Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The vehicle's A/C blower motor failed which resulted in an electrical fire. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The consumer found out a recall on the vehicle's blower motor and feels that if he was notified the repairs could have been made and the fire prevented.
I have a Ford Windstar year 1999. About two weeks ago the two brake lights went on, I had a fuse # 10 blown and a non working speedometer dial.( the cruise control has three months that is not working) I did take a look at the owner's manual. In the manual I read that reason for the break light to come on was the lower level of brake fluid in the reservoir and so it was. I added some brake fluid and the light was off. In the mean time I did checked the fuse panel and I found this fuse #10 was blown and I replaced it, but half an hour later I got a blown fuse again. Also the ABS light was on and so I decided to see a mechanic. I did go to a repair shop and I was told that my van has a serious problem. Scds under the master cylinder has developed a bad leak. The scds switch is leaking and that May cause a fire sooner or later. …
Dt: rear blower motor in the rear of van smelled like it was burning and then stopped working. There was a recall on exact model, 1999, Ford, Windstar. The owner's malfunctioned part was not produced where the others were, so she was not included in the recall. The blower has not worked for a month. There were no prior problems with the blower. The owner took the van to a service station, and the service station informed consumer that there was a recall, on exactly what she should bring to Ford for veicle to be fixed. The service advised the owner to go to Ford for the recall. She then tried to make an appointment with Ford, and they said they wouldn't cover it. The owner tried to contact Ford. This was the first time this year that the air had been on. And that was when the burning odoe she smelled and the blower stopped working.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. When the contact took the vehicle in for service, the mechanic noticed rust in the subframe coming from the air conditioning. Condensation from the air conditioning on the passenger side was dripping onto the subframe, which caused the rust. The dealer stated that there were no failures and the contact would have to pay for the repair. The manufacturer also stated that the contact would be liable. The vehicle will be repaired at the contact's expense for a little more than $3,000. The failure mileage was 107,547 and current mileage was 107,560.
I have a 1999 Ford Windstar, 3.8l engine. ABS brake light on, no speedometer, no odometer, no air conditioning. Took to a repair shop, they found fuse #10 was blown. Replaced the fuse and smoke started to come up from the master cylinder area, he removed the electrical connection plug for the brake pressure switch located on the bottom of the master cylinder. Thankfully this did not occur while my wife and children in the vehicle, so no one was injured. I have read on the internet of several windstars with this same problem, and believe Ford should do something to rectify this problem.
No heat or defroster for front half of vehicle, rear heater works fine. There is a blending door in the heater box on the firewall that apparently has a small motor that operates the blend door. The motor is fine. Mechanics tell me that a screw that holds the box in place loosens allowing the box to warp which rubs or stops the rod attached to the motor and the blending door from moving smoothly. My motor operates fine but has broken the rod making a clicking noise when you operate the manual control from cold to hot. The door stays closed in the cold mode, no heat or defroster.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar lx. The partial havoc Bosch which was a part of the heat in the vehicle failed. The vehicle was taken to a radiator mechanic who informed him the partial havoc Bosch fail and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that there were no recalls related to the failures and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 109,000. Updated 03/03/11 updated 04/28/11
While turning on the defogger or heat it failed to come on. This caused poor visibility while driving. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, mechanic advised consumer that the problem could be fixed, but the consumer would have to pay for the parts and labor. It was later determined that he blend air door was broken which would not allow heat to blow trough any of the vents.
The brake deactivation switch located under the master cylinder (behind the air filter) develops a leaking and "ABS" light turn on in the dashboard in my 1999 Windstar se van since on sept. 29, 2009, therefore MPH is not working on speed-o-meter and mileage gets blank likes "---------". Also heat & A/C fan motor is working fine but heat and A/C did not operate as well. Cruise control has also quit.
01 v 262 000/auxiliary A/C blower motor wiring: this recall repairs was made on the 7 dec 01 by louisburg Ford; louisburg, ks; phone # 913/837-5333. On the incident date while traveling 45 MPH a fire started in the engine compartment, beleived this May be the cause of the fire. Dealer/manufacturer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.
Related recalls
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Vehicle description: Mini vans equipped with auxiliary rear air-conditioning. If the auxiliary air-conditioning blower motor stops turning while in the medium-low blower speed setting, there is the potential that the resistor May become hot and smoke.
Remedy: Dealers will install a jumper wire that will ensure that the medium-low blower speed setting is protected by the thermal limiter. Owner notification began augsut 27, 2001.
AC & Heater complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 2% of the model year's 1,522 complaints. The component named most often is appliance › air conditioner (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Windstar ac & heater problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-262 (air conditioner, Aug 15, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Windstar ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to a/c & heater problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.