1999 Ford Windstar Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center on two very different things: a rear axle that can crack, often with rust as a contributing factor, and transmission problems that range from shudder and slipping to a complete loss of drive. Owners also report ABS warning lights and, in some cases, brake fluid leaking at the ABS pump area, plus a subframe that rusts where it mounts. Many reports come in above 100,000 miles, but transmission and ABS complaints show up much earlier.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Rear axle cracks or fractures

   • 356 complaints (23%)
   • median 123,288 mi at 11.8 yrs old (296 state mileage)
   • 15 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 38 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2025

   Owners describe a loud cracking or popping noise from the rear, a van that sags or leans to one side, and in some cases a rear wheel rubbing the wheel well or sitting at an odd angle. Several complaints say the axle was found cracked or broken into pieces, often after the van was driven over a bump, turning into a driveway, or at highway speed. Dealers and mechanics identified the cracked axle, and repairs were either replacement or, where coverage was denied, left undone. Reported from roughly 70,000 to 250,000 miles, with many clustered between about 100,000 and 155,000 miles.

   Recall 15V608000Recall 12V193000Recall 12V1950005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have a shop inspect the rear axle for cracks and heavy rust, especially in salt-belt vehicles. Ask whether recall 15V608000 or an earlier axle recall was performed and whether the brackets were installed correctly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving down the road at 40 MPH it felt like a tire blew on the rear. When I pulled over ad got out to check it the tires were fine but the rear wheels were at a bad angle. Upon further inspection the rear axle beam has split rendering the vehicle undriveable. I have found that Ford has recalled this part on may Windstar minivans under 10s13. But not this one. I find this odd.”

   NHTSA complaint #10627987, filed 2014-08, 130,123 miles

   “Van was made an occasional thumping sound that sounded like it was coming from the back of the vehicle. While turning into my driveway I heard a loud cracking noise and when I looked under the van the rear axle was broken almost all of the way through about 1 to 2 ft. From the left rear wheel.”

   NHTSA complaint #10331520, filed 2010-05, 120,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS warning light and brake fluid leaks

   • 230 complaints (15%)
   • median 113,500 mi at 11.2 yrs old (185 state mileage)
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2015

   Owners report an ABS light that comes on intermittently or stays on, sometimes with a fault code noted as C1185, and ABS that stops working while the light is lit. Some complaints describe brake fluid loss near the ABS pump or master cylinder area, and one reports smoke and fire traced to the wiring harness and ABS pump module. Some also describe a wheel locking or the van not stopping as expected during a stop. Reported from about 57,000 to 170,000 miles, sometimes worse in hot weather.

   Recall 99V147000

   What to check: Check for a persistent ABS light and ask whether the ABS pump or hydraulic unit has been replaced. Look for brake fluid residue or dampness around the master cylinder and ABS pump, and confirm brake fluid level and pedal feel.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am seeing an intermittant yellow ABS light come on on my 1999 Ford Windstar se 3.8 liter. It comes and goes, after seeing the pictures of what can happen and that my indications are symptomatic or this I had to report it. The brakes are still working and the light does not remain on continually. I will take it in to have it fixed and wait for your findings.”

   NHTSA complaint #10252176, filed 2008-12, 105,000 miles

   “Abs light is on continuously. Overdrive jumping in and out of gear after driving it 30 minutes or more. I read the recall and safety report that brake fluid leaks on the ABS switch connected to the master cylinder which can cause a catastrophic fire. I didn't receive anything in the mail from Ford on my vehicle on this problem as of yet. Also the coolant line that ran under port injection was welded leaking water where it connects to the thermostat housing.”

   NHTSA complaint #10419919, filed 2011-08, 120,259 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Rusted subframe or engine cradle

   • 233 complaints (15%)
   • median 124,000 mi at 12.0 yrs old (213 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 32 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2020

   Complaints describe heavy corrosion where the front subframe attaches to the body, sometimes found during a recall-related inspection or when the van was on a lift. Owners report loose or unresponsive steering, a front wheel moving or a brake locking, and in one case the subframe dropping at the rear attaching points with loss of steering. Repairs were subframe replacement, and some owners reported the cost themselves. Reported from roughly 92,000 to 172,000 miles, mostly on older, higher-mileage vehicles in corrosive climates.

   Recall 11V030000Recall 12V1940005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the front subframe and its mounting points inspected on a lift for rust-through, particularly on vehicles from cold-weather or coastal areas. Ask whether recall 11S16 or 12V194000 service was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10361013, filed 2010-10, 92,000 miles

   “I was driving in a 50 MPH zone when I was coming to a stop the lower control arm broke free from the sub frame but I was able to keep control. Van is now useless and I only have 125k miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11364256, filed 2020-10, 125,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, slipping or no drive

   • 300 complaints (20%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (175 state mileage)
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,948 (median of 45 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2021

   Complaints describe shuddering during upshifts, slipping at highway speed, delayed or missing engagement, and in some cases a van that would not move from a stop. Some owners report repeated transmission replacements, and one mentions an overdrive that hunts in and out of gear after extended driving. Mechanics cited internal clutch and solenoid parts; repairs were full replacements or rebuilds. Reported from about 47,000 to 214,000 miles, with several under 100,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive long enough to reach operating temperature, including highway speeds, and feel for shudder on the 1-2 shift or slipping in overdrive. Ask for transmission service records and whether the unit has been rebuilt or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1999 Ford Windstar with 95000 miles experienced complete transmission failure due to three now updated problems that Ford does not want to recognize or be responsible for. The first is a shudder during the 1-2 upshift caused by a faulty solenoid which is now updated in the reman transmission. The second is a faulty torque converter that was also an updated item and causes my van to not want to shift at the appropriate times. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10039327, filed 2003-09, 95,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10630860, filed 2014-09, 214,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Gauges, speedometer and electrical faults

   • 141 complaints (9%)
   • median 100,500 mi at 10.5 yrs old (102 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $812 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2022

   Owners report a speedometer needle that swings or stops working, other gauges dropping out, and a repeated fuse failure that takes out the speedometer, air conditioning and cruise control together. Some complaints mention windows or radio quitting at the same time. Repairs were often diagnostic only, with some owners told the instrument cluster or a control module was involved. Reported from low mileage up to about 154,000 miles, with several reports around 100,000 to 140,000 miles.

   Recall 00V351000

   What to check: With the engine running, watch the speedometer and other gauges for jumping or dead needles, and test the cruise control, A/C and power windows. Ask whether fuse or cluster repairs have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This was my mothers . Now mine the speed odometer just goes every where sometimes it doesn't move at all. And it does it does show the right speed all the instrument panel does the same . And when that started the windows stop working too. Any more nor the radio. They said its a main control molecule. I just don't know I got a ticket cause it said I was going 89 in 65 wow.. Help”

   NHTSA complaint #11349136, filed 2020-08, 1 miles

   “My 1999 Ford Windstar has an issue with fuse #10 blowing which affects the speedometer (does not work) as well as A/C which only blows hot air. The ABS brake light stays on and much more instrumentation is inoperable including cruise control. This first happened while on a highway in colorado. My husband and I pulled over and checked the manual. We replaced fuse #10 and all worked fine for a couple of months. Then the fuse began blowing each time I turned on the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10236158, filed 2008-07, 113,500 miles

Buying note. On a vehicle this old, a pre-purchase inspection on a lift is worth the cost: rust at the rear axle and front subframe and the condition of the transmission matter more than mileage. Confirm which open recalls have been completed, since several axle and subframe campaigns apply to this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.