Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I have 3 problems with my 1999 Ford Windstar which currently has 60,000 miles. One of them is the glass in front when I'm driving in the rain I have to turn on the wipers the driver's side in the middle part of the wiper stays wet while the passenger side cleans very well. The other problem I've always had is the powersteering when I'm driving, I'm going to turn to the side and the car turns off the guide gets hard and I can't straighten it to turn it on again. The last problem is the transmission, one day the family went all together in the car and shortly after we realized that it was overheating we parked in the grass we turned off the car and the part of the engine caught fire after the accident we realized that the transmission liquefied oil. I had the transmission repaired and began to give some tiresome every time I changed gears. …
I have 3 problems with my 1999 Ford Windstar which currently has 60,000 miles. One of them is the glass in front when I'm driving in the rain I have to turn on the wipers the driver's side in the middle part of the wiper stays wet while the passenger side cleans very well. The other problem I've always had is the powersteering when I'm driving, I'm going to turn to the side and the car turns off the guide gets hard and I can't straighten it to turn it on again. The last problem is the transmission, one day the family went all together in the car and shortly after we realized that it was overheating we parked in the grass we turned off the car and the part of the engine caught fire after the accident we realized that the transmission liquefied oil. I had the transmission repaired and began to give some tiresome every time I changed gears. …
This vehicle was serviced at 102,654 miles, in March-April of 2011 by koons Ford of maryland, (invoice#w70829, dated May 5, 2011) in response to Ford recall, related to "broken front subframe" and "collapsing rear axle".--front subframe was, at that time, broken on the right side, due to rusting. Replacement was not done, instead it was patched via a bolted together "clamshell" reinforcing device. It now has become apparent that after using the vehicle after this initial frame separation, the metal of the left side was unduly stressed, and has now broken at its weldment point, resulting in an unsafe vehicle, that swerves to the left, if brakes are applied while in motion on the street or other roadway. Wheels are no longer kept in alignment, with left front wheel free to move to the front or rear, in response to applied stress! …
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal popping noise and the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to sunset Ford (11700 gravois rd, saint louis, mo 63127) where it was diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer that they would not repair the vehicle due to threats made by the contact and to have the vehicle towed from the premises. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact to take the vehicle to another dealer. The failure mileage was 160,000.
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
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.
The consumer stated the vehicle rolled off a hill, went across the highway into a field there was damage to the drivers door and the muffler. The second time the incident happened the vehicle was in the consumers driveway and crashed into a tree, the vehicle sustained damaged to the fender. In both cases the consumer stated the air bags did not deploy. The steering wheel never locked on the vehicle as well.
We purchased the 1999 Windstar in dec 1998. From the first weeks of ownership, we have complained about the transmission. Dealer changed transmission fluid and said nothing was wrong. Problems were as follows: loud clunks when shifting from park to reverse, while foot pressing firmly on brake pedal; transmission hesitates when down shifting going around corners; as a passenger I felt as if the whole car was lunging causing dizziness to motion sickness (did not occur while I was driving); hard shifts between first & second; rear window wiper failed; power steering pump replaced which caused the rack & pinion seals to fail, which resulted in a new rack installed; EGR valve rubber boot kept popping off until I placed a small hose clamp to hold it in place; check engine light stays on every since 15,000 miles; o/d button never worked; o/d light flashed repeatedly minutes prior to the …
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 . …
Steering complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 184 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 12% of the model year's 1,522 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (64 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Windstar steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.