2000 Ford Windstar Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start, and the rear glass was out of the frame by about three-quarters of an inch. Additionally, the front driver's and passenger’s side windows failed to go up or roll down and were inoperable. The contact also stated that the instrument panel and anti-theft system were inoperable. The service engine, anti-theft, overdrive, speedometer, ABS system, and door ajar warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V351000 (Electrical System) and 00V020000 (Visibility). The contact called the dealer and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and confirmed there were no associated recalls with the VIN and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11666369

Incident

May 28, 2025

Mileage

180,000 mi

The rear axle broke for the second time on a Ford Windstar, after already breaking prior to a recall in 2010. It appears to have broken where a clamp was attached. This caused the rear wheels to fall into, and grind against the wheel well. This happened on a side street near my house. Had it happened at highway speeds, the rear wheels could have locked up or perhaps broken free causing loss of control. The axle problem has been known to Ford, but it is concerning that this is the second one to fail. I have not yet contacted ford or a a repair facility to evaluate. There were no warning lamps or other indication. The axle simply broke abruptly. I thought it was a tire blow out until I saw the wheels tilted in. The vehicle is older, but I maintain it well.

NHTSA ID

11590976

Incident

May 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while reversing at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal booming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the front spring had fractured and punctured the passenger’s side front tire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11537073

Incident

Aug 4, 2023

Mileage

75,000 mi

Going down the road car starts to sputter and then we'll cut off while driving and black smoke goes every dangerous it's happened twice already got it checked says nothing

NHTSA ID

11519086

Incident

Apr 26, 2023

Car overheats even though it does not shown on the meter and when stopped and cut off it bubbles severely

NHTSA ID

11519084

Incident

Apr 26, 2023

Sliding rear door drivers side opened own it's own while i was driving. would not close, kept reopening, had to muscle closed. it has continued to happen frequently. I have seen many complaints on the year, model, for this issue. Why has there been no safety recall done? This is very dangerous.I have not taken for repairs, I have a very modest SS income and jut can not afford that. Car can be inspected at any time.

NHTSA ID

11439573

Incident

Oct 5, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE AND THEN STARTED TO SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO COVER-JONES MOTOR (403 W. 3RD ST, ALLIANCE, NE 69301, (800) 344-9288) WHO STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE AXLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,481.

NHTSA ID

11403234

Incident

Mar 12, 2021

Mileage

176,481 mi

GOING DOWN THE ROAD TRACTION CONTROL WILL GO OFF AND ON . IT WILL MAKE THE STEERING VERY HARD. THEN WHEN YOU TURN THE ENGINE OFF. IT IS VERY HARD TO START UP . SOME TIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT TWO OR THREE HOURS THEN IT WILL START RIGHT UP. THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM IS VERY BAD. SOMETIMES WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL STARTS TO HAVE A PROBLEM THE VAN IS VERY HARD TO EVEN KEEP IT IN CONTROL I'M DISABLED AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET A BETTER VAN. I'VE TRIED TO TAKE IT BACK TO FORD BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. ALL THEY TALE ME IS TO GET ANEW ONE .BUT I CAN'T. THE POWER ON THE DOOR LOCKS ARE BAD THE LOCKS WILL GO LOCKED AND UNLOCK AS YOU DRIVE IT DOWN THE ROAD. BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT. 3 YEARS. OR MORE. HAD IT IN TO FORD MANY TIMES.

NHTSA ID

11384006

Incident

May 4, 2013

Mileage

129,032 mi

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

THE STEERING STARTED TO FAIL TO RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION. I HAD THE ORIGINAL RECALL BRACKET PUT ON MY VEHICLE AS CAN BE SEEN IN THE PHOTO BUT THIS DID NOT ACTUALLY MAKE THE STEERING ARM ANY BETTER AND PROBABLY MADE IT WORSE BY ALLOWING THE BRACKET TO COLLECT ROAD SALT. FORD AS BEEN EVASIVE TOWARD PROVIDING ANY HELP. I BELIEVE THAT FORD'S EVASIVENESS IS RESULT OF THE PREVIOUS ATTEMPTED FIX WHICH WAS UNPRODUCTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENGINEERED TO HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY EFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF THE STEERING ARM. I BELIEVE RECALLS EA10007 AND PE10026 MAY PROVIDE SOME GUIDANCE. I AM AWAITING ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO WITH MY VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND PROBABLY NOT COST WORTHY TO FIX.

NHTSA ID

11286339

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

285,000 mi

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

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

REAR AXLE CRACKED

NHTSA ID

11254566

Incident

Sep 6, 2019

Mileage

30 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OVERNIGHT AND WAS DRIVEN HOME THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11245845

Incident

Aug 18, 2019

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES CRAZY, DOESN'T WORK OR WORKS JUST FINE. THIS HAPPENS WEATHER I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE CITY..

NHTSA ID

11242309

Incident

Jun 3, 2019

Mileage

151,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS LEANING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 866-436-7332 AND ADVISED THEM THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MANUFACTURER NUMBER: 15S27 (SUSPENSION) ON THE REAR AXLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 21985359. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11240275

Incident

Jul 18, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS BENT INWARD TOWARDS THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TOWED TO SUPERIOR FORD OF PLYMOUTH (9700 56TH AVE N, PLYMOUTH, MN 55442, (877) 735-4755). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

NHTSA ID

11233330

Incident

Jul 15, 2019

Mileage

173,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V194000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ID

11230089

Incident

Jul 5, 2019

Mileage

123,000 mi

I LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A STILL ONGOING LIFE-THREATENING SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR 2000 REAR AXLE. AS YOU KNOW, THE WINDSTAR'S WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE IN 2010. MY PARTICULAR CAR WAS REINFORCED WITH 2 BRACKETS UNDER SAFETY RECALL 10S13 AT THE MOST CRITICAL PART OF THE AXLE AND I THINK IN THE AREA WERE THE BRACKETS ARE INSTALLED THE AXLE WILL HOLD UP EVEN WITH A LOT OF CORROSION PRESENT. THE PROBLEM IS THE AXLE IS CRACKING JUST 1 INCH TO THE RIGHT BESIDE THE REINFORCED BRACKET IN MY CASE THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR. THE ONLY REASON I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS, A FEW WEEKS AGO I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AND I DID AN INSPECTION ON THE AXLE AND THAT'S WHEN I FOUND THAT BIG CRACK HALF WAY AROUND THE AXLE!!! THAT SAME DAY I WENT TO MY FORD DEALER (BILL BROWN) TO BRING IT TO THEIR ATTENTION, UNFORTUNATELY FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER THIS WAS NOT A RECALL MATTER ANYMORE AND HE HAD NO INTEREST OF INSPECTING THE AXLE WITHOUT CHARGING ME $ 125.00. NATURALLY I REFUSED TO PAY THAT AMOUNT.

NHTSA ID

11202691

Incident

Mar 19, 2019

Mileage

94,000 mi

I STARTED HEARING A SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. I INSPECTED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A SIGNIFICANT CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR; HOWEVER, MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *JS

NHTSA ID

11193145

Incident

Mar 23, 2019

Mileage

158,000 mi

MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR AXLE JUST BROKE HAD REPAIR DONE WHEN I GOT RECALL NOTICE , VEHICLE WAS STORED IN MY GARAGE FOR THE WINTER WHEN WE CAME BACK IN THE SPRING LEFT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT WHEN CHRYSLER DEALER FIXED FLAT THEY NOTICED BROKEN AXLE

NHTSA ID

11192337

Incident

Mar 28, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

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

MY REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON A CITY STREET. I TWICE GOT THE PREVIOUS RECALL WORK DONE ON THE AXLE (THE "BRACKET FIX" AND THE SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE "FIX"). I WAS TOLD MY THE DEALER THAT THE AXLE LOOKED GOOD AND I DIDN'T NEED TO REPLACE THE AXLE FOR THE DISCOUNTED $300 PRICE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE NHTSA ALLOWED FORD TO CHARGE MONEY FOR AN ACTUAL FIX AND ONLY OFFER A STOP GAP FIX THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL ANYWAY AS A SOLUTION. IN MY ATTACHED PICTURE, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE AXLE FAILED UNDER THE RECALL REPAIR BRACKET. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ON A CITY STREET AND ABLE TO QUICKLY GET MY VAN INTO A PARKING PLACE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. I AM WRITING MAINLY TO IMPLORE YOUR AGENCY TO NEVER AGAIN ALLOW A PIECEMEAL RECALL LIKE THIS AGAIN. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION MY AXLE WAS FIXED BY THE PREVIOUS RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11176240

Incident

Feb 8, 2019

Mileage

109,000 mi

WENT TO "CREDIT KARMA" AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS THE SUBJECT OF A FORD NHTSA RECALL. FORD FAILED TO NOTIFY ME OF RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. RECALL ID # 233939 DATED 10/21/2015. PLEASE HELP RESOLVE THIS AS I DON'T WANT TO BE DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE

NHTSA ID

11155439

Incident

Dec 2, 2018

Mileage

92,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR AXLE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WESTLAND FORD (LOCATED AT 3450 WALL AVE, OGDEN, UT 84401, (801) 629-5500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 16366106. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.

NHTSA ID

11151741

Incident

Nov 9, 2018

Mileage

212,000 mi