Worst 1998 Ford Windstar Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Automatic Transmission
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Ford Windstar.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 255 | 5 | 5 | 80,312 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 110 | — | 35 | 56,333 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 86 | 1 | — | 80,324 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 79 | 9 | — | 59,685 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 57 | 8 | 6 | 112,764 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 55 | 3 | 1 | 111,855 mi | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 53 | 4 | — | 90,751 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 52 | 1 | 1 | 89,507 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 42 | 2 | 9 | 87,711 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 41 | 2 | — | 116,773 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 36 | 2 | — | 88,354 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 32 | — | 7 | 91,027 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 32 | 3 | — | 97,245 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 31 | 1 | — | 102,523 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 30 | 3 | — | 80,598 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 30 | — | — | 78,532 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 29 | — | — | 66,224 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 27 | 1 | — | 127,675 mi | |
| Interior Lighting | 26 | 1 | 1 | 119,009 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 26 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 25 | — | — | 82,437 mi | |
| Body Structure | 23 | — | — | 94,531 mi | |
| Manual Transmission | 22 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 19 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 18 | 2 | — | 133,182 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 17 | 1 | — | 40,000 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 16 | — | — | 104,809 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 16 | — | — | 37,093 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 15 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Ford Windstar. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 1998 Ford Windstar
4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~812,255 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10V-385, 12V-193, and 12V-195.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA. OVER TIME, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD TO CRACKS WHICH, IF UNDETECTED, CAN INCREASE AND RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, REGISTERED IN PUERTO RICO. DUE TO INCREASED STRESSES CAUSED BY HIGH CYCLES OF TORSIONAL LOADING, SPECIFIC TO THIS MARKET, THE REAR AXLE CAN CRACK.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2003 AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. AFTER MANY YEARS OF VEHICLE SERVICE IN THESE AREAS, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE, MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD TO CRACKS WHICH IF UNDETECTED CAN PROPAGATE AND RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE.
Other Ford Windstar Years
1998 Ford Windstar — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Ford Windstar reliable?
What are common problems with the 1998 Ford Windstar?
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Ford Windstar?
How safe is the 1998 Ford Windstar?
Does the 1998 Ford Windstar have any recalls?
Should I buy a 1998 Ford Windstar?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Windstar reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Ford Windstar
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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