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1998 Ford Windstar acceleration problems

73 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 99,000. 10 crashes reported.

owner complaints
73
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
99,000
crashes
10
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Cruise control
    7
  • Accelerator pedal
    6
  • Linkages
    4
  • Cables
    2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Windstar acceleration problems in other years

19911995199619971998199920002001200220032004

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Ford Windstar acceleration

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Sudden acceleration 17

Related recalls

Vehicle speed controlReported October 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.

Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details

What 1998 Ford Windstar owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 19, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 96,769 miles · IL

Was driving down the road @ 55mph and the speedometer shot to 0mph and the trans was thrown into 1st. This happened several times. I am looking for a resolution. It acts as if vss isn't working. Even threw a code. I replaced the sensor and checked the wires all the way to the ECM. Everything looks quite good. Ran a scanner. Picked up several codes. Vss and ABS sensors all around. Pulled cluster: everything looked great. The only fault I can think of is ECM unless ABS system has the ability to affect the drive like that.

Filed Feb 28, 2012 · Acceleration, Brakes · IL

I went to ford dealership in dec 09 received inspection on recall # o9s09 and 09so9h only. Now here in feb. 2012 the same problems with suspension,right front tire wheel makes alto of noise power steering fluid is leaking strange noise is heard when making right turns,ford said my vehicle has had all service it is due . I believe they are wrong all the same problems the recalls reported are my problems I have paper work providing they only ran test on recall #o9s09 and 09s09h my car is in serious weather conditions here in illinois.under the original owner ford stated they are not responsible for any further repair. Ford dealership roberts motors 4350 alby alton il 62002.

Filed Oct 15, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 165,000 miles · KY

Abs and brake light on, and no speed control.

Filed Sep 29, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 00

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.

Filed May 4, 2010 · Acceleration · 96,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. While driving 55 MPH, the contact applied the brakes but the vehicle surged forward and crashed. The vehicle was destroyed. The police and ambulance arrived at the scene and one person was injured. The contact stated that the night before the crash, the cruise control activated on its own. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop for inspection. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were approximately 96,000.

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Acceleration · NY · crash · 1 injury

As I was driving home, my car accelerated without my stepping on the gas. When I stepped on the brake, it continued to accelerate. I managed to get off the very busy road I was on and since I could not stop the car, I decided to hit a tree, hoping the car would stop. It did not. It went over a cliff, after knocking the tree down. I was very badly injured and remain disabled. The car was a ford windstar 1998. I was told that there has been many accidents like this with the ford windstar but ford never did a recall. I have since been told that ford and toyota use the same manufacturer for some of their parts. My car still exists if it needs to be examined.

Filed Dec 8, 2009 · Acceleration · 97,826 miles · MT · fire

Had the recall for the cruise,a potential fire hazard, the recall was done on 11/25/2009, recall # 09s09, after 11 day and only 146 miles the alternator caught fire.

Filed Nov 30, 2009 · Acceleration · 110,000 miles · MI · fire

On july 6, 2009, my ford windstar minivan burned up. I was driving to pick up supper when the cruise control stopped working. I went on, picked up supper, and started the car again. Immediately smoke started billowing. I pulled around the corner in the parking lot, parked again, and popped the hood. There was a small fire in the alternator area. I took my toddler out of the car and ran into a store to call the fire department. By the time they got there, the car was destroyed and a total loss. We had the car towed and given to mcdonald's towing. The fire department didn't know what caused it, but that it looked like possible leaking brake fluid.

Filed Oct 18, 2009 · Acceleration, Brakes · MS · fire

I have a 1998 ford windstar van 2 months ago I had a leak of fluid that caused some wires to burn into under the hood that caused wiring to my head light and overhead light to blow my mechanic had to direct wire one side of my head light and my cruise control system had to be disconnected as he said it would cause my van to catch fire. My ABS and brake system light stays on now as soon as the mechanic repaired the faulty part I started experiencing all the following things,,,I have lose of power . The van stalls in traffic and also as I'm taking off from a stop after putting the van in gear...when I put on the gas it makes a bad rattling sound like a lifter or valve tapping but only when the gas peddle is engaged. The gear shift feels like it gets stuck in park and I have a hard time getting it to release out of park before this problem my van drove great I never had any problems could you please find what the problem is thank you

Filed Oct 15, 2009 · Acceleration · 95,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford wind star. While driving with the vehicle speed cruise control activated at 52 MPH the rpms increased to four. She deactivated the cruise control, but then all of the warning lights illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle began to decelerate, then there was an under-hood fire. The fire department extinguished the flames. The vehicle was towed to a center where an investigator from the city inspected the vehicle. He speculated that the cause of the failure was the vehicle speed cruise control switch. She will receive a report in ten days. The insurance company stated because it was a cruise control fire the manufacture was responsible. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 95,000.

Questions about the 1998 Ford Windstar acceleration

Does the 1998 Ford Windstar have acceleration problems?

Owners have filed 73 complaints about the acceleration of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 5% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Ford Windstar acceleration problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 99,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford Windstar acceleration?

Yes, 1 recall: 09V399000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Windstar have the most acceleration problems?

The Ford Windstar model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2002 (147 complaints), 2000 (138 complaints) and 2001 (127 complaints).

Other 1998 Ford Windstar problems

Transmission 330Suspension 228Brakes 199Engine 193Steering 143Electrical 111Wheels 83Body 81Fuel system 71Tires 58Lights 45Visibility 44Seat belts 28Locks 17Seats 15Airbags 13Driver assistance 6

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