1998 Ford Windstar Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 332about this part
- Share
- 23%of 1,433 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 332 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 23% of the 1,433 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 2 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 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“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 miles“10/16/15 bought van. 10/30/15 stop had towed home.call dealership had towed to there place. They ran a red wire from fuse relay to inside of dashboard took over a week got it back. Not in even week later transmission start messing up told them wouldn't change gears. It went out. They didn't want to fix it file complaint with (dmv) investigator got in touch with them agreement was they will have it fix we dont pay labor, we just pay for trans and fluids. Had it towed they been had van year. 10/2016 they found trans cost 515.paid them. Then in 11/2016 said radiator was cracked we had to pay 102. …”
NHTSA complaint #10954533, filed 2017-02, 144,448 miles“After it was put into reverse and I went to park there was a loud noise and I couldn't move the van. Got out and look at it and saw it was the rear axel completely broken.”
NHTSA complaint #10476850, filed 2012-09, 152,307 miles“My 1998 Windstar has 89,000 miles and the transmission completey broke apart, with no warning at all. No slipping or anything. Sitting at a red light, the van jerked like we had been hit in the rear by someone doing 80 miles per hour. It is going to cost me $1800.00 to have it rebuilt. I know numerous complaints are filed with your organization on Ford transmissions. I want to register my complaint.”
NHTSA complaint #10032817, filed 2003-08, 89,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V193000May 3, 2012Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, and currently registered or…Covers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
- 97V097000Jun 9, 1997Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with ax4s automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover can separate from the transaxle while the…Covers: Ford Windstar 1997–1998, Taurus 1997, Mercury Sable 1997
Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 29% |
| 2003 | 225 | 15% |
| 2002 | 97 | 7% |
| 2001 | 145 | 9% |
| 2000 | 271 | 16% |
| 1999 | 278 | 18% |
| 1998 | 332 | 23% |
| 1997 | 43 | 22% |
| 1996 | 322 | 23% |
| 1995 | 875 | 26% |
| 1994 | 8 | 35% |
| 1993 | 1 | 9% |
| 1990 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Windstar
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 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 30, 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