Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl 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.
Small damage to the left outside of the left fender, caused both air bags to go off. This broke the rearview mirror on the windshield and both rear window latches to break the vehicle was in motion.
Consumer was driving approximately 5 MPH. Upon impact of rear ending another vehicle, air bags deployed, and passenger's side air bag broke the rearview mirror and cracked the windshield. Dashboard, steering column, and rear window functions were destroyed. Air bags were not supposed to deploy unless impact is at lease 28 MPH. There is an open investigation at this time ie-98-081.
Consumer was driving at 55 MPH and a deer ran out in front of the vehicle, causing the consumer to hit the deer. Driver's side/passenger's side air bags did not deploy. Also, there is a crack in the front windshield, and the back rear windows are broken. Consumer took the vehicle to the shop, and the dealer stated that the air bags shouldn't have deployed.
Consumer was traveling 55mph on the highway while driver's/passenger's airbags deployed. Driver maintained control of vehicle, but veered off the road onto the shoulder. Also, rear two windows blew out/dashboard came apart, and passenger's airbag caught on fire. Fire department was notified. Dealer contacted, said vehicle is out of warranty.
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.
While consumer's son was driving about 10 MPH he stepped on the brake pedal to stop behind another vehicle, but the brakes did not work and he rear ended tthe other vehicle. Driver's air bags deployed, burning his arm. Pasenger's air bag did not deploy. Dealer notified.
Experienced ABS failure while driving on wet pavement during panic stop, when attempting to slow/stop vehicle continued to roll forward, skidding 40 feet, hit another vehicle, 4 weeks prior experienced ABS light staying on, also no deployment of driver's air bag.
When van hit a curb going about 15 MPH both air bags deployed. The deployment of air bags caused serious injuries to the driver's forehead/nose and eyes. The fumes from the air bag caused the driver and passenger to lose their breath. The van has not been repaired.
While driving consumer stepped on the brake pedal to stop vehicle, but brakes did not respond. Consumer tried to avoid rear ending another vehicle by driving vehicle off the road. But was involved in a rollover. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy.
Airbag complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1995 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 92 complaints about the air bags of the 1995 Ford Windstar, 3% of the model year's 3,326 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (56 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Windstar airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1995 Ford Windstar, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Windstar airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 152,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 49 crashes, 4 fires and 54 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.