1998 Ford Windstar Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,433 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the seats of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 1% of the 1,433 complaints for this model year. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We woke up this morning to the driver's side completely burned and melted. It had been parked sinced Monday. Fire inspector said it was definitely an electrical issue coming from the seat.”
NHTSA complaint #11468285, filed 2022-06“Seat will not return after 'dump-slide' is used. A lever acutates the seat back to tilt forward and the seat slides forward to let in rear seat passengers on drivers side (no sliding door on drivers side). Seat will not return and slides back and forth when accerating/braking.”
NHTSA complaint #725111, filed 2000-07“Accelerator went down on its own while in reverse, no brakes to stop, resulting in a accident. Steering vibrates, recommend rotating the tires. Interior seats slightly twisted, door locks works sometime, interior lights work sometimes.”
NHTSA complaint #9005277, filed 2002-05“This vehicle has had two engines, transmission work and a lot of smaller problems. Right now it is having the drivers seat track and adjusters replaced. Would like to be part of a class action suit. The Windstar may be safe, but it isn't reliable.”
NHTSA complaint #751779, filed 2001-09“Upon being in a parking lot the front driver's seat caught on fire which was caused by a mechanism under the seat. Consumer was sitting in the seat when this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10115395, filed 2005-03Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 7 | 0% |
| 2002 | 9 | 1% |
| 2001 | 15 | 1% |
| 2000 | 10 | 1% |
| 1999 | 15 | 1% |
| 1998 | 15 | 1% |
| 1997 | 6 | 3% |
| 1996 | 6 | 0% |
| 1995 | 11 | 0% |
| 1994 | 1 | 4% |
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 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