Ford Windstar Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ford Windstar model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2005 drew the fewest (1) and the 1995 the most (3,326).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 1992 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Power train | — | — |
| 1991 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Structure | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | 0 | Power train | — | — |
| 1990 | 6 | 0 | Equipment | — | — |
| 1993 | 11 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
| 1994 | 23 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
| 2004 | 24 | 0 | Suspension | — | — |
| 1997 | 192 | 5 | Power train | — | 17–18 |
| 2002 | 1,353 | 8 | Service brakes | — | 18 |
| 1996 | 1,386 | 8 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18 |
| 1998 | 1,433 | 11 | Power train | — | 18–19 |
| 2003 | 1,510 | 8 | Service brakes | — | 18 |
| 1999 | 1,522 | 11 | Power train | — | 17–18 |
| 2000 Among the most complaints |
1,675 | 15 | Service brakes | — | 17–18 |
| 2001 Among the most complaints |
1,686 | 15 | Service brakes | — | 18 |
| 1995 Among the most complaints |
3,326 | 6 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18–19 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ford Windstar years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
1995 Ford Windstar: 3,326 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 1,610 (48%); Power train 875 (26%); Service brakes 500 (15%).
Reports mention 137 crashes, 50 fires, 120 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 100,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2001 Ford Windstar: 1,686 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 540 (32%); Suspension 416 (25%); Structure 293 (17%).
Reports mention 66 crashes, 62 fires, 62 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 108,000 miles. 15 recall campaigns listed.
2000 Ford Windstar: 1,675 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 378 (23%); Suspension 356 (21%); Power train 271 (16%).
Reports mention 62 crashes, 55 fires, 61 injuries, 3 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 104,000 miles. 15 recall campaigns listed.
The Ford Windstar years with the fewest complaints
1992 Ford Windstar: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 1 (50%); Seat belts 1 (50%); Service brakes 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
1991 Ford Windstar: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 1 (33%); Vehicle speed control 1 (33%); Visibility 1 (33%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ford Windstar owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 123,500 |
| 2003 | 1,510 | 33 | 27 | 35 | 1 | 98,070 |
| 2002 | 1,353 | 45 | 48 | 53 | 1 | 103,330 |
| 2001 | 1,686 | 66 | 62 | 62 | 1 | 108,000 |
| 2000 | 1,675 | 62 | 55 | 61 | 3 | 104,000 |
| 1999 | 1,522 | 50 | 62 | 46 | 1 | 105,000 |
| 1998 | 1,433 | 54 | 65 | 59 | 3 | 94,000 |
| 1997 | 192 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 88,890 |
| 1996 | 1,386 | 60 | 45 | 53 | 1 | 86,000 |
| 1995 | 3,326 | 137 | 50 | 120 | 2 | 100,000 |
| 1994 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ford Windstar recalls
- SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS (1995–2003 model years; 4,500,000 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2009; 09V399000)
- FORD/TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLES (2001 model year; 1,400,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2001; 01V227001)
- FORD/FMVSS 135/WARNING STATEMENT (1996–1999 model years; 789,723 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 1999; 99V147000)
- FORD/HOODS (1995–1996 model years; 769,000 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 1997; 97V180000)
- FORD/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER (1999–2001 model years; 598,256 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2001; 01V261000)
All 33 Ford Windstar recall campaigns · Ford Windstar problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ford Windstar years FAQ
Which Ford Windstar year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2005 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ford Windstar years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1995, 2001 and 2000 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ford Windstar problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (3,377 of 14,158 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ford Windstar have?
NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns covering the Ford Windstar. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ford Windstar recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.