FaultScore report
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 1994 Ford Windstar with NHTSA between 1996 and 2010. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 12 worst.
FaultScore 13/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford Windstar.
How this is worked out25
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
134,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 40,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 128,500 mi
Median failure at 134,000 miles
Median failure at 143,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT
OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 6 REPORTS INDICATING THE OUTER HOOD PANEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLES AS THEY WERE BEING DRIVEN.FORD HAS PROVIDE 39 ADDITIONAL REPORTS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH ODI REPORTS.FORD INDICATES THAT THE LIKELY CAUSE IS PRIOR COLLISION DAMAGE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8015730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND DRIVER'S SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #835700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD, UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE SUSPENSION WAS CRACKED. THE TECHNICIAN MADE REPAIRS TO THE SUSPENSION ACCORDINGLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10331545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY IT'S HAPPENING. ALSO, THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS ARE LEAKING. ALSO, THE BRAKE HOSES WERE REPLACED. OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THESE BRAKE PROBLEMS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT KNOW ONE CAN SEEM TO REPAIR THE PROBLEMS. *NM THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP AT TIMES. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES. REFER TO RECALL CAMPAIGN #02V101000. WHEN THE VAN WAS STARTED FOR A 5TH OR 6TH TIME, IT WOULD SPUDDER/BUBBLE AND ON OCCASION, WOULD NOT START UP. THE SPARK PLUGS, PLUG WIRES AND EGR VALVE HAD BEEN REPLACED. THERE WERE ALSO ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT WHEEL PULLING TO THE RIGHT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10111739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY IT'S HAPPENING. ALSO, THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS ARE LEAKING. ALSO, THE BRAKE HOSES WERE REPLACED. OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THESE BRAKE PROBLEMS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT KNOW ONE CAN SEEM TO REPAIR THE PROBLEMS. *NM THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP AT TIMES. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES. REFER TO RECALL CAMPAIGN #02V101000. WHEN THE VAN WAS STARTED FOR A 5TH OR 6TH TIME, IT WOULD SPUDDER/BUBBLE AND ON OCCASION, WOULD NOT START UP. THE SPARK PLUGS, PLUG WIRES AND EGR VALVE HAD BEEN REPLACED. THERE WERE ALSO ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT WHEEL PULLING TO THE RIGHT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10111739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY IT'S HAPPENING. ALSO, THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS ARE LEAKING. ALSO, THE BRAKE HOSES WERE REPLACED. OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THESE BRAKE PROBLEMS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT KNOW ONE CAN SEEM TO REPAIR THE PROBLEMS. *NM THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP AT TIMES. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES. REFER TO RECALL CAMPAIGN #02V101000. WHEN THE VAN WAS STARTED FOR A 5TH OR 6TH TIME, IT WOULD SPUDDER/BUBBLE AND ON OCCASION, WOULD NOT START UP. THE SPARK PLUGS, PLUG WIRES AND EGR VALVE HAD BEEN REPLACED. THERE WERE ALSO ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT WHEEL PULLING TO THE RIGHT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10111739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
BAD STRESS POINTS WITH 4 TO 6 INCH FRACTURES IN THE METAL. (NAR) *PH FORD WINDSTARS MADE FROM 1994 - 2000.
NHTSA complaint #10066970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10055815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A COMPLETE STOP OR IDLING AND GAS IS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE, THEN LAUNCHES FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATOR ENGAGES. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS IS A RESULT OF A FAULTY PISTON IN THE TRANSMISSION, AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8024130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN ROUGH AND LOSES COOLANT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKETS ON THEIR 3.8L V6 ENGINE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8019438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8015730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER RECEIVED SERVICE PROGRAM 00M09 REGARDING HEAD GASKET FAILURE, CONSUMER WENT TO A LOCAL DEALER STATING THAT NO FAILURES HAD OCCURRED AND DEALER STATED ACTION WAS NOT NECESSARY, HOWEVER NOW THE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED FOR THE SERVICE PROGRAM, CONSUMER IS NOW LEFT HAVING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING OVER 35 MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WILL MOVE BACK AND FOURTH EXTREMELY FAST RESULTING IN THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE NOT TO REGISTER.
NHTSA complaint #8014768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
A BLOWN HEAD GASKET REOCCURRED AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE FOUR YES AGO. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8012088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHEN GOING TO PARK INTO REVERSE CONSUMER WILL HEAR A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #865422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
PUSH THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE SLIDING DOOR AND IT DIDN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY. ANOTHER TIME, THE LIGHT CAME ON TO INDICATE DOOR AJAR, AND THE DOOR WAS AJAR WHILE DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER CHECKED THE DOOR AND REGREASED. THE SECOND TIME THEY ORDERED A PART. THE THIRD AT THE DEALER THEY READJUSTED THE DOOR. THE FOURTH TIME THE DOOR WAS REALIGNED. THE FIFTH TIME THEY PUT A NEW CONTROLLER.
NHTSA complaint #864770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE FAILED PREMATURELY. DEALER HAS NO REASON.
NHTSA complaint #857444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS FAILURE CAUSES VEHICLE TO LOSE DRIVE POWER AT INTERSECTIONS AND IS VERY UNSAFE, WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THEY SAID NO RECALL HAD BEEN ORDERED AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING UNTIL A RECALL IS ORDERED. THIS IS EXTREMLY UNSAFE TO LOSE POWER IN AN INTERSECTION, FORD HAS REDESIGNED THIS PART ON LATER MODELS BECAUSE OF FAILURE BUT THEY ARE NOT REPLACING PARTS ALREADY INSTALLED ON EXISTING VEHICLES. THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE AN ORDER FROM NHTSA WOULD YOU PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT AND ORDER A RECALL, WHILE I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT THIS FAULTLY CLUCTH IS UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THANKS FOR YOUR CONCERN!
NHTSA complaint #709367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND DRIVER'S SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #835700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THE GAS FUMES ENTER IN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING HEALTH PROBLEMS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #831351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITHOUT REAR SEAT PASSENGERS' HEAD RESTRAINT SYSTEM. PROBABLE CAUSE: SEVERE HEAD OR NECK INJURIES UPON A CRASH. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #819558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION ENGAGES SLOWELY WHEN HOT, FALLS INTO NEUTRAL SLIPS ON START, AND A LOUD THUMP IS HEARD WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED FOWARD CLUTCH PISTON AND 3RD CLUTCH PISTON ALUMINUM CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #816793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED - VEHICLE DRIFTED BACKWARDS SEVERAL FEET, THEN SURGE FORWARD.
NHTSA complaint #520649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
MAIN BEARINGS FAILED SUDDENLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. LOST POWER ON INTERSTATE WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #521530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WAS DRIVING ALONG AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH , PULLED OUT TO GET IN PASSING LANE AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HE COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE.
NHTSA complaint #808351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS BRAKES DID NOT KICK IN . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #805750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.