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.
1998 Ford Windstar: complete transmission failure
81 of the 1,424 complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 81
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,900
- typical mileage
- 74,000
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 49 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
Transmission failed on garden state parkway in nj, stranded in busy traffic.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact was driving 25 MPH when the transmission failed and the vehicle would no longer operate. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence and the dealer was contacted. The dealer advised that there were no recalls and they were unable to assist. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 155,000.
1998 ford windstar transmission failed. No warning, no problems prior to failure.
1998 windstar, transmission failure, complete overhaul , $1700.00 dollars, the van was bought for my mother, she's 81 , the van was thought to be dependable and left her on the road. Mechanic said the planetary gears were shot, new gears and torque converter, complete overhaul. The van was owned by my mother in law , bought new , when she passed away I gave it to my mother, two women drivers, over 60 years of age, so there was no abuse to the van, always taken to a mechanic for oil changes and maintenance,,,what gives...
My 1998 ford windstar has broken both right and left coil springs. I've had to replace the transmission, my ABS and regular brake light won't go away even after servicing. My overdrive light keeps coming on and staying lit for days.
1998 ford windstar 3.8l engine, head bolts stretched causing coolant leak into engine, head gasket was not blown so wynn's service contract will not pay for $1800 repair. This is the second major expense, I had to replace the transmission at 80,000 miles.
Van will stall when decelerating into a turn, ocurrs 2-3 times per week. Automatic transmission failed at 84,000 miles costng $1,700 to repair. Van would vibrate and stutter when aceelerating from a complete stop. Had van to dealer 3-4 times for stalling problem, they claimed they could find nothing wrong.
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.
Transmission on van went without warning, stranded the complainant in a parking lot. Van had to be towed to repair shop to have transmission replaced. Thsi was the thrid major repair to this vehicle (repairs costing more than $1,000 each). Purchased the used vehicle in april 2001- had 30,000 miles on it, currently has a little over 100,000 miles. Just after the dealer warranty expired the van had parts replaced in the transmission, then parts replaced in the drive train (expensive). Entire rack and pinion replacement followed. The reapirs were done withing 18 months prior to this transmission replacement. Even after having the entire transmission and rive train replaced, there is still a growling underneath the vehicle when it idles at a stop sign. Vehicle also has erratic shifting when rounding corners at low speeds (clunking sounds and vehicle shakes when van drops into gear)- all of this even after the transmission was replaced! What a lemon!
Purchased a 1998 windstar on 11/20/01. We had to replace the transmission only four months later, at only 44,000 miles. This van currently has a busted head gasket and is inoperable at only $64,000.00 miles. These issues with this make and model are quite common and wide-spread. For motor company is quite aware. Both problems could have caused serious accidents and property damages. They are excessive and extraordinary.
The transmission failed after having the fluid and pan gasket changed within the previous 6 months. Since it is a '98 and although it has the same transmission as earlier years (whose transmissions have been replaced at no cost to the owner because of either recalls or secret warranties) ford refused to replace this transmission at cost.
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 transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 1998 Ford Windstar?
81 of 1,424 owner complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar (6%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the 1998 Ford Windstar?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,900 (median of 18 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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 85ABS 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 5Won't start 5
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