Problems · NHTSA complaints

1999 Ford Windstar problems

Owners filed 1,547 complaints about the 1999 Ford Windstar with NHTSA between Dec 1998 and Apr 2025. The most-cited component is power train (279).

Complaints
1,547
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
52
Reported by owners
Fires
65
Reported by owners
Injuries
47
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train279
  2. Structure275
  3. Suspension213
  4. Electrical system209
  5. Steering185
  6. Engine and engine cooling133
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic128
  8. Vehicle speed control101
  9. Service brakes72
  10. Visibility61
  11. Latches/locks/linkages35
  12. Equipment30
  13. Air bags28
  14. Fuel system, gasoline24

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
19981
199983
2000104
2001127
2002139
2003133
2004108
200579
200646
200734
200879
200986
2010220
201197
201241
201335
201448
201528
201618
201715
20185
20197
20204
20214
20223
20230
20242
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

279 reports9 crashes14 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH out of the driveway, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and popping sound. The contact shifted to park(P). The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire was pushed inward, and the axle was fractured. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that an unknown recall was closed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2025Suspension, Power trainODI 11652242

Structure

275 reports1 crash1 fire2 related recalls
“SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WILL NOT PASS THE SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS TREATED BY THE RECALL 11S16-S4.IN 2012. I WENT FOR A VOLUNTARY SAFETY CHECK AND THE VEHICLE STAYED AT THE SERVICE AS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2018Suspension, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11098729

Suspension

213 reports8 crashes1 fire4 related recalls
“The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the contact became aware that the rear passenger's side wheel was pushed upward and was nearly rubbing the inner wheel well. The contact stated that upon inspecting the rear axle, he became aware that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension); and the recall repair was previously performed on the vehicle. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2024SuspensionODI 11602338

Electrical system

209 reports3 crashes28 fires1 related recall
“If my vehicle is not used for a few days (3 to 4 days), when I start the vehicle, all the needles of the instrument cluster oscillate violently between extremes. However, this does not affect drivability and I can slowly move the car out of my driveway and get on the street. About 30 to 45 seconds after this, the needles stop moving and resume normal function.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2022Electrical systemODI 11454902

Steering

185 reports4 crashes3 fires
“I HAVE 3 PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 60,000 MILES. ONE OF THEM IS THE GLASS IN FRONT WHEN I'M DRIVING IN THE RAIN I HAVE TO TURN ON THE WIPERS THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WIPER STAYS WET WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE CLEANS VERY WELL. THE OTHER PROBLEM I'VE ALWAYS HAD IS THE POWERSTEERING WHEN I'M DRIVING, I'M GOING TO TURN TO THE SIDE AND THE CAR TURNS OFF THE GUIDE GETS HARD AND I CAN'T STRAIGHTEN IT TO TURN IT ON AGAIN. THE LAST PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION, ONE DAY THE FAMILY WENT ALL TOGETHER IN THE CAR AND SHORTLY AFTER WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING WE PARKED IN THE GRASS WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE PART OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE REALIZED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LIQUEFIED OIL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND BEGAN TO GIVE SOME TIRESOME EVERY TIME I CHANGED GEARS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED WITH THE DAMAGED TRANSMISSION. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2019Steering, Power train, Visibility/wiperFire reportedODI 11282498

Engine and engine cooling

133 reports2 crashes8 fires
“WENT TO PICK UP FOOD AND NOTICED MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR WAS SMOKING. I PULLED OVER, LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. LOOKED UP ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. CALLED FORD, THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP US AT ALL. TOLD US WE'D HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC/AND TOWING. FINALLY GOT AHOLD OF SOMEONE THROUGH FORD WHO GOT THAT FOR NO CHARGE. WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE RECALLED PIECE THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. NOW AM TOLD THAT IT COULD TAKE UP TO 15 DAYS TO FIND OUT IF I CAN GET A RENTAL UNTIL THE CAR IS FIXED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2011Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10410065
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.