Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Ford Windstar Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns across the Ford Windstar, 1985–2005. Owners have filed 14,158 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 1995 drew the most (3,326) and the 2005 the fewest (1).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls33campaignsCovering 1985–2005 model yearsSource: NHTSA Complaints14,158filedOwner reports across 17 model yearsSource: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy18mpg combined2003 model, best configurationSource: EPA

Ford Windstar complaints by model year

14,158 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 2005 · 1 complaints
  • 1992 · 2 complaints
  • 1991 · 3 complaints

Most complaints

  • 1995 · 3,326 complaints
  • 2001 · 1,686 complaints
  • 2000 · 1,675 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1996–2005. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Ford Windstar owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1996199719981999200020012002200320042005
Service brakes 2242619521937854063764830
Suspension 1113822920835641627925490
Power train 322433322782711459722570
Electrical system 83711120922222326128030
Structure 3788127621629310112710
Engine and engine cooling 470381961299266274710
Vehicle speed control 822173991381271478540
Steering 50131431847270354000

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Ford Windstar recalls (33)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Windstar model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Ford Windstar
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
15V608000Sep 29, 2015Axle Recall Remedy may been Performed Improperly1998–200322.7%
12V193000May 3, 2012REAR AXLE CRACKING-VIRGINIA VEHICLES1998–2003—
12V195000May 3, 2012REAR AXLE CRACKING PUERTO RICO1998–2003—
12V194000May 3, 2012CORROSION FRACTURES OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM1999–2003—
11V030000Jan 26, 2011CORROSION FRACTURES OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM1999–2003—
10V385000Aug 26, 2010REAR AXLE CRACKING1998–2003—
09V399000Oct 13, 2009SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS1995–2003—
03V459000Nov 6, 2003FORD/FMVSS 225/FLOOR TO SEAT LATCH2001, 2002, 2003—
02V101000Apr 4, 2002FORD/BRAKE LINES1995, 1996—
02V072000Mar 11, 2002FORD/TRAILER-TOW CONNECTOR2000, 2001—
01V261000Aug 15, 2001FORD/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER1999, 2000, 2001—
01V262000Aug 15, 2001FORD/AUXILIARY A/C BLOWER MOTOR WIRING1999, 2000, 2001—
01V227001Jul 16, 2001FORD/TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLES2001—
01V207000Jun 22, 2001FORD/ADJUSTABLE ACCELERATOR PEDAL/FLOOR MAT2000, 2001—
01V199000Jun 18, 2001FORD/FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION1997, 1998—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗
All 33 Ford Windstar recalls by model year →

Fuel economy by model year

199518–19 mpg
199618 mpg
199717–18 mpg
199818–19 mpg
199917–18 mpg
200017–18 mpg
200118 mpg
200218 mpg
200318 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

2005 Ford Windstar report1 complaints · 0 campaigns →2004 Ford Windstar report24 complaints · 0 campaigns →2003 Ford Windstar report1,510 complaints · 8 campaigns →Every Ford modelFord models →

Ford Windstar FAQ

How many recalls has the Ford Windstar had?

NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns that cover at least one Ford Windstar model year from 1985 to 2005. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Ford Windstar year has the most complaints?

Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 1995 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (3,326) and the 2005 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Ford Windstar problems?

Across the 1996–2005 model years, owners most often name the service brakes, suspension, power train in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Ford Windstar get?

EPA rates the 2003 Ford Windstar at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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