2000 Ford Windstar Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2000 Ford Windstar.

19992001
Complaints
2,191
Crashes
87
Fires
66
Injuries
79
Fatalities
3
Recalls
6

Worst 2000 Ford Windstar Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1172 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:112,585 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:9
#2156 complaints

Suspension:Rear

Avg mileage:119,378 mi
Crash-related:4
#3148 complaints

Automatic Transmission

Avg mileage:71,108 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2000 Ford Windstar.

Electrical Faults
172
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
9
Avg Miles
112,585
Suspension:Rear
156
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
119,378
Automatic Transmission
148
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
71,108
Hydraulic Brakes
131
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
2
Avg Miles
101,927
Suspension Failures
129
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
134,722
Brakes
124
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
121,951
Unintended Acceleration
105
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
14
Avg Miles
121,463
Structure:Frame And Members
92
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
118,837
Transmission / Drivetrain
54
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
119,300
Service Brakes, Electric
51
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
125,518
Power Train:Axle Assembly
49
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
5
Avg Miles
112,107
Structure:Body:Door
44
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
68,389
Steering Defects
42
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
160,054
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
40
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
37,758
Body Structure
34
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
135,587
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
32
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
72,513
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
30
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
52,216
Engine & Cooling
29
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
74,090
Structural Problems
29
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
117,053
Suspension:Front
29
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
106,577
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
28
complaints
Crashes
Fires
7
Avg Miles
75,731
Tire Defects
26
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
75,821
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,035
Side/Rear Glass
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
58,412
Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle Assembly
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
113,269
Wheel Issues
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
137,427
Instrument Cluster
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
231,267
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
63,333
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
74,988

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2000 Ford Windstar. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2000 Ford Windstar

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,260,543 vehicles.

15V608000Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly
~283,413 affected

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.

12V193000Power Train:axle Assembly
~27,000 affected

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.

12V195000Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly
~9,192 affected

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.

12V194000Suspension:front:control Arm
~23,000 affected

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.

11V030000Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields
~425,288 affected

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.

10V385000Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly
~492,650 affected

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.

Other Ford Windstar Years

2000 Ford Windstar — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2000 Ford Windstar reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2000 Ford Windstar has 2,191 NHTSA complaints, 87 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 172 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2000 Ford Windstar?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (172 complaints, avg 112,585 mi); Suspension:Rear (156 complaints, avg 119,378 mi); Automatic Transmission (148 complaints, avg 71,108 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2000 Ford Windstar?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 107,142 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2000 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA complaints for the 2000 Ford Windstar include 87 crash-related reports, 66 fire reports, 79 injuries, and 3 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2000 Ford Windstar have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,260,543 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2000 Ford Windstar?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Windstar reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2000 Ford Windstar

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