Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
I asked the seller at Ford to completely service the van before I would buy it. He said his mechanic would. I checked the van out two weeks later, low on oil, no brake fluid, trans fluid very low, no water hardly at all in receiver, then the starter went out, replaced it no good, replaced switch, no good, brakes gone out, can't keep fluid in systems, engine light came on, emission problems, mechanic stalls for the hour amount, and still can't fix/test ii code. Inside lights dim when extra. Lights come on. It's a [redacted] piece of junk and they sold us a lemon. I paid over $4,000.00 cash for it, and all they wanted to so was sell it for money. What can I do? It has 72,000 etc mile and now has 82,000. We are both disabled with two kids. We have been screwed. I can get the Ford info on the Ford Windstar 95 3.8 it rattles, water runs out of the exhaust pipe and the converter. …
My 1995 Ford Windstar developed a fire under the hood on the driver's side while parked in my driveway. The car had not been driven at all during the two weeks prior to the fire. The last time it was driven prior to the fire, the car repeatedly lost power (decelerated, nearly to a stop) while driving on an uphill incline. Depressing the accelerator was ineffective during such episodes. Power returned and the car would acclerate and maintain a steady speed once the car returned to level ground. I had not used the cruise control system at all during that last trip and used it rarely in the 12 years that I owned the car. The fire completely destroyed the engine and all other major systems under the hood. The fire damaged the surface of my driveway and a small area of my lawn.
Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. While driving 40 MPH she noticed that the brake light appeared on the dashboard and that the temperature gauge had risen; within a few minutes, an explosion occurred in the vehicle causing black smoke to fill the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The next morning, the contact heard an explosion outside of her home and noticed that the front end of the vehicle was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle has not been diagnosed for the failure. The contact previously noticed that the vehicle was making a squealing sound moments before the brake light appeared on the dashboard. The current and failure mileages were 140000.
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.
The engine was the main problem due to the head gasket recall. In July,2000, we argued with Ford about a bad engine running for which we had just paid over $300 to evaluate by an outside repair shop. After about 6 weeks we received our car back with a new long block paid for by Ford, including a rental van for the time in the shop. In January 2001 the engine was running rough again and we were charged $81.45 to check it out and replace a wire bad on cylinder 6 which was misfiring. Three months later in April 2001 the car ran rough again and the engine light was back on (happened for years intermittently since we owned the car). The new long-block had another bad head gasket reinstalled per the second Ford dealership service center. After nearly another month we had the second new long-block in less than one year. …
My 1995 Ford Windstar started cutting off on me when I was driving it. I usually am transporting my children and their friends around and it is dangerous when in traffic the van just shuts off. It starts right back up, but I do not feel comfortable driving it anymore. After several visits to the dealer and other car repair places, the dealer sent us home without fixing the problem. We have replaced the iac valve, fuel filter, air filter, mass air flow sensor, and the camshaft position sensor. One place we took it checked for vacuum leaks and checked the fuel flow, which according to them was all fine. We did not keep any of the old parts listed above. There has got to be a reason for a car to just shut off, but everyone seems to be baffled. Event leading up to the failure the first time: got in the van to take my son to an orthodontic appointment. …
My 2 main problems are my transmission & timing gear cover. The tranmission is very hazardous. Mine is slipping between 1st & 2nd gear. I have been reading on the internet that on some of the transmissions they have been slipping out of gear. I sure don't want to have that surprise. I'm disabled & need my van to haul my powerchair with me when I go to the doctors office. I wouldn't know what to do. I talked to a mechanic & he said if it goes it will leave me on the road. I think this van is very dangerous on the road. Ford know they were having head gasket & transmission trouble on the 1995 Windstar why don't they take care of there problems. They know they had bad gaskets on the heads,timing chain covers,& transmissions but they still went with the cheaper gaskets that leak. …
On March 29, 2002, my 1995 Ford Windstar experienced a knocking sound. Noticing the oil light was on, I immediately pulled into the shopping center nearby. I was amazed when I had to add 3/12 qts. Of oil, which immediately drained out. This vehicle just recently had an oil change, so I know it was not low on oil. The vehicle was towed to autofair of manchester, nh. On April 2nd, I was advised by the service advisor, k. Hamel that the timing cover gasket was the problem and I needed to replace the engine at a cost of $3,639. I also spoke to k. Hamels' boss, and was told no warranty was available. I then called the boston area customer service representative, justin boyson. He proceeded to ask me how I got his name...not, how can I help you? He advised me there was nothing that can be done...there is no program available for my auto. …
Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. Three days after the vehicle was purchased, the engine stalled while driving 5 MPH. The failure occurred up to seven times per day. The contact was unable to start the engine and the vehicle was towed to her residence. She called a repair shop and they informed her that the alternator was defective. She removed the alternator from the vehicle and took it to the shop to have it tested. The mechanic informed her that the alternator was no good; therefore, the contact purchased a new one and placed it into the vehicle. She was able to start the engine and run the vehicle, but it stalled once again 4 blocks later. She restarted the vehicle, drove home, and called the dealer from where she purchased the vehicle. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the oxygen sensor failed. …
In June '99 took van in as per owner notification to have head gasket checked. Dealership found nothing. In nov '99 head gasket failed. Ford would not do anything. In dec '99 sent letter to tx state atty general consumer division with lists of complaints found on this web site. In feb '00, Ford moved warranty up to 100,000 miles and got refund. In May '00 engine failed. In aug '00 Ford replaced engine with another 3.8 l. In sept '00 transmission started failing (but noticed problem since day purchased. Dealership states problem in all windstars, tauruses, and sables. In feb '03, replaced transmission. In nov '03 head gasket fails again in new motor close to 60,000 miles on this motor. Ford will do nothing. Seek help through your state atty general consumers affairs office, send copy of letter to Ford, your local bbb, detroit bbb, and consumer reports. …
Engine complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1995 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 1,613 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1995 Ford Windstar, 48% of the model year's 3,326 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1,193 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Windstar engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 10 fires and 8 injuries and 2 deaths to engine & cooling 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.