1998 Ford Windstar Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 196about this part
- Share
- 14%of 1,433 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 196 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 14% of the 1,433 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 28 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On june 13th, 2009, my 1998 Ford Windstar van caught fire from under the hood causing a total loss of the vehicle and damage to the house. I have since learned that there is a recall of this particular make and model relating to electrical fires under the hood. I want Ford to pay for the damage and the loss of my vehicle. About 5500 hundred dollars.”
NHTSA complaint #10287436, filed 2009-10, 140,000 miles“1998 Ford Windstar, 3.8 engine. I have problems it started stalling when I stopped at a light or stop, suddenly the car stopped. Also when it was in the parking . Mechanic made the tune-up but still doing so, now it is doing a white cloud of steam, if I accel, it comes worst, should I wait for a recall or it's a normal problem?”
NHTSA complaint #10295028, filed 2009-12, 100,130 miles“Two weeks ago our 1998 Ford Windstar minivan, with 220,000 miles on it, caught fire under the hood while parked, and was totally destroyed. We had been carefully following the maintenance schedule from Ford motor company. During the week before the fire, we had problems with the interior lights not always turning off when we exited the van.”
NHTSA complaint #10215513, filed 2008-01, 220,000 miles“The head gasket on my 1998 Ford winstar 3.8l engine has failed at 90,000 miles, well short of what I would have expected. It appears that Ford has issued a recall for older 3.8l engines which have had head gasket failures, but not for this model year. I am registering this complaint in the event that other Ford owners are experiencing the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10066222, filed 2004-04, 90,000 miles“On october 1, 2003 the transmission failed at 23,956 miles. It neutralizes at 10 MPH or higher. Contact with the dealership stated it was out of warranty and I could bring it in for repair. They would not cooperate with providing me the name and means of contacting the zone rep. Repair cost at $1800.00 with transmission shop.”
NHTSA complaint #10070935, filed 2004-01, 23,956 milesEngine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 4% |
| 2003 | 47 | 3% |
| 2002 | 27 | 2% |
| 2001 | 66 | 4% |
| 2000 | 92 | 5% |
| 1999 | 129 | 8% |
| 1998 | 196 | 14% |
| 1997 | 38 | 20% |
| 1996 | 470 | 34% |
| 1995 | 1,610 | 48% |
| 1994 | 8 | 35% |
| 1993 | 5 | 45% |
| 1985 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Windstar
332 complaintsSuspension
229 complaintsBrakes
199 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 27, 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