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1998 Ford Windstar
Defect Investigations
There are also 9 Ford recalls » 14 defect investigations » 231 TSBs » for the Ford Windstar.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES: Electrical System**
possible recall
** This defect investigation is filed under 3 related vehicle components.
1998 FORD WINDSTAR -- ODI has received 130 complaints alleging incidents of engine compartment fire in model year (MY) 1995 thru 2003 Ford Windstar vehicles.thirty six of the incidents were reported to ODI within the last 12 months.two of the complaints allege the fires caused structural damage to the complainant's home.of the 130 complaints, 33 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked, 71 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was running and 26 of the complaints do not specify if the vehicle was running or not.further review of the complaints shows that 65 allege that the speed control deactivation switch (scds) caused the fire and in four of those it is alleged that the scds leaked brake fluid on to the ABS module resulting in the fire.there were 56 that did not identify a cause and 9 that identified miscellaneous other causes.ODI has also received 17 complaints ( not counted in this resume) alleging that the scds developed a brake fluid leak.seven of these complaints say that the leak at the scds resulted in braked fluid reaching the ABS module.in addition, ODI has received 5 complaints that allege the ABS module failed.a preliminary evaluation has been opened to determine the cause of the fires and assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequences of the alleged defect.
Investigation was initiated on May 13 2008. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE08035 »
MISSING/LOOSE FRONT BRAKE: Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Recall #98I003000
1998 FORD WINDSTAR -- Alleged one or both of the two bolts that hold the front brake caliper anchor plate to the wheel spindle can loosen and fall out.if the upper of these two bolts falls out, the caliper can pivot outward and cantact the inside of the wheel rim resulting in wheel lockup. Investigation was initiated on April 30 1998. Closed on June 30 1998. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA98008 »
NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE97048MISSING/LOOSE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER ANCHOR: Service Brakes, Hydraulic
no recall issued
1998 FORD WINDSTAR -- Alleged that the lower of the two bolts attaching the caliper anchor bracket to the front wheel hub and spindle assembly (caliper mounting bolts) on the driver side fell off while he was driving and that the upper bolt subsequently became loose. Investigation was initiated on November 03 1997. Closed on April 30 1998. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE97048 »
NHTSA Defect Investigation #SQ99001OVERHEAD CONSOLE LOOSE OR HANGS DOWN: Structure**
possible recall
** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
1998 FORD WINDSTAR -- Ford issued a service bulletin to addresss "overhead console loose or hanging down."
Investigation was initiated on January 12 1999. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #SQ99001 »
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE: Suspension**
Recall #01V199000
** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
1998 FORD WINDSTAR -- Alleged that a front suspension coil spring breaks, resulting in a collapsed suspension.
Investigation was initiated on December 08 2000. Closed on July 31 2001. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA00027 »
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE: Suspension
no recall issued
1998 FORD WINDSTAR -- Alleged that while driving or stationary, a front suspension coil spring breaks, resulting in a collapsed suspension. Investigation was initiated on June 23 2000. Closed on December 08 2000. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE00024 »
NHTSA Defect Investigation #EA03004WHEEL STUD FRACTURE: Wheels**
no recall issued
** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
1998 FORD WINDSTAR -- The subject vehicles range in age from 4¿7 years in service, with average mileages estimated to range from 50 to 100 thousand miles.at these mileages, the subject wheels are likely to have been removed and reinstalled multiple times for various service procedures.ODI is concerned about the high wheel separation rates in the MY 1997-98 Windstar vehicles equipped with aluminum alloy wheels.however, analysis of failure data indicates that most of the incidents in that population of vehicles occur after the vehicles had accumulated 30 thousand miles of service. The factors that increase the risk that inadequate clamp loads may be achieved during service-related wheel installation are not unique to the subject vehicles.testing conducted by Ford and VRTC indicate that the MY 1998 Windstar aluminum wheel fastening system performs similar to the wheel fastening systems on peer minivans.no design or manufacturing defects were identified in the wheel fastening systems of the subject vehicles. Ford will send a mailing to owners of Windstar vehicles with aluminum wheels that have high wheel separation rates that reviews the appropriate wheel fastening procedures and states that the wheel nuts should be tightened to the nominal torque, 100 ft-lbs (136 nm), and re-tightened to the same torque after 500 miles.Ford¿S letter also states that it is ¿a good practice to be sure that before installing the wheel the aluminum wheel mounting surface, wheel lug nut area, and the mounting flange are free from dirt, debris, and loose rust to ensure the wheel is seated correctly and the wheel lug nuts remain fully tightened.¿ ODI will continue to monitor the incidence of wheel fastener failures in the subject vehicle population.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.the Agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. For additional information, see the attached closing report.
Investigation was initiated on April 10 2003. Closed on August 30 2004. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA03004 »
WHEEL STUD FRACTURE: Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts**
no recall issued
** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
1998 FORD WINDSTAR -- Analysis of ODI and Ford data has identified 1619 incidents of wheel stud fracture in MY 1998 through 2000 Ford Windstar vehicles, including 69 wheel separations and 11 crashes.Ford has not been able to identify any design or manufacturing defects in its analyzis of the problem.Ford maintains that the failures are caused by either:(1) inadvertent overtorquing of lug nuts during removal or installation; or (2) fatigue due to insufficient clamp load between the wheel and the brake rotor or drum and hub assembly.according to Ford, "corrosion, dirt, or damage present on the road wheel at the nut inteface" could contribute to the latter condition. Analysis of ODI complaint data indicates that the subject vehicles experience wheel stud failures at significantly higher rates than peer minivans.this investigation has been upgraded to further assess the frequency, scope, and trend of the alleged defect condition in MY 1997 through 2000 Windstar minivans.
Investigation was initiated on November 18 2002. Closed on April 10 2003. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE02085 »
