1998 Ford Windstar Recalls
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 1998 Ford Windstar. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.
- Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assemblyCovers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
Reported issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10V-385…
Possible consequence: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at…
- Power train › Axle assemblyCovers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
Reported issue: Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, and currently registered or originally sold in virginia. Over time, corrosion can weaken the rear axle making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which, if undetected, can increase and result in a complete fracture of the axle.
Possible consequence: A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on june 19, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
- Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assemblyCovers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
Reported issue: Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, registered in puerto rico. Due to increased stresses caused by high cycles of torsional loading, specific to this market, the rear axle can crack.
Possible consequence: A fractured axle may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket on the rear axle or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be provided free of charge. The recall began on june 1, 2012. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
- Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assemblyCovers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
Reported issue: Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and currently registered or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and…
Possible consequence: A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: As parts become available, dealers will inspect and if necessary install the rear axle reinforcement brackets free of charge. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
- Vehicle speed controlCovers: Ford Windstar 1995–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
Reported issue: Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Possible consequence: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the abs control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009…
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springsCovers: Ford Windstar 1997–1998
Reported issue: On certain minivans originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. The front coil springs could fracture as a result of corrosion. Depending on the…
Possible consequence: Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
Remedy: Dealers will install protective shields around the front coil springs. Owner notification began september 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
- Exterior lightingCovers: Ford Windstar 1996–1998, F-150 1997–1998, Explorer 1997–1998 +2 more
Reported issue: Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of fmvss 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to ford, the vehicles were imported into the u.s. Erroneously.
Possible consequence: The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by u.s. Standards.
Remedy: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinderCovers: Ford Windstar 1996–1999
Reported issue: Vehicle description: minivans. The brake fluid master cylinder is recessed and oriented in the engine compartment so that the brake fluid warning statement embossed on both the top of the filler cap and the side of the reservoir body are not entirely visible by direct view. These vehicles may not fully comply with requirements of fmvss no. 135, "passenger car brake systems."
Remedy: Owners will be provided with new labels and installation instructions.
- Steering › Gear box › Shaft sectorCovers: Ford Windstar 1998, Mustang 1998
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini-vans. The rack and pinion steering gears may have damaged input shaft bearings.
Possible consequence: This condition can increase steering efforts, affecting steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code on the rack and pinion steering gear, and, if necessary, replace those rack and pinion assemblies that fall within the suspect date code range. The date codes for windstar model vehicles are 97jb09 or 97jc08; the date codes for mustang model vehicles are 97j09b or 97j08b.
- Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Ford Windstar 1997–1998, Taurus 1997, Mercury Sable 1997
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with ax4s automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover can separate from the transaxle while the vehicle is being driven. If this occurs, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.
Possible consequence: The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
- Child seatCovers: Ford Windstar 1998
Reported issue: Vehicle description: minivan equipped with second row bench seats with optional integrated child seat (ics). The headrest lockout mechanism on the seats may not engage and lock the headrests in the "down" position, as intended, when the ics is deployed. A vehicle occupant could move the headrest to the "up" position.
Possible consequence: As a result of the headrest being in the "up" position, a child seated in the ics would receive less than the intended protection in the child head area in the event of a crash.
Remedy: The second row bench seats have been replaced with seats built with revised headrest lockout mechanisms.
NHTSA investigations
- PE10016Rear Axle CrackingClosed · May 13, 2010
- EA08021Engine compartment firesClosed · Sep 17, 2008
- PE08035Engine compartment firesClosed · May 13, 2008
- EA03004Wheel stud fractureClosed · Apr 10, 2003
- PE02085Wheel stud fractureClosed · Nov 18, 2002
- EA00027Suspension coil spring breakageClosed · Dec 8, 2000
- PE00024Suspension coil spring breakageClosed · Jun 23, 2000
- SQ99001Overhead console loose or hangs downOpen · Jan 12, 1999
- EA98008Missing/loose front brakeClosed · Apr 30, 1998
- PE97048Missing/loose front brake caliper anchorClosed · Nov 3, 1997
← All problems reported for the 1998 Ford Windstar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.