The 2000 Ford Windstar has 12 recalls, the most serious being a cluster of structural concerns: the rear axle can crack and fracture, causing sudden loss of vehicle control, and front lower control arm brackets can corrode and separate, reducing steering control.
The rear axle issue appears across several recalls affecting vehicles registered in different states and Puerto Rico, and prior repair attempts using bracket reinforcements may not have been installed correctly, meaning some vehicles that were already serviced could still be at risk. On the fuel system side, a fuel line connection can pull apart and leak fuel, which can lead to a fire. There is also a floor mat concern on vehicles with the adjustable pedal option, where the mat can catch the accelerator pedal and cause the throttle to stick. An electrical recall covers water and contaminants entering the rear passenger compartment through a gap in the body sealer, which can short out wiring for the rear lights and related systems. On the glass side, the windshield and rear liftgate glass may have been bonded with the wrong adhesive, leaving them less likely to stay in place during a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
Brackets installed during previous rear axle repairs may have been positioned incorrectly, reducing the effectiveness of those repairs against axle cracking from corrosion.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect bracket installation. If found misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle can crack due to high stress from repeated twisting forces, particularly in this market's driving conditions.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear axle and install a reinforcement bracket or replace the axle if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rust can cause the front lower control arm rear brackets and body mount attachments to crack and fracture.
What the fix does
Your dealer will inspect both front lower control arm brackets and body mount attachments, then repair any damage at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Corrosion weakens the rear axle over time, making it vulnerable to stress. This can cause cracks that grow larger and potentially break the axle completely.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear axle and install reinforcement brackets or replace the axle as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bracket that attaches the front lower control arm can separate, causing the control arm to detach. Both rear body mounts of the front subframe can also separate, causing the steering intermediate shaft to separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm brackets and both rear subframe body mount attachments, then repair them at no cost. If repairs cannot be completed, Ford will repurchase the vehicle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Corrosion weakens the rear axle over years of service in certain regions, making it vulnerable to stress-related cracks that can spread and cause complete axle failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear axle and install reinforcement brackets as needed at no cost to strengthen the axle against corrosion and stress.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water and contaminants can enter the right rear passenger area due to missing body sealer, causing electrical connector corrosion and short circuits that may affect rear lights, reverse park-aid, or trailer tow systems.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the connector and area for missing sealer and corrosion, then service body gaps, repair corroded connectors if needed, and apply protective coating to the connector and gap.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's floor mat may shift and block the accelerator pedal, causing the throttle to stick and potentially leading to a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front driver and passenger floor mats with new ones.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel line connection may not be formed correctly, reducing its strength. In a crash, the connection could separate and leak fuel.
What the fix does
An extra fuel line clip will be installed on the fuel supply and return line connections at the rear of the chassis.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel line connections may have incorrect end forms, reducing the pull-apart force below specification and risking loosening.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a redundant clip on fuel supply and return line connections at the rear chassis fuel line bundle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield and liftgate glass were installed with incorrect urethane and missing primer, creating a weak adhesive bond instead of the proper molecular bond. This bond can deteriorate over time and reduce glass retention during a crash.
What the fix does
The windshield and liftgate glass will be replaced using the correct urethane installation kit.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front windshield and rear liftgate glass may be bonded with the wrong urethane, creating a weaker adhesive bond instead of the proper molecular bond.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front windshield and rear liftgate glass.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
