1995 Ford Windstar: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 7, 2004 · Airbags · NC · 2 injuries

My husband, my son, and myself were on our way home last tuesday evening and the airbags on our 1995 ford windstar deployed while the vehicle was in motion. This was a very freighting and stressful situation. We had just turned off one road onto the next making our way home when the airbags burst out and caused several injuries to my husband and me. My husband has powder residue burns on his face, his arms are cut from the wrist up. He recently suffered a stroke and this has caused a lot of mental stress as well as pain. X-rays are needed to make sure that his hand is not broken. I had heart surgery in august and did not need this kind of scare. I hear an echo in my right ear now from the loud explosion from the airbags. I am afraid to ride in any vehicle with front passenger airbags. I called 9-1-1 to find out if an officer needed to come and investigate and trooper williams told me that since there was no accident that he could not do any type of report. We have many witnesses that saw our van and the extreme damage that it did to the hood resulting in the signal light flying off the van which we still have not found and the headlights barely hanging on. The hood is bowed up from the under side. We have contacted ford motor company and also took the van to a ford dealership and had it inspected to find out why the airbags deployed when no accident happened. They are just as puzzled. I need an answer as to why the airbags deployed like they did while we were deploying out of the blue. The windstar is our only means of transportation and I feel like ford needs to understand that and figure out what happened. If my husband would have taken his hands of the steering wheel, we would probably be dead now.

Filed Aug 29, 2003 · Lights · AZ

Most headlight lenses 5 years or older are turning yellow because of uxrays and oxidation. Because of the materials there are made of the amount of lums able to pass through are reduced by many factors. Manufactures replacement costs should be controlled because of the materials used. Thther more these units which house the lamps can cost in the hyndreds of dollars. Many vehicles are traveling the roads with bad lenses because of the huge costs for the product. All these manufactures, charge 10+ time the costs of manufacture; they have jacked up the price so that they can make more monies for replacements. These replacements parts sold are usery. I bet many acidents are created because of poor light emeting from these units. Their are several materials available to these product producers. I suggest they go back to glass, or make the outer covers replacable buy the owner at good product cost.

Filed Aug 7, 2003 · Electrical · NY · fire

The van began making a "static/ping-ping" sound. While van was shut off the head lights remained on with switch off. The van began smoking while off. Fire began to consume the van when the fire department opened the hood and disconnect the battery. The fire was associated with an electrical failure. Please describe details.

Filed Sep 27, 2002 · Lights · AL

Headlamps are made of plastic. The plastic has deteriorated over the years from clear to brown. Moisture also builds up inside the lamps. Visibility has been drastically reduce especially on a rainy night. Ford should have to replace the lamps on this model. My other car is a 1993 model and the headlamps are still crystal clear and I can see perfectly at night. Ts

Filed Sep 10, 2001 · Lights · VA

All 1995 windstar and some other ford models of the period have plastic headlamp lenses which discolor with age. Ford should be required to replace all at no cost or at reduced cost to owners.lighting effectiveness is diminished significantly.

Filed Sep 1, 2001 · Lights · FL

Sometime during the last year, both headlights have become so full of moisture, dirt, and grim as to make them not give off much light to see for night driving. I have been driving on high beams and even that does not help. However the headlight assembly is made, the units have come "unsealed". It is more than a nusance, because it affects the ability to drive safely at night. I have seen this situation on other windstars and others still have nice clear lenses. Has ford or the federal safety agency done anything? Is there anything I can do before I have an accident at night running into or over something? Thank you.

Filed Jul 4, 2000 · Engine, Lights · OH · crash

Purchased vehicle with 35,000 prior miles, a ford lease vehicle . The vehicle had problems with the front headlights. Ford mechanics warned us that vehicle had been wrecked after we purchased it. Salesman told us less than $500.00 when we inquired. A title search by us revealed $5,000.00 damage done while under contract as a ford lease vehicle. This damage was not disclosed to was when we purchased for $16,500.00 we are still experiencing major problems with this vehicle. Contacted with ford executive offices about current engine problems with this vehicle was very disappointing. They were very rude and refused to help, stating that vehicle is 3,000 miles past extended warranty.

Filed Nov 3, 1999 · Lights, Transmission · OH

I have had numerous small problems with my windstar. Large problems begin with the transmission going out in august of 1998. November 2, 1999 while driving at a speed of 35 MPH my temperature guage read hot. I stopped immediately to allow the engine to cool down. When the guage showed within the normal range, I turned the car on and it shook and white billowing smoke rolled from the vehicle. I have also had problems with water being retained in the passenger side headlight, the doorlock motor, the driver window sticking and numerous additional small problems.

Filed Feb 23, 1998 · Lights · OK

After arriving home, had turned off head lights. They failed to turn off. Had to disconnect the battery. This had happened 4 different times. Took to dealer & the mechanic unable to locate problem. Its intermittent only.