216 of the 2,040 complaints about the 1999 Ford Windstar are about the electrical system — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,540 miles.
216
Complaints
3
Crashes
29
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
If my vehicle is not used for a few days (3 to 4 days), when I start the vehicle, all the needles of the instrument cluster oscillate violently between extremes. However, this does not affect drivability and I can slowly move the car out of my driveway and get on the street. About 30 to 45 seconds after this, the needles stop moving and resume normal function.
NHTSA complaint #11454902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS WAS MY MOTHERS . NOW MINE THE SPEED ODOMETER JUST GOES EVERY WHERE SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL. AND IT DOES IT DOES SHOW THE RIGHT SPEED ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES THE SAME . AND WHEN THAT STARTED THE WINDOWS STOP WORKING TOO. ANY MORE NOR THE RADIO. THEY SAID ITS A MAIN CONTROL MOLECULE. I JUST DON'T KNOW I GOT A TICKET CAUSE IT SAID I WAS GOING 89 IN 65 WOW.. HELP
NHTSA complaint #11349136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THEN TURNED DARK. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. KLABEN FORD LINCOLN OF WARREN, INC (I3853 YOUNGSTOWN RD SE, WARREN, OH 44484, (888) 428-3823) STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING AND AFFECTED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA complaint #11171624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DANCING SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE, AND OTHER GAUGES IN THE CLUSTER WHILE IN MOTION. CAN ALSO MALFUNCTION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #10979022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT A 99 WINSTARR A FEW MONTHS AGO AND JUST RECENTLY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED DANCING, AND THERE IS NO POWER T THE RADIO OR THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER UNDERNEATH IT. I ALSO SPRUNG A TRANS LEAK AND FIXED IT BUT THE CAR SPUTTERS THEN SHUTS OFF AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT
NHTSA complaint #10957966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TOO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT.I HAD ABOUT THREE RECALL ON MY FORD WINDSTAR AND NOW MY WHOLE VAN SHUT DOWN ON ME.MY COMPUTER I GUESS GOT IT ON AUTO THEFT LOCK AND I CAN'T EVEN TURN OVER NOW.IT'S JUST SITTING IN MY PARKING LOT JUST HELPLESS.I HAVE ANOTHER RECALL BUT I CANT TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I CANT TURN OVER.OH YEA.IT KEPT CUTTING OFF WHILE IM DRIVING,DON'T LET ME STOP AT A LIGHT IT WILL CUT OFF ON ME THERE ALOT.IT DOES THAT ALOT.I BOUGHT IT FROM A CAR LOT BUT HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.SO I LOST OUT OF MY MONEY.WHEN I TURN IT ALSO CUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10826056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS LIGHT CAME ON CONTINUALLY FOR THE LAST 6000 MILES. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO FORD IN PLAINVILLE, CT AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE COST WAS TO INCLUDE A NEW COMPUTER FOR AN UNREASONABLE DOLLAR AMOUNT. STILL NOT CORRECTED AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. HAVE CHECKED OTHER OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO HAVE A CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT IS NOT WORKING. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW HARNESS FOR A COST OF OVER #300. STILL NOT ACTIVATED.
NHTSA complaint #10704683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT CRAZY I HAD NO TURNING SIGNAL NO LIGHTS THE SPEED ODOMETER LEVERS WENT BACK IN FORTH. VERY SCARY WHEN YOUR A MOTHER OF THREE AND CARRYING CHILDREN IN THE VAN.
NHTSA complaint #10683366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I NEVER KNEW ABOUT FORD'S RECALLS UNTIL LAST MARCH. BEFORE CALLING FORD I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ME. MINE STARTED IN 2012 WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE THE FRONT WINDOWS WOULD NO LONGER OPEN. NEXT WHEN YOU TRIED TO PUT THE HEAT ON IN THE REAR THERE WAS STRANGE NOISE AND NOW I'M TO AFRAID TO USE IT. THE PAST 3 YRS THE GAUGES GO HAYWIRE. SOMETIMES IF YOU HIT THE DASH IT'LL STOP BUT LOCKS UP AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR SPEED IS. IF I LEAVE IT ALONE SOMETIMES IT WILL STOP ON IT'S OWN BUT LOCKS UP TO WHEREVER IT STOPS AT. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON. FOR OVER 2 YRS NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. I HAD IT CHECKED & WAS TOLD IT WAS THE O2 SENSORS FOR WHICH I REPLACED, 3 DAYS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN THEY SAID IT WAS THE O2 SENSORS. IN THE PAST 2 1/2 YRS I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY BECAUSE WHILE DRIVING THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON. IF I ACCELERATE IT GOES OFF BUT NOBODY KNOWS WHY THE BATTERY KEEPS DYING. SOME SAY ITS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL COME ON FOR NO REASON SO I HAD THEM REMOVED AS I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE DRAINING THE BATTERY. LAST SUMMER OUT OF THE BLUE THE A/C STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND JUST QUIT JUST LIKE A MONTH AGO I HEARD THIS CLICKING NOISE ONLY TO FIND OUT I HAD NO HEAT. I SPOKE TO FORD ABOUT THE GAUGES, THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE A/C AND SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS IT WASN'T ON THEIR RECALL LIST AND WOULD ONLY FIX THE REAR AXLE, CRUISE CONTROL AND THE FRONT IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG. WHEN I MENTIONED ALL THE INFO I FOUND ON NHTSA'S SITE ABOUT THIS VEHICLE I WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHAT IS FIXED. I AM DISABLED AND AM LIVING IN A PLACE FOR THE HOMELESS & WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS HOW DOES FORD EXPECT ME TO FIX THEIR DEFECTS? EVERY TIME I HAVE TO DRIVE WHICH ISN'T OFTEN I PRAY I MAKE IT TO & FROM SAFELY.
NHTSA complaint #10672465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AS ONE DRIVES. IT STAYS ON WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE BUT DOES NOT WHEN IT STAYS COLD OUTSIDE. WHEN LIGHT IS ON THERE IS NO ABS BRAKES. ONE WOULD THINK THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM OR A GROUND ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10654829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
TL* THE CONTACT 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #10643713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. REPLACED ALL SPEED SENSORS AND FRONT AXLE TONE RINGS EVEN REBUILD THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS COSTING ME ALLOT OF MONEY AND THE ABS LIGHT STILL COME ON EVEN AFTER I HAVE COMPLETED ALL THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE WINDSTARS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FOR THESE VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10639471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN . MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES CRAZY ALL GAUGES JUST GO UP AND DOWN UNCONTROLLABLY. I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE OR HOW FAST I AM GOING AND MY ABS BRAKE LITE STAYS ON ALWAYS. AND MY FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM IS BENDING.
NHTSA complaint #10637419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS LIGHT TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT ON CAUSE ABS HCU AND ECU BAD.
NHTSA complaint #10620658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VAN PURCHASED USED. OKAY AT FIRST, THEN WITHOUT WARNING THE GAUGES (SPEED, FUEL, TACHOMETER, TEMPERATURE) WOULD START JUMPING WILDLY OR TOP OUT AND STICK AT MAX. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. COULD SOMETIMES CLEAR BY DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING BATTERY CABLES. HAVE REPLACED BATTERY TWICE. REPLACED THE GAUGE CONSOLE. THE O/D LIGHT (FOR THE TRANSMISSION) STARTED COMING ON BUT DOES GO OFF WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE O/D BUTTON - MECHANIC SAID THAT WOULD INDICATE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NOW WITH KEY IN THE IGNITION, WON'T START BUT ALL THE GAUGES JUMP WILDLY. YOU REALLY CAN'T RELY ON THE GAUGES TO BE CORRECT - I'M GOING 120 MPH AND I'M SITTING STILL! FORD DID REPLACE THE REAR AXLE THAT WAS RECALLED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT. IS THERE ANY RECALL THAT I MISSED ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR A REAL FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM?
NHTSA complaint #10616079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS LEAKING AND ADMITTING SMOKE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,080. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. DJR
NHTSA complaint #10609973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VAN IS JUMPING AT STOP LIGHT WITH BRAKE ON, STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND AROUND 55 (UNKNOWN) POWER WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING ON RIGHT SIDE. ONLY 92000 MILES ON VAN EVERYTHING GOING WRONG AT ONCE. VAN FEELS UNSAFE. DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE. IS THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS STUFF? KNOCKING NOISE IN REAR.
NHTSA complaint #10609129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY BATTERY HAS BEEN DYING DUE TO BAD SENSORS, WHEN I DID GET IT STARTED IT BECAME STUCK HIGH REVVING ,THE CAR ACCELERATED AND SMASHED INTO THE CURB IN FRONT OF ME, AND THE BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK SO EVEN WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO PUT IN REVERSE THE CAR WENT FLYING INTO THE CURB BEHIND ME, I FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP BY PULLING UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #10564722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10560449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS DASH LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND THERE IS NO ABS FUNCTION ON ICE. BRAKES FUNCTION OKAY OTHERWISE. THE LOSS OF THE ABS FEATURE IS TROUBLING AS I HAVE TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE AS WELL AS RURAL ROADS WHICH DON'T GET CLEARED QUICKLY IN THE WINTER. LOCAL FORD SERVICE WRITER INDICATED APPROXIMATELY $99.00 TO HOOK UP TO TESTER WITH NO GUARANTEE OF REPAIR, JUST CANCELLATION OF THE CODE!!! I HAVE RUN INTO NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH FAULTY FORD CONNECTORS, (CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, FUEL GAUGE GIVING INCORRECT READING, RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITH GAUGE SHOWING 1/4 TANK, REQUIRING A TOW!).
NHTSA complaint #10553295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
GAUGES RANDOMLY START SWINGING ALL OVER THE PLACE. TACHOMETER JAMMED INTO PARKING INDICATOR AND BOTH THE TACHOMETER AND PARKING NEEDLES ARE NOW BROKEN OFF. IT IS HARD TO TELL WHAT GEAR THE VAN IS IN WITHOUT COUNTING THE CLICKS. I AM GOING TO HAVE THE GAUGE CLUSTER REBUILT. I WILL DO THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION MYSELF TO SAVE MONEY. I WILL ALSO HAVE TO INSTALL A NEW SHIFT INDICATOR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS CAR, AND THOUGH IT IS QUITE OLD NOW, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD.
NHTSA complaint #10550818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WAS SMOKING. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THAT HE DOOR WAS SMOKING DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
NHTSA complaint #10544349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGIN ERRATIC BEHAVIOR. THEY CLICK BACK AND FORTH INDEPENDENTLY. SOMETIMES THEY ALL JUST STOP WORKING, AND SOMETIMES THEY ALL JUMP BACK AND FORTH, BUT IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10537046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS AND TRAC FAILURE LIGHTS COME ON, WINDOWS WON'T GO UP AND DOWN, CRUISE CONTROL CUTS IN AND OUT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES WHEN CRUISE IS ON. FORD REFUSES TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION AND STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT.
NHTSA complaint #10533211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS LIGHT IS ON, CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY, THREE OF THE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY. POWER LOCKS STOPPED WORKING ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10532133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS LIGHTS BEEN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY FOR A VERY LONG TIME SINCE I'VE OWNED THIS VAN FORD NEED TO FIX THESE.
NHTSA complaint #10487861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STARTING ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE SPEEDOMETER, RPM METER SWINGS AROUND. ODOMETER LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON WHEN YOU START THE CAR AND LITTLE WHILE LATER ODOMETER LIGHT COMES ON. FUEL GUAGE ALSO SHOWS INCORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. I THINK THE WHOLE ODOMETER CONTROL PANEL IS NON-FUNCTIONAL.
NHTSA complaint #10482352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER PURCHASING VAN, NOT EVEN ONE MONTH LATER ALL LIGHTS STARTED TO TURN ON ENGINE, ABS NOW N AND ITS A REAR LIGHT ON GAUGE PANEL ALSO WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRYING TO GET DECENT PRICE FOR THE FREEZE PLUG WHICH ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THERE IS A LEAK OF COOLANT FROM THE BOTTOM OF VAN. OTHER WISE ITS OK TO DRIVE. ONE I THING I DIDN'T MENTION IS THE SEAT ITS STRUCK IT WONT MOVE BACK OR FORWARD WITH THE ELECTRICAL BUTTON.
NHTSA complaint #10479633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN MARCH, 2007, THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR DIED AT 106,653 MILES. I PAID $2,985.91 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN LEBANON, OREGON. IN MAY OF 2012, AT 174,000 MILES, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. THE FIRST REPAIR SHOP I TOOK IT TO TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEAD AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE IT. THE SECOND REPAIR SHOP I TOOK IT TO TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP WAS BAD AND THAT IT HAD PROBABLY DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD REPLACE THE COMPUTER CHIP AND SEE HOW LONG THE TRANSMISSION WOULD LAST BEFORE IT TOTALLY DIED.
NHTSA complaint #10472130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED WHITE SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE ABS PUMP MODULE, WHICH WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS TO BECOME BURNED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,037.
NHTSA complaint #10453932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.