Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
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).
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. …
Recall on sliding door - problem ever since repaired. Rear wiper motor died three times and was replaced. Recall on head gaskets. Since Ford dealer replaced them, the intake manifold gaskets blew, replaced those at our expense (approx. $1000), then the front water pump gasket blew and replaced those at our expense (approx. Another $500), then the engine blew and we were informed that the cause was water and antifreeze got into the engine and spun the bearings.... Told by the parts manager that it all started back with the head gaskets. Ford is not backing their engine due to this problem. Also, was not told the first time we came in that the replacement of the head gasket would cause more gaskets to break until after our second return to the service center. Since then, we authorized them to replace the engine. …
In addition to the transmission failure, there have been numerous electrical problems with the heating/ ac, door locks, wipers and door sensors. My Windstar also had the defective head gasket which was part of a voluntary recall by Ford. The transmission failure of this model is well known. Additional anecdotal info can be obtained through the car trackers website on internet. The transmission failure on the 95 Windstar is a known problem at Ford, however no recall has ever been issued.
For the past few weeks the door ajar warning light has been coming on. Upon checking all dootrs numerous times, no problem can be found. It first started when accelerating from a stop. It has gotten progressively worse as time passes and now does it randomly. Yesterday, during a 6 mile trip it came on approximately 6 times at random moments not associated with any particular change in speed or direction. The repair manuals give little to no information about this system or its repair.
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 !!!
The interior dome lights as well as the dashboard door ajar light and the door open chimes stay on even when all the doors are closed. I took it in to have it repaired and even after replacement of the sensors, it is still an intermittent problem. This same problem has been reported twice in the sj Mercury news action line column.
Head gasket went out. It was replaced with recall. Rear hatch lock acuator broke not fixed yet. Windshield washer works only after it is pushed repeatedly about 20 times, not fixed yet. I'm tird of spending money on a 4 year old $25000.00 car.
While driving the Windstar, the engine check light comes on, smoke comes from the tail pipe and Windstar slows down and hardly accelerates. Dealer states that there is a head gasket and transmission problem.
The check engine light was coming on anytime I drove on an trip over 60 miles. After having it checked out and checked out, I could never get an answer about the problem. Found out later that it was due to the head gasket being bad and dumping engine coolant throug the exhaust which in turn destroyed the catatlytic converter and sensor. However the computer would never give the codes that this was the problem. While checking this problem out, I had it in a transmission shop that knew of Ford's transmission problems, and stated that this Windstar had all the signs of a leaking aluminum pump in the transmi. Cost was just under $1000. Still the problem was not fixed. A guy said to check the exhaust, so I had the exhaust checked and found the catalytic convertor had melted down. Had them replaced, still the problem was not fixed. …
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 1995 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the locks & latches of the 1995 Ford Windstar, 1% of the model year's 3,326 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Windstar door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches 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 door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 168,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to locks & latches 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.