1998 Ford Windstar engine problems

Filed Oct 13, 2015 · Engine, Wheels · 200,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal noise and vibrations coming from the rear driver side of the vehicle. The contact observed that the rear driver side wheel turned inwards and the check engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 182,000 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed intermittently and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 182,000.

Filed Oct 30, 2014 · Engine · 144,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH during warm weather, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.

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 Aug 2, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 155,000 miles · SC

My windstar has about 155,000 miles on it and a 25 gallon tank. About six months ago it cut off on the interstate in front of a tractor trailer with my daughter driving. It had just traveled about 200 miles and it was raining hard. We had it towed to a ford dealer and all he reported was the fuel pump fuse blew. The second event was on vacation and after driving about 175 miles. Again it was pouring down rain. I figured it was moisture related and let it sit three days and the idle close to 1/2 hour. Finally I drove it about 45 minutes and it seemed fine so we drove home. Again at about 150 miles and heavy rain it blew the fuse about 5 miles from home. After two more fuses we made it home. I used an air compressor and air nibbler to carefully cut an access hole in the floor of the van. My daughters chrysler comes with an access point for fuel pump service. Now my van has one too. The original pump was in the tank. The wires exposed to fuel were chaffed in 5 spots and arcing at the push in connector. The arcing was due to a crimp on a hose clamp rubbing the wire near the push in pump connector. This rubbing may happen due to other stories I've read about where the tank collapsed from vacuum in the tank. Shame on the people who designed this pump, tank and the assembly process. By the way I'm a quality engineer at an engine factory. I expect a fuel pump to wear out -- not short out.

Filed Apr 13, 2012 · Engine, Suspension · 126,131 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated that after having repairs performed on the vehicle under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly), the vehicle would start jerking violently from the rear to the front when driving at speeds above 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ball joints, bushing, intake gaskets, spark plugs, and lower controls arms needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the recall repairs were already performed. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 126,131 and the current mileage was 127,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2012 · Engine · 195,000 miles · WI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact smelled a burning odor while driving approximately 40 MPH. The contact stopped the vehicle and inspected under the hood. The contact noticed a flame coming from the alternator. The contact used water to extinguish the flame. The fire department also reported to the scene. The contact replaced the alternator. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.

Filed Nov 14, 2011 · Brakes, Engine · MI

Tl* 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.

Filed Jul 28, 2010 · Engine · 137,773 miles · CA · fire

On july 3, 2010, I was driving my 1998 ford windstar van with my family. While waiting for a traffic signal to change, we observed smoke coming from under the van. I immediately pulled into a parking lot and turned off the engine. The smoke continued to get worse until flames appeared from under the hood. The fire department was summoned but the van was eventually destroyed by fire before the fire department could put out the fire. Prior to this event, the van was running smoothly. The temperature gauges were normal and there was no indication of any malfunction.

Filed Dec 9, 2009 · Engine · 100,130 miles · IL

1998 ford windstar, 3.8 engine. I have problems it started stalling when I stopped at a light or stop, suddenly the car stopped. Also when it was in the parking . Mechanic made the tune-up but still doing so, now it is doing a white cloud of steam, if I accel, it comes worst, should I wait for a recall or it's a normal problem?