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 1 through 10 of 118.00

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  Good ol van - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By IceBerge - August 1 - 7:47 pm

  Weve had this van for about 12 years now, buying it used from a rental car company, instead of an Explorer. Considering its age and mileage its held up quite well. Only real issues ore the common door sensor problem and the engine uses a little bit of oil, though no leaks. The car is extremely comfortable to drive, the ride is very smooth whether with just a driver or fully loaded with passengers. The seats are very comfortable and make longer road trips a easier thing to handle. The rear bench is a little heavy and cumbersome to remove but the middle captain chairs are as simple as can be. 107,000 miles and going strong, we plan on keeping this thing till it dies.

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  Transmission Hint for You - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By C Perry - August 10 - 3:30 pm

  It sounds like this vehicle is hit or miss with a lot of folks. For us, its been a total hit with a few caveats. Bought used in 04 for $6k, from day one the cruise control didnt work and every once in awhile the dome lights will not turn off. Spray some W2-40 on all contacts for each door seems to fix (and a hint I read elsewhere). Otherwise, the master cylinder went out but no biggie. This thing holds a ton of stuff and is very roomy. Its been an awesome family car for us. Be aware there is 1 side door, not two like most these days.

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  Some problems with age - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Dan Meyers - July 13 - 2:10 pm

  The car is not that bad. I purchased it new. Occassionally the Check engine light flares , due to ethanol fuel. Ethanol is corn,which attracts water. Disconnect the battery, remove the fuel filter, blow out the gas and water,add a bottle of Rubbing alcohol to only 5 gals of gas, reconnect the battery after 5 minutes to reset the ECM.and its good for the next few weeks. If I can retrofit a glass bowl purge type system ,that might eliminate the water. Also, I just replaced that dual speed fan control switch for $38..and saved plenty. Ford said itll cost about $800 . That little fan switch controls the A/C vacum doors, power brake boosters, speed control and other do dads. Running good now.

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  Problems with Two Fords so far - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By dawn - June 30 - 7:37 pm

  Our fam of 5, often drives from Denver to Spokane. We got the windstar after the trans on our explorer went out in the middle of WY, 100s of miles near nothing in the middle of the night. This week on the van we replaced the R&P, for DIYs this is inexpensive but difficult 100.00. And the power steering pump, a little difficult but inexpensive 60.00. The ABS light goes on and off for no reason. Dome lights dont always turn off, and door ajar stays on. Cruise control went out after it surged to 95, like the throddle got stuck. Shifts really hard. Lots of room for the kids, not much room for baggage in the back. You have to drop the engine to change plugs, wires

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  Good reliability - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By wirebender - December 8 - 10:00 am

  This has been a workhorse for me. We have traveled back and forth from Oregon to California to Arizona numerous times and have never had any trouble. Van now has over 90k miles and still going strong. Regular maintenance has been all that is needed. Highly recommend.

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  Great performer in the long run - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By duke - August 30 - 7:54 pm

  When you compare the low maintenance cost versus the three or four times maintenance cost of imports there is no comparison. For comfort the interior design of the Windstar served as a model for the coming years to other minivans. For fuel economy nineteen to twenty miles per gallon was ahead of its time in comparison to the other minivans. And when you become aware of the fact that after ten years or more many Windstars are still on the road. Whereas the Honda Odysseys, Susuki Oasis, Toyota Siennas, and the rest of that bunch have mostly been decommissioned even though their owners spend a lot more money on them trying to keep them alive. The contest is over. Windstar is the winner

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  10 Years Ownership - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By B Whitcomb - August 18 - 8:39 pm

  Good reliable engine, no oil burner and exceeded EPA estimates on highway achived 26 MPG on highway. A lot of interior noise. Removable second and third row seats very heavy. Brakes marginal. Tow package for 3500 lbs worked well. No major failures in 203000 miles. Seat cushions on front driver side did not retain cushion. Radio AM reception poor.

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  Served me well - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Intel Timmy - June 18 - 9:46 am

  Look in any car buying guide and youll read to stay away from this vehicle. My 3.8 liter Windstar served me well and all I can tell you is that I sold it a few months ago with 187,000 miles and I never had a problem with it. I religiously changed the oil and rotated the tires. It has tons of interior room, decent gas mileage and a pretty smooth ride. I hauled 1,100 lbs of bagged rocks behind the third row seat, numerous 4 x 8 sheets of drywall and other things and it kept going strong. Of course, I washed it once a week, waxed it twice a year and kept up the vehicle very, very well. I sold mine a few months ago for $2,000 and probably could have gotten more.

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  Never Let Me Down - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Started Every Time! - June 11 - 7:12 pm

  We bought GL model at 6 y/o w/70,000 on it. I must say it has always been very reliable. Started up every morning. I dont recall it ever breaking down on me. The engine on this is a monster. For a van, it has great power and pickup. The transmission too, has great power and pickup. My only problem with this van was its electrical system. My Aerostar had the same exact problem. Must be a Ford thing. Interior lights go on, wont go off. A short in the steering column makes it ding w/ the key out. I have to punch the steering wheel to make it stop. Side door dummy light stays on for a while after its closed. But it was a comfort ride w/room to spare. Great for a family of 5.

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  Oscurito review - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By oscurito - June 9 - 9:21 am

  I owned this for 2 and a half years, I have no complaints about this truck. I only did its regular maintenance as oil change, tune ups. The only thing I could complain about is the transmission, it slips a little when you are on the stop and go within the city but once you are on the highway your ride is very smooth!