Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving 45 MPH, the contact rear ended a parked vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The passenger sustained blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen. The contact sustained a dislocated hip on her right side and bruising from the seat belt on her left shoulder and chest area. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. Her attorney advised her not to communicate with Ford. The current and failure mileages were 69,000.
The consumer stated the vehicle rolled off a hill, went across the highway into a field there was damage to the drivers door and the muffler. The second time the incident happened the vehicle was in the consumers driveway and crashed into a tree, the vehicle sustained damaged to the fender. In both cases the consumer stated the air bags did not deploy. The steering wheel never locked on the vehicle as well.
My 1999 Ford Windstar was involved in a crash where the front of my van hit another car. Front end damage was fairly extensive, it was a fender bender. My airbags did not deploy as I would have expected. Is there a problem with the airbag deployment on these vans?
Avoid the deer and slid off road and hit a trees. The air bags on both sides did not release. The speed that this happen was at 40mph. The vehicle has $8600 damage to it. The seatbelt was being used, but the air bags I believe should of still worked.
My ABS light started to flash and is now on constant,my brakes work but not the greatest. My air bag light will start to flash and then come on constant once the vehicle is shut off and restarted the light usually stays off but will do this at random. I have had on several occasions where I hear a popping noise in the front end while making turns. We have replaced most of the front end and still have the issue. I also have a problem with it idling real fast then down to nothing it bucks and sputters when plugged into a computer it says the vehicle runs lean so we replaced the o2 sensors and things and it did not help. I do not feel safe driving my vehicle at all most of the time however I need to get to and from work and the scary part is I have to haul my children and the elderly person I care for around it . Very disappointed Ford[redacted]
Consumer states that she lost control of her vehicle after the steering went out. She indicated that his was not the first time. The first time this occurred the vehicle was repaired by the dealer. Now it has gone out again causing her to hit a wall in the garage. The vehicle started pulling to the left and the consumer could not bring it back. The air bags did not deploy. The dealer claimed they repaired the vehicle but the invoice didn't state what was replaced.
When parked on a hill, the vehicle rolled back. When the vehicle rolled, it went a big field and caused damage to the drivers door and muffler. The second incident, the vehicle was sitting in the consumers driveway on a little hill when it rolled and hit a tree and caused damage to the fender and bumper. The consumer stated when both accidents happened the air bags never deployed. Also the steering wheel never locked.
ABS and traction control lights come on and will not clear with a scan tool. There are 11 codes showing, all to do with ABS/traction control. Normal braking seems fine, not sure what will happen with a skid or loss of traction in ice or snow. I am told there is a recall on the brake system on this van. Do I need to be concerned about these warning lights?
Dt*: the contact stated while seated in the driver seat with the vehicle turned off and the key in the ignition, the side air bag deployed without warning. The contact incurred muscular back injuries. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, who was unable to determine the problem. Updated 01/19/07.
Dt*: the contact stated when the engine was started immediately the driver's side air bag deployed without cause or warning. Injuries were sustained. The vehicle is parked because the contact is afraid to drive the vehicle to the dealership. Updated 2/28/2006 -
Airbag complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 2% of the model year's 1,522 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Windstar airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Ford Windstar, though it has 11 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 1999 Ford Windstar airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 15 injuries to air bags 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.