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 2000 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
11s16 example template, front lower control arm: see suspension and structure of vehicle. I do not see a recall that visibly includes california as a recall state. I have definitely experienced this or a similar issue. There appears to be a large scale recall and buyback program. My vehicle was positively identified for the cruise control/speed control recall and serviced at gosch Ford in hemet, ca. I experienced more issues than only that, or even than that and the above. Contact for more information. Not limited to only this recall, vehicle experienced several issues, many of which were attended to with out of pocket funds, either to prevent, or due to, mechanical breakdown/failure. Please also consider axle recall, and additional for this vehicle. …
Took my van to Ford because a radiator hose came off, $350 for part of a hose clamp. While there had the 3rd rear axle safety recall inspection, I don't think they did it, told me my van was a 16 year old junker not worth fixing. Replacement of non-structural steel rear axle was again offered for $300. I want the axle I paid for when I bought the van new, structural steel that meets safety and legal requirements, installed at no additional cost. How is it legal to allow these unsafe axles? Your site info is incorrect on this, the "safety brackets" do not keep the defective axles from breaking, they are to keep the wheels, when the axle does crack, from cantering out and jamming in the wheel wells, causing absolute total loss of vehicle control. Not acceptable. Replace axle. A number of recalls listed here were not sent or performed. …
2000 Ford Windstar lx van with approx 97,000 miles. My wife was driving at a slow speed in a parking lot and all of a sudden there was a loud bang and she could not steer the vehicle. Fortunately, she was able to stop the van. One wheel in the front was straight and the other front wheel was turned at a 45 degree angle. We had the car towed to the Ford dealer. The problem was the sub frame rusted out, causing the transaxle to pull away from the transmission and dropping the engine. The repairs included replacing the sub frame assembly,transaxle, seals etc. The dealer told me that this was highly unusual for this to happen.... I contacted Ford and they told me they would do nothing to cover any portion of the cost. …
I watched last night as my wife and kids were coming home on the parkway, the rear axel snapped in. Two and both tires just dangeling basically,we had a blow out also managed to get the2000 Ford Windstar lx off of the main road where I had to call several to companies and no one with a wrecker was able to help, so I called a toe company with a roll back, to get our van home then I found out abt the complaint hotline and the recalls after my wife and kids could have been killed, the vehicle was going straight,and the speedlimet wich was 45 MPH, when the axel just snapped in two pieces, and out of control she managed to slow down, my kids are 1 and 2, we want reinbursement for the van and the tow bill as this is a manufacturer defect
The steering started to fail to return to normal position. I had the original recall bracket put on my vehicle as can be seen in the photo but this did not actually make the steering arm any better and probably made it worse by allowing the bracket to collect road salt. Ford as been evasive toward providing any help. I believe that Ford's evasiveness is result of the previous attempted fix which was unproductive and should have been engineered to have been actually effective in terms of the steering arm. I believe recalls ea10007 and pe10026 May provide some guidance. I am awaiting advice on what to do with my vehicle that is unsafe to drive and probably not cost worthy to fix.
My son was driving on the highway. While driving at 40 miles per hour the back axel fractured. This resulted in him crashing into the center cement devider as well as the from left control arm breaking as well. He had to go to the hospital and get checked out. It is a shame that I have to find out about this recall through my insurer.
Takata recall - air bag light is on. Problems with turning of steering wheel. Could not perform complete turns. Steering will stop halfway during turns. After review it appears that the airbag is coming through steering column. Van currently not drivable.
I bought the 2000 Ford Windstar on 09/12/2012. It had 125,000 miles. After I bought it I immediately took it to the mechanic shop to have them check it over. They found that the outer and inner tie rod ends needed to be replaced. Also, the mechanics found that the transmission mounts needed to be replaced. Also, the front struts and the rear shocks needed to be replaced. Also, the front engine mount needed to be replaced. I had all that work completed for around $1,500. Then a few months later, the vehicle broke down in my front yard. I turned the vehicle off and looked under the hood and the serpantine belt was snapped in half and the vehicle was smoking a little bit. A had the vehicle towed to the mechanics for $50. The mechanics diagnosed the powertrain. …
The subframe, located at the front underside of the 2000 Windstar, is supposed to help keep the engine and other integral parts of the Windstar in place and stable. It has been compromised on this vehicle with 185,000 miles, and broke during a turn into a park after church on the aforementioned date (10-10-10). Fortunately the results were not deadly but could have been if we were driving on the interstate which we frequently do. What happened was a detachment of the drive axle (half shaft) from the transmission, which occurred when the lower control arm mount separated and caused the wheel to pull free from the drive axle. Furthermore there were no warnings prior to any of the aforementioned failures. The area of the subframe affected by this corrosion is located on the passenger side where it attaches to the lower control arm. This is the first time it has occurred. …
While having new tires installed, I was made aware that the sub frame was rusted and had holes in it. I had got a recall notice the day after Ford put a new rear axle in the Windstar. (did they not know about the new recall?) after having the sub frame kit parts installed, the passenger side sub frame was perforated, the noise from the right side under passenger feet started. I went back to dealer that did the repairs (bill brown in livonia, mi>) they said everything was tight and vehicle is safe to drive. The noise has got worse and louder. I called Ford in dearborn and they said if bill brown says its safe then it is safe? I have to drive this car and the fact that is makes noise has me concerned. Ran it by bill brown after 6 months and took the service guy for a ride and he said he should look at it. The car started to pull to left and I went to the tire shop. …
Steering complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2000 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Ford Windstar, 4% of the model year's 1,675 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Windstar steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 114,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 11 injuries 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.