Owner-reported complaints naming the interior system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings. 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. 69 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 69, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD PERIODICALLY LOCK AND NOT UNLOCK. THE FAILURE ALTERNATED BETWEEN EACH REAR SLIDING DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000. ....UPDATED 06/18/12 *BF
THE REAR SLING DOOR HAS DOOR LATCHES LOCKS LINKAGES PROBLEM IT DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY THE DOOR LATCHES DO NOT LATCH AND LOCK ALL THE WAY CLOSE MAKE IT UNSAFE THAT THE DOOR COULD OPEN AT ANY TIME FROM 0 TO 75 MPR IT'S A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR AND I CALLED FORD AND ASK ABOUT THE REAR AXLE RECALL AND DID NOT WANT TO FIX MY REAR AXLE AT ALL OR ANY OF THE RECALLS THAT IT HAS. *JS
I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT GO ON AND STAY ON, ALONG WITH MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALSO STAYING ON AND FINALLY, MY SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER WORKS ABOVE 40 KM PER HOUR. ALL OF THESE HAPPENED EXACTLY THE SAME TIME. I TOOK IT INTO FORD AND THEY ARE SAYING I NEED A NEW ABS MODULE BUT AFTER READING ABOUT THEIR ABS RECALL ISSUES AND MUCH WRITTEN ABOUT HOW THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON, I AM INCLINED TO THINK FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. HENCE MY COMPLAINT TO YOU GUYS. *TR
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE COAL HEATER UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO SEE SMOKE, WHICH CAUSED HER TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED, WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE DAMAGES IF THEY WERE RELATED TO A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE WHAT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL AT THE SPEED IT WAS MOVING WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED; HE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW IT DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE; THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. FURTHERMORE, THE LOCKS ON THE REAR SLIDING DOORS DID NOT FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. ON 10/10/09 AT 74666 MILES I HAD THE DRIVER'S ACTUATOR LOCK ASSEMBLY REPLACED . IT DIDN'T PROPERLY WORK FOR ALMOST A YEAR BUT I COULD GET INTO THE CAR MANUALLY. ON 10/21/09, I HAD THE SLIDING RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR ACTUATOR REPLACED. I HAD TO WAIT TO REPLACE THEM DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS. ONCE, THE PASSENGER DOOR WENT I KNEW THAT I COULDN'T HOLD OFF ANY LONGER. IN ALL MY DRIVING YEARS, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE ACTUATORS ON ANY OF MY VEHICLES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE NEITHER THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOORS COULD BE UNLOCKED . THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 157000. UPDATED 1/4/10 *CN
REAR AXLE BROKE IN 2 PCS. *TR
MY MINIVAN HAS STARTED ACTING STRANGE WITH LIGHTS FLICKERING INSIDE AND ON THE DASH BOARD. I AM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT BEING ON FROM TIME TO TIME AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAVING GONE OUT. I ONLY FOUND THIS OUT WHEN TURNING ONTO A DARK STREET WITH NO STREET LIGHTS ONE NIGHT COMING HOME AND SAW NO LIGHTS FROM MY VEHICLE AND ONLY DARKNESS. I WAS TERRIFIED THINKING NO OTHER CAR WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE ME . AS I SAW OTHER CARS COMING DOWN THE (NEIGHBORHOOD ) STREET, I WOULD PULL OVER TO KEEP FROM HAVING THEM RUN INTO ME. I GOT HOME AND PARKED THE CAR AND REFUSE TO DRY IT ANYMORE AT NIGHT UNTIL I CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE IT OUT AND SAYS THIS IS A DEFECT WITH FORD AND SOME TYPE OF WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY, HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND EVEN PUT ON A MACHINE AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY "GUESSES" BUT NO DEFINITE FIX. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO TRY TO FIX THE "GUESSES" AND STILL NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS RIGHT AWAY. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF QUITE OFTEN. AT ABOUT 125,000 MILES I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR. MY O/D LIGHT ALSO BEGAN TO FLASH AND MY SPEEDOMETER JUMPED UP AND DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND HAD TO HAVE A SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. A DAY LATER THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN AND I HAD TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED AGAIN. THE ABS LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. NOW I HAVE A LIGHT ON THE PANEL (THE MASTER LIGHTING SWITCH). WHEN I TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS, THE PARKING LIGHTS COME BACK ON. I USED TO BE ABLE TO TURN THEM OFF AND SOMETIMES THEY WOULD STAY OFF, BUT NOW I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERY TIME I PARK AND RECONNECT IT TO DRIVE THE CAR. ALSO, ONE BY ONE, ALL OF THE POWER LOCKS ARE GOING OUT. THE ONLY ONE THAT WORKS CORRECTLY IS THE ONE FOR THE REAR DOOR (TRUNK). THE REAR WINDOWS CAN OPEN, BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES DAYS OF TRYING BEFORE I CAN GET THEM TO CLOSE AGAIN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, ALL THE DOOR LOCKS OPERATED PROPERLY. HOWEVER, AT 60,000 MILES, THE DOORS DO NOT LOCK AND CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPENED. FURTHERMORE, THE CRUISE CONTROL CANNOT BE DEACTIVATED UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK VIA THE FOB OR INTERNAL ELECTRONIC CONTROLS DUE TO BAD LOCK ACTUATORS. HAD DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR REPLACED ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO (UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY), BUT NOW BOTH SLIDING DOORS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE SLIDING DOORS TO NOT HAVE A KEYED ENTRY SYSTEM SO THE DOORS MUST BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE BY PULLING UP ON THE LOCK KNOB. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS FAIL TO REMAIN LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE OCCURS EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 98,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
MY REAR PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR HAS NOT BEEN CLOSING AND LOCKING. DOOR WILL POP OPEN. AS OF LABOR DAY 2006 THIS DOOR IS LOCKED AND NOW WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN. THIS IS FORCING MY CHILDREN TO EXIT THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *NM
ON THE REAR SLIDING DOORS,DRIVERS SIDE, THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, WHEN YOU HIT THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK, IT KEEPS STICKING AND IT WILL NOT LET YOU PULL IT BY HAND AND WILL NOT WORK AT ALL WITH THE REMOTE, IT DOES IT EVERY TIME WE USE THE VAN, WHICH IS PRACTICALLY EVERY DAY MAKING IT HARD AND AGGRAVATING TO GET MY 2 YEAR OLD OUT OF HIS CAR SEAT,IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET HIM OUT IN TIME. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATED IN MARCH 2004 THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED UNDER ALL CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ON THE DASHBOARD CONCERNING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER CHANGED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY LEAD WIRES. THIS ONLY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM FOR TWO TO THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE DOOR SWITCHES WERE CHANGED. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR TWO TO THREE WEEKS. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE THUMB ROLLER FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE SWITCH PLATES ON THE SLIDING DOORS. AGAIN THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER TWO TO THREE WEEKS. ONCE AGAIN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND DEALER SUGGESTED THE PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO A RARE ELECTRONIC MODULE WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE CONTACT, BUT THIS STILL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A THIRD DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE WIRING UNDER THE HEADLINER. THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER TWO TO THREE WEEKS. YESTERDAY THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE THIRD DEALER, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
FIRE ON MY CAR. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, RADIO, AND HEATER WOULD STAY ON AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY IS REMOVED. THE FUSE HAS TO BE REMOVED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. HE FOUND RECALL 00V351000 ON LINE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN HE CONTACTED THE DEALER , THEY SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. ALSO THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE OFF SWITCH FOR CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD ONLY BE TURNED OFF BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. *AK
I INTEND TO SEND A LETTER TO OUR STATE SENATOR BECAUSE OF THE UNFAIR SERVICE AND QUALITY OF THIS CAR. I ASKED POK. FORD TO CHECK A VIBRATION IN THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS TOLD TO GET NEW ROTORS AND NEW BRAKES. THEY SAID INSPECTION WAS DUE SOON, SO I SAID FINE FIX IT, BUT ALSO DO AN INSPECTION. AFTER FIXING, THE PEDAL STILL VIBRATES. THEY SAY THE TIRES, THEY'RE BALD AND STRAP IS SHIFTED, KNOWING THIS THEY PASSED MY CAR ANYWAY. CONCERNED I WENT TO BJ'S TIRE CENTER THE FOLLOWING DAY TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND IF THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY. THEY REPLACED THE TWO FRONT TIRES BECAUSE THEY HAD NO TREADS, GAVE ME AN ALIGNMENT AND SAID THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL. ON THE WAY TO THE DOCTORS WITH MY CHILDREN I FELT MY GAS PEDAL STICK. FORD CLAIMS THAT MAYBE THE VIBRATION WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I WENT TO THE PLACE THAT DID MY TRANSMISSION, HE SAID THIS WAS NOT TRANSMISSION RELATED. HE POPPED THE HOOD AND SAID THIS COULD BE THE PROBLEM, MY GAS CABLE LINE LOOKED LIKE IT WAS SAWED. HE CLAIMS THIS JUST DOES NOT USUALLY HAPPEN. I TOLD JASON WHAT HE SAID, JASON CLAIMS HE AND I WAS CRAZY. HE CAME OUT AND LOOKED HIMSELF, HE SAID IT WAS WORN, FRAYED AND VERY LOOSE. AFTER ARGUING WITH JASON BECAUSE HE HAD MY CAR FIVE TIMES FOR THE SAME REASON, AND IT TOOK A TRANSMISSION GUY TO NOTICE THE CABLE LINE, JASON TOLD ME TO LEAVE THE GROUNDS AND DON'T COME BACK. WHEN I GOT HOME I CALLED THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, FEDERAL TRADE COMM, DEPT OF MOTOR VEHICLE, AND A LAWYER. I CALLED FREEDOM FORD IN BEACON. HE TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN. THE SERVICE MAN SAID THE CHAMBER THAT THE CABLE GOES THROUGH WAS FREE AND THERE WAS NOTHING GRABBING ON THE CABLE, THIS DOES NOT USUALLY HAPPEN AND HE THINKS IT MAY HAVE BEEN DONE, BUT DIDN'T COMMENT HOW. I CAN'T SAY HOW IT HAPPENED BUT I CAN SAY THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF POK. FORD DIDN'T DO THIS AND IT DIDN'T GET STUCK THAN THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE TWO DOORS THAT ARE STILL BROKE AND WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED MANY TIMES. *JB
THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ON MY 2000 FORD WINSTAR POPS OPEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. SOMEONE HAS TO GET OUT AND PUSH IT SHUT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE PURCHASED IT NEW FROM THE DEALER, AND EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. OF COURSE THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON EDMUNDS FORUM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *NM
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WAS HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. THE FUSES BLEW OUT, THE LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON AND OFF, AND THE ODOMETER/SPEEDOMETER WERENOT WORKING. THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS WEREBLINKING ON AND OFF. CONSISTENTLY, KEPT THE DASHBOARD NOT ILLUMINATED. THEY HAVE EVEN TRIED TO LEAVE THE AIR OFF TO SEE IF THIS WOULD HELP THE FUSES NOT TO BLOW OUT. THERE WERE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT WHEN LIT UP WTHE FUSE BLEW OUT. . THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE FUSE BLEW OUT. THE REAR DEFROSTER DIDN'T WORK NOR DID THE REAR AIR VENTS. THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY CONDITION FOR THE OWNER TO BE TRAVELING WITH CHILD WHO HAS MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES. THE OWNER HAS NOT TAKEN THE VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT AFFORD THE COST OF LABOR AND SERVICE CHARGES. THE OWNER HAS HAD A SMALL PROBLEM CONTACTING THE FORD MANUFACTURER, BUT THAT WAS NOW RESOLVED. SHE WAS PLANNING ON CONTACTING THEM TODAY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING. *AK
DT: CONSUMER OWNS 2000, FORD, WINDSTAR VAN WITH POWER REAR SLIDING DOORS. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BECOMES UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING, AND AT ONE OCCURRENCE ACTUALLY OPENED. WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED HAD GRANDCHILDREN IN VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER SAID COULD NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. STATED FORD VEHICLES HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM. HAS BEEN TO DEALER 4-5 TIMES. LAST WEEK THIS WAS FIXED, BUT ON A TRIP THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. WENT BACK TO DEALER AGAIN AND STUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM. *AK
DT: HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE. DRIVING THE ROAD, USING CRUISE CONTROL, DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND FEW MINUTES LATER ENGINE DIED. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS INCIDENT. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED. CONSUMER DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS CHECKED PROPERLY. SCARED TO DRIVE VEHICLE, INTERIOR LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF, AND HEARD A CRACKLING SOUND ON THE SIDE OF THE VAN, ON THE FUEL TANK SIDE. SO THE CONSUMER DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY BECAUSE OF HE WAS AFRAID IT WOULD CATCH ON FIRE. WENT TODAY AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERY ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON WITHOUT THE VAN BEING STARTED. *AK
THE POWER DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVER'S OF MY 2000 WINDSTAR WILL NOT OPERATE. IT GETS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SUGGESTS REPLACING THE ACCUATOR AT A COST OF $250. THIS HAS BEEN NON-FUNCTIONAL SINCE LATE 2003.*AK
2000 WINDSTAR SEL - SPORADIC AND CONTINUING FAILURE OF PSDS ON BOTH SIDES TO CLOSE WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED, STAY OPEN WHEN VEHICLE PLACED INTO GEAR, AND OPEN WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. PAID $2,000+ TO SUNLAND FORD TO REPAIR, STILL OCCURING, GOING IN AGAIN. FORD SERVICE PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN RUDE, THROWN PAPERS AT MY DAUGHTER WHEN SHE PICKED THE VEHICLE UP (I'M 70). SON IN LAW SEARCHED YOUR DATABASE FOR INFO, DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY PSDS OPENING WHILE IN MOTION ISN'T A SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK
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
Data on this page last refreshed .