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.
1998 Ford Windstar wheels problems
83 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 96,714. 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 83
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 96,714
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs52
- Rim10
- Hub2
- Multi piece1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Windstar wheels problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Wheel stud fracture
The subject vehicles range in age from 4?7 years in service, with average mileages estimated to range from 50 to 100 thousand miles.at these mileages, the subject wheels are likely to have been removed and reinstalled multiple times for various service procedures.odi is concerned about the high wheel separation rates in the my 1997-98 windstar vehicles equipped with aluminum alloy wheels.however, analysis of failure data indicates that most of the incidents in that population of vehicles occur after the vehicles had accumulated 30 thousand miles of service. The factors that increase the risk that inadequate clamp loads may be achieved during service-related wheel installation are not unique to the subject vehicles.testing conducted by ford and vrtc indicate that the my 1998 windstar aluminum wheel fastening system performs similar to the wheel fastening systems on peer minivans.no design or manufacturing defects were identified in the wheel fastening systems of the subject vehicles. Ford will send a mailing to owners of windstar vehicles with aluminum wheels that have high wheel separation rates that reviews the appropriate wheel fastening procedures and states that the wheel nuts should be tightened to the nominal torque, 100 ft-lbs (136 nm), and re-tightened to the same torque after 500 miles.ford?s letter also states that it is ?a good practice to be sure that before installing the wheel the aluminum wheel mounting surface, wheel lug nut area, and the mounting flange are free from dirt, debris, and loose rust to ensure the wheel is seated correctly and the wheel lug nuts remain fully tightened.? Odi will continue to monitor the incidence of wheel fastener failures in the subject vehicle population.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. For additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA03004
Wheel stud fracture
Analysis of odi and ford data has identified 1619 incidents of wheel stud fracture in my 1998 through 2000 ford windstar vehicles, including 69 wheel separations and 11 crashes.ford has not been able to identify any design or manufacturing defects in its analyzis of the problem.ford maintains that the failures are caused by either:(1) inadvertent overtorquing of lug nuts during removal or installation; or (2) fatigue due to insufficient clamp load between the wheel and the brake rotor or drum and hub assembly.according to ford, corrosion, dirt, or damage present on the road wheel at the nut inteface could contribute to the latter condition. Analysis of odi complaint data indicates that the subject vehicles experience wheel stud failures at significantly higher rates than peer minivans.this investigation has been upgraded to further assess the frequency, scope, and trend of the alleged defect condition in my 1997 through 2000 windstar minivans.
PE02085
What 1998 Ford Windstar owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Was taking kids to school rear end started to wiggle over bump & left rear tire went into body. Found where ford did re-call snapped under their clamps.
My wife was taking my youngest two children to school in our vehicle when smoke started pouring in through the vents of the vehicle and at the same time she lost control of the steering sliding off onto the shoulder of the road. Once my wife made sure everyone was out of the smoke filled vehicle she noticed the tire was completely shredded on the passenger front side of the vehicle. She notified me and we had the van towed to a mechanics shop where we found out that the front passenger spring had busted causing the tire to be shredded. The mechanic advised buying two new tires for the front of vehicle, he also advised buying two new springs and replacing both of them on the front. The van was fixed and we paid for the bill and tire cost out of our own pocket. The manufacturer of the vehicle informed me today that they will not compensate for any of these costs even when a recall letter 01s19/01m03 states "we will install protective shields around the front coil springs of your vehicle. These shields will prevent the possibility of tire puncture should the spring fracture. ---- motor company will also pay for any repairs directly relating to the front coil springs of your vehicle free of charge ( parts and labor) so to me this is a failure of the respected company from full filling what I see in my eyes as a obligation to the consumer. I also feel the recall should have been to replace the springs..not install shields which I am sure was a much cheaper route.I have all receipts that concern this matter. Thanks!
While driving my mini van the right rear wheel (the complete wheel) fell off! Upon safely parking the van, I came to realize the entire rear axel had sheared in half! By a stroke of luck I found out there was a recall for this and also for the cruise control. I am having it replaced/fixed at dealers cost. Since this vehicle was bought used off a used dealers lot, I would like to make the following suggestion...there should be some type of mandatory law that all dealers, new and used, should have access to this website and be legally forced to check each and every vehicle prior to being sold.
I was driving on the interstate and my tire came off of my car. All of the lugs to my driver side front wheel broke. I called a mechanical shop that owns their own wrecker. They repaired the wheel, which included rotor, lug work. My vehicle was also damaged in the body. The fender , the door,the parts all around the area where the tire flung off. I have discovered on the internet that there exists a recall on vehicles the same year make and model as my vehicle.
While driving on the highway the right front wheel came off the car.
1998 ford windstar van. Front passenger lug bolts. All five lug bolt failed with no warning. Vehicle mileage 33300. No notice before failure. No shaking or vibrations. 60 MPH at time of incident. All parts saved. Replaced 5 lug bolts, 5 lug nuts, rotor.
1998 windstar lug nuts sheared off. *ts the left front wheel came off the vehicle as a result of the lug nut shearing off. The vehicle landed on it's wheel.
On 4/16/06 I was driving the vehicle and felt something strange in the right front wheel. I checked to see if the tire was flat and found nothing noticeable. I continued on my way drove about one more mile when all five lugs of the passenger side front tire broke causing the tire to fall off. The tire damaged the fender and door. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The mechanic inspected and replaced the lugs. He could not find any reason for the lugs to break. 1998 ford windstar.
1998 ford windstar. 2 driver side wheel lug bolts broke off while driving. Both studs sheared completely off. Replaced both studs from ford parts and 3 weeks later 1 of the new replacement lug bolts broke off.
Questions about the 1998 Ford Windstar wheels
Does the 1998 Ford Windstar have wheels problems?
Owners have filed 83 complaints about the wheels of the 1998 Ford Windstar, 6% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Windstar wheels problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 96,714 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford Windstar wheels?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ford Windstar have bad wheels?
The Ford Windstar model years with the most wheels complaints are 1998 (83 complaints), 1996 (42 complaints) and 1995 (38 complaints).
Other 1998 Ford Windstar problems
Transmission 330Suspension 228Brakes 199Engine 193Steering 143Electrical 111Body 81Acceleration 73Fuel system 71Tires 58Lights 45Visibility 44Seat belts 28Locks 17Seats 15Airbags 13Driver assistance 6
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