Total Complaints
11 filings
Ford Windstar · model year
1990 Ford Windstar
11 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 0
The verdict
The 1990 Ford Windstar posts top-quartile complaint standing among its own model-year siblings.
- Top 24%
- fewest complaints, own model years
- 0
- recall campaigns
The 1990FordWindstar carries 11 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1990 Windstar is unknown or other with 2 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank:selector devices (1) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 7 investigation files overlapping the 1990 Windstar. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
11
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1990 Ford Windstar
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20110203FireVISIBILITY
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR OF MY 1990 FORD WINDSTAR HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. IT WAS RECALLED EARLY AFTER MANUFACTURE OF THE CAR AND REPLACED BY FORD, BUT THE REPLACEMENT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. INTERMITTENT IS DYSFUNCTIONAL. THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO OPERATE EVEN AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF! (CAUSED A FIRE, HAD TO HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HERE) AND THAT WAS THE REPLACED MOTOR. FORD REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT SINCE IT WAS ALREADY "REPLACED" UNDER THE RECALL. BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN PAYING PRIVATELY AND THE SAME PROBLEM. DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE MOTORS FORD IS USING ON THIS MODEL OR SOMETHING ELSE WRONG WITH THIS CAR THAT MAKES THE WIPERS DO THIS. CURRENTLY, NO INTERMITTENTLY ON THE WIPERS AGAIN. (THIRD MOTOR) THANK YOU FOR ANYTHING YOU CAN DO. *TR
Mileage: 150,000
20110203FireEQUIPMENT
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR OF MY 1990 FORD WINDSTAR HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. IT WAS RECALLED EARLY AFTER MANUFACTURE OF THE CAR AND REPLACED BY FORD, BUT THE REPLACEMENT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. INTERMITTENT IS DYSFUNCTIONAL. THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO OPERATE EVEN AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF! (CAUSED A FIRE, HAD TO HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HERE) AND THAT WAS THE REPLACED MOTOR. FORD REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT SINCE IT WAS ALREADY "REPLACED" UNDER THE RECALL. BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN PAYING PRIVATELY AND THE SAME PROBLEM. DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE MOTORS FORD IS USING ON THIS MODEL OR SOMETHING ELSE WRONG WITH THIS CAR THAT MAKES THE WIPERS DO THIS. CURRENTLY, NO INTERMITTENTLY ON THE WIPERS AGAIN. (THIRD MOTOR) THANK YOU FOR ANYTHING YOU CAN DO. *TR
Mileage: 150,000
20081111CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER
HOW COME YOU DON'T LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT DOWN AT POMONA, MISSOURI? IT'S 45 IN BRANDSVILLE MISSOURI, AND IN KOSHKONG MISSOURI, WE HAVE YIELD SIGNS ON BOTH SIDES AND WE HAVE TO CROSS A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE BUT THE SPEED LIMIT IS STILL 65 MPH. DON'T UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A WRECK TODAY AND THREE PEOPLE WERE LOADED IN A AMBULANCE WHY DON'T YOU CARE? IF PEOPLE GET KILLED HERE I'VE SEEN OTHER WRECKS HERE ,.........DON'T UNDERSTAND TAMMY COLLINS
20010424POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS TRUCK HAS ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE STARTING. WHEN DAMP OR COLD IT WONT START AT ALL. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY ALWAYS SHORTS OUT, COSTING ME $17.35 EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR IS DAMP. THE TRUCK WILL FINALLY START AFTER DRYING OUT THEN THE TRANSMISION WHEN PUT IN DRIVE WILL NOT MOVE UNTILL THE TRUCK IS WARM.REPLACED THE TRANS. AND IT STILL IS A PROBLEM. THE STARTER RELAY WENT BAD LAST WEEK COSTING ME 217 DOLLARS. THE TRUCK STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN NUETRAL AT STOP LIGHTS AND REV THE ENGINE TO KEEP IT FROM STALLING..ITS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP TO MANY TIMES TO RECALL AND THEY JUST GAVE UP AS DID I . I HAD TO TAKE IT TO ACADEMY FORD IN LAUREL, MD BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY FORD DEALER FOR MILES THAT COULD GET IT IN THEIR SHOP.. THIS TRUCK HASNT RUN RIGHT FROM DAY ONE AND HAS HAD WAY TO MANY PROBLEMS TO LIST. IT ALSO HAS COST ME AN ARM AND LEG TO TRY AND KEEP IT RUNNING. PEOPLE IN THE SAME BUSINESS AS I AM BOUGHT THE SAME TRUCK ON THE SAME DAY AND ENCOUNTERE
20010424FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THIS TRUCK HAS ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE STARTING. WHEN DAMP OR COLD IT WONT START AT ALL. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY ALWAYS SHORTS OUT, COSTING ME $17.35 EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR IS DAMP. THE TRUCK WILL FINALLY START AFTER DRYING OUT THEN THE TRANSMISION WHEN PUT IN DRIVE WILL NOT MOVE UNTILL THE TRUCK IS WARM.REPLACED THE TRANS. AND IT STILL IS A PROBLEM. THE STARTER RELAY WENT BAD LAST WEEK COSTING ME 217 DOLLARS. THE TRUCK STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN NUETRAL AT STOP LIGHTS AND REV THE ENGINE TO KEEP IT FROM STALLING..ITS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP TO MANY TIMES TO RECALL AND THEY JUST GAVE UP AS DID I . I HAD TO TAKE IT TO ACADEMY FORD IN LAUREL, MD BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY FORD DEALER FOR MILES THAT COULD GET IT IN THEIR SHOP.. THIS TRUCK HASNT RUN RIGHT FROM DAY ONE AND HAS HAD WAY TO MANY PROBLEMS TO LIST. IT ALSO HAS COST ME AN ARM AND LEG TO TRY AND KEEP IT RUNNING. PEOPLE IN THE SAME BUSINESS AS I AM BOUGHT THE SAME TRUCK ON THE SAME DAY AND ENCOUNTERE
20010424ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THIS TRUCK HAS ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE STARTING. WHEN DAMP OR COLD IT WONT START AT ALL. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY ALWAYS SHORTS OUT, COSTING ME $17.35 EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR IS DAMP. THE TRUCK WILL FINALLY START AFTER DRYING OUT THEN THE TRANSMISION WHEN PUT IN DRIVE WILL NOT MOVE UNTILL THE TRUCK IS WARM.REPLACED THE TRANS. AND IT STILL IS A PROBLEM. THE STARTER RELAY WENT BAD LAST WEEK COSTING ME 217 DOLLARS. THE TRUCK STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN NUETRAL AT STOP LIGHTS AND REV THE ENGINE TO KEEP IT FROM STALLING..ITS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP TO MANY TIMES TO RECALL AND THEY JUST GAVE UP AS DID I . I HAD TO TAKE IT TO ACADEMY FORD IN LAUREL, MD BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY FORD DEALER FOR MILES THAT COULD GET IT IN THEIR SHOP.. THIS TRUCK HASNT RUN RIGHT FROM DAY ONE AND HAS HAD WAY TO MANY PROBLEMS TO LIST. IT ALSO HAS COST ME AN ARM AND LEG TO TRY AND KEEP IT RUNNING. PEOPLE IN THE SAME BUSINESS AS I AM BOUGHT THE SAME TRUCK ON THE SAME DAY AND ENCOUNTERE
20010424EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THIS TRUCK HAS ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE STARTING. WHEN DAMP OR COLD IT WONT START AT ALL. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY ALWAYS SHORTS OUT, COSTING ME $17.35 EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR IS DAMP. THE TRUCK WILL FINALLY START AFTER DRYING OUT THEN THE TRANSMISION WHEN PUT IN DRIVE WILL NOT MOVE UNTILL THE TRUCK IS WARM.REPLACED THE TRANS. AND IT STILL IS A PROBLEM. THE STARTER RELAY WENT BAD LAST WEEK COSTING ME 217 DOLLARS. THE TRUCK STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN NUETRAL AT STOP LIGHTS AND REV THE ENGINE TO KEEP IT FROM STALLING..ITS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP TO MANY TIMES TO RECALL AND THEY JUST GAVE UP AS DID I . I HAD TO TAKE IT TO ACADEMY FORD IN LAUREL, MD BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY FORD DEALER FOR MILES THAT COULD GET IT IN THEIR SHOP.. THIS TRUCK HASNT RUN RIGHT FROM DAY ONE AND HAS HAD WAY TO MANY PROBLEMS TO LIST. IT ALSO HAS COST ME AN ARM AND LEG TO TRY AND KEEP IT RUNNING. PEOPLE IN THE SAME BUSINESS AS I AM BOUGHT THE SAME TRUCK ON THE SAME DAY AND ENCOUNTERE
20010424UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS TRUCK HAS ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE STARTING. WHEN DAMP OR COLD IT WONT START AT ALL. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY ALWAYS SHORTS OUT, COSTING ME $17.35 EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR IS DAMP. THE TRUCK WILL FINALLY START AFTER DRYING OUT THEN THE TRANSMISION WHEN PUT IN DRIVE WILL NOT MOVE UNTILL THE TRUCK IS WARM.REPLACED THE TRANS. AND IT STILL IS A PROBLEM. THE STARTER RELAY WENT BAD LAST WEEK COSTING ME 217 DOLLARS. THE TRUCK STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN NUETRAL AT STOP LIGHTS AND REV THE ENGINE TO KEEP IT FROM STALLING..ITS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP TO MANY TIMES TO RECALL AND THEY JUST GAVE UP AS DID I . I HAD TO TAKE IT TO ACADEMY FORD IN LAUREL, MD BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY FORD DEALER FOR MILES THAT COULD GET IT IN THEIR SHOP.. THIS TRUCK HASNT RUN RIGHT FROM DAY ONE AND HAS HAD WAY TO MANY PROBLEMS TO LIST. IT ALSO HAS COST ME AN ARM AND LEG TO TRY AND KEEP IT RUNNING. PEOPLE IN THE SAME BUSINESS AS I AM BOUGHT THE SAME TRUCK ON THE SAME DAY AND ENCOUNTERE
20000918TIRES
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRE SIZE: P29575R15 )
19961223SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THE PEDAL WILL NEARLY TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR, COMPUTER SYSTEM NEVER GAVE INDICATION THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED, MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED. PLEASE ADD FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19950511FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
FUEL TANK AUXILLARY SELECTOR SWITCH FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO CHECK VALVE NOT BEING INSTALLED IN REAR TANK DURING INITIAL REPAIRS. (89V-141) *AW
Compare 1990FordWindstar to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
EA10007Engineering AnalysisClosed
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
DP10005Defect PetitionClosed
Rear Axle Fracture Recall Scope
PE10026Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
PE10016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Rear Axle Cracking
PE08035Preliminary EvaluationClosed
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1990 Ford Windstar have?▼
The 1990 Ford Windstar has 11 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Ford Windstar?▼
The most-complained component for the 1990 Ford Windstar is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER.
Is the 1990 Ford Windstar safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1990 Ford Windstar; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.