1999 Ford Windstar from North America - Comments

We bought a 2000 Ford Windstar used in 2001. We thought we got a great deal, but right away we started having problems with it. No one could explain what was wrong, and blamed it on "quirks". Now that I have read all these other entries, it all makes sense.

We have had problems with the doors not unlocking, the dash lights coming on for different reasons, and most distressing, the transmission slipping. Well, this weekend the transmission blew in the middle of the desert on the drive to Las Vegas. It had 85,000 miles on it. Even with AAA, we had to pay $700 to tow it. Now we are also facing thousands to repair it. With all these known problems with the Windstar, I think Ford should have to recall the transmissions! I know that will never happen. I will never buy a Ford again!

One thing I don't understand is before I bought in 2001, I researched this van and it got great reviews!?

I'm also the original owner of a 99 Windstar. The right hand Power Sliding Door (PSR) has been a problem for several years. First, the end of the cable slipped off of the "post" on the door. I was able to put it back, but Ford does not sell the little cotter type pin to hold it place. So, it slipped off every few months. Finally, with the cable slipped off, the motor broke while chewing up the cable. I was left with no option, but to replace the motor. The motor and cable assembly cost approx $600, plus $1,000 for installation (because the dealer must take off several door panels. Actually, I did tell the dealer "no". For $1,600, my kids will just open the door manually, like "in the olden days." (The dealer, after they explained to me several weeks ago that I needed a new motor plus install, tried to charge me $160 for the estimate today. Just to tell me something they already had. Just asking for the supervisor was enough to erase that charge.) So... until I get rid of this Windstar, we'll have one power door, one manual door.

I have a 2001 Ford Wind-star that has an O/D light flashing and engine light on. I'm dead broke and if what everyone is saying on this board is true, I need a new transmission. I am finished. Time to pray and ask God to make a way.

I may as well add my two cents worth to the conversation. I have been relatively lucky as the original owner of a 1999 Windstar (118,200 miles), but all the complaints look sooooo familiar. I love the room of the van, but all of the “little things” have added up over the years. I had to replace my entire heater/blower assembly because of the cheap plastic parts ($800 but I got a great deal) Ford uses on the assembly. I then had to replace the tie rods last year and ending up spending $1500 for front brakes, the rods, brake fluid change, and some other small stuff. Earlier this year the interior lights started flashing as though the van were possessed. I called around and it seems to be my G.E.M. (a module that controls all of the electronics). My mechanic said I would have to go to a Ford dealer to have repair work done because Ford does not sell the module after market. The module would cost $500 and that does not include labor. I simply cut the interior lights off and have lived with it so far. However, of course, this morning the van was sluggish and seems to be hesitating as I drive. It is barely perceptible so I was not even sure if I was not imagining the whole thing. Nevertheless, after driving home tonight, I am sure it is still there. It can range from a fuel pump and filter replacement to the dreaded transmission collapse. Luckily, the van has been paid off for two years, but I really do not have the money for a new car payment or a major transmission repair. I guess I will pray to the Windstar Gods and hope she holds up for another year or two. This will probably be my last Ford product.

OK...I have a 99 Windstar... it has approximately 84k miles on it now... the rack and pinion was replaced last year at approximately 70k miles I can tell it is going out again!!!...just had my tranny rebuilt last week by AAMCO... (2800 bucks!)

What a great vehicle!!! :) I will NEVER recommend a Ford product to anyone...

Buyer Beware!

With all of these tranny problems I have one question, have any of you ever had your tranny serviced, or flushed?

This van is a piece of crap! No questions asked!

My parents bought ours just about a year ago, and since the first week on it's been nothing but a damn headache! Numerous repairs and a waste of hard-earned money! It's not like they paid 2000 dollars for it; they paid 8000 for it, so it should've been reliable, and on top of that, it was supposed to replace our former van, which also was another Windstar a '95, which was a heck of a lot better than this '99 LX model.

I wish there's something we can all do to Ford motor co. to compensate us "LOYAL" Windstar owners for this pain in the ass vehicle! Anyone agree?

But I also forget to mention this van is still not right - the radio doesn't work and it's broken down once again, It's in the shop more than it's on the road.

Come on Ford, what kind of cars are you guys building, no wonder why so many people are not buying american anymore!!! The foreign makers offer better quality/warranties and more options standard and brand new!

And far as this hunk of junk goes, we plan on getting rid of the heap and going into either a Nissan or Kia.

Owner of a used 2001 Ford Windstar. My first problem was with the O2 sensors. Second problem is currently with the van completely cutting off when I'm driving if I hit even the slightest nick in the road. I've experienced everything from flashing interior lights to the van cutting completely off in the middle of the road while I'm driving with my three little ones, very scary.

I have a warranty via the Dealer, so I've been paying co-pays for the repairs, but that runs out soon. So I'm wary about keeping it after the warranty is over.

Case # 12345

Year-1999

Model-Wind star Lx, Sel, Se... who cares the thing is barely worth the scrap

Mileage-Check this out-56899 original miles-second owner.

We have had a few of the typical problems; check engine light, cutting out at the absolute worst possible time, and finally the trans.

I am just so bummed that all of you are telling the truth about this total junk I bought (I thought some of you just had nothing better to do). As much as I think the local manufactures are to blame for the quality of their product, I blame myself for buying a "bargain" car. I hope I never have to lower my standards when buying a car again.

Hello Toyota!

I owned a 99 Windstar since new. Had all the scheduled maintenance performed (including transmission fluid flush/replace. Transmission failed at just over 50k miles. Failure sounds familiar... loud bang and then only able to drive in reverse. I am saving the receipts for an anticipated class action lawsuit. Bought a Honda Odyssey and emailed Ford (that day) to tell them I am a proud owner of a new minivan. Emailed me back right away, but all lip service.

I am an owner of a 1999 ford wind star and like many of you, I have had my share of problems. my children are beginning to think the van is possessed! the interior lights work only

when they want to which is usually when you don't need them. on occasion, the alarms sound all by themselves! the transmission slips while driving at 45-50 mph. it feels like you are riding over a line of speed humps. and now, the rack and pinion is out! I wonder what other lovely repairs I can look forward to before the van is paid off? oh yeah, it only has 120,000 miles on it which for a chevy would just be getting broke in good. I have to say this will be my last ford purchase.

I have a 2000 Wind-star SEL bought in 2003 with very low miles, because it was used I bought the extended warranty. I loved the van the first year I had it, but things began quickly falling apart. I have always taken excellent care of this van services on time etc., the same month the warranty ran out I had to replace the transmission, it broke down in the middle of the desert. Also an another trip I had to have the pump replaced the car over heated and blew a gasket and cracked the pump, a common windstar problem, ever since I have been fighting the check engine light, always the same codes 0171 and 0174. I have repeatedly fixed this problem and the wouldn't you know each time that light comes back on. three months ago I replaced the entire manifold and air intake valve, sensor etc. thinking I finally nipped it. no it's back and worse because of these codes it won't pass smog emissions are fine, but those codes kill it. other common problems are the doors sticking and this wonderfull. clicking sound in the heater, oh yeah it also squeals when stopping and the brakes are not bad I keep having them checked. this car has been a nightmare and ford won't admit their faulty product, last time I took it in to be fixed they lied about what was wrong and tried to sell me a new car mine doesn't even have a 100,000 miles yet they told me it was old and it needed thousands of dollars worth of work. their mistake was giving me an estimate of their diagnostic results, I took it to 2 other shops it was completely false, nice try ford. lucky me I still owe a year worth of payments on this van.

Have you looked at a ford lately?

Here is my comments... had our 99 se for 5 weeks had to replace sun gears in transmission was told this is common, but not to worry they use better quqlity one on the repair... good news at 2200 dollar repair (should use good ones when they build it),also other small problems... I have been a ford guy for 20 yrs. just bought a nother brand and I think toyota trucks are what i, ll start driving next... thanks and good bye ford...

We have owned our 99 Windstar for 2 years now and the trany went out. My wife had to call me from a busy street because she couldn't go forward. I had to reverse the van all the way to the dealership. Decided not to use them because of the $2600 price tag. Went with another reputable trany shop and will get it back later this week. Van has only 80k miles. I've known foreign cars to go 150k+ without any issues... Ford needs to earn our business back by taking a hit on some of these repair costs due to shotty machinist work!

Our family owns a 99 Ford Windstar. We've had so many problems. In the last year we have had to get a new transmission and alternator. The gas tank meter never falls below 1/4 tank, so we don't ever know if we really need gas... we just always top off the tank. The engine light has been on since we've had it. A shop told us that these vans were known for engine lights being on. We have worried that we would not know if the engine actually had a problem. Now, I went to have it inspected. New emission laws require that the engine light be off or the car fails. I told them it passed last time with the engine light on, but the folks at the Station said the laws are different now. They want me to leave the car with them for $87.00 so they can diagnose what's wrong. I know they won't be able to find what's wrong. Other bright people have tried and failed. They say they'll fix it. HA HA. No one can tell me why the radio turns on by itself either. I wish we could afford another car! It's finally paid off. I hope Ford reads these comments. I feel very taken.