We woke up this morning to the driver's side completely burned and melted. It had been parked sinced Monday. Fire inspector said it was definitely an electrical issue coming from the seat.
1998 Ford Windstar electrical problems
111 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 82,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 111
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 82,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Ignition15
- Wiring: front underhood9
- Wiring9
- Wiring: interior/under dash8
- Ignition: module7
- 12v/24v/48v battery6
- Alternator/generator/regulator5
- Ignition: switch4
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 electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Ford Windstar electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea08-021 is closed with ford's actions in recall 09v‑399 recalling approximately 4.5 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).with this recall ford has now recalled all of the approximate 16 million ford model vehicles that were manufactured from my 1992 through 2003 with a texas instruments scds.the federal safety agency will continue to monitor the recalled vehicles to ensure remedies installed by ford tomitigate the potential for scds related fires are effective.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for further details.
EA08021
Engine compartment fires
Odi has received 134 consumer complaints, 285 manufacturer complaints, and 137 manufacturer warranty claims alleging incidents of engine compartment fire in model year (my) 1995 thru 2003 ford windstar vehicles.two of the odi complaints allege the fires caused structural damage to the complainant's home.of the 134 odi complaints, 36 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked, 72 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was running and 26 of the complaints do not specify if the vehicle was running or not.further review of the odi complaints shows that 72 allege that the speed control deactivation switch (scds) caused the fire and 10 allege that the scds leaked brake fluid on to the ABS module resulting in the fire.there were 52 that did not identify a cause or that identified miscellaneous other causes.odi has also received 89 complaints ( not counted in this resume) alleging that the scds developed a brake fluid leak.thirteen of these complaints say that the leak at the scds resulted in braked fluid reaching the ABS module.this pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea) to further evaluate the cause of the fires and assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequences of the alleged defect.
PE08035
What 1998 Ford Windstar owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My mini van lights would flicker while I'm driving and even after replacing the starter in the car, it still turns off while I'm driving. There's rust coming from under the car, I smell a burnt smell when I'm driving. I'm having electrical issues, my car stops when it wants to in the middle of the highway, .. It makes noises when I'm turning, I have rust coming from under my car. The signal lights flicker. While driving the windshield washer, seat belt, and door ajar warning lights flash on and off. While this is happening the wiper blades stop working, front brake rotors is causing steering wheel to shimmy when the brakes are applied. Now when I turn my wheel to the left, it makes this loud nose. What is that?!
My mini van lights would flicker while I'm driving and even after replacing the starter in the car, it still turns off while I'm driving. There's rust coming from under the car, I smell a burnt smell when I'm driving. I don't know how my VIN number wasn't part of the recall, so many things is wrong with the van, one thing after another.. Please help me
I needed the starter replaced, my brakes, I'm having electrical issues, my car stops when it wants to in the middle of the highway,.. It makes noises when I'm turning, I have rust coming from under my car. The signal lights flickers
There's an electric shortage thats stopping my van from fully starting
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle taken to a local mechanic for inspection of the sub frame when the contact was advised that the sub frame was severely corroded and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact stated that the brake lines were also found to be corroded. The brake lines were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the sub frame failure and denied any assistance with the repair. The sub frame was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 114,000. The tie rods, front wheel bearings and battery had to be replaced within one year of owning the vehicle. The wheel cylinders, brake adjusters, spring kit, drums, rotors, shoes, and pads all had to be replaced. Also, the turn signal level stopped working for the left side. When the brake was applied, it went to the floor and then pulsated back up, and then the ABS light illuminated. Updated 02/01/12
About 10 minutes after parking and turning off my 1998 ford windstar the car filled with smoke coming from steering column. Later car would not start from keyswitch.
Tl*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.
Abs and brake light on, and no speed control.
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.
Questions about the 1998 Ford Windstar electrical
Does the 1998 Ford Windstar have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 111 complaints about the electrical of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Windstar electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 82,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford Windstar electrical?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ford Windstar have the most electrical problems?
The Ford Windstar model years with the most electrical complaints are 2003 (280 complaints), 2002 (261 complaints) and 2001 (223 complaints).
Other 1998 Ford Windstar problems
Transmission 330Suspension 228Brakes 199Engine 193Steering 143Wheels 83Body 81Acceleration 73Fuel system 71Tires 58Lights 45Visibility 44Seat belts 28Locks 17Seats 15Airbags 13Driver assistance 6
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