10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
756 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Ford Windstar:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #25

Feb 152000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle has experienced a problem with activating the horn when needed. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that all 99 models have the same design and meet FMVSS specifications. The problem was due to air bag in horn and fixing it is presently not possible.

- Damascus, MD, USA

problem #24

Jun 011999

Windstar

  • miles
The horn is very hard to blow at times of need. And not really easy accessible.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #23

Dec 161999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
The horn location is hard to find due to design.

- Long Beach, NY, USA

problem #22

Dec 211999

Windstar

  • miles
On the 21st of Dec 99, my wife was involved in an accident in our Windstar. This accident could have been avoided if the horn were useable. The way the horn button is now you will have a difficult time trying to find the exact spot to push to get the horn to sound. When time is critical in the outcome, searching for that exact spot isn't a player. This was the case on the 21st. When an individual tried to cross the highway he hit our van on the right side causing $6500 in damage. Prior to the impact she tried to hit the horn but could not find it when it was needed most. We are almost 100% positive that if she could have found the horn she could have sounded it, and the other driver would have seen her coming. Luckily my 18 month old and 5 yr old daughters were not with her at the time. Now I have a $30,000 minivan that will never be of any value again. Sure it will be fixed, but who would ever want a vehicle like that that has had extensive damage. I guess thats my loss though.

- Navarre, FL, USA

problem #21

Dec 141999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The horn is very difficult to use when needed due to location. It would fail to work when button is pushed. Taken vehicle to dealer to check & was informed by mechanic no problem with horn.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #20

Oct 151999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
Poor design makes it difficult for consumer to locate the horn button. Nlm

- San Leandr, CA, USA

problem #19

Jan 051999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving down the road had to blow the horn, it didn't work. Contacted dealer, nothing could be done. Consumer would have to take eyes off the road to find a spot on the steering wheel to sound the horn.

- St Augustine, FL, USA

problem #18

Oct 291999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
The design of the horn button is to small to be seen for emergency use.

- Furlong, PA, USA

problem #17

Oct 291999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
The design of the horn button is to small to be seen for emergency use.

- Furlong, PA, USA

problem #16

Oct 291999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
The design of the horn button is to small to be seen for emergency use.

- Furlong, PA, USA

problem #15

Dec 181998

Windstar

  • miles
I have been told by the dealership that these problems are identical on all models coming in, including the Expedition. The horn does not work and they "cannot fix it."

- Bedford, TX, USA

problem #14

Oct 051999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
Horn is very hard to deploy; sweet spot too small and requires excessive effort. Cannot be used quickly. Ford corporate refused to respond to my worries about this. Also seatback lever springs middle seats back so hard I have been whacked in the head so hard I saw stars.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #13

Sep 271999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
Horn very hard to activate. Very hard to locate "sweet spot" without looking down at steering wheel, causing dangerous situation.

- O'fallon, MO, USA

problem #12

Sep 241999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
Horn requires extreme force to operate. Pass rear sliding door, inside panel rubs against rear fender scratching surface.

- Mendon, MA, USA

problem #11

Jun 051999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ongoing problem with the design of horn which has a delayed reaction when needed. Confirmed this in two diffeerent vehicles ( same model and year). Seeking NHTSA help in this matter or provide additional information. * mjs

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #10

Jun 011999

Windstar

  • miles
Seatback spring is too strong. The seatback swings forward when handle is pulled. Dealer aware of problem. Cannot remedy the problem., and problem still exists.also, horn in center of steering wheel, censor in horn is too small, causing difficulty in use of horn. Proviide further information.

- Egg Harbor Twnshp, NJ, USA

problem #9

Jun 241999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
The horn does sound easily when pushing on the center of the steering wheel. Often the horn fails to sound. The technicians at my Ford dealer said that it is like the other Windstar. Also the design is dangerous requiring moving the hand from the rim of the steering wheel to the center. If only one hand is available for use, most of the control is lost when attempting to sound the horn. Also if the airbag were to deploy, then a dislocated shoulder or broken arm is lilely to result. On the Ford Taurus the horn can be reliably sounded with a thumb without moving the hand from the outer rim of the wheel. This also leaves the hand and arm out of the way in the event the airbag should deploy. The design of the horn control on the Windstar is poor and dangerous.

- Lee's Summit, MO, USA

problem #8

May 101999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Horn takes excessive effort to activate and is hard to find. Nlm

- Turnersville, NJ, USA

problem #7

May 101999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
Horn is difficult to activate. Must press hard in just the right spot.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #6

Nov 151998

Windstar

  • miles
Horn hard to actvate in an emergency situation requires to much down force and to spacific an area to depress, horn once acivated continues to sound for about 2 seconds after activation

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

Read the next 5 complaints »