FaultScore

1998 Ford Windstar brake problems

226 of the 1,949 complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar are about the braking system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 90,000 miles.

C

226

Complaints

18

Crashes

2

Fires

6

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 79 35.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 32 14.2%
Foundation Components 19 8.4%
Rotor 13 5.8%
Master Cylinder 10 4.4%
Disc 8 3.5%
Caliper 8 3.5%
Pads 8 3.5%
Service Brakes, Electric 7 3.1%
Service Brakes 7 3.1%

Brakes across every Ford Windstar year

1995 599 16.3%
1996 267 7.3%
1997 32 0.9%
1998 226 6.2%
1999 230 6.3%
2000 394 10.7%
2001 564 15.4%
2002 668 18.2%
2003 687 18.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 200,000 miles Stanchfield, MN

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS DASHBOARD LIGHT STAYS ON VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING WHILE IN MOTION VIBRATION IS PROPORTIONAL TO SPEED

NHTSA complaint #11073153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Trappe, MD

SERVICE BRAKES

I CAME TO A STOP SIGN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT HITTING THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. THE CAR FINALLY ROLLED TO A STOP WITH THE HELP OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND ON A DUAL LANE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10910847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Quincy, MA

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS LIGHT IS ON.

NHTSA complaint #10651585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bass Harbor, ME

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS IS INOPERABLE VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10610266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 136,514 miles Camby, IN

SERVICE BRAKES

THE ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN IT WOULD GO OFF WHEN THE VAN WAS TURNED OFF. NOW THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I TURN THE VAN ON & DOESN'T GO OFF UNTIL I TURN THE KEY OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10595050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Livingston, AL

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN WHEN I REACH SPEEDS OF 70MPH ONLY.

NHTSA complaint #10532361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 233,456 miles Toms River, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE FLUID ALL LEAKS OUT WEAR HOLE IN BRAKE FLUID TUBE TO REAR BRAKES BETWEEN FRAME AND GAS TANK. CAUSING VIRTUALLY NO BRAKING POWER. DRIVERS SIDE NEAR REAR WHEEL. WOULD REQUIRE 200.00+ TO REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10493718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cottage Hills, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I WENT TO FORD DEALERSHIP IN DEC 09 RECEIVED INSPECTION ON RECALL # O9S09 AND 09SO9H ONLY. NOW HERE IN FEB. 2012 THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION,RIGHT FRONT TIRE WHEEL MAKES ALTO OF NOISE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING STRANGE NOISE IS HEARD WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS,FORD SAID MY VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SERVICE IT IS DUE . I BELIEVE THEY ARE WRONG ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS THE RECALLS REPORTED ARE MY PROBLEMS I HAVE PAPER WORK PROVIDING THEY ONLY RAN TEST ON RECALL #O9S09 AND 09S09H MY CAR IS IN SERIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS HERE IN ILLINOIS.UNDER THE ORIGINAL OWNER FORD STATED THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FURTHER REPAIR. FORD DEALERSHIP ROBERTS MOTORS 4350 ALBY ALTON IL 62002.

NHTSA complaint #10449558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,000 miles Dubois, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THIS VEHICLE WAS PART OF A PREVIOUS RECALL. ALL THE FORD DEALER DID WAS INSTALL A FUSIBLE LINK IN THE SCDS CIRCUIT TO THE ABS BRAKE UNIT. SINCE THAT TIME, THE ABS BRAKES HAVE BECOME INOPERABLE AND WILL START PULSATING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. WE REQUEST THAT FORD REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SCDS SWITCH, WHICH THEY KNOW IS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10441434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 114,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OF THE SUB FRAME WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE CORRODED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE SUB FRAME FAILURE AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE SUB FRAME WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE TIE RODS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL CYLINDERS, BRAKE ADJUSTERS, SPRING KIT, DRUMS, ROTORS, SHOES, AND PADS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNAL LEVEL STOPPED WORKING FOR THE LEFT SIDE. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THEN PULSATED BACK UP, AND THEN THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 02/01/12

NHTSA complaint #10439715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 114,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OF THE SUB FRAME WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE CORRODED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE SUB FRAME FAILURE AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE SUB FRAME WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE TIE RODS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL CYLINDERS, BRAKE ADJUSTERS, SPRING KIT, DRUMS, ROTORS, SHOES, AND PADS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNAL LEVEL STOPPED WORKING FOR THE LEFT SIDE. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THEN PULSATED BACK UP, AND THEN THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 02/01/12

NHTSA complaint #10439715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Philadelphia, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

"ABS" AND "TRAC OFF" LIGHTS COME ON CONSISTENTLY DURING WARM-WEATHER MONTHS AT SPEEDS OVER 60MPH. THIS MEANS ABS BREAKING IS DISABLED UNTIL CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. FORD DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. ISSUE COMMON PER THE BELOW LINK (SEE PROBLEM #2 SECTION). HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/.

NHTSA complaint #10436763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OAK Park, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT ONCE HE TURNED ON THE HEATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,816.

NHTSA complaint #10435608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,822 miles Akron, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS WARNING LAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE PUMP MODULATOR VALVE WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,822.

NHTSA complaint #10397943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 245,000 miles Ottawa, 00

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED, ABS LIGHT AND RED BRAKE LIGHT BOTH ON ALL THE TIME. TRAC OFF FLASHING.

NHTSA complaint #10383912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,400 miles EGG Harbor Township, NJ Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN OVERDRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MAIN CONTROL VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE; IT WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT LATER BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES AS THEY LOCKED UP WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THEM TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE WOODS AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS TONE RING SEAL HAD CRACKED; IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE TONE RING AND SENSOR. MONTHS LATER, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO GRAB. THE ENTIRE BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. FURTHERMORE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE SWITCH ASSIST IN ALL DOORS WAS REPLACED IN 2005. IN 2011, THE CONTACT HAD THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE SWITCH FOR THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH ON THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR AND CHECKED THE LATCHES ON THE DOORS BECAUSE THE DOOR LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED ALL THE SENSOR ASSISTS FOR THE DOORS. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA complaint #10379940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 81,250 miles ST. John's, Nl,Canada A1E4Y3, 00

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1998 FORD WINDSTAR HAS RUSTED ENGINE SUBFRAME, WHICH, IF LETS GO WOULD CAUSE SIDE AXLE AND FRONT TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM VAN AND CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL,LOSS OF BRAKING, AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE VAN WAS ON RAMP FOR OIL CHANGE . RECEIVED RECALL ON REAR AXLE CRACKING AND RECALL WAS DONE TODAY BY FORD. BROUGHT SUBFRAME PROBLEM TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AND THEY STATED THAT FORD WAS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE FORD HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS TIME. THE SERVICE STATION OWNER WHICH DID MY OIL CHANGE EXPRESSED AN OPINION THAT HE FELT THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTING WAS INDEED MUCH MORE OF A CONCERN THAN THE CRACKING OF THE REAR AXLE WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED BY FORD. AT PRESENT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY WINDSTAR WITH THIS STRUCTURAL DEFECT AND I FEEL FORD SHOULD REMEDY THIS DEFECT IN THE SAME MANNER THAT THEY DID WITH THE CRACKING REAR AXLE.

NHTSA complaint #10375091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Burkesville, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON, AND NO SPEED CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10360673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

St.catharines, 00

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

RECALL 09S09 1998 FORD WINDSTAR- HAVING TROUBLE WITH SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER AND ABS BRAKES. HAD WIRED HARNESS INSTALLED BY FORD DEALERSHIP. I FEEL AS THOUGH THEY DIDN'T DO A PROPER INSPECTION AS PERTAINING TO ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS SEEMS TO BE CAUSING FOR MANY PEOPLE. I CAN'T DRIVE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE MY BRAKES KEEP LOCKING UP AND MY SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY DROPS TO ZERO AND THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION SOUNDS AWFUL. FORD TOLD ME ALL THEY NEED TO REPLACE IS THE WIRED HARNESS IS THIS TRUE.I HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THOUGHT IT WAS THE BRAKES. THEY WERE DONE LAST SEPTEMBER 2009. MY MECHANIC COULDN'T FIGURE OUT BRAKES. PULLED 15 AMP FUSE FOR SPEED CONTROL. PUT BACK IN AFTER HARNESS WAS INSTALLED STILL BRAKES LOCKING UP AND SPEEDOMETER ACTING UP.

NHTSA complaint #10358328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Barboursville, WV

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE WEEKS THEN BEGAN TO STAY ON. NEW BRAKES & ROTORS/DRUMS ALL AROUND. NOW PROBLEM WITH BRAKES BUT LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. ALSO AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE ABS LIGHT. IT WILL NOT GO OFF EITHER.

NHTSA complaint #10352796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Indianapois, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE ABS BRAKES ARE WORKING ALL THE TIME. EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER I CAN HEAR THEM ENGAGING. I CAN NOT GET THEM TO STOP CHATTERING. AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES OF CITY DRIVING THEM FINALLY GIVE UP AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE CAR STOPS NORMALLY.

NHTSA complaint #10352393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,500 miles Melville, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1998 FORD WINDSTAR MY BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10352413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Provo, UT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CAR STARTS OUT NORMALLY. CAR SOMETIMES SUDDENLY HAS A LONGER BRAKING DISTANCE THAN NORMAL AND BRAKING IS JERKY. "TRAC ON" ENGAGES FOR A FEW SECONDS AND TRACTION IS JERKY. AFTER THAT ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON AND "TRAC OFF " LIGHT IS FLASHING. IT ONLY HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. I AM PLANNING TO TAKE IT TO FORD TO CORRECT ABS LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10342090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, OH Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

ON DECEMBER 16TH 2009. I WAS DRIVING DOWN WEST 117TH TOWARDS MADISON/LAKEWOOD IN CLEVELAND, OHIO AND WAS TRYING TO COME TO A STOP (SLOW DOWN AND STOP) TO ALLOW AN AMBULANCE TO PASS (THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS ALSO SLOWING DOWNA ND THAT CAME TO A STOP AT THE STREET LOT)THIS IS ON A MAJOR STREET NEAR AN HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. I PUT MY FOOT ON MY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND COME TO A STOP BUT IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE BRAKE HAD WENT OUT. I ENDED UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HARD (AN SUV) AND DOING QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE OTHER DRIVER VEHICLE WAS SO FAR AS I COULD TELL UNDAMAGED. ON MY VEHICLE THE FRONT LIGHT IS BROKEN, MY BUMPER IS DAMAGED, AND MY HOOD IS DAMAGED. I, MYSELF AND THE DRIVER I HIT COULD HAVE GOTTEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. SO FAR WE ARE BOTHFINE AND NO INJURIES OCCURRED. HOWEVER HE MAY TURN AROUND AND COME AFTER ME IF HE DECIDES TO. AND I NOW CAN NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY VEHICLE BRAKE ABOUT A MONTH AGO AROUND EARLY NOVEMBER. MAYBE IN END OF OCTOBER. THE VERY DAY OF MY ACCIDENT (HAPPENED AROUND 12:15 NOON) I WAS GOING TO GO HOME AND CALL FORD ABOUT THE RECALL. THERE IS A WORLDWIDE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE MODEL AND MANY OTHERS. AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS REPAIRS ON IT AND STILL HAD PROBLEMS AND THIS ACCIDENT. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND SHOULD COMPENSATE ME WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN GOOD CONDITION ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME AND MONEY INTO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THIS WINDSTAR. OR GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK OR SOMETHING. I'M GLAD MY KIDS WERE NOT WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THAT THE MAN I HIT WAS ALSO ALONE AND IS OK. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS SINCE I GOT THIS VEHICLE: O2 SENSORS (BOTH), ALTERNATOR, BELT, WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE, AND MAKE BACK BLADES DON'T WORK AT ALL, THE TRANSMISSION, THE STEERING COLUMN BOX, DOOR HANDLE AND COMPONENTS INSIDE AND MORE!

NHTSA complaint #10296483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Haysville, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

THE BRAKE FLUID CONTINUES TO LEAK, TODAY I WAS DRIVING AND HAD NO BRAKE FLUID, I HAVE NOTICED SOME SMOKING UNDER MY VAN AFTER THE VAN IS TURNED OFF. I HAD TO REMOVE A FUSE DUE TO LIGHTS NOT TURNING OFF ALSO, THE CHILD BUILT IN RESTRAINTS PLASTIC IS BROKEN, (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=1998, MAKE=FORD, MODEL=WINDSTAR).

NHTSA complaint #10292875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Quitman, MS

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

WE HAVE FINALLY GOT FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES ON THE 1990-2000"S FORD WINDSTARS I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR ( EVEN THOUGH I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY LOCAL DEALER THAT THEY WILL ONLY BE PUTTING ON THE HARNESS FOR THE SWITCH WHEN I TOLD THEM I HAD ALREADY HAD MY SWITCHED REPLACED ABOUT A YEAR AGO FOR A BRAKE FLUID LEAK THEY INFORMED ME THEY WOULD NOT CHECK MY ABS SYSTEM FOR DAMAGE UNLESS I PAID FOR THEM FOR THE SERVICE. THE SERVICE TECH SAID "QUOTE" ( HOLD ON NOW WE ARE ONLY PUTTING ON THE HARNESS ANYTHING ELSE WILL COST EXTRA) ALL THERE GOING TO DO IS PUT IN THE HARNESS I GUESS ANY OTHER DAMAGE DONE BY THESE SYSTEMS WILL JUST HAVE TO BE JUST SHOVED UP OUR TAIL PIPES !!!! EVEN THOUGH THE CCDS SYSTEM IS THE CAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS...THIS SEEMS TO BE THE WAY OF DOING BUSINESS FOR FORD I HAVE ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE ALSO WITH THIS VAN LIKE ,DOOR LIGHTS SIGNAL ALWAYS ON EVEN IF THE DOORS ARE SHUT THE DOOM AND INSIDE DOOR LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME....WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR IT PUTS OUT COLD AIR ONLY THOUGH THE DEFROST SWITCH AND THEN UNDER THE BACK SEAT IT BLOWS HOT AIR INSTEAD ..WHEN I DRIVE FOR A FEW MILES AND TURN THE VAN OFF IT SOUNDS LIKE A POPPING NOISE FROM THE BACK AROUND THE MUFFLER MY MEC. SAYS THAT THE MUFFLER TAIL PIPE SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL IS NOT WORTH A FLIP HE SAYS YOU COULD NOT GIVE HIM ONE OF THESE VAN"S THERE A PIECE OF JUNK THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THERE OWN COME ON PEOPLE LOOK AT ALL THE SIGNS ABOUT THE FORD WINDSTARS LIKE MY DADDY USE TO SAY THIS IS A FIRE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HAPPEN I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN'''''.

NHTSA complaint #10289035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Quitman, MS Fire

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN 2 MONTHS AGO I HAD A LEAK OF FLUID THAT CAUSED SOME WIRES TO BURN INTO UNDER THE HOOD THAT CAUSED WIRING TO MY HEAD LIGHT AND OVERHEAD LIGHT TO BLOW MY MECHANIC HAD TO DIRECT WIRE ONE SIDE OF MY HEAD LIGHT AND MY CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED AS HE SAID IT WOULD CAUSE MY VAN TO CATCH FIRE. MY ABS AND BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT STAYS ON NOW AS SOON AS THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE FAULTY PART I STARTED EXPERIENCING ALL THE FOLLOWING THINGS,,,I HAVE LOSE OF POWER . THE VAN STALLS IN TRAFFIC AND ALSO AS I'M TAKING OFF FROM A STOP AFTER PUTTING THE VAN IN GEAR...WHEN I PUT ON THE GAS IT MAKES A BAD RATTLING SOUND LIKE A LIFTER OR VALVE TAPPING BUT ONLY WHEN THE GAS PEDDLE IS ENGAGED. THE GEAR SHIFT FEELS LIKE IT GETS STUCK IN PARK AND I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO RELEASE OUT OF PARK BEFORE THIS PROBLEM MY VAN DROVE GREAT I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS COULD YOU PLEASE FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10288898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hillsdale, MI Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1998 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A GATE IN THE CLOSED TOLL BOOTH LANE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0724-91

NHTSA complaint #10284355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wyandotte, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ABS BRAKE LIGHT (YELLOW) HAS BEEN ON FOR ATLEAST THE LAST 5 YEARS. MY ABS BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. MY MECHANICS HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT NO LUCK, WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A USED BUT FUNCTIONAL ABS BRAKES FOR MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR BUT HAVEN'T HAD MUCH LUCK. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10282916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 154,819 miles Virginia Beach, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON JUNE 18, 2007 I REALIZE THE ABS LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON. I CHECK THE FUSES AND RELAYS COULDN"T SOLVE THIS ISSUE. WHEN I LIFTED UP THE HOOD I NOTICE LEAKING FROM DEACTIVATION SENSOR UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER. I ASSUME THE MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT ON ME SO I REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER DIDN"T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I WAS FURIOUS MEANING THE VEHICLE I OWN AND I DEPEND ON THIS VAN TO GO TO WORK AND HOME. WHEN BRAKE IS LEAKING DOWN UNDER THE ABS ECM IT CAN CAUSED FIRE BUT I DON'T WANT TO CHANCE IT ME STILL THIS VAN. I DON'T WANT TO EXPERIENCE TRAGEDY OR ANYONE WHO MUST GO THROUGH THIS. SO, I LEFT THE VAN IN GARAGE UNTIL I GET FUNDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I ALSO REPLACE THE ABS ECM TWICE BUT IT IS STILL BURNING OUT MY ABS MODULE. OR WE NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE TO FORD DEALERSHIP IM SURE OTHER VICTIMS EXPERIENCE SAME THING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING WHEN YOU KNOW BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM MASTER CYLINDER. PLEASE FOR SAFETY ISSUES INVESTIGATE THIS WINDSTAR 98 LX MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #10279805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Ford Windstar problems

← Full 1998 Ford Windstar report