Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
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 contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while attempting to move the vehicle up her driveway, the vehicle began to accelerate uncontrollably. The contact was able to turn off the vehicle without shifting into the park. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,457.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of NHTSA recall campaign id number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) October 2009 and took the vehicle in for repairs. On a separate occasion, while driving at approximate speeds of 55-65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle began abnormally surging and losing brake fluid. In May 2010, the contact was driving at relatively low, unknown speeds when the vehicle abnormally accelerated in reverse and crashed into two yard fences. The vehicle sustained major damage and the contact was not injured. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the cruise control mechanism was disconnected. There were two more failures. In addition, the contact stated there were never any unintended acceleration incidents prior to the recall repair. …
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front end of the vehicle. After closer inspection of the vehicle, he noticed that the wiring harness leading to the master cylinder was melted. The failure LED to a small fire under the hood. His model was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control). The contact still has possession of the melted wiring harness. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer to determine the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 162,000. Updated 12/02/08. Updated 12/03/08.
I start my 99 Ford Windstar with my wife inside the vehicle and my two daugthers and my son when I saw smoke comming true the hood then I open the hood and my surprise was the brake pressure differential deactivation switch on fire I was so scared then I just take my kids and wife out of the vehicle and comback to stop the fire thanks god I have fire extinguisher close but we have to stop this from happening to someone else.
My battery has been dying due to bad sensors, when I did get it started it became stuck high revving ,the car accelerated and smashed into the curb in front of me, and the brakes wouldn't work so even when I stepped on the brakes to put in reverse the car went flying into the curb behind me, I finally got the vehicle to a complete stop by pulling up the emergency brake. Then I had the car towed to my house.
This was my mothers . Now mine the speed odometer just goes every where sometimes it doesn't move at all. And it does it does show the right speed all the instrument panel does the same . And when that started the windows stop working too. Any more nor the radio. They said its a main control molecule. I just don't know I got a ticket cause it said I was going 89 in 65 wow.. Help
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle speed control relay on the master brake cylinder caught on fire after the vehicle was parked and turned off. The contact noticed smoke from the engine compartment and saw fire coming from the relay when the hood was opened. The service dealer and manufacturer were notified. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA.
I am writing to you concerning a complaint I have against Ford motor company. I own a 99 Ford Windstar. Approximately 117,000 miles. He cruise control recently caught on fire. It was at five star Ford now being repaired. I have a letter to you drafted, however, it was to long for this field. Please contact me, and I will forward it.
I bought a 99 winstarr a few months ago and just recently the instrument cluster started dancing, and there is no power t the radio or the cigarette lighter underneath it. I also sprung a trans leak and fixed it but the car sputters then shuts off and I have to restart it
I was preparing to turn over the ownership of my 1999 Ford Windstar van to my son. After going over the vehicle and checking the fluid levels, I remembered the fact that the van had used an inappropriate amount of brake fluid over the past months. I checked the brakes, lines, calipers, etc to find the trouble. I was made aware of the areas I should search because I had a recall notice about my e150 van warning of possible failure and danger of fire from a cruise control cutout switch mounted on the bottom of the master cylinder. I checked the fuse box on the Windstar because my instrument cluster had failed, I saw a blown fuse but the fuse bax did not have what the fuse controlled printed on it. I replaced the fuse and started the car. Immediately, I saw and smelled smoke coming from under the hood. I shut off the ignition. …
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 Mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair…
Acceleration complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 99 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 7% of the model year's 1,522 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Windstar acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-399 (vehicle speed control, Oct 13, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Windstar acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 7 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration 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.