Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
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).
April 2008 lost fuel pump, and guage for gas level had fuel pump sending unit and filter replaced but gauge didnt come back it stayed on as a low fuel light permanently. Brake fluid leaking or excessive use by braking system had to fill about once weekly brakes though they had been replaced would just go out with no warning ABS light wasnt indicative due to fact its lighting up and staying lit was errratic. Replaced braking system and front end components (linkage pins gone, rotor that had gotten very hot and possibly started on fire due to brakes going out and heavy breaking needed to avoid accident death had to pump brakes rapidly to try to stop sometimes unable to stop brake pedal would stick on hard pumping when attempting to stop passenger side sliding door lock engaged and unable to engage.
Anti-lock brake light went on. I drove it this way for two months. 15 codes in the system. Ford dealer states it's the hydraulic and electric box. To repair both would cost 800.00 or so, which is including labor and parts. States it's a known problem of 1999 Ford windstars. I have no anti-lock brakes when the ABS light is on. Declining to fix at this time, but a huge liablility for myself. Possiblity of brake failure not discussed at this time. I have already had to repair the upper intake manifold 500.00+ (at a Ford dealer) and also had the door ajar problem, which was fixed at home here for 0$. This is the third and final problem listed on consumer reports that this vehicle is known for.
Both of the sliding door power locking mechanisms are malfunctioning. They no longer unlock with the switch. It is also impossible to pull the lock knob up. When the switch is pressed the door re-locks itself. If a person is sitting in the back seat, the door also will not open via the door handle or switch. This is a very dangerous situation if an emergency were to arise. Sometimes we can open it by holding down the front door switch and pulling the outside door hand at the same time. It doesn't work every time.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving 35 MPH, the rear passenger side door automatically opened twice on its own. The dealer advised the mechanic that they were unable to diagnose the failure or how to repair it. The service manager stated that dust on the cylinoid of the door mechanism could have caused the failure. The contact is concerned about the safety risk, defect as well as the child seats located in the back of the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 200,000.
For several weeks, the door ajar light remains on despite the fact all the doors are closed; the automatic locking and manual locking will not work. After 10 to 15 minutes of driving, it will go out and the doors will finally lock. Today, while that light was on and the doors would not lock, the driver's side rear sliding door opened while the vehicle was being driven and making a turn. This is extremely dangerous. My grandchildren ride in this vehicle and it is totally unsafe!
Consumer complained repeatedly about transmission problems, but nothing was done because the dealer could not duplicate the problem. The door lock was inoperative with the key, when driven at low speeds a clunk noise was heard, but it was an intermittent problem, the vehicle lurched in low gear and the consumer had to downshift when going up hill.
Both sliding doors on our 1999 Ford Windstar, do not open with the electric door opener and the left side door cannot be opened from the inside. The right side door is deteriorating the same as the left side. This could be a dangerous situation if someone were in the car and needed to get out quickly for any reason.
My 2-year old daughter's right hand was crushed in the power sliding door of our minivan. Her hand is too small for the safety sensor to detect it and therefore, the door latched and locked with her hand between the body pillar and the door.
Transmission, sliding door, driver door, rack and pinion, steering pump, intake manifold, front suspension upper link, world's fastest declining vehicle value, world's worst customer service and satisfaction representatives.
The latches on the vehicle are defective. The glove compartment latch will not open. The latch on cd storage will not work either and the latch on the hatchback is about ready to break...it doesn't always want to open.
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the locks & latches of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 2% of the model year's 1,522 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Windstar door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches 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 door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to locks & latches 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.