Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving my 2000 Windstar on the skuykill expressway on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 12:33 pm on my way to an appointment. About a quarter mile befor the gilph mills exit heading east, I was in the passing lane traveling about 55-60 MPH, when there was a load "pop" from the rear of my van. I immediately lost controll of the van and it slid across the highway . I first hit the embankment off the shoulder, was thrown back into the highway as the van slide on the drivers side and then flipped upside down. The van came to rest in the middle of the skuykill expressway upside down, facing the traffic. Thank god all traffic stopped and no one hit me, and I didn't hit anyone.. The van was totalled. I suffered head injuries, as well as broken and bruised ribs in my back, as well as severe muscle damage. I was able to unhook my seat belt and crawl out the window, and I waited till help came. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving 15 MPH and veering to the right, the contact heard a loud metal scrapping noise. The contact pulled over and noticed that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to a friend's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 133,000. Consumer stated I have attached the images of my 2000 Ford Windstar se's axle breakage to this email.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle and frame associated with the undercarriage of the vehicle had extensive rust and corrosion. There was also a crack that extended from the rear axle when the contact inspected under the vehicle. An abnormal noise was heard. Lance cunningham Ford (4101 east clinton hwy, knoxville, tn 37912, [phone]) was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was unable to be safely driven due to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While the vehicle was stationary, the rear axle rusted out and fractured without warning. Phil long Ford of motor city in colorado springs, colorado was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall related to the failure due to its location in a dry state versus those that were only being covered in humid states. The contact was unsure of the NHTSA campaign information for the recall. The failure mileage was 136,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the engine and the transmission failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was extremely corroded from the front of the vehicle to the rear, which caused the engine and transmission to separate from the sub frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 11V030000 (structure); however, the recall remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the entire subframe should have been replaced. When the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for new struts, he was informed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,000.
1- there was not any symptom leading up to failure. 2- the failure was on the front passenger wheel. The weld on one of the control arms actually broke off the frame. As a result the wheel was allowed move in a different direction then the driver side wheel. This forced the vehicle off the opposite side of the road in a very immediate uncontrolled manner. 3- there was nothing done to correct this problem as of yet. Dealer doesn't have any interest in fixing the vehicle unless we pay for it.
My van has cracked rear and front axles and a broken sub frame. I was told by service manager steve gochenour ( when I dropped off the van) at the shawnee mission Ford dealership in kansas, that these repairs, as well as any damaged caused by these defaults are fully covered under a Ford recall, and would cost me nothing. They then called me a week later and said I had to pay them $300 for the rear axle. I would like your assistance in getting my $300 refunded from Ford.
I own 2000 Ford Windstar. The paint is flanking off the roof really bad it has some spots rusted and some is gray even in the back and front. I just replaced the hood from a junk yard. My speedometer keeps going crazy and when trying to get out of park the park and revers part broke because it got stuck with the RPM and that broke too. I have to keep the fuse unplugged that goes to the interior lighting do to battery dead by the next day.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving various speeds, a knocking sound emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V030000 (structure). The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
Related recalls
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania,…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets, and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe, and make the necessary repairs free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 346 complaints to ODI and Ford alleging fracture, cracking and or excessive corrosion of the front subframes in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 Ford Windstar vehicles.Approximately 97 percent of these complaints (334) involve vehicles that have been operated in Salt Belt states, which make up approximately 60 percent of the subject vehicle sales in the…
Power sliding door opening
The subject vehicles are equipped with single or dual power sliding doors (psd).approximately 111,000 vehicles have dual power sliding doors.the psd is opened by any of 5 methods, the inside or outside manual door handle, the key fob, the overhead console switch and the b-pillar switch.the door May be opened only under these conditions: ignition key is in off/accessories/on/start position, gear selector in park,…
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
In a January 26, 2011 Defect Information Report, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address corrosion related fractures in the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe in approximately 425,288 model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 Ford Windstar vehicles…
Body complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2000 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 216 complaints about the body & structure of the 2000 Ford Windstar, 13% of the model year's 1,675 complaints. The component named most often is frame and members (92 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Windstar body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-030 (underbody shields, Jan 26, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Windstar body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 119,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to body & structure 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.