1999 Ford Windstar Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 276about this part
- Share
- 18%of 1,522 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 276 complaints about the body and structure of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 18% of the 1,522 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 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.
“The right lower control arm pulled loose from the subframe crossmember due to excessive rust. The leadup to the incident was completely unexpected. The control arm pulled loose at 70 MPH and caused the Windstar to veer back and forth using 4 lanes of traffic to come to a stop. Lucky for me was that there was no traffic in my immediate area and no other cars were involved.”
NHTSA complaint #10378579, filed 2011-01, 206,000 miles“While pulling onto a busy road there was loud noise and the vehicle lost all control and skidded across the road and into a driveway. Fortunately no property damage or personal injury occured. The van was towed to my mechanic and he informed me that subframe on the right side had just broken off. Clearly this must be some sort of a defection the manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #10370412, filed 2010-12, 121,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10362987, filed 2010-10, 110,000 miles“Rear axle beam has crack and some rot. I now have van parked for fear for safety for my family. We do not have a second vehicle to use .so it will be a burden until a recall is in order. I am a Ford guy and always bought a Ford vehicle and now im having doubt about their lacking for this recall. Shame on them. Having to now start borrowing a car until something is done.”
NHTSA complaint #10347180, filed 2010-08, 114,562 miles“The rear axel or rear casing on my 1999 Ford Windstar broke in half. I did some research on the internet and see there are many other people that this has happened to. It is just a matter of time before someone gets killed because of this. Thank god my kids were not in the car when this happened. Ford needs to look into this and do a recall as this is not a one off thing.”
NHTSA complaint #10347126, filed 2010-08, 115,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V030000Jan 26, 2011Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, the…Covers: Ford Windstar 1999–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10183766Apr 20, 2020For 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 11S16 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a front subframe lower…
- 10205030Apr 20, 2016Safety recall 11s16 - LCA rear attaching flanges or rear subframe body mount corrosion - requests for recall service action
- 10058105Sep 9, 2014Ford: safety recall on front subframe lower control arm (lca) rear attaching flange or rear body mount that can separate from subframe if vehicle is operated, for extended…
- 10013062Oct 28, 2002Roof ditch material cracking. This includes 1997-2003 f-150 and 2002 blackwood models. *eh service tip.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 4% |
| 2003 | 127 | 8% |
| 2002 | 101 | 7% |
| 2001 | 293 | 17% |
| 2000 | 216 | 13% |
| 1999 | 276 | 18% |
| 1998 | 81 | 6% |
| 1997 | 8 | 4% |
| 1996 | 37 | 3% |
| 1995 | 99 | 3% |
| 1994 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1999 Ford Windstar
278 complaintsBrakes
223 complaintsElectrical system
209 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 28, 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