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Ford Windstar no deployment problems

89 of the 14,140 owner complaints about the Ford Windstar describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 2001 model year.

owner complaints
89
worst model year
2001
typical mileage
71,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jun 26, 2018 · Airbags, Suspension · TN

1999 ford windstar lx. Consumer writes in regards to bracket recall that was not honored for vehicle. *ld the consumer stated the airbag did not deploy. *js the consumer stated the manufacturer agreed to have the vehicle repaired.

Filed Dec 23, 2015 · Airbags, Steering · 50,000 miles · NY · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a fire hydrant and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and shoulder injuries but did not require medical attention. The passenger sustained wrist injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 02/12/16*lj updated 05/14/18*jb

Filed Jan 16, 2015 · Airbags · 110,000 miles · VT · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle spun out of control on an icy road and crashed into a river. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the ribs and bruises on entire body that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Dec 16, 2014 · Airbags, Suspension · 158,000 miles · IL · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the rear axle on the driver side fractured. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and it flipped multiple times. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 158,000.

Filed Nov 8, 2013 · Airbags · 146,000 miles · NC · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a guard rail and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a impound lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure and current mileage was 146,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 10, 2013 · Airbags, Body · IN · crash

Airbag didn't deploy during a bumper to bumper accident.

Filed Dec 11, 2012 · Airbags, Brakes · 163,000 miles · CA · crash

Swerved to avoid collision and the brakes locked causing car to lose control on the wet road. The van hit a tree, flipped on its side and smashed into a light pole. The airbags did not deploy even though there was front end damage. The ABS and brake lights were illuminated prior to the crash. Also noticed the speedometer started acting up over the prior weeks (not moving until after a few minutes of driving.)

Filed Jul 8, 2011 · Airbags · 140,000 miles · IL · crash

My 1999 ford windstar was involved in a crash where the front of my van hit another car. Front end damage was fairly extensive, it was a fender bender. My airbags did not deploy as I would have expected. Is there a problem with the airbag deployment on these vans?

Filed Dec 31, 2010 · Airbags, Body · 167,000 miles · NC · crash

Ford windstar van, which was already subject to rear axle recall, and the rear axle did break on it in may, and was replaced and I received reimbursement for the replacement from ford. However, another incident happened in december. My 21 year old son was in an accident driving this van on thursday, dec. 16. The van lost traction and pulled to the right, pulling him into a ditch and down a steep embankment. The front of the van was ripped off, tires slashed, van almost flipped over, and the airbags never deployed. He hit a dirt embankment head on going about 30-35 MPH. The roads were icy that day, and he was on a curve... The van would not respond to steering to correct the direction the van was going. I experienced something similar last winter; the van seemed to pull to the right, going off the road without allowing the driver to control the vehicle. However, when I went off the road, it was in a shallow ditch and it caused no damage to the van. My son was not as fortunate, and he could have been severely injured. I feel that this may have something to do with the current investigation into the front suspension... The van could not be controlled, and pulled to the right. Our insurance co. Is taking care of this, and I don't know the current location of the van. It is totaled, I know that. I asked state farm to check out the front suspension for weakness or rust, but don't know if they'll know what to look for, especially since the front is so damaged from the wreck that the tires are turned sideways, and I believe the front axle is broken. Please send someone to look at my van, and see what caused this wreck; my son could have been killed. Thank you for the work you've done so far.... Your organization is so valuable to consumers.

Filed Dec 28, 2010 · Airbags · 120,000 miles · WI · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH when he crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the face and leg and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. A police report was available. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair facility. The manufacturer was contacted in regards to the air bag failure. The manufacturer responded six months later stating that there was not enough impact for the air bags to have deployed and would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported December 6, 2000 · 16,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: minivans and passenger vehicles. A restraint control module (rcm) or a side or front crash sensor may have been assembled with one or more of the screws that mount the circuit board in the housing missing. If some or all of the screws are missing, the performance of the occupant restrains could be affected.
Risk
In some cases, less than the intended level of protection in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rcm and crash sensors and, if necessary, replace them.

Recall number 00V412000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported September 13, 2000 · 18,500 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger vehicles, limousines, and mini vans were built with a newly designed restraint control module (rcm). In some cases, the rcm does not recognize certain system faults that could result in an air bag or seat belt pre-tensioner unexpectedly activating during the self-test sequence at vehicle start-up.
Risk
This condition could result in personal injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rcm in these vehicles. Owner notification began september 14, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 00V270000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Windstar no deployment

Which Ford Windstar years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2001 (19 complaints), 1995 (15 complaints) and 2000 (14 complaints).

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