10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,570 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.

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1998 Ford Windstar suspension problems

suspension problem

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1998 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #54

Dec 162019

Windstar

  • 125,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact heard a hissing sound coming from the vehicle, but could not identify where the sound originated. The contact also began to smell a burning rubber odor. The contact pulled into a nearby driveway and placed the vehicle in park. The contact was unable to identify any failures with the vehicle. The contact called a certified mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failures were similar to NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #53

Mar 232018

Windstar

  • 30,000 miles
My front cradle at steering area has completely rusted into from ac leak and road salt van was sold in Vermont now is located in Virginia unsafe almost undrivable to Ford dealer for a rear axle recall for axle braces please investigate this

- Abingdon, VA, USA

problem #52

Aug 192017

Windstar

  • 100,197 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. While driving, the steering wheel shook and the vehicle pulled to the left and right. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front driver side subframe was rusted due to corrosion and the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact called john kennedy Ford- pottstown at (800) 790-8132 (located at 3189 w ridge pike, pottstown, pa 19464) where the dealer referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension), but not for the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 100,197.

- Spring City, PA, USA

problem #51

May 032017

Windstar

  • 100,000 miles

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

Loud crackin and popping from sway bar attached fo rusted out cradle drivers side rear cradle that has rusted out and broken and has dropped down 1/2 inch and also rusted rear axle just tagged and registered it in va then noticed all the rust to subframe and rear axle van has manufactured in Canada on door and a Vermont car dealer emblem on back dangerous vehicle am icovered by recalls on this safty hazards

- Abingdon, VA, USA

problem #50

Nov 222016

Windstar

  • 130,000 miles
Broken axle while driving. Thankfully was not driving at highway speeds or this could have been devastating. Ford will no longer honor 3rd recall after installing safety plates and saying axle looked ok.

- Wakefield, MA, USA

problem #49

Feb 032016

Windstar

  • 158,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine service, it was informed that the bracket support for the suspension was corroded and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension). The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to repair and was unsafe to be driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure was 158,000.

- Mt. Laurel, NJ, USA

problem #48

Apr 292011

Windstar

  • 141,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 57 mph, the contact heard a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the sub frame in the front of the vehicle had corroded and fractured. In addition, the contact stated that the arm of the sub frame behind the driver's side front tire had corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 141,000.

- Atlanta, MI, USA

problem #47

Feb 082013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 205,760 miles
My wife was taking my youngest two children to school in our vehicle when smoke started pouring in through the vents of the vehicle and at the same time she lost control of the steering sliding off onto the shoulder of the road. Once my wife made sure everyone was out of the smoke filled vehicle she noticed the tire was completely shredded on the passenger front side of the vehicle. She notified me and we had the van towed to a mechanics shop where we found out that the front passenger spring had busted causing the tire to be shredded. The mechanic advised buying two new tires for the front of vehicle, he also advised buying two new springs and replacing both of them on the front. The van was fixed and we paid for the bill and tire cost out of our own pocket. The manufacturer of the vehicle informed me today that they will not compensate for any of these costs even when a recall letter 01S19/01M03 states "we will install protective shields around the front coil springs of your vehicle. These shields will prevent the possibility of tire puncture should the spring fracture. ---- motor company will also pay for any repairs directly relating to the front coil springs of your vehicle free of charge ( parts and labor) so to me this is a failure of the respected company from full filling what I see in my eyes as a obligation to the consumer. I also feel the recall should have been to replace the springs..not install shields which I am sure was a much cheaper route.I have all receipts that concern this matter. Thanks!

- Urbandale, IA, USA

problem #46

May 092013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 144,000 miles
No recall on my VIN # but I am having this issue. Suspension:front:springs:coil springs rubbing tires.causing to use up tires fast. Make a rubbing noise when turning.

- Union, MO, USA

problem #45

Apr 082013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while in reverse, the contact heard a loud sound from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear axle fractured and caused the rear tires to bend outward. The manufacturer stated the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign I.D. number 12V195000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 180,000. Updated 10/22/13 updated 10/25/2013

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #44

Apr 092013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles

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

November 2010 my vehicle was serviced for a recall which 2 reinforcement brackets were placed on the rear axle. The recall was for rear axles that were cracked or broken. Mine was not replaced just reinforced. On 4-9-13 my rear axle cracked, and I can no longer drive the van. Upon calling Ford and speaking with customer service, I was informed they did their part by placing brackets in 2010 and even though the axle cracked anyway it is now at my cost. Thankfully this did not happen while I was driving with my children, but I am very upset Ford knows this is a problem with the rear axle, and chose to place brackets that did not "fix" the problem.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #43

Sep 242012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 152,307 miles
After it was put into reverse and I went to park there was a loud noise and I couldn't move the van. Got out and look at it and saw it was the rear axel completely broken.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #42

Aug 112012

Windstar

  • 130,139 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while performing a routine maintenance check up on the vehicle, the dealer found the middle of the rear axle was cracked due to corrosion nd rust. The vehicle was repaired by having the rear axle replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 10V385000 (suspension: Rear: Axle: Non-powered axle assembly) however the VIN was not included under the recall. The current and failure mileage was 130,139.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #41

Aug 112012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
Rear axle beam crack.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #40

Jul 062011

Windstar

  • 126,131 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that after having repairs performed on the vehicle under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly), the vehicle would start jerking violently from the rear to the front when driving at speeds above 60 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ball joints, bushing, intake gaskets, spark plugs, and lower controls arms needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the recall repairs were already performed. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 126,131 and the current mileage was 127,000.

- Nicholasville , KY, USA

problem #39

Mar 202012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 95,600 miles
Front sub frame completely rusted out. Ford has sub frame recall for the 1999-2003 but not the 1998.

- Colts Neck, NJ, USA

problem #38

Feb 242012

Windstar

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, she heard a loud clunking noise. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear driver side axle was fractured in half. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who verified the failure but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #37

Dec 032009

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
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.

- Cottage Hills , IL, USA

problem #36

Feb 042012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 54,000 miles
While driving my 1998 Windstar @ 45mph, I lost total steering control of my vehicle and my vehicle veered into the oncoming lane of a two lane highway. I was able to regain control after turning the steering wheel approx 360 degrees to the right and managed to stop safely. After further investigation, it was found that the drivers side lower control arm bracket that is welded to the subframe broke away from the subframe due to a rusted out subframe. I've owned this vehicle for the past 8 years and never received any information from Ford regarding this safety issue as noted in the 1999-2003 Ford Windstar recall which has the same issue as my vehicle. Although Ford is not going to honor a subframe recall for my year vehicle, Ford should at least send a notification letter to inform owners of this dangerous issue. Both my wife and kids drive this vehicle, but had I at least known there was a dangerous issue with this vehicle, I would have parked it.

- Brownstown, MI, USA

problem #35

Dec 232011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
While driving on the highway at 60mph, I lost control of my vehicle and it started to fishtail and swerve into the next lane as I tried to regain control it spun around and flipped over upside down on top of the guard rail and landed facing traffic. I received minor injuries and my three children were not injured. I was informed that the rear axle snapped in half on my vehicle and that there is a recall on this part. I never received a notice in regards to this.

- Owego, NY, USA

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