Model year record

1995 Ford Windstar

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 4,799 owner complaints on file.

Ford Windstar, 1995–1998 generation
Pictured: the 1995–1998 generation. MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V399000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA
2009-10-13
Owners notified
2009-10-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V101000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
250,283
Reported to NHTSA
2002-04-04
Owners notified
2002-05-10

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID WILL RESULT IN BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATION. EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD ALSO RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V309000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
70,116
Reported to NHTSA
1999-11-02
Owners notified
1999-12-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V180000

Structure: body: hood

Component
Structure: body: hood
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
769,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-10-20
Owners notified
1997-11-10

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE OUTER HOOD PANEL.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V223000

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Component
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
112,000
Reported to NHTSA
1994-11-04
Owners notified
1994-12-20

Defect description

THE ALTERNATOR OUTPUT WIRE WAS NOT CONNECTED TIGHTLY TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V222000

Electrical system: wiring: front underhood

Component
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
72,000
Reported to NHTSA
1994-11-04
Owners notified
1994-12-20

Defect description

THE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION CAN ABRADE ON A BRACE THAT RUNS FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO THE COWL.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND POSSIBLY A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine1,19375,804 mi
Power train: automatic transmission721110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline32384,918 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip281104,832 mi
Unknown or other13336,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling11282,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system10774,133 mi
Vehicle speed control89152,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly8480,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components7572,400 mi
Structure: body: door62—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs62128,601 mi
Air bags: frontal56—
Power train5461,576 mi
Power train: manual transmission53—
Electrical system44137,145 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings4396,000 mi
Air bags3695,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition3578,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls3561,576 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control33—
Interior lighting3149,780 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic30100,000 mi
Suspension: front30118,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly27—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads26—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner24—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc22—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood20162,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor20—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2065,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator19126,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1835 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1843,145 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder18—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer18174,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1741,000 mi
Tires17—
Electrical system: ignition: module16—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch16167,900 mi
Steering1676,000 mi
Wheels16124,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash15—
Suspension1578,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1599,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system14115,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)14—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core14—
Fuel system, gasoline1396,020 mi
Visibility: windshield13—
Wheels: rim1388,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly12—
Structure: body: hood12—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal12—
Electrical system: wiring1178,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1197,100 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system11—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.10—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)10—
Seat belts: front: anchorage10—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly10—
Service brakes, air: antilock10—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments10125,199 mi
Suspension: rear10—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs10—
Electrical system: ignition: switch953,300 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch9—
Seats9—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum9—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar9—
Structure: frame and members9—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut9—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system8—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump8—
Power train: clutch assembly8—
Seat belts: front: retractor8—
Steering: rack and pinion865,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights7—
Seat belts7140,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper7—
Structure752,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system7—
Visibility: glass, side/rear761,349 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly678,000 mi
Equipment: electrical660 mi
Fuel/propulsion system6143,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock6—
Parking brake674,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light6—
Steering: linkages6—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing6—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery553,300 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys565,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor513,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch5—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum5—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump5—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar5125,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages5—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior5—
Equipment adaptive/mobility4—
Exterior lighting4107,829 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting4—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch4—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines4—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint470,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module4119,461 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm4—
Structure: body4—
Tires: tread/belt4115,827 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor4—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring4—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module3—
Air bags: side/window3—
Electrical system: horn3—
Electronic stability control (ESC)3119,461 mi
Engine3154,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3175,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap3166,120 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch3—
Parking brake: conventional3—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)310 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit3—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders378,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings387,800 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate3—
Suspension: front: shock absorber3—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber3—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element3—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices3—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior3—
Child seat2—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)2123,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2—
Fuel system, other289,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2—
Power train: driveline2—
Seat belts: rear/other2—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint2—
Service brakes2248,313 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor2—
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments2—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm2—
Visibility2107,829 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages2—
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid1—
Equipment149,780 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly198,200 mi
Latches/locks/linkages149,780 mi
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift178,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: driveline: universal joint1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seat belts: integrated child seat1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1148,156 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, air: drum: chamber178,000 mi
Service brakes, air: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, air: supply: reservoir/tank1—
Service brakes, electric1149,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1100,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid165,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure: body: tailgate1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly1—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1—
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Vehicle speed control: springs1—
Visibility/wiper1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—

The 1994 model has 192 times as many complaints as this one. The 1996 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Windstar model years

All Ford Windstar recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.