1998 Ford Windstar Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,433 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 1% of the 1,433 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,000 miles. 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.
“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“1998 Ford Windstar - failure of brake pressure switch; caused all brake fluid to leak out of master cylinder, and subsequent brake failure. No accident caused (fortunately), could have been disastrous or fatal. Wife noticed that she could not stop vehicle just before entering the freeway; used the emergency brake to stop and drive the Windstar home. I discovered massive amount of brake fluid had leaked onto the surrounding area, and the #30 fuse for cruise control, and ABS had blown.”
NHTSA complaint #10188380, filed 2007-04, 123,000 miles“I needed the starter replaced, my brakes, I'm having electrical issues, my car stops when it wants to in the middle of the highway,.. It makes noises when I'm turning, I have rust coming from under my car. The signal lights flickers”
NHTSA complaint #11010660, filed 2017-07“I was driving on a two lane curving road with the brights on. Without warning the lights went completly out. I was able to pull the switch back to the regular position and they luckily they came back on. I was unable to get a replacement on saturday because the dealer was doing inventory. The switch also failed several other times over the weekend with the regular headlights as well. I contacted the dealer for a replacement switch and asked him if they had been replacing many of these and he told me yes. I then proceeded to tell him how it tried to kill me and my family. …”
NHTSA complaint #754497, filed 2001-11“Consumer was issued recall 00v168000/ manufacturer's recall 00s14 for daytime running lights. Vehicle was made in according to canadian standards. Ford wanted consumer to sign a statement saying that they will not be held responsible for not not disconnecting vehicle, it could catch on fire. Consumer just wanted it repaired. Consumer is requesting that lights be fixed and not blocked.”
NHTSA complaint #885016, filed 2001-04Related recalls
- 00V168000Jun 19, 2000Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet…Covers: Ford Windstar 1996–1998, F-150 1997–1998, Explorer 1997–1998 +2 more
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Windstar
332 complaintsSuspension
229 complaintsBrakes
199 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 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