BumperScan
Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports|Updated
Your report: 3 of 4 steps complete75%
Car identifiedData collectedBasic analysisFull AI analysis

Free Preview

#BS-1998-FORWIN-7CA7

1998 Ford WindstarProblems, Recalls & Reliability

Based on reports from 1,949 owners and 14 recalls for this exact model.

Data updated ·checked October 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026

Complaints
1,949
Crashes
84
Fires
90
Recalls
14
TSBs
236
🛑

Preliminary Verdict

Red Flag

Based on 1,949 complaints, 84 crashes, 90 fires, and 14 recalls. Complaint rate is 4.6x the class average.

See full verdict with buy/skip conditions

Top reported problems

1

door ajar light and dome light stay on

42 complaints • Severity 7.6/10

$X,XXX
2

rear ac blows hot air through bottom vents

20 complaints • Severity 7/10

$X,XXX
3

transmission failure

20 complaints • Severity 9.5/10

$X,XXX
4

snapped rear axle

14 complaints • Severity 9.7/10

$X,XXX
5

transmission slipping

11 complaints • Severity 7.5/10

$X,XXX

Preview: What's in your full report

Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $2.00

Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the Power Train:automatic TransmissionHIGH

255 owners reported power train:automatic transmission issues — failures commonly reported around 90K miles.

!Inspect the Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasolineMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 6 more items in full checklistUnlock

Failure Timeline by Mileage

25
0–30K
106
30–60K
127
60–90K
115
90–120K
78
120–150K
66
150K+

Peak failure range: 60–90K miles (127 reports) • Median: 90K miles

Full report: which components fail at each mileageUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Power Train:automatic Transmission (255 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Power Train:automatic Transmission255 (13%)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline110 (6%)
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs86 (4%)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip79 (4%)
Speed Control57 (3%)
Suspension55 (3%)
Wheels & Tires54 (3%)
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs53 (3%)

1998 Ford Windstar: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Power Train:automatic Transmission Issues

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints account for 13% of all reports filed for the 1998 Ford Windstar, with 255 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 90,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 90K-mile mark.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline Issues

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 1998 Ford Windstar, with 110 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs Issues

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs complaints account for 4% of all reports filed for the 1998 Ford Windstar, with 86 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to suspension:front:springs:coil springs-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip Issues

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints account for 4% of all reports filed for the 1998 Ford Windstar, with 79 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

Complaint trend by year

230
00
342
01
256
02
168
03
150
04
53
05
29
06
19
07
33
08
47
09
73
10
59
11
24
12
16
13
12
14
7
15
7
16
14
17
6
18
4
19
2
22
1
23

Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 1998 Ford Windstar. Recent trend: decreasing.

Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own

Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

Get Report — From $2.00

Recall History (14 recalls)

00V168000Jul 2000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ACCORDING TO FORD, THE VEHICLES WERE IMPORTED INTO THE U.S. ERRONEOUSLY.

01I007000Dec 2001

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 WINDSTAR MINI VANS ARE ALSO COVERED BY NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 01V-199/FORD RECALL 01S19. THE MINI VANS COVERED BY THE SAFETY RECALL WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

01V199000Sep 2001

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

09V399000Oct 2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

10V385000Oct 2010

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2003 AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. AFTER MANY YEARS OF VEHICLE SERVICE IN THESE AREAS, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE, MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD TO CRACKS WHICH IF UNDETECTED CAN PROPAGATE AND RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE.

+ 9 more recalls in the full report

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

Unlock

NHTSA Defect Investigations (10)

1 investigation still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.

EA00027ClosedOpened Dec 2000 · closed Jul 2001

SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE

SUSPENSION

EA03004ClosedOpened Apr 2003 · closed Aug 2004

WHEEL STUD FRACTURE

WHEELS

EA08021ClosedOpened Sep 2008 · closed Oct 2009

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

EA98008ClosedOpened Apr 1998 · closed Jun 1998

MISSING/LOOSE FRONT BRAKE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

PE00024ClosedOpened Jun 2000 · closed Dec 2000

SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE

SUSPENSION

+ 5 more in the full report

The worst model year for the Ford Windstar is the 2003 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.

1998 Ford Windstar vs. Class Average (Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD)

This vehicle

1,949

Class avg

423

4.6x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical special purpose vehicle 2wd vehicles.

Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 1,949 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 14 recalls found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

Last updated (checked October 21, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026.

Other Ford Windstar Model Years

2004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901985
View all Ford Windstar years →

1998 Ford Windstar: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Ford Windstar?
The most commonly reported issue with the 1998 Ford Windstar is related to the power train:automatic transmission, with 255 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 1998 Ford Windstar reliable?
The 1998 Ford Windstar has 1,949 complaints, 84 crash reports, and 90 fire reports filed with NHTSA. This is 4.6x the class average — higher than typical for its segment.
How much does it cost to fix 1998 Ford Windstar problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 1998 Ford Windstar have any recalls?
Yes, the 1998 Ford Windstar has 14 recalls on record. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do Ford Windstar problems start?
Based on 517 complaints with mileage data, the median mileage at time of complaint is 90,000 miles. The highest concentration of reported issues occurs in the 60–90K mile range. The full report breaks down exactly which components fail at each mileage bracket.
When was the 1998 Ford Windstar data last updated?
BumperScan last checked this vehicle against NHTSA on October 21, 2026, covering owner complaints received through October 19, 2026 plus the latest recalls, investigations and technical service bulletins. Its numbers last changed on October 4, 2026.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
RaccoonEagleRoverCat

Get the Full 1998 Ford Windstar Report

10 sections of AI analysis based on 1,949 owner reports. Know before you buy.

Get Full Report — From $2.00Money-back guarantee
Instant delivery|One-time purchase|No hidden fees