1998 Ford Windstar problems & reliability
1,433 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Ford Windstar, alongside 7 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
37 complaints report injuries (59 injured, 3 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1998 Ford Windstar vehicles were involved in 6 fatal crashes with 7 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 332 | 23% |
| Suspension | 229 | 16% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 196 | 14% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 177 | 12% |
| Steering | 143 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 111 | 8% |
| Wheels | 83 | 6% |
| Structure | 81 | 6% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 73 | 5% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 58 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 95,000 miles (middle 50% between 65,246 and 126,925 miles), based on 386 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering significantly. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Store, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was corroded and had fractured from the upper side to the lower side. The mechanic related the failure to…”
Suspension · filed Oct 31, 2023
“We woke up this morning to the driver's side completely burned and melted. It had been parked sinced Monday. Fire inspector said it was definitely an electrical issue coming from the seat.”
Electrical System · filed Jun 8, 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact heard a hissing sound coming from the vehicle, but could not identify where the sound originated. The contact also began to smell a burning rubber odor. The contact pulled into a nearby driveway and placed the vehicle in park…”
Suspension · filed Dec 17, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Rear Axle Cracking
Preliminary Evaluation PE10016 · opened May 13, 2010 · closed Sep 22, 2010 · led to recall 10V385000
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA08021 · opened Sep 17, 2008 · closed Oct 14, 2009 · led to recall 09V399000
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE08035 · opened May 13, 2008 · closed Sep 17, 2008
- WHEEL STUD FRACTURE
Engineering Analysis EA03004 · opened Apr 10, 2003 · closed Aug 30, 2004
- WHEEL STUD FRACTURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE02085 · opened Nov 18, 2002 · closed Apr 10, 2003
- SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
Engineering Analysis EA00027 · opened Dec 8, 2000 · closed Jul 31, 2001 · led to recall 01V199000
- SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
Preliminary Evaluation PE00024 · opened Jun 23, 2000 · closed Dec 8, 2000
- OVERHEAD CONSOLE LOOSE OR HANGS DOWN
Investigation SQ99001 · opened Jan 12, 1999 · open · led to recall 99I001000
Technical service bulletins
236 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Ford Windstar. The 10 most recent:
For 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 11S16 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a front subframe lower control arm (LCA) rear attaching flange or…
16-0065 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 20, 2020
Safety recall 10S13 - Rear axle corrosion - requests for recall service action
TSB160070 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
For 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 10S13 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the rear axle could potentially fracture. If the rear axle should…
16-0070 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
Summary to be provided on a future date.
CSP-15-N-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 29, 2015
Ford: safety recall concerning rear axle fracturing if vehicle is operated in high corrosion areas for and extended period. Model 1998-03 windstar. *pe
TSB-14-0167 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 9, 2014
Ford: on some minivans, rear axle will fracture, in high corrosion area, after operating for an extended time period, and vehicle handling ability will be affected. Model 1998-2003 windstar. *pe
TSB-14-0146 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 11, 2014
General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt
042107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2004
Literature program 04l23. Customer maintenance reminder - aluminum wheel lug nut torque. *tt
04L23 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2004
Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline. *tt this bulletin updates previous bulletin 17358, dated 11/01/2003 to include 2005 models. *tt
17358 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 2004
Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457 or p1442 or a check fuel cap lamp illuminated with dtc p0457 for the evaporative emission system. *tt
03203 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 13, 2003
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1998 Ford Windstar has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1998 Ford Windstar?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 95,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.