42 problems related to horn assembly have been reported for the 1999 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Horn button is difficult to operate. It is also impossible to modulate, resulting in all-or- nothing operation.
The horn does sound easily when pushing on the center of the steering wheel. Often the horn fails to sound. The technicians at my Ford dealer said that it is like the other Windstars. Also the design is dangerous requiring moving the hand from the rim of the steering wheel to the center. If only one hand is available for use, most of the control is lost when attempting to sound the horn. Also if the airbag were to deploy, then a dislocated shoulder or broken arm is lilely to result. On the Ford taurus the horn can be reliably sounded with a thumb without moving the hand from the outer rim of the wheel. This also leaves the hand and arm out of the way in the event the airbag should deploy. The design of the horn control on the Windstar is poor and dangerous.
Horn is difficult to activate. Must press hard in just the right spot.
Horn takes excessive effort to activate and is hard to find. Nlm.
Horn does not operate properly. Consumer says that the cover is very thick, and may be the cause of the problem. Dealer has been contacted, and they say that the horn works as it was designed.
Consumer must hit the horn at exact spot with extreme force before horn will blow which could cause an accident. Also, driver's and passenger's power windows, at freezing point under 30 degrees with dry frost, will not operate. Consumer must wait until the vehicle is completely warmed up.
Horn functions if correct spot on wheel is hit, but the "sweet spot" is small. More often than not, pressing most areas of the steering wheel does not cause the horn to sound -a major potential problem.