1998 Ford Windstar

Trims and configurations

4 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.

• Windstar FWD Van · 3.0L · FWD · 4-speed automatic
• Windstar FWD Van · 3.8L · FWD · 4-speed automatic
• Windstar FWD Wagon · 3.0L · FWD · 4-speed automatic
• Windstar FWD Wagon · 3.8L · FWD · 4-speed automatic

Recalls

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked October 19, 2026.

• 15V608000: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA…

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The…

  Reported September 29, 2015. View on NHTSA

• 12V195000: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

  FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, REGISTERED IN PUERTO RICO. DUE TO INCREASED STRESSES CAUSED BY HIGH CYCLES OF TORSIONAL LOADING, SPECIFIC TO THIS MARKET, THE REAR AXLE CAN CRACK.

  Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE REAR AXLE OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2012. OWNERS MAY…

  Reported May 3, 2012. View on NHTSA

• 12V193000: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

  FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA. OVER TIME, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD TO CRACKS WHICH, IF UNDETECTED, CAN INCREASE AND RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE.

  Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS, OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…

  Reported May 3, 2012. View on NHTSA

• 10V385000: 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,…

  Remedy: AS PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY INSTALL THE REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY…

  Reported August 26, 2010. View on NHTSA

• 09V399000: 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…

  Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY.…

  Reported October 13, 2009. View on NHTSA

• 01I007000: 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…

  Remedy: FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACEMENT TO A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OF SERVICE FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE. THIS COVERAGE IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE. IF…

  Reported July 12, 2001. View on NHTSA

• 01V199000: 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.…

  Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELDS AROUND THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 6, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY…

  Reported June 18, 2001. View on NHTSA

• 00V168000: 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.

  Remedy: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.

  Reported June 19, 2000. View on NHTSA

• 99V147000: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER IS RECESSED AND ORIENTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING STATEMENT EMBOSSED ON BOTH THE TOP OF THE FILLER CAP AND THE SIDE OF THE RESERVOIR BODY ARE NOT ENTIRELY VISIBLE BY DIRECT VIEW. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS."

  Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

  Reported June 14, 1999. View on NHTSA

• 99I001000: STRUCTURE:BODY

  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: MINIVANS. THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE REAR RETAINING BRACKET CAN DEVELOP CRACKS AND SEPARATE, ALLOWING THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE TO BECOME LOOSE AND POSSIBLY FALL DOWN.

  Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED RETAINING BRACKET IN THE SAME LOCATION AS THE ORIGINAL RETAINING BRACKET.

  Reported June 2, 1999. View on NHTSA

• 98I003000: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

  THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. MINI VANS SOLD DURING THE MONTHS OF DECEMBER 1996, AND JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MAY 1997. FRONT BRAKE CALIPER ANCHOR PLATE TO HUB AND SPINDLE ASSEMBLY BOLTS MAY BE LOOSE AS A RESULT OF AN INCOMPLETE TIGHTENING OPERATION AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.

  Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FRONT BRAKE CALPIER ANCHOR PLATE BOLTS. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

  Reported July 30, 1998. View on NHTSA

• 97V165000: STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI-VANS. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEARS MAY HAVE DAMAGED INPUT SHAFT BEARINGS.

  Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR, AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THOSE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLIES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. THE DATE CODES FOR WINDSTAR MODEL VEHICLES ARE 97JB09 OR…

  Reported September 30, 1997. View on NHTSA

• 97V097000: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AX4S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. THE LOW/INTERMEDIATE SERVO COVER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE TRANSAXLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. IF THIS OCCURS, TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL LEAK CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.

  Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.

  Reported June 9, 1997. View on NHTSA

• 97V051000: CHILD SEAT

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVAN EQUIPPED WITH SECOND ROW BENCH SEATS WITH OPTIONAL INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT (ICS). THE HEADREST LOCKOUT MECHANISM ON THE SEATS MAY NOT ENGAGE AND LOCK THE HEADRESTS IN THE "DOWN" POSITION, AS INTENDED, WHEN THE ICS IS DEPLOYED. A VEHICLE OCCUPANT COULD MOVE THE HEADREST TO THE "UP" POSITION.

  Remedy: THE SECOND ROW BENCH SEATS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH SEATS BUILT WITH REVISED HEADREST LOCKOUT MECHANISMS.

  Reported April 1, 1997. View on NHTSA

Data sources

• EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved October 19, 2026 · US Government public data
• NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 19, 2026 · US Government public data

Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.

Related vehicles

• Van1999Gasoline
  1999 Ford Windstar

  Van, Gasoline

  Varies by configuration: 3.0L 6-cylinder, 3.8L 6-cylinder · FWD
  18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) to 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km)

• Vehicle1997Gasoline
  1997 Ford Windstar

  Gasoline

  Varies by configuration: 3.0L 6-cylinder ((FFS)), 3.8L 6-cylinder ((FFS)) · FWD
  18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) to 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km)

Frequently asked questions