2000 Ford Windstar Problems
The 2000 Ford Windstar has 500 NHTSA complaints and 16 recalls, with brake and suspension issues dominating owner reports. Based on 500 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Brake System the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2000 Ford Windstar has 500 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Brake System.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2000 Ford Windstar Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2000 Ford Windstar trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2000 Ford Windstar Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2000 Ford WindstarOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
FORD WINDSTAR 2000 has 500 NHTSA complaints and 16 recalls, with brake system (168) and suspension failures (154) as top issues. Crash-related complaints total 13. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Ford
- Model
- Windstar
- Model year
- 2000
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 500
- Crash-related complaints
- 13
- Safety recall campaigns
- 16
- Top reported component
- Brake System
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 17
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 15 / 21
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2000 Ford Windstar problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Brake System
Suspension Failures
Structural Problems
Complaint patterns center on Brake System, Suspension Failures, Structural Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2000 Ford Windstar?
The 2000 Ford Windstar is a high-risk purchase due to numerous brake and suspension complaints. Only consider if you are prepared for extensive repairs and have a mechanic inspect every system.
Brake and suspension failures directly affect safety and can lead to costly repairs. These patterns indicate potential design or quality issues that may recur.
May Suit
This year may suit a budget-conscious buyer with mechanical skills who can handle frequent repairs.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking a reliable family minivan should avoid this year due to high complaint counts.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2000 Ford Windstar
Inspection Focus
- Inspect brake lines, calipers, and master cylinder for leaks or corrosion.
- Check rear axle and suspension components for rust or damage.
- Examine body panels and frame for structural rust or cracks.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the brake system thoroughly.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake and suspension repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2000 Ford Windstar, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2000 Ford Windstar shows high complaint volume concentrated in brake system (168) and suspension failures (154). With 16 recalls and low confidence due to limited data, buyers should expect significant repair needs. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years, 2000 has the highest complaint volume, making it one of the worst years for the Windstar.
Recall context: With 16 recalls, thorough verification of all recall repairs is essential before purchase.
- Brake system received 168 complaints, the highest of any component.
- Suspension failures accounted for 154 complaints.
- 13 crash-related complaints were reported.
- Brake system failures, including premature wear and loss of braking.
- Suspension failures, such as rear axle corrosion and control arm issues.
- Structural problems, including rust and body panel separation.
Full breakdown
All 2000 Ford Windstar complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Ford Windstar. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake System | 168 | 3 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 154 | 7 | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 83 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 81 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 43 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 39 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 33 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 31 | 2 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 27 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 21 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2000 Ford Windstar. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 c…
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 …
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 warn…
Car overheats even though it does not shown on the meter and when stopped and cut off it bubbles severely
Going down the road car starts to sputter and then we'll cut off while driving and black smoke goes every dangerous it's happened twice already got it checked says nothing
Sliding rear door drivers side opened own it's own while i was driving. would not close, kept reopening, had to muscle closed. it has continued to happen frequently. I have seen many complaints on the year, model, for this issue. Why has there been no safety recall done? This is …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE AND THEN STARTED TO SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO COVER-JONES MOTOR (403 W. 3RD ST, ALLIANCE, NE 69301, …
GOING DOWN THE ROAD TRACTION CONTROL WILL GO OFF AND ON . IT WILL MAKE THE STEERING VERY HARD. THEN WHEN YOU TURN THE ENGINE OFF. IT IS VERY HARD TO START UP . SOME TIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT TWO OR THREE HOURS THEN IT WILL START RIGHT UP. THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM IS VERY BAD. …
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY MY REAR AXLE BROKE I SAFETY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER BUT WHILE DOING THAT MY TIRE BLEW AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE HIGH WAY. *TR
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 B…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND VEERING TO THE RIGHT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD METAL SCRAPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FRIEND'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. WHEN THE V…
REAR AXLE CRACKED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OVERNIGHT AND WAS DRIVEN HOME THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTAC…
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES CRAZY, DOESN'T WORK OR WORKS JUST FINE. THIS HAPPENS WEATHER I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE CITY..
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS LEANING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN I…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICA…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. T…
I LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A STILL ONGOING LIFE-THREATENING SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR 2000 REAR AXLE. AS YOU KNOW, THE WINDSTAR'S WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE IN 2010. MY PARTICULAR CAR WAS REINFORCED WITH 2 BRACKETS UNDER SAFETY RECALL 10S13 AT THE MOST C…
I STARTED HEARING A SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. I INSPECTED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A SIGNIFICANT CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR; HOWEVER, MY …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2000 Ford Windstar.
Safety recalls
2000 Ford Windstar recalls
16 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2000 Ford Windstar. With 16 recalls, thorough verification of all recall repairs is essential before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
TRAILER HITCHES
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SEAT BELTS
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2000 Ford Windstar buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2000 Ford Windstar reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 500 owner complaints, 13 crash-related complaints, and 16 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2000 Ford Windstar is a high-risk purchase due to numerous brake and suspension complaints. Only consider if you are prepared for extensive repairs and have a mechanic inspect every system. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Ford Windstar?▾
#1: Brake System (168 complaints). #2: Suspension Failures (154 complaints). #3: Structural Problems (83 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2000 Ford Windstar?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2000 Ford Windstar?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2000 Ford Windstar, NHTSA complaints include 13 crash-related reports and 9 fire reports out of 500 total complaints. 9 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2000 Ford Windstar have any recalls?▾
Yes. 16 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2000 Ford Windstar. A major recall area is SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY. With 16 recalls, thorough verification of all recall repairs is essential before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2000 Ford Windstar?▾
The 2000 Ford Windstar is a high-risk purchase due to numerous brake and suspension complaints. Only consider if you are prepared for extensive repairs and have a mechanic inspect every system. Brake and suspension failures directly affect safety and can lead to costly repairs. These patterns indicate potential design or quality issues that may recur. Pay extra attention to Brake System during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Windstar reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2000 Ford Windstar based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.