1999 Ford Windstar Engine Problems

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started pulling to one side, almost causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the motor mounts were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance because the vehicle was not under Warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11594421

Incident

May 22, 2024

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SENSOR HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID

10854829

Incident

Jan 11, 2016

Mileage

88,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. *TR UPDATED 8/26/13 *CN

NHTSA ID

10509575

Incident

Aug 3, 2012

Mileage

141,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY VAN. AT FIRST THE LIGHTS BEEP UP FOR ENGINE AND THEN O/D AND THEN IT STOPS. THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE AND IT LOOK LIKE IT BURNS. AFTER THAT VEHICLE START BUT NOT TACKING GEAR. I FOUND OUT THAT TRANSMISSION WENT BAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10475262

Incident

Sep 12, 2012

Mileage

108,000 mi

LIVED IN THE SALT BELT STATE OF IL. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, FRONT SUBFRAME FALLING OFF AND SOME COMPONENTS WERE TOUCHING THE GROUND DUE TO SEVERE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT. I LOST STEERING CONTROL AND GEAR CONTROL ON A MULTIPLE LANE ROAD. FORD HAS NEVER SENT ANY NOTICE TO ME REGARDING ANY RECALL. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE VIA NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10026 AND I WOULD LIKE FORD TO REPAIR THE RUSTED SUBFRAME AND ALL OTHER BROKEN COMPONENTS DIRECTLY CAUSED BY SUBFRAM FALLING OFF. FORD REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY CAR RENTAL BY SAYING ?THIS IS AN OLD RECALL AND WE DO NOT GIVE CAR RENTAL NOW?. *TR

NHTSA ID

10471818

Incident

Aug 18, 2012

Mileage

106,000 mi

SUBFRAME GAVE OUT, ENGINE DROPPED AND CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME.I HAD JUST EXITED A HIGHWAY GOING 55MPH. I WAS DRIVING THE TO CAR TO ATTEND A WORK RELATED EVENT EARLY EVENING. I DROVE PAST THE ENTRANCE AND PROCEEDED TO TURN AROUND ON THE ROAD. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION THE VAN LOST POWER. I STOPPED BEING ABLE TO STEER AND BRAKE. I TURNED HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A TURN LANE AND FORTUNATELY THERE WAS VERY LIMITED TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. THE CAR CAME TO A FULL STOP ON ITS OWN AND THERE WAS A LOUD SCRAPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. THE TOW DRIVER STATED THE " SUBFRAME HAD GIVEN AWAY AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. IT REQUIRED A FLAT BED TRUCK TO TOW. MY MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE SUBFRAME HAD COLLAPSED . THE COST TO FIX WAS PROHIBITED AND I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY RESPONDED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THAT TIME. THE CAR REMAINED IN THE DRIVEWAY IN THE EVENT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR OVER ONE YEAR. I FINALLY DECIDED TO DONATE THE CAR HAVING NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I WAS CONTACTED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM IN 2011 I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED BY THE DELAYS OF THE MANUFACTURER TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ME OF THE RECALL IN A TIMELY FASHION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10469042

Incident

Feb 21, 2008

Mileage

85,243 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT THE WARNING WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AT THE ENGINE MOTOR ROD. THE ENGINE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID

10410071

Incident

Mar 1, 2010

Mileage

111,000 mi

WENT TO PICK UP FOOD AND NOTICED MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR WAS SMOKING. I PULLED OVER, LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. LOOKED UP ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. CALLED FORD, THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP US AT ALL. TOLD US WE'D HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC/AND TOWING. FINALLY GOT AHOLD OF SOMEONE THROUGH FORD WHO GOT THAT FOR NO CHARGE. WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE RECALLED PIECE THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. NOW AM TOLD THAT IT COULD TAKE UP TO 15 DAYS TO FIND OUT IF I CAN GET A RENTAL UNTIL THE CAR IS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10410065

Incident

Jun 26, 2011

1. SUB-FRAME WAS BADLY RUSTED OUT. IT BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE FRONT TIRES DISENGAGED. 2. THE ROCKER PANEL ON THE LEFT SIDE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS BADLY RUSTED OUT AND IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION ANYMORE. THERE IS SOME RUST ON THE RIGHT ROCKER PANEL ALSO. ALL OF THE RUST IN UNDER THE VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. 3. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON LAST YEAR.

NHTSA ID

10414470

Incident

Jan 8, 2010

Mileage

101,624 mi

1999 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISCONTENT REGARDING FORD MOTOR COMPANY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION, DUE TO A RUSTED SUBFRAME. FORD OFFERED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA ID

10397722

Incident

Apr 1, 2011

WAS DRIVING A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR STOPPED AT WORK WENT IN SIDE A COWORKER WAS LEAVING RAN BACK INSIDE TO TELL ME MY 1999 WINDSTAR WAS ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10395943

Incident

Mar 12, 2011

Mileage

200,100 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN BECAUSE THE CRADLE THAT HELD THE MOTOR WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CAUSING THE MOTOR TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE RUSTED CRADLE WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ID

10392469

Incident

Jan 22, 2011

Mileage

97,000 mi

BOUGHT THE VAN IN SEPT. 2002 WITH 55,000 MILES, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN A WEEK OF HAVING IT. TOOK IT BACK TO CAR LOT WHERE WE BOUGHT IT, THEY TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER, COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING EXCEPT THAT IT CAME UP A LEAN CODE THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PUT GAS CAP ON THE RIGHT WAY. THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. KEPT DEALING WITH LIGHT ON TO THIS DAY. MAY 2003 HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, GOT IT BACK STARTING HAVING SAME PROBLEMS,TOOK IT BACK THEY SAID THEY FORGOT TO REPLACE A WIRE, STILL HAVING PROBLEMS TO THIS DAY WITH TRANSMISSION IN FACT OCT. 2010 HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED THEY SAID SHAVINGS FOUND IN MOTOR WILL NEED TRANSMISSION REPLACED AGAIN. DOME LIGHTS FLASH ALL THE TIME. THE GAUGES GO HAYWIRE ALL THE TIME, PEG FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. HAD THAT REPLACED AND DID IT AGAIN. TOOK IT IN FOR RECALL DEC. 28,2010 CRACKED REAR AXLE STILL AT DEALER. NOW JUST HEARD THAT THE RECALL FOR SUB FRAME WILL GET PAPERS IN FEB. GUESS IT WILL BE THERE LONGER. OUR DUMB MISTAKE WE BOUGHT ANOTHER WINDSTAR IN SEPT. 2010 A 2003 ALL WE COULD AFFORD, THAT HAS PROBLEMS WITH ABS LIGHT. TOLD OVER $800 TO FIX. WE NEED TWO NEW CARS, DON'T FEEL SAFE IN EITHER.

NHTSA ID

10380549

Incident

Sep 1, 2002

Mileage

55,000 mi

COMPLETE FRACTURE OF PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE CRADLE CAUSING STEERING ISSUES. FRACTURE 1 TO 2 INCHES FROM FRAME BOLT. NO OTHER RUST OR FRACTURES ON FRAME OR SUB CHASSIS, REPAIRS BY FORD AND GOODYEAR OF RACK REPLACEMENT AND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT DID NOT SEEM TO WARRANT NOTIFICATION TO ME OF PENDING ISSUE WITH FRAME WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED MAJOR INJURY TO MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. NOTE THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN FLORIDA WITH 1 OWNER NOT IN SALT BELT STATES

NHTSA ID

10377328

Incident

Dec 1, 2010

Mileage

240,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE PULLED INTO THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND WANDERED OUT OF THE LANE CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE STEERING. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TOWARD THE LEFT DIRECTION WITH A METAL SCREECHING NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10373217

Incident

Dec 26, 2010

1999 FORD WINDSTAR : ENGINE CRADLE CRACKING AND HAS FRACTURED AWAY FROM MOTOR MOUNT. *LN

NHTSA ID

10372297

Incident

Nov 3, 2010

Mileage

138,193 mi

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, WHICH HAS BADLY RUSTED K CRADLE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FALL DOWN WHILE BEING DRIVEN AS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC. I TRIED TO FIND AN USED ONE BUT COULDN'T GET AS THEY WERE ALL RUSTED OUT. LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BAD MATERIAL OR BAD DESIGN. ITS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10360713

Incident

Mar 14, 2010

Mileage

154,000 mi

ON JUNE 17,2010 MY BOYFRIEND AND I HAD JUST ARRIVED HOME FROM WORK AND GOTTEN INTO BED. MAYBE 10-15MIN WENT BY WHEN THE NEIGHBOR WAS BANGING ON DOOR SCREAMING "YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE" GOING OUTSIDE WE FOUND THE VAN ENGULFED IN FLAMES ..IT HAD DRIVEN BEAUTIFULLY UP TIL THIS POINT. THE VAN IS TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10336740

Incident

Jun 17, 2010

I BOUGHT A FORD WINDSTAR VAN FROM A USED CAR DEALER BY THE NAME OF RAY PRICE IN DEC. OF '07. WE HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR A VAN FOR SOME TIME AND I HAD LOOKED FOR ANY RECALLS BEFORE WE PURCHASED. I FOUND NONE LISTED. WE PAID OFF THE CAR LAST MONTH, AND THAT'S WHEN THE TROUBLE STARTED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE GARAGE 3 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH BECAUSE IT KEPT STALLING WHEN IT WOULD IDLE FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME. THE MECHANIC FIXED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SEALS AND THE SURROUNDING PARTS, REPLACING THEM AS NEEDED EACH TIME. I ALSO HAD THE SPARK PLUGS AND PLUG WIRES REPLACED JUST IN CASE. ON THURSDAY JULY 23RD, MY HUSBAND REPLACED THE BRAKES ON THE FRONT. HE DROVE THE VAN ALL DAY WITH NO PROBLEMS OTHER THAN THE OCCASIONAL STALL. WE STOPPED FOR MILK AT THE GROCERY STORE ON OUR WAY HOME FROM MY WORK AND HAD BEEN INSIDE FOR ONLY 5-10 MINUTES WHEN THE MANAGER CALLED OUT THAT OUR CAR WAS ON FIRE. WE RAN OUTSIDE, AND THE FIREMEN GOT IT OUT, BUT THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I SPOKE TO MY MECHANIC AND THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR AND BOTH TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD COME ACROSS A RECALL THAT HAD BEEN OUT A FEW YEARS AGO ABOUT MY VAN. IT SEEMS THAT FORD RECALLED THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM IN THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT CAUSED ELECTRICAL FIRES JUST LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO MINE. THE FIRE CHIEF SAID IT LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE WHAT HE HAD SEEN BEFORE WHEN IT HAPPENED. SINCE THEN, FORD HAS DENIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND WON'T LOOK INTO THE MATTER. MY CAR HAD BEEN ON THIS LOT FOR AT LEAST A YEAR BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT. IF THE RECALL WENT OUT, IT WAS NEVER FIXED, AND A LAWYER HAS ALREADY SAID IT IS FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THE MATTER. CAN YOU CHECK ON THIS FOR ME? *TR

NHTSA ID

10278400

Incident

Jul 23, 2009

Mileage

129,000 mi

CONNECTOR COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SENSOR ON THE BRAKE RESERVOIR ON MY 1999 WINDSTAR 3.8 LITER IS BURNED - MELTED. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE ABS TO SHUT DOWN AND THE LIGHT TO COME ON. ALSO, THE A/C DOESN'T WORK AND THE FANS DON'T WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10272462

Incident

May 5, 2009

DRIVING ALONG THE NJ GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AT 60MPH, I EXPERIENCED A LOUD POPPING SOUND. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIRMAN ONLY TO FIND THAT THE SPARK PLUG AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN OUT CAUSING A MISFIRE IN THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10256261

Incident

Jan 16, 2009

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CENTERED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE MAIN ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *CN UPDATED 11/21/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10245674

Incident

Aug 5, 2008

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BEFORE IT WAS FINALLY REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 627927 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,306. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF AND DIDN'T IDLE PROPERLY. UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10241076

Incident

Aug 10, 2005

Mileage

28,306 mi

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT ENGINE SHIFT WHILE DRIVING. THE GARAGE INDICATED THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE CRADLE HAD RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHIFT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10238155

Incident

Aug 12, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD START, BUT THEN IDLE, STUTTER, AND STALL. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE OXYGEN SENSORS AND ALL THE HOSES WERE REPLACED, INCLUDING OTHER REPAIRS. THE TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $1,700. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE, BUT NO ERROR CODE DISPLAYED WHEN A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FAMILY MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED OF A FAILURE WITH THE VALVES AND INTAKE MANIFOLD, OF WHICH FORD WAS AWARE. THE FAILURE WOULD DETER OIL FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE VALVES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA ID

10224130

Incident

Aug 18, 2007

Mileage

30,000 mi