NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Ford Windstar. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
WITH THIS WINDSTAR WE NOW HAVE 170,000 MILES ON IT AND HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 4 TIMES, SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT HERE. HAVE ALSO HAD ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH ABS LIGHT ON AND SENSORS GOING OUT FOR ABS BRAKES. HAVE REPLACED THEM SEVERAL TIMES, WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A VAN THAT IS DRIVABLE WITH NOT WARNING LIGHTS ONE. *TR
RECALL #01V261000 WAS RECTIFIED IN FEB 2002. THE MOTOR COVER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE WATER WOULD GET INTO THE MOTOR. TODAY MY HUSBAND REPLACED OUR WIPER MOTOR AND THE OLD ONE WAS FILLED WITH WATER. OBVIOUSLY, THEIR SOLUTION WASN'T ADEQUATE. *NM
REPLACED WIRING ON FUSE BLOCK,REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE SWITCH TWICE,ABS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON DASH,DRIVER BRAKE LIGHT DON'T WORK,DEALER SAID IT IS THE REAR BRAKE MODULE. I HOPE THIS IS GOING TO RECALL ON ALL THESE CARS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I HOPE TO HERE BACK FROM SOMEONE ON ALL THESE ISSUES WITH MY FORD WINDSTAR 1999. I HAD CALLED THE DEALER ON MY BRAKE MODULE AND THEY ARE HAVING A HAD TIME GETTING A PART,I HAD CALLED THE DEALER ON 3/20/09 AND CALLED THEM ON 3/24/09 AND I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE DEALER ON WHAT THIS IS GOING TO COST FOR THE PART AND LABOR. HOPE TO HERE FROM SOMEONE SOON. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A FOOT OF WATER, OR IN THE RAIN, THE STEERING LOCKED UP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL RELAY ON THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE RELAY WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA.
TRAVELING AT 55 MPH GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, I NEEDED TO BRAKE ASAP TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. THE CRUISE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, I TAPPED ON MY BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED THE ON OFF SWITCH DID NOTHING EITHER, SINCE I WAS GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES UNTIL THEY STARTED BURNING BEFORE I REAR ENDED THE DUMP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VAN IN NEUTRAL WITH THE ENGINE STILL RACING AND PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VAN THE IDLE WAS NORMAL. I CONTINUED ON MY WAY BUT ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. FROM THAT DAY ON THE ABS SYSTEM KEPT CAUSING PROBLEMS UNTIL MY MECHANIC PULLED THE FUSE. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AS OF TODAY I HAVE NO ABS THE CRUISE JUST HUNTS FOR POSITION WHEN ON AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHTS KEEPS FLASHING. I HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU. *TR
1999 FORD WINDSTAR SUSTAINED MAJOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SYMPTOMS. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY SEVERE GRINDING. TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND TO BE FILLED WITH METAL AND REQUIRED OVERHAUL. VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 75000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING. REPAIR COSTS WERE OVER 2000 DOLLARS. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, THE ENGINE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. SOME DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE COLUMN SHIFT INDICATOR WAS STILL IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT DETERMINED A CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM.
WE NOTICED A LEAK OF AN OIL PRODUCT AND TOOK OUR VAN IN TO BE CHECKED. THE REPAIR PERSON SAID THERE WAS A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID WHERE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CONNECTS TO THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. THEY SAID THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND TO TAKE THE VAN TO A FORD DEALER. WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING BECAUSE OUR WINDSTAR (1999) IS NOT PART OF THE JUST ANNOUNCED RECALL, BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM, WE NEED TO KEEP ADDING BRAKE FLUID. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE'S TIRE WAS OBSERVED TO BE RELEASING AIR FROM THE STEM. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PUT AIR INTO THE TIRE, THE AIR WAS RELEASING FROM THE STEM FASTER THAN THE TIRE COULD BE FILLED WITH AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COSCO WHERE ALL 4 TIRES HAD BEEN PURCHASED 2-3 YEARS AGO. THE TIRE'S STEM WAS REPLACED. A REPRESENTATIVE AT THE COSCO MENTIONED THAT THE TIRE REPAIRED WAS FROM A DEFECTIVE BATCH OF TIRES. ON 7/23/06, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER ANOTHER TIRE WAS FLAT AND OBSERVED TO BE RELEASING AIR EXPEDIENTLY FROM THE STEM.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. INITIALLY THE WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, HOWEVER THE WIPERS ARE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING AT ALL. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 01V261000, REGARDING THE VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: MOTOR. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 8/7/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS HAD THE WIPER MOTOR AND WIPER SWITCH REPLACED. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SHUTTER. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE TIRE HAD A BULGE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALERSHIP AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER THE TIRE WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SHUTTER AGAIN. UPON INSPECTION, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS SHREDDED. THIS OCCURRED A THIRD TIME HOWEVER IT WAS THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND IT SEPARATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TIRE DEALERSHIP, THE TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE ONLY TIRE THAT DID NOT HAVE A FAILURE WAS OF A DIFFERENT BRAND. THE THREE TIRES WITH FAILURES WERE COOPER LIFELINE TOURING SLE. UPDATED 8/30/2006 - *NM
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON. I DROVE IT THIS WAY FOR TWO MONTHS. 15 CODES IN THE SYSTEM. FORD DEALER STATES IT'S THE HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BOX. TO REPAIR BOTH WOULD COST 800.00 OR SO, WHICH IS INCLUDING LABOR AND PARTS. STATES IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM OF 1999 FORD WINDSTARS. I HAVE NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS ON. DECLINING TO FIX AT THIS TIME, BUT A HUGE LIABLILITY FOR MYSELF. POSSIBLITY OF BRAKE FAILURE NOT DISCUSSED AT THIS TIME. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPAIR THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD 500.00+ (AT A FORD DEALER) AND ALSO HAD THE DOOR AJAR PROBLEM, WHICH WAS FIXED AT HOME HERE FOR 0$. THIS IS THE THIRD AND FINAL PROBLEM LISTED ON CONSUMER REPORTS THAT THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR. *JB
THE SUBFRAME ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE IS CRACKED AND APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. WE WERE NOTICING A CLUNK SOUND WHEN TURNING AND STOPPING SO I PULLED THE WHEEL TO CHECK AND NOTICED THE CRACK RIGHT AWAY. IT COULD CAUSE THE TRANS AND ENGINE TO SHIFT AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS THE SUBFRAME IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. WE NEVER HIT ANYTHING WHILE DRIVING SO THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINNEBAGO BRAVE. THE MODEL OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED IN THE DROP DOWN MENU AT THE TIME OF THIS COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. AFTER USING THE COMPONENT, HE CANNOT GET THE DEVICE TO SET AGAIN. HE STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS COMPONENT, BUT IS UNAWARE IF THE RECALL APPLIES TO HIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE ENGINE SIZE AND A VALID VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
STUD BOLT ON PASSENGER (RIGHT) FRONT HUB FAILED AND BROKE OFF WHILE CONDUCTING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE- LUGS HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECS- 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN HAS ONLY HAS 62,000 MILES- NO EVIDENCE OF CROSS THREADING/STUD THREADS WERE CLEAN. NOT YET REPAIRED. *JB
COMPLAINED TO FORD ABOUT TRANSMISSION WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION. ON SUNDAY 06/11/06, WHILE EXITING PARKWAY THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH ONLY 17,000 MILES ON IT IN 7/01,VEHICLE NOW HAS 65,000 MILES. WARRANTY EXPIRED LAST MARCH, FORD REFUSES TO HELP WITH THE COST OF REPAIR FOR TRANSMISSION. *JB
1999 FORD WINDSTAR- ALL THE INSTRUMENTS LIKE 'ODOMETER', RPM, FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTION. THEY SOMETIMES RANDOMLY GO UP DOWN, SOMETIMES GO TO ZERO AND LOOK LIKE DEAD. *TR
MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SPONTANEOUSLY STARTED ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. IT HAD NOT BE RUN FOR AT LEAST 8 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. WHILE NO ONE WAS INJURED THIS COULD HAVE STARTED OUR ENTIRE HOUSE ON FIRE. THE INSURANCE FIRE EXPERT LOCATED THE START OF THE FIRE TO THE WIRING OF THE HEATER. *NM
I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL HAD ALIGNED ITSELF TO THE LEFT, AND THE VAN WOULD NOT CENTER ITSELF WELL, WHILE ON THE ROAD. I TOOK THE VAN TO RAJ AUTO CENTER AT SOMERSET,NJ. AFTER CHECKING THE VAN THE AUTO CENTER SAID THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VANS K-FRAME HAD ROTTED OUT AND COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY ENDANGERED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS BECAUSE THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE DIS-ASSOCIATED ANYTIME FROM THE FRAME. HE ADDED THAT HE HAS NOT SEEN THE K-FRAME ROTTING IN 20 YEARS OF HIS EXPERIENCE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED SINCE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF FOR A FEW DAYS, TWO SEPARATE TIMES. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
CEL (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) CAME ON. FORD DEALER SAID THAT THE FORD COMPANY HAS A BULLETIN OUT TO DEALERS RECOMMENDING THE REPLACEMENT OF GASKETS AND VALVE COVER FOR THE VACUUM LEAKS. WHICH RUN UPWARD OF 600.00 IF THEY ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THIS PROBLEM, WHY ARE THEY NOT RECALLING IT? *JB
I BOUGHT MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR SEL IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR (2006) AND NOT EVEN A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT WHEN I WOULD PULL OUT FROM RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS AND THE VAN WOULD EITHER DIE ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR WOULD CONTINUOUSLY HESITATE. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THAT IT WAS MY KEYS SO THEY REPROGRAMMED MY KEYS. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS SOON AS I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, I BROUGHT IT BACK A SECOND TIME, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY BELIEVED IT HAD TO DO WITH MY THEFT DEVICE. THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS FIXED THEN SENT ME HOME WITH IT. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME EVERY TIME I GOT IN MY VAN OR CLOSED MY DRIVER DOOR FROM ENTERING OR EXITING MY VAN IT WOULD TELL ME ON MY MESSAGE SYSTEM THAT MY DRIVER DOOR WAS AJAR WHICH LEAD TO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BEING ON. IT DID THAT THE DAY I TOOK IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP SO I HAD TO BRING IT BACK FOR A THIRD TIME NOW FOR THE RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM I WAS HAVING AND NOW WITH THE DOOR BEING SAID TO BE OPEN. THEY FINALLY SAID THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND THAT FORD TOLD THEM THAT THERE WAS A SIMILAR INCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VAN LIKE MINE AND SAID THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CIP SYCRONIZOR. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE MY VAN HOME AGAIN AND THEY PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED ALL EXCEPT THE MESSAGE I STILL GET TO THIS DAY ABOUT MY DRIVER DOOR BEING AJAR WHEN IT ISN'T. IT DIDN'T DO IT TO ME BEFORE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW THEY WON'T FIX IT WHEN IT WAS A RESULT FROM THEM HAVING IT. KEEP IN MIND EACH OF THE 3 TIMES I HAD TO TAKE IT IN I HAD TO LEAVE IT WITH THEM FOR 1-3 DAYS EACH TIME! NO LOAN CAR WAS OFFERED TO ME SO I WAS LEFT WITH NO CAR AND I HAVE 3 SMALL CHILDREN THAT I HAVE TO CARE FOR AND NEED TRANSPORTATION FOR. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE STABILIZER AND ROCKER ARM BRACKETS BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE BRACKETS BROKE DUE TO RUST. A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE FAILURE THE CONSUMER'S FATHER HEARD A NOISE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THE BRACKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 4/4/2006 - *NM
1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE CHECK ENGINE ISSUE. TO MAKE IT EASIER I WOULD LIKE TO REFER YOU TO THE FOLLOWING WEB SITE WHERE IT EXPLAINS MY SAME PROBLEM FROM SEVERAL OTHER INDIVIDUALS. HTTP://WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/LIVE/FORDWINDSTAR/493.HTML I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. HAVE A GOD BLESSED DAY. *NM
PURCHASED THE WINDSTAR USED IN 2001. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR THE STEERING STARTED TO MAKE FUNNY (WHINING) NOISES AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD GET TOUGHER TO TURN WHEEL. AT 65K MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. WE HAD TO DRIVE THE LAST 800 OR SO MILES TO OUR NEW HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP, SUSPECTING THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT BAD, JUST NEEDED FLUID. I HAD CHECKED THE FLUID WHEN IT ORIGINALLY WENT OUT AND IT WAS LOW, BUT NOT EMPTY. IT DROVE FINE (STILL NOISY) FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND THEN STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. I RETURNED TO THE SAME SHOP AND AGAIN TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED FLUID. I TOLD THEM I HAD NEVER SEEN A LEAK, BUT I WOULD CHECK EVERY DAY TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE FLUID WAS GOING. ABOUT THREE DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD AGAIN AND WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY I COULD SEE THE TRAIL OF POWER STEERING FLUID I LEFT BEHIND. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THE FLUID WAS POURING OUT FROM THE BOOT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID "BLOWN RACK AND PINION". THANKS. *JB
ENGINE SUBFRAME FAILURE AT 78K MILES, ABOUT 6 INCHES OF THE ENGINE SUBFRAME ON THE RIGHT REAR HAS TOTALLY RUSTED AWAY, REST OF SUBFRAME IS PRISTINE, RIGHT REAR ENGINE MOUNT WAS NOT SUPPORTED, NOTICED CLUNKING SOUND AND WHEEL SHIFT TO 6 O'CLOCK POSITION THAT INITIATED INVESTIGATION NEVER IMPACTED, ORIGINAL OWNER, TRANSMISSION PAN HAS NO NICKS (LOWER THAN FRAME) CAR WAS UNDERCOATED WHEN NEW FORD SAYS IT'S A NORMAL PROBLEM, ACTUALLY SAID REPLACEMENT FRAME IS BACKORDER FOR 3 WEEKS, WAS ABLE TO FIND 1 REPLACEMENT AT ANOTHER DEALER, ALL MECHANICS I TALKED WITH AT THE DEALER SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEE N THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND WE'RE TALKING GUYS WITH 20+ YEARS OF FORD EXPERIENCE POTENTIAL TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, ACCIDENT, CRASH, ETC. 6 MONTHS OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY ~$1350 TO FIX PICTURES AND OLD PART AVAILABLE. *NM
THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF 99 FORD WINDSTAR USER WITH THIS PROBLEM. CODE P0171 & P0174 HTTP://WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/LIVE/FORDWINDSTAR/493.HTML FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN DEFECT! A LAW SUIT NEEDS TO BE MADE AGAINST THEM AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT PAID UP TO $731, NOT TO MENTION THE TIME INVOLVED NEED TO BE REIMBURSED. OXNARD FORD DID NOT CARE TO LISTEN!. SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, FORD!!!!*JB
1999 WINDSTAR,. PAINT PEELING ON FRONT HOOD, REPLACED THE FOLLOWING: TRANSMISSION (4 TIMES), INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS (2 TIMES) POWER STEERING SYSTEM, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND SYSTEM(TWICE), INTERIOR LIGHTS THAT FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY AND STAY ON FOR PERIODS OF TIME FOR NO REASON.*AK
ON JANUARY 10,2006 MY WIFE [XXX] WAS LEAVING WORK THAT EVENING. WHEN SHE STARTED TO DRIVE SHE HEARD SUM NOISES FROM UNDERNEATH HER CAR. IT IS A FORD WINDSTAR VAN 1999 70,000 MILES VIN [XXX]. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. SHE NOTICED HER STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED DOWN TO 6 O'CLOCK TO KEEP HER WHEELS STRAIGHT. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING. WHEN SHE GOT IT TO CAR-X IN WESTMONT,IL THEY TOLD HER IT WAS THE CROSS MEMBER FRAME. THIS HELPS SUPPORTS THE TRANSMISSION. THE CROSS MEMBER HAD RUSTED AWAY ON ONE SIDE AND ON THE OTHER SIDE SHOWED A CRACK WHERE THE OTHER BUSHING HOLE WAS. WE COULD NOT GO TO FORD DEALER BECAUSE OF THE COST FACTOR. IT HAS BEEN FIXED AND SEEMS TO BE DRIVING JUST FINE. I DID CONTACT FORD ON JANUARY 23 AND WE DID NOT GET ANY RESTITUTION FOR OUR COST. BUT WE ALSO WANTED FORD TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBLE HAZARD. IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS ITEM BORKE SHE WOULD HAD BEEN KILLED. EVEN THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THE METAL FRAME SEEMED TO SHOW METAL FATIGUE. I STILL HAVE THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED FOR EXAMINATION. I ALSO TOOK PICTURES IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. I AM VERY CONCERNED. THANK YOU. *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT REMAINS ON DESPITE THE FACT ALL THE DOORS ARE CLOSED; THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING AND MANUAL LOCKING WILL NOT WORK. AFTER 10 TO 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING, IT WILL GO OUT AND THE DOORS WILL FINALLY LOCK. TODAY, WHILE THAT LIGHT WAS ON AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND MAKING A TURN. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MY GRANDCHILDREN RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE! *NM
ABS BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED IMMEDIATELY THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE OR WARNING. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED BECAUSE THE CONTACT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM
REM MODULE REPAIR - $ 690. *NM
ENGINE SEIZED AT 78,568 MILES; ALL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE; INSPECTION OF ENGINE RESULTED IN 3 FRACTURED PISTONS, SCORED CYLINDER WALLS, BENT RODS AND LARGE CHUNKS OF METAL DEBRIS SECONDARY TO THE ENGINE SEIZURE. *JB
FORD WINDSTAR 1999- TRANSMISSION, RACK AND PINION AND MANIFOLD FORD WOULD NOT HELP SO I TOOK THEM TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT IN ONTARIO AND WON FULL COST TO ALL THREE MATTERS. *JB
I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WENT TO PULL AWAY WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. THERE WAS VERY LOUD NOISE, LIKE AN EXPLOSION, AND THE VAN LURCHED FORWARD. AT FIRST I THOUGHT ANOTHER DRIVER HIT US AND I WAS BRACING FOR THE IMPACT. FORTUNATELY, WE HAD NOT BEEN HIT, BUT THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE MORE THAN A FEW FEET AT THAT POINT. I MANAGED TO PULL AS FAR OVER AS I COULD IN THE TRAFFIC LANE, ALTHOUGH I COULD NOT REACH THE SHOULDER, AND TURNED ON MY HAZARDS. THERE HAD BEEN NO WARNING AT ALL THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VAN AT THAT POINT. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO LEAKING FLUID, AND IT WAS STILL RUNNING-IT JUST WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING IT ALL DAY, AND I AM THE PRIMARY DRIVER. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE WORKING JUST FINE UP UNTIL THAT POINT. I HAD NOT NOTICED ANY SLIPPING OR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. ONCE IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WE FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TOTALLY FAILED AND WE ARE NOW PAYING $2600 FOR A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. THE VAN HAS 89,000 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY, AND WE DID HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAN RAN OUT AT 75,000 MILES. WE HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING UNIT REPLACED ALREADY, IN ADDITION TO FORD SENDING MECHANICS OUT FROM MICHIGAN TWICE TO REPAIR OUR AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS, WHICH HAD BEEN MALFUNCTIONING SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VAN. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE DID NOT DIE, BUT OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST PRODUCED CODES. HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
ON 7/29/05, MY 82-YEAR OLD MOTHER, PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, WITH LESS THAN 44,000 MILES ON IT. MY MOTHER RECEIVES MINIMAL SOCIAL SECURITY & I, TOO, AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR DISABILITY. WE COULD NOT AFFORD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON TOP OF CAR FINANCE $200./MO.) WE DID HAVE A DEALERSHIP LIMITED WARRANTY OF 60 DAYS AND 3,000 MILES. BEFORE THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE EVALUATED BY OUR REGULAR MECHANIC HE FOUND ONLY TWO PROBLEMS &E ACTUALLY CONGRATULATED US ON FINDING SUCH A GREAT CAR. WE TOOK THE MINIVAN BACK TO BRANFORD SUBARU WHERE WE PURCHASED IT AND THEY MADE THE REPAIRS IMMEDIATELY. NOW THAT WE ARE ONE MONTH AND 50 MILES OVER THE LIMITED WARRANTY, POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING. EXXON DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. I HAD TO LEAVE THE MINIVAN AT BENS EXXON BECAUSE THE LEAK WAS SO BAD I WAS HAVING EXTREME DIFFICULTY STEERING & WAS LOSING MORE THAN 2 QUARTS OF OIL PER DAY. MY MECHANIC FOUND A TSB ABOUT IT BUT MANTILIA FORD DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT BECAUSE WE ARE PAST THE ORIGINAL 3-YEAR WARRANTY. THEY REFERRED ME TO FORD CORP CUSTOMER RELATIONS WHO GAVE ME HE SAME ANSWER. OBVIOUSLY, FORD WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL STEERING RACK WITH A REVISED UNIT UNLESS THE ORIGINAL UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE. ALTHOUGH THAT FACT IS NOT ACTUALLY STATED IN THE BULLETIN, IT IS VERY CLEARLY IMPLIED.NOW, HERE WE HAVE AN 82 YEAR OLD AND A 59 YEAR OLD, BOTH ON LIMITED INCOME FROM SOCIAL SECURITY, WHO TOOK EVERY PRECAUTION POSSIBLE TO BUY A RELIABLE VEHICLE AND AVOID EXPENSIVE REPAIRS STUCK WITH A VEHICLE WITH A DEFECT KNOWN TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUT THAT WE CANT HAVE FORD FIX BECAUSE WE DID NOT BUY THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE 3 YEAR ORIGINAL WARRANTY PERIOD! I HAVE CHECKED YOUR DATABASE AND FOUND THAT OUT OF THE FIRST 255 COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, 26 WERE ABOUT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING! I STOPPED LOOKING AFTER 255. I AM APPEALING TO YOU TO SEE WHAT REMEDIES CAN BE PURSUED.
DT: CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THE OD LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD . THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. ALSO, THEY STATED THE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHILE DRIVING AT A LATER TIME THE DASHBOARD LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS CAUSING IT TO SMOKE. *AK UPDATED 12/7/2005. *NM
ABS LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON AND WILL STAY ON UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF. *TR
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VAN WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN THE OWNER PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR TO GO, THERE WAS NO POWER. THE OWNER HAD TO PUSH THE VAN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VAN HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS. THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE OPENINGS IN DEALERSHIPS. THE OWNER HAS NOT CONTACTED FORD.*AK
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY (60 MPH), THE OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND MESSAGE BOARD SHOWED CHECK MESSAGE. I PUSHED INFO BUTTON, AND TXT. MESSAGE DISAPPEARED. I PULLED OVER TO FIRST LANE AND OBSERVED A LOT OF SMOKE IN THE REAR MIRROR. I STOPPED THE CAR AND OBSERVED FIRE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. FIRE CONTINUED FOR APP. 4 MINS. AND EXTINGUISHED SLOWLY. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER, WHICH HAS STATED THAT TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN OVERHEATED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE CHECKED SOME OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND IT LOOKS LIKE FORD HAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH WINDSTARS. LUCKILY ME AND MY TWO CHILDREN CAME THROUGH THIS INCIDENT UNSCATHED BUT IT CAN BE A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. NO HELP FROM DEALER AND ACCORDING TO OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS IT SEEM LIKE FORD ALSO IS VERY RELUCTANT TO LOOK INTO SUCH PROBLEMS. *NM
SEVERE SIDEWALL BLOWOUT OF A 3 YEAR OLD MICHELIN WEATHERWISE WITH APPROX 30K MILES ON IT. THE TIRE HAD AN EVEN TREAD WEAR PATTERN, AS IT HAD BEEN ROTATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO EMAIL YOU PHOTOS OF THE BLOWN TIRE. BOTH WEATHERWISE TIRES ON THE FRONT OF MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR HAVE SINCE BEEN REPLACED. *NM
TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE RESULTING IN LOSS OF DRIVE POWER/TORQUE AS A RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *NM
CRACKED FUEL RAIL LEAKING GAS ON TO MANIFOLD LEAKING AT WELDED JOINT. *NM
DT: CONTACT STATES THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING THAT GOT WORSE WHEN TURNING. IT WAS GETTING HARDER TO TURN. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING AT TIMES. THERE WERE METAL FILINGS IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID. DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING GEAR AND A PUMP. SHE WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING FLUID. SHE WAS STILL HEARING A SLIGHT NOISE WHEN SHE TURNS TO THE LEFT. MANUFACTURE HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK
THIS VIEHICLE IS MOSTLY DRIVEN IN THE CITY GOING TO THE STORE AND TAKING KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL. THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND IS RUBBING IN THE TIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND I WAS TOLD BASED ONLY ON THE YEAR GIVEN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SPRINGS. WHEN THE VIN NUMBER WAS GIVEN I WAS INFORMED THAT VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED. I FEEL THAT REPLACING BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND MY DAMAGED TIRE SHOULD BE FORDS RESPONSABILTY DUE TO THE FACT THEY HAVE SHOWN A KNOWN HISTORY FOR HAVEING THESE SPRINGS BRAKE. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WOULD BE RARE TO HAVE A RECALL ON A VEHICLE 16 YEARS OLD.
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS LISTED IN RECALL NUMBERS 01V261000; 00V351000 AND 99V147000, HOWEVER, MY VIN # IS SOMEHOW NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR AT NO COST. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX. THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN HALF . IF CONTACT HAD NOT STOPPED THE VEHICLE IT WOULD HAVE BLOWN OUT THE TIRE. THE SPRING WAS IN THE TIRE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1995-1998, BUT IT DID NOT COVER THE 1999 MODELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIPTO REPLACE THE COIL SPRING. THE COIL SPRING BROKE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BUT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING AS WELL BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BREAK. THE COST OF REPAIRS WAS $900 CHARGED TO THE CONSUMER. *AK