Overview & Reviews

Ford widens the driver door as a stop-gap measure until the 1999 Windstar arrives with a fourth door. Subtle styling revisions and a new Limited model round out the changes for 1998.

• Powerful engines and roomy interior.

• Offensive shape, lack of suspension refinement.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 118.00

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  10 years and still going - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Mark - April 9 - 8:51 pm

  We purchased our Windstar new almost 10 years ago. It has been almost trouble free the whole time. We pull a 3,500 pound camper with it and it pulls great. We went from WI to Montana 2 years ago with camper fully loaded 80 to 85 MPH all day with temperature outside in the 90s. It ran great. The mileage averages about 18 MPG, which isnt that good but it has never had any major problems. Have heard a lot of bad things about engine and transmission problems, but we have not had any. I use synthetic oil and flush the transmission every 30 to 40K miles. Very comfortable front seats. Great for those long rides.

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  Unsafe and totally unreliable - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By fitzh2o - April 7 - 10:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle because of its safety crash rating. The way it has been going with this vehicle, we may find out how crash worthy it is sooner than we hope. We have only owned it since January of 2001 and it only had 18,000 miles on it. It now only has 32,000 miles. We have had to replace 2 ABS censors which were thankfully under warranty. Now, we have no brakes! You push the pedal to the floor and hope you will stop. We have been given an estimate of $400-$1000 for repairs. As soon as this vehicle is repaired we are dumping it. No more American cars for our family. Our last one was a Dodge Grand Caravan and the transmission went outon it at 60,000 miles.

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  The Ford Windstar is a piece of junk - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By johnanderson - November 24 - 10:00 am

  The Ford Windstar is a piece of junk, dont buy one This is the only new car I ever bought and it is the worst car I ever owned. ItÂ’s supposed to be 100,000 mi service free 1998 Windstar LX NEW TRANSMISSION AT 75,000 MI Loose computer cables 1st week New battery first 6 months New alternator first 6 months New Serpentine belt at 30kmi New rear shocks at 50kmi 3 sets of tie rods in 65,000 mi New Catalytic converter at 75,000mi 2 new oxygen sensors 2 of 5 power locks donÂ’t work All the plastic screws are falling out on the out side And donÂ’t even ask about the crappy service department. I left Ford as soon as the warrantee ran out

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  UNRELIABLE - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Sherry Lundy - September 23 - 8:21 am

  If I had only known. We thought we were getting a deal purchasing this in 00 with only 20K mi. for $11K...since then we have spent more than we would have to purchase new! Transmission 2 times once at 30K and now at 80K, chews up brakes, tires annually and is driven less than 12K per year! Lost brakes completely 3 times, something to do with the ABS/traction control. Does not hold an alignment, creeks, squeaks, clunks still after everything replaced...bearings, struts, bushings, steering rack. And than there is the elusive fix to the interior lights staying on, no one can figure it out so battery needs to be replaced frequently! Wish I had known...never would have bought it.

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  Rambling Wreck - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By joetomburk - September 17 - 11:40 am

  Probably a lease return as the car had approximately 18,000 miles when I purchased. Problems began with defective radiator hose which was replaced by the dealer. After that I bore the brunt of all repairs including intake manifold gasket (luckily not the head gaskets since it was only $600 to repair rather than $1200). Front end extremely noisy and have made multiple trips to the mechanic with little change. Things are better for a while and then back to normal (clunking noise). Have experienced similar problems with door ajar indicator-heavy doses of WD 40 in all of the locks usually cures this ill. Brakes a shaky at best. First and last purchase of any Ford product.

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  Reliability poor - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Spark - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Overal, it was great first 40K miles. No problems. We enjoyed the vehicle. We started having many small problems- alternator, suspension parts, front struts (twice),idler arm pulley, door lock, etc. One major probelm on head gasket for engine- was a major job $1000. nagging problem with stalling-finally solved by reprgraming of PCM module.

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  Geesh, Bought new, No more Fords... - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By David R Backus - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle brand new. It never ran right from day one. The car would shake around 70 miles an hour. I kept taking it in to the dealer and they could not find anything wrong with it. RIGHT! The transmission went out at 84000 miles. The power steering before that at 77000 miles at 2200 and 600 dollars a Pop. Then the brakes siezed up on me. I called Ford but to no avail Basically they said sorry about your luck the warranty expired. I NEVER SAY NEVER, BUT I will not be buying a Ford product again in the near future. I will not recommend Ford to Anyone I care about.Stay away from the WINDBAG!

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  Last Ford - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By chris D - December 28 - 6:52 pm

  We purchased the vehicle new from the dealership and had great luck until about 30,000 miles. We then kept having basic problems including continual brake problems, Blown head gasket, Intake manifold, Electrical problems on windows and door locks. I have spent an additional $6,000 over 7 years to keep it running with no help from Ford. At this point, 113,000 miles, I will keep it because its not worth anything unless the transmission or something else goes. This is my last Ford, they have made a loyal Toyota customer from me.

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  Dont Buy This Car - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Blaine Kemsley - November 20 - 6:17 pm

  We have had more costs for repairs for this car than the car itself cost 5 years ago, and way more than its worth today. Everything from the engine to the wheel covers have been trouble. We have had to repair or replace the radiator, wheel bearings (all of them), power steering pump, windshield wiper motor, oxygen sensors, exhaust manifold gaskets, head gaskets, serpentine belt pulley, front axle, dozens of lug bolts and the silly sunburst wheel covers 6 times. Why they have a wheel cover on an alloy wheel is beyond me. I would never recommend this car to anyone.

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  Very Good Experience - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By John_Denver - November 2 - 2:23 am

  I bought this van with 32k on it and its been very reliable. I change the fluids regularly. We live in Denver and love skiing so we take it up in the mountains 20-30x a year. No transmission or engine problems ever. It has good power with the 3.8l. I think were only replaced the water pump and brakes a couple times.