Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 while reversing at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal booming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the front spring had fractured and punctured the passenger's side front tire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The rear axle broke for the second time on a Ford Windstar, after already breaking prior to a recall in 2010. It appears to have broken where a clamp was attached. This caused the rear wheels to fall into, and grind against the wheel well. This happened on a side street near my house. Had it happened at highway speeds, the rear wheels could have locked up or perhaps broken free causing loss of control. The axle problem has been known to Ford, but it is concerning that this is the second one to fail. I have not yet contacted ford or a a repair facility to evaluate. There were no warning lamps or other indication. The axle simply broke abruptly. I thought it was a tire blow out until I saw the wheels tilted in. The vehicle is older, but I maintain it well.
Tl* the contact owned a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle struck a bump in the road and began to sway. The contact lost control of the vehicle, struck a fire hydrant, flipped over three times, and landed upside down. The driver and the front passenger were knocked unconscious. The passenger in the rear of the vehicle was not wearing a seat belt and was nearly thrown from the vehicle. All of the passengers sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was a destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V030000 (structure); however, the contact never received the notice. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving at a low speed, the contact heard a loud noise and a burning rubber odor. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear passenger tire was rubbing on the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V195000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 117,000.
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. …
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. …
On my way home from work on Friday July 24, 2015 at about 10:00 p.m. The back of my 2000 Ford Windstar started bouncing. I slowed down fortunately and a few blocks later there was loud bang and the van veered into a right turn and spun around coming to a stop less than a foot from a large light pole. I was close enough to walk to my house and I called aaa and they towed the van back to my workplace. Upon inspection I saw that the axle had snapped in two right next to a repair that Ford had previously done under a recall. When I called Ford's customer service I was informed that the axle recall had been successfully completed in 2010 and any further issues with this vehicle are not their problem. …
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving 5 MPH, the rear axle on the driver side failed without warning. The contact received a recall notification letter in September of 2016 for NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension). On October 28, 2016, the vehicle was taken to a local dealer (hutch Ford Lincoln, 213 s mayo trail, paintsville, ky, 41240) where the vehicle was inspected and it was determined that the remedy did not need to be applied. The contact went to an unknown local dealer in pikeville, ky for a second opinion and to notify them that she observed that the vehicle had bounced and made an abnormal squeaking sound. The dealer informed the contact that because the first dealer marked the vehicle off from the recall list, that they could not inspect the vehicle free of charge. The vehicle was not diagnosed due to the fee. The manufacturer was not contacted. …
Related recalls
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997, through July 3, 2003, registered in puerto rico. Due to increased stresses caused by high cycles of torsional loading, specific to this market, the rear axle can crack.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket on the rear axle or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be provided free of charge. The recall began on June 1, 2012.
Suspension › Front › Control arm
Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the state of virginia. Corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments May occur.
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.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997 through February 28, 2003 and currently registered or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new…
Remedy: As parts become available, dealers will inspect and if necessary install the rear axle reinforcement brackets free of charge. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 20, 2010.
NHTSA investigations
Rear Axle Cracking
In a letter dated August 26, 2010, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report notifying NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 10V-385) to address a rear axle defect in model year (MY) 1998 through 2003 Ford Windstar vehicles built at the Oakville assembly plant from September 1, 1997 through February 28, 2003 and either sold or currently registered in high corrosion…
Suspension complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2000 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 356 complaints about the suspension of the 2000 Ford Windstar, 21% of the model year's 1,675 complaints. The component named most often is rear (156 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Windstar suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-608 (non-powered axle assembly, Sep 29, 2015); NHTSA recall 12V-195 (non-powered axle assembly, May 3, 2012); NHTSA recall 12V-194 (control arm, May 3, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Windstar suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 118,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries to suspension 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.