123 of the 4,799 complaints about the 1995 Ford Windstar are about the throttle and cruise control — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 128,572 miles.
123
Complaints
8
Crashes
6
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEED CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE. THERE IS SMELL OF GAS WITH TANK FULL AND STATIONARY . THIS VEHICLE NOT DRIVEN OFTEN SO MAYBE A MONTH BETWEEN OCCURRENCES.
NHTSA complaint #10949174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES SHIFTING THE VEHICLE TO DIFFERENT GEARS. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IDLE AIR CONTROLLER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 245,000.
NHTSA complaint #10786616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM ROME GA TO CARTERSVILLE GA MY VAN MADE A FUNNY NOISE AND MY SPEED DROPPED FROM 60 TO 50 AND THEN MY BACK TIRES FELT FUNNY LIKE I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING BUT I KNOW I HAD NOT HIT ANY THING SO AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE EXIT THEN MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER I STOPPED AT A STATION I CHECKED MY BRAKE FLUID BUT IT WAS FULL, I CHECKED MY TIRES THEY WHERE GOOD BECAUSE THEY ARE NEW. WHEN I GOT HOME I HAD MY BREAKS & PLUGS CHECKED AND THEY ARE GOOD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. THE ABS LIGHT IS STILL ON, WHILE DRIVING MY VAN STILL LOSE SPEED ON HILLS AND LEVEL GROUND. HELP ME PLEASE THIS IS MY ONLY WAY TO GET WHERE I NEED TO GO.
NHTSA complaint #10504408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY. A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE GARAGE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10322188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
OUR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR BURNED. THE BUILDING IN WHICH IT WAS PARKED ALSO BURNED ALONG WITH A 1990 PACE ARROW MOTOR HOME, A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE $5000.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF LUMBER AND SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF MISCELLANEOUS MATERIAL.
NHTSA complaint #10303442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND BRAKE FLUID WOULD LEAK. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WORKED INCONSISTENTLY. SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 152,000.
NHTSA complaint #10243060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY HUSBAND TURNED ON OUR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR AND NOTICED A BRAKE LIGHT ON. HE LEFT IT RUNNING, OPENED THE HOOD AND WAS ABOUT TO CHECK THE MASTER CYLINDER WHEN A FIRE ERUPTED BELOW THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER (ALL HE HAD DONE WAS OPEN THE HOOD). *TR UPDATED 12/30/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DAYS PRIOR. UPDATED 01/05/09.
NHTSA complaint #10230069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING. ALSO AIR BAG BLEW WHEN CAR WAS IDLING AND NO ONE IN THE CAR FORTUNATELY.
NHTSA complaint #10219797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER NORMAL DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5 MILES, COMING TO A STOP AND STARTING AGAIN THE ACCELERATOR ON MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR WENT TO FULL ON. FORTUNATELY THE AREA IN FRONT WAS CLEAR AND I MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES. HAD THERE BEEN A CAR IN FRONT OR ANOTHER OBSTACLE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10204448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1995 FORD WINDSTAR VAN BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. OCCURRED DURING FILL UP AT GAS STATION. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE QUICKLY AS HEAVY BLUE SMOKE ALERTED ME TO THE PROBLEM. WHY WASN'T THIS VEHICLE PART OF THE RECALL FOR THIS SAME SWITCH? MY HOUSE COULD HAVE BURNED DOWN (GARAGED VEHICLE), AS I UNDERSTAND THE SWITCH IS ELECTRICALLY HOT EVEN WITH THE CAR OFF!
NHTSA complaint #10203879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
* CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING OVER 24 MONTHS AGO. * CONSISTENT LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID OVER TIME. * FIRE DISCOVERED UNDER HOOD WHEN RETURNING HOME. FIRE LOCATED UNDER BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES. OTHER VEHICLE MODELS WITH THE SAME SWITCH HAVE BEEN RECALLED. SEE HTTP://WWW.SAFETYFORUM.COM/FORDCRUISECONTROL/ *DEALERSHIP IS ORDERING PARTS TO REPAIR VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10196226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1995 WINDSTAR BURNED DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURER EQUIPMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10158898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1995 FORD WINDSTAR MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER LEAKED CAUSING CIRCUITS FOR THE HORN, BACK UP LIGHTS, AND CRUISE CONTROL TO BE INOPERABLE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL IS STILL INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM STEMMED FROM A BURNT CIRCUIT.
NHTSA complaint #10138849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: WHILE DRIVING A MONTH AGO THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER SMELLED PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL BURNING. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THERE WAS A PLUG NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THAT PLUG ALONG THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONSUMER CALLED HIS BROTHER AND CONSULTED AN AUTOMOBILE REPAIR MANUAL AND DISCOVERED THIS WAS PART OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. DETERMINED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD BE DISCONNECTED AND THEY DID SO. THE CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE SITTING ABOUT SEVEN TO EIGHT HOURS BEFORE DISCONNECTING THE SWITCH AND DRIVING HOME. THE CONSUMER NOTED THAT CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH QUIT WORKING A FEW MONTHS PRIOR. SINCE DISCONNECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THE VEHICLE LOST A LOT OF BRAKE FLUID. THE CONSUMER HEARD ABOUT THE FORD RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE THE SAME CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED FORD AT THIS TIME. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE BODY DAMAGE, THERE WERE NO FLAMES, BUT ONLY SMOKE, AND NO FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10136172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JUNE 3, 2005 AND THE ODOMETER READ 59,000 MILES. CONTACT RAN A CAR FAX REPORT, AND IN THE YEAR 2000 THE REPORT WAS SHOWING 100,300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION, HEAD GASKET, AND FUEL INJECTION BROKE. SHE SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AND STATED WHEN THEY SOLD THE VAN FOR SOMEONE ELSE THEY WOULD TRY TO GET CONTACT MONEY BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10131700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1995 FORD WINDSTAR HAD A BURNT CIRCUIT AFFECTING THE BACKUP LIGHTS, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR *SC THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL REPAIRED DUE TO EXPENSE REASONS.
NHTSA complaint #10130215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: CONSUMER HAS 1995 WINDSTAR. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS COMING ON. THIS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY. IT WAS MAYBE SIX MONTHS BEFORE BRAKE FLUID HAD TO BE ADDED THE SECOND TIME. THEN IT GOT TO WHERE THE FLUID HAD TO BE ADDED ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. WHEN CONSUMER ADDED BRAKE FLUID THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DAUGHTER'S AUTO MECHANICS CLASS, WHERE SHE FOUND THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DECELERATION SWITCH BURNED OFF OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. CONSUMER HAD PROBLEM REPAIRED WITH WHAT THE FORD DEALER CALLED A REPLACEMENT PART. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10127460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEEDOMETER INOPERABLE ABOVE 45 MPH (BOUNCES AND GRINDING NOISES); OUTER DOOR LOCKS INOPERABLE (EXCEPT DRIVERS DOOR), KEY ONLY OPENS DRIVERS DOOR; DOOR AJAR SENSOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED.
NHTSA complaint #10066377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
IT'S US AGAIN!!! ON OUR VACATION TO GA, ABOUT 250 MILES OR LESS, OUR ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. WE WENT TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER IN LUMBNGTON, NC AND HAD AN ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC DONE. THE FORD DEALER WAS SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. CODES P1150, P1151, AND ANOTHER CODE. HOWEVER THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WHILE IN GA AND THEN WENT OFF. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP BACK IN NC AND HE STATED THAT WE SHOULD BE OKAY AND SHOULD MAKE IT BACK HOME SAFELY. ON OUR WAY BACK HOME THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AGAIN AROOUND NC-VA AND S NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, NOR DID THE ENGINE OVERHEAT AND IT WAS DRIVING OKAY. WE DECIDED TO PULL OVER AT A REST STOP AND THATS WHEN THE CAR HESITATED TO MOVE AND THEN SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE TAILPIPE AND UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND LEAKED OUT ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID INCLUDING ALL OVER THE BACK DOOR AND WINDOWS WAS GREASY FROM THE LEAK. . THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCE. THEE VANS ARE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THESE VANS. WE HAVE PUT MORE MONEY INTO THIS VAN THEN I CAN IMAGINE IN A LIFETIME. THESE INCIDENTS HAS ALSO CAUSE US UNNECCESARY STRAIN. IN ADDITION, OUR DOOR AJAR LIGHTS COMES ON, CRUISE CONTROL DON'T WORK, OUR GEARS DO NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY AND GETS STUCK BETWEEN GEARS, OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING WHEN WE TRY TO USE IT, THE AIR CONDITIONER MAKES STRANGE NOISES WHEN USING IT AND DRIVING,ETC. IT JUST DOES NOT WORK. I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THIS VAN AND WOULD APPRECIATE A REMEDY AND PROMPT SOLUTION. THIS IS OUR ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND WE STILL OWE MORE THAN WHAT THE VEHICLE IS WORHT. PLEASE HELP US AND CONTACT ME WHEN YOU HAVE RECEIVE THIS. THANKS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SOMETHING BEING DONE TO TAKE CARE OF US FORD WINDSTARS OWNERS. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUR EMERGENCY EXPENSES,TOW CHARGES TO FREEDOM FORD FROM EMPORIA, VIRGINIA. WE ALSO HAD OUR OIL CHANGED BY FREEDOM FORD BEFORE WE LEFT AND A 15 POINT MULTI INSPECTION DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10036847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT THE SPEED OF 50 MPH. THE ENGINE RACED AT 4000 RPM. AND THERE WAS GASOLINE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. DEALER NOTIFIED. * MR DEALER FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK. HOWEVER CONSUMER DECLINED REPAIRS. HE FELT THAT AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED MASS AIR FLOW CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE AT HIGH RPMS.
NHTSA complaint #8020638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN VEHICLE WAS AT AN IDLE, CONSUMER PUT INTO GEAR AND WITH FEET STILL ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, PARTICULARLY IN HOT WEATHER. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8013091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE AND REV. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8012041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED WITHOUT THE DRIVER ACCELERATING. BRAKE PEDAL WAS INOPERABLE, AND RPMS WERE INCREASING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE GEAR TO NEUTRAL POSITION TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN AND THEN ENGAGE GEAR TO PARK POSITION TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. BRAKES WERE REPLACED THE FIRST WEEK IN MARCH AND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED JULY 2001, AFTER THE FIRST SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #759744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. RPM DISPLAY WOULD JUMP AROUND. DEALER RPLACED SPEED SENSOR, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #8005415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLS OUT/ HESITATES AND DIES WHEN ACCELERATING. VEHICLE STARTS UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER STALLING. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #8004780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND COLDER WEATHER THE ELECTRONIC SPEED SENSOR WILL BOOST THE SPEEDOMETER'S MPH READING TO 15 MPH OVER ACTUAL. THE RESULT IS THAT I NO LONGER KNOW MY ACTUAL SPEED. IN WARMER WEATHER WHEN THE SENSOR IS FUNCTIONING I MAY ACTUALLY BE GOING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT AS I HAVE LEARNER TO DISCOUNT A 80 MPH READING AS 65 MPH. THE SENSOR IS GETTING WORSE WITH AGE. AT ABOUT 60,000 MPH IT WAS A MINOR NUIASANCE. SINCE IT COSTS SOME $400 TO REPLACE FORD SUGGESTED I JUST LIVE WITH THE INCONVIENCE.
NHTSA complaint #757663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRANSMISSION BEING REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. STARTED REPORTING PROBLEMS AT 10,000 MILES. DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY. (SLUGISH, BUCKING, ROUGH ACCELERATION.) AT 60,000 MILES WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. DEALER REPLACED HEAD GASKET AND MADE OTHER ADJUSTMENTS (DON'T KNOW WHAT BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL IN CODE ON REPAIR SLIP) AT 90,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT. MOTOR MOUNTS ALSO HAD TO BE FIXED. PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION AND BUCKING CAME LESS THAT 7,000 MILES LATER. SECOND TRANSMISSION WENT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES LATER! ALSO HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH (REPLACED 3 TIMES AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT) AND WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE BRAKES AND AIRBAGS. (NO PROBLEMS EVER FOUND) FORD DEALER SAYS TRANSMISSION IS NOT A RECALL ITEM AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. I FIND THIS SHOCKING IN LIGHT OF THE NEARLY 4,000 COMPLAINTS THAT THE NHSTA HAS LOGGED FOR THE 95 WINDSTAR, (669 FOR TRANSMISSIONS!!!). FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED!
NHTSA complaint #757107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #756871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER DUE TO THE FACT THAT ENGINE HAD A ROUGH IDLE. DEALER REPLACED CONSUMERS ENGINE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM . BUT, IT DID REMEDY THE PROBLEM, ONCE AGAIN ENGINE WAS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8001517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #754742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.