involving it.
- 3,326owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 14NHTSA investigations
- 137complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1995 Ford Windstar problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 1,610 | 48% | 80,540 | “head gasket” (54%) | $3,850 |
| Power Train problems | 875 | 26% | 93,672 | “head gasket” (16%) | $4,000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 484 | 15% | 104,832 | “abs brakes” (12%) | — |
| Electrical System problems | 168 | 5% | 137,145 | “head gasket” (12%) | — |
| Suspension problems | 145 | 4% | 118,000 | “coil spring” (26%) | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline problems | 138 | 4% | 100,000 | “fuel tank” (42%) | — |
| Unknown or Other | 131 | 4% | 58,900 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 116 | 3% | 128,573 | “cruise control” (12%) | — |
| Visibility problems | 104 | 3% | 101,415 | “head gasket” (17%) | — |
| Structure problems | 99 | 3% | 125,199 | “sliding door” (25%) | — |
| Air Bags problems | 92 | 3% | 123,500 | “air bag” (42%) | — |
| Steering problems | 75 | 2% | 70,500 | “tie rod” (17%) | — |
| Seat Belts | 41 | 1% | 144,800 | — | — |
| Equipment | 39 | 1% | 49,780 | — | — |
| Wheels | 38 | 1% | 106,000 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 30 | 1% | 63,890 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 29 | 1% | 108,840 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 22 | 1% | 107,829 | — | — |
| Tires | 22 | 1% | 109,914 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 17 | 1% | 78,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 11 | 0% | 148,156 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 9 | 0% | 87,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 | 0% | 149,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 5 | 0% | 93,600 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 4 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 0% | 119,461 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 0% | 199,500 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0% | 248,313 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 0% | 149,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1995 Ford Windstar recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
Risk: Leakage of brake fluid will result in brake light activation. Extended stopping distance could also result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body:hood
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine compartment fires (EA08021) — opened Sep 17, 2008, closed Oct 14, 2009, led to recall 09V399000.
- Engine compartment fires (PE08035) — opened May 13, 2008, closed Sep 17, 2008.
- Hydraulic brake line failure (RQ04003) — opened May 27, 2004, closed Oct 7, 2004.
- Fuel tank fatigue cracking (RQ02011) — opened Aug 29, 2002, closed Mar 14, 2003, led to recall 99V309000.
- Suspension coil spring breakage (EA00027) — opened Dec 8, 2000, closed Jul 31, 2001, led to recall 01I007000.
- Suspension coil spring breakage (PE00024) — opened Jun 23, 2000, closed Dec 8, 2000.
- Fuel tank cracks (EA99020) — opened Jul 26, 1999, closed Dec 16, 1999, led to recall 99V309000.
- Fuel tank cracks (PE99025) — opened Apr 15, 1999, closed Jul 26, 1999.
- Rear axle trailing arm (PE98056) — opened Oct 28, 1998, closed Feb 24, 1999.
- Automatic transmission failure (DP98004) — opened May 18, 1998, closed Jul 2, 1998.
- Outer hood panel detachment (EA97018) — opened Sep 30, 1997, closed Oct 22, 1997, led to recall 97V180000.
- Outer hood panel detachment (PE97011) — opened Mar 13, 1997, closed Sep 30, 1997.
- Brake pedal fade/extended stop distance (EA96026) — opened Oct 31, 1996, closed Feb 18, 2000.
- Brake pedal fade/extended stopping (PE96042) — opened Jun 13, 1996, closed Oct 31, 1996.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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…
Other Ford Windstar years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 Windstar | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 Windstar | 24 | 0 |
| 2003 Windstar | 1,510 | 8 |
| 2002 Windstar | 1,353 | 8 |
| 2001 Windstar | 1,686 | 15 |
| 2000 Windstar | 1,675 | 15 |
| 1999 Windstar | 1,522 | 11 |
| 1998 Windstar | 1,433 | 11 |
| 1997 Windstar | 192 | 5 |
| 1996 Windstar | 1,386 | 8 |
| 1995 | 3,326 | 6 |
See all Ford Windstar problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1995 Ford Windstar?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, power train, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 1,610 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1995 Ford Windstar?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1995 Ford Windstar a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Windstar model years, the 1995 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.