NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Ford Windstar. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN RESPONSE TO THE TSB LETTER THAT I RECEIVED REGARDING THE REAR AXLE PREMATURE FAILURE BACK IN FEB OF 2011. THEY PERFORMED RECALL (10S13) WHERE THEY INSPECTED AXLE (FOUND NO CRACKS), INSTALLED BRACKETS AND PAINTED THE AXLE. 4 YEARS LATER ALMOST TO THE DAY OF RECEIVING THIS "FIX" I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS CAVING IN AT THE TOP, WHICH WAS A SIGN FOR BREAKING REAR AXLE. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS BROKEN REAR AXLE. I REQUESTED IT TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE SAME RECALL BUT WAS REFUSED SERVICE DUE TO THE SERVICE THAT I RECEIVED IN 2011. I CALLED FORD'S WARRANTY CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE BUT WAS REFUSED FOR ANY KIND OF SUPPORT. OBVIOUSLY FORD'S "FIX" WAS NOT ENOUGH TO RECTIFY THIS SAFETY ISSUE, SO I THINK THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE ANY COSTS RELATED TO GETTING THE REAR AXLE REPLACED. THE COST OF REPAIR IN TOTAL WAS $800.37. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY COLLAPSED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO TILT INWARDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. IN 2010, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V195000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN DRIVING CAR OVER 45MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER STARTS JUMPING ALL OVER THE METER AND THE ODOMETER IS NO LONGER READING MILES. THIS IS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V399000. APPARENTLY, EVEN THOUGH FORD RECALLED WINDSTARS, OUR WINDSTAR WAS SOMEHOW NOT QUALIFIED EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED WHILE IN MOTION. SEVERAL FAILURES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. DEALER FAILED TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR TO HIM. FINALLY OBVIOUS FAILURE. LIMPED CAREFULLY TO THE DEALER. SAFETY HAZARD OF COURSE. *TR
MY FORD WINDSTAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. IT TURNS ON AND OFF ON THE DASHBOARD RANDOMLY. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS ON, THE ABS IS NOT WORKING. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS OFF, THE ABS IS WORKING. I HAD MY MECHANIC FIX THIS FOR $850. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE NEW PART STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. I NEVER KNOW HOW TO BRAKE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION BECAUSE THE ABS IS ON SOME OF THE TIME AND OFF SOME OF THE TIME.
I HAVE HAD AN INTERMITTENT ABS LIGHT ON IN MY VAN. I HAD THE CODES READ AT UTOZONE AND THEY ARE C1185 C1198 C1194. I HAVE READ ON SOME FORUMS THAT THIS ERROR IS DUE TO A FAULTY SOLDER JOINT IN THE ABS MODULE. IF THIS IS THE CASE, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BY FORD. *JS
I WAS DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VAN JUST MADE A HUGE SOUND, AND WENT LEFT TO RIGHT AND BACK SEVERAL TIMES. VERY SCARY! I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF IT. I HAD JUST LEFT THE HIGHWAY! I MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVE THE VAN BY THE SIDE OF THE STREET. AFTER FULL STOP, WENT TO LOOK AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE GROUND AND LOOKED BROKEN IN HALF! I REMEMBER THE VAN WENT THRU A RECALL IN 2012 (07-19-2012) AND HAD BEEN TAKING CARE BY SUNTRUP FORD. I FOUND THE PAPERS TODAY ABOUT THAT RECALL AND THE INVOICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE LISTING OF THE WORK DONE PER FORD. MY TAKE IS THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY OR THE RECALL WAS NOT DEMANDING ENOUGH. THE BRACKETS INSTALLED DID NOT DO THE JOB TO MAKE THIS VEHICLE SAFE! I TOOK PHOTOS. *TR
CORRECTED RECALL WAS NOT DONE EFFECTIVELY WITHIN TWO YEARS OF REPAIRED RECALL BEAM AXLE FAILED AT THE END OF THE REPAIRED AREA.
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE . ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON. *TR
AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH WINDSTARS. THERE IS A SWITCH (CALLED THE BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH) HOOKED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM THAT DETECTS WHEN THE BRAKE HAS BEEN PUSHED AND STOPS THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCORDINGLY. WELL? THIS SWITCH IS KNOWN TO DEVELOP LEAKS, WHICH ALLOWS BRAKE FLUID TO RUN DOWN INTO THE WIRING AND CAUSE A SHORT. THIS BLOWS THE FUSE WHICH CONTROLS THE SPEEDOMETER, A/C, ODOMETER, ETC. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS BECAME FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION) SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000. THE VINE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
WHINING, GRUNTING AND SHUTTER FROM UNDER HOOD WHEN TURNING LEFT. WITHIN 4 DAYS NOISE OCCURRED WHEN TURNING RIGHT ALSO. BY DAY 6 A LEAK OCCURRED FROM THE BOOT ON LEFT END OF STEERING RACK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND A BURNING RUBBER ODOR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS RUBBING ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V195000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
ABS LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. *TR
THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON. *TR
FOR SOME REASON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL CUSTARD NEEDLES STARTED,TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON AND SOMETIMES ITS OK.THAN YOU BE DRIVING AND EVERYTHING ITS OK, BUT THAN THERE GOES THE NEEDLES BOUNCING UP AND DOWN AGAIN AND THAN IT STOPS OR IF I STOP AT STORE OR GAS STATION AND START THE IGNITION AGAIN IT DOES IT AGAIN.PROBLEM 2, BEFORE THE FIRES ON THE FORD VEHICLES ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH MINE HAD ALREADY BURNED OUT AS I WAS AT THE STORE PARKING LOT I PICKED UP MY HOOD AND THERE WAS THE SMOKE AND SHORT WIRES BELOW THE BRAKE FLUID HOLDER I FIXED IT,ON MY OWN THAN SEE ALL THE PROBLEMS ON THE DAILY NEWS. THIS HAPPEN WHEN I ONLY HADABOUT 85000 MILES.PROBLEM 3, FOR SOME REASON I'M HAVING WITH MY ABS,THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND MY BRAKES DON'T WORK RIGHT,BUT WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS OFF MY BRAKES WORK FINE, I TELL YOU FORD CAN REALLY MAKE SORRY VANS LIKE THE WINDSTAR LX MODEL. *TR
MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WAS REPAIRED LAST YEAR ON A RECALL FOR THE POSSIBLE REAR AXLE FAILURE. FORD INSTALLED BRACKETS ON THE REAR AXLE AS A REMEDY. ON SATURDAY 8-30-14, THE REAR AXLE FAILED. THE AXLE IS ACTUALLY BROKEN AND THE BREAK CAN BE SEEN INSIDE OF THE BRACKET THEY INSTALLED. I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DON'T WARRANTY THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS TO HAVE THIS REMEDIED IN GOOD FAITH? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO ABRUPTLY PULL THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME AND THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND MADE A LOUD DRAGGING NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
ABS LIGHT ON. SYSTEM CODE C1185. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE UNDERBODY, FRAME, BRACKETS, AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE AND THE RUST TO THE FRAME AND UNDERBODY WAS EXTENSIVE AND ALMOST CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V194000 (SUSPENSION), 10V385000 (SUSPENSION), AND 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
WHILE DRIVING THE VAN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
ABS LIGHT STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME AND INTERMITTENTLY GOES OFF BUT COMES RIGHT BACK ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING BRAKE FLUID EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 11/24/14*LJ UPDATED 5/6/2015 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE GAUGES FLUCTUATE AND THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
ABS LIGHT COME ON WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC REASON - ECU MASTER RELAY HAS A BAD SOLDIER JOINT WHICH FAILS PREMATURELY AND CAUSES THE ABS LIGHT AND DTC C1185. IT ALSO CAUSES THE ENHANCED ABS BRAKING SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERABLE. *TR
ABS LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *JS
ABS LIGHTS CAME ON AND ABS STOPPED WORKING AND SPEEDOMETER RPM STOPPED WORKING. *TR
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES START DANCING BACK AND FORTH, THEN THE TACK GAUGE MAXED OUT AND STUCK UNDER THE SHIFT INDICATOR. I WENT TO A FORD DEALER IN FORT WAYNE IN. AND THEY REMOVED THE CLUSTER AND BROKE OFF PART OF THE TACK NEEDLE SO IT CAN'T BECOME STUCK AGAIN. STILL TO THIS DAY (A YEAR LATER) THE GAUGES START DANCING AND SOMETIMES FREEZE IN A POSITION. ONCE IT SHOWED I WAS DOING 80 MPH WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. SOME DAYS THEY WORK THEN OTHER TIMES THEY DONT. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTARS. LOOK UP DANCING GAUGES WINDSTAR ON YOU-TUBE AND SEE ALL THE ISSUES PEOPLE SHOW. IF THIS IS SUCH A BIG ISSUE WHY ISNT SOMETHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT? RESPECTFULLY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).? *JB
ABS/TRAC CONTROL DEACTIVATION ALARM/WARNING AFTER SHORT WARMUP. NO APPARENT BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYL SWITCH LEAKAGE. OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMP UPPER 70'S - MID-90'S F. *TR
EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT RELEASE, NUMEROUS TIMES, JUST HAD COMPLETE BRAKES INSTALLED, NEW. *TR
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT ABOUT 915 PM JUNE 22 2014, WHEN I HEAR MY BACK TIRES SOUND LIKE THEY WERE CATCHING A FLAT. I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER INTO A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. WHEN I PULLED IN I HEAR A LOUD SCRATCH SOUND AND I SMELLED BURNING RUBBER REALLY BAD. MY COUSIN CAME ON THE SCENE TO PICK ME UP AND HE LOOKED UNDER THE VAN AND TOOK A PICTURE. THE AXLE CRACKED IN HALF AND THE BACK TIRES LOOKED PUSHED IN AT THE TOP AND PROTRUDING OUT AT THE BOTTOM..IF I HAD BEEN GOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH I WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE 5 CHILDREN WAITING AT HOME FOR ME WHEN I GET OFF WORK. IM JUST THANKFUL I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT. BUT NOW I DON'T KNOW HOW I CAN CONTINUE WORKING WITHOUT MY VAN. *TR
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ABOUT 930 PM JUNE 22 2014 AND STARTED TO FEEL LIKE I WAS GETTING A FLAT IN THE BACK THEN I STARTED SMELLING RUBBER BURNING AND THE BACK END OF CAR KEPT SWAYING ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL THEN I HEARD A NOISE SO I PULL OVER SLOWLY AND BOTH MY BACK TIRES WERE PUSHED IN AT THE TOP AND OUT AT THE BOTTOM..I HAD MY VAN TOWED TO FORD AT 1 COMMERCE BLVD NORTH BRUNSWICK OFF OF ROUTE 1..AND IT HAS BEEN THERE EVER SINCE I CALLED TO CHECK AND SEE HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO FIX AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THEY ARE WAITING ON THE PART AND THEY HAVE 3 OTHER WINDSTARS TO FIX...NOW IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A MONTH AND I STILL HAVE HEARD NOTHING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRAME FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BRACKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) (2B264) LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER (BEHIND THE AIR FILTER) OVER TIME DEVELOPS A LEAK. THIS CAUSES A SHORT AND A FUSE TRIP, FUSE #10 IF THE ENGINE IS ON. THIS LEAK ALSO CAUSES BRAKE FLUID TO WICK DOWN TWO WIRES TO THE ABS BRAKE MODULE (2C219). THE FLUID ACCUMULATES ON THE (ALWAYS ON) POWER CONNECTORS FOR THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH ARE POWERED BY FUSES 101 AND 102 AND ARE BOTH 40 AMP. THE FLUID ATTRACTS MOISTURE, ROAD SALT AND LEADS TO A FIRE WHEN THE FLUID AND MOISTURE ACT AS CONDUCTOR BETWEEN THE HOT LEADS AND GROUND. THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF OTHER FORD RECALLS, JUST NOT MY WINDSTAR VAN YET. MY WIRING HARNESS WHEN INSPECTED WAS WET WITH BRAKE FLUID, INCLUDING THE CONNECTIONS AND THE INLINE FUSES, WHICH BASICALLY PERMITS ELECTRICITY TO JUMP PAST THE INLINE FUSES AND CONTINUE TO HEAT UP THE WIRING HARNESS. THE FUSES BODIES CRUMBLED WHEN INSPECTED. SINCE MOST DOUBLE SIDE DOOR VANS ARE PREDOMINANTLY DRIVEN BY LARGE FAMILIES, THE POSSIBILITY OF MULTIPLE FATALITIES PER VEHICLE DUE TO A HORRIFIC DEATH FROM BEING BURNT ALIVE IS A VALID POINT TO CONSIDER. MOST VEHICLE FIRES SPREAD SO FAST THAT UNSTRAPPING MULTIPLE SMALL CHILDREN FROM RESTRAINT SEATS WOULD TAKE AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME, ESPECIALLY WITH SMOKE INHALATION AND THE HEAT OF FLAMES TO PROHIBIT RESCUE. THANK YOU FOR INVESTIGATING THIS. *TR
MY VAN HAS HAD WEIRD SWAYING ISSUES WHEN GOING VERY SLOWLY OR FAST LIKE HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FINALLY THE OTHER DAY, THE AXLE BROKE. THE REAR ONE. THAT WAS RECALLED. THEY WERE SO BAD IN THESE VEHICLES, FORD WAS BUYING THEM BACK AND GIVING PEOPLE RENTAL CARS UNTIL THEY WERE FIXED. I WAS TOLD THEY WON'T FIX IT AT A DEALERSHIP, THEN FORD SAID THE SAME! THEY WON'T FIX A PART THAT IS BROKEN AFTER HAVING A KNOWN PROBLEM, SO KNOWN THAT THERE WAS A HUGE RECALL AND THEY WERE DOING BUYBACKS BECAUSE OF IT? BUT THEY WON'T FIX MINE? I HAVE TO WALK MILES TO THE GROCERY STORE AND MILES TO WORK. THIS SHOULDN'T BE MY PROBLEM. MY ENTIRE FAMILY WAS IN THE VAN WHEN IT BROKE. THEY ALL COULD HAVE DIED! FORD DOESN'T CARE! THEY WON'T EVEN FIX A PART THAT THEY KNOW THEY SCREWED UP ON AND WERE FIXING! SUCH CRAP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER AXLE BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AXLE WAS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ UPDATED 11/18/2014 *JS
THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. FILLED THE FLUID UP. A WEEK LATER SAME THING HAPPENS. I COULD NOT FIND A LEAK. FINDING A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE VAN I HAD TO MAKE A BETTER EFFORT TO FIND THE LEAK. THE LEAK IS COMING FROM THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. I WENT TO THIS SITE TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/ *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE REAR AXLE BECAME FAILED AND RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL CRASHING. THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH WERE UNKNOWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR AXLE FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR AN HOUR WHEN HE DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL IN 2011, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS EROSION AND CRACKING AROUND THE AXLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION), HOWEVER THE CONTACTS STATE WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL, AS IT ONLY COVERED THE NORTH EASTERN PART OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE CONCENTRATED USE OF SALT ON ROAD SURFACED WAS USED TO MELT AND/OR BREAK UP ROAD SURFACE ICE. . THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,900. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE WORKING ON THE REAR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT, A CRACK WAS OBSERVED ON THE REAR AXLE. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED ON THE AXLE A DISTANCE FROM THE LEFT REAR, DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE CONSUMER STATED DURING THE EXAMINATION OF THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM, IT WAS EASY TO SEE THAT THERE WAS AN OPENING IN THE AXLE STRUCTURE WHERE THE COIL SPRING INTERFACED THE AXLE. THE OPENING ALLOWED SALT CONCENTRATED ROAD SPRAY TO ENTER THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF THE AXLE AND SETTLE TO ITS LOWEST POINT. SINCE THE AXLE HAD NO DRAIN HOLES TO ALLOW FOR TRAPPED ROAD SPRAY TO DRAIN AWAY, THE SALT CONCENTRATED ROAD SPRAY WOULD IN FACT SET UP CORROSION WITHIN THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF THE AXLE WHICH, OVER TIME WOULD WEAKEN THE STRENGTH OF THE REAR AXLE ALLOWING FATIGUE CRACKS TO APPEAR. UPDATED 07/16/14 UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ UPDATED 1/15/15 *JS
TRANSMISSION STARTED LEAKING FLUIDS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND STARTED SLIPPING TO WHERE I COULDN'T GET HOME WITH IT. *TR
THERE IN NO ACCIDENT YET BUT CAN HAPPENS AT ANY TIME !!! EXTENSIVE COROSION ON FRONT SUBFRAME A SPECIALLY ON FRONT CONTROL ARM LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. VECHICLE WHEN DRIVING IS IMPOSED TO VIBRATION COMMING FROM FROM LEFT SIDE. ANY BUMP AND HOLE CREATE HAMMERING NOISE FROM FROM SUSPENSION. AFTER VISUAL INSPECTION NOTICED EXTENSIVE CORROSION TO BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS. THEY CAN SEPARATE AT ANY TIME. CAR WAS INSPECTED ON JAN 04, 2014 AND ON JAN 24 ,2011 AND NOTICE WAS GIVEN "RECAL COMPLETED" TIME OF THE REACLL COMPLETED IN 0.3 HOURS !!! THERE WAS NO DOCUMENTS GIVEN TO OWNER OR ANY EXPLANATION WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. CURENTLY BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARM ARE ALMOST ARE 95% CORODED SO THE NOTE AS "RECALL COMPLETED" WAS ONLY A JOKE. HOW THE CONTROL ARM CAN BE COMPLETLY CORODED IN 2 YEARS ?? THERE WAS ANOTHER DEALER SERVICE - RECALL VISIT ON JUL 11,2011 WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND THIS TIME THE "RECALL COMPLETED" TAKE ONLY 1.8 HR. NO INFORMATION WAS GIVEN WHAT WAS DONE AND WHAT PARTS WAS REPAIR.. I WAS VISITET LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE IN NEW BERN AND WAS GIVEN INFORMATION THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VECHICLE EVEN THE NHTSA ISSUE REALL ON THE SAME PROBLEM ON MAY 2012. FORD DO NOT LIKE TO ADMIT THAT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE. HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO BE KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT TILL FORD WILL FINALLY ADMIT THAT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND POTENTIAL OF THE DEADLY ACCIDENT THAT CAN HAPPENS AT ANY TIME. I DO NOT LIKE TO HEAR "IM SORRY" FROM ANY FORD CEO WHEN SOMEONE FROM MY FAMILY WILL LOST LIFE IF NEEDED PICTURES OF THE CORODED ARMS CAN BE SENT AT ANY TIME. CAR WAS IN USE FROM 2000-2011 IN MICHIGAN AND NOW AS WE MOVED IS USED IN NORTH CAROLINA. *TR
ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE RPM GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WENT ON (AGAIN, AFTER I HAD NUMEROUS ITEMS REPAIRED OR REPLACED ON THIS VAN). I WENT BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT A PART WAS NEEDED, CALLED THE C1185 AND IS PART OF THE ABS MODULE SYSTEM. I THEN WENT TO FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THIS PART COULD BE REPLACED, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MANUFACTURER FOR THIS PART HAD GONE OUT OF BUSINESS AND THE PART WAS NO LONGER MADE! I HAVE HAD THESE ITEMS REPAIRED/REPLACED ON THIS 2000 WINDSTAR SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2013: 1) FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED TEN-SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH PER RECALL 2) MY MECHANIC THEN REPAIRED THE ELECTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM, SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER, WHICH WAS TIED IN WITH THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (REPAIRS WERE OVER $420) 3) MY MECHANIC REINSTALLED IMPROPERLY INSTALLED REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER 4) MY MECHANIC INSTALLED NEW BATTERY *TR
WAS TRAVELING AT 58 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD NOISE, THE VAN JUMPED A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED MOVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. *TR
WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WILL SOMETIMES ILLUMINATE AT THE SAME TIME WITH A WARNING CHIME. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND TURNED OFF/ON; THESE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN LIT AND NEITHER THE ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL WILL FUNCTION. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026