Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1998 Ford Windstar
NHTSA data on file today
The 1998 Ford Windstar has 14 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of . try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1998 Ford Windstar. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V608000 Axle Recall Remedy may been Performed Improperly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V193000 REAR AXLE CRACKING-VIRGINIA VEHICLES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V195000 REAR AXLE CRACKING PUERTO RICO NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V385000 REAR AXLE CRACKING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V399000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01I007000 FORD/FRONT COIL SPRINGS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V199000 FORD/FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V168000 FORD/FMVSS 108/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V147000 FORD/FMVSS 135/WARNING STATEMENT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99I001000 FORD/OVERHEAD CONSOLE BRACKET NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98I003000 FORD/BRAKE CALIPER ANCHORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V165000 FORD/STEERING GEAR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V097000 FORD/AUTO TRANSMISSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V051000 FORD/INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT NHTSA notice
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1998 Ford Windstar has 14 recall campaigns, largely around axle and suspension issues due to corrosion. The absence of owner complaints makes a conclusive reliability assessment challenging, but the high number of recalls suggests below-average reliability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear axle | Unknown | $400–$1,000 | occasional |
| Front coil springs | Unknown | $200–$600 | occasional |
| Transmission | Unknown | $1,500–$3,000 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid check
- Cooling system flush
- Tire rotation and balance
- Brake pad inspection
- Spark plug replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual sounds from rear axle
- Reduced braking efficiency
- Steering wobble
- Transmission fluid leaks
- Suspension noises
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1998 Ford Windstar at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.