Problems · by component

1999 Ford Windstar power train problems

279 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1999 Ford Windstar cite power train, 18% of all 1,547 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
279
18% of all complaints
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
14
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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
“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 THIS TRANSMISSION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2019Steering, Power train, Visibility/wiperFire reportedODI 11282494
“VEHCULO DA CANTASOS Y JALONES AL CONDUCIR. UN DA NOS BAMOS DE CAMINO A UN RESTAURANTE LA TRANSMICIN EMPEZ A DAR CANTASOS NOS ESTACIONAMOS EN LA GRAMA, LA TRANSMICIN PARECE QUE LIQUEABA ACEITE Y EL ACEITE CALIENTE CAY EN LA GRAMA Y LA GRAMA SE ENCENDIO EN FUEGO Y HOY EN DA LA TRANSMICIN AUNQUE SE ARREGLE SIGUE LIQUEANDO Y DANDO CANTASOS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 13, 2019Power trainFire reportedODI 11166709
“I HAD THE REAR AXLE REPLACED BY THE RECALL, AND WHICH I PAID $300 FOR THE WORK. THE AXLE NOW DOES NOT ALIGN PROPERLY AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SHIMS ARE REQUIRED. WITHOUT THEM THE REAR AXLE EATS MY TIRES. FORD HAS A POLICY TO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT NEW PARTS INSTALLED BY FORD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD FIX OR PAY FOR THIS WORK SO AS TO MAKE MY VAN SAFE, WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO REPAIR AN AXLE THAT WAS JUST REPLACED LESS THEN 10000 MILES AGO.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2017Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11054910
“THIS VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT 102,654 MILES, IN MARCH-APRIL OF 2011 BY KOONS FORD OF MARYLAND, (INVOICE#W70829, DATED MAY 5, 2011) IN RESPONSE TO FORD RECALL, RELATED TO "BROKEN FRONT SUBFRAME" AND "COLLAPSING REAR AXLE".--FRONT SUBFRAME WAS, AT THAT TIME, BROKEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, DUE TO RUSTING. REPLACEMENT WAS NOT DONE, INSTEAD IT WAS PATCHED VIA A BOLTED TOGETHER "CLAMSHELL" REINFORCING DEVICE. IT NOW HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT AFTER USING THE VEHICLE AFTER THIS INITIAL FRAME SEPARATION, THE METAL OF THE LEFT SIDE WAS UNDULY STRESSED, AND HAS NOW BROKEN AT ITS WELDMENT POINT, RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, THAT SWERVES TO THE LEFT, IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE IN MOTION ON THE STREET OR OTHER ROADWAY. WHEELS ARE NO LONGER KEPT IN ALIGNMENT, WITH LEFT FRONT WHEEL FREE TO MOVE TO THE FRONT OR REAR, IN RESPONSE TO APPLIED STRESS! THIS SUBFRAME FAILURE AFFECTED MANY SUCH VEHICLES, AND IT HAS BECOME EVIDENT THAT INSPECTION AND REPAIR WAS INADEQUATE, RESULTING IN A NEW, UNSAFE CONDITION! (SUBFRAME SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED, DUE TO STRESS!)-PHOTOS ARE ATTACHED, SHOWING DISPLACED FRAME, AND SEPARATED WELD JOINT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2017Steering, Power train, WheelsODI 10972122

Showing 6 of 279 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: axle assembly

Free remedy

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA. OVER TIME, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD TO CRACKS WHICH, IF UNDETECTED, CAN INCREASE AND RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE.

Power trainReported May 3, 2012NHTSA 12V193000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

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