10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 35
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,536 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Ford Windstar engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Ford Windstar:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #70

Aug 162001

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving, consumer rearended another vehicle, that vehicle ran into another vehicle, consumers vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment, 2 people were injured in the accident, fireman stated fire could have been mechanically related, claim 43-R763-433.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #69

Sep 052001

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, consumer heard a large pop and saw smoke, vehicles engine compartment caught on fire, claim 42-1402-914.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #68

Oct 262001

(reported on)

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While parked for one day, engine compartment caught on fire, claim 23-C025-105.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

problem #67

Feb 202002

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer states when coming to a stop, the vehicle stalls and loses all power. Vehicle will keep rolling, and it is hard to maneuver. Dealer contacted.

- Morgan Field, KY, USA

problem #66

Jul 012000

Windstar

  • miles
During operation at any speed engine will stall unexpectedly. Problem occurred a few times beginning in July of 2000, and is progressively increasing in frequency. Dealership has not examined vehicle for this problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #65

Jan 012002

Windstar

  • miles
Courtesy lights will intermittenly work. They will come on when driving at night, or sometimes they will not come on at all. Experiencing other electrical problems with the reverse lights, interior lights, automatic door locks, door check light, and signal lights operating intermittently, consumer states that the engine is noisy and the engine check light is always on, the seat belt is loose, passenger side arm rest is loose, and the back window wiper is inoperative.

- Loudon, CA, USA

problem #64

Mar 282000

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine was making a knocking noise, consumer was informed that a new engine was needed, the check engine light came on again and there was a noise in the front end consumer was informed that a flywheel was needed, the check engine light came on again and it was determined that there was an oil leak.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

problem #63

Nov 082001

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was traveling aproximately 65mph and engine shut down. Power brakes and steering went out without warning. Brake pedal was pushed to the floor to stop vehicle. Dealer stated it would be too expensive to find out what was the cause.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #62

Sep 232001

Windstar

  • miles
While driving vehicle stalls. When vehicle shuts off, engine check and battery lights come on.

- Mogadore, OH, USA

problem #61

Oct 182001

Windstar

  • miles
While driving, vehicle will stall. When coming to a stop vehicle will also stall. Engine light will come on and go off. This happens very often. Contacted dealer and dealer stated engine light has to stay on at least 15 minutes before vehicle could be put on computer.

- Pahokee, FL, USA

problem #60

Oct 062001

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When in stop and go traffic with cooler weather conditions the engine nearly stalls out when stopping. This affects the power brakes and the power steering making it difficult to control. Complaints to dealers and Ford customer care have not resolved this issue. Problem developed after installing a rebuilt transmission at 30,000 miles. Ford can not find the problem after at least four trips to the shop. This vehicle could have been submitted under the lemmon law and replaced but was not.

- East Liverpool, OH, USA

problem #59

Sep 142001

Windstar

  • miles
All stalling has occurred when slowing for a turn from a slow speed (from about 30 mph to 15 mph.) once nearly caused an accident when power steering, brakes, etc were lost and nearly rear-ended car immediately ahead. Another stall was in middle of busy traffic which was held up until engine started again. All stalling occurred when on public thoroughfares, turning either right or left. Problem began in February 2000 at approx 44,000 miles odometer reading.

- Ashtabula, OH, USA

problem #58

Sep 212000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When proceeding through a light or stop sign after a stopping, vehicle will die. Consumer can restart it again.

- Lima, OR, USA

problem #57

Jul 242001

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
This vehicle has had two engines, transmission work and a lot of smaller problems. Right now it is having the drivers seat track and adjusters replaced. Would like to be part of a class action suit. The Windstar may be safe, but it isn't reliable.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #56

Aug 012001

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle stalls when making slow turns. Not taken to dealer yet.

- Pinckney, MI, USA

problem #55

May 012000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling in warm weather, making sudden stops/parking and while in stop and go traffic, vehicle would stall without any indication. Please provide further informaiton. Air bag light illuminated due to faulty module, the drivers side door adjar switch was sticking causing the door adjar light to illuminate, outer tie rod failed causing noise in the front end, vehicle experiences loss of power/slipping due to faulty transmission, check engine light illuminated and vehicle stalled, dealer replaced sensor, speedometer was off. Nlm

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #54

May 242001

Windstar

  • miles
Unexpected catastrophic engine failure. Low milage vehicle with complete service records and no warning threw piston rod during normal operation. Dealer estimates cost to repair at $4900. Dealer estimates damage due to failed head gasket. Antifreeze leak filled cylinders.

- Hopkinton, MA, USA

problem #53

Nov 132000

Windstar

  • miles
Vehicle is experiencing a stalling problem, dealer has replaced the alternator and performed tsb 982506, however problem is still occurring, a customer service rep from Ford was supposed to call consumer back regarding problem and has not. Consumer states he has since discovered that the problem with the vehicle is an engineering defect in the fuel injector causing the engine to shut down at slow speeds when the vehicle is turning.

- Bullhead City, AZ, USA

problem #52

Dec 292000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer has experienced several problems with the transmission, dealer has replaced it once, however problems continue, consumer has filed for a request for arbitration, vehicle bucks, jerks, and jumps into gear before taking off. Vehicle shimmies from one side to another upon acceleration, there is a thumping sound heard also at times while driving. Vehicle experienced a speed sensor circuit problem. Speedometer jumps. Problem with power steering, dealer adjusted rack and pinion and made other repairs to steering mechanism. Right side brake light bulb failed. Battery failed. Consumer stated it felt as if vehicle was going to stall sometimes, engine has no power at acceleration, engine belt was noisy and was replaced. Tire had a slow leak due to loose tire valve.

- Central Islip, NY, USA

problem #51

Nov 132000

Windstar

  • miles
First incident 11-13-00. Engine stalled making left turn against oncoming traffic. Van serviced at Ford country, henderson, nv and alternator changed. Four more of same type incidents in February. Car returned to Ford country in henderson for this complaint. Mileage 35024. They performed tsb 982506. Sent letter and called Ford customer service. Andrea insisted that the car be looked at once more at Colorado river Ford in kingman, AZ. She said she made appointment and arranged for a loaner van or large car. Contact was steve. We drove 40 miles for the appointment.. on the way we had another stalling incident. We arrived for the appointment, steve did not have a loaner car. We had to leave and when at home called Ford again. We were promised a call back from andrea within 1/2 hour. It is now more than 24 hours and we are still waiting for the call back. This is a very dangerous situation. We were told by two people at the dealership in henderson that Ford is aware of this problem. Stalling could cause a crash situation with both oncoming traffic and traffic behind us. Does the body count have to rise before something is done about it" will this become another situation like the tire problem" I will also be sending a copy of this to you in the mail.

- Bullhead City, AZ, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?