RoadVitals

2000 Ford Windstar Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure 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.
216
Latest May 13, 2020
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.
13%
of 1,675 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.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Ford Windstar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 216 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 body or structure

The 25 most recent of 216, in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed May 13, 2020

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY MY REAR AXLE BROKE I SAFETY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER BUT WHILE DOING THAT MY TIRE BLEW AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE HIGH WAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324389
Incident
May 12, 2020
Mileage
103,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND VEERING TO THE RIGHT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD METAL SCRAPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FRIEND'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,000. *LN*JB CONSUMER STATED I HAVE ATTACHED THE IMAGES OF MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SE'S AXLE BREAKAGE TO THIS EMAIL.*JB

NHTSA ID
11277509
Incident
Oct 23, 2019
Mileage
133,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR NEW STRUTS, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000. *TR*JB

NHTSA ID
11255082
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
166,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Mar 25, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE AND FRAME ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THERE WAS ALSO A CRACK THAT EXTENDED FROM THE REAR AXLE WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE. AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. LANCE CUNNINGHAM FORD (4101 EAST CLINTON HWY, KNOXVILLE, TN 37912, 1-(866) 591-3943) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA ID
11191306
Incident
Mar 21, 2019
Mileage
158,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed May 31, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR AXLE RUSTED OUT AND FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. PHIL LONG FORD OF MOTOR CITY IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE DUE TO ITS LOCATION IN A DRY STATE VERSUS THOSE THAT WERE ONLY BEING COVERED IN HUMID STATES. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN INFORMATION FOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID
11099078
Incident
Apr 1, 2018
Mileage
136,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Mar 28, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A STRUCTURE RECALL FOR THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY INSPECT THE FRAME. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PARTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE, THE FRAME AND REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE VIN, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10969097
Incident
Jan 9, 2017
Body & structure
Filed Dec 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,793. *CN

NHTSA ID
10934773
Incident
Nov 14, 2016
Mileage
158,793 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Oct 6, 2016

I OWN 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE PAINT IS FLANKING OFF THE ROOF REALLY BAD IT HAS SOME SPOTS RUSTED AND SOME IS GRAY EVEN IN THE BACK AND FRONT. I JUST REPLACED THE HOOD FROM A JUNK YARD. MY SPEEDOMETER KEEPS GOING CRAZY AND WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT OF PARK THE PARK AND REVERS PART BROKE BECAUSE IT GOT STUCK WITH THE RPM AND THAT BROKE TOO. I HAVE TO KEEP THE FUSE UNPLUGGED THAT GOES TO THE INTERIOR LIGHTING DO TO BATTERY DEAD BY THE NEXT DAY.

NHTSA ID
10914388
Incident
Apr 28, 2011
Mileage
135,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 25, 2016

I JUST RECEIVED NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 15V-608.THIS IS AS LEAST THE THIRD "URGENT SAFETY NOTICE" ON MY VEHICLE FOR A REAR AXLE PROBLEM (AT THIS POINT I CALL THIS A CLEAR DEFECT). FORD HAS BEEN ABLE TO AVOID REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE FOR YEARS AND ALLOWED TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS (A BAND-AID APPROACH), EVEN AFTER ADMITTING THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY AS WELL. WHEN I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR THE LAST SAFETY RECALL FORD MADE LIGHT OF THE ISSUE AND SAID THE BRACKETS "LOOKED OK". OBVIOUSLY FROM THE NEW NOTICE THINGS ARE NOT "OK". I WILL HAVE IT CHECKED AGAIN BUT I HAVE LITTLE FAITH IN FORD DOING THE RIGHT THING. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE MY REAR AXLE AT NO COST, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY $300 TO REPLACE THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. IF THIS AXLE SHOULD CRACK AND CAUSE ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY I GUARANTEE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST ANYONE THAT I CAN HOLD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10909540
Incident
Sep 1, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Jul 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A KNOCKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ID
10883221
Incident
Jun 20, 2016
Mileage
132,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed May 27, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS TILTED INWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V080000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10871269
Incident
May 3, 2016
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 21, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE REAR, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO SEPARATE FROM THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10821426
Incident
Jan 20, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Dec 23, 2015

MY VAN HAS CRACKED REAR AND FRONT AXLES AND A BROKEN SUB FRAME. I WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER STEVE GOCHENOUR ( WHEN I DROPPED OFF THE VAN) AT THE SHAWNEE MISSION FORD DEALERSHIP IN KANSAS, THAT THESE REPAIRS, AS WELL AS ANY DAMAGED CAUSED BY THESE DEFAULTS ARE FULLY COVERED UNDER A FORD RECALL, AND WOULD COST ME NOTHING. THEY THEN CALLED ME A WEEK LATER AND SAID I HAD TO PAY THEM $300 FOR THE REAR AXLE. I WOULD LIKE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN GETTING MY $300 REFUNDED FROM FORD.

NHTSA ID
10811974
Incident
Dec 15, 2015
Mileage
160,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE NOISE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10787650
Incident
Nov 1, 2015
Mileage
170,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 31, 2015

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER VAN WHEN SHE HEARD A CLUNK. SHE WAS TRAVELING AT 25MPH ON A STATE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION WE FOUND THE FRONT SUBFRAME BROKE WHERE THE FRONT SWAY BAR CONNECTS. RESEARCH FOUND A RECALL, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF IT. FORD CORPORATE TOLD ME I WAS ON MY OWN TO HAVE IT FIXED. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE. THEY SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

NHTSA ID
10787415
Incident
Oct 20, 2015
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ABNORMAL SWAYING IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V194000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE BENT OUTWARD AND THE SUB FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE BRACKETS AND THE BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS FAILED TO SUPPORT THE FRAME AND UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE BRACKETS WERE NOT CORRECTLY INSTALLED TO SUPPORT THE FRAME. THE MECHANIC RETAINED THE VEHICLE FOR PARTS AND INDICATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS EXTENSIVE. THE CONTACT NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY BECAUSE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ALREADY COMPLETED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10746939
Incident
Mar 1, 2011
Body & structureSteering
Filed May 15, 2015

CAR SWAYING ALMOST LOST CONTROL TOOK TO BELLE TIRE FOUND CRACKLIN IN AXLE.

NHTSA ID
10716719
Incident
May 13, 2015
Mileage
175,915 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 24, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND THE ENGINE CRADLE WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10712572
Incident
Apr 23, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 2, 2015

PEELING PAINT ON MOST BODY PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10703409
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Oct 29, 2014

I WAS HEADING TO THE STORE AS I DO ON A EVERY DAY BASES AND GOING THREW TOWN I HIT A SMALL HOLE IN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A HORN BLOW FROM BEHIND ME AS I LOOKED BACK I SEEN A BIG CHINK OF MY SLIDING DOOR SITTING IN THE ROAD INFRONT OF THE CAR . I NOTICED SMALL RUST ON THE UNDER LINING OF THE DOOR AS IT HAPPENS WITH CARS THIS AGE BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN IN MY 30 OD YEARS A CHUNK BRAKE LOOSE ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY CAR/VAN/SUV TO RUST LIKE THIS AS IM MISSING HALF THE DOOR ON THE ONE SIDE OF THE VAN, I DID REPLACE IT WITH A JUNK YARD ONE BUT STILL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10650918
Incident
Nov 27, 2012
Mileage
159,562 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Sep 12, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE UNDERBODY, FRAME, BRACKETS, AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE AND THE RUST TO THE FRAME AND UNDERBODY WAS EXTENSIVE AND ALMOST CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V194000 (SUSPENSION), 10V385000 (SUSPENSION), AND 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID
10632809
Incident
Aug 15, 2014
Mileage
86,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 2, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO ABRUPTLY PULL THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME AND THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID
10630083
Incident
Aug 22, 2014
Mileage
65,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRAME FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BRACKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10616958
Incident
Jun 14, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 28, 2013

DOOR CONSTANTLY OPENS AND CLOSES. HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH DOOR FULLY CLOSING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10546000
Incident
Sep 25, 2013
Mileage
150,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jul 10, 2013
Crash reported

AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY DURING A BUMPER TO BUMPER ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10524130
Incident
Jul 9, 2013

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 .