Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
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.
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. …
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.
1998 Ford Windstar - failure of brake pressure switch; caused all brake fluid to leak out of master cylinder, and subsequent brake failure. No accident caused (fortunately), could have been disastrous or fatal. Wife noticed that she could not stop vehicle just before entering the freeway; used the emergency brake to stop and drive the Windstar home. I discovered massive amount of brake fluid had leaked onto the surrounding area, and the #30 fuse for cruise control, and ABS had blown.
Interior dome light stays on until 15-20mph is reached. Dash light indicator says door is open. Isolated problem to sliding door on passenger side. Problem is intermittent. Take to Ford dealerships on 3 seperate ocassions and all 3 times the problem mysteriously went away. Also when this happens the rear wiper doesn't work all the time.
Accelerator went down on its own while in reverse, no brakes to stop, resulting in a accident. Steering vibrates, recommend rotating the tires. Interior seats slightly twisted, door locks works sometime, interior lights work sometimes.
I needed the starter replaced, my brakes, I'm having electrical issues, my car stops when it wants to in the middle of the highway,.. It makes noises when I'm turning, I have rust coming from under my car. The signal lights flickers
The door open/close indicator light remained on. Sometimes the light remained on for about an hour after the car was parked and turned off. This is an intermittent problem that has been occurring for about a year.
Continual problems with interior lights and locks because of the door ajar monitor. All doors are closed and door alarm monitor remains on which causes the interior lights to remain on at all times. Have to remove #29 fuse just to get interior and dome lights to shut off, even after ignition is off and key removed. Otherwise battery will die as lights do not go off as they are supposed to. Driving with dome light continuously on is a very big safety hazard, especially at night. However removing this fuse also results in loss of electric window function which should also be a safety hazard. This has been happening for at least four years. Everytime I take it to the dealer, it would stop for a short while and then subsequently act up again. I am the sole owner of this vehicle and purchased it new in 1998. …
Various problem with power lock locking by itself/windshield wipers working intermittently/dome light not operating, and door ajar light staying on. Vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on several occasions, and problems still reoccurring. Possible electrical problem with failure of power locks, windshield wipers, dome light, door ajar light, door ajar switch, lift gate door ajar switch, battery saver relay inoperable, and washer light illuminating. Brakes noisy at times, dealer stated this was due to brake dust. Power steering is noisy when turning back and forth, dealer replaced tie rod end. Sliding door rattles while driving over bumps, dealer added foam tape to back side of panel, driver door rattles, sliding door hard to open at times, dealer lubed sliding hinges and latch. Dealer replaced shocks due to rattling noise when riding over bumps. Drivebelt replaced. …
Related recalls
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…
Remedy: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
Headlight complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1998 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the lights of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 3% of the model year's 1,433 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Windstar headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-168 (exterior lighting, Jun 19, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Windstar headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 123,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to lights 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.