Problems · by component

2000 Ford Windstar electrical system problems

222 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2000 Ford Windstar cite electrical system, 13% of all 1,675 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
222
13% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
15
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start, and the rear glass was out of the frame by about three-quarters of an inch. Additionally, the front driver's and passenger’s side windows failed to go up or roll down and were inoperable. The contact also stated that the instrument panel and anti-theft system were inoperable. The service engine, anti-theft, overdrive, speedometer, ABS system, and door ajar warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V351000 (Electrical System) and 00V020000 (Visibility). The contact called the dealer and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and confirmed there were no associated recalls with the VIN and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2025Electrical system, Visibility, EngineODI 11666369
“GOING DOWN THE ROAD TRACTION CONTROL WILL GO OFF AND ON . IT WILL MAKE THE STEERING VERY HARD. THEN WHEN YOU TURN THE ENGINE OFF. IT IS VERY HARD TO START UP . SOME TIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT TWO OR THREE HOURS THEN IT WILL START RIGHT UP. THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM IS VERY BAD. SOMETIMES WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL STARTS TO HAVE A PROBLEM THE VAN IS VERY HARD TO EVEN KEEP IT IN CONTROL I'M DISABLED AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET A BETTER VAN. I'VE TRIED TO TAKE IT BACK TO FORD BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. ALL THEY TALE ME IS TO GET ANEW ONE .BUT I CAN'T. THE POWER ON THE DOOR LOCKS ARE BAD THE LOCKS WILL GO LOCKED AND UNLOCK AS YOU DRIVE IT DOWN THE ROAD. BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT. 3 YEARS. OR MORE. HAD IT IN TO FORD MANY TIMES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2020Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11384006
“MY FORD WINDSTAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. IT TURNS ON AND OFF ON THE DASHBOARD RANDOMLY. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS ON, THE ABS IS NOT WORKING. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS OFF, THE ABS IS WORKING. I HAD MY MECHANIC FIX THIS FOR $850. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE NEW PART STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. I NEVER KNOW HOW TO BRAKE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION BECAUSE THE ABS IS ON SOME OF THE TIME AND OFF SOME OF THE TIME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2018Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesODI 11139679
“ON FRIDAY, JUNE 23RD, THE 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WAS PARKED IN THE LOT OF MEIJERS AT 8650 WEST GRAND RIVER AVE, BRIGHTON, MI 48116 FOR APPROXIMATELY A DURATION OF 40 MINUTES. UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS FIRE FROM INSIDE MY VAN THAT APPEARED. BY STANDARDS CONTACTED 911 AND FIRE DEPT AND POLICE HAD RESPONDED. THE FIRE WAS DISTINGUISHED AND REPORTS WERE MADE OUT. THE FIRE INSPECTOR INDICATED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT WAS THE ACCELERATE IGNITION POINT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER THAT PRESENTED A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND ME. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE. SINCERELY, [XXX] *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2017Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11001661
“I OWN 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE PAINT IS FLANKING OFF THE ROOF REALLY BAD IT HAS SOME SPOTS RUSTED AND SOME IS GRAY EVEN IN THE BACK AND FRONT. I JUST REPLACED THE HOOD FROM A JUNK YARD. MY SPEEDOMETER KEEPS GOING CRAZY AND WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT OF PARK THE PARK AND REVERS PART BROKE BECAUSE IT GOT STUCK WITH THE RPM AND THAT BROKE TOO. I HAVE TO KEEP THE FUSE UNPLUGGED THAT GOES TO THE INTERIOR LIGHTING DO TO BATTERY DEAD BY THE NEXT DAY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2016Electrical system, StructureODI 10914388
“THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP WENT BAD AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AS I WAS DRIVING. THE ELECTRICAL LOCKS ON THE DOORS LOCKS US IN REGULARLY, WHILE DRIVING IT OFTEN SLIDES ON IT'S OWN. THERE'S A GOOD BIT OF THINGS GOING ON WITH MY CAR THAT I DON'T KNOW ABOUT TO TELL YOU ABOUT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2016Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 10863591

Showing 6 of 222 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

Electrical system: interior

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS BUILT WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS WITHOUT THE MESSAGE CENTER, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF STANDARD NO. 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW, PARTITION, AND ROOF PANEL SYSTEMS." THE POWER WINDOWS MAY BE OPERABLE AFTER THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE FRONT DOORS ARE OPENED.

Electrical systemReported Oct 30, 2000NHTSA 00V351000
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.