Problems · by component

1999 Ford Windstar structure problems

275 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1999 Ford Windstar cite structure, 18% of all 1,547 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
275
18% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“FRONT LEFT SUB FRAME BY THE MOTOR MOUNT IS RUSTED THROUGH. PASSENGER SIDE IS FINE. CONCERNED THIS COULD BREAK WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2017Suspension, StructureODI 11035637
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (MANDERBACH FORD, 4450 5TH STREET HWY, TEMPLE, PA 19560) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS STRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2017StructureODI 11031547
“1999 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS DEALERSHIP CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO REPAIR VEHICLE MAIN FRONT FRAME CORROSION. *SMD UPDATED THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. 07/19/2017*JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2017StructureODI 10936948
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2017StructureODI 10985719
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,900.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2016StructureODI 10915333

Showing 6 of 275 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

2 recalls on this component

Structure: underbody shields

Free remedy

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. A SEPARATION OF A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKET MAY RESULT IN A LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION. A SEPARATION OF BOTH FRONT SUBFRAME REAR BODY MOUNTS MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT.

StructureReported Jan 26, 2011NHTSA 11V030000

Structure: body

Free remedy

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE REAR RETAINING BRACKET CAN DEVELOP CRACKS AND SEPARATE, ALLOWING THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE TO BECOME LOOSE AND POSSIBLY FALL DOWN.

StructureReported Jun 2, 1999NHTSA 99I001000
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.