1999 Ford Windstar Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 278 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar, 18% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 74,250 miles. The words owners use most often: “rear axle” (10% of reports).
- 278power train complaints
- 74,250median miles at failure
- 9mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $3,650typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rear axle: mentioned in 27 of 278 complaints (10%)
- Transmission failed: mentioned in 23 of 278 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 1999 Ford Windstar at $3,650, and half of them between $2,600 and $4,250.
Based on 18 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2001–2010), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 158 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 278 complaints, 9 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 4 an injury.
Ford Windstar power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Windstar | 7 | 29% | 122,414 |
| 2003 Windstar | 225 | 15% | 102,000 |
| 2002 Windstar | 97 | 7% | 113,200 |
| 2001 Windstar | 145 | 9% | 106,574 |
| 2000 Windstar | 271 | 16% | 86,175 |
| 1999 Windstar | 278 | 18% | 74,250 |
| 1998 Windstar | 332 | 23% | 89,000 |
| 1997 Windstar | 43 | 22% | 146,000 |
| 1996 Windstar | 322 | 23% | 72,000 |
| 1995 Windstar | 875 | 26% | 93,672 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:axle assembly
Problem: 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. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which, if undetected, can increase and result in a complete fracture of the axle.
Risk: A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH out of the driveway, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and popping sound. The contact shifted to park(P). The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire…
I have 3 problems with my 1999 ford windstar which currently has 60,000 miles. One of them is the glass in front when i'm driving in the rain i have to turn on the wipers the driver's side in the middle part of the wiper stays wet while the passenger side cleans very well. The other problem i've…
I have 3 problems with my 1999 ford windstar which currently has 60,000 miles. One of them is the glass in front when i'm driving in the rain i have to turn on the wipers the driver's side in the middle part of the wiper stays wet while the passenger side cleans very well. The other problem i've…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1999 Ford Windstars have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 278 owner complaints about power train for the 1999 Ford Windstar (18% of the 1,522 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 1999 Ford Windstar power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 74,250 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,650 (half paid between $2,600 and $4,250), from 18 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 1999 Ford Windstar?
The most frequent phrase is “rear axle”, in 27 of 278 complaints, followed by “transmission failed” (23).
Other 1999 Ford Windstar problems
See all 1999 Ford Windstar problems or power train problems across all Windstar years.