Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Ford Windstar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 276 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 276, in the owner's own words
SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WILL NOT PASS THE SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS TREATED BY THE RECALL 11S16-S4.IN 2012. I WENT FOR A VOLUNTARY SAFETY CHECK AND THE VEHICLE STAYED AT THE SERVICE AS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A THUD. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. THE TIRE THAN BECAMED SLANT AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED TO ONE SIDE.
FRONT LEFT SUB FRAME BY THE MOTOR MOUNT IS RUSTED THROUGH. PASSENGER SIDE IS FINE. CONCERNED THIS COULD BREAK WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (MANDERBACH FORD, 4450 5TH STREET HWY, TEMPLE, PA 19560) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS STRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
1999 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS DEALERSHIP CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO REPAIR VEHICLE MAIN FRONT FRAME CORROSION. *SMD UPDATED THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. 07/19/2017*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,900.
FRONT SUB FRAME, PASSENGER SIDE REAR MOUNT COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY.THE RECALL "FIX IT CLAMP ON PIECE" DOES NOTHING AS THERE IS NO FRAME LEFT TO CONNECT TO. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED IT BROKE FROM THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BEING ROTTED AWAY. WHEN CONFRONTED THAT THE MOUNT WAS SOUND, ADMITTED IT WASN'T RUSTED , BUT DID NOTHING TO SUBSTANTIATE MY CLAIM TO THE FRAME RUSTING AWAY. STILL MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IS PARKED TILL WE HEAR BACK FROM FORD .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. DURING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ UPDATED 05/30/18*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE), 10V385000 (SUSPENSION), AND 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER OWNED DUE TO NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SEVERAL UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BUT FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER SERVICING THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE), THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,645. UPDATED 01/06/16*LJ UPDATED 1/19/16 LN *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000...UPDATED 05/21/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS INCORRECTLY PERFORMED. HE SIGNED OVER THE TITLE. UPDATED 11/19/15 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT END SUPPORT BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,972.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS STARTING TO FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
FORD DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE DUE TO RECALL FOR SUBFRAME/AXLE RUST ISSUE. DEALER CLAIMED FRAME OKAY. WHILE DRIVING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME CAUSING CRASH DUE TO RUSTING OF MOUNTS. *TR
DRIVING ALONG WHEN RIGHT FRONT STARTED TO VEER RIGHT AND WOBBLE. THESE MODELS ARE NOT SAFE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS YET, WILL NOT HONOR A RECALL WHICH AFFECTS THESE MODELS. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A CORROSION SUB FRAME BREAK ON 1999 FORD WINDSTAR'S AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED( MECHANIC WILL TESTIFY) TO MINE, THEY KEEP MAKING EXCUSES AND WILL NOT HONOR THE EXPENSES FOR THEIR FAULTY DESIGN. MY VEHICLE IS A 99 FORD WINDSTAR IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, NEW TIRES BATTERY,ETC. IT IS NOW SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE OF A FRAME BROKEN THRU BY CORROSION. THE FRONT RIGHT ALMOST PUT ME INTO THE DITCH ON THE WAY HOME. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH WAS IS OR SHOULD BE COVERED BY RECALL. FORD PREVIOUSLY RECALLED THE SAME MODELS 99-2003 FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER (RAPIDS FORD, WIS RAPIDS), THEY SAID THE RECALL NO LONGER APPLIES. HOW CAN THIS BE? THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR
THE LANCASTER FORD DEALER PERFORMED A RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE SUBFRAME RUST ISSUE IN A SATISFACTORY MANNER. HOWEVER THE LEFT SIDE ROCKER PANEL WAS RUSTED BUT THEY DIDN'T REPLACE IT. NOW IT IS COMPLETELY GONE. I AM WRITING TO SEE IF FORD REPLACED THE ROCKER PANELS ALSO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR SPORADICALLY AND AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY ABNORMALLY WHEN BEING DRIVEN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD OFTEN SEIZE WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE LUNGING FORWARD AND VIOLENTLY JERKING WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMEFRAME HAD EXPIRED FOR THE CONTACT TO HAVE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS PERFORMED THAT HAD NOT BEEN SCHEDULED WITHIN THE REQUIRED TIMEFRAME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 8/14/14*CN UPDATED 8/22/2014 *JS
ABS DASH LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND THERE IS NO ABS FUNCTION ON ICE. BRAKES FUNCTION OKAY OTHERWISE. THE LOSS OF THE ABS FEATURE IS TROUBLING AS I HAVE TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE AS WELL AS RURAL ROADS WHICH DON'T GET CLEARED QUICKLY IN THE WINTER. LOCAL FORD SERVICE WRITER INDICATED APPROXIMATELY $99.00 TO HOOK UP TO TESTER WITH NO GUARANTEE OF REPAIR, JUST CANCELLATION OF THE CODE!!! I HAVE RUN INTO NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH FAULTY FORD CONNECTORS, (CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, FUEL GAUGE GIVING INCORRECT READING, RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITH GAUGE SHOWING 1/4 TANK, REQUIRING A TOW!). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME AND DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE REAR TIRE WHEN THE JACK PENETRATED THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRAME FRACTURED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
THE SUBFRAME CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION. THIS HAPPENED IN THE FRONT END, INCLUDING A BRACE THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE. THIS WINDSTAR WAS PURCHASED IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, AND WAS DRIVEN THERE FROM 1999-2006. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE; HOWEVER, AFTER IT WAS INSPECTED THEY NOTICED THE SUB FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED TO CONTACT NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000. UPDATED 01/06/13*LJ
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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