1998 Ford Windstar Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,433 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,250miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 3% of the 1,433 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,250 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle is a 1998 Ford Windstar. While driving the windshield washer,seat belt,and door ajar warning lights flash on and off. While this is happening the wiper blades stop working,power windows will not operate and on a few occasions the headlights will blink with the warning lights. I understand that this is an old vehicle but I have researched this issue and have found hundreds of complaints about the same problem. Not just restricted to this year. It is also an issue that happens just after a few years of service. …”
NHTSA complaint #10327719, filed 2010-04, 230,000 miles“This van has all the defects and complaints listed on thegovt. Recalls the NHTSA site and others ihave too much info to put on this site if there is anyone I can send my complaint to please let me know iam putting it back into the shop again ive been thru a nightmare along with trying to assure my 4 kids that they were safe in this van thankyou angela wallace and by the wat the dealer that sold me this van will not cooperate at all”
NHTSA complaint #10070261, filed 2004-01, 37,000 miles“I own two 1998 Ford Windstar minivans, both of them have the same problem with the sliding door causing the panel light to come on and the car interior lights to stay on for up to two hours after you have exited the vehicle. I have read in a report that this has been a problem with some of these vehicles. I have a sister that also owns a Windstar and a brother that just traded his in. They have never had this problem to my knowledge. What is causing this and how is the problem fixed? …”
NHTSA complaint #10069925, filed 2004-01, 50,000 miles“I purchased my 1998 Windstar with approx 20,000 km on it in 1999. Just after the warranty expired (at 60,000 km) I noticed 2 large bubbles in the paint on the two front doors. I took the car to the Ford dealership where they agreed to pay 80% of the cost of repainting. This was not entirely agreeable to me but I felt I had no choice. My vehicle how has 86,000 km on it and the paint is peeling on the roof and around the sliding door. I have contacted Ford canada but have not heard back from them as yet. …”
NHTSA complaint #10071352, filed 2004-01, 54,000 miles“The transmission failed after having the fluid and pan gasket changed within the previous 6 months. Since it is a '98 and although it has the same transmission as earlier years (whose transmissions have been replaced at no cost to the owner because of either recalls or secret warranties) Ford refused to replace this transmission at cost.”
NHTSA complaint #10069421, filed 2004-01, 80,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 19 | 1% |
| 2002 | 27 | 2% |
| 2001 | 41 | 2% |
| 2000 | 71 | 4% |
| 1999 | 62 | 4% |
| 1998 | 44 | 3% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 38 | 3% |
| 1995 | 105 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 17% |
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 28, 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