VehicleVerdict

1998 Ford Windstar transmission problems

The 1998 Ford Windstar has 353 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 18% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

353

Transmission complaints

18%

Share of year

11

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Windstar transmission complaints by model year924 complaints1985: 2 complaints1990: 1 complaints1992: 1 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 8 complaints1995: 924 complaints1996: 341 complaints1997: 46 complaints1998: 353 complaints1999: 292 complaints2000: 277 complaints2001: 150 complaints2002: 99 complaints2003: 227 complaints2004: 7 complaints
Windstar transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

12V193000TransmissionMay 3, 2012 · 27,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA. OVER TIME, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD TO CRACKS WHICH, IF UNDETECTED, CAN INCREASE AND RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE.

Consequence

A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS, OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

97V097000TransmissionJune 9, 1997 · 100,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AX4S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. THE LOW/INTERMEDIATE SERVO COVER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE TRANSAXLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. IF THIS OCCURS, TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL LEAK CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.

Consequence

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.

What owners report

“WHILE IN PARK CHILD WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN PARK, CONSUMER INDICATED THAT IN ORDER TO PUT A CAR IN PARK CONSUMER HAS TO PUT FOOT ON THE BRAKE. BUT CHILD WAS STANDING IN THE SEAT AND PUT CAR INTO DRIVE AND IT WENT INTO A CHAINED FENCE. CONSUMER SAYS WHEN BRINGING IT OUT OF PARK OR DRIVE IT MAKES A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 27, 1999 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1998 Ford Windstar have?

NHTSA has 353 complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar transmission — 18% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Ford Windstar transmission?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the transmission: 12V193000, 97V097000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.