1998 Ford Windstar Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 199about this part
- Share
- 14%of 1,433 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 199 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 14% of the 1,433 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 16 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I came to a stop sign. The brake pedal went to floor without any warning. I was able to steer to the shoulder without hitting the car ahead of me. The car finally rolled to a stop with the help of the emergency brake. The vehicle was in motion and on a dual lane highway.”
NHTSA complaint #10910847, filed 2016-09, 125,000 miles“The brake fluid continues to leak, today I was driving and had no brake fluid, I have noticed some smoking under my van after the van is turned off. I had to remove a fuse due to lights not turning off also, the child built in restraints plastic is broken, (related vehicle information: model year=1998, make=Ford, model=Windstar).”
NHTSA complaint #10292875, filed 2009-11, 180,000 miles“The sensor part #sw-6351 get fire under the master cylinder.5/7/08- it appears the NHTSA is staring an investigation into the deactivation switch leaking a causing fires! This is certainly good news and I'm sure will save lives. If you have a old deactivation switch that leaked, please do not throw it away, we may need to collect a few!”
NHTSA complaint #10248843, filed 2008-11, 120,000 miles“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“The ABS light started coming on after driving for a few minutes then it would go off when the van was turned off. Now the ABS light comes on when I turn the van on & doesn't go off until I turn the key off.”
NHTSA complaint #10595050, filed 2014-05, 136,514 milesRelated recalls
- 99V147000Jun 14, 1999Vehicle description: minivans. The brake fluid master cylinder is recessed and oriented in the engine compartment so that the brake fluid warning statement…Covers: Ford Windstar 1996–1999
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | 13% |
| 2003 | 655 | 43% |
| 2002 | 643 | 48% |
| 2001 | 544 | 32% |
| 2000 | 384 | 23% |
| 1999 | 223 | 15% |
| 1998 | 199 | 14% |
| 1997 | 28 | 15% |
| 1996 | 229 | 17% |
| 1995 | 505 | 15% |
| 1994 | 2 | 9% |
| 1993 | 2 | 18% |
| 1990 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Windstar
332 complaintsSuspension
229 complaintsEngine cooling
196 complaintsSteering
143 complaintsElectrical system
111 complaintsWheels
83 complaintsBody and structure
81 complaintsVehicle speed control
73 complaintsFuel system
71 complaintsTires
57 complaintsOther or unknown
51 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
44 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Ford Windstar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology