Ford Windstar Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 1,567 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Ford Windstar across 10 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (280). The words owners use most often: “abs brake” (19% of reports).
- 1,567electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 23mention a crash
- 11mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $930typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- ABS brake: mentioned in 304 of 1,567 complaints (19%)
- Cruise control: mentioned in 186 of 1,567 complaints (12%)
- Speedometer odometer: mentioned in 89 of 1,567 complaints (6%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 83 of 1,567 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the Ford Windstar at $930, and half of them between $580 and $1,450.
Based on 31 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2015), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 978 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,567 complaints, 23 mention a crash, 158 a fire, 11 an injury.
Ford Windstar electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Windstar | 3 | 13% | 140,500 |
| 2003 Windstar | 280 | 19% | 100,000 |
| 2002 Windstar | 261 | 19% | 100,000 |
| 2001 Windstar | 223 | 13% | 98,000 |
| 2000 Windstar | 222 | 13% | 111,009 |
| 1999 Windstar | 209 | 14% | 101,000 |
| 1998 Windstar | 111 | 8% | 82,409 |
| 1997 Windstar | 7 | 4% | 135,000 |
| 1996 Windstar | 83 | 6% | 91,623 |
| 1995 Windstar | 168 | 5% | 137,145 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash
Model years: 1999, 2000
Problem: Vehicle description: minivans built with instrument clusters without the message center, fail to comply with the requirements of standard no. 118, "power-operated window, partition, and roof panel systems." the power windows may be operable after the ignition has been turned to the "off" position and the front doors are opened.
Risk: The standard requires that power operated windows may be closed only when the key is in the "on," "start," or "accessory" positions, or during the interval between the time the key is turned off, and the opening of either of the vehicle's front doors.
Fix: Dealers will reconfigure the vehicle front end electronic module.
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Model years: 1995
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.
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Model years: 1995
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start, and the rear glass was out of the frame by about three-quarters of an inch. Additionally, the front driver's and passengerâs side windows failed to go up or roll down and were inoperable. The contact also…
Manufacture Recall # 09S09 NHTSA Recall # 09V399000 Instrument cluster has become faulty. Details listed below. Overdrive (O/D) light will randomly start flashing for no reason ABS will randomly engage Parking brake light will randomly turn on Speedometer with become sporadic Transmission has…
The gauges are acting crazy which causes the engine to jerk or the transmission and then it starts making the lights flicker in the interior and the gauges start sticking. It seems to make the overflow on the radiator to empty more because it is causing the sensors in the electrical for the parts…
We woke up this morning to the driver's side completely burned and melted. It had been parked sinced Monday. Fire inspector said it was definitely an electrical issue coming from the seat.
If my vehicle is not used for a few days (3 to 4 days), when I start the vehicle, all the needles of the instrument cluster oscillate violently between extremes. However, this does not affect drivability and I can slowly move the car out of my driveway and get on the street. About 30 to 45 seconds…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Windstars have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,567 owner complaints about electrical system for the Ford Windstar. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Windstar electrical system?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the Ford Windstar?
Owners report a typical cost of $930 (half paid between $580 and $1,450), from 31 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Ford Windstar?
The most frequent phrase is “abs brake”, in 304 of 1,567 complaints, followed by “cruise control” (186).
Other Ford Windstar problems
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,676)
- Power Train problems (2,595)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (2,137)
- Suspension problems (2,045)
- Structure problems (1,239)
- Service Brakes problems (929)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (892)
- Steering problems (682)
See all Ford Windstar problems.