2000 Ford Windstar Problems

What owners report

Owners of this minivan most often write about the rear axle and front subframe rusting and cracking, plus automatic transmission failures that leave the van without forward gears. Many complaints describe problems appearing gradually with corrosion and then failing suddenly during low-speed driving, and a recurring brake-pressure switch leak that blows a fuse and takes out the speedometer, air conditioning and cruise control.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Rear axle cracked or snapped by corrosion

   • 325 complaints (19%)
   • median 120,122 mi at 10.8 yrs old (294 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $975 (median of 36 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2024

   Owners describe a loud bang, clank or boom from the rear while driving, reversing or going over a bump, sometimes followed by the rear of the van feeling unstable or the wheel leaning over. In most cases the axle is found cracked or broken in two from corrosion when inspected, and owners report towing and replacement of the axle. Several say the work was done under a recall bracket remedy and the axle later fractured anyway, and some mention being asked to pay a share toward the part. Mostly reported between roughly 80,000 and 180,000 miles, often during low-speed reversing, parking or driveway maneuvers; many complaints come from states with road salt.

   Recall 15V608000Recall 12V193000Recall 12V195000Recall 10V3850004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the rear axle inspected on a lift for rust and cracking, and ask for documentation of which axle recalls were performed and when. A previously installed bracket does not rule out a later fracture.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rolling back in the driveway in neutral ( as I always do ) when the rear axle snapped in my 2000 Ford Windstar sel. My vehicle was no longer operational and had it towed to a garage. A used replacement rear axle was purchased and installed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10329478, filed 2010-05, 80,390 miles

   “One day I was driving around with my kids and I went over a bump and that's when it all went wrong. The minute I went over the bump, we heard a crack then a dragging noise. I parked to see what went wrong and then I saw my rear tires going toward the axle and then I saw my rear axle was cracked. I had to get a flat bed tow truck and tow it to the nearest garage. My sister had to pick us up and take us to our destination. This all happened on a cold windy saturday. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10330582, filed 2010-05, 77,522 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pressure switch leak blows fuse 10

   • 494 complaints (29%)
   • median 105,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (383 state mileage)
   • 33 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $825 (median of 32 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2025

   Owners report an illuminated ABS light and brake fluid seeping from the switch under the master cylinder onto the electrical connector. The resulting short repeatedly blows a 10-amp fuse, which owners say takes out the speedometer, odometer, cruise control, air conditioning and defrost at the same time; some describe smoke or a burning electrical smell. Reported from about 60,000 to 150,000 miles, often noticed after an ABS light stays on or the same fuse fails repeatedly.

   Recall 09V399000

   What to check: Ask whether the speed-control deactivation switch recall was completed, check for wet brake fluid on the switch and connector under the master cylinder, and see whether the ABS light stays on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We lost our odometer, speedometer, cruise control and air conditioning on a recent trip from va to nc. At first, replacing the #10amp fuse took care of the problem. Within one week, the fuses began to blow as soon as the car is turned on. Now, it blows the fuse each time a new one is replaced. Therefore, no odometer, speedometer, cool air, cruise control, etc. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10232378, filed 2008-06, 115,000 miles

   “Beginning in 2002 the ABS light appeared & after several trips to Ford and napa mechanics, diagnosis was never determined. Then the recall of 2009 to replace the malfunctioned part occurred on 12/9/2009 - the very next day (dec 10, 2009) the ABS light again appeared. I contacted the dealership where the recall work was done and they told me to bring the van back and they would 'diagnose' the problem for $120. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10464529, filed 2012-07, 33,091 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission loses forward gears

   • 171 complaints (10%)
   • median 72,405 mi at 5.6 yrs old (127 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,258 (median of 34 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2017

   Owners report the transaxle slipping, kicking or jerking, then suddenly delivering no forward drive while reverse still works, often without warning or with an overdrive light flashing first. Complaints describe the van being towed and a transmission shop or dealer rebuilding or replacing the transaxle, and some say dealers described the shifting behavior or fluid seepage as normal before the failure. Appears from about 30,000 to 120,000 miles, with several reports in the 30,000-75,000 range and low-speed events such as turning at a light.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the van cold and warm, watch for harsh low-speed shifting, a flashing overdrive light or delayed engagement, and ask whether the transaxle has been rebuilt or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife was stopped at a stoplight. Light turned green, she went to make a left hand turn. About half way thru the turn, there was a loud clunk. At that point my wife could only coast thru the intersection. Stepping on the accelerator did nothing. Had van towed and looked at. Transmission failed. Mileage at 72,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10110589, filed 2005-02, 72,000 miles

   “Just pulled into a parking space and put vehicle in park mode when without warning I heard a loud clanking sound. Turns out the transmission failed. I had to get it rebuilt. I have had numerous problem with this vehicle in many areas and have spent a lot of money getting things fixed and replaced on it”

   NHTSA complaint #10416036, filed 2011-07, 113,205 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Front subframe and control-arm mount rust

   • 124 complaints (7%)
   • median 119,000 mi at 11.1 yrs old (105 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2019

   Owners describe steering pulling to one side, a bang and sudden loss of steering, or a front-end alignment shop finding the subframe rusted through and cracked. Some reports say the engine cradle separated from the body or the subframe had to be replaced, and a few mention being told the vehicle should not be driven until repaired. Typically reported around 85,000 to 160,000 miles on older vehicles in rust-belt states, sometimes found during routine alignment or inspection.

   Recall 12V194000Recall 11V0300004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look underneath at the front subframe and lower control arm attachment points for flaking rust or cracks, and confirm whether the subframe recall was completed for the state where the van was registered.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My van has cracked rear and front axles and a broken sub frame. I was told by service manager steve gochenour ( when I dropped off the van) at the shawnee mission Ford dealership in kansas, that these repairs, as well as any damaged caused by these defaults are fully covered under a Ford recall, and would cost me nothing. They then called me a week later and said I had to pay them $300 for the rear axle. I would like your assistance in getting my $300 refunded from Ford.”

   NHTSA complaint #10811974, filed 2015-12, 160,000 miles

   “2000 Ford Windstar lx van with approx 97,000 miles. My wife was driving at a slow speed in a parking lot and all of a sudden there was a loud bang and she could not steer the vehicle. Fortunately, she was able to stop the van. One wheel in the front was straight and the other front wheel was turned at a 45 degree angle. We had the car towed to the Ford dealer. The problem was the sub frame rusted out, causing the transaxle to pull away from the transmission and dropping the engine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10263613, filed 2009-03, 97,356 miles

Buying note. This generation is old enough that rust, not mileage, is the main thing to check: inspect the rear axle and front subframe closely and confirm which recalls were done in the state where the van was registered. A transmission that shifts oddly on a test drive, or a fuse that keeps blowing with the ABS light on, are worth pricing into any offer.

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.