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
ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED A FEW MONTHS AFTER A RECALL WAS COMPLIED BY FORD. THE RECALL CONSIST OF REPLACING A BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH, CRUISE CONTROL PART, AND ABS MODULE. *TR
THE ABS LIGHTS COMES ON AFTER THE SPEED OF THE CAR GOES ABOVE 5-10MPH. *TR
YELLOW ABS LIGHT ON EVEN AFTER RECALL FIXED BY FORD. THE BRAKING DISTANCE HAS INCREASED EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE NO PROPBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE ABS ISN'T WORKING . *TR
VAN PURCHASED USED. OKAY AT FIRST, THEN WITHOUT WARNING THE GAUGES (SPEED, FUEL, TACHOMETER, TEMPERATURE) WOULD START JUMPING WILDLY OR TOP OUT AND STICK AT MAX. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. COULD SOMETIMES CLEAR BY DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING BATTERY CABLES. HAVE REPLACED BATTERY TWICE. REPLACED THE GAUGE CONSOLE. THE O/D LIGHT (FOR THE TRANSMISSION) STARTED COMING ON BUT DOES GO OFF WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE O/D BUTTON - MECHANIC SAID THAT WOULD INDICATE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NOW WITH KEY IN THE IGNITION, WON'T START BUT ALL THE GAUGES JUMP WILDLY. YOU REALLY CAN'T RELY ON THE GAUGES TO BE CORRECT - I'M GOING 120 MPH AND I'M SITTING STILL! FORD DID REPLACE THE REAR AXLE THAT WAS RECALLED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT. IS THERE ANY RECALL THAT I MISSED ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR A REAL FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM? *TR
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? *TR
WENT TO PICK UP FOOD AND NOTICED MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR WAS SMOKING. I PULLED OVER, LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. LOOKED UP ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. CALLED FORD, THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP US AT ALL. TOLD US WE'D HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC/AND TOWING. FINALLY GOT AHOLD OF SOMEONE THROUGH FORD WHO GOT THAT FOR NO CHARGE. WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE RECALLED PIECE THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. NOW AM TOLD THAT IT COULD TAKE UP TO 15 DAYS TO FIND OUT IF I CAN GET A RENTAL UNTIL THE CAR IS FIXED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTION THAT HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BROKE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN DECELERATING AND LOSING POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEAL HAD FAILED AND CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE INCREASED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STABILIZER BAR WAS SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS UNRELATED TO THE FAILURE ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEPARATION OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES AWAY FROM THE LOCATION WHICH WAS BEING ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,353. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER ON JUNE 30, 2011. THE DEALER CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THE DEFECT WOULD BE HONORED BY A RECENT ADDITIONAL RECALL RELATED T THE SUBFRAME. FORD DECLINED AS THE DAMAGE WAS TWO INCHES AWAY AND NOT COVERED BY THE CURRENT RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED USING A USED FRONT ENGINE CRADLE FOR $528.68. UPDATED 08/24/11
TL* THE OWNS 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SWAY BAR MOUNT. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
I BOUGHT A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IN DELAWARE OHIO AT BYERS FORD AND ON THE FIRST DAY I GOT IT WHEN I WOULD PUT ON THE BREAKS THE VAN WOULD SHAKE SO BAD. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON THEN GO OFF. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IS WAS JUST A SENSOR. I RECEIVED THE FIRST RECALL OF THE REAR AXLES BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2010 AND HAD THEM CHECKED AND THEY PUT SOME SPRAY ON THEM. I THEN GOT THE SECOND RECALL FOR THE FRONT SUBFRAME IN FEB OF 2011 AND WHEN I SET UP MY APT IT WAS NOT TILL MAY 25TH 2011 THAT I GOT IN. FOR 3 MONTHS I DEALT WITH THE EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHT BEING ON, THE ABS LIGHT BEING ON A CLICKING NOISE UNDER MY STEERING WHEEL AND ON TOP OF THAT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY FAMILY AROUND IN IT. THE VAN SHAKES SO BAD THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY MAKE A MILKSHAKE WHEN YOU STOP. SOMETIMES I WOULD HAVE TO PRESS HARD ON THE BREAKS TO GET IT TO STOP. I TOLD THIS TO THE MAN AT BYERS FORD IN DELAWARE, OH AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS MY ROTORS WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR THE RECALLS. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL ORDERS AND IT WOULD BE READY BY THE NEXT MORNING. 4 HOURS LATER I GET A CALL THAT MY VAN DID NOT EVEN COME CLOSE TO PASSING INSPECTION. MY SUBFRAME IS ACTUALLY BROKE AND THAT IT LOOKED LIKE IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY FOR SOMETIME. WHY WAS THIS NOT NOTICED BEFORE SELLING THE VAN. AREN'T THEY SUPPOSED TO THOROUGHLY INSPECT THE VEHICLE BEFORE PUTTING IT OUT ON THE LOT? *TR
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM: PROBLEMS INDICATED BY ON BOARD MESSAGE CENTER READS "CHECK BRAKE LAMPS", "CHECK TAIL LAMPS" CHECK HEAD LAMPS" CHECK REAR TURN LAMPS", "CHECK FRONT TURN LAMPS", NOTICED THAT INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK, AUTO LOCKS WILL NOT WORK, KEY REMOTE WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK VEHICLE OR OPEN DOORS. GET NO CODES FROM O B D II. SCANNER. HAVE REPLACED BATTERY BECAUSE IT WAS 6 YEARS OLD AND WASN'T PUTTING OUT PROPER AMPS. THOUGHT WOULD SOLVE PROBLEM. IT DIDN'T. THOUGHT DISCONNECTING BATTERY FOR 30 MIN. WOULD RESET COMPUTER. SEAMED TO WORK A COUPLE OF TIMES, HOWEVER, NOW BELIEVE IT WAS JUST COINCIDENCE. SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE VEHICLE EVERYTHING IS FINE, HOWEVER WHILE DRIVING, THE MESSAGE REAPPEARS AND NONE THE ABOVE MENTIONED, NO LONGER WORK AGAIN. THIS IS A DRIVING HAZARD. *TR
3 TRANSMISSIONS...MULTIPLE REPAIRS ALL OF WHICH FORD IS AWARE AND CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN. RECALLED FOR AXLE AND FRAME ROTTING. FORD USED EPOXY AND A BRACE TO "REPAIR". UNSAFE REPAIR! WARRANTY OFFERED IS ONLY 12 MONTHS, SO FORD ALSO AGREES IT WONT LAST. FRAME AND AXLE SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF VEHICLE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND FORD ISNT WILLING TO TAKE ANY RESPOSIBILITY. THEY HAVE KOWN ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS FOR YEARS, AND ARE NOW SAYING THEY ARENT RESPONSIBLE.
MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THE FOLLOWING RECALLS 09S09 SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION, 10S13 REAR AXLE INSPECTION AND REPAIR, AND 11S16 SUBFRAME FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING FLANGES & REAR BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS INSPECTION AND REPAIR. I DIDN'T RECEIVE NOTICE OF ANY OF THESE RECALLS, AND FOUND OUT FROM A FRIEND ABOUT THEM. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VAN STARTED MAKING A SOUND WHILE DRIVING. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT IT THAT IT WAS DUE TO RUSTING OF THE REAR BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENT OF THE SUBFRAME. I TOOK MY VAN IN TO A FORD DEALER TODAY 5/21/2011 FOR THE RECALL INSPECTIONS. I WAS TOLD IT PASSED ALL INSPECTIONS, BUT WAS ONLY IN THE SERVICE DEPT. FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THERE IS ALSO SEVERE RUST ON OTHER AREAS OF MY FRONT SUBFRAME THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD'S RECALLS. I DO NOT FEEL MY VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY INSPECTED. *TR
WE OWN A FORD WINDSTAR THAT WAS SOLD AND PURCHASED IN MASS. AND RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF A SAFETY RECALL FOR AXLE FAILURE. WENT TO DEALER AND FORD WEBSITE AND WAS TOLD RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I NOW RESIDE IN FLORIDA . I FEEL MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS DRIVEN IN MASS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS IN THE SNOW AND ICE TREATED WITH ROAD SALT. ANY HELP OR SOME ONE TO CONTACT WOULD BE APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
*CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING BEGINNING OF 2011, NEVER CAME BACK ON. *ABS LIGHT TURNS ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY. STARTED ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO; 5/2010. *SIDE DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK CORRECTLY AND GET STUCK (HAVE TO MANUALLY PULL THEM UP). STARTED APPROX. 7/2010. *PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH AUTOMATIC LOCK BUTTON OR KEYS. STARTED APPROX. 1/2011. *HEATER ONLY WORKS IN BACK, NOT FRONT. STARTED APPROX. 10/2010. *OPEN REGULATOR WINDOW LOOSENED AND BROKE OFF, SHATTERING, WHILE ON INTERSTATE. BOUGHT REPLACEMENT WINDOW, BUT THE REGULATOR ASSEMBLY DOES NOT COME IN SINGLE PARTS, SO I HAVE NOT PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT PLASTIC SECURER TO HOLD THE REAR OF THE WINDOW ON. 5/7/2011. I FEEL THERE IS MORE I'M FORGETTING, BUT I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING AT THIS TIME. *TR
1999 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REPAIRS AND DISCONTENT WITH DEALER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING.
ABS LIGHT ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY. MODULE REPLACED BY FORD DEALER TWICE. LIGHT STILL KEEPS COMING ON.
I WAS PULLING AWAY AFTER GETTING GAS IN MY WINDSTAR AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE, SIMILAR TO WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED LOSS OF CONTROL IN STEERING, WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO ONE SIDE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS DRIVING ONLY 5 MILES PER HOUR. THE VAN WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (NOT FORD AFFILIATED) AND I WAS TOLD THE SUBFRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE SUBFRAME SNAPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IS READY TO SNAP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I WAS TOLD THAT ALL IT WOULD TAKE IS FOR ME TO HIT A POTHOLE AND THE SUBFRAME WOULD SNAP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WOULD FALL OUT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE HAS NEVER SEEN A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH A SUBFRAME IN THAT CONDITION. HE TOOK PICTURES OF THE SUBFRAME AND EMAILED THEM TO SEVERAL MECHANIC FRIENDS. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED, BY DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THAT FORD RECALLED THE WINDSTARS DUE TO A SUBFRAME ISSUE, BUT I WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL BECAUSE FORD DOES NOT DEEM VIRGINIA A STATE WHERE THEY USE SALT ON THE ROADS IN THE WINTERTIME. I LIVE 10-15 MILES FROM BOTH MARYLAND AND DC, AND THEY ARE BOTH INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I LIVE IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND WE RECEIVE HEAVY SNOWFALL DURING THE WINTER. BECAUSE I LIVE CLOSE TO THE BELTWAY, THE DOT AND LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS HEAVILY SALT THE ROADS EVEN BEFORE SNOW STARTS TO FALL. WE HAVE A PERMANENT WHITE COATING ON THE ROADS FROM THE SALT DURING THE WINTERTIME. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT FORD DID NOT RECALL THE WINDSTAR'S IN ALL STATES BECAUSE THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SUBFRAMES ON THE WINDSTARS. THEY DON'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PEOPLE WHO MAY TRAVEL FROM STATE TO STATE, OR PEOPLE WHO BORDER A STATE WHERE THEY HAVE RECALLED THE SUBFRAMES, AND FREQUENTLY DRIVE IN THOSE STATES.
RECALL REPAIR WORK WAS COMPLETED FOR 09V399000 ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE NOW HAS ABS LIGHT AND TRANSACTION CONTROL LIGHT. FORD ADVISES ISSUE WHERE ABS MODULE IS FAULTY, AS WELL AS TRACTION CONTROL CONCERNS. HOWEVER FORD CANNOT DIAGNOSE TRANSACTION CONTROL UNTIL ABS MODULE IS REPLACED BUT WILL NOT COVER THE ABS MODULE DUE TO IT NOT BEING IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AS OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REFERENCING THIS RECALL. I CONTINUE TO HAVE ABS ISSUES AS WELL AS CONTINUE TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL (SIMILAR TO PLASTIC BURNING). *TR
ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ALL OF THE GAUGES; E.G, THE SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GAUGES JUMP RAPIDLY FROM 0 MPH ALL THE WAY AS FAR AS IT WILL GO, THE GAS GAGE JUMPS RAPIDLY FROM EMPTY TO FULL AND BACK AGAIN, TEMP FROM COLD TO HOT ETC. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND THEN RESUMES NORMAL ACTIVITY AGAIN FOR A UNCERTAIN TIME. IT;S REALLY FRIGHTENING WHEN OCCURRING. THE FORD DEALER HERE, YUKON OK, STATES THE ONLY CURE IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE THING AT A RIDICULOUS COST OF $ 632.00. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN APRIL OF 2011 AND CONTINUES TODAY. WE TRY NOT TO DRIVE IT WHEN THIS IS GOING ON.
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN DENT ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING AN ISSUE INVOLVING RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLES; PLEASE CONTACT HIM OR HIS ASSISTANT MELANIE WHITELEATER AT 610-861-9734, IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS WITH THIS REQUEST *TGW 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS OFFERED A BUY OUT, BUT DECLINED AND REQUESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. TWO HOURS LATER, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER STATING FORD CONCLUDED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO COME AND RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. *JB
1999 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISCONTENT REGARDING FORD MOTOR COMPANY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION, DUE TO A RUSTED SUBFRAME. FORD OFFERED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE CONSUMER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR SPORADICALLY AND AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY ABNORMALLY WHEN BEING DRIVEN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD OFTEN SEIZE WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE LUNGING FORWARD AND VIOLENTLY JERKING WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMEFRAME HAD EXPIRED FOR THE CONTACT TO HAVE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS PERFORMED THAT HAD NOT BEEN SCHEDULED WITHIN THE REQUIRED TIMEFRAME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 8/14/14*CN UPDATED 8/22/2014 *JS
1999 FORD WINDSTAR ABS MALFUNCTION - ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER SKIDDING AND STRIKING A POLE WHILE PARKING, I BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DESCRIBED TO PROBLEM AS AN ANNOYANCE AT WORST AND THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES WORK FINE, THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE, AND RECOMMENDED NOT SPENDING $1000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN PRESSED FOR DETAILS, THE DEALER SAID THAT THE ABS ECU ($1000 PART) HAS FAILED BUT NO BIG DEAL. JUST THE ANTI-LOCK PORTION OF OUR BRAKING WASN'T WORKING. I THINK THIS IS A PRETTY BIG DEAL CONSIDER ABS IS REQUIRED FOR VEHICLE SAFETY AND THE VEHICLE MAY NOT PASS LICENSING INSPECTIONS. *TR
I NOTICED WHEN TAKING IN MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE FOR THE SUBFRAME RECALL THAT ALMOST ALL THE OTHER WINDSTAR'S HAD RUSTED OUT SLIDING DOORS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. IS FORD DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM?
TOOK OUR VAN IN TO BE BROUGHT UP TO DATE WITH RECALLS FOR IT'S MAKE/MODEL. ASKED ABOUT AXLE CORROSION AS WE KNEW OUR YEAR OF FORD WINDSTAR WAS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. WAS TOLD NEBRASKA IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL, BUT THEY WOULD INSPECT FOR THE DEFECT ANYWAY. VAN IS NOW GROUNDED BY FORD DUE TO FRONT AND REAR AXLE PROBLEMS. MY COMPLAIN IS THIS.... WE WERE NOT ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE AND ARE NOT TECHNICALLY PART OF THE RECALL. HAD WE NOT TAKEN OUR CAR IN AND ASKED TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AFTER HEARING OF THE PROBLEM THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH, WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS OR POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT. WHY IS NEBRASKA NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL??? AS FAR AS RESOLUTION, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD REPAIR WILL TAKE 1-3 MONTHS OR THEY MAY BUY BACK OUR VAN. I GUESS TIME WILL TELL. *TR
1999 FORD WINDSTAR. FRONT SUB FRAME CORROSION. FORD SERVICE REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. *TR
MY SON-IN-LAW AND DAUGHTER WE DRIVING ON HWY 421 AT 50 MPH. THE VAN STARTED SHAKING AND THEY SMELLED RUBBER AND HEARD GRINDING. HE PULLED OVER AND THE BACK TIRES WERE PUSHED IN AND THE RIGHT BACK TIRE LOST ITS LUG NUTS AND TIRE WAS FALLING OFF. THEY REMOVED THE CHILDREN FROM THE CAR. IT SCARED THEM TO DEATH! MY SON-IN-LAW STARTED WALKING TO A GAS STATION. MY DAUGHTER LOOKED UNDER THE VAN AND SAW THE AXLE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. A NICE TOW TRUCK MAN STOPPED TO HELP. HE SAID, THIS VAN IS ON RECALL DO YOU KNOW WHAT AN AXEL IS..SHE SAID YES....HE LOOKED UNDER THERE AND TOLD HER IT WAS FOR SURE SNAPPED IN HALF! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE FORD WINDSTAR IS DOING THIS! IT IS VERY UPSETTING. IT WAS TOWED TO HERSH FORD IN MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA AND WERE GIVEN A RENTAL AND TOLD IT COULD TAKE OVER 4 MONTHS. HOW AM I GOING TO FIT A FAMILY OF 6 INTO A FORD FOCUS?? *TR
WAS DRIVING A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR STOPPED AT WORK WENT IN SIDE A COWORKER WAS LEAVING RAN BACK INSIDE TO TELL ME MY 1999 WINDSTAR WAS ON FIRE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,101.
1999 FORD WINDSTAR- FRONT SUB FRAME RUST. LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. VIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
MY VEHICLE WAS RUNNING (WHILE PARKED) AND QUIT. THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON, THE RADIO STILL WORKED, AND THE HEATER WAS STILL BLOWING. THE IGNITION KEY WAS OFF AND OUT. I HAD TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY TO SHUT THE THREE OFF. REPLACED: IGNITION SWITCH, PCM, CONTROL MODULE UNDER THE DASH AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED THE OUTCOME. THIS IS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR
I TOOK MY VAN IN FOR RECALLS. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE AXLE HOWEVER I THINK THEY JUST PUT STUFF ON IT AND DIDN'T EVEN CHECK IT. THEN THEY FOUND SOME OTHER STUFF THEY WANTED TO FIX LIKE THE TIE ROD LINKS. I DIDN'T LET THEM FIX IT BUT I TOOK IT TO SOMEONE ELSE AND THEY FOUND A SERIOUS CRACK AND CORROSION ON MY FRONT FRAME. IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK!! THEY DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT THIS. ALMOST EVERYTHING UNDER MY VAN HAS CORROSION AND IF THE AXLE IS FAULTY BECAUSE OF THAT WHY ISN'T THE OTHER STUFF UNDER RECALL. IS FORD WAITING FOR ME OR SOMEONE ELSE GET KILLED AND THEN TAKE CARE OF IT OR IS MY LIFE NOT IMPORTANT TO THEM? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO RECEIVE REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE TOO MUCH TIME HAD ELAPSED SINCE OWNER NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURERS STEERING RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE DEALER OFFERED TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE BUT LATER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE REAR AXLE CRACKED. FOR OFFERED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. UPDATED 07/01/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY), THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION OF THE RECALL AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED DUE TO THE LACK OF RUST AND CORROSION. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SHOCKS AND STEERING RACK. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM ANY TYPE OF REPAIRS AS IT PERTAINED TO THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE FAILED THE RECALL INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER FOR FOUR MONTHS BUT WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 241,000. UPDATED 07/28/11*LJ UPDATED 08/01/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGJ ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SUBFRAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 242,000.
FLEET OWNED 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOCATED IN THE CHICAGO AREA SINCE NEW. COMPLAINT WAS THAT THE EXHAUST WAS LOUD AND LOOKED TO BE HANGING LOW. THE EXHAUST FLANGE ON THE FLEX-PIPE SECTION RUSTED THIN AND BROKE OFF FROM THE Y-PIPE. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE SUBFRAME WAS HANGING DOWN ABOUT 1.5" FROM WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE. THE EXHAUST Y-PIPE FLANGE IS MUCH LOWER THAN IT SHOULD NORMALLY BE, WHICH TELLS ME THAT THE ENGINE/TRANS ASSEMBLY IS LEANING TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR MOUNT OF THE SUBFRAME IS CRACKED WHERE IT MEETS THE BODY. ALSO NOTED THAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME WHERE THE ENGINE MOUNT ATTACHES AND THE SUBFRAME REAR CROSSMEMBER MEET, THE SUBFRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I CAN FORESEE THIS PROBLEM EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE AXLES TO REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM THE TRANS, WIRE HARNESSES GETTING DAMAGED, LOWER CONTROL ARMS BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME, EXHAUST DAMAGE, STEERING RACK DAMAGE, WHEEL ALIGNMENT ISSUES, ETC. THE ONLY REPAIR THAT I CAN SEE MAKING THIS VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN WOULD BE SUBFRAME REPLACEMENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN BECAUSE THE CRADLE THAT HELD THE MOTOR WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CAUSING THE MOTOR TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE RUSTED CRADLE WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
I HAVE 1999 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8 LITER WITH 123,297 MILES, I OWN THIS CAR SINCE 2000. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUBFAME END AT THE MOUNT IS RODED OUT,SPLIT AND CAME OFF THE BUSHING. I HAD TAKEN IT TO SEARS ON 01/21/11 AND HAD ADVISED THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I HAD CONTACTED FORD DEALER AND EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE FOR RUSTING. THIS IS SIMILAR SITUATION AND SHOULD DO REPARIS AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THE DEALER GAVE ME FORD TOLL FREE NUMBER. WHEN CONTACTED FORD THEY ADVISED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AS THE WARRANTY IS OVER. I EXPLAINED IT IS A BAD PRODUCT AND FAILURE DUE TO RUSTING IS SIMILAR SITUATION AS AN AXLE RUSTING. IF AN AXLE RUSTING IS HONORED BY FORD WHY NOT FRAME RUSTING. THEY SAID I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENCES AS THERE IS NO WARRANTY. I WENT TO WELL KNOWN BODY SHOP MACCO THEY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WILL COST 1000 PLUS 950 LABOR TO PUT THE ACCESSORIES BACK. I CAN NOT EFFORD TO SPEND THIS KIND OF EXPENSE. I HAD ALREADY PUT 2500 IN TRANSMISSION AFTER I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. THE REAR ELECTRONIC MODULE HAS FAILED WHICH WILL COST 800 DOLLARS. I HAVE TO KEEP POURING MONEY IN THIS CAR. ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND UNSAFE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DURING A SNOW COVERED ROAD CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN 180 DEGREES. WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL T-BONE ACCIDENT ON A BUSY ROAD. LUCKILY I WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE VAN AT THE TIME. *TR
RUSTED SUBFRAME. *TR
1999 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD NOISE LIKE AN EXPLOSION AND THEN VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHE BARELY GOT THROUGH THE TRAFFIC LIGHT *TGW THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TO TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM PULLED LOOSE FROM THE SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THE LEADUP TO THE INCIDENT WAS COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED. THE CONTROL ARM PULLED LOOSE AT 70 MPH AND CAUSED THE WINDSTAR TO VEER BACK AND FORTH USING 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO COME TO A STOP. LUCKY FOR ME WAS THAT THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IN MY IMMEDIATE AREA AND NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND THEN FORWARD, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FRONT AXLE CORRODING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
1999 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES RECALL FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR AXLE FAILED. *JB
DURING LAST ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, I WAS ADVISED THAT SUBFRAME RUSTING WAS GETTING CLOSE TO LEVEL OF MAKING DRIVING HAZARDOUS. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR (PART AND LABOR) IS $1700 - $1800.00.
INTERMITTENT ABS LIGHT COMING ON AND NO CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY. *TR