Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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* the contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. While the vehicle was parked, the contact observed fuel leaking under the rear driver side tire. The contact noticed a visible crack in the fuel tank. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 99V309000 (fuel system). The contact stated that the recall part that was supposed to be on the vehicle was not visible. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. After driving nine miles with the emergency brake activated, fumes and flames released from the gas tank, after filling the vehicle. The failure made a loud noise. The service center stated that there was no fuel leakage. The current mileage was 188,186 and failure mileage was 175,000. Updated 02-14-08.
After filling the vehicle fuel tank at the fullerton md bj's warehouse store, gasoline began spilling from the underside of the vehicle onto the pavement. The baltimore county fire department (bcfd) was called to the scene and responded with three pieces of equipment. Bcfd applied absorbent to the spilled fuel and contained it until they could transfer the fuel (approx. 25 gals) from my vehicle's tank into a safe storage container. After they completed that service, the vehicle was towed to the local Ford dealership, bob davidson Ford, for diagnosis and repair. The vehicle tank had developed a structural crack in its wall approx. 3 inches long ("hairline") in the same location already designated the documentation described by NHTSA recall number 99V309 / Ford recall no. 99s33, immediately above the center left tank support strap. I can produce clear photos of the crack. …
After filling up with gasoline at a gas station, I went to a nearby grocery store. After about a half hour in the store, upon returning to my vehicle I noticed a very strong gasoline odor. To my horror I noticed that the gasoline was all over the parking lot coming from under my van. I immediately called my husband, we had the vehicle taken to an independant repair facility. They determined that there was a crack in my fuel tank and they replaced the tank. I began to look into whether there was a recall for the fuel tanks, because it seems to me that this could have possibly been a very dangerous situation which could easily have LED to someone being injured or possibly LED to fatality. When I learned that there was a recall but it only applied to vehicles in certain locations, I notified Ford that I had a problem with my fuel tank outside of the recall regions. …
1995 Ford Windstar fuel tank crack - replaced fuel tank assembly at my expense on August 08, 2008. When the local Ford dealership was contacted about possible recalls on this item, their reply was "no recalls exist". Upon further investigation, their was indeed a recall, Ford recall no. 99r33, and an NHTSA campaign id no. 99V309000. According to the report, owner notification began December 22, 1999. I am the sole owner of this vehicle and have had this vehicle in for maintenance and service at Ford dealerships since that date, and have never been notified. "recall search" from the Ford website yields zero results. Affected owners are not being notified on possible recalls to their vehicles. …
My 1995 Ford Windstar, VIN # [redacted], bought in November 2000 from koon's sterling, va, has a leaking fuel tank. The leak is in the vicinity of the middle strap and fuel leakage occurs when the tank is half filled. However, there is a fuel odor all the time and this odor has been there since I purchased the vehicle. I believe that my vehicle has the same defective fuel tank which was the subject of a regional recall 99r33 by Ford in 1999 and it should, therefore, be replaced free of charge by Ford. However, when I took the vehicle to the Ford dealer they got in touch with a Ford representative who told them that my vehicle was not purchased in the regions where the recall was directed and Ford would not repair it free of charge. I'd like the NHTSA to give me an opinion on the matter. Thanks.
After relocating to ga, began experiencing strong odor of gasoline. Odor was strongest after tank filled. Shortly thereafter began finding wet stains on ground on left side of vehicle. Upon further inspection found gasoline leaking from gas tank on drivers side from a crack in tank in vicinity of forward gas tank strap.after exhaustive research found there was a recall on these vehicles for this problem.vehicle was registered with Ford on its web site and shows no recalls by VIN#. Also informed by athens Ford that there were no replacement tanks available anywhere in the country. Have been temporarily sealing leaks and keeping very little fuel in the tank. Also found no aftermarket tanks available for this vehicle.have not been notified by Ford as of yet of any problems with this vehicle although they have serviced it since its purchase in pa, until it arrived in ga.
Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. After the vehicle had been parked for five days, the contact noticed a large puddle underneath her vehicle near the fuel tank. She confirmed that the puddle was gasoline. The vehicle continued to leak fuel. The contact realized that she was experiencing the same failure mentioned in NHTSA campaign id number 99V309000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that her VIN was not included in the recall because her vehicle was not registered in the states listed in the recall. Although the vehicle was not registered, the contact travels frequently in one of the designated states. The dealer advised her to have the vehicle repaired in the designated state. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.
The brake lines in this vehicle were rotted and when I had to stop short in traffic, the brakes lines burst in two places. I had slowed from about 40 to about 10 MPH when the brake pedal fell to the floor as all the brake fluid was lost. I struck a car stuck in front of me, and pushed it into a third car in front of it. Total body damage to all three cars was more than $6000, wuth one oif the drivers also putting in medical bills for about $400(whiplash). My insurance comp[any believed me, as they had spoken to the mechanic working on ther car the next morning. Unfortuneately they discarded the brake lines before I could get them for my insurance co., amica. Ford turned down amica's request that they subrogate the costs (surprise!). In retrospect, I guess my family and I got off lucky, but it could easily have been a lot worse.
I have a 95 Ford Windstar (89K) lx3.8; DTC p0306.... Gave rich condition, black smoke out tailpipe, excessive fuel consumption ... Don't stay running. Spent more than $4,000 on the repairs didn't resolve the problem. - have replaced all o2 sensors; - have replaced spark plugs/ wires; - have replaced starter/ battery; - have replaced all the upper intake gaskets and intake isolator bolts; - have replaced the fuel injector #6; - have had replaced all water pump/gasket, A/C and transmission two years ago still didn't solve the problem. Need run the compression test for any mechanic issues but don't have the tools to do so' Ford don't want help anything/repairs. [redacted]
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: minivans which were originally sold or currently registered in the following hot weather states: alabama, arizona, arkansas, california (10 southern counties), florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, nevada (clark county only), oklahoma, south carolina and texas, can develop cracks in the fuel…
Remedy: Dealers will install a brace assembly at the strap bolt hole location and replace the tank strap with a revised, longer strap. Dealers will also inspect the tanks for leaks.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel tank fatigue cracking
See attached report.
Fuel tank cracks
There is no summary currently available
Fuel tank cracks
There is no summary currently available
Fuel System complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1995 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 148 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1995 Ford Windstar, 4% of the model year's 3,326 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (85 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Windstar fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-309 (tank assembly, Nov 2, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Windstar fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system 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.