1999 Ford Windstar Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 209about this part
- Share
- 14%of 1,522 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 209 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 14% of the 1,522 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 26 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I bought a 99 winstarr a few months ago and just recently the instrument cluster started dancing, and there is no power t the radio or the cigarette lighter underneath it. I also sprung a trans leak and fixed it but the car sputters then shuts off and I have to restart it”
NHTSA complaint #10957966, filed 2017-03, 102,000 miles“My battery has been dying due to bad sensors, when I did get it started it became stuck high revving ,the car accelerated and smashed into the curb in front of me, and the brakes wouldn't work so even when I stepped on the brakes to put in reverse the car went flying into the curb behind me, I finally got the vehicle to a complete stop by pulling up the emergency brake. Then I had the car towed to my house.”
NHTSA complaint #10564722, filed 2014-02, 202,108 miles“I have a 1999 Ford Windstar mini van . My instrument cluster goes crazy all gauges just go up and down uncontrollably. I never know how much gas I have or how fast I am going and my ABS brake lite stays on always. And my front lower control arm is bending.”
NHTSA complaint #10637419, filed 2014-09, 131,000 miles“I start my 99 Ford Windstar with my wife inside the vehicle and my two daugthers and my son when I saw smoke comming true the hood then I open the hood and my surprise was the brake pressure differential deactivation switch on fire I was so scared then I just take my kids and wife out of the vehicle and comback to stop the fire thanks god I have fire extinguisher close but we have to stop this from happening to someone else.”
NHTSA complaint #10442128, filed 2012-01, 142,000 milesRelated recalls
- 00V351000Oct 30, 2000Vehicle description: minivans built with instrument clusters without the message center, fail to comply with the requirements of standard no. 118…Covers: Ford Windstar 1999–2000
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | 13% |
| 2003 | 280 | 19% |
| 2002 | 261 | 19% |
| 2001 | 223 | 13% |
| 2000 | 222 | 13% |
| 1999 | 209 | 14% |
| 1998 | 111 | 8% |
| 1997 | 7 | 4% |
| 1996 | 83 | 6% |
| 1995 | 168 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1999 Ford Windstar
278 complaintsBody and structure
276 complaintsBrakes
223 complaintsSuspension
208 complaintsSteering
184 complaintsEngine cooling
129 complaintsVehicle speed control
99 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
62 complaintsOther or unknown
59 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
35 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsAir bags
28 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Ford Windstar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology