1998 Ford Windstar Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 111about this part
- Share
- 8%of 1,433 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,409miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 111 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 8% of the 1,433 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,409 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 22 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1998 Windstar van was parked in the front yard key out of it I was inside I heard a noise looked out the engine part was on fire I was moving my personal things I lost everything I own I left everything in the van including my purse w/ my money and id inside.”
NHTSA complaint #10272767, filed 2009-06, 102,000 miles“Door ajar bell and lights do not go out, locks do not work properly in passenger rear door. Doors close fine but bell and lights persist at all times. Fuse had to be removed for night driving and to prevent a dead battery. I cant hear things around me outside due to door ajar bell. Bell tone is loud and causing headaches.”
NHTSA complaint #10010699, filed 2003-03, 82,000 miles“Vehicle is a 1998 Ford Windstar. While driving the windshield washer,seat belt,and door ajar warning lights flash on and off. While this is happening the wiper blades stop working,power windows will not operate and on a few occasions the headlights will blink with the warning lights. I understand that this is an old vehicle but I have researched this issue and have found hundreds of complaints about the same problem. Not just restricted to this year. It is also an issue that happens just after a few years of service. …”
NHTSA complaint #10327719, filed 2010-04, 230,000 miles“Thursday oct. 5, 2006 at 7:00 pm, my van was sitting in the parking lot at my son's high school where it caught fire and was completely destroyed. I was not notified of any problems with my Windstar van.”
NHTSA complaint #10170188, filed 2006-10, 100,000 miles“While driving my 1998 Ford Windstar on the highway, I smelled smoke. I pulled to side of the road thinking at first that I had a broken fan belt or something similar. I got out of the car, opened the hood to find flames coming from the area of what I believe is the electrical wiring harness on the drivers side of the engine compartment. I used my cell phone to call for the fire department. Before the fire department arrived, a motorist stopped to assist me in putting out the fire with water.”
NHTSA complaint #10049574, filed 2003-12, 118,000 milesElectrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | 13% |
| 2003 | 280 | 19% |
| 2002 | 261 | 19% |
| 2001 | 223 | 13% |
| 2000 | 222 | 13% |
| 1999 | 209 | 14% |
| 1998 | 111 | 8% |
| 1997 | 7 | 4% |
| 1996 | 83 | 6% |
| 1995 | 168 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Windstar
332 complaintsSuspension
229 complaintsBrakes
199 complaintsEngine cooling
196 complaintsSteering
143 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 29, 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