general problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar

29 problems related to power train have been reported for the 1999 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 1999 Ford Windstar based on all problems reported for the 1999 Windstar.

1 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2025

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). The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire was pushed inward, and the axle was fractured. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that an unknown recall was closed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

2 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/13/2017

I had the rear axle replaced by the recall, and which I paid $300 for the work. The axle now does not align properly and I have been told that shims are required. Without them the rear axle eats my tires. Ford has a policy to my understanding that new parts installed by Ford have a lifetime warranty. I believe that Ford should fix or pay for this work so as to make my van safe, why should I have to repair an axle that was just replaced less then 10000 miles ago.

3 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/12/2017

This vehicle was serviced at 102,654 miles, in March-April of 2011 by koons Ford of maryland, (invoice#w70829, dated may 5, 2011) in response to Ford recall, related to "broken front subframe" and "collapsing rear axle". --front subframe was, at that time, broken on the right side, due to rusting. Replacement was not done, instead it was patched via a bolted together "clamshell" reinforcing device. It now has become apparent that after using the vehicle after this initial frame separation, the metal of the left side was unduly stressed, and has now broken at its weldment point, resulting in an unsafe vehicle, that swerves to the left, if brakes are applied while in motion on the street or other roadway. Wheels are no longer kept in alignment, with left front wheel free to move to the front or rear, in response to applied stress! this subframe failure affected many such vehicles, and it has become evident that inspection and repair was inadequate, resulting in a new, unsafe condition! (subframe should have been replaced, due to stress!)-photos are attached, showing displaced frame, and separated weld joint.

4 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/06/2016

While pulling out of gas station ihear noise and smell rubber burning. Carefully drive 3 blocks to my house. Notice rear tires leaning into wheel wells. I then see broken axle. Ford said axle reinforcement brackets were installed properly 7 months ago under recall. I have no money to fix.

5 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/20/2016

My Windstar 1999 has only 100,000 miles on it, less when I bought it, and at that time I was informed of the rear axel recall. I reviewed the data, concerning the safety recall which ends at the end of oct 2016 and was concerned about the safety of passengers and others if an accident should happen within the next 5-10 yrs,(which how long I hope to have this). Being informed I had my closest Ford dealership replace the rear, and they billed my $300. 00. . . . . . . This is wrong, I should be reimbursed.

6 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/16/2014

I have 3 problems with my 1999 Ford Windstar which currently has 60,000 miles. One of them is the glass in front when I'm driving in the rain I have to turn on the wipers the driver's side in the middle part of the wiper stays wet while the passenger side cleans very well. The other problem I've always had is the powersteering when I'm driving, I'm going to turn to the side and the car turns off the guide gets hard and I can't straighten it to turn it on again. The last problem is the transmission, one day the family went all together in the car and shortly after we realized that it was overheating we parked in the grass we turned off the car and the part of the engine caught fire after the accident we realized that the transmission liquefied oil. I had the transmission repaired and began to give some tiresome every time I changed gears. The car is currently parked with the damaged transmission. I understand there is a recall for this transmission.

7 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/16/2014

I have 3 problems with my 1999 Ford Windstar which currently has 60,000 miles. One of them is the glass in front when I'm driving in the rain I have to turn on the wipers the driver's side in the middle part of the wiper stays wet while the passenger side cleans very well. The other problem I've always had is the powersteering when I'm driving, I'm going to turn to the side and the car turns off the guide gets hard and I can't straighten it to turn it on again. The last problem is the transmission, one day the family went all together in the car and shortly after we realized that it was overheating we parked in the grass we turned off the car and the part of the engine caught fire after the accident we realized that the transmission liquefied oil. I had the transmission repaired and began to give some tiresome every time I changed gears. The car is currently parked with the damaged transmission. I understand there is a recall for the transmission.

8 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2014

After a trip to the lake,my family and I were headed home and approached a stop sign. (23 miles from home. ) I made a complete stop and proceeded to apply gas and the Windstar would not move. When I release the breaks it just rolls backwards,pretty scary. However after a restart it would move again but only for a few feet,then it falls out of gear again. Towed it home,and don't know what to do. We had no warning lights or warning at all whats so ever.

9 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/23/2014

Tl - the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while at a stop traffic light, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the air conditioner was leaking and admitting smoke. A private mechanic repaired the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 100,080. The VIN was not available. Djr.

10 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/18/2014

Van is jumping at stop light with brake on, started making a clunking sound around 55 (unknown) power windows stopped working on right side. Only 92000 miles on van everything going wrong at once. Van feels unsafe. Do not have enough money to replace. Is there any recalls for this stuff? knocking noise in rear.

11 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/04/2014

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle began to emit a loud pitch sound and became difficult to drive. The contact merged over and noticed that the rear axle had collapsed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and stated that because the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 12v193000 (power train), there was nothing else that would be done. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.

12 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/12/2012

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 70 mph, the over drive off warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and began flashing. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder and noticed smoke emitting from the front end of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed oil leaking from under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the transmission would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

13 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2012

Accelerating from a stoplight transmission lets go. Reverse was the only gear the vehicle would move in. I had to backup off the freeway to the nearest parking lot. My wife just bought this vehicle last month for work because it had low miles. Now it will cost us more to fix it ($2500) than the vehicle is worth. And we just spent a small fortune replacing everything in the brake system besides the master cylinder and lines. After research, apparently Ford was aware this transmission had issues but continued to install them. Thank you Ford, I enjoy taking it up the kazoo every time I have bought one of your vehicles.

14 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/25/2012

My Windstar sits in my driveway with a bad transmission. The van only has 119000 and has been acting up for the last year.

15 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2011

In NHTSA campaign id number 10v385000, Ford motor company recalled 1998-2003 winstars which are currently registered or originally sold in 20 states. My vehicle is not part of this recall because it is not registered or was originally sold in one of those states. The reason the recall specified these 20 states is because these 20 states frequently use high amounts of salt to melt snow and the salt can/has resulted in corrosion to the power train rear axle assembly. As my vehicle is not currently registered and was not originally sold in one of these states, Ford motor company has not and will not include my vehicle in the recall. Over the 10 years I've owned the vehicle, I have frequently traveled to and through 6 of these states, including during winter months when there has been snow on the ground and salt has been used to melt the snow. As a result, my vehicle has corrosion on the power train rear axle assembly and cracks very similar to the ones shown on pictures of affected vehicles. I feel that under these circumstances, my vehicle should be added to the recall. I have contacted Ford motor company, and they have refused to add my vehicle. Any assistance you can provide would be appreciated as I fear that a complete fracture of the axle is probable.

16 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/20/2011

3 transmissions. . . Multiple repairs all of which Ford is aware and caused by faulty design. Recalled for axle and frame rotting. Ford used epoxy and a brace to "repair". Unsafe repair! warranty offered is only 12 months, so Ford also agrees it wont last. Frame and axle should last the life of vehicle. This is a dangerous vehicle and Ford isnt willing to take any resposibility. They have kown about these problems for years, and are now saying they arent responsible.

17 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/26/2010

Driving down 2 lane hwy at 35 miles an hour . After crossing smooth rail road tracks rear axle broke. Recall repair was done but axle snapped at that location. Bracket put on to keep from axle from snapping didn't help.

18 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2010

Rear axle rusted and broke in half.

19 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/15/2010

Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6) on Saturday may 15th, around noontime, I was traveling on I-91 northbound in hartford. The van started pulling and swerving like I had flat tires. The van has 124,210 miles, and has been diagnosed with a broken rear axle. Estimated repair cost for a used axle is around $900. 00. From what I've been reading, this is an inherent design flaw. VIN # [xxx] .

20 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/27/2010

Rusted out sub frame. It cost me $1,150. 00 dollars to repair with a used one. Not happy. Tranny slams from 1st to 2nd gear; it started about 6 months after I bought it in 2001, they fixed it. Then it started again in 2006 when it hit about 80,000 miles. I stopped driving it for awhile after fighting over it with the miller Ford dealer then finally got the money to repair the sub frame. Now I just drive it and use 2nd and 3rd gear. The od light keeps coming on.

21 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2009

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was located at the head gasket and transmission. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 163,000. The VIN was unavailable.

22 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/14/2007

In March, 2007, the transmission in my 1999 Ford Windstar died at 106,653 miles. I paid $2,985. 91 to have the transmission replaced at the local Ford dealership in lebanon, oregon. In may of 2012, at 174,000 miles, I started having problems with the transmission again. The first repair shop I took it to told me the transmission was dead and that I needed to replace it. The second repair shop I took it to told me that the computer chip was bad and that it had probably damaged the transmission. I was told that I could replace the computer chip and see how long the transmission would last before it totally died.

23 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/02/2006

With this Windstar we now have 170,000 miles on it and have replaced the transmission 4 times, something is not right here. Have also had on going problems with abs light on and sensors going out for abs breaks. Have replaced them several times, would like to have a van that is drivable with not warning lights one.

24 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/10/2004

Ford Windstar xl 1999- front end clunking noises serviced 3-4 times before it was fixed. Repeated repairs to various front end components replaced at my expense including power steering pump, rack & pinion, tie rods, u-joints costing $2000 or more. Continue to suffer from groaning, noisy, & stiff steering. Also ongoing engine pinging upon acceleration after numerous repairs. Random power sliding door function. Metallic rattling, jingling noises from under car both when idling & driving.

25 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/15/2003

I just purchased this vehicle may 2003. I was having transmission problems wouldn't accelerate past 40 km's then would rev really high then kick into gear. I found out from another dealership that the vehicle has had a transmission put in Dec'02 at 68,000kms then another went in Jan'03 with 974 km's on that one & found out today I need a new one. I am fighting with the dealership that sold me this vehicle that I am not responsible for it. That they obviously knew there was a problem with it when they sold it to me. Still waiting to see who's going to pay for it. Been waiting for Tuesday will be a week. Dealer I bought it from was totem Ford Mercury.

26 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/15/2003

Transmission went out with no warning. Internal failure of components.

27 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/15/2003

Veh�culo da cantasos y jalones al conducir. Un d�a nos �bamos DE camino a un restaurante la transmici�n empez� a dar cantasos nos estacionamos en la grama, la transmici�n parece que liqueaba aceite y el aceite caliente cay� en la grama y la grama se encendio en fuego y hoy en d�a la transmici�n aunque se arregle sigue liqueando y dando cantasos.

28 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/15/2002

I was just over my warranty in July/2002 on a 1999 Ford Windstar with 31,000 miles. My wife was driving with my three kids the van stalled. The transmissions failed?.

29 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 02/29/2000

Abs module wire burned out; odometer and speedometer did not work.



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