1998 Ford Windstar complaints

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. IT FIRST STARTED WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CATCHING ON FIRE AND CAUSING WIRES UNDER MY HOOD TO BURN... NOW FOR THE LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR..THE SENSOR ON THE DASH WOULD SHOW THAT THE DOOR WAS AJAR(NOT CLOSED) I COULD TAKE THE BATTERY CABLE OFF FOR A WHILE AND THE DOOR LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. NOW I HAVE HAD TO REMOVE ALL THE BULBS IN THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VAN TO KEEP MY BATTERY FROM RUNNING DOWN THIS MORNING I GET UP AND MY BATTERY IS DEAD AND ACID FROM THE BATTERY IS ALL OVER THE POST AND CABLE WIRES. I TALK TO MY MECHANIC HE SAYS THIS IS DUE TO SOME PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HE SAID HE HAS HAD TO WORK ON SEVERAL WINDSTARS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMSOME KIND OF SENSOR FAULT DEFECT. *TR

THE REAR AXLE OF OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR GL, WITH ONLY 99,630 MILES, BROKE WHILE GOING DOWN A ROAD GOING ABOUT 30 MPH. I HIT SMALL POTHOLE, HEARD A CLUNK AND THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HANDLING PROPERLY. NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS WRONG AND SINCE I WAS CLOSE TO HOME, I DROVE IT HOME AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND NOTED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS SPLIT ABOUT 75% THROUGH. THE REAR WHEELS WERE SITTING TILTED TOWARD THE VEHICLE. WE HAD A TOW TRUCK TAKE THE VAN TO HAVE IT FIXED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND ONE PERSON WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE CRASH, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

VEHICLE IS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WASHER,SEAT BELT,AND DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF. WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING THE WIPER BLADES STOP WORKING,POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT OPERATE AND ON A FEW OCCASIONS THE HEADLIGHTS WILL BLINK WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN OLD VEHICLE BUT I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. NOT JUST RESTRICTED TO THIS YEAR. IT IS ALSO AN ISSUE THAT HAPPENS JUST AFTER A FEW YEARS OF SERVICE. I WOULD THINK THAT WIPER BLADES MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WOULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH. WHEN THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE BROKE ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

VAN HAS BEEN SWAYING WHEN DRIVING LIKE A TIRE WAS LOW ON AIR, KEPT CHECKING WITH NO TIRE PROBLEMS BUT WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AT WORK I HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE. WHEN I GOT OUT I FOUND MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE LEANING IN. I JACKED UP MY VAN TO FIND THE REAR AXLE IS BROKEN ABOUT A FOOT OR SO IN FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. I TRAVEL WITH 4 CHILDREN AND IF THIS WOULD HAVE BROKEN WITH THEM ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL, THERE IS NO OBVIOUS RUST ON THE AXLE. I FOUND A FORD WEBSITE THAT HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE AXLE BREAKING AND I FEEL THIS NEEDS INVESTIGATED. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME, MY CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY STEPPING ON THE GAS. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE VERY BUSY ROAD I WAS ON AND SINCE I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR, I DECIDED TO HIT A TREE, HOPING THE CAR WOULD STOP. IT DID NOT. IT WENT OVER A CLIFF, AFTER KNOCKING THE TREE DOWN. I WAS VERY BADLY INJURED AND REMAIN DISABLED. THE CAR WAS A FORD WINDSTAR 1998. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAS BEEN MANY ACCIDENTS LIKE THIS WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR BUT FORD NEVER DID A RECALL. I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD AND TOYOTA USE THE SAME MANUFACTURER FOR SOME OF THEIR PARTS. MY CAR STILL EXISTS IF IT NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED. *TR

THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING NORMAL AND BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES IN THE FRONT END. I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT A SERVICE GARAGE AND TOLD THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE FRACTURED. *TR

HORN & AIR BAG, MY HORN WILL NOT BLOW AND THE AIR BAG WILL LIGHT IS ON AND IT STAY`S ON WHICH MEANS IT IS NOT WORKING . THE HORN I TRIED TO HAVE SOME ONE LOCATE THE PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE LOCATED . *TR

I NOTICED MY VAN WAS 'FEELING WEIRD' WHEN I DROVE IT-ALMOST LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON A SLIPPERY ROAD AND THE BACK END WAS SLIDING. THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS. I HAD TO DRIVE MY SON TO VISIT HIS FATHER ON AN EXTREMELY SNOWY DAY. THE ROADS WERE DRIVABLE BUT DID HAVE SOME SNOW ON THEM. WHEN I PROCEEDED DOWN THE HILL I LIVE ON, THE SLIDING SENSATION WAS EXTREMELY EXAGGERATED. THE FURTHER I DROVE, THE WORSE IT GOT. I HAD TO DRIVE IN 1ST GEAR GOING LESS THAN 20 M.P.H. WITH THE BACK END OF MY VAN FISHTAILING. I THOUGHT FOR SURE WE WERE GOING TO ROLL OVER. THANK GOD I WAS PASSING THE MECHANIC'S GARAGE I USE, AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN. I HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAS SNAPPED AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. UPON SEARCHING FOR HOW MUCH A REAR AXLE IS GOING TO COST, I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND A SITE WHERE PEOPLE LIST THE PROBLEMS THEY'VE HAD WITH THE SAME VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL THING TO HAVE OCCUR!!!! PEOPLE COULD VERY EASILY BE KILLED WHEN THIS BREAKS. IT WAS ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT WE DIDN'T WRECK. FORD NEEDS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS AND PUT A RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE. *TR

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

1998 FORD WINDSTAR, 3.8 ENGINE. I HAVE PROBLEMS IT STARTED STALLING WHEN I STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP, SUDDENLY THE CAR STOPPED. ALSO WHEN IT WAS IN THE PARKING . MECHANIC MADE THE TUNE-UP BUT STILL DOING SO, NOW IT IS DOING A WHITE CLOUD OF STEAM, IF I ACCEL, IT COMES WORST, SHOULD I WAIT FOR A RECALL OR IT'S A NORMAL PROBLEM? *TR

HAD THE RECALL FOR THE CRUISE,A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, THE RECALL WAS DONE ON 11/25/2009, RECALL # 09S09, AFTER 11 DAY AND ONLY 146 MILES THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

ON JULY 6, 2009, MY FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN BURNED UP. I WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP SUPPER WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I WENT ON, PICKED UP SUPPER, AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. IMMEDIATELY SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING. I PULLED AROUND THE CORNER IN THE PARKING LOT, PARKED AGAIN, AND POPPED THE HOOD. THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE IN THE ALTERNATOR AREA. I TOOK MY TODDLER OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN INTO A STORE TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE, THE CAR WAS DESTROYED AND A TOTAL LOSS. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED AND GIVEN TO MCDONALD'S TOWING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT, BUT THAT IT LOOKED LIKE POSSIBLE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE PARKING HE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR, AND THEN SAW FLAMES INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED TO CALL NHTSA BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 184,347.

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). *TR

OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN REAR AXLE BROKE. WE WERE RETURNING HOME. WHEN WE RETURNED I WENT ONLINE TO CHECK HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THIS VAN WAS NOT THE ONLY 98 TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM.*TR

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

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 *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WIND STAR. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 52 MPH THE RPMS INCREASED TO FOUR. SHE DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE, THEN THERE WAS AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CENTER WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE CITY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. HE SPECULATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. SHE WILL RECEIVE A REPORT IN TEN DAYS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED BECAUSE IT WAS A CRUISE CONTROL FIRE THE MANUFACTURE WAS RESPONSIBLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

I HAVE A 98 FOR WINDSTAR GL. ON OCT 9TH I WAS COMING BACK FROM WORK AND THE REAR OF THE CAR KEPT FISH TAILING / SLIPPING TO ONESIDE AND AS WELL AS THAT NIGHT WHEN I HAD TO TAKE MY SON TO THE HOSPITAL AND BACK. ALMOST LOST CONTROL COMING BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL. I DID NOT GET IN THE CAR AT ALL THAT 10TH CAUSE OF THAT. ON OCT 11TH 2009 I WAS BACKING OUT FROM MY PARKING SPOT IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. AS I BACKED UP AND AS I PUT IT IN DRIVE I HEARD A LOUD BANG LIKE I BACKED UP INTO A CAR. GOT OUT TO SEE MY BACK TIRES BENT IN. I PULLED UP SLOWLY AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT AND SAW THAT MY REAR AXEL ASSY SPLIT IN HALF. MY MECHANIC NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE IT. I SEARCHED THE WEB TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS BUT THERE WASN'T ANY BUT FOUND A BUNCH OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM FROM 98 TO 02 WINDSTARS ESP. WHILE DRIVING. SO MY VAN STILL SITS. I THINK THEIR SHOULD BE A RECALL THE REAR AXEL ASSY SPLIT IN HALF. NOTHING WAS DONE YET PART IS GOING TO COST 400 DOLLAR AND TO GET IT INSTALLED WILL COST AS MUCH. PART WAS AVAILABLE THROUGH FORD. BUT LOOKING FOR PART IN JUNK YARD FOR THE VAN. *TR

OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN ERUPTED IN FIRE WHILE OFF AND PARKED IN DRIVE WAY. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN THAT DAY. THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE DASH ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND SPREAD SO QUICKLY THAT THE VAN WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

ON JUNE 13TH, 2009, MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN CAUGHT FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE AND DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL OF THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL RELATING TO ELECTRICAL FIRES UNDER THE HOOD. I WANT FORD TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE AND THE LOSS OF MY VEHICLE. ABOUT 5500 HUNDRED DOLLARS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR LEFT AXLE WAS BROKEN. SHE NOTIFIED A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT HE WOULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AT HER RESIDENCE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS FOR THAT YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS WAITING FOR A REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104000.

1. FORD SENT RECALL NOTICE (01S19/01M03) IN SEPTEMBER, 2001. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE (11/7/01) AND THE RECEIPT INDICATES THAT SAFETY SHIELDS WERE INSTALLED 'TO PREVENT A FRONT SPRING FAILURE FROM PUNCTURING THE FRONT TIRES'. THE NOTICE ALSO STATED THAT 'WHAT FORD WILL DO FOR YOU': "FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL ALSO PAY FAR ANY REPAIRS DIRECTLY RELATING TO THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF YOU VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE (PARTS AND LABOR)." IT WAS AT THAT TIME (2001), THE OWNER RECEIVED AN 'EXTENDED COVERAGE TRANSFERABLE WARRANTY NOTICE' ON THE FRONT SPRINGS FOR 10 YEARS FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE". 2. THE SPRINGS MAY HAVE FRACTURED AT A LATER DATE, OR WERE BROKEN AT THAT TIME AND NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD VERY LOW FRONT GROUND CLEARANCE. BECAUSE OF THE LOW GROUND CLEARANCE AND THE INSTALLED SHIELDS, THE SPRING FAILURE WAS NOT NOTED EVEN WHEN NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED. RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN 2009, AFTER A FRONT BREAK LINE FAILURE, THE OWNER INQUIRED ABOUT CHECKING FOR BROKEN FRONT SPRINGS UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE FROM 2001. THAT IS WHEN HE LEANED THAT THE SAFETY RECALL ISSUE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE "SHIELD INSTALLATION". THIS ACTION APPARENTLY ALSO REMOVED THE VIN FROM THE SAFETY RECALL DATA BASE. THUS, ASSUMING THAT THIS IS NO LONGER A SAFETY ISSUE, THE OWNER CONTINUES TO DRIVE THE LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE (LESS THAN 100,000 MILES). 3. THE COST OF REPLACING THE SPRINGS WAS ESTIMATED AT $400 TO $600 DOLLARS BY TH

1998 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING OUT UNDER THE MOTOR. *TR

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

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. *TR

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. *TR

1998 FORD WINDSTAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED AT DENTIST. FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AND THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED. *TR

1998 FORD WINDSTAR CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ONTO CONNECTORS BELOW CAUSING A FIRE AND SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

1998 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION FAILED. NO WARNING, NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING PLASTIC ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH WAS MELTING AND SMOKING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN, BUT HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY TIRE CAME OFF OF MY CAR. ALL OF THE LUGS TO MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BROKE. I CALLED A MECHANICAL SHOP THAT OWNS THEIR OWN WRECKER. THEY REPAIRED THE WHEEL, WHICH INCLUDED ROTOR, LUG WORK. MY VEHICLE WAS ALSO DAMAGED IN THE BODY. THE FENDER , THE DOOR,THE PARTS ALL AROUND THE AREA WHERE THE TIRE FLUNG OFF. I HAVE DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE EXISTS A RECALL ON VEHICLES THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AS MY VEHICLE. *TR

1998 WINDSTAR VAN WAS PARKED IN THE FRONT YARD KEY OUT OF IT I WAS INSIDE I HEARD A NOISE LOOKED OUT THE ENGINE PART WAS ON FIRE I WAS MOVING MY PERSONAL THINGS I LOST EVERYTHING I OWN I LEFT EVERYTHING IN THE VAN INCLUDING MY PURSE W/ MY MONEY AND ID INSIDE. *TR

THE ABS ENGAGES ON DRY PAVEMENT UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. THE ABS LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. MY MECHANIC CHANGED TWO OF THE ABS SENSORS TO NO AVAIL. AFTER THE ABS LIGHT REMAINED ON, I BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER. THEY CHANGED THE LEFT FRONT ABS SENSOR. THE ABS LIGHT WENT OUT, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS UNDER NORMAL BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT. I AM SORRY I DID NOT LEAVE IT ALONE WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AS THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE ABS NOT WORKING THAN WORKING IMPROPERLY. I GREW UP ON VEHICLES WITHOUT ABS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SENSOR ON THE SLIDING DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BEEPING SOUND DOES NOT TURN OFF. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR AND DOME LIGHT DO NOT DIM. THERE IS A SWITCH THAT NEEDS TO BE BYPASSED OR REWIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR THESE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. SHE HAS RESEARCHED OTHER CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

DINGING FROM FAULTY SWITCH WHILE DRIVING - INTERFERES WITH DRIVERS CONCENTRATION AND EMERGENCY WARNING SIRENS AND HORNS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING STEERING FAILURE EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. HE HEARS LOUD, SQUEAKY NOISES EVERYTIME HE TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V165000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DRAMATICALLY ACCELERATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY AND A CRASH WERE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND NO ERROR CODES WERE PROVIDED FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 03-06-09 *BF UPDATED 03/09/09*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE TECHNICIAN FURTHER STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILURE WAS LINKED TO BRAKE FLUID INGRESSED INTO THE ABS MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND AN INVESTIGATION NUMBER PE08035 FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED WITH NO RECALL ISSUED, BUT HE BELIEVES THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD HAVE LED TO A RECALL. THE MECHANIC REPLACED A VEHICLE SPEED DEACTIVATION SWITCH TO STOP THE LEAKING; HOWEVER, THE ABS MODULE STILL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,818.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT OBSERVED RED LIQUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, SHE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V097000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION), BUT WAS UNAWARE IF HER VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR IF PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 124,528. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

BRAKE LIGHTS AND ABS LIGHTS KEEP ON AND OFF I HAVE 98 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM CRUISE CONTROL RESET SWITCH, FLUID DRIPPING ON WIRING AND CONTROLLER SWITCH FOR TRANSMISSION. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE POTENTIAL WITH THE BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ON ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CONTACTS THAT HAVE CONSTANT 12 VOLT SOURCE. THIS SAME DESIGN HAS CAUSED DEATHS DO TO FIRES..... *TR

WE COLLIDED WITH A 1989 CHEVROLET TRUCK DRIVEN BY AN INTOXICATED DRIVER WHO PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF US IN A 45 MPH SPEED ZONE. WE WERE IN OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. OUR CHILDREN, AGES 18 AND 13 WERE SEATED IN THE QUAD SEATS BEHIND THE FRONT SEATS, AND ON IMPACT, BOTH SEAT BELTS FOR THEIR SEATS CAME UNDONE. *TR

I HAVE (HAD) A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR THAT TRANSPORTS NOT ONLY MY OWN THREE CHILDREN BUT TWO OTHER CHILDREN FROM TIME TO TIME. AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE ONE DAY THE REAR OF THE MINI-VAN MADE A HORRIBLE SOUND. I LOOKED OUT THE DOOR AND SAW MY REAR TIRE IN A VERY PRECARIOUS POSITION. AFTER FURTHER REVIEW I NOTICED THAT WHAT ONE WOULD THINK COULD NEVER HAPPEN, SURE AS '!@#$% DID, THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF. I DID SOME SEARCHING ON THE NET AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT ALONE. FORD SAYS IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM (UNTIL SOMEONE'S FAMILY DIES) BECAUSE IT IS PAST THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY. THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE AXLE AND NOT ESCAPE. THIS EVENT CAUSES THE AXLE TO RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT. NOT VERY HAPPY HERE, BUT REALLY DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE GET HURT OR KILLED!!!!!!!! *TR

MY VEHICLE IS HAVING INTERMITTENT BRAKING PROBLEMS DUE TO THE ABS/ECM FAILURE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE OFTEN BRAKES NORMALLY BUT OCCASIONALLY BRAKES JERKY- STOPPING POORLY AT BEST. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AS WELL. MY MECHANIC THOUGHT THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I NOW SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AMONG WINDSTAR VEHICLES, AND AS IT IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL BE DONE TO REPAIR THESE ERRANT VEHICLES? IN THIS ECONOMY, I HAVE LITTLE MONEY FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PART! I AM A VERY CAREFUL DRIVER AND I LEAVE A GOOD DEAL OF BRAKING DISTANCE JUST IN CASE MY BRAKES ACT UP. AT LEAST UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO FIX THEM - OR FORD RECALLS MY CAR AND DOES THE RIGHT THING. *TR

THE MASTER CYLINDER SPEED CONTROL PRESSUER SWITH LIKING BRAKE OIL. *TR

THE SENSOR PART #SW-6351 GET FIRE UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER.5/7/08- IT APPEARS THE NHTSA IS STARING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING A CAUSING FIRES! THIS IS CERTAINLY GOOD NEWS AND I'M SURE WILL SAVE LIVES. IF YOU HAVE A OLD DEACTIVATION SWITCH THAT LEAKED, PLEASE DO NOT THROW IT AWAY, WE MAY NEED TO COLLECT A FEW! *TR *GEM

LEAK FROM ABS SYSTEM CAUSING SEVERE SMOKING. *TR