31st May 2007, 22:57

Oh MY Gosh!!! I am so glad to finally find out I'm not losing my mind...Goodbye, ford, hello Toyota...

3rd Jun 2007, 17:28

Does anyone else have any experience with a cracked frame member (where the front strut attaches)? Not sure if this is repairable or needs to be replaced. Just glad we saw it before the P.O.S. killed my family.

11th Jun 2007, 18:09

Unbelievable reading all these comments.

I bought my 1999 Windstar in October of '05...Feb '06 I replaced the FIRST transmission at about 85000 miles. Almost exactly 2 years later (Feb. '07) replaced the second transmission at about 120,000 miles. I've done all the maintenance that the dealer recommended.

Also the check engine light of my Windstar has been on for 2 years straight. No shop seems no be able to figure what's wrong with it. I've had countless electronic issues with this piece of junk. This is the first and the last time I will ever by a Ford vehicle.

7th Jul 2007, 21:34

I got my 1999 Ford Windstar brand spanking new. My tranny went, and my rack and pinion went. I was lucky after reading all these problems.

I had to turn off my dome light manually.

My o/d light comes on after reaching speeds over 120km.

I think my transmission fluid is low, as I think it is leaking transmission fluid from the passenger drive shaft side.

Overall, I think Ford could have build a better van, or should step up to fix the problems. I WILL BUY A HONDA OR TOYOTA vehicle soon.

For those who have a Windstar and cannot afford to get another vehicle. Try to sell it and buy a used Japanese vehicle you could afford. I got over 250 000 km on my van.

28th Jul 2007, 21:58

I should have bought the Odessey.

I'll just say DITTO to all the problems listed above.

I got rid of a Mercedes e320 for repeated tranny problems - for a windstar... with the same issues.

Should have gotten the Honda.

15th Aug 2007, 12:34

I have seen enough here on this page to keep me awake at night.

I too have a used 99 Windstar. It has 140K miles and is starting to act up. It is jumping. Almost like it is running out of gas. I had a diagnostic ran on it and the report came back showing a problem with the ignition coil. We replaced that yesterday and it is still jumping. Any of you guys have the same problem. I really hope this is not a sign of transmission trouble!

I am not a Ford hater. I bought an Escort new in 2000 and, 'knock on wood', no engine or transmission problems. 233K miles later I still love to drive that car, just not as comfortable not that I have a family.

17th Aug 2007, 10:09

August 17, 2007.

I should have read all these comments a couple of weeks ago. I had been considering getting a new vehicle since my 99 Windstar had 115,000 miles on it, but it was paid for, and all the little problems like check engine light (which local shop tried to fix 5 times with no success), doors ajar light staying on, ABS light on and off at its leisure, oil leak, chiming when doors were shut and key was in ignition, dome light staying on all the time, and the O/D going on and off seemed minor.

I was just going to keep it for a little longer.

BIG MISTAKE now the transmission has gone out. Estimates are $1,700 minimum to $3,000 PLUS, depending on what needs to be replaced once they break into the transmission. The blue book is $3,000 to $3,800. Just great. Held its value well!

My advice to anyone that currently owns a 99 Windstar is to RUN FOREST RUN, as soon as possible. All the people who have written the horror stories before me should not be ignored.

Do not believe that it won't happen to you. IT WILL!

Anyone know how much a junk yard will charge me to dispose of this PIECE OF FORD?

10th Sep 2007, 19:12

Oh boy... I wish we had of looked at this site before: (

Last week while driving through town, someone ran a stop sign and totalled our Pontiac van which we used for our second vehicle. My husband is a fisherman and used it to get to the wharf in the wee hours of the morning. We didn't know what to do, but knew that we needed to decide quickly as the rental car was due to go back. Finally yesterday, after getting all of the insurance taken care of, we came across a local reputable dealer who just took in a 2000 Windstar on trade. He said it was inspected until Sept. 2008 and that he would sell it to us for $3200.00 taxes in. He said it was an elderly man that drove it and he was the only owner. Of course he gave us the spiel that it was well taken care of blah blah blah. My husband drove the van to the wharf today to work on gear, and the transmission started slipping. If he pulled over and shut the van off and restart it, it would work again. It would travel less than a kilometer and the same thing would happen. What is normally a 15-20 minute drive, took an hour and a half. We have driven it less than 24 hours and the dealer says that since it was under $5000.00, there is no warranty. Now what??!! We can't afford to fix it and we just bought it and gave them $3200.00 cash. We are so stuck now. Thanks Ford. This is so upsetting!

12th Sep 2007, 09:02

To the last commenter: it would be nice if every used car dealer were completely honest. The fact is that sales people know what used car buyers like to hear.

The used car buyer can follow a few basic rules: 1. Never buy the first vehicle you come across, test drive 3 or 4 of the same model for comparison. (The slipping transmission could have shown up).

2. Ask for a inspection by an independent garage. If he says that 'you don't really need it' walk away.

To 'thank' the manufacturer for a used vehicle with problems is looking for someone else to blame.

You could find a reputable salvage yard to put a used tranny into your van. That saves $$.

10th Oct 2007, 00:02

I too have encountered all of the above problems with the multiple check engine light problems, blinking inside lights, steering and transmission issues, etc.. We purchased the car new in 1999 and the tran went at 43K. Luckily, the dealer gave us the extended warranty for $500 when the tran went in 2001. Now, at 140K, the OD light is blinking when going up a steep up road. Not sure if I will have it fixed or just let this thing die. My 1993 Ford Explorer is still chugging along without issue at 190K miles and my kids are now driving it. I grew up in Michigan a few miles from Ford's headquarters in Dearborn and have had relatives work in the Ford plants. I will not buy another Ford because of Ford's lack of responsibility with handling these design flaws and poor quality of parts issues. We purchase a Honda Pilot last year and to date, there have not been any problems - not a one.