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).
1. Smoke was coming out from under the hood on my 2000 Ford Windstar. Smelled like an electrical fire. Then the speedometer didn't work correctly and ABS,and brake lights were on. 2. Checked fuse box found fuse blown,replaced and blew again. 3. Found brake fluid was leaking out of the brake deactivation switch, sprayed connection with brake fluid,replaced switch,but left unhooked do to it keeps blowing fuse. Brake deactivation switch.
My Ford Windstar has had problems with the ABS for a couple of years. It turns on and off on the dashboard randomly. When the ABS light is on, the ABS is not working. When the ABS light is off, the ABS is working. I had my mechanic fix this for $850. Three weeks later, the new part started doing the same thing. I never know how to brake in an emergency situation because the ABS is on some of the time and off some of the time.
The ABS and traction system lights come on and stay on. If I turn the vehicle off and restart it sometimes the warning lights will go off but this is inconsistent at best. If I hit a bump the systems will go off. It does seem worse after the vehicle warms up. My biggest concern is failure of my braking system.
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.
ABS and traction control lights illuminated while braking on snow and ice, ABS stopped working and van skidded out of my control, pumped brakes until vehicle came to stop, luckily did not occur at next intersection,or would have slid into busy intersection !! Brought to shop and they did some diagnostics and came up with van needing a new ABS/traction control module. Very expensive repair. Upwards of $2000.00, if both ABS module and ABS hydraulic control parts need to be replaced. Went online and have read many many complaints of this problem on this model of van. Ford knows and they wont issue or recall a major safety / brake recall......this could cause someone severe injury or death !!! Brakes are there to safely stop a vehicles motion !!!!! Dealer says very common problem with these windstars.if Ford could fess up and make part very affordable then I could fix van myself. …
I was driving on the highway and all my instrument panel needles (gas, RPM, mileage, temperature) were all jumping around. This went on all the way home. I parked the car but the RPM needle was stuck and I could not shift the car into park (p) and could not turn off the car. I called a local mechanic and he came over and put the car in neutral (n) and turned off the car. The car had to be towed to the mechanic to have the instrument panel checked. The mechanic was able to move the RPM needle so that I could shift the car but the instrument panel continues to sporadically go from working, to not working at all, to all the needles jumping around. The mechanic was aware that I had the transmission done 3 times since I bought the car in sept. 2003 and told me that the malfunctioning instrument panel May be contributing to the transmission issues.
We lost our odometer, speedometer, cruise control and air conditioning on a recent trip from va to nc. At first, replacing the #10amp fuse took care of the problem. Within one week, the fuses began to blow as soon as the car is turned on. Now, it blows the fuse each time a new one is replaced. Therefore, no odometer, speedometer, cool air, cruise control, etc. After a lot of research on line, we have found numerous sources with incredible documentation and consistency showing that this problem has been pervasive across Ford Windstar products in the age range of our van. We have not had a fire, but there is enough of a record on this, that something should be done about it with Ford before someone has a fire that causes death or injury. Thanks for a response on what we can expect next.
I own a 2000 Ford Windstar. I have recently had my ABS brake light go on and stay on, along with my traction control light also staying on and finally, my speedometer no longer works above 40 km per hour. All of these happened exactly the same time. I took it into Ford and they are saying I need a new ABS module but after reading about their ABS recall issues and much written about how this problem is very common, I am inclined to think Ford should fix this problem. Hence my complaint to you guys.
ABS light on dash and other warning lights malfunction at different times along with displays that have characters in dash that are un-familiar. Beeps occur that I find no explanation in manual. Have had 2 malfunction in electric door locks and it is impossible to manually unlock passenger side doors from outside doors. Rear door latch cannot be opened except with key in event of certain types of crashes especially if occupants are not conscious.
Around the middle of August, 2009, my 2000 Ford Windstar began having its ABS warning lamp illuminate on my instrument cluster. This would occur seemingly for no apparent reason, though on September 13, 2009, I noticed that after engaging the cruise control and thereafter depressing the brake pedal, the lamp appeared. The lamp would usually, but not always, cease illuminating after I had stopped and restarted the engine.
Traction Control complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2000 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2000 Ford Windstar, 1% of the model year's 1,675 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Windstar traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 127,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.