Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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. …
Purchased vehicle with 35,000 prior miles, a Ford lease vehicle . The vehicle had problems with the front headlights. Ford mechanics warned us that vehicle had been wrecked after we purchased it. Salesman told us less than $500.00 when we inquired. A title search by us revealed $5,000.00 damage done while under contract as a Ford lease vehicle. This damage was not disclosed to was when we purchased for $16,500.00 we are still experiencing major problems with this vehicle. Contacted with Ford executive offices about current engine problems with this vehicle was very disappointing. They were very rude and refused to help, stating that vehicle is 3,000 miles past extended warranty.
2003 - door ajar light 2002 - blew head gasket; 2002 - heater core replaced 2001 - ignition coil pack & ignition leads replaced 2001 - front tie rod ends replaced 2000 - refrigerant coolant loss 1998 - EGR valve replaced 1998 - transmission fluid cooler hoses replaced 1997 - blew head gasket, repaired under warranty
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.
Notified by Ford sliding door latch, had it repaired. Then front end doesn't stay in alignment, head gasket blew, causing loss of starter and other related parts, total cost of $1800.00 at this time the car only had around 50,000 miles. Door light stays on indicating that a door is open when one isn't. Sometimes goes on and off and beeps. Interior lights stay on for extended period of time. Heard on news about recalls and buy back, called Ford, they tell me about 3 other recalls on the van,: head gaskets, hood separation, feul tank mounting (which will only replace or repair if they feel its necessary). I looked on the net and found that there is also an airbag problem on the passenger side. I was never notified of these and only recently became aware of them. I am in the process of trying to get a refund for the $1800.00 on the head gasket and related problems. …
Antilock brake light ignited on two occasions, filling with brake fluid fixed this problem. Now the anti lock brake light intermittantly comes on. When light is not activated, the antilock brakes are activated with every use of the brake, causing the brake pedal to become very difficult to depress. Once the brake goes beyond this point, the pedal will depress to the floor and pressure will push the pedal back up and pulsate. When coming to a complete stop the brakes will make a grinding sound from the right front. When the light is ignited and the antilock brakes are not operational, the brakes work normal, but still grind when a complete stop is made. There is a wire at the starter connection that works itself loose occassionally causing the engine not to start. When this occurs you need to jiggle the wire and tighten to get to start. …
Most headlight lenses 5 years or older are turning yellow because of uxrays and oxidation. Because of the materials there are made of the amount of lums able to pass through are reduced by many factors. Manufactures replacement costs should be controlled because of the materials used. Thther more these units which house the lamps can cost in the hyndreds of dollars. Many vehicles are traveling the roads with bad lenses because of the huge costs for the product. All these manufactures, charge 10+ time the costs of manufacture; they have jacked up the price so that they can make more monies for replacements. These replacements parts sold are usery. I bet many acidents are created because of poor light emeting from these units. Their are several materials available to these product producers. …
Sometime during the last year, both headlights have become so full of moisture, dirt, and grim as to make them not give off much light to see for night driving. I have been driving on high beams and even that does not help. However the headlight assembly is made, the units have come "unsealed". It is more than a nusance, because it affects the ability to drive safely at night. I have seen this situation on other windstars and others still have nice clear lenses. Has Ford or NHTSA done anything? Is there anything I can do before I have an accident at night running into or over something? Thank you.
I have had numerous small problems with my Windstar. Large problems begin with the transmission going out in August of 1998. November 2, 1999 while driving at a speed of 35 MPH my temperature guage read hot. I stopped immediately to allow the engine to cool down. When the guage showed within the normal range, I turned the car on and it shook and white billowing smoke rolled from the vehicle. I have also had problems with water being retained in the passenger side headlight, the doorlock motor, the driver window sticking and numerous additional small problems.
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.
Headlight complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1995 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the lights of the 1995 Ford Windstar, 2% of the model year's 3,326 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Windstar headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to lights 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.