10/16/15 bought van. 10/30/15 stop had towed home.call dealership had towed to there place. They ran a red wire from fuse relay to inside of dashboard took over a week got it back. Not in even week later transmission start messing up told them wouldn't change gears. It went out. They didn't want to fix it file complaint with (dmv) investigator got in touch with them agreement was they will have it fix we dont pay labor, we just pay for trans and fluids. Had it towed they been had van year. 10/2016 they found trans cost 515.paid them. Then in 11/2016 said radiator was cracked we had to pay 102.84 another month 12/26/2016 got van. Its messed up smoking brakes burnt up.the speedometer lines under van not connect just hanging dont match up one broke at the end. The odometer not hook up. Told them then carried to inspection failed. Make a long story short they lied the trans cost 250 the guy that was working on it busted radiator busted it they didnt tell us. They responsible .the miles have been rolled back.2 times. 10/15/2015 says 144448.now 01/02/17 says 144208. They been had a year and the odometer disclousuer statement was signed by the lady not me are my wife.she said she didn't but did. Want give us money back and they put all the invoices in his name and dealership name like we didn't pay for anything and she still want give me a invoice for the 515 for trans. The man going to tell me put it up for sale cant they messed it up and took all our money we only get paid once a month. Want our money back.
1998 Ford Windstar transmission problems
330 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 89,626. 11 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 330
- of this car's complaints
- 23%
- typical mileage
- 89,626
- crashes
- 11
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission246
- Manual transmission18
- Axle assembly14
- Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch9
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)6
- Driveline4
- Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)3
- Automatic transmission: torque converter2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Windstar transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Ford Windstar transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Transmission failure 81Jerking 27Harsh shifting 22Won't shift 20Slipping 19Hesitation 8
Related recalls
Power train: axle assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 12V193000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 97V097000 · Recall details
What 1998 Ford Windstar owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Rear axle extremely rusted, falling apart, still garage conditions, doesn't look safe
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle made a loud banging sound and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the intermediate servo needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000. Updated 08/19/14*lj updated 8/30/2017
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled with the illumination of all of the instrument panel warning lights. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where a diagnostic was performed and located the failure at the power train module. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the manufacturer's power train PCM recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 154,327.
Ford issued a tsb on this problem. The repair is to reprogram the powertrain control module (PCM). Stall during deceleration to a stop, parking and/or coasting during slow speed turns. Vehicles equipped with 3.8 liter engine. My van is doing this but shows no recall with VIN #
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the RPM increased to 3,000 and the speed dropped to 35 MPH. The contact was able to move onto the shoulder. The vehicle returned to normal function after the restart. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 121,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated after shifting into reverse, the vehicle failed to move and the over drive light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact mentioned that she shifted into drive and the vehicle functioned properly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who advised the contact to take the vehicle into a ford dealer for inspection. The failure mileage was 197,000.
After it was put into reverse and I went to park there was a loud noise and I couldn't move the van. Got out and look at it and saw it was the rear axel completely broken.
Questions about the 1998 Ford Windstar transmission
Does the 1998 Ford Windstar have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 330 complaints about the transmission of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 23% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Windstar transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 89,626 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford Windstar transmission?
Yes, 2 recalls: 12V193000, 97V097000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Windstar have bad transmission?
The Ford Windstar model years with the most transmission complaints are 1995 (875 complaints), 1998 (330 complaints) and 1996 (322 complaints).
Other 1998 Ford Windstar problems
Suspension 228Brakes 199Engine 193Steering 143Electrical 111Wheels 83Body 81Acceleration 73Fuel system 71Tires 58Lights 45Visibility 44Seat belts 28Locks 17Seats 15Airbags 13Driver assistance 6
VIN decoder
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