1998 Ford Windstar Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission failures and rear axle breakage, followed by front-end and steering wear, brake hydraulic problems, and cooling-system leaks. Many reports come in at higher mileage, though some failures — transmission, axle, head gasket — are described as sudden, with little or no warning beforehand.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Rear axle cracks or breaks

   Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the rear axle fracturing in half, sometimes with a loud bang while driving or reversing and no earlier noise or vibration. Owners report the rear wheels tilting outward and, in some cases, rear brake lines separating after the axle moves. Several state the dealer or manufacturer checked the VIN and said the vehicle was not covered by the rear axle recalls. Mostly reported between roughly 75,000 and 216,000 miles, often on older vehicles in corrosive or road-salt areas.

   Recall 15V608000Recall 12V193000Recall 12V195000Recall 10V3850004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the rear axle and its recall repair brackets inspected on a lift, and ask whether the rear axle recall work was completed and by whom. Look for corrosion along the axle beam.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our 1998 Ford Windstar mini van rear axle broke. We were returning home. When we returned I went online to check how much it would cost to repair and was surprised to find that this van was not the only 98 to have this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10288987, filed 2009-10, 100,000 miles

   “My 1998 Ford Windstar gl rear axle broke in two with no prior warning such as noise, handling problems or vibration. Being only 12 miles from home I was able to drive very slowly until we got home. By the time we got to our driveway we had also lost almost all brake pedal. The following day I raised the rear of the van and found the crack in the rear axle about 18 inches from the drivers side rear tire, and the abnormal movement after the break had caused the brake line to the rear tires to separate. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10345108, filed 2010-07, 140,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission fails or loses gears

   • 265 complaints (18%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (70 state mileage)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,700 (median of 28 quotes)
   • filed 1997–2017

   Owners describe the van jerking hard, stalling on deceleration into turns, shuddering on acceleration from a stop, or suddenly losing drive and reverse gears with no warning. Some report transmission fluid leaking from the servo cover, and a few mention shops replacing the main control valve or rebuilding the unit. Some say the dealer could not reproduce the stalling or found no applicable recall for their VIN. Spread from low mileage up to about 180,000 miles, with many reports in the 80,000-130,000 mile range.

   Recall 97V0970001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive from cold and check for harsh or delayed engagement, shudder on takeoff, and slipping. Check for transmission fluid leaks under the van and ask about prior transmission work or a rebuild.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1998 Windstar has 89,000 miles and the transmission completey broke apart, with no warning at all. No slipping or anything. Sitting at a red light, the van jerked like we had been hit in the rear by someone doing 80 miles per hour. It is going to cost me $1800.00 to have it rebuilt. I know numerous complaints are filed with your organization on Ford transmissions. I want to register my complaint.”

   NHTSA complaint #10032817, filed 2003-08, 89,000 miles

   “I own a 1998 Ford Windstar(manufacture date aug..1997. I have been having problems for a while. My van was making a whining grinding noise. Gear is hard to get out of park bad popping noise when backing up...replaced all 4 wheel bearings and both tie rod ends..still making a bad whining noise.3 days ago I was driving down the highway and the steering started acting weird and shaking and the back of the van started swaying back and forth .. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10365577, filed 2010-11, 120,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake fluid leaks and long pedal

   • 141 complaints (10%)
   • median 106,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (55 state mileage)
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,300 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2019

   Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor, brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder area or the cruise-control switch, and ABS units or wheel-speed electronics failing with warning lights. Some owners report repeated master cylinder replacements before the ABS hydraulic unit was identified as the source, and others note chattering ABS that quits after the warning light comes on. Reported from about 50,000 miles upward, with many cases between 100,000 and 150,000 miles.

   Recall 99V147000Recall 09V399000

   What to check: Check the brake fluid level and look for wetness around the master cylinder and cruise-control switch. Ask about ABS warning lights and any prior master cylinder or ABS unit replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1998 Ford Windstar. The ABS brakes are working all the time. Even in the middle of summer I can hear them engaging. I can not get them to stop chattering. After about 10 miles of city driving them finally give up and the ABS light comes on and then the car stops normally.”

   NHTSA complaint #10352393, filed 2010-08, 147,000 miles

   “On 12/7/01 my ABS light came on and the trac off light started blinking. I took it into the inver grove Ford, mn and the diagnosis was broken wheel sensor and had to replace the ecu. That cost us $1600.00. Then on 12/8/02, the 2 lights came on again. I called Ford very upset and was told that there is only a 12 month/12,000 miles warranty on the part. After another diagnostic test, it was determined the ecu again went out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10005175, filed 2003-02, 52,350 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Tie rods, steering rack and power steering leaks

   • 145 complaints (10%)
   • median 81,250 mi at 9.0 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $664 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2019

   Complaints describe grinding or binding tie rod ends, a steering rack replaced and failing again, and power steering fluid loss from a leak at the rack or a return line rubbing on the frame. Some owners report the dealer used a repair kit rather than replacing the part, and the leak returned. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 125,000 miles.

   Recall 97V165000

   What to check: Listen for grinding when turning, check the power steering fluid level, and look for wetness on the steering rack and lines. Ask whether the rack or tie rod ends were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had a metalic grinding noise when I steered to the right or left. I took it to my Ford dealer for repair and found that the right and left tie rod ends were binding and had to be replaced. I have always had my van lubricated and have found out that these tie rods have no grease fitting for lubrication. I view this as a safety hazard and could result in a serious accident if left unattended.”

   NHTSA complaint #10082715, filed 2004-07, 72,468 miles

   “Power steering return line from rack to cooler rubbed on frame of 98 Ford Windstar until a hole resulted in loss of most ps fluid. Drastic loss of fluid occurred descending blue ridge mountains. Windstar had about 125,000 miles, and the damage to the hose was not visible from normal inspection. Fluid sprayed over hot engine parts but did not ignite.”

   NHTSA complaint #10148183, filed 2006-01, 125,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket leak and coolant loss

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report coolant leaking into a cylinder, white smoke from the exhaust, and a failing head gasket, sometimes at relatively low mileage despite regular maintenance. Some say the repair quote for an engine replacement ran into the thousands, and a few note the shop mentioning similar cases on this engine in Windstars. Reported from around 76,000 to 125,000 miles.

   What to check: Check coolant level and look for white exhaust smoke or coolant smell; ask whether the head gasket or intake gaskets have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This van has all the defects and complaints listed on thegovt. Recalls the NHTSA site and others ihave too much info to put on this site if there is anyone I can send my complaint to please let me know iam putting it back into the shop again ive been thru a nightmare along with trying to assure my 4 kids that they were safe in this van thankyou angela wallace and by the wat the dealer that sold me this van will not cooperate at all”

   NHTSA complaint #10070261, filed 2004-01, 37,000 miles

   “I have maintained my 1998 Ford Windstar very well - having all recommended maintenace performed. It has only 80,000 miles on it and the head gasket now has a leak. Coolant has leaked into the #4 cylinder. The dealer wants $3500-4500 to put a new engine in it. The head gasket leaking is a known problem with windstars. Ford has has a program for earlier models to replace the engine. But Ford has yet to apply the program to the 1998 models. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10002872, filed 2003-01, 80,000 miles

Buying note. Have any 1998 Windstar inspected on a lift for rear axle corrosion and recall repair status, and check the transmission and brake hydraulics carefully on a test drive. Records of completed recall work and prior transmission or head gasket service are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.