KnownCarProblems2000 Ford Windstar Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,675 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Ford Windstar, most often about the suspension (21% of complaints, typically around 118,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Windstar model year since 2000 and has 15 recalls.
Most common 2000 Ford Windstar problems
Suspension
356 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 118,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
Rear axle on 2000 Ford Windstar van cracked on drivers side of van. I am not sure when the crack started, but it was found during an inspection of the van. A quick internet search shows that this problem ha caused safety issues on other vans. I will need to find a way to repair the axle, it appears the replacement…
Mileage ~122,000. After shocks and struts were replaced 2 months ago, a grinding and popping was heard from the front end when turning and driving over 20 MPH. Car was brought in to local repair shop and technician stated that the driver's side shock plate was going bad. You could place your hand on top of the shock…
Brakes
334 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 102,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, fluid, power assist.
Abs module failed. The repair part is $800 and not covered under warranty. Reviewing the issue there are a number of people who seem to have this same problem and appears to be attributed to a poor designed heat sink on the ABS control module circuit board.
Abs light would come on and stay on minutes after getting into car. Approx 6mo. To a year the cruise control went out. Now the speedometer quit working and the odometer went out. The air cond blows but no cold air. Looked on the internet for solutions and found that alot of people were having the same problem. Some…
Transmission
271 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, manual transmission, driveline.
My transmission failed at 42,000 miles in 09/01 and was replaced by dealer under extended warranty. The second transmission failed at 81,000 miles in 05/03 was told warranty was expired (only good for 24,000 miles). I had to pay $2900 to have transmission rebuilt. 3 transmissions in a car with less then 100,000 miles…
The consumer was able to put the vehicle into gear without pressing the brake pedal. The consumer's son put the keys in the ignition and pulled the gear shifter into gear without the vehicle being started. The consumer was pulled and dragged behind the vehicle approx. 30 feet. The consumer sustained multiple injuries…
Electrical
222 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 111,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost complete power, with the exception of the headlights, air conditioner, and radio. The vehicle was towed and has not been inspected by a mechanic. Prior to being towed, the ABS light has been illuminated for some time. The transmission was…
The ABS and speedometer stops working, due to a blown fuse, caused by brake fluid leaking from a pressure switch at the front of the brake master cylinder.
Body and structure
216 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 119,000 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
While driving out of a parking lot the rear axle of my 2000 Ford Windstar sel snapped in two. We just pulled off the highway thankfully, I don't know what would have happened to my family if we had been traveling on the interstate when it happened. It has 119,230 miles on the vehicle.
Have 2000 Ford Windstar with 120k miles on it. While servicing last week, mechanic was checking rear brakes and noticed rear axle was cracked about halfway through about 10 inches from right side. Also a hole around 10 inches from left side end.
Speed control
138 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal, linkages, cables.
To do with on going investigation on NHTSA action number : pe08035 NHTSA Ford / Windstar 1995-2003 component : electrical system electrical system:wiring vehicle speed control I have replaced two of these speed control items on my master cylinder and now am having problems with the ABS module, it is faulting out and…
Tl contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the cruise control stopped working approximately one month ago. She took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the cause of failure was due to brake fluid leaking from the switch that goes into the master cylinder. The contact was informed that a…
Engine
103 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
My 2000 Ford Windstar will stall, while driving, without warning causing a loss of power to the engine, braking system and steering system in a 3800 pound vehicle. This is an intermittent problem, but repeats itself every 2 or 3 weeks or so. The last time it caused my wife to transverse into a stop sign controlled…
California version of the Windstar; catalytic converter not operating correctly, causing back pressure to the engine, caused engine input air control valve to become overloaded with carbon deposits which in turn also failed. For 3 months catalytic converter replacement parts have not been available $1400 estimated…
Steering
72 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 113,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, linkages, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist.
Gauges go crazy and don't work half the time. Abs light is always on. Steering creeks. There is a recall for my make, model, and year but Ford somehow says it is not part of the recall but may become a recall in the future. This is not acceptable. Does someone have to die before they will listen and act?
As I was traveling down the highway my ABS light came on and the front end is making a very loud popping noise on both sides. Since the front end began popping the steering is unbelievably hard to control.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Ford Windstar recalls
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on october 21, 2015. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15s27.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured september 2, 1997, to july 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10v-385, 12v-193, and 12v-195.
Suspension: control arm
Risk: 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. Either condition could result in significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe and make the necessary repairs free of charge. The recall began on june 18, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the state of virginia. Corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments may occur.
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket on the rear axle or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be provided free of charge. The recall began on june 1, 2012. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, registered in puerto rico. Due to increased stresses caused by high cycles of torsional loading, specific to this market, the rear axle can crack.
Transmission: axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on june 19, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: underbody shields
Risk: This could result in reduced steering control increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets, and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe, and make the necessary repairs free of charge. If repairs cannot be made to a vehicle, ford will offer to repurchase the vehicle. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before february 21, 2011. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: As parts become available, dealers will inspect and if necessary install the rear axle reinforcement brackets free of charge. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and currently registered or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin. After many years of vehicle service in these areas, corrosion can weaken the rear axle, making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which if undetected can propagate and result in a complete fracture of the axle.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Equipment: trailer hitches
Risk: This could cause a short circuit in the electrical connector at the rear wire harness. A short circuit can lead to malfunctions of the rear lighting system, reverse park-aid system, or trailer tow electrical system. A sustained short circuit can result in melted connectors and potentially lead to a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the electrical connector and surrounding area for absence of body sealing and corrosion. If corrosion is present, dealers will service the body gaps, repair corroded connectors, and apply a protective patch to the connector assembly and body hole. If corrosion is not present but the body sealer is missing, dealers will service the body gaps and apply a protective patch to the connector assembly and body hole. Owner notification began april 5, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy withi
Full defect summary
In some minivans, water and other contaminants (dirt, salt, etc.) can enter into the right rear passenger compartment due to a missing body sealer.
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a new wiper cover with improved sealing and water resistance. Owner notification begain august 27, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: mini vans. Contaminants such as water, salt, and windshield washer solution can enter the wiper motor cover assembly through pinholes on the exterior of the cover that are used in the molding process. In addition, on certain of the vehicles built between february and august 2000, a switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat. Either of these conditions could potentially result in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, smoke, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Contaminant entry could also result in unintended wiper motor operation.
Equipment: air conditioner
Risk: The motor could potentially catch on fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a jumper wire that will ensure that the medium-low blower speed setting is protected by the thermal limiter. Owner notification began augsut 27, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: mini vans equipped with auxiliary rear air-conditioning. If the auxiliary air-conditioning blower motor stops turning while in the medium-low blower speed setting, there is the potential that the resistor may become hot and smoke.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: This can result in a stuck throttle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both front driver and passenger side floor mats in the vehicle. Owner notification began july 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: minivans equipped with an adjustable pedal option. The driver floor mat could interfere with the accelerator pedal.
Electrical: interior/under dash
Risk: The standard requires that power operated windows may be closed only when the key is in the "on," "start," or "accessory" positions, or during the interval between the time the key is turned off, and the opening of either of the vehicle's front doors.
Fix: Dealers will reconfigure the vehicle front end electronic module.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the date code on certain seat belt buckles of your vehicle and replace all seat belt buckles that fall within the suspect date code range. Owner notification began october 26, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Fuel system: delivery
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a redundant fuel line clip on the fuel supply and return line connections at the rear of the chassis fuel line bundle.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: mini vans. These vehicles may have incorrectly fuel line end forms which could result in a lower than specified pull apart force for the installed fuel line connection.
Visibility and wipers: glass, side/rear
Risk: If the bond deteriorates, it could provide less than the intended level of glass retention in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the windshield and liftgate glass.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: mini vans. These vehicles may have been built with incorrect urethane, resulting in an adhesive bond rather than the intended molecular bond for the front windshield and rear liftgate glass.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front subframe corrosion failures
Summary
In a january 26, 2011 defect information report, ford motor company (ford) notified the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address corrosion related fractures in the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe in approximately 425,288 model year (my) 1999 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles manufactured from april 1998 to july 2003 and either sold or currently registered in the following high corrosion (salt-belt) states:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new ham
Front subframe corrosion failures
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has identified 346 complaints to odi and ford alleging fracture, cracking and or excessive corrosion of the front subframes in model year (my) 1999 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles.approximately 97 percent of these complaints (334) involve vehicles that have been operated in salt belt states, which make up approximately 60 percent of the subject vehicle sales in the united states.the front subframe, sometimes referred to as the engine cradle, is a structural component of the windstar vehicles that carries the engine, transaxle, steering rack and certain front suspension components (e.g., lower control arm).for complaints with sufficient informatio
Rear axle cracking
Summary
In a letter dated august 26, 2010, ford motor company (ford) submitted a defect information report notifying NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 10v-385) to address a rear axle defect in model year (my) 1998 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles built at the oakville assembly plant from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and either sold or currently registered in high corrosion (salt-belt) states where the use of salt and other corrosive chemicals may be used to treat snow/ice covered roads.the following states are included in ford's recall:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan,
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Ea08-021 is closed with ford's actions in recall 09v-399 recalling approximately 4.5 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).with this recall ford has now recalled all of the approximate 16 million ford model vehicles that were manufactured from my 1992 through 2003 with a texas instruments scds.NHTSA will continue to monitor the recalled vehicles to ensure remedies installed by ford tomitigate the potential for scds related fires are effective.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for further details.
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Odi has received 134 consumer complaints, 285 manufacturer complaints, and 137 manufacturer warranty claims alleging incidents of engine compartment fire in model year (my) 1995 thru 2003 ford windstar vehicles.two of the odi complaints allege the fires caused structural damage to the complainant's home.of the 134 odi complaints, 36 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked, 72 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was running and 26 of the complaints do not specify if the vehicle was running or not.further review of the odi complaints shows that 72 allege that the speed control deactivation switch (scds) caused the fire and 10 allege that the scds leaked brake fluid on to t
Power sliding door opening
Summary
The subject vehicles are equipped with single or dual power sliding doors (psd).approximately 111,000 vehicles have dual power sliding doors.the psd is opened by any of 5 methods, the inside or outside manual door handle, the key fob, the overhead console switch and the b-pillar switch.the door may be opened only under these conditions: ignition key is in off/accessories/on/start position, gear selector in park, vehicle speed less than 6 MPH, and door unlocked.the psd latch is located at the rear of the door and has a secondary and primary latch position.full and proper closure engages both the secondary and primary latch.with the ignition in the on position, as the gear selector is moved ou
Wheel stud fracture
Summary
The subject vehicles range in age from 4?7 years in service, with average mileages estimated to range from 50 to 100 thousand miles.at these mileages, the subject wheels are likely to have been removed and reinstalled multiple times for various service procedures.odi is concerned about the high wheel separation rates in the my 1997-98 windstar vehicles equipped with aluminum alloy wheels.however, analysis of failure data indicates that most of the incidents in that population of vehicles occur after the vehicles had accumulated 30 thousand miles of service. The factors that increase the risk that inadequate clamp loads may be achieved during service-related wheel installation are not unique
Wheel stud fracture
Summary
Analysis of odi and ford data has identified 1619 incidents of wheel stud fracture in my 1998 through 2000 ford windstar vehicles, including 69 wheel separations and 11 crashes.ford has not been able to identify any design or manufacturing defects in its analyzis of the problem.ford maintains that the failures are caused by either:(1) inadvertent overtorquing of lug nuts during removal or installation; or (2) fatigue due to insufficient clamp load between the wheel and the brake rotor or drum and hub assembly.according to ford, corrosion, dirt, or damage present on the road wheel at the nut inteface could contribute to the latter condition. Analysis of odi complaint data indicates that the s
Questions about the 2000 Ford Windstar
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Ford Windstar?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (356 complaints, typically around 118,000 miles); brakes (334 complaints, typically around 102,500 miles); transmission (271 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Windstar have?
- 15 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 29, 2015 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Ford Windstar?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Windstar model year since 2000, with 1,675 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.