Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2000 Ford Windstar
NHTSA data on file today
The 2000 Ford Windstar has 16 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,675 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V608000 Axle Recall Remedy may been Performed Improperly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V193000 REAR AXLE CRACKING-VIRGINIA VEHICLES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V195000 REAR AXLE CRACKING PUERTO RICO NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V194000 CORROSION FRACTURES OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V030000 CORROSION FRACTURES OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V385000 REAR AXLE CRACKING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V399000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E056000 FUEL LEAK/FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V072000 FORD/TRAILER-TOW CONNECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V262000 FORD/AUXILIARY A/C BLOWER MOTOR WIRING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V261000 FORD/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V207000 FORD/ADJUSTABLE ACCELERATOR PEDAL/FLOOR MAT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V351000 FORD/FMVSS 118/ACCESSORY POSITION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V228001 FORD/FMVSS 209/TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V164000 FORD/FUEL LINE FITTINGS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V020000 FORD/GLASS RETENTION NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Suspension 356 complaints
- Power Train 270 complaints
- Electrical System 222 complaints
- Structure 215 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 204 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 138 complaints
Of the 1,675 complaints on file, 62 report a crash and 55 a fire; across all 1,675 complaints, owners report 61 injuries and 3 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2000 Ford Windstar struggles with significant reliability issues, evident from recurring corrosion-related axle failures and high complaint counts across multiple systems. Suspension and brakes are particularly problematic, requiring careful attention. The costs of repairs and frequency of certain issues contribute to a below-average reliability rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear axle | 60,000–100,000 miles | $900–$1,500 | very common |
| Service brakes | 70,000–120,000 miles | $300–$600 | common |
| Front control arm | 80,000–130,000 miles | $500–$900 | common |
| Electrical system | 50,000–100,000 miles | $100–$400 | occasional |
| Wiper motor | 50,000–90,000 miles | $200–$350 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 3,000 miles
- Brake system flush at 60,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 50,000 miles
- Suspension inspection annually
- Cooling system service every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Excessive brake noise or vibration
- Uneven tire wear indicating alignment issues
- Stiff or unresponsive steering
- Smell of burning or overheating
- Recurrent electrical faults
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2000 Ford Windstar at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.