Window & Wiper complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Started having wiper issues (intermittent did not work) randomly for a couple weeks, then headlights went out on highway at night with no other cars, first for a couple seconds off then on then off for good after a few more seconds. After another 10 min or so they went back on and stayed on. Also wipers did not work, or radio, windows and door locks. Another time during heavy rain in daytime the system failed again, wipers went off. This was on busy highway. Luckily they went on again after 10s and I was able to see and pull over. Very scary. Happened off and on again. Turned out forward control module was bad. Dealer replaced one I got from junkyard, no more problem.
2003 Ford Windstar minivan vehicle had been driven to a workplace and parked for the day. Upon entering the vehicle to travel home, driver started vehicle normal and attempted to shift automatic transmission into gear to move from the parking space. The transmission would not engage into either drive (forward) or reverse (backward). Vehicle was towed to a garage and then to a transmission shop. Estimate to repair the transmission exceeds $2500. The transmission had shown no signs of slippage or other visible, audible and/or shifting issues. Since the incident, I have done online researched and found literally hundreds of similar complaints and incidents on this vehicle model. We have also have repeated electrical problems with this van. Interior lights come on and go off for no reason. Interior lights blink while driving in daytime or nighttime. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact entered her vehicle and noticed thick white smoke inside the entire passenger compartment. The fire department arrived and disconnected the battery. They stated that an electrical fire had occurred. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was inspected by an insurance adjuster, who determined that the rear window wiper motor failed and caused the fire. The vehicle was labeled as destroyed due to the cost to clean the chemicals out of the vehicle, which was more than the vehicle's worth. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop. The technician stated that the window wiper motor caused the failure. The contact called the manufacturer and her VIN was requested. She was later informed that she needed to call her insurance company for further assistance. The failure mileage was 82,241.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact noticed that there was water entering into the vehicle from the front windshield. In addition, the trim by the front windshield and front frame on the passenger side were rusting. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000. The VIN was not provided.
Last night at approximately 8:30 pm, a pleasant evening at about 65 degrees and a light rain; for no reason whatsoever the rear quarter (automated) window exploded on the drivers side. The glass was on the inside of the vehicles back and middle seats as well as in the driveway. Because I have seen several other complaints about this issue, I think this qualifies as a safety hazard because of the shards of glass flying everywhere; if there would have been anybody in the van this could have caused them serious injury. Ford motor company needs to be held accountable for this issue and back it up with action by finding and fixing the problem; or at the very least cover the cost of the damages.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. When the contact first purchased the vehicle, it shut off. The rings in the engine had to be replaced. She also heard a rumbling sound when the brake pedal was depressed. An auto repair shop stated that the brakes were operating normally; however, after much complaining, the contact had the front brakes replaced. The windshield wipers stopped working after a new windshield was installed. The vehicle was diagnosed and the motor was found to be the cause of the failure. The motor was replaced. A couple of months later, the vehicle began leaking antifreeze and was towed to a repair shop. The contact was informed that the fuel injection hoses were leaking. The leak was repaired. Three weeks later, the vehicle would buck and shut off. She was informed that the catalytic converter was completely destroyed. …
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. …
I have had to replace the wiper motor in this vehicle twice so far and now it has malfunctioned again and I will now need to replaced it again. That makes four wiper motors in one car. Ford disavows any responsibility for this in my Windstar, even though it has recalled this motor in other 2000 Windstar's. I don't understand why they won't be responsible for mine. It does all the things listed in the recall of 2001, loses intermittent, fails to work at all, turns on when I have it is on "off," and once, it even caught on fire when it was turned off and not in use. Needing 4 new wiper motors in one vehicle is clearly a design or manufacturing problem. This vehicle clearly should have been included in the 2001 recall for this very problem. How can I make Ford take responsibility and fix this repeated problem once and for all? Thank you.
Related recalls (2)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Vehicle description: Mini vans. Contaminants such as water, salt, and windshield washer solution can enter the wiper motor cover assembly through pinholes on the exterior of the cover that are used in the molding process.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new wiper cover with improved sealing and water resistance. Owner notification begain August 27, 2001.
Visibility › Glass, side/rear
Vehicle description: Mini vans. These vehicles May have been built with incorrect urethane, resulting in an adhesive bond rather than the intended molecular bond for the front windshield and rear liftgate glass.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the windshield and liftgate glass.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Windstar years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (87), 2000 (68), 1999 (47), 1998 (40) and 2001 (39) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Ford Windstar window & wiper problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 01V-261 (motor, Aug 15, 2001); 00V-020 (glass, side/rear, Jan 31, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Windstar window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the power window devices and controls (96 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer (57).
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.