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.
1998 Ford Windstar: won't start
5 of the 1,424 complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar describe won't start.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 0%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 37 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Won't start by model year
What owners say
Surging, lack of power, stalling, no start condition
Vehicle would not start, took vehicle to firestone and they replaced the starter. 5 days later, vehicle would not start. Firestone stated it was the pin switch that drained the battery. *ak consumer states that the transmission failed at 81000 miles.
Vehicle has been in numerous times for new seals on front right passenger door for wind noise: also been in for failed brake system numerous times and front rotors have been on back order for almost 2 months: in numerous times for front end alignment-checked and rechecked by several ford dealers and they cannot do anything, vehicle has always pulled to the right; engine has died several times and would not start back up; front pads on brake system have been replaced and rotors turned at only 10,000 miles still grinding and will not stop correctly; vehicle feels to me as unsafe for my wife and two younger boys.
When driving and turning corner the vehicle just cut off and would not start back up. Had to be towed. A fuse leading to the fuel pump blew out. Dealer contacted, and has not remedied the problem.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Engine-gear driven synchronizers-incorrect installation-camshaft position synchronizer (CMP) installation...
- Incorrectly installed gear driven camshaft position (CMP) sensor synchronizer assemblies causing surge,...
- Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant...
- Engine oil system priming procedures, service tips for reports of premature engine failure
- Some vehicles may exhibit vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing...
- On some vehicles, engine oil may continue to leak from the engine oil pan gasket area after an engine oil...
- Subject regarding engine oil recommendations for use in 2001 vehicles - sae 5W-20 motor oil
- Subject on engine coolant leaking into the engine oil on some vehicles
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1998 Ford Windstar won't start
Is won't start a common problem on the 1998 Ford Windstar?
5 of 1,424 owner complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar (0%) mention won't start. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Ford Windstar?
There are 0 recalls and 37 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Ford Windstar
Stalling 98Coil spring 85Transmission failure 81ABS 75Ball joint 56Grinding brakes 51Fire or smoke 40Tire blowout 32Adaptive cruise 31Brake failure 28Jerking 27Fuel pump 22Harsh shifting 22Check engine light 20Won't shift 20Slipping 19Door locks 18Sudden acceleration 17Wipers 17Pulling 15Fuel gauge 14Power steering loss 13Engine failure 12Overheating 10Headlights 9Hesitation 8Loss of power 8Power windows 8Seat belt 8Fuel leak 7Fuel smell 6Steering lock-up 6Steering noise 6Knocking 5
VIN decoder
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