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.
1998 Ford Windstar: jerking or lurching
27 of the 1,424 complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar describe jerking or lurching.
- owner complaints
- 27
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 120,000
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 49 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Jerking or lurching by model year
What owners say
1998 ford windstar. Consumer writes in regards to several recent recalls and states she has had problems with jerking and tire ware *tgw the consumer stated the rear axle wa inspected and no problems were found. However, she continued to experience problems.
Car starts out normally. Car sometimes suddenly has a longer braking distance than normal and braking is jerky. "trac on" engages for a few seconds and traction is jerky. After that ABS light remains on and "trac off " light is flashing. It only happens occasionally. I am planning to take it to ford to correct ABS light.
My vehicle is having intermittent braking problems due to the ABS/ECM failure problem. The vehicle often brakes normally but occasionally brakes jerky- stopping poorly at best. The ABS light comes on intermittently as well. My mechanic thought that the ABS control module would need to be replaced. I now see that this problem is widespread among windstar vehicles, and as it is a dangerous condition, I want to know what will be done to repair these errant vehicles? In this economy, I have little money for such an expensive part! I am a very careful driver and I leave a good deal of braking distance just in case my brakes act up. At least until I can afford to fix them - or ford recalls my car and does the right thing.
1998 windstar jerks when down shifting. *ts
I have a 1998 ford windstar with about 100,000 miles on it. The engine is good, but while driving on the highway, it suddenly shifts to low gear and jerks. Initially, this would happen occassionally, but now it has reached a point that it down shifts very often especially when running at slow speed and the vehicle vibrates a lot. As a consequence, the passengers experience a very strong jolting forward like as if somebody stepped on the brakes at high speed. *jb a visit to my certified mechanic reveals that this experience is very common among ford transmissions on various cars. It will cost between $1,500 - $2,000 to replace the transmission.
Intermittently while driving there was a kicking noise from the transmission, which resulted in the vehicle losing transmission fluid.*ak transmission jerked and seemed to kick more on turns and acceleration. On one occasion, transmission fluid leaked all over the engine which resulted in smoking. Transmission needed to be replaced. *ph
My 1998 windstar has 89,000 miles and the transmission completey broke apart, with no warning at all. No slipping or anything. Sitting at a red light, the van jerked like we had been hit in the rear by someone doing 80 miles per hour. It is going to cost me $1800.00 to have it rebuilt. I know numerous complaints are filed with your organization on ford transmissions. I want to register my complaint.
The vehicle jerked when driving at any speed.
While driving vehicle will not shift from first gear, starts jerking, which causes seal pump to malfunction and transmission to blowout. Contacted dealer.
Consumer experiencing numerous problems with torque converter, transmission slipping, and lurching forward, problem is intermittent making it difficult for dealer to diagnose problem.
Whenever vehicle is shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear it would jerk. Problem happens at low speeds, 20-25mph. Can maintain control of vehicle. Had been to 3 different mechanics, and each time was informed that problem was torque converter.
Service bulletins that may apply
- General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures
- Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline
- New transmission cooler flusher - service tips
- Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes P0741 or P1744 stored...
- AX4S transaxle may exhibit no reverse engagement condition
- Some vehicles may exhibit a groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park
- Some vehicles may exhibit a park pullout clunk noise when shifting from park to another gear position
- Brake shift interlock
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
Questions about the 1998 Ford Windstar jerking
Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 1998 Ford Windstar?
27 of 1,424 owner complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar (2%) mention jerking or lurching. 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 2 recalls and 49 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 28Fuel 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 5Won't start 5
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