Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. During an oil change, the contact noticed that the front subframe was rusted and corroded. There were no warning indicators. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The failure mileage was 103,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 04/14/16 updated 05/30/18
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 11V030000 (structure). While driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the subframe fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 225,000...updated 05/21/15 the consumer stated that the recall was incorrectly performed. He signed over the title. Updated 11/19/15
Front sub frame, passenger side rear mount completely rotted away.the recall "fix it clamp on piece" does nothing as there is no frame left to connect to. Dealer service manager claimed it broke from the transmission mount being rotted away. When confronted that the mount was sound, admitted it wasn't rusted , but did nothing to substantiate my claim to the frame rusting away. Still makes a clunking sound when turning. It is unsafe to drive and is parked till we hear back from Ford .
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an unrelated repair, the technician discovered that the entire frame was completely rusted. As a result, the front end support bracket detached from the vehicle. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 11V030000 (structure); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,972.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. After servicing the vehicle under NHTSA campaign number: 11V030000 (structure), there was an abnormal noise. The contact noticed that the subframe was detaching from the vehicle due to severe corrosion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was inspected, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,645. Updated 01/06/16 updated 1/19/16 ln
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the subframe was cracked. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (manderbach Ford, 4450 5th street hwy, temple, pa 19560) where it was diagnosed that the frame was stressed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 108,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving at various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed that the subframe was detached from vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the subframe of the vehicle was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously serviced per an unknown recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,900.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. After taking the vehicle to the dealer, the technician diagnosed that the front driver side subframe was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,000.
Subframe is completely rusted through and will not pass the safety. The vehicle was treated by the recall 11s16-s4.in 2012. I went for a voluntary safety check and the vehicle stayed at the service as very unsafe to drive.
Related recalls
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
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,…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets, and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe, and make the necessary repairs free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 346 complaints to ODI and Ford alleging fracture, cracking and or excessive corrosion of the front subframes in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 Ford Windstar vehicles.Approximately 97 percent of these complaints (334) involve vehicles that have been operated in Salt Belt states, which make up approximately 60 percent of the subject vehicle sales in the…
Power sliding door opening
The subject vehicles are equipped with single or dual power sliding doors (psd).approximately 111,000 vehicles have dual power sliding doors.the psd is opened by any of 5 methods, the inside or outside manual door handle, the key fob, the overhead console switch and the b-pillar switch.the door May be opened only under these conditions: ignition key is in off/accessories/on/start position, gear selector in park,…
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
In a January 26, 2011 Defect Information Report, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address corrosion related fractures in the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe in approximately 425,288 model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 Ford Windstar vehicles…
Body complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 276 complaints about the body & structure of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 18% of the model year's 1,522 complaints. The component named most often is frame and members (156 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Windstar body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-030 (underbody shields, Jan 26, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Windstar body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 121,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 6 injuries to body & structure 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.