1998 Ford Windstar Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 229about this part
- Share
- 16%of 1,433 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 112,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 229 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 16% of the 1,433 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 112,500 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 1998 Ford Windstar and just noticed that the rear axle has cracked. As I checked online I noticed that this was being investigated for 1999 - 2007 windstars, and I just thought I would add my 1998 model to the list. I would like to see 98 models included in any recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10341013, filed 2010-07, 192,000 miles“I have replaced the rear axle now for the third time. The first time it broke in half coming into my home driveway. The second time I heard a thumping noise from the rear of the van and looked to find a crack in the axle,I replaced it yet again. This last time the same thing happened,clunking noise to find yet another crack. The van has 130,000 miles has some body rust,but no reason for something critical like this to be happening.”
NHTSA complaint #10335987, filed 2010-06, 130,000 miles“I own a 1998 Ford Windstar(manufacture date aug..1997. I have been having problems for a while. My van was making a whining grinding noise. Gear is hard to get out of park bad popping noise when backing up...replaced all 4 wheel bearings and both tie rod ends..still making a bad whining noise.3 days ago I was driving down the highway and the steering started acting weird and shaking and the back of the van started swaying back and forth .. …”
NHTSA complaint #10365577, filed 2010-11, 120,000 miles“The rear axle of our 1998 Ford Windstar gl, with only 99,630 miles, broke while going down a road going about 30 MPH. I hit small pothole, heard a clunk and then noticed that the vehicle was not handling properly. Not knowing what was wrong and since I was close to home, I drove it home and looked underneath and noted that the rear axle was split about 75% through. The rear wheels were sitting tilted toward the vehicle. We had a tow truck take the van to have it fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10331166, filed 2010-05, 99,634 miles“No recall on my VIN # but I am having this issue. Suspension:front:springs:coil springs rubbing tires.causing to use up tires fast. Make a rubbing noise when turning.”
NHTSA complaint #10512340, filed 2013-05, 144,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V608000Sep 29, 2015Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles…Covers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
- 12V195000May 3, 2012Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, registered in puerto rico. Due to…Covers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
- 10V385000Aug 26, 2010Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and currently registered or…Covers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
- 01V199000Jun 18, 2001On certain minivans originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland…Covers: Ford Windstar 1997–1998
Related service bulletins
- 10205035Apr 21, 2016Safety recall 10S13 - Rear axle corrosion - requests for recall service action
- 10183771Apr 21, 2016For 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 10S13 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the rear axle could…
- 10074725Sep 29, 2015Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10058104Sep 9, 2014Ford: safety recall concerning rear axle fracturing if vehicle is operated in high corrosion areas for and extended period. Model 1998-03 windstar.
- 10056623Aug 11, 2014Ford: on some minivans, rear axle will fracture, in high corrosion area, after operating for an extended time period, and vehicle handling ability will be affected. Model…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 9 | 38% |
| 2003 | 254 | 17% |
| 2002 | 279 | 21% |
| 2001 | 416 | 25% |
| 2000 | 356 | 21% |
| 1999 | 208 | 14% |
| 1998 | 229 | 16% |
| 1997 | 38 | 20% |
| 1996 | 111 | 8% |
| 1995 | 145 | 4% |
| 1994 | 3 | 13% |
| 1993 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Windstar
332 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 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