The 1998 Ford Windstar has 226 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
226
Brakes complaints
12%
Share of year
18
Crash-involved
2
Related recalls
Defect
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.
Defect
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. MINI VANS SOLD DURING THE MONTHS OF DECEMBER 1996, AND JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MAY 1997. FRONT BRAKE CALIPER ANCHOR PLATE TO HUB AND SPINDLE ASSEMBLY BOLTS MAY BE LOOSE AS A RESULT OF AN INCOMPLETE TIGHTENING OPERATION AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.
Consequence
WHEN THE BOLTS ARE LOOSE, A NOTICEABLE NOISE AND/OR VIBRATION IS EVIDENT WHICH PROVIDES WARNING TO THE VEHICLE DRIVER. VEHICLE BRAKING IS NOT DEGRADED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FRONT BRAKE CALPIER ANCHOR PLATE BOLTS. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
“THE SENSOR PART #SW-6351 GET FIRE UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER.5/7/08- IT APPEARS THE NHTSA IS STARING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING A CAUSING FIRES! THIS IS CERTAINLY GOOD NEWS AND I'M SURE WILL SAVE LIVES. IF YOU HAVE A OLD DEACTIVATION SWITCH THAT LEAKED, PLEASE DO NOT THROW…”
NHTSA has 226 complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar brakes — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 98I003000, 99V147000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.