1999 FORD WINDSTAR Complaints and Recall Information
The 1999 FORD WINDSTAR has 2 complaints and 6 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with the rear axle, particularly fractures that affect wheel alignment and vehicle safety. One complaint describes abnormal grinding and popping sounds at low speeds, leading to a fractured axle and tire being pushed inward.
Common Issues
- Axle fracture. Rear passenger side axle fractured, causing the tire to be pushed inward and abnormal noises while driving at low speeds.
The vehicle is subject to 6 recalls primarily addressing rear axle corrosion and structural integrity issues. These recalls involve suspension components, control arms, and frame attachments that may compromise vehicle handling and steering control.
Recalls
- Rear axle corrosion and fracture (10V385000). Affects 492,650 vehicles. Corrosion weakens the rear axle, causing cracks that can lead to a complete fracture, impacting handling and increasing crash risk. Dealers will inspect and install reinforcement brackets free of charge. Recall started October 20, 2010.
- Front lower control arm and subframe mounts (11V030000). Affects 425,288 vehicles. Separation of control arm brackets or subframe mounts may cause steering intermediate shaft separation, reducing steering control and crash risk. Dealers will inspect and repair or repurchase if repairs fail. Recall expected from February 21, 2011.
- Rear axle cracking in Puerto Rico (12V195000). Affects 9,192 vehicles. High torsional stress causes rear axle cracks, risking loss of vehicle control. Dealers will inspect and install reinforcement brackets or replace axles free of charge. Recall began June 1, 2012.
- Rear axle corrosion in Virginia (12V193000). Affects 27,000 vehicles. Corrosion causes cracks and fractures in the rear axle, affecting handling and crash risk. Dealers will inspect and install reinforcement brackets or replace axles at no cost. Recall began June 19, 2012.
- Front lower control arm corrosion in Virginia (12V194000). Affects 23,000 vehicles. Corrosion triggers fractures in control arm brackets and body mounts, potentially causing steering loss and crash risk. Dealers will inspect and repair free of charge. Recall began June 18, 2012.
- Misinstalled rear axle brackets (15V608000). Affects 283,413 vehicles. Previous rear axle bracket repairs may have been installed incorrectly, limiting effectiveness and risking axle fracture and crash. Dealers will inspect bracket installation and replace axles if needed free of charge. Recall began October 21, 2015.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs, safety defects, or unresolved recall issues on the 1999 FORD WINDSTAR may have rights under state lemon laws. Consulting with a legal professional can help determine available options based on individual circumstances.
1999 FORD WINDSTAR Summary
1999
Model Year
2
Total Complaints
6
Total Recalls
1260543
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
1999 FORD WINDSTAR
283413 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10V-385, 12V-193, and 12V-195.
Risk: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
1999 FORD WINDSTAR
9192 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, REGISTERED IN PUERTO RICO. DUE TO INCREASED STRESSES CAUSED BY HIGH CYCLES OF TORSIONAL LOADING, SPECIFIC TO THIS MARKET, THE REAR AXLE CAN CRACK.
Risk: A FRACTURED AXLE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
1999 FORD WINDSTAR
23000 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. CORROSION-RELATED FRACTURES OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS MAY OCCUR.
Risk: A SEPARATION OF A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKET MAY RESULT IN A LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION. A SEPARATION OF BOTH FRONT SUBFRAME REAR BODY MOUNTS MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
1999 FORD WINDSTAR
27000 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA. OVER TIME, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD TO CRACKS WHICH, IF UNDETECTED, CAN INCREASE AND RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE.
Risk: A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
1999 FORD WINDSTAR
425288 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. A SEPARATION OF A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKET MAY RESULT IN A LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION. A SEPARATION OF BOTH FRONT SUBFRAME REAR BODY MOUNTS MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
1999 FORD WINDSTAR
492650 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2003 AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. AFTER MANY YEARS OF VEHICLE SERVICE IN THESE AREAS, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE, MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD TO CRACKS WHICH IF UNDETECTED CAN PROPAGATE AND RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE.
Risk: A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Complaints
1999 FORD WINDSTAR
ID: 2079056POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH out of the driveway, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and popping sound. The contact shifted to park(P). The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire was pushed inward, and the axle was fractured. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that an unknown recall was closed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
1999 FORD WINDSTAR
ID: 2079055SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH out of the driveway, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and popping sound. The contact shifted to park(P). The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire was pushed inward, and the axle was fractured. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that an unknown recall was closed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.