15 problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 1998 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Was driving down the road @ 55mph and the speedometer shot to 0mph and the trans was thrown into 1st. This happened several times. I am looking for a resolution. It acts as if vss isn't working. Even threw a code. I replaced the sensor and checked the wires all the way to the ecm. Everything looks quite good. Ran a scanner. Picked up several codes. Vss and abs sensors all around. Pulled cluster: everything looked great. The only fault I can think of is ecm unless abs system has the ability to affect the drive like that.
My Windstar has about 155,000 miles on it and a 25 gallon tank. About six months ago it cut off on the interstate in front of a tractor trailer with my daughter driving. It had just traveled about 200 miles and it was raining hard. We had it towed to a Ford dealer and all he reported was the fuel pump fuse blew. The second event was on vacation and after driving about 175 miles. Again it was pouring down rain. I figured it was moisture related and let it sit three days and the idle close to 1/2 hour. Finally I drove it about 45 minutes and it seemed fine so we drove home. Again at about 150 miles and heavy rain it blew the fuse about 5 miles from home. After two more fuses we made it home. I used an air compressor and air nibbler to carefully cut an access hole in the floor of the van. My daughters Chrysler comes with an access point for fuel pump service. Now my van has one too. The original pump was in the tank. The wires exposed to fuel were chaffed in 5 spots and arcing at the push in connector. The arcing was due to a crimp on a hose clamp rubbing the wire near the push in pump connector. This rubbing may happen due to other stories I've read about where the tank collapsed from vacuum in the tank. Shame on the people who designed this pump, tank and the assembly process. By the way I'm a quality engineer at an engine factory. I expect a fuel pump to wear out -- not short out.
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact smelled a burning odor while driving approximately 40 mph. The contact stopped the vehicle and inspected under the hood. The contact noticed a flame coming from the alternator. The contact used water to extinguish the flame. The fire department also reported to the scene. The contact replaced the alternator. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.
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.
On July 3, 2010, I was driving my 1998 Ford Windstar van with my family. While waiting for a traffic signal to change, we observed smoke coming from under the van. I immediately pulled into a parking lot and turned off the engine. The smoke continued to get worse until flames appeared from under the hood. The fire department was summoned but the van was eventually destroyed by fire before the fire department could put out the fire. Prior to this event, the van was running smoothly. The temperature gauges were normal and there was no indication of any malfunction.
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.
My wife attempted to start 1998 Ford Windstar when smoke began to issue from beneath the hood. She immediately removoved herself and dog whereupon the engine caught fire and subsequently exploded. The fire department was called to extinguish the flames but everything fowrward of the firewall was melted down. The windshield had exploded and the interior suffered smoke damage. Everything in front of the firewall was an entire loss. This report is filed after learning that NHTSA is involved in investigation of more than 130 other reports of a similar nature. We wish to learn if there is any recourse or class action suit available to us.
I own an 1998 Windstar 3 liter engine. On April 16,2008 I parked my car (nose down hill) during a rain storm. Later that evening I notice the running lights were on and would not turn off. I then unhooked the battery. The next morning I jump started the car and drove it briefly to recharge the battery and noticed a smell of hot or burning wires. I looked under the hood and noticed pooling water in the engine compartment. After the engine dried completely the smell went away. While no fire resulted I was extremely concerned. I read the story concerning your investigation of the Windstar and thought it relevant.
Two weeks ago our 1998 Ford Windstar minivan, with 220,000 miles on it, caught fire under the hood while parked, and was totally destroyed. We had been carefully following the maintenance schedule from Ford motor company. During the week before the fire, we had problems with the interior lights not always turning off when we exited the van.
On October 1, 2003 the transmission failed at 23,956 miles. It neutralizes at 10 mph or higher. Contact with the dealership stated it was out of warranty and I could bring it in for repair. They would not cooperate with providing me the name and means of contacting the zone rep. Repair cost at $1800. 00 with transmission shop.
When we purchased the van, we also bought a diamondkote warranty ,for 499. 99$ and told at the time of purchase that is was a good warranty. We then found out that we should not have been sold the warranty and plaza Ford Lincoln will not honor it, we can't even get a refund, so we spoke to someone at diamondkote and this person told us that we should not have been sold the warranty and have been trying to get a refund ever since,either from plaza Ford Lincoln or diamondkote. I had intentions of suing Ford motor company two years ago when my husband took my two daughters to halifax, because my 8 year old had cancer at the time, she had a appointment at the I. W. K hospital and it was by the grace of god that thay were not killed when the front suspention spring broke in which case my husband lost steering. I spoke to a lawyer who sadly told, because there was no death or injury there was nothing he could do,well my 8 year old who is now cancer free was so scared, she still gets very scared to get in a vehicle. I could go on but for now this is just the begining. I am going to pursue the matter of the diamondkote warranty further,and possibly more. We have had alot of vehicals before but never a Ford with as much trouble as this has been.
At 55,000 miles my 1998 Windstar with the 232 cubic inch engine, you guessed it, blew a head gasket. After reading about the problems with previous models, it looks as though Ford has more problems a"head" (sorry had to). What steps should I take to help the other consumers make complaints so we aren't out thousands of dollars for repair costs that is obviously a Ford problem? what steps can I take to get Ford to cover the costs of this repair? sincerely,.
This van has all the defects and complaints listed on thegovt. Recalls the NHTSA site and others ihave too much info to put on this site if there is anyone I can send my complaint to please let me know iam putting it back into the shop again ive been thru a nightmare along with trying to assure my 4 kids that they were safe in this van thankyou angela wallace and by the wat the dealer that sold me this van will not cooperate at all.
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.
While driving engine started idling high and running rough. Dealer has been notified.