2000 Ford Windstar Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 271about this part
- Share
- 16%of 1,675 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,174miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 271 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2000 Ford Windstar, 16% of the 1,675 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,174 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 7 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.
“Complete transmission failure after od light is flashing. From my research , this is a common widespread problem and Ford should recall these transmissions. It is very dangerous to have a vehicle suddenly stop accelerating when driving at high speed or when pulling into traffic. I was pulling onto a busy highway at night when my transmission failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10983426, filed 2017-05, 200,000 miles“The first time my wife was driving our 2000 Ford Windstar van lx. She was crossing over a bridge and the rear axle broke in have.the van was towed to our mechanic he put another rear axle on, to the tune of 1,750 dollars. The year that was 2007. Fast forward to feb.2, 2013 I'm backing out of our driveway and guess what happens, you guessed it the rear axle breaks again.”
NHTSA complaint #10496233, filed 2013-02, 96,656 miles“My 2000 Ford Windstar was repaired last year on a recall for the possible rear axle failure. Ford installed brackets on the rear axle as a remedy. On saturday 8-30-14, the rear axle failed. The axle is actually broken and the break can be seen inside of the bracket they installed. I called Ford and they told me they don't warranty the recall remedy repair. What are my options to have this remedied in good faith?”
NHTSA complaint #10629886, filed 2014-09, 134,345 miles“We have a 2000 Ford Windstar that we took to our mechanic for inspection. While being inspected, the mechanic noticed that the rear beam axle was rotted and cracked. This is the 2nd rear axle that rotted out on the van. 1st one was replaced in july 2008. Car is still at mechanics garage, awaiting instructions for repair. Ford has no recall on the axle.”
NHTSA complaint #10335509, filed 2010-06, 93,800 miles“I was turning the car around in a parking lot. The car abruptly stopped and made a boom. I got out and looked underneath the car and the rear axle had broken in half. Nothing has been done to fix the axle since so many Ford windstars are having the same problem, I am concerned that the same thing will happen as has been documented on the internet. The old part is still on the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10346529, filed 2010-07, 106,861 milesRelated recalls
- 12V193000May 3, 2012Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, and currently registered or…Covers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10016808Oct 11, 2005Erratic fluid level reading on transaxle dipstick-leaks-4f50n, ax4n, ax4s transaxle.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 29% |
| 2003 | 225 | 15% |
| 2002 | 97 | 7% |
| 2001 | 145 | 9% |
| 2000 | 271 | 16% |
| 1999 | 278 | 18% |
| 1998 | 332 | 23% |
| 1997 | 43 | 22% |
| 1996 | 322 | 23% |
| 1995 | 875 | 26% |
| 1994 | 8 | 35% |
| 1993 | 1 | 9% |
| 1990 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2000 Ford Windstar
384 complaintsSuspension
356 complaintsElectrical system
222 complaintsBody and structure
216 complaintsVehicle speed control
138 complaintsEngine cooling
92 complaintsSteering
72 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
71 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
52 complaintsOther or unknown
52 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsAir bags
31 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 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