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 2000 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start, and the rear glass was out of the frame by about three-quarters of an inch. Additionally, the front driver's and passenger's side windows failed to go up or roll down and were inoperable. The contact also stated that the instrument panel and anti-theft system were inoperable. The service engine, anti-theft, overdrive, speedometer, ABS system, and door ajar warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V351000 (Electrical System) and 00V020000 (Visibility). The contact called the dealer and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
Going down the road traction control will go off and on . It will make the steering very hard. Then when you turn the engine off. It is very hard to start up . Some times you have to wait for about two or three hours then it will start right up. The electric system is very bad. Sometimes when the traction control starts to have a problem the van is very hard to even keep it in control I'm disabled and can't afford to get a better van. I've tried to take it back to Ford but they don't know what to do with it. All they tale me is to get anew one .but I can't. The power on the door locks are bad the locks will go locked and unlock as you drive it down the road. Been doing this for about. 3 years. Or more. Had it in to Ford many times.
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.
The consumer complained about multiple problems with the vehicle on numerous occasions. The driver noticed smoke coming from underneath the vehicle, and pulled over. The smoke went out on its own. The driver had the vehicle towed. The second incident involved the transmission exploding while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the transmission and the engine needed to be replaced. Only four of the seat belts worked.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed that engine warning light illuminated on the instrumental panel. He also noticed that there was a knocking noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that the spark plugs had failed which caused a small fire under the hood damaging the engine. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The radiator and water pump went bad and the transmission went out as I was driving. The electrical locks on the doors locks us in regularly, while driving it often slides on it's own. There's a good bit of things going on with my car that I don't know about to tell you about.
Going down the road car starts to sputter and then we'll cut off while driving and black smoke goes every dangerous it's happened twice already got it checked says nothing
Car overheats even though it does not shown on the meter and when stopped and cut off it bubbles severely
To whom it May concern, I would like to know how many service bulletins does it take before a manufacturer initiates a recall on the item. I own a 2000 Ford Windstar. Your service bulletin database has 191 entries for this make and model. Although my van represents numerous conditions of the 191 entries, I am only concerned with the 11listed for the lean condition codes p171 and 174 listed in service bulletins 03161, 03123, 16920, 0347, 0338, 15740, 15522, 01205, 14353, 14060, and 8532. Obviously, Ford has a problem with plastic intake components and engines exibiting a lean condition. I did not research any other make and model Ford product, and I would bet that there are similiar problems elsewhere. I personally think it is time for a recall. …
My 2000 Ford Windstar will stall, while driving, without warning causing a loss of power to the engine, braking system and steering system in a 3800 pound vehicle. This is an intermittent problem, but repeats itself every 2 or 3 weeks or so. The last time it caused my wife to transverse into a stop sign controlled intersection in a populated residential area of los angeles county without brakes or steering. It has happened 15 times to myself and my wife and twice to south bay Ford since approximately nov of 2004. I believe that Ford dispatched engineers to south bay Ford in hawthorne california who stated that this is an issue of fuel tank design and is not correctable. South bay Ford and Ford motor company together appear to be ready to return the vehicle to me with the instructions "don't let the fuel tank drop below 1/4 of a tank". …
Engine complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 103 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Ford Windstar, 6% of the model year's 1,675 complaints. The component named most often is engine (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Windstar engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Ford Windstar, though it has 15 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 2000 Ford Windstar engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury 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.