Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Subframe rusted on left front passenger side. 1998 Ford Windstar. I had a popping noise when I made a left turn and loud crunching noise and steering wheel pulled to left. I had taken it to a auto shop and they replaced struts.sway bars and brakes . No one told me about the rust issue with the sub frame. I drove it home from shop. Same problem. Returned the vehicle to same repair shop and the had a welder attach steel bracket to hold up sub frame. 2 days later worse. I had a second mechanic look at it and he told me the first repair should not have asked me to repair anything on the van. Sub frame is failed at 128,436 miles. I notified Ford motor co . Of the failure, was givin a case number. Engine will fall out of bottom with corrosion of sub frame. Vehicle is not safe to drive
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. While driving, the steering wheel shook and the vehicle pulled to the left and right. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front driver side subframe was rusted due to corrosion and the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact called john kennedy Ford- pottstown at [phone] (located at 3189 w ridge pike, pottstown, pa 19464) where the dealer referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension), but not for the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 100,197.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the contact heard an unusual noise underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road, looked under the vehicle, and noticed that the front passenger side was completely rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the excessive rust and advised the contact not to drive the vehicle until it was repaired. The contact was unable to find a used part. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but did not provide any assistance. There was no recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,376.
I own a 1998 Ford Windstar(manufacture date aug..1997. I have been having problems for a while. My van was making a whining grinding noise. Gear is hard to get out of park bad popping noise when backing up...replaced all 4 wheel bearings and both tie rod ends..still making a bad whining noise.3 days ago I was driving down the highway and the steering started acting weird and shaking and the back of the van started swaying back and forth .. Was told at the shop about the recall on axel I called Ford and was told my van is not on the list my van has a excessive amount of corrosion throughout the whole bottom the shop told me this van has been exposed to salt. …
While driving my 1998 Windstar @ 45mph, I lost total steering control of my vehicle and my vehicle veered into the oncoming lane of a two lane highway. I was able to regain control after turning the steering wheel approx 360 degrees to the right and managed to stop safely. After further investigation, it was found that the drivers side lower control arm bracket that is welded to the subframe broke away from the subframe due to a rusted out subframe. I've owned this vehicle for the past 8 years and never received any information from Ford regarding this safety issue as noted in the 1999-2003 Ford Windstar recall which has the same issue as my vehicle. Although Ford is not going to honor a subframe recall for my year vehicle, Ford should at least send a notification letter to inform owners of this dangerous issue. …
Rear axel broke in half while driving down a flat road. Ford dealerships telling me it will take at least a month to fix. No talk of providing a rental vehicle. They were even saying they might or might not pay for fixing it. I called Ford customer service who said I would get a day car rental and if it takes longer than a day, the dealership needs to get a rental preapproved by Ford and pay for as long as it takes to repair. She said to call them that they were waiting to set things up. I called them, was transferred to 3 people and then a voicemail. Left message and no one called. I then called back and they said I would be transferred to head manager and again given a voice mail. I called the customer service again and explained all this. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle taken to a local mechanic for inspection of the sub frame when the contact was advised that the sub frame was severely corroded and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact stated that the brake lines were also found to be corroded. The brake lines were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the sub frame failure and denied any assistance with the repair. The sub frame was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 114,000. The tie rods, front wheel bearings and battery had to be replaced within one year of owning the vehicle. The wheel cylinders, brake adjusters, spring kit, drums, rotors, shoes, and pads all had to be replaced. Also, the turn signal level stopped working for the left side. …
1998 Ford Windstar has rusted engine subframe, which, if lets go would cause side axle and front tire to separate from van and cause loss of steering control,loss of braking, and possible accident.this was discovered while van was on ramp for oil change . Received recall on rear axle cracking and recall was done today by Ford. Brought subframe problem to the dealers attention and they stated that Ford was fully aware of this problem but could do nothing about it because Ford had not issued a recall on this time. The service station owner which did my oil change expressed an opinion that he felt that the front subframe rusting was indeed much more of a concern than the cracking of the rear axle which has been recalled by Ford. …
I have a 1998 Ford Windstar, in which the rear axle broke in half shortly after coming off the highway. I pulled into a customer lot and heard a noise, but I thought I ran over a hose that was on the ground. It was not until a worker came in an told me my rear wheels were at a 45 degree angle, and the axle it was split down the middle. I had to get my wife to pick me up and take me back to work, and then home. The car had to be left at the customers and I hadit towed the next day to my mechanic. He showed me the damage one and pointed out the rust and the break. I was blessed this did not happen on the highway, for I had just taken my son to work. The cost estimate for a new axle was $600.00, and a used axle was $275.00 and this did not include additional parts and labor.this happen on July 22 2010 at 3:00 p.m. The final bill including parts ,labor, and towing was about $950.00.
I have (had) a 1998 Ford Windstar that transports not only my own three children but two other children from time to time. After pulling out of the garage one day the rear of the Mini-van made a horrible sound. I looked out the door and saw my rear tire in a very precarious position. After further review I noticed that what one would think could never happen, sure as '!@#$% 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!!!!!!!!
NHTSA investigations
Overhead console loose or hangs down
This investigation is opened to ascertain facts concerning the problem experience, scope, and rational for issuing a technical service bulletin to correct the problem.historically, previous safety recalls involving similar type of failure have been filed with the agency.
Body complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1998 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the body & structure of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 6% of the model year's 1,433 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Windstar body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1998 Ford Windstar, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Windstar body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.