The most-reported Windstar run is 2FMDA5149SB (1995 builds) with 257 complaints, 26.2× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 20% of reports; 1995 is the worst model year at 14.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 38 recall campaigns for Windstar model years 1995–2003.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Windstar has 1,178 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 11% of every Windstar complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2FMDA5149SB•••••• | 1995 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2FMDA5146SB•••••• | 1995 | 10 | 3 | |
| 2FMDA5144SB•••••• | 1995 | 9 | 4 | |
| 2FMDA5148SB•••••• | 1995 | 3 | 5 | |
| 2FMDA5145SB•••••• | 1995 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2FMDA5141SB•••••• | 1995 | 6 | 4 | |
| 2FMDA514XSB•••••• | 1995 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2FMDA5142SB•••••• | 1995 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2FMDA5140SB•••••• | 1995 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2FMDA5147SB•••••• | 1995 | 8 | 7 | |
| 2FMDA5143SB•••••• | 1995 | 5 | 3 | |
| 2FMDA5144TB•••••• | 1996 | 7 | 5 |
Each of the other 1,166 Windstar runs has 122 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Windstar the gap between build years is 3.9×: a 1995 car draws 14.2 complaints per run, a 1997 one 3.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1251 | 159 | 30 | |
| 2002 | 1110 | 167 | 36 | |
| 2001 | 1396 | 178 | 50 | |
| 2000 | 1353 | 147 | 51 | |
| 1999 | 1267 | 160 | 44 | |
| 1998 | 1107 | 135 | 42 | |
| 1997 | 137 | 38 | 2 | |
| 1996 | 1115 | 97 | 49 | |
| 1995 | 2754 | 194 | 97 |
Heaviest year here is 1995 at 14.2 complaints per run; lightest is 1997 at 3.6.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 20% of everything Ford Windstar owners report: Service Brakes, 2,672 of 11,490 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 96 | 55 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 | 56 | |
| Power Train | 59 | 27 | |
| Suspension | 52 | 18 | |
| Hydraulic | 79 | 41 | |
| Electrical System | 21 | 132 | |
| Structure | 27 | 2 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 40 | 88 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 38 recall campaigns on the Ford Windstar; the 6 below cover build years 1995 to 2003. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09V399000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1995–2003 |
| 10V385000 | Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly | 1998–2003 |
| 12V195000 | Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly | 1998–2003 |
| 12V193000 | Power Train:axle Assembly | 1998–2003 |
| 15V608000 | Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly | 1998–2003 |
| 11V030000 | Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields | 1999–2003 |
09V399000 was opened in 2009 on cars built from 1995: 14 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 11,490 reports on the Ford Windstar, 3.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Ford Windstar | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 11,490 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 401 (3.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 358 (3.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 394 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 9 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 40% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford Windstar share of that is 11,490 complaints over 1,178 runs, 1% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford Windstar VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 11,490 NHTSA complaints from 1,178 Windstar runs and 38 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Windstar production run has the most complaints?
2FMDA5149SB, a 1995 build, with 257 complaints, 8 of them after a crash. The typical Windstar run has 9.8.
Which Windstar years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1995 is heaviest at 14.2 complaints per run and 1997 lightest at 3.6.
How many Windstar complaints involve a crash?
3.5% of 11,490 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 358 involved a fire.
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