10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
141,000 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2000 Ford Windstar steering problems

steering problem

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2000 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #42

Oct 152019

Windstar

  • 285,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The steering started to fail to return to normal position. I had the original recall bracket put on my vehicle as can be seen in the photo but this did not actually make the steering arm any better and probably made it worse by allowing the bracket to collect road salt. Ford as been evasive toward providing any help. I believe that Ford's evasiveness is result of the previous attempted fix which was unproductive and should have been engineered to have been actually effective in terms of the steering arm. I believe recalls EA10007 and PE10026 may provide some guidance. I am awaiting advice on what to do with my vehicle that is unsafe to drive and probably not cost worthy to fix.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #41

Jun 062017

Windstar

  • 167,000 miles
I watched last night as my wife and kids were coming home on the parkway, the rear axel snapped in. Two and both tires just dangeling basically, we had a blow out also managed to get the2000 Ford Windstar LX off of the main road where I had to call several to companies and no one with a wrecker was able to help, so I called a toe company with a roll back, to get our van home then I found out abt the complaint hotline and the recalls after my wife and kids could have been killed, the vehicle was going straight, and the speedlimet wich was 45 mph, when the axel just snapped in two pieces, and out of control she managed to slow down, my kids are 1 and 2, we want reinbursement for the van and the tow bill as this is a manufacturer defect

- Gladevalley, NC, USA

problem #40

Oct 032016

Windstar

  • 187,000 miles
Took my van to Ford because a radiator hose came off, $350 for part of a hose clamp. While there had the 3rd rear axle safety recall inspection, I don't think they did it, told me my van was a 16 year old junker not worth fixing. Replacement of non-structural steel rear axle was again offered for $300. I want the axle I paid for when I bought the van new, structural steel that meets safety and legal requirements, installed at no additional cost. How is it legal to allow these unsafe axles? your site info is incorrect on this, the "safety brackets" do not keep the defective axles from breaking, they are to keep the wheels, when the axle does crack, from cantering out and jamming in the wheel wells, causing absolute total loss of vehicle control. Not acceptable. Replace axle. A number of recalls listed here were not sent or performed. In addition, after the first axle recall 6-8 years ago, I tried to trade the Ford credit purchased vehicle in on a new 40K Ford SUV, they offered me half of bluebook value, indicating Ford's knowledge of the vehicles defects, and poor value. This recall, dealer told me my 16 year old van was junk and not worth fixing, charged $350 for part of a radiator hose clamp, got wrong part and stuck me with 4 extra days car rental at $250. After arguing with bredemann Ford for 3 hours in 3 offices, they handed me a stack of invoices and pointed me to my van with the keys in and engine running. Manager called the next day and accused me of theft, threatening police action. I paid him by phone an called my attorney. I will sue these creeps.

- Richmond, IL, USA

problem #39

Jul 132016

Windstar

  • 295,578 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall - air bag light is on. Problems with turning of steering wheel. Could not perform complete turns. Steering will stop halfway during turns. After review it appears that the airbag is coming through steering column. Van currently not drivable.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #38

Oct 202015

Windstar

  • miles
My wife was driving her van when she heard a clunk. She was traveling at 25mph on a state road. Upon inspection we found the front subframe broke where the front sway bar connects. Research found a recall, but my VIN was not part of it. Ford corporate told me I was on my own to have it fixed. This is an outrage. They should be taking care of this problem. What do I do next?

- Windsor, VT, USA

problem #37

May 132015

Windstar

  • 175,915 miles
Car swaying almost lost control took to belle tire found cracklin in axle.

- Roseville, MI, USA

problem #36

Sep 242014

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Whining, grunting and shutter from under hood when turning left. Within 4 days noise occurred when turning right also. By day 6 a leak occurred from the boot on left end of steering rack.

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #35

Aug 302014

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 134,345 miles
My 2000 Ford Windstar was repaired last year on a recall for the possible rear axle failure. Ford installed brackets on the rear axle as a remedy. On Saturday 8-30-14, the rear axle failed. The axle is actually broken and the break can be seen inside of the bracket they installed. I called Ford and they told me they don't warranty the recall remedy repair. What are my options to have this remedied in good faith?

- Rahway, NJ, USA

problem #34

Mar 312014

Windstar

  • 120,000 miles
There in no accident yet but can happens at any time !!! extensive corosion on front subframe a specially on front control arm left and right side. Vechicle when driving is imposed to vibration comming from from left side. Any bump and hole create hammering noise from from suspension. After visual inspection noticed extensive corrosion to both front control arms. They can separate at any time. Car was inspected on Jan 04, 2014 and on Jan 24,2011 and notice was given "recal completed" time of the reacll completed in 0.3 hours !!! there was no documents given to owner or any explanation what was wrong with the car. Curently both front control arm are almost are 95% coroded so the note as "recall completed" was only a joke. How the control arm can be completly coroded in 2 years ?? there was another dealer service - recall visit on Jul 11,2011 with the same issue and this time the "recall completed" take only 1.8 hr. No information was given what was done and what parts was repair.. I was visitet local dealership service in new bern and was given information that there is no recall on my vechicle even the NHTSA issue reall on the same problem on May 2012. Ford do not like to admit that is a serious problem and need to be taken care. How many people need to be killed in the accident till Ford will finally admit that is a serious problem and potential of the deadly accident that can happens at any time. I do not like to hear "im sorry" from any Ford CEO when someone from my family will lost life if needed pictures of the coroded arms can be sent at any time. Car was in use from 2000-2011 in Michigan and now as we moved is used in North Carolina.

- New Bern, NC, USA

problem #33

Feb 012014

Windstar

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving 60 mph when the vehicle began to ride roughly. The contact lost control of the vehicle momentarily. The vehicle was taken to the contact's residence and inspected, where it was determined that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the incident but informed the contact that the vehicle was not included NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Girard, OH, USA

problem #32

Jan 242014

Windstar 8-cyl

  • 112,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

As I was traveling down the highway my ABS light came on and the front end is making a very loud popping noise on both sides. Since the front end began popping the steering is unbelievably hard to control.

- Bowdon Junction, GA, USA

problem #31

Jul 022013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 105,259 miles
When shifting the car into P, R, N, or D, it makes a loud thumping sound and makes the whole car jerk. When I turn the steering wheel you can hear a loud grinding, creaky cracking like noise coming from the front of the car.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #30

Jun 102013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
I was driving and about the make a turn but the steering wheel would not turn. The steering wheel was very tight and felt like it was pulling in the opposite direction of where I wanted to turn. My son was in the passengers seat and together we were able to turn in order to pull the car over and call the mechanic. This is the second time that this has happened.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #29

Jun 282013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 104,965 miles
All of the dashboard needles began flipping back and forth sporadically. They would bottom out below the 0 mark for a while registering no speed or gas tank amount and then start jumping around again. When I attempted to park the vehicle, the speedometer needle was lying across the bottom and kept the car from being able to go into park. At this point, the car was unable to be turned off completely, unable to be re-started, unable to steer and I had to hold my foot on the break in order to keep it from rolling. We were eventually able to start and then drive the vehicle home once the needle jumped back up. Once again in the driveway, it did the same thing and we had to drill a hole in the dash in order to manually move the needle out of the way so the van could be placed in park. We will be having it towed to a repair shop.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #28

Jun 292012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 137,000 miles
While having new tires installed, I was made aware that the sub frame was rusted and had holes in it. I had got a recall notice the day after Ford put a new rear axle in the Windstar. (did they not know about the new recall?) after having the sub frame kit parts installed, the passenger side sub frame was perforated, the noise from the right side under passenger feet started. I went back to dealer that did the repairs (bill brown in livonia, mi>) they said everything was tight and vehicle is safe to drive. The noise has got worse and louder. I called Ford in dearborn and they said if bill brown says its safe then it is safe? I have to drive this car and the fact that is makes noise has me concerned. Ran it by bill brown after 6 months and took the service guy for a ride and he said he should look at it. The car started to pull to left and I went to the tire shop. Went by for a tire rotation and alignment, was informed the sub frame is cracked and only has 10 percent of metal left holding it together. Going to dealer this week...................lets see if it is safe to drive still!

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #27

Apr 112013

Windstar

  • 147,000 miles
11S16 example template, front lower control arm: See suspension and structure of vehicle. I do not see a recall that visibly includes California as a recall state. I have definitely experienced this or a similar issue. There appears to be a large scale recall and buyback program. My vehicle was positively identified for the cruise control/speed control recall and serviced at gosch Ford in hemet, ca. I experienced more issues than only that, or even than that and the above. Contact for more information. Not limited to only this recall, vehicle experienced several issues, many of which were attended to with out of pocket funds, either to prevent, or due to, mechanical breakdown/failure. Please also consider axle recall, and additional for this vehicle. I need an assessment done on my Ford 2000 Windstar LX so I may be compensated for the total costs and damages and have the vehicle replaced or completely repaired to a safe, drivable condition. (right front corner of vehicle collided with an object, part(s) failure apparent as what appears to be the front lower control arm is detached. 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. Front

- Perris, CA, USA

problem #26

Sep 142012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 125,067 miles
I bought the 2000 Ford Windstar on 09/12/2012. It had 125,000 miles. After I bought it I immediately took it to the mechanic shop to have them check it over. They found that the outer and inner tie rod ends needed to be replaced. Also, the mechanics found that the transmission mounts needed to be replaced. Also, the front struts and the rear shocks needed to be replaced. Also, the front engine mount needed to be replaced. I had all that work completed for around $1,500. Then a few months later, the vehicle broke down in my front yard. I turned the vehicle off and looked under the hood and the serpantine belt was snapped in half and the vehicle was smoking a little bit. A had the vehicle towed to the mechanics for $50. The mechanics diagnosed the powertrain. The mechanics found that the A/C compressor clutch needed to be replaced and it also had to have a evac and recharge the A/C system. This costed me $705.98. A few months later, which is now, on 12/21/2012, the vehicle is starting to make a loud clicking noise from the engine, or atleast I think it is the engine. While I was driving, the vehicle slowed down like there was a power surge or something, like it was going to brake down, so I immediately put the hazard lights on and drove 15-20 miles below the speed limit, all the way until I could make it safely back home. I don't know what is wrong with it this time. I have already invested almost $2,000 into this vehicle and I have only owned it for about 3 months!

- Casa Grande, AZ, USA

problem #25

Aug 122012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
On 8/12/12 as I was driving to New York I notice that every time there is a weight transfer I heard a clunking sound on the right front, after returning to New Jersey I took the vehicle to sears auto to have it check out and was told and shown the defect was with the frame work which a recall was done for in 2011. The repair that the did in 2011 to the frame was in my opinion a death trap and I would suggest that you send a inspector to inspect the repair that Ford said they did to these frame work, the strap that they put on the frame in my opinion is like putting a band aid on a third degree burn. I took the vehicle back to Ford dealer in hackensack NJ and they are giving me a hard time, my vehicle has been there from Friday and today is Saturday @ 1430 they still haven't look at it, maybe because of the color of my skin the really don't care, but I don't think safety should come down to the color of a person skin. Thanks for your help.

- Hackensack, NJ, USA

problem #24

Jul 022012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
Gauges go crazy and don't work half the time. ABS light is always on. Steering creeks. There is a recall for my make, model, and year but Ford somehow says it is not part of the recall but may become a recall in the future. This is not acceptable. Does someone have to die before they will listen and act?

- Copley, OH, USA

problem #23

May 222012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 126,030 miles
The subframe on the passenger side where the bracket for the front stabilizer is attached rusted completely through, causing the stabilizer bar to break loose.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

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