1998 Ford Windstar

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #15V608000September 29, 2015283,413 vehicles affected

  suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly

  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.

  If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S27.

• NHTSA recall #12V193000May 3, 201227,000 vehicles affected

  power train: axle assembly

  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.

  A fractured axle Can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on june 19, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

• NHTSA recall #12V195000May 3, 20129,192 vehicles affected

  suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly

  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.

  A fractured axle may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket on the rear axle or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be provided free of charge. The recall began on june 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

• NHTSA recall #10V385000August 26, 2010492,650 vehicles affected

  suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly

  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.

  A fractured axle Can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  As parts become available, dealers will inspect and if necessary install the rear axle reinforcement brackets free of charge. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

• NHTSA recall #09V399000October 13, 20094,500,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 Windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 sd through F-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through E-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 F53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

  A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.

  Remedy

  Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.

• NHTSA recall #01V199000June 18, 2001198,583 vehicles affected

  suspension: front: springs: coil springs

  On certain minivans originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. The front coil springs could fracture as a result of corrosion. Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire.

  Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install protective shields around the front coil springs. Owner notification began september 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• NHTSA recall #00V168000June 19, 200020,637 vehicles affected

  exterior lighting

  Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of FMVSS 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to Ford, the vehicles were imported into the U.S. Erroneously.

  The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by U.S. Standards.

  Remedy

  Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.

• NHTSA recall #99V147000June 14, 1999789,723 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

  Vehicle description: minivans. The brake fluid master cylinder is recessed and oriented in the engine compartment so that the brake fluid warning statement embossed on both the top of the filler cap and the side of the reservoir body are not entirely visible by direct view. These vehicles may not fully comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 135, "passenger car brake systems."

  Remedy

  Owners will be provided with new labels and installation instructions.

• NHTSA recall #97V165000September 30, 19972,250 vehicles affected

  steering: gear box: shaft sector

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini-vans. The rack and pinion steering gears may have damaged input shaft bearings.

  This condition Can increase steering efforts, affecting steering control.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the date code on the rack and pinion steering gear, and, if necessary, replace those rack and pinion assemblies that fall within the suspect date code range. The date codes for Windstar model vehicles are 97JB09 or 97JC08; the date codes for mustang model vehicles are 97J09B or 97J08B.

• NHTSA recall #97V097000June 9, 1997100,000 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with AX4S automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover Can separate from the transaxle while the vehicle is being driven. If this occurs, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.

  The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.

• NHTSA recall #97V051000April 1, 1997202 vehicles affected

  child seat

  Vehicle description: minivan equipped with second row bench seats with optional integrated child seat (ics). The headrest lockout mechanism on the seats may not engage and lock the headrests in the "down" position, as intended, when the ics is deployed. A vehicle occupant could move the headrest to the "up" position.

  As a result of the headrest being in the "up" position, a child seated in the ics would receive less than the intended protection in the child head area in the event of a crash.

  Remedy

  The second row bench seats have been replaced with seats built with revised headrest lockout mechanisms.

Other model years

• 1995 3,326
• 1996 1,386
• 1997 192
• 1998
• 1999 1,522
• 2000 1,675
• 2001 1,686
• 2002 1,353
• 2003 1,510