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1998 Ford Windstar recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

11 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1998 Ford Windstar. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Ford been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.

1998 Ford Windstar recalls, newest first

September 29, 2015NHTSA 15V608000283,413 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly

Summary
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 recalls 10V-385, 12V-193, and 12V-195.
Consequence
If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
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 began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S27.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 3, 2012NHTSA 12V1950009,192 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly

Summary
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.
Consequence
A fractured axle may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 contact the Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 3, 2012NHTSA 12V19300027,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Axle assembly

Summary
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.
Consequence
A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
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 Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 26, 2010NHTSA 10V385000492,650 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly

Summary
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.
Consequence
A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
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 contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

October 13, 2009NHTSA 09V3990004,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle speed control

Summary
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.
Consequence
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
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. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 18, 2001NHTSA 01V199000198,583 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs

Summary
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.
Consequence
Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
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 within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 19, 2000NHTSA 00V16800020,637 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

Summary
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.
Consequence
The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by U.S. Standards.
Remedy
Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 14, 1999NHTSA 99V147000789,723 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder

Summary
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

September 30, 1997NHTSA 97V1650002,250 vehicles potentially affected

Steering › Gear box › Shaft sector

Summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini-vans. The rack and pinion steering gears may have damaged input shaft bearings.
Consequence
This condition can increase steering efforts, affecting steering control.
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 97JC08; the date codes for mustang model vehicles are 97J09B or 97J08B.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 9, 1997NHTSA 97V097000100,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Automatic transmission

Summary
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.
Consequence
The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 1, 1997NHTSA 97V051000202 vehicles potentially affected

Child seat

Summary
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.
Consequence
As a result of the headrest being in the "up" position, a child seated in the ics would receive less than the intended protection in the child head area in the event of a crash.
Remedy
The second row bench seats have been replaced with seats built with revised headrest lockout mechanisms.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 1,433 complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
54
Fires reported
65
Injuries reported
59
Deaths reported
3

Most complained-about components

  1. Power train › Automatic transmission255
  2. Service brakes218
  3. Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline110
  4. Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs86
  5. Hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip79

Other Ford Windstar years

Other 1998 Ford models

Most recalled 1998 vehicles

  1. 1998 Honda Accord (19 recalls)
  2. 1998 Ford F-150 (18 recalls)
  3. 1998 Honda Civic (18 recalls)
  4. 1998 Dodge Ram (17 recalls)
  5. 1998 Blue Bird TC2000 (17 recalls)
All of 1998’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1998 Ford Windstar have any recalls?
11 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: suspension, power train, vehicle speed control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, steering. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1998 Ford Windstar recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Ford dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1998 Ford Windstar?
1,433 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.