1999 Ford Windstar from North America - Comments

I own a 99 Windstar with some of the same problems noted.

Transmission just went out after 125,000 miles, so I guess I should feel fortunate compared to some of you. No warning at all, stopped at light, went to take off and nothing, not even reverse. I was wondering if maybe the "brain" or engine computer might have something to do with this, other than just the trans. It seems that these "brains" these days tell the engine and trans. what they need to do and when to do it.

Also I might add that for you people that have had the interior light and door ajar problems, I also had that problem for a long time. It is the wife's car basically and she seem to be able to live with it. But when we went on a family vacation in it, I said no way am I going to deal with this annoyance for 6,000 miles. With reluctance I took it to the Ford dealership (cost $105.00) and had them hook it up to their diagnostic equipment, so I could basically, in my mind, eliminate that part of the problem. They couldn't figure it out without doing some more research and costing me more money and time. I politely told them no.

While driving home I got to thinking about the actuator switches in the sliding doors. You know... the switches that turn your interior lights on when the sliding door is opened. When I got home I checked them out, and lo and behold, the switch on the passenger side door had recessed to the point that it was barely making contact when the door was closed. I super-glued a small button on the end of the switch (didn't want to take apart interior to get at switch) and presto... problem solved. Later I did repair it properly, but I hope this helps many of you out there with this problem. Good luck.

We got a 99 Windstar in, well, 1999. At the time, it was either that or the Odyssey for us, and the Odyssey was hard to get and they were charging premium prices. So instead we got the Windstar and extended warranty as insurance, knowing that past Windstars had tranny problems (but this was a new redesigned 99 Windstar with the bugs worked out... yeah, right!).

The 3rd tranny is now died. 1st one went out around 50k, 2nd one went out at 74k (thank God, right before warranty was about to expire) and now 3rd one at 105k. Since the warranty is expired, I'm not gonna pay $2-3k to get it fixed knowing it will last only 30k or so miles (not to mention the engine might die at any time with 100k + miles).

Other than the tranny, the van has been OK. Part of me feels that owning an American van for 10 years and 100k miles is an accomplishment (sadly enough)... but the other part that says a tranny that dies after 30 - 40k miles LIKE CLOCKWORK is inexcusable, and that Ford won't rectify or own up to the problem is revealing. No surprise at all that American car manufacturers are circling the drain... they should not be surprised at all.

I have a 1999 Windstar bought new. It has only 64000 miles. Same story as many--stopped at traffic light and when I started to leave, it felt like the transmission dropped out! Was able to barely move through the intersection but no forward gears. Reverse still works. Had AAA tow it to a nearby transmission shop tonight. I had a friend with a similar problem on a Nissan who says that the problem was a speed sensor--not the transmission per se since it still would operate in reverse. Any comments on this?

Wow! What a great site - I feel like I have bonded on the Internet with strangers for the first time in my life! There sure are a lot of unhappy 99 Windstar owners out there - me included. We bought ours new (safe car - for the kids) - it now has a hundred thousand miles and is going in for the latest "new" problem.

Brakes started slipping as the brake pedal hits the ground... like they are failing to grab.. ABS confusion. Probably connected to the master cylinder leaking on the ABS sensors or something. The ABS light has been going off and on for years.

We have had every major and minor problem mentioned by others: transmission replaced, a MULTITUDE of intake manifold issues (gaskets, sensors), power steering overhauls, door open lightand doors locks always lite, random beeping, frozen windows, rear door rust etc. Fortunately much (under 60 thousand miles) was covered under warranty by Ford. I was on a first name basis with the service department who would hide under the counter when they saw me come in. Once the warranty ran out and I started going to an independent mechanic, the car started going longer between repairs.

So in addition to the Windstar being a total lemon; they did not know how to service their own make/model. Every person I know who owns a Windstar had the random beeping and in every case, Ford service could not fix the problem - you would think after EVERYONE having that problem that they would have that one figured out? Maybe a service bulletin?-

Why is there no class action suit? Because - no one has died from these problems. They are not considered SAFETY issues - only mechanical. The only consequences suffered here is that we have lousy cars and the American worker loses their jobs while the boys in their private jets fly off to their next CEO assignment.

I have a 91 Ford Ranger with 85 thousand miles that has been great so I won’t condemn Ford completely. However, I also own a 4 wheel drive Montaro (bought used at auction with 100,000 miles) that now has 250 thousand miles and I have spent nothing on the car except for brakes.

Thanks for letting me vent – I needed this! No more American cars in this house! Oh well.

Well here we go again... at 11:30 today my wife called me at work. Broke down again! This time the tranny is broke. Same as all other complaints... reverse, no drive etc. Kit seems to run $300.00 +/-. This van has worn me down. Will probably rebuild the transmission and get rid of it. We have had all of the same mechanical issues as everybody else here. Thanks for listening.

Well, I happened to find this forum after searching endlessly trying to find out the root of the problems with the “check engine light.” I see I am not alone.

In addition, I have a knock coming from under the hood by the passenger front tire. I shudder to think that it’s what’s already been pointed out here, rack and pinion, strut?

Like most, the power steering pump has already been replaced, and the grinding only goes away when the ATF fluid is filled past the full mark. Thankfully with 192,787 km on it I am doing better than most. Although the power lock on the passenger sliding door has become disengaged and now just grinds helplessly, not engaging the door lock pin.

As a Ford owner, tried and try, I do have luck with these vehicles, but, they do require constant attention. Nothing but the best, that NAPA can buy, so to speak. Full synthetic fluids, and the best of the best, when it comes to replacement anything. Nothing discount, as it seems, although Fords’ parts are better than generic, they are not up to par with what’s best or reliable for the life, of the vehicle. 400kms +. Otherwise you’re stuck with bi-yearly replacement parts.

Perhaps the cold Central Canadian climate is proving well for this make of vehicle. 10 years old and no sign of rust, and only a couple mechanical issues.

I would buy another, but as another person pointed out, only with additional revenue for upgrading Fords’ not so great genuine parts.

Regards,

Mike.

I had an '03 Ford Windstar that managed to make 105,000 miles before I needed another repair and traded it in for a nice Honda Civic. It needed about $5000 in unexpected repairs within the 3 years I owned it. NEVER AGAIN WILL I OWN A DOMESTIC. I bought an '08 Civic brand new, and so far, not a single issue, all I've done is change the oil and put gas in it (and at 45 MPG, I haven't really even put in that much gas either.) So done with the poor quality of domestics. It'll be imports from here on out.