One problem related to carrier/rack has been reported for the 1999 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Chronic vibration / shutter noticed during moderate braking. New rack & pinion installed in 2009; new brake rotors and pads installed in 2012, offering slight improvement. Wife heard "cracking noise, experienced difficulty making left turns & drove about 45 miles, parked at house, front subframe fracture / separation passenger side, resulting in steering rack tilt up approx. 3/4" on right side and extreme toe out on right front tire (approx 20 degrees vs. Left). Noticed while attempting to back up - undriveable condition. Collateral damage to steering shaft boot, rack & pinion seal (fatigue / leakage), and O2 sensor cable (severed). Discovered missing left rear subframe mounting bolt. Car manufactured in canada. Noticeable exposure / drippage of ambient condensation on top of sub-frame, below refrigeration lines / freon dryer canister, during a/c operation (gulf coast high humidity / salt air exposure could be an influencing factor for corrosion). Reference previous NHTSA action #pe10-026 (7/20/10); Ford front subframe engineering analysis ea10-007 (salt belt states); recall 11s16. Fracture area occurred in curved portion of subframe bracket / steering rack mount (Ford part #3f2z5c145ca - $2100 material + labor $715). Streak of rust is clearly evident along what appears to have been a vertical crack leading to the fracture / separation site beneath the steering rack boot. Photos and parts diagram available upon request. Ford customer service case # cas5113626 declined. Told to write letter. Seeking manufacturer buy-back relief.