1999 Ford Windstar

● Typical for this model
1999 Ford Windstar
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Windstar Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1985: 5 complaints 1985 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 11 complaints 1994: 23 complaints 1995: 3326 complaints 1995 1996: 1386 complaints 1997: 192 complaints 1998: 1433 complaints 1998 1999: 1522 complaints 1999 2000: 1675 complaints 2001: 1686 complaints 2001 2002: 1353 complaints 2003: 1509 complaints 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaints 2005
1999: 1522 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19855
19906
19913
19922
199311
199423
19953326
19961386
1997192
19981433
19991522
20001675
20011686
20021353
20031509
200424
20051

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 182 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
STRUCTURE 10%

10% of complaints: structure — 156 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 109 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED WHITE SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120403

SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 82 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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).

NHTSA ODI report, 20250402

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240715

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 78 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19990616 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER IS RECESSED AND ORIENTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING STATEMENT EMBOSSED ON BOTH THE TOP OF THE FILLER CAP

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Campaign 99V147000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010124 — electrical system

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 S

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECONFIGURE THE VEHICLE FRONT END ELECTRONIC MODULE.

Campaign 00V351000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010827 — visibility

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 USE

Remedy: 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

Campaign 01V261000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010827 — equipment

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

Remedy: 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 VEHI

Campaign 01V262000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021118 — PE (closed 20030410)

WHEEL STUD FRACTURE

I 20030410 — EA (closed 20040830)

WHEEL STUD FRACTURE

I 20040303 — PE (closed 20040701)

POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING

R 20060804 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN

Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Campaign 06E056000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080513 — PE (closed 20080917)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20080917 — EA (closed 20091014)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20091027 — vehicle speed control

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

Remedy: 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 CO

Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20100513 — PE (closed 20100922)

Rear Axle Cracking

I 20100720 — PE (closed 20101220)

Front Subframe Corrosion Failures

R 20101020 — suspension

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, DIS

Remedy: 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 O

Campaign 10V385000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20101220 — EA (closed 20110317)

Front Subframe Corrosion Failures

R 20110221 — structure

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, K

Remedy: 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

Campaign 11V030000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120601 — suspension

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

Remedy: 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 B

Campaign 12V195000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120618 — suspension

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 AT

Remedy: 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 BE

Campaign 12V194000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120619 — power train

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, CORROSI

Remedy: 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

Campaign 12V193000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151021 — suspension

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V608000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — structure

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED RETAINING BRACKET IN THE SAME LOCATION AS THE ORIGINAL RETAINING BRACKET.

Campaign 99I001000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Ford Windstar — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (182 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (156 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (109 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99I001000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V147000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V351000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V261000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V262000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V385000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V030000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V195000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V194000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V193000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V608000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1997 ● 2002 ● 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ● 2001 ● 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Ford Windstar reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Ford Windstar is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Ford Windstar?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Windstar have?

13 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.