1998 Ford Windstar Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 73about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,433 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 73 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 5% of the 1,433 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved and 8 a fire, according to the filers. 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.
“In september, 2002, I had to replace the speed control pressure switch on the master brake cylinder of my 1998 Ford Windstar, because it started leaking brake fluid. I also had to replace the drivers side tie rod end because the leaking brake fluid damaged the ruber bushing.”
NHTSA complaint #10135725, filed 2005-09, 52,700 miles“On july 6, 2009, my Ford Windstar minivan burned up. I was driving to pick up supper when the cruise control stopped working. I went on, picked up supper, and started the car again. Immediately smoke started billowing. I pulled around the corner in the parking lot, parked again, and popped the hood. There was a small fire in the alternator area. I took my toddler out of the car and ran into a store to call the fire department. By the time they got there, the car was destroyed and a total loss. We had the car towed and given to mcdonald's towing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10294028, filed 2009-11, 110,000 miles“Cruise control malfunctioned & turned on causing vehicle to begin to speed up. I was in the wal-mart parking lot, when my van suddenly revved up & raced towards 2 pedestrians. I first tried the regular brake - no luck, so I threw the van in park & turned the ignition off. When I would turn the van on again the rpms would jump up immediately to 4000+. I had to be towed in. I did not have the cruise control on at all during the trip so I (as well as the repair shop) was surprised that the cruise control module was the culprit.”
NHTSA complaint #10135305, filed 2005-09, 80,000 miles“Even though the van I just purchased does not seem to have a recall on it I had total brake failure due to complete leaking out of all the brake fluid through the cruise control deactivation switch, the dual master cylinder is supposed to prevent this but it didn't. The switch on the bottom of the master cylinder and the fact that the rear wheel cylinders were seeping allowed all the fluid to leave after only three weeks of driving. I just purchased the vehicle. I had mechanics check it out and the switch is the same type that is causing the fires. …”
NHTSA complaint #10166062, filed 2006-08, 170,000 miles“I have a 1998 Ford Windstar that I have owned since new, and the cruise control stopped functioning. I determined that the brake switch on the master cylinder failed and was causing the loss of cruise control. I have followed that Ford has a major recall on these switches on many of their vehicles do to engine fires. My car is not on the recall, but fluid is leaking into the switch. I have unplugged the switch to prevent the potential fire, but Ford says that these switches do not have the problem of earlier switches, I disagree as there is the same indication of failure and leaking fluid. …”
NHTSA complaint #10199763, filed 2007-08, 131,200 milesRelated recalls
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Ford 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…Covers: Ford Windstar 1995–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 4 | 17% |
| 2003 | 85 | 6% |
| 2002 | 147 | 11% |
| 2001 | 127 | 8% |
| 2000 | 138 | 8% |
| 1999 | 99 | 7% |
| 1998 | 73 | 5% |
| 1997 | 21 | 11% |
| 1996 | 82 | 6% |
| 1995 | 116 | 3% |
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 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 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