Ford Windstar Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability Report
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported injuries, and worst problem areas. Data sourced from federal safety databases and updated daily.
Own a Ford Windstar? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Ford Windstar — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Worst Component | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 9 | 1508 | 35 | SERVICE BRAKES | Full report → |
| 2002Best | 9 | 1399 | 56 | SUSPENSION | Full report → |
| 2001 | 16 | 1725 | 62 | SUSPENSION | Full report → |
| 2000 | 16 | 1693 | 61 | SUSPENSION | Full report → |
| 1999 | 13 | 1588 | 48 | STRUCTURE | Full report → |
| 1998Worst | 14 | 2440 | 109 | POWER TRAIN | Full report → |
Most Common Windstar Problems
Based on 10353 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across recent model years.
Windstar Years to Avoid
Best Windstar Years to Buy
Not enough data to identify standout years with low issues.
Years with the fewest combined complaints and recalls in recent data.
Ford Windstar Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Ford Windstar Reliability
What year Windstar has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 1998 Ford Windstar had the highest combined complaint and recall count among recent model years — 2440 complaints and 14 safety recalls. See the full 1998 report for details on specific defects.
Is the Ford Windstar reliable?
The Ford Windstar has accumulated 10353 owner-filed complaints and 77 safety recalls across recent model years in NHTSA's national database. The 2002 model year stands out as having the fewest reported issues in recent data. Reliability varies significantly by year and individual vehicle history — always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Windstar.
What are the most common Windstar problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas for the Ford Windstar across recent model years are: SUSPENSION (1371 reports), POWER TRAIN (1069 reports), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (916 reports), STRUCTURE (727 reports). These are based on NHTSA complaints submitted directly by vehicle owners.
How do I check if my Windstar has an open recall?
You can check for open recalls on any Ford Windstar using the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with accident history, odometer records, and other key information. Recalls on this page are model-level — a VIN check will confirm whether your specific vehicle's recall was remedied.
Check a Specific Ford Windstar VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, lien status, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Ford Windstar VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily