46 of the 4,799 complaints about the 1995 Ford Windstar are about the equipment — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 49,780 miles.
46
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
ENGINE HAS BEEN SPUTTERING, FLASHING OVERDRIVE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. REAR PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS WON'T OPEN, RADIO CONSOLE STARTED TO GET REAL HOT AND THEN WENT OUT. ENGINE CONTINUES TO SPUTTER AS THOUGH ITS SKIPPING A GEAR, AND OVERDRIVE LIGHT CONSTANTLY BLINKING.
NHTSA complaint #10091308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I HAVE OWNED THIS VAN SINCE 1999. SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS TURNED, AND REPLACED AT LEAST 3 TIMES, AND THEY NEED IT AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED 3 TIMES AND ONE OF THEM TIMES WAS AT 99,000 MILES WHEN IT WAS UNDER THE WARRENTY. IT HAD BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST ONE TIME BEFORE THAT. MY SLIDING DOOR WON'T STAY CLOSED, EVEN THOUGH I JUST SPENT $300 GETTING A NEW LATCHED PUT ON. MY WINDOWS WON'T WORK. I HAD LARSON MOTORS FIX A HEAD GASKET AND MY ELECTRONIC WINDOWS, COST ME OVER $250 FOR THE WINDOW, THAT ONLY WORKED 2 TIMES. I CALLED, AND SINCE THEY PUT "MAY NOT BE THE PROBLEM" ON THE INVOICE, THEY THINK THAT CLEARS THEM, AND THEY WANTED ME TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON ANOTHER PART. MY SPEEDOMETOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND IS BROKE AGAIN. THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED. I COULD GO ON AND ON. I AM GETTING NO WHERE WITH ANYONE. I HAVE SPENT AROUND 5,000.00 IN REPAIRS, AND CAN'T TRADE THE THING OFF, SINCE I STILL OWE TOO MUCH ON IT, DUE TO A TORNADO THAT HIT OUR HOME, AND WHAT THE INSURANCE DIDN'T COVER, THE BALANCE WAS PUT ON OUR CAR LOAN. WE DON'T HAVE THE BEST CREDIT DO TO HAVING TO SPEND ANYWHERE FROM $100-300+ A MONTH ON REPAIRS TO THIS LEMON CAR. I HAVE A FAMILY AND NEED TO KNOW THAT I HAVE A RELIABLE CAR TO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED WITH MY 3 CHILDREN A MINIMUM OF 4 TIMES THIS PAST YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10069970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
FORD WINDSTAR 95 SHIFT LEVER PRDNL DOES NOT MATCH GEAR. WHEN IN PARK CAR ROLLS HAVE TO FIND D OR R BY MOVING SHIFT LEVER. SOMETIME HAVE TO PUT LEVER IN TO PARK TWICE OR THREE TIMES BEFOR IT CATCHED AND CAR STARTS. WHEN THE CAR ROLLS BACK AND KILLS SOMEONE IT WILL GET FORDS ATTENTION. ALSO REPLACED HEAD GASKET ENGINE AND HEAD GASKET AGAIN. TRANNY SENSOR, DOOR AJAR SENSOR. WHAT A CAR MARK HERSHKOWITZ
NHTSA complaint #10070759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
HEATER CORE FAILURE THAT LED TO IMMEDIATE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKING THAT LED TO COOLANT ENTERING ENGINE OIL SYSTEM AND TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. TOLD BY AUTO PARTS STORE EMPLOYEE ABOUT THE CYLINDER HEAD RECALL AS HIS SISTER OWNED SAME 1995 WINDSTAR 3.8L, FORD HAD A VENDOR ANSWERING CALLS. REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT FORD HAD MAILED RECALL INFORMATION TO THE WRONG ADDRESS, THAT IS WHY I NEVER RECIEVED IT. REP UNABLE TO EXPLAIN HOW FORD MAILED HOOD RECALL INFO TO CORRECT ADDRESS, BUT NOT THE CYLINDER HEAD RECALL INFO. REP REFUSED TO ADDRESS ISSUE FURTHER. I WOULD LOVE TO TAKER PART IN ANY CYLINDER HEAD OR TRANSMISSION CLASS ACTION PROCEEDING.
NHTSA complaint #10071014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
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.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
CABLE RATCHET ASSEMBLY THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE UNDER CAR HAS BROKEN TWICE. VEHICLE HAS A PIECE THAT IS HANGING FROM UNDERCARRIAGE.
NHTSA complaint #8016581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #754742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH MY '95 WINDSTAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED IN JAN OF 1997. THE SCARY THING IS I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ON IT , BUT HERE IS MY LIST HEAD GASKETS REPLACED, SPEEDOMETER REPLACED & IS NOW MAKING NOISE AGAIN, REAR HEAT AND AIR REPAIRED,TROUBLE WITH IGNITION SWITCH, STEERING IS MAKING NOISES HOPEFULLY THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION SPRING YOU ARE ALREADY INVESTIGATING, BELLS ARE RINING ALL THE TIME, DOOR ADJAR LIGHT STAYS ON PERIODICALLY CAUSING INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ON SO YOU CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT AND YOUR BATTERY GOES DEAD.MOST RECENTLY MY TRANSMISSION IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS, IT GOES OUT OF GEAR AT A STOP AND THEN SLAMS INTO IT HARD WHEN YOU TRY TO GO FORWARD ALSO SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ENTERING A BUSY INTERSECTION OR STREET. I DID SOME HOME WORK ON THE INTERNET ONLY TO FIND THAT IT SEEMS ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON AND EVERYONE SEEMS TO HAVE THEM AT SOME POINT OR ANOTHER. I HAVE BEEN THINKING OF RE PAIRING MY TRANSMISSION BUT I HAVE READ OF SEVERAL PEOPLE REPAIRING THEIRS ONLY TO PUT 2 OR EVEN 3 MORE IN. WHAT IS IT WITH THIS VEHICLE?NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #742432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET LEAKING ON 01 JAN 00. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC & INFORMED HEAD CONSUMER THAT GASKET WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY. PROBLEM CAUSED ENGINE TO BE DAMAGED. MECHANIC INDICATED VEHICLE IS DRIVEABLE, BUT ENGINE WAS DYING & HAD OWNER DRIVE OFF LOT. RETURNED VEHICLE & ENGINE WAS REPLACED. NEW ENGINE STARTED TO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK & DOME LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF.
NHTSA complaint #869251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED PRIOR TO US EVER TAKING POSSESION OF THE VEHICLE, 1 WEEK AFTER PURCHASE THE TRANSMISSIONS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WERE UNDER REPAIR FOR 3 WKS, ELECTRIC SYS STILL DOES NOT FNCTION PROPERLY, A/C NEVER WORKED IN CAR, BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR AND ENGINE IS DAMAGED DUE TO RECALL - WILL NOT BE FIXED FOR 5 TO 12 WEEKS. I WANT A COMPARABLE REPLACEMENT VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #725013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT AIR . VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLOWING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #865837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE A/C UNIT OVERHEATED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE CONCERNING EXTENSION OF WARRANTY. REQUEST WAS DENIED. ALSO, REAR AXLE/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS/ CASSETTE, & OIL PUMP WERE BROKEN. MANUFACTURER WASN'T RESPONDING. DEALER WAS OUT OF BUSINESS.
NHTSA complaint #859903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C COMPRESSOR IS NOISY DUE TO COMPRESSOR FAILURE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WATER PUMP LEAKS COOLANT AND TIMING CASE COVER LEAKS ANTIFREEZE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. OTHER FAILURES INCLUDE LEFT AND RIGHT TIE RODS, IGNITION KEY LOCK, A/C, AND HEAD GASKET. *AK
NHTSA complaint #858211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS WORKING SPORADICALLY. YH
NHTSA complaint #550201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
REAR SHOCKS FAILED AT 3000 MI. A/C COMPRESSOR RELAY FAILED SUMMER OF 1996 (HASN'T WORK RELIABLY SINCE). TAILGATE LOCK MOTOR FAILED, PASS WINDOW MOTOR FALED, SLIDING DOOR ELEC CONTACTS REPLACED, HEAD GASKETS FAILED 3 TIMES IN 80000 MI. AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALERS HAVE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY OR SERVICE BULLETINS. HOW MUCH WILL IT TAKE FOR FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE 1995 LEMON WINDSTAR !!!
NHTSA complaint #717541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AT 30,170 MILES, TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AT 45,472 MILES THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD WORK WHEN THE VAN WOULD FIRST START AND THEN THE A/C WOULD CUT OFF. WHILE AWAITING FOR THE PARTS TO FIX THE A/C TO ARRIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE VAN BEGAN MISSING DURING IDLE. I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ON JULY 11, 1999 WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE THE VAN SAT UNTIL MONDAY, JULY 12, 1999 AT 7:00 P.M. PER THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP, WE WERE ADVISED TO DRIVE THE VAN THERE, IF WE COULD GET IT THAT FAR. UPON LEAVING OUR HOME WITH MY HUSBAND DRIVING THE VAN AND ME FOLLOWING IN A RELIABLE VEHICLE, WE STARTED OUT FOR THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO STOP MIDWAY BECAUSE THE VAN WAS OVERHEATING. WE WAITED FOR IT TO COOL AND STARTED FOR THE DEALERSHIP ONCE AGAIN. MY HUSBAND TURNED THE VAN OFF AS HE PULLED INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO LET IT COAST THE REST OF THE WAY BECAUSE AGAIN, IT WAS OVERHEATING. THEY DIAGNOSED THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE GASKET THE NEXT DAY. ON DEC 7, 1999, I WAS USING THE VAN TO GO HOME ON MY LUNCH HOUR. IT STARTED TO DIE AS I PULLED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE BUT CONTINUED TO RUN. I HEADED FOR HOME AND WITHIN 2 BLOCKS, WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VAN DIED . I MANAGED TO START IT BACK UP ONLY TO HAVE IT DIE AGAIN. THE VAN HAD TO BE TOWED THIS TIME. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR FLOW TUBE HAD FALLEN OFF OF THE FILTER HOUSING. ON 12-16-1999, I WAS PULLING FROM MY PARKING SPACE TO GO HOME FROM WORK FOR THE DAY, ONLY TO HAVE THE VAN DIE. IT STARTED UP AGAIN ONLY TO MAKE IT TO THE STREET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. IT STARTED AGAIN AND I MADE IT 1/2 A BLOCK BEFORE IT DIED AGAIN. I STARTED AGAIN AND MADE IT ONE FULL BLOCK THIS TIME BEFORE IT DIED AGAIN. I HAD TO START THE VAN APPROX. 5-6 MORE TIMES ONLY TO HAVE IT DIE EACH TIME IN ORDER TO GET INTO A LOCAL HOTEL PARKING LOT. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND HE CAME TO CHECK THINGS OUT. HE COULD.
NHTSA complaint #716450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C CLUTCH CYCLE SWITCH FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
DUE TO A DEFECTIVE MOISTURE PUNGER MODULATOR WIRING HARNESS KIT, THERE IS A MILDEW FUNGUS TYPE THAT GROWS IN THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR WHICH CAUSES THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS TO BREATH DIFIFCULT, AND MAY RESULT IN OCCUPANTS FAINTING OR POSSIBLE DEATH. THERE IS A TSP BULLETIN 98-10-2 REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER IS ONLY WILLING TO PAY HALF FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #853091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
IE98-080; WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDTIONING ON, THE AIR CONDITIONER CUT OFF. ALSO, ENGINE OPERATED ERRATICALLY AND WHITE SMOKE COME FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. DEALER HAS REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET AND OTHER PARTS. ENGINE OVERHEATED VERY QUICKLY.
NHTSA complaint #846280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CURRENTLY OUR VEHICLE IS AWAITING A NEW ENGINE AFTER HAVING THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED ON A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD LAST OCTOBER. WHILE WE HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE, WE FEEL IT IS NOT FAIR THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE REPLACEMENT IN LIGHT OF OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD WINDSTARS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 34,489 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION CONCERNS ABOUT THIS VAN AS WELL, HOWEVER THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS VAN IS INFACT A LEMON, AND WE HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, WHICH ADVISED US THAT NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY BY TIME, NOT BY MILES.
NHTSA complaint #707768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ENGINE - BOTH HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER, THEN ENGINE REPLACED, TRANMISSION SHOWED BURNT FLUID AND WAS REPLACED 3 MONTHS FOLLOWING ENGINE REPLACEMENT, AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO WORK 3 DAYS AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #706187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ENGINE HEAD GASKET/RADIATOR REPLACED, DOMN LIGHTS WON'T SHUT OFF, WATER IN REAR TAIL LIGHT, HOOD WONT SHUT, AIRCONDITIONING SWITCH REPLACED, BRAKES MAKING NOISE AFTER BEING JUST REPLACED, DIDNT SOLVE PROBLEM,. SEAT BELT SEEMS LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #704659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
SPEEDOMETER FAILED/RADIO FAILED SEVERAL TIMES,
NHTSA complaint #526080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #537301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.