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.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
WITH THE KEY SWITCHED "ON" (ENGINE NOT RUNNING), THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE EASILY SHIFTED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF A CHILD IS INVOLVED AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYES. WE TRIED THIS ON OUR VAN AFTER A FRIEND HAD A 3 YR OLD CHILD SHIFT THEIR FORD EXPEDITION INTO NEUTRAL AND RUN THROUGH A WALL. OUR VEHICLE SHIFTED VERY EASILY EVERY TIME WE TRIED IT. *AK
SUSPENSION WALLOWS ON THIS THING. 1998 WINDSTAR I TRADED IN HAD 82,000 MILES AND RODE MORE CONTROLLED THAN THIS AND STILL HAD ALL ORIGINAL COMPONENTS. YOU HAVE TO HOLD ON TO THE ARMRESTS TO KEEP IN CONTROL IN YOUR SEAT. WIFE AND KIDS GET SEASICK RIDING IN IT. DEALER STATES IT IS NORMAL AND ALL OF THEM ARE THAT WAY.*AK
VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY DEVICE ON LOCKING MECHANISM WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE. ALSO, DOOR LOCK WILL PINCH THE PERSON'S ARM WHEN NEAR THE LOCK. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING COULD FEEL WIND COMING FROM HOOD AREA WHERE, AT A TIME, WINDOWS WERE CLOSED ,AND VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH MOSQUITOS. *AK
ON 5/1/00 I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND MY CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT CONTINUED TO ROLL AND WOULD NOT STOP. I HAD TO STAND UP IN MY SEAT AND PUCH THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. WHILE ATTEMPTING THIS, THE CAR MADE A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. IT WAS A BRAND NEW CAR AND IT WAS RAINING SO I THOUGHT MAYBE I JUST NEEDED TO GET USED TO IT. ON 5/7/00, SUNDAY, I WAS OUT AND AT EVERY STOP SIGN OR LIGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, ADVISED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IN AS I WAS PETRIFIED TO DRIVE IT. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD ME THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I TOLD THEM I WAS NOT TAKING THE CAR HOME UNTIL THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND FIXED IT. AT 7PM ON THE 9TH THEY CALLED AND SAID A TECH HAD TAKEN THE CAR HOME OVERNIGHT AND IT HAPPENED TO HIM AND HE ALMOST KILLED SOMEONE SO THEY NOW BELIEVED ME. THEY SAID IT WAS A SWITCH THAT TOLD THE COMPUTER WHETHER I WAS ACCELERATING OR BRAKING. I PICKED THE CAR UP AT 8PM THAT DAY. AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING AND WENT TO STOP AT A LIGHT, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I GOT TO WORK CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND THE DEALER AND TOLD THE DEALER DO NOT RETURN IT UNTIL IT WAS FIXED. THAT WAS ON 5/10. THE EVENING OF 5/11 I WAS CALLED ONCE AGAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED. THEY NOW BELIEVED IT WAS THE SPEED SENSOR AND HAD REPLACED IT. ALL WAS WELL, FOR A WHILE. YESTERDAY, 10/17 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THIS SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME AND I AM SCARED TO GET BACK IN THAT CAR. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND AM AFRAID FOR THEIR SAFETY.
I HAVE A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THE SPEEDOMETER MOVES FAST TO THE RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR A RECALL LESS THAN 6 MOS AGO FOR CRUISE CONTROL. THE ABOVE WE HAVE LIVED WITH BUT NOW THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKES, THE CAR ROLLS A BIT MORE THAN STOPS. *TR
SLIDING DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD FAIL TO REMAIN CLOSE AFTER BEING SHUT. VEHICLE WOULD BE PARKED AT THE TIME. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER ONCE BEFORE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT DOOR SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PART IWAS ON BACK ORDER.*AK
PARKED VEHICLE/TURNED VEHICLE OFF/ REMOVED KEY AND ACCESSORY POSITION WOULD STILL BE ENGAGED. THIS AFFECTED POWER WINDOWS/RADIO/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS & ANYTHING THING ELECTRONIC. CONTACTED & BEEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR 5 1/2 WEEKS. ISSUE COULD NOT BE RESOLVED.*AK THE MANUFACTURER REPORT INDICATES THAT THERE IS 5 MINUTES WAITING TIME BEFORE KEY IS REMOVED, WHICH MAKES IT DANGEROUS IF SOME ONE UNKNOWINGLY REMOVES THE KEY IMMEDIATELY AFTER PARKING. *YH
WHILE AT STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, ENGINE SPEED INCREASED FROM 1100 UP TO 3000 RPMS. DRIVER SHIFTED TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE CAME BACK DOWN. DEALER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK
I RENTED THIS VEHICLE FROM BUDGET - I DO NOT OWN IT. HOWEVER, WE DROVE IT THE NIGHT OF 4/07/00 TO DINNER DURING "BLIZZARD-LIKE" CONDITIONS IN GREAT LAKES, IL - VERY WINDY, COLD, AND SNOWING. WE HAD THE HEAT ON AND THE WINDOW DEFROSTER FOR THE REAR, LEFT PASSENGER-SIDE (THIRD WINDOW) WINDOW ALSO ON. THIS IS A UNIQUE FEATURE OF THE WINDSTAR MINIVANS.THERE ARE ALSO TWO CEILING-MOUNTED HEATING VENTS THAT DIRECT HEAT INTO THE BACK THIRD OF THE VAN, INCLUDING THE THIRD PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WHICH HAS THE DEFROSTER EMBEDDED IN IT. I PARKED THE VAN AT THE HOTEL AFTER WE RETURNED FROM DINNER. WHEN I WENT OUT TO THE VAN THE NEXT MORNING, THE THIRD SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS SHATTERED. I PHONED THE WAUKEGAN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE OFFICER WHO CAME OUT FIRST ASKED IF THE WINDOW HAD A DEFROSTER IN IT. HE SAID HE WAS AWARE OF OTHER OCCURRENCES LIKE THIS. HE SAID HE DIDN'T THINK IT WAS VANDALISM BUT INSTEAD WAS CAUSED BY THE EXTREME TEMPERATURE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE AIR IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VAN (WHERE THE DEFROSTER AND THE HEATER WERE ON) AND THE EXTERIOR AIR, WHICH WAS WELL-BELOW FREEZING. WHILE THE VAN WAS MOVING THE AIR WAS CONSTANTLY CIRCULATING BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VAN, HOWEVER, ONCE THE VAN WAS PARKED AND THE HOT, INTERIOR AIR WAS NO LONGER CIRCULATING , THE EXTREME TEMPERATURE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE AIR ON THE INSIDE OF THE VAN AND THE AIR OUTSIDE OF THE VAN CAUSED THE WINDOW TO SHATTER. WHILE I AM RELIEVED THAT THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE LAST SEAT OF THE VAN WHEN THE WINDOW SHATTERED, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGER TO OTHERS. DO YOU HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT THIS ENGINEERING DEFECT?>
ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR KEPT OPENING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS-PURCHASED A SECOND IDENTICAL VEHICLE-TWO (2) DAYS LATER THE SAME DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE - DEALER HAD SOMEONE COME IN TO SEE WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM-FOUND THAT THE CODES WERE NOT CORRECT IN BOTH VEHICLES-STATED THAT ERROR WAS MADE AT THE FACTORY
JOINTS ARE NOT CONNECTED UNDER QUARTER WHEEL WELD. ONE WELD IS COMPLETLY MISSING, AND 3 ARE NOT PROPERLY CONNECTED. AUTOMOBILE STARTED WITH SQUEAKING NOISE WHICH LED TO A VERY LOUD NOISE. AUTOMOBILE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES. THE 1ST AND 2ND TIME, DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF DEFECT. THE 3RD TIME, DEALER FOUND THE DEFECT, BUT STATED THAT ANY AUTHORIZED FORD REPAIR CENTER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE DEFECT. DEALER WOULD ALSO NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO DRIVE THE AUTOMOBILE OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 35 MPH WHEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY... DROVE ABOUT 1 MILE TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER... BY THIS TIME THE CAR WAS BARELY MOVING. I PULLED INTO A TURN LANE AND HEARD A LOUD CRASH AT THE BACK OF THE CAR. I STOPPED AND GOT OUT TO LOOK TO FIND THAT MY REAR AXLE HAD SNAPPED IN TWO. IT WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN INTO TWO PIECES TO THE LEFT OF CENTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THANK GOD I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE FORD DEALER ACTED TOTALLY SHOCKED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AND TOLD ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY... THAT SURELY I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING IN ORDER FOR SUCH DAMAGE TO OCCUR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND NO DAMAGE... AND SO WE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR... WHICH ALSO INCLUDED WORK ON "REAR SUSPENSION" AND SHOCK ABSORBERS... DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE AXLE BREAKING. WE REPLACED WITH A USED AXLE. TOTAL PAID $1076.45. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION IS WHINING, LOUD GROANING/RUBBING NOISE, AND A LOUD GROAN AND VIBRATION THAT IS FELT THROUGH THE VEHICLE AT 800, 1100 & 1600 RPM. FORD SAID IT WAS EXHAUST SYSTEM CREATING PROBLEM AND HAS TRYED TO CORRECT WITH NO LUCK. THE PROBLEM IS COMING FROM TRANSMISSION AND FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR. *AK
WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS EVEN THOUGH CONSUMER HAD FEET ON BRAKES.*AK
VIBRATION THAT STARTED AT 50 MPH. TAKEN TO DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY POWER STEERING UNIT, AND THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT HAD NO REMEDY. *AK THE PROBLEM OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *YH
TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF GEAR. *AK
THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. DEALER & FORD CUST. SVC. PEOPLE TELL ME IT WORKS AS DESIGNED. THEY SAY WE MUST PULL THE BRAKE HANDLE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE STOP FOR IT TO WORK PROPERLY. THIS WILL, IN FACT, PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. HOWEVER, MY WIFE CAN NOT PULL THE BRAKE LEVER THIS FAR UP NOR CAN SHE DISENGAGE IT IF I PULL IT TO THE STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT EFFECTIVE FOR THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE.*AK
DRIVER'S SEAT CROSS BAR POPS IN AND OUT, CAUSING SEATBACK TO GO FORWARD INTO THE DRIVER'S BACK. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS*AK.
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AFTER 12 ATTEMPTS. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM. *AK
HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE SUBFRAME ON MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. COULD NOT DRIVE TIL REPLACED. *TR
THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE TURNING LEFT. NEARLY HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DESPITE REASSURANCE FROM DEALER THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED, WE ARE CONCERNED THE VEHICLE REMAINS UNSAFE. THESE CONCERNS WERE HEIGHTENED BY THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2000 ARTICLE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES.
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 5MPH ON A SIDE STREET AND HIT A BLOCK OF ICE. SHE APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING TOWARDS A FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER WILL NOT LOCK INTO THE "ON" POSITION IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED MORE THAN 20 OR 30 DEGREES. THIS SITUATION OCCURS VIRTUALLY ALL THE TIME UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED. *AK
ACCORDING TO FORD'S OWNER GUIDE ON INSTALLATION OF CHILD SEATS. YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO PUT KNEE ON SEAT AND TIGHTEN BELT. THEN TEST IT BY ROCKING SIDE TO SIDE. FORDS SEAT BELTS DO NOT HOLD CAR SEAT IN PLACE AND CAN CAUSE INJURY. YOU MUST USE A CLIP ON SEAT BELT TO PREVENT THE SEAT FROM MOVING. FORD DOES NOT SUGGEST TO USE SUCH A CLIP TO HOLD SEAT AND CAN LEAD OWNER TO FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.
WE HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR VAN 2000 MODEL AND THE ABS LIGHT IS LIT AND THE # 10 FUSE 10 AMP IS BLOWN AND EVER THING IS OUT ON DASH I FOUND A SITE WHERE YOU CAN WRITE A COMPLAINT ON IT LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY THING ELSE. *TR
DRIVER HAS NOTICED EXCESSIVE EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO TURN AND SLOW SPEEDS. *AK
DRIVER MUST SEARCH FOR RIGHT PLACE TO PUSH FOR HORN TO WORK. *AK
PASSENGER'S SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT HOLD IN PLACE WHENEVER IT WAS OPENED, ALMOST CLOSED ON PERSON GETTING IN OR OUT OF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
WHEN BRAKING, DRIVERS OFTEN PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS DANGEROUS, AS THE DRIVER HAS TO MOVE HIS FOOT AND BRAKE AGAIN, CONSIOUSLY AVOIDING THE GAS PEDAL.
THE RIGHT REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS REPLACED. *SLC
VEHICLE UNABLE TO USE SNOW CHAINS WHEN NEEDED TO TRAVEL UP SNOWY MOUNTAINS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. ASKING NHTSA TO HELP IN THIS MATTER OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
BRAKING DISTANCES SUDDENLY INCREASED . ABS LIGHT ON. *TR
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF FOR LAST 4 YEARS. DEALER STATES THAT OXYGEN SENSOR WAS BAD. ALSO, HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. *AK
2000 FORD WINDSTAR TIRE SUDDENLY DEFLATED WHEN ONE OF THE COIL SPRINGS BROKE. THE CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE COIL SPRINGS. *MR *NM
CONSUMER FORD WINDSTAR 2000 CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH FAILED. *TS THE SWITCH INSTALL IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER FORD'S RECENT RECALL OF 3.2 MILLION VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE FAULTY SWITCH REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
2000 FORD WINDSTAR WITH MULTIPLE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. CONSUMER STATES THESE ARE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID PUMP FAILURE, REVERSE SENSOR SYSTEM FAILURE, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS STICKING AND MORE. *KB THE MESSAGE CENTER STARTED TO READ ERROR WHEN DISPLAYING THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE. THE CONSUMER FOUND ONE OF THE MALE PRONGS ON THE SENSOR PLUG HAD CORRODED AND BROKEN OFF, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE SENSOR PLUG WAS NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTED FROM MOISTURE. ONE OF THE COOLANT LINES TO THE REAR HEATER CORRODED AND FAILED AT THE POINT WHERE IT CROSSED UNDER THE FRAME AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING LEAN DUE TO AN AIR LEAK. THE COOLANT CROSSOVER TUBE SPRANG A LEAK. *JB
2000 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING RECALL FOR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THE REPAIRS MADE FREE OF CHARGE, SINCE A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. *JB
THE ANCHOR POINT ON THE SECOND ROW CAPTAIN CHAIRS ARE IN THE LOWR LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE SEAT. IN THE OPERATOR MANUAL THEY ARE SHOWN AS BEING IN THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO SPOKE THE FACTORY. THEY SAID THE MANUAL WAS A MISPRINT AND THE SEATS WERE DESINGED THAT WAY WITH THE ANCHOR POINT BEING ON THE LOWER LEFT. ALL THE OTHER SEATS HAVE THE ANCHOR POINTS IN THE CENTER OF THE BACK OF THE SEAT. WITH ANCHOR POINT BEING OFFEST IT CUASE THE STRAP TO RUN ON A DIAGNAL FROM TOP BACK TO THE LOWER LEFT HAND CORNER, AS YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE BACK OF THE SEAT. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OTHER VEHICLES, WHERE THE ANCHOR POINT IS OFF CENTERED. PLEASE RECALL THIS VAN AND MAKE FORD FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE A CHILD IS HURT. THANK YOU.
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN VIBRATED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLES REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM CHIME IS TOO WEAK AND CANNOT BE HEARD IF THE RADIO IS ON. NLM
WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH OVER BUMPS VEHICLE SWAYS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. PLEASE PROVIDE FUTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN THE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR IS SET FOR NIGHT VISION IT BECOMES DISTORTED AND HARD TO VIEW OBJECTS. DEALER SAYS IT'S DESIGNED THAT WAY. *AK
NO WARNING ON HOW HEAVY THESE SEATS ARE AND THAT CAUTION SHOULD BE USED. A WARNING LABLE OR STICKER SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE SEAT AND A UPDATE TO THE MANUAL ALSO
SOON AFTER PARKING VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION IN CAR PORT. *AK CONSUMER HEARD LOUD NOISE LIKE A HIGH- PRESSURE LEAK AND IN A MANNER OF SECONDS A WHITE SMOKE TURNED TO BLACK AND THEN TO FLAMES. FLAMES WAS COMMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *YH
AUTOMATIC SLIDDING DOORS ON DRIVER SIDE WILL SUDDENLY POP OPEN BY THEMSELVES, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. DEALER HAS REPLACED A MODULE WHICH WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WILL BEGIN TO STALL AND SUDDENLY DIE OUT, CAUSING A LOSS OF ALL POWER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK