Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started pulling to one side, almost causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the motor mounts were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance because the vehicle was not under Warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
We have taken this van in for repair fivetimesin one year. The first month we had it the head was replaced. The power steering has gone out for now the fifth time. I actually lost controlof the vehicle due to beingunable to turn the steering. My husband has to drive me everywhere because only he can turn the steering wheel. Each time we take it for repair we are charged a deductible and I can not do this anymore. This is obviously a lemon. Marshall mize Ford in chattanooga tennessee is where the vehicle was purchased in January of 2001. They also have performed all service on this vehicle. …
While driving a fire was observed by third party motorist. The fire emitted from under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to world Ford in pembroke pines, florida, for an initial assessment. According to world Ford, the vehicle showed heavy transmission fluid leakage, but no obvious sign of fire or fire damage. The manufacturer declined to permit Ford to work on the vehicle pending evaluation/inspection by NHTSA investigators to determine cause of fire, which May or May not be related to obvious transmission issues.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cam sensor had failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
I was driving my van. At first the lights beep up for engine and then o/d and then it stops. There was a lot of smoke from the engine and it look like it burns. After that vehicle start but not tacking gear. I found out that transmission went bad.
We were involved in an accident yesterday due to our 1999 Ford Windstar not operating properly. We had 7 people in our van including small children. Luckily, none of us were injured, but the potential for injury was definitely there. As we were approaching a stop light at about 35 MPH the ABS brake light and battery light came on and we lost all power. We had no brakes or power steering. It was evident we were not going to be able to stop so my husband opted for the ditch. Steering was very difficult and we hit a stop light on the right hand side of the road with the left front end of the van and eventually came to a stop about 4 ft. From a utility pole. The van was driving fine with no indication of malfunction prior to losing all power suddenly. …
I bought a Ford Windstar van from a used car dealer by the name of ray price in dec. Of '07. We had been looking for a van for some time and I had looked for any recalls before we purchased. I found none listed. We paid off the car last month, and that's when the trouble started. I have taken it to the garage 3 times in the last month because it kept stalling when it would idle for longer periods of time. The mechanic fixed the intake manifold seals and the surrounding parts, replacing them as needed each time. I also had the spark plugs and plug wires replaced just in case. On Thursday July 23rd, my husband replaced the brakes on the front. He drove the van all day with no problems other than the occasional stall. We stopped for milk at the grocery store on our way home from my work and had been inside for only 5-10 minutes when the manager called out that our car was on fire. …
Subframe gave out, engine dropped and car was towed to my home.I had just exited a highway going 55mph. I was driving the to car to attend a work related event early evening. I drove past the entrance and proceeded to turn around on the road. As I approached the intersection the van lost power. I stopped being able to steer and brake. I turned hard on the steering wheel to move off the road. I was able to pull into a turn lane and fortunately there was very limited traffic on the road. The car came to a full stop on its own and there was a loud scrapping noise coming from under the front of the car. I was towed to my home. The tow driver stated the " subframe had given away and was dragging on the ground. It required a flat bed truck to tow. My mechanic confirmed the subframe had collapsed . …
Bought the van in sept. 2002 with 55,000 miles, engine light came on within a week of having it. Took it back to car lot where we bought it, they took it to the Ford dealer, couldn't find anything except that it came up a lean code they told me I didn't know how to put gas cap on the right way. That is not the problem. Kept dealing with light on to this day. May 2003 had to have the transmission replaced, got it back starting having same problems,took it back they said they forgot to replace a wire, still having problems to this day with transmission in fact oct. 2010 had to have it towed they said shavings found in motor will need transmission replaced again. Dome lights flash all the time. The gauges go haywire all the time, peg from one side to the other. Had that replaced and did it again. Took it in for recall dec. 28,2010 cracked rear axle still at dealer. …
I am having lots of troubles with 1999 Ford Windstar since the day I bought from dealer (lew webb Ford, garden grove). 1. Currently my van has manifold leakage. This has occurred immediately after the Ford dealer fixed my transmission leakage. The price quoted is $1200 out of which I have to pay $540. I have already spent lots of money in maint & repairs. Before this I had to take my van to dealer for following problems: transmission leakage at 37000 miles. Front & back brakes at 37000 miles. Electrical system failure. Couple of recalls. Currently it has approximately 50600 miles on odometer and I have been communicating to & fro with dealer. For the current problem dealer has offered me 55% in assistance. But my problem is I am wasting lots of time, money & energy to have all this problems fixed. …
Engine complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 135 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 9% of the model year's 1,522 complaints. The component named most often is engine (35 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Windstar engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Ford Windstar, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Windstar engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 9 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.