RoadVitals

1999 Ford Windstar Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
29
Latest Sep 16, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 1,522 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. 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. 29 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.

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 29, in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Sep 16, 2016

JUST A FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING MY 1999 WINDSTAR, IT LEAKS FUEL FROM THE FITTINGS (FOR THE FUEL LINES) ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. I AM A MECHANIC AND THIS IS NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN. THE FITTINGS HAVE A SEAM THAT HAS OPENED UP BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP. THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS AND A LARGE PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD. I BELIEVE FORD GOT OVER ON THE NHTSA AND THE AMERICAN CONSUMER. TYPICALLY THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BEFORE THEIR MANUFACTURING FLAW IS DISCOVERED. ALSO, THERE WAS A RECALL ON DIFFERENT YEAR MODELS AND ONLY IN CERTAIN STATES. I DON'T SEE HOW "WHAT STATE YOU LIVE IN" HAS TO DO WITH A SPLIT IN PLASTIC ON THE TOP OF YOUR GAS TANK. I WILL UPLOAD PICTURES OF THE FLAWS ON THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK FITTINGS.

NHTSA ID
10907054
Incident
Sep 8, 2016
Mileage
123,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Nov 15, 2013

MY 19YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING TO NEW JERSEY FROM INDIANA ON RT.70. WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL ATTEMPTED TO EXIT FOR A REST STOP WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BREAK THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. SHE HAD COMMITTED TO THE EXIT RAMP THANK GOD SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE BACK OFF THE RAMP JUST IN TIME TO MISS THE OVER PASS BARRIER. SHE HAD TO RIDE THE SHOULDER SHUTTING DOWN THE IGNITION ONCE SHE DID THAT SHE WAS ABLE TOB RESUE. SHE DID NOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN AND BUT THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A COLD START. I CHECK THE CODE AND DTCS FOUND WADE BANK ONE AND TWO LEAN FOUND A BAD PCV VALVE AND REPLACED IT. BUT WHEN READING THE CODES FOUND 9 ADDITIONAL CODES C1185 C1198 C1194 C1254 C1256 C1250 C1242 C1214 AND C1210. I THEN CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND CHECKED FOR RECALLS. FINDING 3 I FOLLOWED UP HAVING TWO BEING SERIOUS AND HAVING TO DO WITH SPEED CONTROL REAR SUBFRAME AND REAR SUPPORT. WHEN ASKING THE SERVICE ADVISOR WHAT THESE CODES MEANT HE HAD NO CLUE HE SAID AND WITHOUT A COSTLY SCANNER CHARGE THE TECH HAD NO IDEA. SO AS ALWAYS I HIT THE INTER NET ANDEASILY FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS . . . I WAS A SERVICE ADVISOR FOR HONDA FOR 5YRS AND A TECH FOR 10 PRIOR. I NEVER PUT MY CUSTOMERS LIFE ON THE LINE WTH? IS FORD TEACHING THESE MEN? I WILL HAVE TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THIS VEHICLE MYSELF BEING DISABLED THIS WILL NOT COME EASY. I DON'T TRUST THEM AT ALL ANYMORE. MY FAMILY'S LIFE IS TO IMPORTANT TO HAVE A MONEY HUNGRY COMPANY KILL THEM. AND ONCE REPAIRS ARE FINISHED I WILL SELL IT AND BUY A HONDA. YES HONDA IS NOT PERFECT BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE COMPANY EVER MISLEAD CUSTOMERS INTENTIONALLY AS THIS AND WHEN THEY MESSUP THEY COVER THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FIX IT RIGHT.UNREAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10552478
Incident
Sep 19, 2013
Mileage
119,380 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 2, 2009

1999 FORD WINDSTAR, MILES 84,000. UNDER NORM DRIVING CONDITIONS, R2 VALVE COVER FELLED HAD A HOLE INSIDE IT ALONG WITH GASKETS IN R2 PLATNIUM. I HAD TO BUY FROM FORD THE GASKETS SET AND R 2VALUE COVER AND THE BOLTS WHICH ARE SPECIALLY MADE BUY THEM. ONE WOULD BELIEVE THAT FORD DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH IN THE BOLTS TO HOLD THE PLATNIUM IS PLACE THAT ALLOW THE AIR LEAK TO TAKE PLACE IN THE VALVE COVER AND PLATNIUM. I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS ON HAND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10290709
Incident
Oct 25, 2009
Mileage
84,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Oct 18, 2009
Fire reported

VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10288863
Incident
Oct 5, 2009
BrakesFuel systemInterior & seats
Filed Mar 2, 2009

APRIL 2008 LOST FUEL PUMP, AND GUAGE FOR GAS LEVEL HAD FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT AND FILTER REPLACED BUT GAUGE DIDNT COME BACK IT STAYED ON AS A LOW FUEL LIGHT PERMANENTLY. BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OR EXCESSIVE USE BY BRAKING SYSTEM HAD TO FILL ABOUT ONCE WEEKLY BRAKES THOUGH THEY HAD BEEN REPLACED WOULD JUST GO OUT WITH NO WARNING ABS LIGHT WASNT INDICATIVE DUE TO FACT ITS LIGHTING UP AND STAYING LIT WAS ERRRATIC. REPLACED BRAKING SYSTEM AND FRONT END COMPONENTS (LINKAGE PINS GONE, ROTOR THAT HAD GOTTEN VERY HOT AND POSSIBLY STARTED ON FIRE DUE TO BRAKES GOING OUT AND HEAVY BREAKING NEEDED TO AVOID ACCIDENT DEATH HAD TO PUMP BRAKES RAPIDLY TO TRY TO STOP SOMETIMES UNABLE TO STOP BRAKE PEDAL WOULD STICK ON HARD PUMPING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR LOCK ENGAGED AND UNABLE TO ENGAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10260392
Incident
Apr 4, 2008
Mileage
103,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 11, 2005

CRACKED FUEL RAIL LEAKING GAS ON TO MANIFOLD LEAKING AT WELDED JOINT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10136119
Incident
Sep 9, 2005
Mileage
68,527 mi
BrakesElectricalFuel system+1 more
Filed Jan 13, 2005

THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. *NM THE ALTERNATOR, RIGHT INNER CV BOOT, ABS MODULE, AND BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WERE REPLACE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10109450
Incident
Dec 21, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Dec 13, 2004

CONSUMER STATES DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FUEL RAIL FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE. *AK......THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY EUGENE PALMER FOR EMPLOYER ASCENT MEDIA OF PALM BEACH, FL. AT LEAST TWO 1999 HAVE HAD THIS FUEL PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10103645
Incident
Dec 9, 2004
Mileage
180,000 mi
Fuel systemTransmission
Filed Nov 8, 2004

AT 33,000 MILES, SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REBUILT AT A LOCAL SHOP FOR $2600 ... FORD CONTACTED, BUT REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10098492
Incident
Oct 15, 2004
Mileage
33,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 21, 2004

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE REGISTERED A FULL TANK BUT THERE WAS NO GAS IN THE TANK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10074075
ElectricalEngineFuel system+3 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

TRANSMISSION IS PRIMARY ISSUE HAS SHIFTING PROBLEM AT LOW SPEED, HAS OVER 8 TSB ON THE ISSUE AND HAS NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEM THE OTHER ISSUES ARE CLEARLY COMMON FOR THIS MODEL AS WELL, BUT THIS TRANSMISSIONAND FORDS LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THEIR SERVICE AND DEALERS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ID
10068875
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Mileage
74,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 23, 2003

THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT ON MY VAN. LUCKILY I WAS AT HOME IN MY DRIVEWAY. CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO COMPLAINTS AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. SO I AM HAVING TO HAVE IT FIXED MY SELF. THE VEHICLE IS 4 YEARS OLD, I PERSONALLY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE PUMP SHOULD BE BAD.

NHTSA ID
10019158
Incident
May 16, 2003
Mileage
54,285 mi
ElectricalFuel systemTransmission
Filed Jan 15, 2003

MY VAN WAS BARELY OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS A RESULT OF A BROKEN SENSOR WELD ON MY INTAKE MANIFOLD TO THE TUNE OF APPROX. $900. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE O/D OFF LIGHT MEANT THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $2,700. ALL THIS FOR BEING 1 MONTH AND 500 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. PLUS, I SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH FORD WINDSTARS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AT 35,000 MILES AND 70,000 (TWICE) SO I SEE THAT I WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION... ALMOST LIKE THE DARNED THING IS DELIBERATELY DESIGNED TO CREATE A HUGE REPAIR BILL THE MOMENT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID
10002754
Incident
Jan 12, 2003
Mileage
36,570 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 18, 2002

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON TWICE - CAN'T IDENTIFY PROBLEM, POSSIBLE INTAKE LEAK - WILL HAVE TO REMOVE INTAKE COVERS TO CHECK AT MY EXPENSE WITH NO GUARANTEE THIS IS THE PROBLEM. DOES FORD HAVE ANY SOLUTIONS THAT THEIR DEALERS DON'T KNOW ABOUT?*AK

NHTSA ID
757039
Incident
Jan 3, 2002
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 29, 2001

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER REPLACED LEFT VALVE COVER WITH A UPDATED VERSION OF PART AND FUEL REGULATOR SUPPLY HOSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
899671
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
Fuel systemTransmission
Filed Sep 7, 2001

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WOULD START TO SHUTTER AT HIGH SPEEDS. CONSUMER STATED THAT AT 52000 MILES TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT NEED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
895992
Incident
Aug 15, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Apr 6, 2001

CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WILL FILL IN INFORMATION CONCERNING INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
885319
Incident
Apr 6, 2001
Fuel systemTransmission
Filed Jan 29, 2001

GAS GAUGE HASN'T WORKED A WHILE, AND TRANSMISSION FAILED A FEW DAYS AGO. *AK

NHTSA ID
740102
Incident
Jan 27, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Jan 17, 2001

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. GAUGE WOULD REMAIN ON EMPTY SIDE. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP, AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM BECAUSE GAUGE WAS WORKING AT THAT TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
878372
Incident
Nov 9, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Jan 12, 2001

WHILE PUTTING FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK, THE CABIN FILLS WITH FUEL ODORS, THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG AND STAYS FOR ABOUT 4 OR 5 MINUTES, THE ODOR MAKES THE CONSUMERS SICK, SO THEY ARE REQUESTING A REFUND OR REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE DEALER HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA ID
558936
Incident
Apr 5, 2000
Fuel systemVisibility
Filed Oct 13, 2000

WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE BECAUSE OF GASOLINE USAGE. ALSO, THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE REAR WINDOW, AND WATER CAME THOUGH AND RUINED THE CARPET.*AK

NHTSA ID
872985
Fuel system
Filed Aug 10, 2000

WHEN VEHICLE WOULD BE RUN AND THEN SHUT OFF, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START IMMEDIATELY, THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
784790
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Mar 30, 2000
Fire reported

CONSUMER PULLED NOZZLE FROM GAS TANK, WHEN A BURST OF FLAMES SHOT OUT OF THE TANK, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY STATIC ELECTRICITY. *SLC

NHTSA ID
783674
Incident
Dec 24, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Mar 2, 2000

WHILE FILLING VEHICLE WITH GAS SOME SPILLED AROUND FILLER ASSEMBLY . CONSUMER NOTICED A SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. LEAKING FUEL DRAINS INSIDE BODY MOLDING. IT THEN EVAPORATES AND SOME GOES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
857762
Fuel system
Filed Nov 24, 1999

FUEL TANK HAS 26 GALLONS AND TANK ONLY TAKES 21 GALLONS. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE GAS IS GOING SOMEWHERE. *AK

NHTSA ID
851909
Incident
Apr 15, 1999

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .