The 2000 Ford Windstar 3.8L has 11 recalls on the van and three of these recalls deal with electrical problems. Carcomplaints.com reports additional electrical problems with the Windstar: everything from complete dashboard or gauge failure to speed control modules catching on fire. These electrical failures create other major problems with the 2000 Windstar.
More than 180,000 Ford Windstar vans have been recalled for electrical problems with the windows and dashboard cluster, including the 3.8L Windstar for the 2000 model year. The Fords built with an instrument panel that does not have a message center came wired to allow the windows, partition and sun roof to open when the ignition is off. According to Motor Carrier Vehicle Safety Standard No. 118, all electrical windows must open only when the ignition is in the start, accessory or on position. The Windstar owner must take the van back into the dealership to have the wiring harness reconfigured to resolve this dangerous situation.
The 2000 Ford Windstar 3.8L is part of a major recall of more than 4 million Fords manufactured with speed controls made by Texas Instruments. According to Carcomplaints.com, the speed control deactivation switch leaks fluid and then begins to overheat, causing the switch to smoke or burn. A fire can be created by this switch even when the Windsar is not running. The Ford Windstar owner must take the van into the dealership to have this electrical problem repaired, and at this time the dealership will also inspect the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module to ensure it has not been damaged by the electrical problem.
The rear air conditioner on the 2000 Ford Windstar 3.8L van exhibits electrical problems that cause the motor to eventually stop in the medium or low setting. The resistors inside the air-conditioning motor overheat and then begin to smoke, causing a potential fire hazard. More than 400,000 Ford mini vans were recalled for this electrical problem, including the 2000 Ford Windstar 3.8L. A wire needs to be installed on the speed settings to ensure that the temperature on the resistor remains at an acceptable level.
