1995 Ford Windstar problems
The 1995 Ford Windstar has 4,799 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (36%) concerns engine. Next are transmission (17%) and brakes (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 4,799 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 36% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 179 and 66
- Injuries and deaths
- 170 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 98,000 miles 321 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 16 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 24 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 69 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 50 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 54 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 35 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 31 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 17 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 6 |
| 200k+ miles | 11 |
What the data shows
Of the 321 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 98,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 82,000 miles (111 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 179 complaints mention a crash; 66 complaints mention a fire; 170 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1995 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 11 model years of the Ford Windstar with enough data (3,052 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Vehicle crashed into a highway guardrail resulting in a fire which killed 1 passenger and severly burn two other passengers. Consumers believe vehicle is prone to catch on fire upon impact (randolph richardson and willie forden are represented by attorney). Nlm
My mechanic tells me this is his 28th head gasket repair to a ford car this year so far. I contacted my dealer's serv. Dept. And they tell me there was a recall in 1998 for this problem for my type of car. I did not get a notice. I called ford's 800# and they tell me there is nothing they can do.
Consumer was involved in a rear end collision travleing about 15 to 20 MPH, impact 12:00, and both driver's and passenger's side air bags deployed. Upon deployment of the passenger's side the air bag caught fire. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Vehicle not involved in recall 95e006002. Please provide further details.
My 2 main problems are my transmission & timing gear cover. The tranmission is very hazardous. Mine is slipping between 1st & 2nd gear. I have been reading on the internet that on some of the transmissions they have been slipping out of gear. I sure don't want to have that surprise. I'm disabled & need my van to haul my powerchair with me when I go to the doctors office. I wouldn't know what to do. I talked to a mechanic & he said if it goes it will leave me on the road.
1995 ford winstar transmission failed at 72,252 miles. Transmission began smoking and fluid leaked out. While changing oil gasket, found chunks of metal in pan. Despite changing oil gasket and putting it new transmission fluid, car still hesitates and jerks at stop light, sign. Told transmission needs to be replaced.