10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 75,973 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
This vehicle was part of a previous recall. All the Ford dealer did was install a fusible link in the scds circuit to the ABS brake unit. Since that time, the ABS brakes have become inoperable and will start pulsating while driving down the road. This causes dangerous driving conditions. We request that Ford replace the defective scds switch, which they know is defective.
- Dubois, PA, USA
"ABS" and "trac off" lights come on consistently during warm-weather months at speeds over 60mph. This means ABS breaking is disabled until car is shut off and restarted. Ford dealer was unable to reproduce the problem. Issue common per the below link (see problem #2 section). www.fordwindstarrecall.info/.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving 35 mph and attempted to engage the brakes but the pedal was depressed into the floorboard abnormally with the illumination of the check engine warning light. The contact also mentioned that once he turned on the heater, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the mass airflow sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 200,816.
- Oak Park, MI, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the brakes malfunctioned with the illumination of the ABS warning lamp. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the wheel sensor needed to be replaced and the pump modulator valve was also defective. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 58,822.
- Akron , OH, USA
Braking distance suddenly increased, ABS light and red brake light both on all the time. Trac off flashing.
- Ottawa, 00, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 50 mph, the transmission became stuck in overdrive. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who stated that the main control valve was defective; it was replaced. The contact later began having issues with the brakes as they locked up when the contact applied them to avoid a deer. The vehicle crashed into the woods as a result. A police report was filed. The contact sustained neck injuries. The contact was informed that the ABS tone ring seal had cracked; it was repaired. The failure continued and the dealer then replaced the tone ring and sensor. Months later, the brakes began to grab. The entire brake assembly was replaced four times. Furthermore, the contact noticed that the electrical system was defective. The switch assist in all doors was replaced in 2005. In 2011, the contact had the same failure with the switch for the driver side mirror. The dealer replaced the switch on the driver side mirror and checked the latches on the doors because the door light was constantly illuminated. The dealer also replaced all the sensor assists for the doors. The door ajar light was still illuminated. The failure mileage was 4,400 and the current mileage was 72,000.
- Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA
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. At present I am afraid to drive my Windstar with this structural defect and I feel Ford should remedy this defect in the same manner that they did with the cracking rear axle.
- St. John's, Nl,Canada A1e4y3, 00, USA
ABS and brake light on, and no speed control.
- Burkesville, KY, USA
Recall 09S09 1998 Ford Windstar- having trouble with speedometer/odometer and ABS brakes. Had wired harness installed by Ford dealership. I feel as though they didn't do a proper inspection as pertaining to all the problems this seems to be causing for many people. I can't drive my vehicle because my brakes keep locking up and my speedometer suddenly drops to zero and the vehicles transmission sounds awful. Ford told me all they need to replace is the wired harness is this true.I had my vehicle serviced a couple of weeks ago thought it was the brakes. They were done last September 2009. My mechanic couldn't figure out brakes. Pulled 15 amp fuse for speed control. Put back in after harness was installed still brakes locking up and speedometer acting up.
- St.Catharines, 00, USA
ABS brake light came on intermittently for a couple weeks then began to stay on. New brakes & rotors/drums all around. Now problem with brakes but light will not go off. Also airbag light came on about two weeks after the ABS light. It will not go off either.
- Barboursville, WV, USA
1998 Ford Windstar my brake and ABS light will not go out.
- Melville, NY, USA
I have a 1998 Ford Windstar. The ABS brakes are working all the time. Even in the middle of summer I can hear them engaging. I can not get them to stop chattering. After about 10 miles of city driving them finally give up and the ABS light comes on and then the car stops normally.
- Indianapois, IN, USA
Car starts out normally. Car sometimes suddenly has a longer braking distance than normal and braking is jerky. "trac on" engages for a few seconds and traction is jerky. After that ABS light remains on and "trac off " light is flashing. It only happens occasionally. I am planning to take it to Ford to correct ABS light.
- Provo, UT, USA
1998 Ford Windstar brakes failed causing the vehicle to hit a gate in the closed toll booth lane. Ohio traffic crash report #10-0724-91
- Hillsdale, MI, USA
ABS brake light (yellow) has been on for atleast the last 5 years. My ABS brake system does not work at all. My mechanics have made several attempts to fix the problem but no luck, we have been looking for a used but functional ABS brakes for my 1998 Ford Windstar but haven't had much luck. I will never buy a Ford product again.
- Wyandotte, MI, USA
While I was driving on June 18, 2007 I realize the ABS lights would stay on. I check the fuses and relays couldn"T solve this issue. When I lifted up the hood I notice leaking from deactivation sensor under the master cylinder. I assume the master cylinder went out on me so I replace the master cylinder didn"T solve the problem. I was furious meaning the vehicle I own and I depend on this van to go to work and home. When brake is leaking down under the ABS ECM it can caused fire but I don't want to chance it me still this van. I don't want to experience tragedy or anyone who must go through this. So, I left the van in garage until I get funds to fix this issue. I also replace the ABS ECM twice but it is still burning out my ABS module. Or we need to investigate this issue to Ford dealership im sure other victims experience same thing. It is very dangerous driving when you know brake fluid leaking from master cylinder. Please for safety issues investigate this Windstar 98 LX model.
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
The ABS engages on dry pavement under normal braking conditions. The ABS light did not come on. My mechanic changed two of the ABS sensors to no avail. After the ABS light remained on, I brought it to the Ford dealer. They changed the left front ABS sensor. The ABS light went out, the problem still exists under normal braking on dry pavement. I am sorry I did not leave it alone when the ABS light came on as the brakes worked fine. I would rather have the ABS not working than working improperly. I grew up on vehicles without ABS.
- Holbrook , NY, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The brake indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Whenever the brake pedal was depressed, the speedometer would malfunction. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that there was a brake fluid leak. The technician further stated that the speedometer failure was linked to brake fluid ingressed into the ABS module. The manufacturer has not been notified. Through online research, the contact found an investigation number PE08035 for the same failure. The investigation was closed with no recall issued, but he believes that the investigation should have led to a recall. The mechanic replaced a vehicle speed deactivation switch to stop the leaking; however, the ABS module still needs to be replaced. The contact believes that the manufacturer should be responsible for the repair. The current and failure mileages were 82,818.
- Woasso, OK, USA
My vehicle is having intermittent braking problems due to the ABS/ECM failure problem. The vehicle often brakes normally but occasionally brakes jerky- stopping poorly at best. The ABS light comes on intermittently as well. My mechanic thought that the ABS control module would need to be replaced. I now see that this problem is widespread among Windstar vehicles, and as it is a dangerous condition, I want to know what will be done to repair these errant vehicles? in this economy, I have little money for such an expensive part! I am a very careful driver and I leave a good deal of braking distance just in case my brakes act up. At least until I can afford to fix them - or Ford recalls my car and does the right thing.
- Santa Cruz , CA, USA
- Cottage Hills , IL, USA