Page 8 of 31 · complaints 351–400 of 1,522

1999 Ford Windstar complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1999 record →

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 6, 2010188,000 milesMI

1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX. ENGINE CRADLE FAILURE AT MOUNT POINT PASSENGER REAR. REFERENCE NHTSA # PE10026. I AM IN THE SAME SITUATION. THE PASSENGER REAR ENGINE CRADLE MOUNT HAS FAILED CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS AND LOSS OF CONTROL. THE PASSENGER TIE ROD AND CONTROL ARM ARE NOW BENT. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE, BUT I AM FORCED TO DRIVE IT. THE VEHICLE IS PULLING SEVERELY TO THE LEFT. THIS CONDITION IS WORSE ON ACCELERATION DUE TO THE BENT STEERING COMPONENTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING @ 50 MPH CAUSING DIFFICULTY STEERING. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 4, 2010140,000 milesIL

SUB FRAME ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IS ROTTED, THE ENGINE IS ROCKING, THE STEERING IS LOOSE, WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS THERE IS GRINDING FROM THE FRAME RUBBING, WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A VERY LOUD BANGING FROM THE ENGINE ROCKING BACK AND FORTH ON THE ROTTED FRAME. IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AS IT OCCURS ALL THE TIME. *TR

Structure
Filed Nov 2, 2010135,036 milesOH

FRACTURED SUBFRAME PASSENGER SIDE. HARD TO TURN RIGHT. STEERING WHEEL OFF SET. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 1, 2010125,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN OCCURRING SINCE OCTOBER 2010. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 30, 2010110,000 milesNY

THE SUBFRAME ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IS SEVERELY CORRODED AT MOST OF THE CONNECTION POINTS. WHENEVER WE MAKE A TURN WE COULD HEAR THE RATTLING/GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AT THIS POINT, BUT I AM CONSIDERING DOING SOME REINFORCEMENTS AND HOPING THERE WILL A RECALL VERY SOON. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 30, 2010150,000 miles00

NOTHING APPEARED WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE AND THEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND GRINDING IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING THROUGH RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN THE CITY, I FELT VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS I COULD TELL SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG BUT SLOWLY DROVE IT HOME. I FOUND OUT THAT THE SUBFRAME IS BROKEN DUE TO RUSTING. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 27, 2010147,563 milesNJ

MY BOYFRIEND AND I WAS ON OUR WAY HOME WITH OUR 6 KIDS DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 280 NJ ON THE NIGHT OF SEPT. 23, 2010. AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY POOR AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT, I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND MY BOYFRIEND THEN GOT OUT AND INSPECTED THE CAR. HE JACKED THE CAR UP JUST TO FIND THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS RUSTED AND BROKEN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. THE PRICE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED WAS $1000 IN PARTS AND LABOR. I RECENTLY WENT ONLINE TO FIND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER 1999 - 2003 FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS AS WELL. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 27, 2010PA

ABS BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY GOES OFF AND ON SPORADICALLY. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY DURING MY ANNUAL CAR INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MY SUBFRAME IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED THROUGH AND WILL COST 1,200 TO REPLACE IT WITH A USED ONE. I QUESTION HOW LONG A USED ONE WILL LAST SINCE IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE A/C DRAINAGE HOSE IS DIRECTLY OVER IT AND MOST CERTAINLY THE CAUSE.. THIS DEFINITELY HAS RECALL WRITTEN ALL OVER IT. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF THE ENGINE FALLS OR ANYTHING ELSE AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS LOST. THE CAR BEING BUILT WITH THE A/C DRAINAGE OVER THE SUBFRAME ALLOWING SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAR TO RUST IS SO NEGLECTING AND IRRESPONSIBLE. WHAT IS TAKING FORD SO LONG TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. I READ A MILLION SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL I HAVE.... 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX CURRENTLY 90,500 MILES. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 26, 201076,250 milesNY

THE SUB FRAME ON OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE AT THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE BREAK OCCURRED JUST AS MY WIFE HAD LEFT THE HIGHWAY AND WAS FORTUNATELY TRAVELING ONLY ABOUT 20MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER AND IT COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE ROAD, AS THE HALF SHAFT HAD PULLED OUT OF THE TRANSAXLE. MY WIFE LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN TO GET ASSISTANCE, AND BY THE TIME THE TOWING SERVICE THAT WE CALLED HAD ARRIVED, THE LOCAL POLICE HAD THE VEHICLE REMOVED FROM THE ROAD DUE TO ITS LOCATION. WE THEN HAD IT TOWED FROM THE POLICE IMPOUND TO OUR GARAGE. AN ESTIMATE OF $1200 WAS GIVEN BY OUR SHOP BUT I FELT THAT IT WAS TOO MUCH TO SPEND ON THIS REPAIR. WE TOWED THE VEHICLE HOME AND I REPLACED THE K-FRAME MYSELF, AND HAD IT ALIGNED BY OUR FORD DEALER. IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE THAT MANY OF THE FRAMES IN THE SALVAGE YARD HAD A SIMILAR RUSTED CONDITION IN THE SAME LOCATION. THE FRAME I LOCATED HAD BEEN REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, STILL HAD FRESH PAINT AND PART NUMBERS ON IT. IT WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN A STRAIGHT-LINE, DECELERATING SCENARIO AT SLOW SPEED AND NO ONE WAS HURT. IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THE CASE AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR WITH TURNS. IT IS ALSO RELEVANT TO NOTE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD RECENTLY PASSED ITS ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION, AT A FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THIS FRAME WEAKNESS WAS NOT DETECTED. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 25, 2010179,634 milesIN

THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING FRONT SUBFRAME CORROSION. BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE CORROSION IS SO SEVERE THAT YOU CAN STICK YOUR FINGER THROUGH THE FRAME. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS BEING PERFORMED FOLLOWING THE PURCHASE OF NEW FRONT TIRES. IT WAS CONFIRMED BY THE LOCAL BILL MCCOY FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE PENDING NHSTA INQUIRE BUT DID CONFIRM PRE-MATURE REAR AXLE CORROSION PER PRESENT RECALL. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 24, 2010116,057 milesMA

1999 FORD WINDSTAR RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED THRU AND BROKE APART CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO BE THROWN OFF CENTER AND DIRECTIONAL NOT TO WORK. IT WAS FOUND WHEN AL OF A SUDDEN WE HERD AN EXHAUST NOISE AND LOOKED UNDER THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. IT HAS SEPARATED AT LEAST 1" 1/2 AND WE WERE TOLD BY A FORD MASTER MECH WHO LOOKED AT THE VAN SAID IT CAN NOT BE DRIVEN AS IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH POSSIBLE INJURIES OR DEATH. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 23, 2010123,279 milesMA

I HAD MY CAR IN TO A FORD DEALER IN MASSACHUSETTS FOR THE RECALL OF THE REAR AXLE. WHEN THEY WERE DONE CHECKING THE REAR THE MECHANIC TOLD US NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SUB FRAME ON THE RIGHT FRONT. THE FRAME HAD RUSTED AND BROKE AROUND THE BOLT. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T BREAK WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 22, 201077,874 milesIL

THE SUBFRAME ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR RUSTED OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 20 09. WHENEVER WE MADE LEFTHAND TURNS WE WOULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE. I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO BE SERVICED IN 2004. THE SERVICE TECH COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER 3 MORE TIMES BETWEEN 2004 AND 2009, EACH TIME A DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE WITH RESULTING EXPENSE. THE SUBFRAME WAS FINALLY DETERMINED TO BE THE PROBLEM. AS I INDICATED IT WAS REPLACED ON1/2/2009 AT A COST OF $1014.75. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 21, 2010160,000 milesCA

RECALL ID# 09V399000 WAS COMPLETED FEW MONTHS AGO, NOW ABS ON DASH IS ON FEW MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN MOTION. DEALER PINPOINTED TROUBLE TO ABS CONTROL MODULE. OVERHEATING OF THE BOARD COULD BE THE RESULT OF THE LEAKING SCDS ON THE MODULE CONNECTOR. DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $ 1,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 20, 2010180,000 milesOH

AFTER RECEIVING INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE REAR AXLE ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR I DECIDED TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE ENTIRE VEHICLE I FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ALSO, AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IT WILL BREAK OFF AT ANY POINT IN TIME. I THINK THAT FORD OBVIOUSLY HAS CORROSION ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES, AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. I WILL BE TOWING MY VAN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE REAR AXLE INSPECTED TODAY. I HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THE FRONT SUBFRAME, BECAUSE THIS COULD REALLY HURT SOMEONE. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Oct 19, 201070,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WHEN A LOUD POPPING NOISE SOUNDED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IN OPERATION; AND UPON REACHING THE DESTINATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT "A FRAME" COMPLETELY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE "A FRAME" WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 19, 201085,000 milesPA

ABS LIGHT STILL COMING ON AFTER REPAIR MADE AT DEALER. *TR

Structure
Filed Oct 19, 201090,000 milesPA

ENGINE SUB-FRAME ROTTING AWAY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 19, 2010101,000 milesWV

I HAVE 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE ODOMETER, JUMPING I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING, NOW MY GAS HAND AND TEMP. CONTROL IS DOING THE SAME THING. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR A YEAR AND HALF. I HAVE HAD IT TO TWO DIFFERENT GARAGES. NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 18, 201092,000 milesNY

WENT TO FORD FOR 1999 REAR AXLE RECALL AND FOUND MY ENTIRE SUBFRAME ROTTED AT EVERY CONNECTION TO VEHICLE MORE DANGEROUS THAN REAR AXLE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HELD IT TO VEHICLE HAD REPLACED AT ABOUT $ 900.00 KEPT OLD PARTS FOUND MANY WINDSTARS HAVE SAME PROBLEM THE SALVAGE YARDS CAN NOT KEEP THE GOOD ONES IN STOCK BUT MOST ARE BAD THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL I AM TOLD YOU ARE INVESTIGATING ALREADY BECAME HARD TO STEER AND BRAKES WERE KINDA FUNNY. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 18, 2010113,345 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT THE LOCAL DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER FRAME HAD RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,345.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 15, 2010110,000 milesIN

ABOUT 1 WEEK AGO MY CAR STARTED MAKING POPPING NOISES AROUND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, I WENT TO TURN RIGHT AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND THE CAR MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE CAR WAS AT A VERY LOW SPEED, SO I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, BUT AM POSITIVE THAT HAD I BEEN GOING FASTER, I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND PROBABLY CRASHED. I HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL AND HOLD IT AT 90 DEGREES TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD CORRODED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND THAT MY ENGINE COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT AT ANY TIME. I WAS ALSO TOLD HOW FORTUNATE I WAS THAT I WAS ALIVE AND SAFE. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ALMOST IDENTICAL ISSUES TO MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE WRITTEN COMPLAINTS IN RELATION TO INVESTIGATION PE10026. THE INDIVIDUAL WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER TUBING TO RELEASE EXCESS CONDENSATION, WAS LEAKING DIRECTLY OVER THIS AREA IN QUESTION. THEY FELT THAT THE CORROSION FROM ROAD SALT IN ADDITION TO THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATION CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I AM UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT THIS POINT DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. I AM HOPEFUL THAT THE NHTSA WILL DEEM THIS A NECESSARY RECALL AND PREVENT FUTURE INJURIES FROM OCCURRING. FOR THE RECORD, I LIVE IN INDIANA, A SALT-BELT STATE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 15, 2010154,000 milesOH

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, WHICH HAS BADLY RUSTED K CRADLE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FALL DOWN WHILE BEING DRIVEN AS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC. I TRIED TO FIND AN USED ONE BUT COULDN'T GET AS THEY WERE ALL RUSTED OUT. LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BAD MATERIAL OR BAD DESIGN. ITS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 12, 2010131,000 milesPA

VEHICLE BECAME UN SAFE TO DRIVE AND SWERVED FROM LANE TO LANE WHEN ACCELERATING. FOUND FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THRU AND BROKEN ON PASSENGERS SIDE REAR CORNER. NEEDS NEW SUBFRAME IN FRONT. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 12, 2010128,000 milesMI

FRONT SUB-FRAME OR ENGINE CRADLE 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. NOTICED LOUD SCRAPING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOUND ONE OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME MOUNTS RUSTED THROUGH AND ALMOST SEPARATED FROM ROUND RUBBER. (RIGHT SIDE, BACK) ALL OTHER 3 MOUNTS ARE FINE. I WAS TOLD "DO NOT DRIVE" TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T LOSE MY WHOLE ENGINE. THEY ALSO SAID IT COULD BE DUE TO THE A/C DRAIN TUBE LOCATED ABOVE THIS MOUNT. STRANGE ALL OTHER MOUNTS WERE FINE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 10, 2010135,735 milesOH

'99 FORD WINDSTAR. ON 10/4/10 THE VAN MADE AN ODD NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT. AS I DROVE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK THE SOUND GOT WORSE. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO BECAME UN-CENTERED ON 10/4. I DROVE IT VERY FEW MILES THAT WEEK., AS I WAS HOME ON VACATION WORKING ON HOME REPAIRS. ON 10/8, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. HE IDENTIFIED THE SOUND AS A PULLEY RUBBING THAT BECAME WORSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING GEAR PUSHED THE ENGINE TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE WATER PUMP PULLEY TO CONTACT THE RIGHT FENDER WALL. TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT PULLED THE ENGINE BACK TO THE LEFT, AWAY FROM THE RIGHT FENDER WALL, STOPPING THE NOISE. TOOK IT HOME, JACKED IT UP TO FIND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUB-FRAME SUPPORTING THE ENGINE RUSTED AND DROPPED ABOUT AN INCH. THE VAN IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL A REPAIR IS DONE. I WILL INSTALL A PIECE OF 1/4" STEEL UNDER THE SUB-FRAME TO SUPPORT IT UNTIL I CAN FIND A BETTER SOLUTION. I MAY NEED TO WELD IT TO THE SUB-FRAME. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 9, 2010129,000 milesMA

I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR YEAR 1999. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE TWO BRAKE LIGHTS WENT ON, I HAD A FUSE # 10 BLOWN AND A NON WORKING SPEEDOMETER DIAL.( THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS THREE MONTHS THAT IS NOT WORKING) I DID TAKE A LOOK AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IN THE MANUAL I READ THAT REASON FOR THE BREAK LIGHT TO COME ON WAS THE LOWER LEVEL OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR AND SO IT WAS. I ADDED SOME BRAKE FLUID AND THE LIGHT WAS OFF. IN THE MEAN TIME I DID CHECKED THE FUSE PANEL AND I FOUND THIS FUSE #10 WAS BLOWN AND I REPLACED IT, BUT HALF AN HOUR LATER I GOT A BLOWN FUSE AGAIN. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND SO I DECIDED TO SEE A MECHANIC. I DID GO TO A REPAIR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY VAN HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. SCDS UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS DEVELOPED A BAD LEAK. THE SCDS SWITCH IS LEAKING AND THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE SOONER OR LATER. THIS LEAK HAS CAUSED A SHORT AND A FUSE TRIP #10 THIS BREAK FLUID LEAK HAS WICKED DOWN THE WIRES TO THE ABS MODULE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS LEAKY SWITCH HAS CAUSED ALL THE PROBLEM IN MY VAN. SPEEDOMETER, CRUISE CONTROL AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ARE NOT WORKING. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEMS. I DO NOT KNOWANY THING ABOUT IT. I KNOW THAT IT WAS A RECALL ISSUED ON AUGUST 27,2010 IN REGARD WITH REAR AXEL. I NEVER GOT ANY NOTICE FROM FORD CO. I HAD A BROKEN REAR AXEL ON MARCH 2010 AND I WAS SAVED BY GOOD LUCK. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX IT. FORD DID NOT PAY A DIME FOR THIS PROBLEM. FORD NEVER SENDS ME ANY RECALL NOTICES. I'M NEVER GOING TO B

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 30, 2010157,500 milesMA

I WAS AT A SEAR'S AUTO REPAIR CENTER,FOR A FLAT TIRE REPAIR. A MECHANIC HAD SHOWN ME THE SUB FRAME,(ENGINE CRADLE) WAS ALL RUSTED OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE,ALSO THE SPRING WAS BROKEN. I THEN PROCEEDED TO A COLLISION REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT .THEY TRIED TO FIND A USED SUB FRAME,BUT NO LUCK(THEY ALL HAD RUST ALSO)SO REPAIR SHOP IS ORDERING A NEW ENGINE CRADLE AND SPRING. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Sep 28, 2010128,175 milesRI

DRIVING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, WHEN I NOTICED A BANGING NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. STOPPED BY A GARAGE AND FOUND THE NOISE CAME FROM THE PASSENGER TIRE SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH DUE TO THE ENGINE CRADLE ROTTING ON BOTH SIDES WHERE THE SUSPENSION CONNECTS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE,I FIND ITS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, ESP. IN REGIONS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED MY REAR AXLE AND FIND OUT NOW THAT THEY ARE BEING RECALLED. IS FORD GOING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PARTS? *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Sep 25, 201097,000 milesOH

REAR AXLE BEAM FAILURE..HEARD RECALL ON NEWS A MONTH BEFORE FORD OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR, CONFIRMED AXLE PROBLEM. 3 WEEKS LATER DEALERSHIP CALLED AND INFORMED ME THE VEHICLE WAS "UNREPAIRABLE". *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 23, 2010117,000 milesPA

THE ENGINE CRADLE ON A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 21, 201091,910 milesCT

1999 FORD WINDSTAR FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH AND SEPARATED RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE CAN NOT CONTROLLABLY STEER OR BRAKE WITH THIS CONDITION. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T SEPARATE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR IT WOULD HAVE HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENDING. AN IMMEDIATE RECALL SHOULD BE PUT OUT ON THIS BEFORE ANYONE IS KILLED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 20, 2010117,000 milesNY

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BRAKE ABS UNIT LEADING TO BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR WITH TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. BRAKES WERE FINE WHEN VAN WAS STARTED. AT SOME POINT PRESSING ON THE PEDAL RESULTED IN ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKING EFFORT BEING APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STOPPED USING EMERGENCY BRAKES AND EVASIVE MANEUVERING (THANKFULLY WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT) AND SHUT OFF THE ABS PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL FUSES FOR ABS UNIT WERE PULLED TO CUT OFF POWER. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH SINCE THERE IS NO WARNING THAT ANYTHING IS ABOUT TO GO WRONG THAT CAUSES DRIVER TO LOSE ALL BRAKES. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered Axle Assembly
Filed Sep 17, 201075,000 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED IN HALF DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE REAR AXLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL DEFECT HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT MEET EITHER ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE RECALL WHICH SPECIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD WITHIN SPECIFIC STATES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 16, 2010126,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED DUE TO RUST DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140000. UPDATED 12/30/10. *LJ UPDATED 04/06/11

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 15, 2010144,342 milesNH

NOTICED LOUD SCRAPING NOISE WHEN STEERING HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOUND RIGHT FRONT SUB-FRAME RUSTED AND SEPARATED FROM ROUND RUBBER BUSHING LOOKING INTO REPAIRS NOW AND FOUND ONLINE THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE STEERING LOSS. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 15, 2010155,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED A RUST HOLE IN THE FRONT SUB FRAME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 173000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 15, 2010130,000 milesMN

I STARTED NOTICING A "CLUNK" NOISE BY THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THEN EACH TIME YOU WOULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE NOISE WAS MUCH MORE NOTICEABLE. THEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING. THEN EACH TIME YOU TOOK A RIGHT TURN AND OR DRIVE OVER A BUMP, THE "CLUNK" WAS NOT ONLY LOUDER YOU COULD ACTUALLY FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND ACTUALLY IN THE ENTIRE VAN. WE TOOK IT IN TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND WE WERE TOLD THE SUBFRAME HAD CORRODED THROUGH. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 14, 2010160,128 milesFL

I OWN A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE - I HAVE HAD MAJOR ONGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH IT FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. I HAVE SEEN 2 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN RELIEVE THE ISSUE. MY ABS BREAK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF. WHEN THIS BEGAN, I ALSO BEGAN TO LOOSE OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ONE BY ONE, MY POWER WINDOWS WENT OUT, MY POWER MIRRORS NO LONGER WORK, AND MY DASH BOARD NEEDLES JUMP ALL OVER THE PLACE. I'VE SPENT 1,700 IN REPAIRS AND STILL THIS PROBLEM REMAINS UNSOLVED. JUST LAST MONTH IT SAT AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR 2 WEEKS FOR THEM TO STILL TELL ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT OR WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 12, 2010136,832 milesNJ

SUBFRAME SEVERELY RUSTED @ REAR ENGINE CUSHIONS. MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 11, 2010109,409 milesMI

CORROSION RELATED FAILURE FRONT RIGHT SUB-FRAME. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SHAKING, RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP. ALSO ABS BRAKE LIGHTS ON IN DASH, ABS NO LONGER WORKS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON, WORKS NO MORE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 11, 2010115,000 milesIL

THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. TURNING OFF VEHICLE USUALLY RESETS. THEY WILL COME BACK ON WHEN DRIVING AFTER A WHILE AND MANY TIME AFTER HITTING A BUMP. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 11, 2010142,000 milesPA

PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEEMED TO HAVE A MIND OF IT'S OWN. WE WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS - THE SECOND SAID THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND WE SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VAN BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL FALL OUT. *TR

Suspension
Filed Sep 10, 2010PA

FORD WINDSTAR 1999: MY MECHANIC SAID THE FRONT SUB-FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I AM TAKING IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR EVALUATION. FORD WILL ALSO PERFORM THE REAR AXLE RECALL. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Sep 9, 201087,000 milesRI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HE COULD HEAR A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME WHERE IT WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE SUB FRAME WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000. UPDATED 02/17/11 *BF THE SUBFRAME WAS REPLACED AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. UPDATED 06/06/11

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 8, 2010162,000 milesNJ

TOOK MY VAN INTO MIDAS FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC CALLED ME OUT AND SHOWED ME THE K FRAME IS ROTTED AND HANGING OFF THE VEHICLE ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THIS IS ALSO CAUSED ADDITIONAL FRONT END DAMAGE. MECHANIC TOLD US DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE FRONT OF OUR HOUSE SINCE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 8, 2010NC

1999 FORD WINDSTAR ABS LIGHT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 3, 2010172,000 milesWI

IRREGULAR BRAKING, EXPERIENCED AS AN ODD, SLIPPING LURCH AT THE COMPLETION OF A STOP OCCASIONED INVESTIGATION OF A SUPPOSED BRAKING PROBLEM BY OUR MECHANIC. PREVIOUSLY NOTED WAS THE MISALIGNMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT A QUARTER TURN FROM VERTICAL DURING STRAIGHT-AHEAD DRIVING. AFTER CHECKING THE BRAKES THE MECHANIC WAS PUZZLED BY A RUBBING NOISE HE HAD HEARD ON HIS TEST DRIVE. WHILE REPOSITIONING THE CAR TO INVESTIGATE, THE ENGINE CRADLE SUDDENLY SEPARATED FROM THE SUB-FRAME AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND, WRENCHING THE STEERING WHEEL FORWARD AND DISCONNECTING THE STEERING MECHANISM FROM THE WHEELS. ANCILLARY DAMAGE IS AS YET UNASSESED. THE CAUSE OF SEPARATION WAS MASSIVE,EVIDENT CORROSION WHERE THE ENGINE CRADLE ATTACHES TO THE SUB-FRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN A "SALT-BELT" STATE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 2, 201050,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS COVERED WITH RUST FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS BARELY BEING HELD IN PLACE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER SUPPORTED BY THE FRAME AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS ALMOST COVERED WITH RUST AND FAILING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50000. UPDATED 12/02/10 *BF UPDATED 12/07/10

Power Train › Axle AssemblyFire
Filed Sep 2, 2010104,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE IN THE REAR WITH NO WARNING SIGNS FROM THE DASHBOARD. SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS A TOTAL FRACTURE IN THE REAR AXLE. SHE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WOULD TAKE 4 WEEKS TO GET THE PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 1999 Ford Windstar → · Every Windstar year → · How the figures are calculated →