Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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. …
My grandson(4year old)and I was driving home from bank on 15 April 2017,then suddenly on puritan ave the drivers side rear tire started to rub frame and smoke entered vehicle ,I got out to check and notice the rear axle on drivers side was cracked and tire was leaning in and rubbing frame because of cracked axle. I was 2 blocks from home, so I drove home very slowly ,once home I made online appointment to take car to dealership which was for 17april 2017 at suburban Ford of ferndale 21600 woodward ave ferndale,mi 48220 tel: [phone]. I had to call aaa michigan and have van towed to dealership and once there the service personell told me that I would have to pay to have van repaired because the recall had expired in 2015 they did'nt even inspect to see what was wrong just assumed ,so I showed him the recall letter which he said it don't matter so I had to have van towed back home where it …
Minivan caught fire as result of transmission torque converter failure. Driving on a short excursion (about 50 miles at highway speeds) with girl scouts the driver noticed that the rear window was not clean or clear as normal. As they approached a traffic stop the transmission over-drive light started flashing. When the vehicle pulled away from the stop it was not able accelerate above 45 MPH and approximately half mile from the stop the driver was alerted of fire under the vehicle by passing drivers. The minivan driver immediately pulled over to evacuate passengers and call for help. When the van was stopped and its engine turned off the fire subsided with little damage. The fire department arrived and put absorbent to dry oil dripping from under the vehicle in the area behind the front wheels. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension) and the remedy for the repair did not work. The contact stated that the dealer also inspected and serviced the transmission, but a failure occurred after the dealer's repair. Upon leaving the dealer, the suspension was unstable and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer for further inspection and diagnostic testing. The contact was still waiting on the dealer to provide a permanent remedy for the condition of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 129,405.
I was driving down on 896, in the left hand lane, when my 2000 Ford Windstar lx van stopped running. I was going about 50mph when all of a sudden it just stopped. (I did have some transmission slipping previously but it had stopped.) (I thought that it was because the van hadn't been driven for about 4 months). I immediately put my hazards on and called the delaware state police. If this had happened on the interstate, I would have been killed. As it was. It happened this morning while I was on my way to work. I had people come flying up behind my vehicle and blowing their horn at me. Thankfully it was not rush hour otherwise I would not be here right now, which means my children would be motherless!
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving at approximately 60 MPH when the vehicle began to abnormally veer to the right. The contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete barrier. The vehicle was flipped in the opposite direction. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained minor cuts and bruises from the impact. A police report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was further inspected and it was determined that the rear axle fractured and caused the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The current and failure mileages were approximately 101,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving 70 MPH, the rear axle detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to westland Ford (located at 3450 wall ave, ogden, ut 84401, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously inspected regarding NHTSA campaign number: 12V193000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 16366106. The approximate failure mileage was 212,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal bang. The vehicle cabin was immediately filled with smoke and the contact moved off the roadway. The contact was assisted by a state trooper and the vehicle was towed to a local repair facility. The mechanic advised the rear axle had failed but did not exhibit signs of wear. The vehicle was left with the mechanic where he was awaiting repairs to the axle. The contact was concerned with the possibility of a crash had the traffic been heavier. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving various speeds, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and the ABS sensor indicator remained illuminated. As a result, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. While the vehicle was undergoing routine service, the independent mechanic also discovered that the front driver side control arm was damaged and needed to be replaced. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, she hard an abnormal crack. The contact was unable to locate the origin of the noise. On a later date, while driving at 25 MPH there was a loud, unusual squeal. She discovered the rear driver side tire was slanted at an angle and the rear axle was fractured in half. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where she was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were approximately 170,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Axle assembly
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997, through July 3, 2003, and currently registered or originally sold in virginia. Over time, corrosion can weaken the rear axle making it susceptible to torsional stress.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2012.
Transmission complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 271 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Ford Windstar, 16% of the model year's 1,675 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (148 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Windstar transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-193 (axle assembly, May 3, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Windstar transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 7 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.