Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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. …
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.
While driving consumer noticed a greasy substance on the rear windshield and smelt smoke. Consumer pulled off the road to check the smell, but didn't find any problem. Then, consumer pulled back onto the road, drove for a few seconds, before pulling into a gas station. Consumer was alerted by the gas station attendant that vehicle was on fire. A fire extinguisher was used to put out the fire. Vehicle was towed to a dealership, who indicated the fire occurred because of transmission seal failure.
Car engine was skipping while driving down the road at mid speeds, auto shop said it was either the torque converter starting to go bad or the transmission had a short in the overdrive switch. Next night after driving approx 30 miles, parked car in driveway, 20 minutes later, whole front end of car was engulfed in flames. Car was totaled by insurance company.
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the rear axle shifted and fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
On August 4, 1999 my wife returned home from an errand, parked the vehicle on the flat section of our driveway, put the car in "park" turned off the ignition and removed the keys from the ignition. She then went to the back liftgate, opened it to remove some items and closed the liftgate, which requires a fair amount of force. She then went into the house to put away the items and get ready to leave again. During this time 2 of our children, plus a friend of one of my children, got into the back seats of the vehicle to get ready to leave with my wife. The vehicle suddenly began to roll forward off the flat driveway, beyond which is a downward sloping side yard. The car rolled downhill approx 80 feet and hit a tree. Both airbags deployed and the front end sustained major damage. The exact cost of the repairs is still not determined - the car May be totalled. …
On the date indicated below while travelling with my children (the youngest only 18 months old) and my mother to visit relatives in leonardtown md, approximately 4 hours from my home, my 1995 Ford Windstar transmission failed completely, shortly after exiting the ft. Mchenry tunnel, which was very crowded. I had the van checked before I left for my destination, particularly the transmission fluids and other fluids, and there was no indication that failure was imminent. I was stranded by the side of the road for over 2 hours, but consider myself lucky because if this van had stalled in the tunnel, we probably would have been killed. The problem is that this is the third time the transmission has failed on this vehicle which only has 73,400 miles. …
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. …
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. …
Brake light come on frequently. Door ajar light stays on occasionally causing interior lights to remain on even when all doors are shut. Dash light quit working. Took to certified mechanic and found the problem was in the ashtray light, disconnected ashtray light and dash lights started working again. Engine light staying on. Took to certified mechanic, was told that vacuum hose was off the EGR valve. Mechanic put vacuum hose back on. Problem recurred 3 days later but this time not vacuum hose. Believe the problem to be EGR valve itself. Engine surges/misses constantly. Did a tune up, replacing plugs wires, etc.. Problem still exists especially after vehicle is run for a while. Often shifts hard during acceleration. Have done transmission service, problem still exists. Do not take off hard from stops.
NHTSA investigations
Automatic transmission failure
There is no summary currently available
Transmission complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1995 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 875 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1995 Ford Windstar, 26% of the model year's 3,326 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (721 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Windstar transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 21 crashes, 5 fires and 16 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.