If my vehicle is not used for a few days (3 to 4 days), when I start the vehicle, all the needles of the instrument cluster oscillate violently between extremes. However, this does not affect drivability and I can slowly move the car out of my driveway and get on the street. About 30 to 45 seconds after this, the needles stop moving and resume normal function.
1999 Ford Windstar electrical problems
208 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 101,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 208
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 101,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Horn43
- Instrument cluster/panel12
- Wiring: front underhood9
- Wiring: interior/under dash8
- Ignition8
- Alternator/generator/regulator7
- Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers5
- Wiring4
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Windstar electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Ford Windstar electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: minivans built with instrument clusters without the message center, fail to comply with the requirements of standard no. 118, "power-operated window, partition, and roof panel systems." the power windows may be operable after the ignition has been turned to the "off" position and the front doors are opened.
- Risk
- The standard requires that power operated windows may be closed only when the key is in the "on," "start," or "accessory" positions, or during the interval between the time the key is turned off, and the opening of either of the vehicle's front doors.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reconfigure the vehicle front end electronic module.
Recall number 00V351000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea08-021 is closed with ford's actions in recall 09v‑399 recalling approximately 4.5 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).with this recall ford has now recalled all of the approximate 16 million ford model vehicles that were manufactured from my 1992 through 2003 with a texas instruments scds.the federal safety agency will continue to monitor the recalled vehicles to ensure remedies installed by ford tomitigate the potential for scds related fires are effective.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for further details.
EA08021
Engine compartment fires
Odi has received 134 consumer complaints, 285 manufacturer complaints, and 137 manufacturer warranty claims alleging incidents of engine compartment fire in model year (my) 1995 thru 2003 ford windstar vehicles.two of the odi complaints allege the fires caused structural damage to the complainant's home.of the 134 odi complaints, 36 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked, 72 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was running and 26 of the complaints do not specify if the vehicle was running or not.further review of the odi complaints shows that 72 allege that the speed control deactivation switch (scds) caused the fire and 10 allege that the scds leaked brake fluid on to the ABS module resulting in the fire.there were 52 that did not identify a cause or that identified miscellaneous other causes.odi has also received 89 complaints ( not counted in this resume) alleging that the scds developed a brake fluid leak.thirteen of these complaints say that the leak at the scds resulted in braked fluid reaching the ABS module.this pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea) to further evaluate the cause of the fires and assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequences of the alleged defect.
PE08035
What 1999 Ford Windstar owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
This was my mothers . Now mine the speed odometer just goes every where sometimes it doesn't move at all. And it does it does show the right speed all the instrument panel does the same . And when that started the windows stop working too. Any more nor the radio. They said its a main control molecule. I just don't know I got a ticket cause it said I was going 89 in 65 wow.. Help
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that the entire instrument panel illuminated and then turned dark. Afterwards, the vehicle failed to start. Klaben ford lincoln of warren, inc (i3853 youngstown rd se, warren, oh 44484, (888) 428-3823) stated that the anti-theft system may have prevented the vehicle from starting and affected the electrical system. The contact was informed to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Dancing speedometer needle, and other gauges in the cluster while in motion. Can also malfunction while the vehicle is stationary while the engine is running.
I bought a 99 winstarr a few months ago and just recently the instrument cluster started dancing, and there is no power t the radio or the cigarette lighter underneath it. I also sprung a trans leak and fixed it but the car sputters then shuts off and I have to restart it
Too make a long story short.I had about three recall on my ford windstar and now my whole van shut down on me.my computer I guess got it on auto theft lock and I can't even turn over now.it's just sitting in my parking lot just helpless.I have another recall but I cant take it to the ford dealership because I cant turn over.oh yea.it kept cutting off while im driving,don't let me stop at a light it will cut off on me there alot.it does that alot.I bought it from a car lot but he doesn't want to do anything about it.so I lost out of my money.when I turn it also cut off.
Abs light came on continually for the last 6000 miles. Brought the vehicle to ford in plainville, ct and they told me there was no recall and the cost was to include a new computer for an unreasonable dollar amount. Still not corrected and I understand that the ABS system is not working. Have checked other owners and they have the same problem. Also have a cruise control system that is not working. Have been told that I need a new harness for a cost of over #300. Still not activated.
While driving the electrical system went crazy I had no turning signal no lights the speed odometer levers went back in forth. Very scary when your a mother of three and carrying children in the van.
I never knew about ford's recalls until last march. Before calling ford I did research and found numerous people have the same problems as me. Mine started in 2012 when out of the blue the front windows would no longer open. Next when you tried to put the heat on in the rear there was strange noise and now I'm to afraid to use it. The past 3 yrs the gauges go haywire. Sometimes if you hit the dash it'll stop but locks up and you don't know what your speed is. If I leave it alone sometimes it will stop on it's own but locks up to wherever it stops at. On numerous occasions the ABS light will come on. For over 2 yrs now the check engine light has been on. I had it checked & was told it was the o2 sensors for which I replaced, 3 days later the engine light came back on again they said it was the o2 sensors. In the past 2 1/2 yrs I've had to replace the battery because while driving the battery light will come on. If I accelerate it goes off but nobody knows why the battery keeps dying. Some say its an electrical problem draining the battery. The interior lights will come on for no reason so I had them removed as I thought it might be draining the battery. Last summer out of the blue the A/C started making a noise and just quit just like a month ago I heard this clicking noise only to find out I had no heat. I spoke to ford about the gauges, the electrical problems, the A/C and some of the other issues and their response was it wasn't on their recall list and would only fix the rear axle, cruise control and the front if there was anything wrong. When I mentioned all the info I found on the federal safety agency's site about this vehicle I was told they have no control over what is fixed. I am disabled and am living in a place for the homeless & with all these problems how does ford expect me to fix their defects? Every time I have to drive which isn't often I pray I make it to & from safely.
Abs light comes on and goes off as one drives. It stays on when it is hot outside but does not when it stays cold outside. When light is on there is no ABS brakes. One would think there is a short in the system or a ground issue.
Questions about the 1999 Ford Windstar electrical
Does the 1999 Ford Windstar have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 208 complaints about the electrical of the 1999 Ford Windstar, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Windstar electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 101,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1999 Ford Windstar electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 00V351000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Windstar have the most electrical problems?
The Ford Windstar model years with the most electrical complaints are 2003 (280 complaints), 2002 (261 complaints) and 2001 (223 complaints).
Other 1999 Ford Windstar problems
Transmission 276Body 275Brakes 223Suspension 208Steering 184Engine 136Acceleration 99Visibility 62Locks 35Fuel system 29Airbags 28Lights 26Wheels 23Tires 21Seat belts 18Seats 15Driver assistance 11
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