Ford Windstar — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

1 model year to avoid and 1 best bet. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid1 year

Best bets1 year

Complaint history

1985: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1988 1990: 6 complaints, Not enough data 1991: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1991 1992: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1993: 11 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 23 complaints, Not enough data 1995: 3,328 complaints, Avoid 1995 1996: 1,386 complaints, Recommended 1997: 192 complaints, Recommended 1998: 1,433 complaints, Recommended 1999: 1,522 complaints, Recommended 2000: 1,675 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 1,686 complaints, Recommended 2002: 1,353 complaints, Recommended 2003: 1,510 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 24 complaints, Not enough data 2005: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1995 · 3,328
1985: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1987 1989 1990: 6 complaints, Not enough data 1991: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1991 1992: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1993: 11 complaints, Not enough data 1993 1994: 23 complaints, Not enough data 1995: 3,328 complaints, Avoid 1995 1996: 1,386 complaints, Recommended 1997: 192 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 1,433 complaints, Recommended 1999: 1,522 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 1,675 complaints, Recommended 2001: 1,686 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 1,353 complaints, Recommended 2003: 1,510 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 24 complaints, Not enough data 2005: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2005 1995 · 3,328
1985: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990: 6 complaints, Not enough data 1990 1991: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1991 1992: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1992 1993: 11 complaints, Not enough data 1993 1994: 23 complaints, Not enough data 1994 1995: 3,328 complaints, Avoid 1995 1996: 1,386 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 192 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 1,433 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 1,522 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 1,675 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 1,686 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 1,353 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 1,510 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 24 complaints, Not enough data 2004 2005: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2005 1995 · 3,328
  • Avoid
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2005 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2004 ○ Not enough data 24 Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2003 ● Recommended 1,510 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2002 ● Recommended 1,353 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2001 ● Recommended 1,686 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2000 ● Recommended 1,675 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1999 ● Recommended 1,522 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1998 ● Recommended 1,433 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1997 ▲ Recommended 192 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1996 ● Recommended 1,386 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1995 ■ Avoid 3,328 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1994 ○ Not enough data 23 Only 23 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1993 ○ Not enough data 11 Only 11 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1992 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1991 ○ Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1990 ○ Not enough data 6 Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1986–1989 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1985 ○ Not enough data 5 Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

38

recalls on file across every Ford Windstar model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Ford models