1995 Ford WINDSTAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,811 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
99,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 model year. Data snapshot: . 222 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 624 of 1,811 complaints (34.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 314 | 17.3% |
| Braking behavior | 266 | 14.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 75 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 54 | 3.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 53 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 36 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 624 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 333 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 173 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 120 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 97 |
| Unknown Or Other | 70 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 61 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 59 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 624; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 333; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 173; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 120; Engine And Engine Cooling: 97; Unknown Or Other: 70; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 61; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 59
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 37 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 56 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 76 |
| 150,000 and above | 35 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 37; 75,000 to 99,999: 56; 100,000 to 149,999: 76; 150,000 and above: 35
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (76). 1,589 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 157 |
| 1996 | 79 |
| 2000 | 679 |
| 2001 | 314 |
| 2002 | 264 |
| 2003 | 128 |
| 2004 | 87 |
| 2005 | 24 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2017 | 2 |
1995: 157; 1996: 79; 2000: 679; 2001: 314; 2002: 264; 2003: 128; 2004: 87; 2005: 24; 2006: 17; 2007: 11; 2008: 13; 2009: 8; 2010: 10; 2011: 4; 2012: 4; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 6; 2017: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 314 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 266 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 75 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000642 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
RE:1995 FORD WINDSTAR VIN [XXX] THIS COMPLAINT RELATES TO DAMAGE INCURRED JUST PRIOR TO AN OFFICIAL RECALL NOTICE FOR COLLAPSE OF THIS VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND FORD'S REFUSAL TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DAMAGE INCURRED AND REPAIRS PERFORMED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER CARE RECALL LINE, AND WRITTEN TO FORD'S CEO WITH NO RESPONSE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FORD IS OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS WHICH RESULTED FROM A SITUATION UNDER WHICH A RECALL IS DECLARED, EVEN IF THEY WERE INCURRED PRIOR TO THE RECALL …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005032 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
WE OWN A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR VA N THAT HAD A RECALL FOR BAD HEADS & HEAD GASKETS. IN 2001 THE ENGINE BLEW UP,AND FORD SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR FREE. AFTER NEARLY THREE TO FOUR WEEKS THEY GAVE THE VAN BACK WITH A NEW SHORT BLOCK AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. IT RAN ALRIGHT FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR, THEN IT STARTED NOT PEFORMING LIKE IT SHOULD.I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THAT SEEMED TO WORK. THEN IT GOT COLD THIS WINTER, AND MY WIFE SAID SHE HAD NO HEAT. I ADDED RADIATOR FLUID AND IT HEATED UP. THREE DAYS LATER , SHE SAID SHE HAD NA HEAT AGAIN! I LOOKED UP …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004798 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
THE STEEL BRAKE PIPE AS LEAKING. THE PIPE HAD DETERIORATED WHICH CAUSED A HOLE. SCC PH
Owner-reported narrative. 87,560 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006337 · 2000-06-19 (June 19, 2000)
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED ON AVERAGE EVERY 6,000 MILES. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED AT 40,000 MILES, THE HEAD GASKET AT 20,000. THE CUTTING OUT, ENGINE FAILURE HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE HEAD GASKET WAS CORRECTED. FORD HAS RESPONDED TO A WRITTEN LETTER, AT WHICH TIME I WAS ACCUSED FOR FORGING MY HUSBAND'S SIGNATURE (LATER I WAS TOLD HE WAS JUST KIDDING). THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR MY 3 CHILDREN. WHEN MOVING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, WE ARE IN DANGER OF A COLLISION IF THE ENGINE FAILS, AS IT OFTEN DOES. PLEASE F…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015310 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
AT 48000 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED BY MANUFACTURER DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER REBUILT THE ENTIRE UPPER PART OF THE ENGINE. NOW THE VEHICLE IS STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE STALLING WAS DUE TO A DROP IN OIL PRESSURE WHICH SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP IN TURN SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015310 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017522 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, FLAMES EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE FOR THE SECOND TIME. *JB ALSO THE FUEL TANK CONTAINED A LEAK AND THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE. PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008120 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
ENGINE DEFECT - BLOWN HEAD GASKET RESULTED IN DANGEROUS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER/OVERHEATING CONDITION FOR THE DRIVER, AND A DANGER TO OTHER TRAFFIC DUE TO HEAVY SMOKE AND WATER FROM THE TAIL PIPE ON THE ROADWAY IN SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THESE ENGINES FOR THE KNOWN HEAD GASKET DEFECT THAT CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR HAZARD.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 54,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010040 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008025 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
I HAD TO REPLACE THE SECOND STOCK RIM ON MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAVE NEVER HAD A RIM LEAK AIR ON ANY OTHER CAR THAT I HAVE OWNED AND WAS QUITE AGRIVATED TO LEARN FROM THE WHEEL SHOP OWNER THAT HE HAS DONE AROUND 30 SUCH REPLACEMENTS THIS YEAR. ALL ON FORD WINDSTARS. NO OTHER MANUFACTURE OR MODEL. I REALIZE THAT THE 1995 WINDSTAR WAS THE WORST YEAR FOR FORD WINDSTARS, BUT AFTER HAVING TO PUT UP WITH HEADGASKET BLOWOUTS AT 58,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION BLOWOUTS AT 70,000 AND ASSORTED OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES, THE WHEELS SEEM ANOTHER REDICULOUS MA…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032417 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)
THE VAN BEGAN MAKING A "STATIC/PING-PING" SOUND. WHILE VAN WAS SHUT OFF THE HEAD LIGHTS REMAINED ON WITH SWITCH OFF. THE VAN BEGAN SMOKING WHILE OFF. FIRE BEGAN TO CONSUME THE VAN WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE FIRE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032417 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010475 · 2003-03-14 (March 14, 2003)
ABS LOCKS AND VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 TRYING TO FIX BRAKING ISSUE. TONE RINGS, STRUTS, SUSPENSION, FRONT BRAKES, REAR BRAKES, BEARINGS, CV JOINTS, MASTER CYLINDER, AMONG OTHER REPLACEMENTS. OVER BUMPS, SMALL HILLS, STRAIGHT ROADS, ANYTIME COMING TO A STOP, VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO STOP COMPLETELY. HAVE PUMPED BRAKES AND FOUND THAT BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD AND LOUD, STILL DOES NOT HELP TO STOP VEHICLE. STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE AT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. BRAKE PEDAL ALSO KICKS BACK, SOMETIMES WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE, MAKES A LO…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014235 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
THE FRONT AREA OF MY VAN MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISES WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AND/OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MAINLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS OR TIMES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS WARMER. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR TO A YEAR AND A HALF AFTER I BOUGHT THE VAN WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS TODAY. I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE DEALER SAID THE POPPING NOISE WAS THE BRAKE CYLINDERS EXPANDING ONTO THE PADS TO STOP THE VAN. IT IS ODD THOUGH BECAUSE THE FRON…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014235 at NHTSA ↗