Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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. …
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. The vehicle was parked and caught on fire. The contact stated that a week before the fire the windshield wipers were not operating normally. The mechanic recommended that she change the pulleys in the air conditioner. The contact attempted to have the vehicle repaired. However, a Ford dealer was unable to diagnose the caus eof the problem. The police and fire department were notified, and were unable to diagnose the cause of the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The current and failure mileage was 100,152.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the front windshield wiper motor burned three times within the last three years. In 2001, the vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 01V261000; however, it did not correct the failure. Ford stated that the recall repair was already performed on the vehicle; therefore, they would not assume liability for any repairs to the windshield motor. The failure mileage was less than 135,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.
Recently experience wiper motor/harness corrosion on my 1999 Ford wnstar which has resulted in inoperative wipers. The wipers failed while my wife and 2 kids were driving on I-40 which almost caused them to leave the roadway. The vehicle was taken to capital Ford dealer and the wiper failure was analyzed at a charge of $61.00 on May 20, 2004.the dealership advised that the harness and motor would need to be replaced at a cost of $461.00. The dealer has been less than helpful in explaining how corrosion developed. On May 25, 2004 10:45 est), I called Ford motor corp. Customer relations (kurl [phone]). I explained my situation and referred to recall # 01v26100. She stated that there would be no warrantee/recall coverage because the vehicle was well outside the 12 months/12,000. Miles. …
* vehicle leans since purchased sept 13, 2003. * allignment problems. * transmission does not properly change gears. * low treads on tires. * a frame problems. * suspension steering makes a clunking noise. * brakes must be pumped to stop, and make a ticking noise when applied. * vehicle has overheated. * power steering fluid leaked. * gears do not shift properly. * primer scotch guard on seats wearing after coat applied.
Dt*: the contact stated the windshield wipers failed. Initially the wipers worked intermittently, however the wipers are no longer functioning at all. There is an NHTSA recall, # 01V261000, regarding the visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor. The VIN was not included in the recall. Updated 8/7/2006 - the consumer has had the wiper motor and wiper switch replaced.
While driving my 1999 winstar the overdrive light came on, so I looked in my rearview mirror and saw smoke comming from under the vehicle. So, I pull over to the side of the road and stop, transmission fluid was leaking out. My winstar van broke down out side of nashville, tn with 70,401 miles on it. The costs at john barker's two rivers Ford in nashville was $2017.81.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the windshield wipers worked intermittently, but currently do not work at all. The dealer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01V261000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor), although the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 166,000.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Vehicle description: Mini vans. Contaminants such as water, salt, and windshield washer solution can enter the wiper motor cover assembly through pinholes on the exterior of the cover that are used in the molding process.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new wiper cover with improved sealing and water resistance. Owner notification begain August 27, 2001.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 3% of the model year's 1,522 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Windstar window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-261 (motor, Aug 15, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Windstar window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.