Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
If my vehicle is not used for a few days (3 to 4 days), when I start the vehicle, all the needles of the instrument cluster oscillate violently between extremes. However, this does not affect drivability and I can slowly move the car out of my driveway and get on the street. About 30 to 45 seconds after this, the needles stop moving and resume normal function.
1999 Ford Windstar was observed producing smoke while sitting in the driveway at 7:00 am 7/31/08 (the vehicle was last driven around 8:00 pm the previous evening). The vehicle was started and driven to a local mechanic who reported the ABS unit had burned and apparently smoldered out on its own. The ABS unit was disconnected and the mechanic advised to contact a Ford dealer to see if the item was under recall due to his personal experience in dealing with these defects. Holman Ford (mt. Laurel, nj) service department was contacted and stated there were no recalls on that particular vehicle. Note: roughly 1 month prior to the incident, the cruise control, air conditioner, and other electronic items stopped functioning. The service mechanic observed the cruise control unit appeared burned.
The Windstar was parked in our driveway outside. Engine cold and turned off. Our son saw smoke outside coming from the engine compartment. We raised the hood carefully and put fire out with fire ext. And garden hose. Fire was under the brake master cylinder on the drivers side engine compartment. Wiring harness burned and other components by speed control deactivation switch catching fire. We had this switch replaced in a Ford recall, but appears the repair was done incorrectly (fuse installed on wrong side of wiring harness, allowing the switch to remain hot). So fortunate that the car was not parked in the garage, for I would not be writing this review today!
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.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated. He attempted to reset the battery in hopes that it was a defect. Two weeks later, smoke was present under the instrument panel. The speedometer, odometer, and air conditioning failed in the vehicle. There were several recalls listed; however, Ford stated that his VIN was not included in the recalls. Currently, there is an open investigation (NHTSA action number pe08035) for the described failure. The failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage was unknown.
Too make a long story short.I had about three recall on my Ford Windstar and now my whole van shut down on me.my computer I guess got it on auto theft lock and I can't even turn over now.it's just sitting in my parking lot just helpless.I have another recall but I cant take it to the Ford dealership because I cant turn over.oh yea.it kept cutting off while im driving,don't let me stop at a light it will cut off on me there alot.it does that alot.I bought it from a car lot but he doesn't want to do anything about it.so I lost out of my money.when I turn it also cut off.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact started her vehicle and proceeded to drive. After driving a block or more at 2 MPH, white smoke began to pour out of the hood. She jumped out of the vehicle and someone else inspected underneath her hood. The contact was informed that the wiring melted and could be unhooked. He proceeded to unhook it and drive to her residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The purchase date and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 114,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the entire instrument panel illuminated and then turned dark. Afterwards, the vehicle failed to start. Klaben Ford Lincoln of warren, inc (i3853 youngstown rd se, warren, oh 44484, [phone]) stated that the anti-theft system May have prevented the vehicle from starting and affected the electrical system. The contact was informed to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Tl - the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while at a stop traffic light, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the air conditioner was leaking and admitting smoke. A private mechanic repaired the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 100,080. The VIN was not available. Djr
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted white smoke and caught on fire. There were no injuries as a result of the fire however, the vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was inspected and the failure was located at the wiring harness and the ABS pump module, which was leaking brake fluid. The failure caused the wiring harness to become burned. The failure and the current mileage was 86,037.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Vehicle description: minivans built with instrument clusters without the message center, fail to comply with the requirements of standard no. 118, "power-operated window, partition, and roof panel systems." the power windows May be operable after the ignition has been turned to the "off" position and the front doors are opened.
Remedy: Dealers will reconfigure the vehicle front end electronic module.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Odi has received 134 consumer complaints, 285 manufacturer complaints, and 137 manufacturer warranty claims alleging incidents of engine compartment fire in model year (my) 1995 thru 2003 Ford windstar vehicles.two of the odi complaints allege the fires caused structural damage to the complainant's home.of the 134 odi complaints, 36 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked, 72 allege the fire occurred…
Engine compartment fires
Ea08-021 is closed with Ford's actions in recall 09v-399 recalling approximately 4.5 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).with this recall Ford has now recalled all of the approximate 16 million Ford model vehicles that were manufactured from my 1992 through 2003 with a texas instruments scds.NHTSA will continue to monitor the recalled vehicles to ensure…
Electrical complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 209 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 14% of the model year's 1,522 complaints. The component named most often is horn (45 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Windstar electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-351 (interior/under dash, Oct 30, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Windstar electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 26 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.