10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 89,584 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
I have 3 problems with my 1999 Ford Windstar which currently has 60,000 miles. One of them is the glass in front when I'm driving in the rain I have to turn on the wipers the driver's side in the middle part of the wiper stays wet while the passenger side cleans very well. The other problem I've always had is the powersteering when I'm driving, I'm going to turn to the side and the car turns off the guide gets hard and I can't straighten it to turn it on again. The last problem is the transmission, one day the family went all together in the car and shortly after we realized that it was overheating we parked in the grass we turned off the car and the part of the engine caught fire after the accident we realized that the transmission liquefied oil. I had the transmission repaired and began to give some tiresome every time I changed gears. The car is currently parked with the damaged transmission. I understand there is a recall for the transmission
- San Juan, PR, USA
Vehculo da cantasos Y jalones al conducir. Un da nos bamos de camino a un restaurante la transmicin empez a dar cantasos nos estacionamos en la grama, la transmicin parece que liqueaba aceite Y el aceite caliente cay en la grama Y la grama SE encendio en fuego Y hoy en da la transmicin aunque SE arregle sigue liqueando Y dando cantasos
- San Juan, PR, USA
I had the rear axle replaced by the recall, and which I paid $300 for the work. The axle now does not align properly and I have been told that shims are required. Without them the rear axle eats my tires. Ford has a policy to my understanding that new parts installed by Ford have a lifetime warranty. I believe that Ford should fix or pay for this work so as to make my van safe, why should I have to repair an axle that was just replaced less then 10000 miles ago.
- Elliott, MD, USA
This vehicle was serviced at 102,654 miles, in March-April of 2011 by koons Ford of Maryland, (invoice#W70829, dated May 5, 2011) in response to Ford recall, related to "broken front subframe" and "collapsing rear axle".--front subframe was, at that time, broken on the right side, due to rusting. Replacement was not done, instead it was patched via a bolted together "clamshell" reinforcing device. It now has become apparent that after using the vehicle after this initial frame separation, the metal of the left side was unduly stressed, and has now broken at its weldment point, resulting in an unsafe vehicle, that swerves to the left, if brakes are applied while in motion on the street or other roadway. Wheels are no longer kept in alignment, with left front wheel free to move to the front or rear, in response to applied stress! this subframe failure affected many such vehicles, and it has become evident that inspection and repair was inadequate, resulting in a new, unsafe condition! (subframe should have been replaced, due to stress!)-photos are attached, showing displaced frame, and separated weld joint.
- Hyattsville, MD, USA
While pulling out of gas station ihear noise and smell rubber burning.carefully drive 3 blocks to my house.notice rear tires leaning into wheel wells.I then see broken axle.Ford said axle reinforcement brackets were installed properly 7 months ago under recall.I have no money to fix.
- West Chicago, IL, USA
My Windstar 1999 has only 100,000 miles on it, less when I bought it, and at that time I was informed of the rear axel recall. I reviewed the data, concerning the safety recall which ends at the end of Oct 2016 and was concerned about the safety of passengers and others if an accident should happen within the next 5-10 yrs, (which how long I hope to have this). Being informed I had my closest Ford dealership replace the rear, and they billed my $300.......this is wrong, I should be reimbursed.
- Elliott, MD, USA
Shifted from park to drive and entered into traffic lane. Pressed down on gas pedal but all that happened was engine revved up but vehicle would not go forward. Luckily, there was light traffic or I would have been hit. A helpful person pushed me to a safe place to park. I started the car and found that only reverse worked. No forward motion when put in drive, 2 or 1. I checked transmission fluid level and it was at proper level had vehicle towed to my house. Searched online and found this is a common issue with 1999 Windstar's. called a transmission place and told them what happened and was told I likely had suffered a transmission failure and needed a new transmission. I'm the second owner and the vehicle has approximately 125,000 miles on it. Also, the brake master cylinder failed in October 2014. Updated 03/28/16.
- Hayward, CA, USA
After a trip to the lake, my family and I were headed home and approached a stop sign.(23 miles from home.) I made a complete stop and proceeded to apply gas and the Windstar would not move. When I release the breaks it just rolls backwards, pretty scary. However after a restart it would move again but only for a few feet, then it falls out of gear again. Towed it home, and don't know what to do. We had no warning lights or warning at all whats so ever.
- Bolivar, MO, USA
Driving down 2 lane hwy at 35 miles an hour. After crossing smooth rail road tracks rear axle broke. Recall repair was done but axle snapped at that location. Bracket put on to keep from axle from snapping didn't help.
- Bangor, PA, USA
Stopped at a light when the light turned green I went to go when the van suddenly stopped like I hit a wall. I had the van towed to american transmission on rt 88 in lakewood NJ. They dropped the transmission and said it needed to be replaced, that basically it had melted everything inside the transmission and they said it happens often with these vans....Ford is lucky it was 5am and no one was driving behind me they would have crashed into me.
- Lakewood, NJ, USA
TL - the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while at a stop traffic light, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the air conditioner was leaking and admitting smoke. A private mechanic repaired the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 100,080. The VIN was not available. Djr
- Detroit, MI, USA
Van is jumping at stop light with brake on, started making a clunking sound around 55 (unknown) power windows stopped working on right side. Only 92000 miles on van everything going wrong at once. Van feels unsafe. Do not have enough money to replace. Is there any recalls for this stuff? knocking noise in rear.
- Colonial Heights, VA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle began to emit a loud pitch sound and became difficult to drive. The contact merged over and noticed that the rear axle had collapsed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and stated that because the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V193000 (power train), there was nothing else that would be done. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.
- Kenosha, WI, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a tire replacement when the contact was advised that the rear axle was fractured in two places. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id numbers: 10V385000, 12V193000 or12V195000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 178,000.
- San Rafael, CA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 70 mph, the over drive off warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and began flashing. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder and noticed smoke emitting from the front end of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed oil leaking from under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the transmission would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
- Galloway, NJ, USA
I was driving my van. At first the lights beep up for engine and then O/D and then it stops. There was a lot of smoke from the engine and it look like it burns. After that vehicle start but not tacking gear. I found out that transmission went bad.
- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
Accelerating from a stoplight transmission lets go. Reverse was the only gear the vehicle would move in. I had to backup off the freeway to the nearest parking lot. My wife just bought this vehicle last month for work because it had low miles. Now it will cost us more to fix it ($2500) than the vehicle is worth. And we just spent a small fortune replacing everything in the brake system besides the master cylinder and lines. After research, apparently Ford was aware this transmission had issues but continued to install them. Thank you Ford, I enjoy taking it up the kazoo every time I have bought one of your vehicles.
- Brook Park, MN, USA
In March, 2007, the transmission in my 1999 Ford Windstar died at 106,653 miles. I paid $2,985.91 to have the transmission replaced at the local Ford dealership in lebanon, Oregon. In may of 2012, at 174,000 miles, I started having problems with the transmission again. The first repair shop I took it to told me the transmission was dead and that I needed to replace it. The second repair shop I took it to told me that the computer chip was bad and that it had probably damaged the transmission. I was told that I could replace the computer chip and see how long the transmission would last before it totally died.
- Lebanon, OR, USA
My Windstar sits in my driveway with a bad transmission. The van only has 119000 and has been acting up for the last year.
- Sarasota, FL, USA
- San Juan, PR, USA